Which VPN is best for Ubuntu Touch? A pragmatic, geeky, slightly nerdy review
Ubuntu Touch is the phone OS for people who like their phones to behave like tiny UNIX machines — polished UI, a strong focus on privacy, and a community that prefers config files to canned apps. Saying “best VPN” for Ubuntu Touch isn’t just about raw speed or Netflix unblocking: it’s about whether a provider gives you usable OpenVPN/WireGuard configs, clear docs, and the flexibility to run the client inside Libertine or with the system networking stack that Ubuntu Touch exposes. Here’s a hands-on, realistic guide to picking a VPN for UT, with recommendations and a compact comparison table.
Important context for Ubuntu Touch users
– Ubuntu Touch is not standard Ubuntu desktop. The root filesystem is read-only by design you typically use Libertine containers for traditional desktop apps or rely on apps from the OpenStore.
– The simplest, most robust route is to pick a VPN that provides portable OpenVPN or WireGuard configuration files you can run from a container or from available tooling. Native Android APKs and proprietary Linux GUIs are often not practical on UT.
– WireGuard is generally simpler and lighter-weight many providers now publish WireGuard config files per device. OpenVPN is universal and older, but sometimes needs more fiddly configuration.
Useful background reading:
– WireGuard: https://www.wireguard.com/
– OpenVPN: https://openvpn.net/
– UBports (Ubuntu Touch project): https://ubports.com/
– OpenStore (Ubuntu Touch apps): https://open-store.io/
What makes a VPN “great” for Ubuntu Touch?
– Provides downloadable WireGuard and/or OpenVPN config files (no closed Android-only solutions).
– Clear documentation for manual setup (important if you’ll use Libertine or CLI tools).
– Strong privacy policy / no logs and good jurisdiction.
– Reliability and reasonable speeds.
– Bonus: simple account model (device codes, no mobile-only activation).
With those criteria, the winners are unsurprising: providers that embrace open standards and give you raw configs.
Top candidates and short verdicts
– Mullvad — Best overall for Ubuntu Touch. Mullvad’s account-number model, excellent privacy stance, and ready-to-download WireGuard configs make it ideal for manual setup. No invasive account linking perfect for a device you want minimal fuss with. https://mullvad.net/
– IVPN — Privacy-first, supports WireGuard/OpenVPN and offers straightforward configuration files and strong documentation. Good alternative to Mullvad. https://www.ivpn.net/
– Proton VPN — Well documented, offers both protocols, strong privacy reputation. Their desktop/Linux guidance is helpful, although check details for running inside Libertine if you plan that route. https://proton.me/vpn
– NordVPN — Big provider with WireGuard-like protocol (NordLynx) and config exports excellent speeds and many servers — a choice if you need streaming and mass-server coverage. https://nordvpn.com/
– Surfshark — Budget-friendly, supports WireGuard/OpenVPN and provides config files decent choice for multiple devices. https://surfshark.com/
– Private Internet Access (PIA) — Very configurable and with lots of docs and configuration options for manual setups. https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/
Comparison table (quick glance)
| Provider | Protocols | Config files | Linux friendliness | Why good for Ubuntu Touch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mullvad | WireGuard, OpenVPN | Yes (quick, per device) | Excellent (simple files, docs) | Privacy-first, account number, ideal for manual WireGuard setup |
| IVPN | WireGuard, OpenVPN | Yes | Very good | Minimal logs, clear setup instructions |
| Proton VPN | WireGuard, OpenVPN | Yes | Good | Strong privacy reputation and decent docs |
| NordVPN | NordLynx (WireGuard-based), OpenVPN | Yes | Good | Great speeds, lots of servers — useful if you need throughput |
| Surfshark | WireGuard, OpenVPN | Yes | Good | Affordable, supports many concurrent devices |
| PIA | WireGuard, OpenVPN | Yes | Good | Configurable, long-standing Linux tooling |
Setup options on Ubuntu Touch — practical approaches
1. OpenStore apps: Check OpenStore for community OpenVPN/WireGuard clients that integrate with UT. These are the least painful if available.
2. Libertine container: Create a Libertine container and install openvpn or wireguard tools (apt inside Libertine). Run wg-quick or openvpn from the container and route traffic through it. This is the most flexible approach for running desktop-style clients. See general UBports docs at https://ubports.com/.
3. System-level (advanced): If you like living on the edge, some UT builds allow system-level networking changes — but that often requires deeper knowledge and is less generally recommended for casual users.
Quick WireGuard flow (conceptual):
– Download a provider WireGuard configuration file for your device.
– Place it into Libertine or into a location you can access.
– Run wg-quick up myconfig (inside Libertine, after installing wireguard tools).
– Confirm the tunnel is up and test connectivity.
OpenVPN flow is similar: get .ovpn, run openvpn –config my.ovpn inside a container.
Recommendations
– Best overall: Mullvad. Simple identity model, great privacy, and trivial config downloads make it basically built for people who prefer config files to click-through mobile apps.
– Best privacy alternative: IVPN — comparable to Mullvad with excellent policies.
– Best for streaming / many servers: NordVPN — if you care more about unblocking content than minimal-account models.
– Best budget pick: Surfshark — if price/per-device matters and you still want WireGuard configs.
If you value raw control and minimal vendor lock-in, focus on providers who publish WireGuard config files and avoid “mobile-app-only” providers.
Final thoughts (with a dash of geek humor)
Ubuntu Touch users are the sort of folk who’ll read a manpage over lunch and get emotionally invested in systemd debates. For that audience, a VPN that hands you an honest WireGuard file and a simple account number is like a warm function returning a predictable value. Mullvad tends to win that emotional vote. If you prefer GUI hand-holding and a marketing department that promises to “optimize your Netflix,” you might go with a big provider like Nord — but for a crisp, privacy-minded, and Unix-friendly experience, pick a vendor that gives you config files and good docs.
If anything goes wrong, remember: turn it off, turn it on, re-run wg-quick, check your logs, and then pour another cup of coffee while you wait for the network firewall to realize it’s being upgraded by a human.
Sources and further reading:
– Mullvad VPN: https://mullvad.net/
– IVPN: https://www.ivpn.net/
– Proton VPN: https://proton.me/vpn
– NordVPN: https://nordvpn.com/
– Surfshark: https://surfshark.com/
– Private Internet Access: https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/
– WireGuard project: https://www.wireguard.com/
– OpenVPN project: https://openvpn.net/
– UBports (Ubuntu Touch): https://ubports.com/
Now go forth, generate a keypair, download a .conf file, and tell your phone to behave like a proper, privacy-respecting pocket computer.
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