In 2014, I recovered an old mini PC which had no operating system and I installed a Linux operating system to bring it back to life. Since then, I have been a great user and defender of Linux. Although learning the command line is useful, I am a big supporter of the graphic user interface applications (GUI), because they are often less intimidating for new Linux arrivals.
Many VPNs only have command line applications for Linux, but this has changed since NordVPN introduced its very first Gui Linux application, which is easier and less intimidating to use for beginners than a command line interface (CLI). With its recently published Linux Gui application, NordVPN can be my daily pilot thanks to its ultra-fast speeds, its excellent streaming support and unique privacy features for power users like me.
The Linux Guivpn Linux application makes it even more accessible
The recently launched Linux Gui application from NordVPN means that all of our best rated VPNs – ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, Mullvad and Proton VPN – have Gui Applications on Linux. Gui applications are more generally more intuitive than their CLI counterparts because they cancel the need to memorize orders, and this means that NordVPN is even more suitable for beginners for new arrivals Linux and VPN.
“Linux users are an incredibly important part of our community, and we are delighted to make their experience even better,” said CTO Marijus Briedis de NordVPN via a press release. “The graphical interface brings the familiar simplicity of our applications on Windows and MacOS in Linux, while preserving the reliability, speed and safety that NordVPN is known.”
Using a VPN can be as simple as connecting to an optimal server, but you have a lot of choice when it comes to using a VPN. You can change the servers, change your protocol and activate settings like a killing switch or a divided tunneling. Generally, performing VPN bases is easier with a graphic user interface as you find on most operating systems, such as Windows, MacOS, Android and iOS.
With command line apps only, you must memorize (or search) different commands to change servers, modify VPN protocols and tackle the essential VPN elements. Although it is not necessarily delicate, it can be frustrating when you just want to increase your privacy or your flow from a foreign Netflix library. Guy applications lower the learning curve for Linux and VPNs – which can both be overwhelming for beginners. Even as an expert, I do not always remember the command prompts for various VPN suppliers.
The GuiVPN Gui -FRIA application allows you to quickly type the Connection button. Its Linux Gui application supports Nordlynx, OpenVPN and the NordWhisper VPN Protocol focused on obfuscation. There is also post-quantity protection, a confidentiality functionality offered by certain suppliers, notably Nord, ExpressVPN and Mullvad, in order to protect against threats such as the hacking of quantum computers. In particular, Meshnet only works on Linux using the CLI application, but you can access Nord via the command line with the installed gui application.
NordVPN is the last VPN supplier to offer a Linux Gui application, shortly after ExpressVPN has deployed its Linux Gui application earlier this year. I like the trend of VPN companies that provide Linux Gui applications, and I hope it will bring more people to try Linux. With a protection of simple and rationalized privacy, you can focus on learning other aspects of Linux – such as keeping your operating system up to date or automating tasks – rather than looking constantly how to modify servers or activate your VPN connection.
The NordVPN Linux Gui application will be available as a Deb and RPM packages, followed by a Snap application in the future. You will need the CLI version installed to use the Gui version.
You can install the NordVPN Linux Gui application via the command line: SH <(wget -qo -https://downloads.nordcdn.com/apps/inux/install.sh) -p Nordvpn-Uisi
To find out more, learn to install a VPN on Linux.
