How to Install Proton VPN on Ubuntu: Quick Guide

Introduction

When you’re working from a coffee shop in Berlin or a co‑working space in Toronto, a reliable VPN is essential for protecting your data. This article provides a comprehensive How to install Proton VPN on Ubuntu that works for beginners and seasoned Linux users alike.

We’ll walk through the full Proton VPN Ubuntu installation guide, highlighting the best practices for a secure and stable connection. By the end of this Proton VPN Ubuntu setup guide, you’ll be ready to stream, code, and browse without worrying about snoopers.

Whether you’re in a bustling metropolis like New York, a remote village in the Scottish Highlands, or a data‑center in Singapore, the steps remain the same. The focus keyword How to install Proton VPN on Ubuntu will appear throughout the article to help you locate the exact instructions you need.

In this guide we’ll also cover troubleshooting, performance tuning, and alternative installation methods. The related keyword Proton VPN Ubuntu setup guide will be referenced often, ensuring you have multiple pathways to a successful VPN deployment.

Let’s dive into the steps, tips, and alternatives that make the How to install Proton VPN on Ubuntu a breeze, no matter your geographic location.

Step‑By‑Step Instructions

Step 1 – Update Your System

Open a terminal and run sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y. Keeping your Ubuntu packages current reduces compatibility issues during the How to install Proton VPN on Ubuntu process.

After the update, verify your Ubuntu version with lsb_release -a. This ensures you’re following the correct Proton VPN Ubuntu setup guide for your release, whether it’s 22.04 LTS or a newer snapshot.

Step 2 – Add the Proton VPN Repository

Download the repository signing key:

wget -q -O - https://repo.protonvpn.com/debian/public_key.asc | sudo apt-key add -

Then add the repository to your sources list:

echo 'deb https://repo.protonvpn.com/debian stable main' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/protonvpn.list

This step is crucial for the How to install Proton VPN on Ubuntu because it ensures you receive official updates.

Step 3 – Install the Proton VPN CLI

Refresh the package index and install the CLI client:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install protonvpn-cli

During installation, the system will prompt you to accept the license agreement. Accept to continue the Proton VPN Ubuntu setup guide.

Step 4 – Initialise the Client

Run the initialisation command and log in with your Proton account credentials:

protonvpn init

The wizard will ask for your username, password, and two‑factor code if enabled. Completing these steps is a core part of the How to install Proton VPN on Ubuntu.

Step 5 – Connect to a Server

List available servers with protonvpn list. Choose a server closest to your location for optimal speed, e.g., protonvpn connect US-FREE-01 for a United States endpoint.

Testing the connection with curl ifconfig.me will confirm that your public IP now belongs to Proton’s network, completing the Proton VPN Ubuntu setup guide.

Step 6 – Enable Auto‑Connect (Optional)

If you travel frequently between Paris and Sydney, you may want the VPN to start automatically on boot. Add the following line to /etc/rc.local before the exit 0 statement:

protonvpn connect --auto

This ensures the How to install Proton VPN on Ubuntu configuration persists across reboots.

Step 7 – Verify DNS Leak Protection

Run a DNS leak test at Cloudflare Learning. If the test shows Proton’s DNS servers, you have successfully completed the Proton VPN Ubuntu setup guide.

Tips for a Smooth Experience

Use the latest kernel. Ubuntu 22.04 ships with kernel 5.15, which includes better networking drivers. Newer kernels improve stability for the How to install Proton VPN on Ubuntu process.

Enable Kill Switch. Adding the --killswitch flag to the connect command stops all traffic if the VPN drops, enhancing the security outlined in the Proton VPN Ubuntu setup guide.

Choose the right protocol. Proton VPN offers OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2. WireGuard typically offers the best performance for users in low‑latency regions such as Tokyo or London.

Check your firewall. Ubuntu’s ufw may block VPN ports. Use sudo ufw allow 51820/udp for WireGuard.

Keep your credentials safe. Store your Proton login details in a password manager like Bitwarden, especially when travelling to countries with restrictive internet policies.

Alternative Methods

If you prefer a graphical interface, the Proton VPN desktop app is available as a Flatpak package. Install Flatpak first, then run:

flatpak install flathub com.protonvpn.ProtonVPN
flatpak run com.protonvpn.ProtonVPN

This method is an alternative to the CLI described in the Proton VPN Ubuntu setup guide and works well on Ubuntu flavours that ship with GNOME.

For Linux Mint users, a dedicated guide exists at Proton VPN on Linux Mint. The steps are nearly identical, but Mint’s Cinnamon desktop may require additional tweaks for the network manager.

Should you ever need to remove Proton VPN from a Mac, the uninstall guide for macOS outlines the necessary steps. While not directly related to Ubuntu, it showcases Proton’s cross‑platform consistency.

For those who encounter connection‑timed‑out errors, refer back to the original article at Fix Connection Timed Out on Proton VPN. The troubleshooting tips complement the How to install Proton VPN on Ubuntu workflow.

Conclusion

By following this detailed How to install Proton VPN on Ubuntu, you’ve secured your internet traffic across continents—from the streets of São Paulo to the suburbs of Vancouver. The comprehensive Proton VPN Ubuntu setup guide ensures you have a reliable, privacy‑focused connection wherever you go.

Remember to keep the client updated, enable the kill switch, and regularly test for DNS leaks using resources like the Electronic Frontier Foundation. These practices reinforce the security principles highlighted throughout the article.

Whether you choose the CLI, the Flatpak desktop app, or a custom script, the core steps remain the same. The focus keyword How to install Proton VPN on Ubuntu and the related keyword Proton VPN Ubuntu setup guide appear throughout to guide you back to the essential instructions.

Enjoy a fast, secure, and unrestricted internet experience—no matter your location or device. Happy browsing!

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