Best VPN for Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi is one of the best ways to build up your own projects and have so much fun while at it. There’s so much stuff you can do with the tiny computer, and it’s a great way to introduce oneself into the world of programming. Due to the immense popularity of the device, so a lot of people are turning to use it as a learning tool since teaching through action is one of the most effective methods of transferring knowledge. Users looking to access more content as well as enjoy stronger protection often find themselves searching for a VPN service to use with their Raspberry Pi since doing so opens them up to an expounded layer of opportunities. The problem that they often encounter is the fact that there are not so many VPNs that are compatible with this innovative device. Even VPN services that support Raspberry Pi don’t often provide enough customer support offered to users. You’re going to be doing a lot of unconventional work, so you cannot afford to subscribe to a VPN service that has a customer service that is difficult to contact. So, which is the best VPN for Raspberry Pi? Read on to find out.

Best VPN for Raspberry Pi

Best VPN for Raspberry Pi

Best VPN for Raspberry Pi VPNs Summed Up

In case you already know what VPN is and how to install it on your RPi, you might want to skip reading the in-depth review below. Here’s a list of best VPNs you can use on any Raspberry Pi:

  1. ExpressVPN
  2. BulletVPN
  3. IPVanish
  4. NordVPN
  5. PureVPN

How to Install VPN on Raspberry Pi

Since we understand how frustrating it can be to try and search for these services, we thought it best to cut out a large part of the work on your end to make it much faster to have a VPN set up on your Raspberry Pi. We’ve compiled a list of the best Raspberry Pi VPNs you can turn to, but before that, let’s have a look at how you can set up your VPN on Raspberry Pi.

Setting Up VPN on Raspberry Pi

There are two distinct methods you can use to get your Raspberry Pi set up:

  1. Using Your Router: Installing your VPN service to your router is one sure fire way to ensure your Raspberry Pi also gets to benefit from the encrypted connection. This is because all your data gets to pass through your VPN provider. This is the most preferred option since it is way easier to set up compared to manually configuring a Raspberry Pi mini-computer. To ensure that using VPN on your router works, its best to flash it with firmware that supports VPNs. Alternatively, you could also just find a router that is already set to work well with VPNs. One thing you’ll have to keep in mind is that it’s really not possible to have a VPN setup on a router that you might have received from your ISP since they don’t ordinarily allow for any manual configuration.
  2. On your Raspberry Pi: The other option would be to look for a VPN provider that offers the complete set of shell executable files that are required to install OpenVPN onto the Raspberry Pi platform. Doing things this way would require you to ensure that the provider you select offers support for Raspberry Pi. Having selected the appropriate service, the next step would be to contact the service’s customer support and ask for instructions on what you need to do to set up VPN on the Raspberry Pi. This process isn’t really the same for all providers, so you’ll get different instructions depending on who you’ve signed up with. Make sure you also have an SD card in your device that has not less than 8GB of space, and that NOOBS has also been activated.
  3. Using the Zomboided VPN Manager Add-on: In case you have installed OSMC or OpenElec on your Raspberry Pi, the Zomboided Kodi addon is the best way to set up a VPN connection on your tiny device. Zomboided is compatible with OSMC, LibrElec, OpenElec, Raspbian, Linux, and Windows-based platforms.

The Best Raspberry Pi VPNs

Now that you know what it takes to get set up, let’s review some of the best Raspberry Pi VPNs.

1. ExpressVPN – Our Top Recommendation

ExpressVPN is easily one of the best Raspberry Pi VPNs available and this is mainly because of the great customer care you’ll get once you start using the service. Everyone on their team is well trained and ready to help you out with the installation process. Aside for the excellent support, ExpressVPN also offers easy to use, quality software that you should be easily able to navigate through even if you don’t consider yourself a techie. The service has super fast, reliable servers and a guarantee that no records of your online activity will be stored.

2. NordVPN

The fact that this service has its headquarters in Panama means that NordVPN users don’t have a thing to worry about regarding their browsing history since the region is not directly under any data retention laws that may apply to providers based in the US. Their large network of servers will easily ensure that you have no problems launching a connection, and its double hop service should make it even harder for anyone to eavesdrop on your activities online. Customer support is also top-notch, and with the ability to have up to 6 simultaneous connections under one account, you’re free to set up a couple more Raspberry Pi devices with the service.

3. IPVanish VPN

IPVanish is one of the few providers whose no-logs policy is actually airtight, despite being based in the US. Their server network is also impressive, with 850 of them well distributed throughout over 60 countries. Their service also accommodates multiple users, with the capacity to support up to 5 devices connecting simultaneously. It also includes a kill switch in case your connection shuts down unexpectedly, as well as full support for iOS, Mac, Windows, Android, FireStick and Raspberry Pi users. Their refund policy is, however, shorter than what we’d expect from most service providers, allowing their potential customers to only test out the service for 7 days.

4. PureVPN

With servers scattered in up to 141 countries, PureVPN is another strong contender that you ought to consider when having your Raspberry Pi’s VPN set up. The selection of international content that you’ll have access to is vast, and their levels of encryption are high enough to ensure you have the right level of security while online. If you’re in need of any form of customer support, the team at PureVPN is at hand to offer any kind of necessary help. With this service, you’ll get to enjoy features such as an automatic Internet kill switch, as well as split tunneling, making it ideal for any form of advanced use.

The Best VPN for Raspberry Pi

The selection of providers that we’ve reviewed as the best Raspberry Pi VPNs shouldn’t jolt you into just subscribing for a service without knowing exactly what you’re going to be paying for. The best approach would be to first try them out through their money back guarantees, and then make the decision on which service suits you best. Have any questions or comments you’d like to have answered? Talk to us by leaving your question or comment in the section below. We’d be glad to respond.