Linux terminal VPN

A full VPN for Linux terminal workflows.

Free VPN CLI gives Linux users a real command-line VPN: one-line shell install, systemd-style background service, SSH-conscious server behavior, Ad Block commands, JSON output, and doctor diagnostics for headless machines.

Install on Linux Main CLI overview
Servers Shell-first JSON output Ad Block Agent-ready
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Linux install

Install a Linux terminal VPN in one line.

Use the documented Linux installer from the main CLI page. It detects OS and architecture, downloads the right build, verifies the SHA-256 sidecar, installs freevpn and freevpnd, then registers the background service.

Recommended Linux terminal setup

Run the installer, verify the binary, check current status, then connect. After the service is installed, daily commands talk to the local daemon and do not need a browser window.

Paste in Terminal
$curl -fsSL https://freevpnapp.org/install.sh | sh
$freevpn version
$freevpn status
$freevpn up
Linux support from the CLI docs
  • Ubuntu 22.04+ for Ubuntu Desktop and Ubuntu Server flows.
  • Debian 12, Fedora, Arch for common developer Linux machines.
  • Raspberry Pi and ARM-style small-device workflows.
  • AWS, Hetzner, DigitalOcean-style VMs where the host allows VPN/tunnel permissions.
Linux environments

Built for more than one Linux desktop.

Free VPN CLI is built for practical Linux environments: Ubuntu desktops, servers, SSH sessions, cloud VMs, Raspberry Pi devices, and shell scripts.

Ubuntu terminal VPN

Use Free VPN CLI on Ubuntu Desktop or Ubuntu Server from the terminal. Install, connect, check status, and troubleshoot without opening a separate app.

Linux server VPN

Good fit for headless server workflows where you want command-line VPN control, predictable commands, and status output that can be logged.

Cloud VM workflows

Use terminal commands on rented Linux machines where network permissions allow VPN routing. Run doctor when a host blocks tunnel setup.

Raspberry Pi and small boxes

A small CLI-first VPN flow is easier to operate on compact Linux devices than a full desktop VPN interface.

How it works

up. status. down.

Three verbs cover most day-to-day VPN work. set-region and doctor cover region selection and troubleshooting.

1 Check where you are · connect
freevpn status · up
user@shell $ freevpn status
VPN : disconnected
region : Fastest (auto)
your IP : 122.179.8.116
location : Bengaluru, India
 
user@shell $ freevpn up
Connected to Fastest (auto)
your IP : 85.195.125.198
location: Frankfurt, Germany
2 Switch region · verify · disconnect
freevpn set-region · status · down
user@shell $ freevpn set-region "US East"
Switched to US East
 
user@shell $ freevpn status
VPN : connected
region : US East
your IP : 23.108.55.113
location : Miami, United States
 
user@shell $ freevpn down
tunnel down · routes restored
Terminal workflow

Connect, inspect, switch, diagnose.

After installation, the normal flow is simple: start the VPN, inspect your public exit, switch region if needed, rotate IP, and run diagnostics when DNS or routing looks wrong.

Paste in Terminal
$freevpn up
$freevpn status --json
$freevpn regions --json
$freevpn set-region "US East"
$freevpn alternate-ip
$freevpn doctor --json
Command Why Linux users run it
freevpn up Connect from terminal and let the CLI pick the closest or fastest pool by default.
freevpn status --json Check connection state, region, public IP, license tier, and session state in a script-friendly format.
freevpn regions --json List VPN exit regions for shell scripts, agents, or manual terminal selection.
freevpn set-region <slug|label> Persist a region choice like auto, fastest, or a named/slugged region.
freevpn adblock on Enable Ad Block while connected so browsers, apps, CLI tools, and background services can benefit.
freevpn doctor --json Capture structured diagnostics for DNS, route, controller, license, and egress issues on headless Linux boxes.
CLI features

Built the way a Linux terminal VPN should work.

The Linux CLI workflow focuses on SSH, system services, JSON, diagnostics, region control, and terminal-first operation.

Fast terminal connect

freevpn up connects from the shell and can pick the nearest pool by default, useful when you just need the VPN active before running work.

JSON everywhere

Use --json for status, regions, and diagnostics so scripts and agents can parse output instead of scraping terminal text.

Agent-native SKILL.md

The CLI ships with a SKILL.md guide that works with Claude, Cursor, Codex, OpenClaw, and other agents that need safe VPN commands.

SSH-conscious behavior

The CLI docs call out server and SSH usage, which matters when you connect to a Linux machine remotely and do not want a GUI workflow.

Background daemon

Install once, then day-to-day commands talk to freevpnd. VPN state is not tied to an open terminal tab.

Built-in doctor

freevpn doctor helps inspect DNS, routes, controller, license, and egress state when Linux routing or tunnel permissions look wrong.

Ad Block

Block ads and trackers before Linux apps load them.

Turn Ad Block on while the VPN is connected and it can help browsers, command-line tools, background services, and apps avoid known ad/tracker hosts.

doubleclick.net googletagmanager.com google-analytics.com scorecardresearch.com adnxs.com taboola.com criteo.com outbrain.com
JSON output

Linux VPN status your scripts can read.

Linux terminal users often need a VPN that fits scripts, cron jobs, deployment checks, servers, and AI agents. Use structured output whenever another tool needs to read VPN state.

Paste in Terminal
$freevpn status --json | jq .
$freevpn regions --json | jq .
$freevpn doctor --json > freevpn-doctor.json
Use JSON when output needs to be trusted
  • Do not scrape human terminal output in automation.
  • Use --json for scripts, agents, issue reports, and CI logs.
  • Send doctor --json output when troubleshooting DNS, route, license, or egress problems.
  • Keep page copy honest: mention JSON support, but do not invent exact fields unless the CLI schema confirms them.
SKILL.md

Give your Linux VPN commands to an AI agent.

Free VPN CLI is not just a manual terminal tool. The main CLI page highlights SKILL.md, which explains commands, JSON output, exit handling, and troubleshooting flows so coding agents can use the VPN without guessing.

Download SKILL.md VPN for AI agents
Works with Claude Cursor Codex OpenClaw Hermes+ any MCP tool
Optional GUI

Prefer a window sometimes? Keep the CLI, add the app.

Linux terminal users may still want a desktop companion for everyday status, regions, Ad Block, billing, and update checks. The GUI talks to the same daemon as the CLI, so terminal commands remain the source of truth for automation.

Paste in Terminal
$freevpn gui install
$freevpn gui open
$freevpn gui uninstall
Verify install

Verify the Linux download when you need to.

The one-line installer already runs the checksum check. For a more manual Linux server workflow, keep the verification pattern from the main CLI page so this page feels complete and trustworthy.

Paste in Terminal
$curl -fsSL -O https://freevpnapp.org/downloads/LATEST/freevpn-linux-amd64.tar.gz
$curl -fsSL -O https://freevpnapp.org/downloads/LATEST/freevpn-linux-amd64.tar.gz.sha256
$shasum -a 256 -c freevpn-linux-amd64.tar.gz.sha256
Pricing

Free forever. Upgrade only if you want it.

Free VPN CLI is genuinely free to use — no signup, no email, no credit card. The only paid option is unlimited continuous connection time, for people who want the VPN running all day. Cancel any time. Prices in USD.

Always free

Free plan — $0 forever

No signup. No card. No expiry. Use it as much as you want.

  • 30-min sessions with a 3-min break in between — on repeat, forever.
  • Same servers, regions and Ad Block as the paid plan.
Install free

Need the VPN running non-stop?

The paid plans below remove the 30-min session limit — nothing else changes.

Weekly
$7.99/wk

Unlimited time, billed weekly. Cancel in one click from the billing portal.

Get unlimited
Annual
$99/yr

Unlimited time. Save ~58% vs. monthly — one charge a year, nothing else to think about.

Get unlimited
Monthly
$21.99/mo

Unlimited time, billed monthly. Swap plans any time from freevpn manage.

Get unlimited
Payments handled by Stripe Cancel anytime No email required for billing
Troubleshooting

Linux VPN issues are easier when diagnostics are terminal-first.

When the tunnel cannot start, the daemon is unreachable, or a cloud host blocks VPN permissions, keep the checks terminal-first and capture structured diagnostics.

  • Daemon unreachable: run the install/service setup flow and then retry freevpn status.
  • Locked-down VM/container: the environment may block VPN tunnel permissions such as /dev/net/tun.
  • DNS or route mismatch: run freevpn doctor --json and keep the output for support.
  • Wrong region or unhealthy exit: use freevpn regions, freevpn set-region, or freevpn alternate-ip.
  • Automation failure: use exit codes and --json instead of parsing human-readable output.
FAQ

VPN for Linux terminal FAQ.

What is a Linux terminal VPN?
A Linux terminal VPN is a VPN you can install, connect, inspect, and troubleshoot from the command line. Free VPN CLI uses commands such as freevpn up, freevpn status, freevpn regions, and freevpn doctor instead of forcing a GUI-only workflow.
How do I install Free VPN CLI on Linux?
Use the shell installer from the main CLI page: curl -fsSL https://freevpnapp.org/install.sh | sh. Then run freevpn version, freevpn status, and freevpn up.
Does it work on Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch, and Raspberry Pi?
The CLI docs list Linux support for Ubuntu 22.04+, Debian 12, Fedora, Arch, Raspberry Pi, and common cloud VMs. For Ubuntu-specific copy, link users to the Ubuntu CLI VPN page as well.
Can I use it on a Linux server over SSH?
Yes, the CLI is designed for terminal and server workflows. Still verify status after connecting, especially on remote hosts, and use freevpn doctor --json if routes, DNS, or egress look wrong.
Does Free VPN CLI include Ad Block on Linux?
Yes. Use freevpn adblock on, freevpn adblock update, and freevpn adblock stats. Ad Block applies while the VPN is connected and can help browsers, apps, command-line tools, and background services avoid known ad/tracker hosts.
Can I parse VPN status in Linux scripts?
Yes. Use freevpn status --json and avoid scraping human-readable terminal text. For troubleshooting logs, use freevpn doctor --json.
What should I do if the VPN tunnel cannot start on a Linux VM?
Run freevpn doctor --json. Some containers and restricted cloud environments block VPN/tunnel permissions such as /dev/net/tun. If the host blocks those permissions, the CLI cannot bypass that restriction.
Is there a GUI for Linux too?
Yes, the CLI has an optional desktop companion. Use freevpn gui install if you want a window for status, regions, Ad Block, billing, and update checks. The CLI and GUI talk to the same daemon.

Install Free VPN CLI for Linux terminal.

Use the same Linux install path as the main CLI page, then manage your VPN from shell commands, JSON output, Ad Block, diagnostics, and optional desktop companion tools.

Install on Linux Main CLI page