Exe GNU/Linux caters to power users who prize minimalism, security and fine-grained control. Under the hood it relies on exe-get (a lightweight, APT-inspired package manager), integrates cleanly with systemd and often runs on desktop stacks like Xfce, i3 or Openbox. It ships with a hardened kernel patchset (“exe-secure”), a bespoke firewall front-end (exe-fw), and places all third-party software under /opt/exe. Given this environment, the ideal VPNs are those offering native Linux CLI tools, open-source or audited clients, and repositories (or .deb packages) you can drop straight into exe-get.
After extensive testing on Exe’s rolling-release channel—and ensuring compatibility with exe-fw and NetworkManager-based GUIs—the standouts are:
- Mullvad – battle-tested, CLI-first, truly anonymous account model.
- ProtonVPN – open-source client, strong Linux support, integrated kill-switch.
- IVPN – privacy-centric, audited codebase, robust obfuscation.
- NordVPN – polished Linux CLI, lots of servers, built-in threat protection.
Here’s a quick comparison tailored to Exe GNU/Linux:
| Service | CLI Package | Open-Source CLI | Kill-Switch | P2P Support | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mullvad | mullvad-cli (.deb) | Yes | Yes (network namespace) | Yes | Sweden |
| ProtonVPN | protonvpn-cli (.deb) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Switzerland |
| IVPN | ivpn-cli (.deb) | Partially (wrapper only) | Yes | Yes | Gibraltar |
| NordVPN | nordvpn-linux (.deb) | No (closed CLI) | Yes | Limited | Panama |
Mullvad – Installation Configuration
Mullvad’s open-source CLI runs flawlessly on Exe. You get a small mullvad binary, plus a systemd unit for auto-reconnection.
1. Add the official Mullvad repo and install:
# wget -qO /usr/share/keyrings/mullvad-archive-keyring.gpg https://keyserver.ubuntu.com/pks/lookup?op=getampsearch=0x3EDBE90A4E8C7722 # echo deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/mullvad-archive-keyring.gpg] https://repo.mullvad.net/debian stable main gt /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mullvad.list # exe-get update # exe-get install mullvad
2. Log in using your account number:
mullvad account login YOUR-ACCOUNT-NUMBER
3. Start the service:
# systemctl enable --now mullvad-daemon.service # mullvad connect # default to fastest server
4. Verify status and firewall integration:
mullvad status exe-fw list # should show the tun0 interface locked down
ProtonVPN – Installation Configuration
ProtonVPN publishes a Debian package and an open-source Python CLI. Perfect for Exe.
1. Install dependencies and the repo key:
# exe-get install openvpn dialog python3-pip # pip3 install protonvpn-cli
2. Initialize:
sudo protonvpn-cli init
Provide your ProtonVPN credentials when prompted.
3. Connect to a server:
protonvpn-cli c --fastest
4. Enable the built-in kill-switch:
protonvpn-cli ks --on
IVPN – Installation Configuration
IVPN’s client is available as a Debian package and integrates with NetworkManager for XFCE/i3 setups.
1. Download amp install:
# wget https://www.ivpn.net/files/linux/ivpn-cli.deb -O /tmp/ivpn-cli.deb # exe-get install /tmp/ivpn-cli.deb
2. Authenticate:
ivpn login
3. Connect with high-security profile:
ivpn connect --multihop
4. Use the built-in firewall locking:
ivpn firewall enable
With these three VPNs configured on Exe GNU/Linux, you’ll enjoy solid privacy, seamless integration with exe-fw and systemd, plus excellent CLI tooling for both minimalism and advanced scripting.
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