Analysis: What is the best VPN for the mobile operating system Manjaro ARM (móvil)

Best VPN for Manjaro ARM (mobile): a geek’s guide to staying private on your phone-ready Linux

If you run Manjaro ARM on a mobile device (PinePhone, PinePhone Pro, or other ARM handhelds) and you want a VPN that actually behaves on Linux ARM, you’re in the right place. This is not a generic “pick a brand” puff piece — it’s a practical, slightly nerdy review focused on what matters when your OS is Arch-based, ARM, and mobile: compatibility (no x86-only binaries), modern protocols (WireGuard), transparency, and minimal finger-crossing during setup.

Quick answer (spoiler)

Mullvad is the best overall choice for Manjaro ARM (mobile) because it embraces WireGuard, provides easy-to-use config keys, has a privacy-first policy, and works perfectly with the standard Linux toolchain (wg-quick, NetworkManager). ProtonVPN and IVPN are solid runners-up depending on whether you prefer a polished client or extra privacy features.

How I judged them (criteria)

• ARM friendliness: provider gives WireGuard configs or non-x86 clients no reliance on closed x86-only GUI.
• WireGuard support: native WireGuard support means simpler, faster, and easier to run on Manjaro ARM.
• Privacy transparency: clear logging policy and independent audits where possible.
• Ease of setup: works with wg-quick, NetworkManager or nmcli good documentation for Linux users.
• Performance reliability: real-world speed, multi-hop or obfuscation options when needed.

The contenders and why they matter

Mullvad — best for Manjaro ARM (winner)

Mullvad is the unpaid hero of privacy-conscious Linux users. It issues WireGuard key pairs and configuration files directly from the website, which means you never need an x86-only GUI to connect. On Manjaro ARM you can use wg-quick, or the NetworkManager WireGuard plugin, and you’re off.

• Why it fits ARM: no vendor lock-in easy config files for WireGuard.
• Privacy: minimal metadata and acceptance of cash, anonymous account numbers.
• Open attitude: good docs for Linux users and clear guidance for WireGuard setups.

Website: mullvad.net

ProtonVPN — runner-up for the privacy-savvy

ProtonVPN supports WireGuard and provides Linux-focused docs. They offer a CLI client that can be useful on ARM (often Python-based), and if you prefer a vetted provider with a strong privacy reputation and transparency, ProtonVPN is a top choice.

• Why it fits ARM: WireGuard support and Linux documentation CLI options can work on many architectures.
• Privacy: strong, tied to the Proton suite reputation.

Website: protonvpn.com

IVPN — privacy-first alternative

IVPN is another privacy-focused provider that offers WireGuard configs and clear advice for manual setup. IVPN’s stance on logging and security practices is solid, and they cater well to the Linux crowd who dont mind configuring networking tools by hand.

Website: ivpn.net

Other worthy mentions

• Surfshark and NordVPN support WireGuard but often ship GUI packages that target x86. You can still use their WireGuard configs manually on ARM in most cases documentation and architecture support vary by provider. Websites: surfshark.com, nordvpn.com.
• ExpressVPN and PIA have strong ecosystems, but double-check whether their Linux packages are distributed for ARM before relying on their GUIs. For WireGuard, most providers at least provide configs.

Comparison at a glance

Why WireGuard is the real hero on Manjaro ARM

On a mobile ARM Linux device you want a protocol that’s compact, performant and easy to integrate with the kernel. That’s WireGuard: a small codebase, kernel module, and simple keypair model. You can either use wg-quick and systemd units, or the NetworkManager plugin which integrates with the mobile UI in Phosh or Plasma Mobile.

Read up on the protocol and best practices here: wireguard.com and the Arch/Manjaro wiki for Linux setup: ArchWiki WireGuard, Manjaro Wiki.

Practical setup tips for Manjaro ARM (mobile)

1. Install the basics: sudo pacman -S wireguard-tools wireguard-arch networkmanager (adjust package names to your repo — Manjaro ships kernel modules for WireGuard).
2. Use NetworkManager’s WireGuard plugin for UI integration if you want GUI toggles in Phosh/Plasma Mobile: NetworkManager WireGuard docs.
3. If you prefer CLI, get your provider’s WireGuard config (public key, endpoint, allowed IPs) and put it in /etc/wireguard/wg0.conf, then sudo wg-quick up wg0. Systemd unit = instant-on at boot.
4. DNS: many VPNs push DNS. On systemd-resolved setups, ensure NetworkManager and resolvconf cooperate otherwise set DNS in the WireGuard config or use a systemd-resolved stub correctly.
5. Kill switch: implement with a simple nftables/ip rules set or use systemd-networkd wg0 Route settings. Manual approach is more reliable than trusting a third-party GUI on ARM.

Privacy auditability — why Mullvad stands out

Mullvad’s model (account numbers, no personal data requirements, straightforward WireGuard key approach) makes it ideally suited to users who enjoy rolling their own network controls on Linux. If you’re flashing Manjaro, you probably like transparency — Mullvad’s documentation and ethos match that. ProtonVPN and IVPN are solid if you want additional features like Secure Core, audits, or multi-hop, but for low-friction ARM operation Mullvad is the most frictionless.

When a commercial app matters (and when it doesnt)

If you crave a pretty system tray app that just works on an x86 desktop, thats fine — but on ARM mobile, those vendor-built GUIs are often not available. The correct mental model for Manjaro ARM is: learn a little WireGuard and NetworkManager, and pick a provider that gives open configs. That gives you portability across devices, architectures, and cosmic events that render vendor binaries useless.

Final verdict

For Manjaro ARM (mobile), pick a provider that treats WireGuard as first-class and gives you the raw configs: that’s Mullvad. It’s privacy-focused, simple to integrate with wg-quick or NetworkManager, and avoids the x86-only trap. ProtonVPN and IVPN are excellent if you want additional features or a particular privacy guarantee, but they’re second choices mainly because setup on ARM tends to favor vendors that hand you clean WireGuard configs.

Useful links further reading:

• WireGuard: https://www.wireguard.com
• ArchWiki — WireGuard: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/WireGuard
• Manjaro — ARM Downloads Docs: https://manjaro.org/downloads/arm/
• Mullvad: https://mullvad.net
• ProtonVPN: https://protonvpn.com
• IVPN: https://www.ivpn.net

Happy tunneling — may your latencies be low and your logs be nonexistent. If your PinePhone suddenly feels like a tiny cybersecurity command center, you did it right.