If you’re looking to achieve greater online privacy and security on your Raspberry Pi, using a VPN is an excellent solution. With a VPN, you can encrypt your internet connection and bypass online restrictions, allowing you to access regional or restricted content from around the world.
In addition to providing security benefits, a Raspberry Pi can also be set up as a VPN gateway, providing VPN-protected WiFi access to your entire home. This is a cost-effective alternative to purchasing a VPN router, and allows you to use VPNs on devices that don’t support VPN installation. In this article, we’ll provide an overview of the best VPNs for Raspberry Pi, each of which offers native support for the Raspberry Pi’s Debian-based operating system Raspberry Pi OS. Our recommended VPNs prioritize user privacy with strict no-logs policies and reliable VPN protocols, and come equipped with user-friendly GUI applications that streamline the connection process.
Best Raspberry Pi VPNs: Detailed Reviews
When it comes to choosing the best VPN for Raspberry Pi, it’s important to consider the unique features offered by each provider. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the top VPNs for Raspberry Pi, each offering trustworthy privacy and security. Check out our summaries below to find the VPN that meets all your needs.
| VPN Provider | Unique Characteristics |
|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | Lightning-fast speeds, user-friendly interface |
| NordVPN | Large server network, advanced security features |
| Surfshark | Affordable pricing, unlimited simultaneous connections |
| CyberGhost VPN | Easy-to-use interface, strong encryption |
| Private Internet Access | Robust security features, no-logs policy |
Remember, the best VPN for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. Consider factors such as speed, security, and pricing to make the right choice.
1. NordVPN
NordVPN is a popular VPN service that offers a command-line application that is compatible with Raspberry Pi OS. The VPN provides a detailed guide that explains how to install the VPN using commands on 12 different Raspberry Pi models.
Pros:
- NordVPN has a CLI app for Raspberry Pi, which is a rare feature among VPNs.
- The VPN service offers strong encryption and an audited zero logs policy to ensure your privacy.
- NordVPN has fully audited apps, server network, and policies to provide a secure and reliable service.
- The VPN has diskless servers in 60+ countries that allow torrenting and provide access to IP addresses anywhere you might need one.
- NordVPN works for streaming Netflix and many other popular platforms, making it a great choice for entertainment purposes.
Cons:
- NordVPN suffered a minor breach on a third-party server in 2018, which led to many network improvements and upgrades.
Overall, NordVPN offers a reliable and secure VPN service with a user-friendly interface and strong privacy features. The VPN provides a choice of protocols and numerous cutting-edge privacy and security features that are compatible with Raspberry Pi via the CLI. Whether you’re safeguarding your data at home or using public WiFi, NordVPN ensures your information remains secure. The VPN service is great for streaming, torrenting, and gaming, and comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a reliable and user-friendly VPN service that offers a high level of privacy and security. It is compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, and Linux. Although it lacks a dedicated Linux GUI application, it provides comprehensive instructions for manual setup for its CLI app, which uses commands to let you use various features, including switching between Lightway and WireGuard. Moreover, it offers handy GUI extensions for Chrome and Firefox, which allow you to control the main VPN client from your web browser.
Pros:
ExpressVPN offers several advantages, including:
- Servers in 105+ countries: With servers spanning over 105 countries, ExpressVPN’s command-line interface allows you to securely connect to a vast global network using straightforward commands.
- Independently audited infrastructure and policies: ExpressVPN’s commitment to privacy includes a strict no-logs policy and the use of diskless hardware for its VPN servers. Plus, the VPN has undergone a comprehensive third-party audit of its apps and infrastructure, which means you don’t have to take its privacy claims on faith alone.
- Diskless servers for added security: ExpressVPN’s use of diskless servers ensures that no data is stored on the servers, which enhances the privacy and security of your online activities.
- Kill switch, obfuscation, and DNS leak protection: ExpressVPN offers a kill switch, obfuscation, and DNS leak protection to ensure that your online activities remain private and secure.
- Fast speeds for playing games and HD streaming: ExpressVPN offers fast speeds, which make it ideal for playing games and HD streaming.
Cons:
ExpressVPN also has some drawbacks, including:
- A little pricey compared to our top recommendations: ExpressVPN is slightly more expensive than some of its competitors, which may not be suitable for users on a tight budget.
- Lacks port forwarding: ExpressVPN does not offer port forwarding, which may limit its usefulness for some users.
In terms of value for money, ExpressVPN scores a 6 out of 10. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which allows you to test its features and performance risk-free. However, its speed and value for money score only a 6 out of 10, which means that it may not be the best option for users who prioritize these factors. Nonetheless, its high scores for streaming, ease of use, and privacy make it a reliable and trustworthy VPN service.
3. Surfshark
If you are looking for a budget-friendly VPN for your Raspberry Pi, Surfshark is an excellent choice. While it does not have a Linux GUI app that works on Raspberry Pi OS or Raspbian, it provides a comprehensive guide for configuring OpenVPN connections through the command-line interface (CLI), making the setup process seamless.
With servers available in 100+ countries, Surfshark offers more options than any other VPN on this list. It provides exceptionally fast speeds for streaming, torrenting, gaming, and making VoIP calls in countries where Skype, WhatsApp, and other internet calling apps are blocked.
Pros:
- Allows unlimited simultaneous connections, making it great for sharing with friends and family
- Service has been independently audited, ensuring greater security
- Diskless servers in 100 countries, providing excellent privacy protection
- Excellent price point, offering great value for money
- GUI app for Linux, which can be used if you switch to a different Linux OS
Cons:
- The monthly plan is a bit pricey compared to other VPNs
- No auto-connect, so you’ll have to reconnect manually when the kill switch kicks in
Surfshark’s impressive fast speeds make it great for streaming, and it works to watch a dozen Netflix regions, Hulu, HBO Max, iPlayer, and tons of other popular services. You can also use it to torrent privately.
In terms of privacy, Surfshark scores high with a rating of 9.8 out of 10. It also offers excellent customer support, with a rating of 10 out of 10. Additionally, Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try it out risk-free.
Overall, Surfshark is a great VPN option for Raspberry Pi users who want a budget-friendly VPN with excellent streaming and torrenting capabilities, unlimited simultaneous connections, and high privacy protection.
4. Proton VPN
Pros:
- Proton VPN offers apps for all popular devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, and Linux. You can use them on all of your home’s devices, with 10 simultaneous connections allowed per account.
- Fast speeds for streaming and torrenting. The WireGuard protocol ensures you get the best speeds possible for these activities. We tested the VPN for streaming and found it to work with Netflix and various other services.
- Fully audited service. Proton VPN has a rigorous no-logs policy to safeguard your privacy.
- Has a basic free plan. Proton VPN provides a free plan, meaning you can test it on your Raspberry Pi and all of your other devices.
Cons:
- Harder for beginners to use. Proton VPN offers a manual OpenVPN configuration through the command-line interface for Raspberry Pi users. For those seeking a more user-friendly experience, a comprehensive graphical user interface (GUI) application is available, but it requires flashing your Raspberry Pi with a standard Debian, Ubuntu, or Windows OS.
- Live chat is for subscribers only. Customer support is available, but live chat is only accessible to subscribers.
- A touch pricey. While Proton VPN provides good value for money, it is slightly more expensive than some other VPN providers.
Proton VPN is a reliable VPN provider that offers strong security features, including strong encryption, a kill switch, MultiHop, obfuscation, and DNS leak protection. Port forwarding is available on the paid plan only. It is an excellent choice for torrenting and works to watch Netflix US with the paid plan only. Proton VPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test all its features.
Overall, Proton VPN is a good choice for those looking for a VPN with strong security features and a diverse server selection spanning over 70 countries. While it may be slightly harder for beginners to use and is a touch pricey, it provides good value for money and a basic free plan.
5. Mullvad
If you are looking for a VPN that offers super-fast and reliable connections, Mullvad might be the one for you. It provides the popular WireGuard protocol and is compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. However, it comes with a price tag of $5 per month, which is a bit expensive compared to other VPNs.
Pros:
- Super-fast and secure connections
- WireGuard available for Raspberry Pi
- MultiHop connections and obfuscation
- No logging policy
Mullvad offers WireGuard configuration files that allow straightforward connectivity to its servers through the third-party WireGuard client. You can easily install the third-party WireGuard application with Mullvad’s comprehensive guide. Once installed, you can connect to get some of the best VPN speeds available for your Raspberry Pi.
Mullvad also has GUI apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux, which come with advanced features like MultiHop connections, DNS leak protection, kill switch feature, split tunneling, port forwarding, obfuscation, and Tor over VPN. These advanced security measures contribute to a more secure and private online experience when using your Raspberry Pi.
Cons:
- Port forwarding feature has been removed
- Not as good for streaming
Mullvad has a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test its capabilities without risking your cash. In our tests, this VPN worked to access Netflix and various other popular services, which makes it a decent all-rounder that is well worth testing. You won’t need to hand over an email address to make an account, and it’s great for adding another layer of security.
In summary, Mullvad is a reliable VPN that provides fast and secure connections, but it comes with a price tag. Its advanced features make it worth testing, but it may not be the best option for streaming.
Raspberry Pi VPN Testing Methodology
When testing VPNs for Raspberry Pi, we prioritize robust security, privacy, speed, and global server network. Our goal is to recommend the most secure VPNs available for a Raspberry Pi in its native state. However, it is worth remembering that VPNs lack some features for Raspberry Pi OS/Raspbian, so if you want access to a GUI app with additional features, you may want to flash your RPi with Debian, or another compatible operating system.
We have highlighted some key criteria that we used to pick the best VPNs for Raspberry Pi:
Robust Security
The VPNs we recommend for Raspberry Pi prioritize robust security and privacy features. They include top-notch encryption, modern protocols, and various other features that may require updating your OS in order to access a GUI app with additional features such as a kill switch and obfuscation.
Privacy First
We exclusively recommend VPNs committed to your privacy, featuring a strict no-logs policy. These VPNs never share your data or retain IP address records. Our top three choices even employ diskless servers for added security.
High-Speed Servers
Our featured VPNs excel in providing fast connections and powerful servers, perfect for streaming, gaming, torrenting, and making video calls on your Raspberry Pi. Faster speeds are always preferable.
Global Server Network
Each recommendation offers a vast global server network, ensuring access to a wide range of IP addresses worldwide. They also work with most popular streaming services.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
These VPNs go beyond Raspberry Pi, working on multiple platforms. This versatility allows you to protect all your current and future devices and share your VPN with friends and family. As well as mobile devices, there should be apps for all platforms.
Reliable Support
Our recommended VPNs prioritize customer support, offering various options like live chat, email assistance, setup guides, FAQs, and other valuable resources for easy VPN setup and usage.
Third-Party Audits
Trust is the foundation of the value that VPNs provide. Almost every provider says they are a ‘no-logs’ VPN, but the only ways to test this claim are either through the courts or through audits. We only consider providers for our top three positions if they have undergone infrastructure audits from a reputable third party.
Diskless Infrastructure
This is a prerequisite to be considered for one of the top three positions on our list. Moving processes to RAM means that no information can be physically taken from servers and it is wiped on shutdown. It can also easily be wiped as a part of regular security procedures.
In conclusion, our testing methodology ensures that we recommend the most secure and reliable VPNs for Raspberry Pi. By prioritizing security, privacy, speed, global server network, cross-platform compatibility, and reliable support, we provide you with the best options for protecting your online activities on your Raspberry Pi.
Raspberry Pi VPN FAQs
Can You Get a Free VPN for Raspberry Pi?
Yes, you can get a free VPN for Raspberry Pi. One of the VPNs recommended in this guide, Proton VPN, offers a basic free plan that allows you to connect to three different server locations. You can connect to those servers on your Raspberry Pi free of charge by using the OpenVPN config files available in the member’s area of its website.
However, please note that the Proton VPN free plan is limited and designed for basic VPN use for privacy purposes. The free servers are available on an unlimited basis and will prevent ISP tracking, and give you privacy and protection on public WiFi. They will not work for accessing Netflix or other premium services. To perform these activities, you will need a paid account.
It is important to stay away from other free VPNs because many of them log data and sell user browsing habits to third parties. They also contain spyware, suffer from app and server vulnerabilities, have IP and DNS leaks, and lack the encryption needed to provide online privacy. This makes using free VPNs a huge threat to the safety of your Raspberry Pi.
What Can You Use a Raspberry Pi VPN For?
A Raspberry Pi VPN can extend your device’s capabilities and offer endless possibilities. Here are some compelling uses that you should consider for your RPi after investing in a VPN subscription:
- Public WiFi security: Stay protected on public Wi-Fi networks, which is an essential feature for travelers and remote workers who use their Raspberry Pi on the go.
- Overcome bandwidth throttling: Prevent Internet Service Providers from throttling your bandwidth, ensuring consistent download speeds for torrenting, gaming, video conferencing, and HD streaming.
- Secure cloud access: Access the internet securely through the Raspberry Pi VPN, safeguarding your data privacy when connecting to cloud resources without being tracked by local networks, ISPs, government snoops, or other eavesdroppers.
- Enhanced online gaming: Enjoy playing online games without restrictions, access foreign game servers, buy games cheaper in international game stores, and protect against DDoS attacks.
- Secure remote access: Enable secure remote access to your home network and devices by configuring your Raspberry Pi as a VPN server. This setup allows you to connect to your home network from anywhere, but it requires additional configuration, including port forwarding on your router. Note that our recommendations provide access to the internet, not your home, so you’ll need to configure it yourself.
- IoT device and smart home device privacy: Safeguard the privacy and security of your smart home devices by routing their traffic through the VPN connections hosted by a Raspberry Pi.
- Private file sharing: Share files and data securely between devices Peer-to-Peer without exposing your IP address. Encryption ensures your file sharing and downloads remain confidential. Perfect for torrent enthusiasts who use an RPi as a dedicated torrent machine, for example.
These are just some of the ways a Raspberry Pi VPN can improve your online experience, offering privacy, security, and flexibility for your Raspberry Pi or other devices in your home.
Can You Use a Raspberry Pi as a VPN Gateway?
Absolutely! Many individuals opt for Raspberry Pi devices as a low-cost alternative to VPN-enabled routers. This allows you to create a VPN-secured WiFi hotspot that serves as a protective shield for all the devices in your home.
A Raspberry Pi can function as a VPN client, which will protect your other devices when they connect to the internet through it. Or it can function as a server, allowing remote access to your private storage and apps.
You can leverage the benefits of a VPN across all your home network’s devices, eliminating the need to install the VPN on each individual device. This not only enhances online privacy but ensures that your family consistently enjoys the protection of a VPN.
This approach also extends VPN protection to devices that typically don’t support native VPN installations, such as gaming consoles, IoT gadgets, smart home appliances, smart TVs, Apple TVs, Roku devices, and others.
In addition, you can transform your Raspberry Pi into a Pi-hole, effectively turning it into a network-wide ad-blocker that safeguards your network against intrusive ads and trackers. When combined with a VPN connection and an advanced firewall setup, using a Raspberry Pi can significantly bolster the security of your home network.
How Do You Flash a Raspberry Pi with an Alternate OS to Raspberry Pi OS/Raspbian?
Flashing an alternate operating system (OS) onto your Raspberry Pi is a straightforward process that allows you to access different software options beyond Raspberry Pi OS/Raspbian. This is worth considering if you prefer to connect to a VPN using a GUI app with a more complete feature set.
To flash an alternate OS onto your Raspberry Pi, follow these steps:
- Choose an alternate Operating System: Start by selecting the alternate OS you wish to install. Options include Ubuntu, CentOS, Windows 10 IoT Core, and more. Visit the official
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-rated VPN services compatible with Raspberry Pi?
When it comes to VPN services compatible with Raspberry Pi, there are several options available in the market. Some of the top-rated VPN services that are compatible with Raspberry Pi include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark VPN, CyberGhost VPN, and Private Internet Access (PIA). These VPN services offer excellent security features, user-friendly interfaces, and fast connection speeds, making them ideal for use on Raspberry Pi.
How can I set up a VPN server on a Raspberry Pi?
Setting up a VPN server on a Raspberry Pi can be a bit complicated, but it is definitely doable. To set up a VPN server on your Raspberry Pi, you will need to install and configure OpenVPN. OpenVPN is a popular open-source VPN protocol that is easy to set up and provides excellent security. Once you have installed OpenVPN, you can configure it to work with your Raspberry Pi and start using it as a VPN server.
Are there free VPN options suitable for use on a Raspberry Pi?
Yes, there are free VPN options that are suitable for use on a Raspberry Pi. However, it is important to note that free VPNs come with certain limitations, such as slower connection speeds, limited server locations, and data caps. Some of the free VPN options that are compatible with Raspberry Pi include Windscribe, ProtonVPN, and TunnelBear.
Is a Raspberry Pi powerful enough to run a VPN effectively?
Yes, a Raspberry Pi is powerful enough to run a VPN effectively. However, the performance of your Raspberry Pi as a VPN server will depend on several factors, such as the VPN protocol you are using, the number of users connected to the VPN, and the processing power of your Raspberry Pi. Generally, newer Raspberry Pi models with more processing power will be able to handle VPN traffic more effectively.
What steps are involved in installing NordVPN on a Raspberry Pi?
To install NordVPN on your Raspberry Pi, you will need to follow a few simple steps. First, you will need to sign up for a NordVPN account and download the NordVPN Linux client. Once you have downloaded the client, you can install it on your Raspberry Pi using the terminal. After installing NordVPN, you can configure it to work with your Raspberry Pi and start using it as a VPN service.
Can Surfshark VPN be configured to work with a Raspberry Pi?
Yes, Surfshark VPN can be configured to work with a Raspberry Pi. To configure Surfshark VPN on your Raspberry Pi, you will need to download the Surfshark Linux client and install it on your Raspberry Pi using the terminal. Once you have installed the client, you can configure it to work with your Raspberry Pi and start using it as a VPN service.