How to choose, use and configure a VPN in The Slackware Linux Project (Comparison)

Choosing the Right VPN for Slackware Linux

Slackware users are known for valuing simplicity, transparency and control. With its classic pkgtool-based package management (augmented by slackpkg and community-driven SBo builds), SysV init scripts and absence of systemd, Slackware demands VPN clients that are lean, systemd-free and easily integrated via either pure CLI tools or straightforward packages.

Typical Slackware desktops include KDE Plasma, Xfce, MATE or Enlightenment—and many users prefer working in a terminal or light window manager. A good VPN solution for this distro should:

Support both OpenVPN and WireGuard out of the box
Require no systemd units (uses plain init scripts or CLI tooling)
Be available as a generic Linux tarball or via SlackBuild
Provide clear documentation for manual configuration

Based on these criteria, the stand-outs are:

ProtonVPN CLI – a Python-based tool requiring no systemd, works with both OpenVPN and WireGuard
Mullvad OpenVPN/WireGuard configs – plain config files you run with Slackware’s openvpn or wg-quick
IVPN OpenVPN/WireGuard configs – similarly portable, straightforward setup

VPN Comparison Table

VPN Service	Protocols	Slackware Packaging	CLI Usage	GUI Availability	Notable Features	Official Site
ProtonVPN	OpenVPN, WireGuard	SlackBuild / pip install	Yes	No (CLI only)	Multi-hop, Secure Core, Auto-connect	ProtonVPN
Mullvad	OpenVPN, WireGuard	Config bundles (tar.gz)	Yes	No (Run via OpenVPN/WG)	Strict no-logs, Port forwarding	Mullvad
IVPN	OpenVPN, WireGuard	Config bundles (zip)	Yes	No (Run via OpenVPN/WG)	Multi hop, No logs, NFT marketplace	IVPN

Installing Configuring the Top VPNs

1. ProtonVPN CLI

ProtonVPN’s official CLI is Python-based and doesn’t demand systemd. You can install via pip or build a SlackBuild.

Prerequisites: Python 3, openvpn and wireguard-tools installed from Slackware.

Install with pip:

# As root or via sudo
python3 -m pip install protonvpn-cli

Initialise and login:

# Initialize the config directory
protonvpn-cli init

# Follow the interactive prompts, then log in
protonvpn-cli login your_protonvpn_username

To connect:

# Quick connect with best server
protonvpn-cli c --fastest

# Or list and select
protonvpn-cli s
protonvpn-cli c

Disconnect:

protonvpn-cli disconnect

2. Mullvad via OpenVPN/WireGuard

Mullvad publishes generic configuration bundles. With Slackware’s openvpn and wg-quick, setup is very hands-on.

Step 1: Download and extract configs:

# Create a folder
mkdir -p /etc/mullvad-vpn
cd /etc/mullvad-vpn

# Fetch OpenVPN config bundle
wget https://mullvad.net/download/openvpn-configs/

# Or fetch WireGuard ZIP
wget https://mullvad.net/download/wireguard-configs/ -O wg.zip

# Extract
unzip wg.zip
unzip openvpn-configs/.zip

Step 2: WireGuard setup (recommended):

# Move chosen config 
mv mullvad_xxxxxx.conf /etc/wireguard/mullvad.conf

# Bring interface up
wg-quick up mullvad

# To stop
wg-quick down mullvad

Step 3: OpenVPN alternative:

# Connect with OpenVPN
openvpn --config /etc/mullvad-vpn/mullvad_country_city_udp.ovpn

3. IVPN via OpenVPN/WireGuard

IVPN’s approach is nearly identical to Mullvad. You download a ZIP of configs and then run OpenVPN or WireGuard manually.

# Create directory
mkdir -p /etc/ivpn
cd /etc/ivpn

# Download config bundle
wget https://www.ivpn.net/config/ivpn-configs.zip
unzip ivpn-configs.zip

# WireGuard
mv ivpn_xxxxx.conf /etc/wireguard/ivpn.conf
wg-quick up ivpn

# OpenVPN
openvpn --config /etc/ivpn/ivpn_servername_udp.ovpn

All three services integrate smoothly into Slackware’s minimalist ethos. Choose ProtonVPN CLI for a guided, menu-driven approach, or Mullvad/IVPN if you prefer working directly with OpenVPN and WireGuard config files under SysV init. Either way, you’ll get rock-solid encryption, modern protocols and full control over your VPN connection.

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