You can set up ExpressVPN on Linux by downloading and installing its native app. We're talking about a command-line (CLI) application, which means you'll interact with ExpressVPN's servers on your Linux through easy-to-remember commands.
Aside from using ExpressVPN's native app for Linux, you can set up the VPN manually using Ubuntu's Network Manager or Linux's Terminal. However, you should always go for the native application for the highest level of privacy protection.
We'll also note that ExpressVPN works on Ubuntu (20.04 and above), Debian (10 and above), Fedora (37 and above), Arch (the latest rolling release), Raspberry Pi (10 and above), as well as Linux Mint (20 and above).
Lastly, know that ExpressVPN works on various Linux distributions (Maui, Mint, Kali, Lubuntu, Parrot Security, Peppermint, Ubuntu Studio, Zorin, etc.), but the VPN itself doesn't offer support for those individual distributions. The app will run just fine, though.
How to Set Up ExpressVPN on Linux
To set up ExpressVPN on Linux, you can download it from its website, or you can set up the VPN manually via Ubuntu's Network Manager or Terminal. These are the 3 options available now:
- Method #1: Install ExpressVPN's Application on Ubuntu & Fedora
- Method #2: Set Up ExpressVPN Manually via Ubuntu Network Manager
- Method #3: Set Up ExpressVPN Manually via Terminal (OpenVPN)
Method #1: Install ExpressVPN's Application on Ubuntu & Fedora
Using ExpressVPN's application for Ubuntu (Maui, Kali, Mint, Lubuntu, Peppermint, etc.) and Fedora (Nobara, Ultramarine, RisiOS, etc.) should be your primary route to take, especially if you want the best privacy protection. Here's what you need to do:
1. Subscribe to ExpressVPN using your computer and any Web browser.
2. After subscribing, click "My Account" using the top-placed main menu on ExpressVPN's site. Provide your credentials and access your ExpressVPN online dashboard.
3. Once you access your online dashboard, click the "Set Up Other Devices" button. Then, pick "Linux" on the left. On the right, select your version of Linux and click "Download."
4. Once you download the installation file, launch the Terminal application and run the "cd ~/Downloads/" command (if the file is in your Downloads folder).
5. To install ExpressVPN on Linux, use one of the installation commands from the table below based on the Linux distribution you use.
6. Activate the application by using the "expressvpn activate" command. You'll be asked for your ExpressVPN activation code, which you can paste from your ExpressVPN dashboard.
7. When asked about anonymous data logging, go with 'Y' or 'N.' Once you do so, ExpressVPN's application will be installed, activated, and ready to be used.
8. To connect to the nearest VPN server, use the "expressvpn connect" command.Â
9. To end your VPN session, go with the "expressvpn disconnect" command.Â
10. If you’d like to connect to a specific server, input the "expressvpn list all" command. Connect using a command such as – expressvpn connect “USA – New York."
11. To check other commands you can use, go with the "man expressvpn" command. That will open ExpressVPN's manual, where you can see how else you can use the VPN.
Method #2: Set Up ExpressVPN Manually via Ubuntu Network Manager
Using Ubuntu's Network Manager (available on LUbuntu distributions like Mint, Kali, Lubuntu, and more), you can set ExpressVPN on Linux manually and use its OpenVPN protocol. To make that happen, do the following:
1. Get your ExpressVPN subscription using your computer and any Web browser.
2. After subscribing, click "My Account" on the top-placed main menu on ExpressVPN's site. Provide your username and password, and then access your ExpressVPN online dashboard.
3. Navigate to Set Up Other Devices > Manual Configuration. You'll now see your OpenVPN username and password on the right-hand side.
4. Pick a server (under your OpenVPN credentials) and download that server's OpenVPN configuration file to your computer.
5. Using Linux, navigate to Settings > Network.
6. Click "+" in the "VPN" section and pick "Import From File." Pick the OVPN file you just downloaded and hit "Open."
7. A pop-up will now appear. Upload the corresponding OVPN files, and then you need to fill out the fields under "Authentication" in the following way:
- Type: Pick "Password with Certificates (TLS)."
- Username: Provide your OpenVPN username.
- Password: Provide your OpenVPN password.
8. Click "Advanced" in the bottom-right corner to access additional options. Make sure to pick the "General" tab and input the following information:
- Use Custom Gateway Port: Enter "1195."
- Data Compression: Go with "LZO."
- Use Custom Tunnel Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU): Enter "1500."
- Use Custom UDP Fragment Size: Enter "1300."
- Restrict Tunnel TCP Maximum Segment Size (MSS): Check this box.
- Randomize Remote Hosts: Check this box.
9. Select the "Security" tab and input the following information:
- Cipher: Pick "AES-256-CBC."
- HMAC Authentication: Select "SHA-512."
10. Select the "TLS Authentication" tab and enter the following information:
- Key File: Select the "ta.key" file you download from ExpressVPN's site.
- Key Direction: Pick "1."
11. Click "OK" to save the newly added parameters, and you'll return to the "Network" window. To activate your VPN connection, toggle the switch next to its name. That's it!
Method #3: Set Up ExpressVPN Manually via Terminal (OpenVPN)
If you're a more advanced user, you can set up ExpressVPN via Terminal (available for Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora distributions) using the OpenVPN protocol. These are the steps you need to take:
1. Subscribe to ExpressVPN using your computer and any Web browser.
2. Once you subscribe, select "My Account" using the top placed ExpressVPN website main menu. Provide your credentials and access your ExpressVPN online dashboard.
3. Go to Set Up Other Devices > Manual Configuration. Make a note of your OpenVPN username and password on the right-hand side.
4. Scroll down a bit and pick a VPN server location. Then, click on the server's name and download its OpenVPN (OVPN) configuration files.
5. Proceed based on if you have a Ubuntu, Debian, or Fedora distribution of Linux.
Installation Steps to Linux Ubuntu
6. Launch Terminal and input this command: "$ sudo apt install openvpn openvpn-systemd-resolved." Provide your password and hit the Enter key.
7. Initialize OpenVPN: "$ sudo openvpn --config /[path to file]/my_expressvpn_[server location].ovpn --script-security 2 --up /etc/openvpn/update-systemd-resolved --down /etc/openvpn/update-systemd-resolved --dhcp-option 'DOMAIN-ROUTE .' --down-pre." Make sure to replace the [path to file] section.
8. Provide your OpenVPN username and password. After that, your VPN session will become active, as it should say: "Initialization Sequence Completed." Leave the Terminal window active in the background to keep your VPN session active.
Installation Steps for Linux Debian
6. Launch Terminal and input this command: "$ sudo apt install openvpn resolvconf." Provide your Linux password and press "Y" to continue.
7. Now, use this command: "$ sudo openvpn --config /[path to file]/my_expressvpn_[server location].ovpn --script-security 2 --up /etc/openvpn/update-resolv-conf --down /etc/openvpn/update-resolv-conf." Replace the [path to file] section.
8. Once you provide your OpenVPN username and password, your OpenVPN connection will go live. It should say "Initialization Sequence Completed." That's it!
Installation Steps for Linux Fedora
6. Launch Terminal and input this command: "$ sudo dnf install OpenVPN."
7. You'll now need to use a series of commands to configure your DNS. Start by using the following command first: "$ sudo cp /usr/share/doc/openvpn/contrib/pull-resolv-conf/client.{up,down} /etc/openvpn/."
8. Now, input this command: "$ sudo chmod +x /etc/openvpn/client.{up,down}" followed by this: "$ sudo sed -i -e 's|bresolvconfb|ignore-&|' /etc/openvpn/client.{up,down}."
9. Launch OpenVPN using the following command: "$ sudo openvpn --config /[path to file]/my_expressvpn_[server location].ovpn --script-security 2 --up /etc/openvpn/client.up --down /etc/openvpn/client.down." Replace the [path to file] section.
10. Provide your OpenVPN username and password. Your connection will become active once you see the "Initialization Sequence Completed" message. That's it!
Final Thoughts
In this guide, we offered 3 methods to set up ExpressVPN on Linux. That said, using the VPN's CLI app should always be your first choice, as that's how you'll get the most secure VPN tunnel possible. The other methods are more complex, especially the one involving Linux's Terminal, which seems more suited for advanced users.
Also, chances are you have non-Linux devices at home. Since this VPN gives you up to 8 simultaneous connections, why not learn how to set up ExpressVPN on more devices?
That would be all on how to set up and use ExpressVPN on Linux. If you have any questions on your mind, make sure to post your comment below. Lastly, thank you for reading!