Which Ubuntu Distributions Play well with Proton VPN?

[Condobloke]

Rene & Smurphos's comments in that link appear to be the way to go

The "thank you" at the bottom of the screen from the OP appears to be sincere

""Thanks folks.. back to normal. Appreciate the knowledge""

 

[Smilax]

It's not killing me that those options are there, I like to think of them as scars instead of participation trophies.

Just kidding, they're annoying and will never be used. Yes please, how best can I clean up my logon options? I only ever use Xfce desktop environment, and I do have Timeshift running regularly and plenty of space to run one on demand. In fact, I think I'll do that now. Thank you in advance @Condobloke.

Okay, I read the linked thread and I have to ask myself, do I feel lucky?

Matter's not, it's Read Only Friday. Thank you for the link, I'll ponder it over the weekend and perhaps research a little more.

An additional bit of info--I have 11 Timeshift snapshots going back to 9-9-2025 and all are Mint 22.2 (zara). My Proton VPN install attempt was about three weeks ago, so I was definitely already at 22.2 when this happened.

 

[bob466]

The free version of Proton doesn't work in Linux Mint Cinnamon 22.1 or 22.2.
It also won't run in Ubuntu...in Lubuntu it installs but won't accept my free user name and Password.

So I tried Kubuntu and it installed and runs just fine...all were installed in Virtualbox of cause.

Why all this trouble...I have no idea but with the free version you only get 7 servers.

 

[bob466]

Here's something very strange...Proton VPN free won't work in Linux Mint Cinnamon but it installs and works in Mint Mate and Mint XFCE 22.2.

The only problem with the free version has slower speeds and only 8 servers..so the paid version might be the way to go or try another VPN.

 

[KGIII]

In a prior post, I showed it working properly in Cinnamon. It was installed before 22.2 was released, however. But it works just fine. I can login and select one of the limited number of servers.

 

[bob466]

In a prior post, I showed it working properly in Cinnamon. It was installed before 22.2 was released, however. But it works just fine. I can login and select one of the limited number of servers.

Yours looks like the paid version because the free version says "free" in the connection.

The paid version installs without any problems.

 

[marsh_1]

Here's something very strange...Proton VPN free won't work in Linux Mint Cinnamon but it installs and works in Mint Mate and Mint XFCE 22.2.

The only problem with the free version has slower speeds and only 8 servers..so the paid version might be the way to go or try another VPN.

I’ve tested both free and paid — the paid one’s definitely smoother, especially when switching servers.
Free is fine for light use, though

 

[KGIII]

Yours looks like the paid version because the free version says "free" in the connection.

The paid version installs without any problems. View attachment 28261

I can assure you that I haven't paid for it.

If it matters, mine is 4.11.0.

 

[bob466]

Well now proton free installs just fine in Mint Cinnamon 22.2 in Virtualbox.

I used the same commands and did everything exactly as I did before...so why the error last time because it's the same version 4.11.0.

 

[KGIII]

so why the error last time because it's the same version 4.11.0.

Buggered that I know. I have no idea why or how. I simply know that I installed this particular VPN client, and that it works, on Linux Mint. I also know that I did so without any major changes to the OS. It simply installed the application as I've described.

Don't get me wrong. I'd like to point a finger at something and say that's why there are problems. I just can't do that. What I have is a properly installed VPN client from Proton. I want to say that I installed it about a month ago, as I was curious about what they offered. (I already pay for a VPN with another company.)

So, when it comes to pinpointing why folks have issues, I haven't got a clue. As such, I can only relay what I've experienced.

In my case, it worked just fine. They only have a few free servers, but that's also okay. After all, they're giving it to people for the low cost of nothing. Sure, they hope that folks upgrade, but a limited set of servers isn't too terrible when you're not actually paying for the service.

But, no... I have no idea why it works fine here. I have even less of an idea as to why it doesn't work elsewhere.

 

[Condobloke]

Mullvad VPN adds QUIC obfuscation on Android and iOS to bypass firewalls and censorship​

Mullvad VPN has introduced QUIC obfuscation for its Android and iOS apps, allowing users to bypass firewalls and censorship in restrictive environments. This new feature aims to improve access for individuals in regions where conventional VPN protocols, such as WireGuard, face blocking.

The QUIC protocol, developed by Google, operates at the transport layer and leverages the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). It reduces latency, delivers faster data transmission, and integrates encryption directly, making it both efficient and resistant to inspection compared to traditional protocols like Transmission Control Protocol (TCP).

With the new update, Mullvad’s QUIC obfuscation tunnels WireGuard traffic to make VPN connections less detectable by network restrictions. To access this functionality, users need to update their Mullvad VPN app to version 2025.8 or later on Android or iOS.

Following the rollout, the app will automatically attempt to use QUIC when repeated connection failures occur. Users can also manually enable QUIC obfuscation in the settings. Mullvad notes that this feature is intended for users facing connectivity issues or operating in restrictive countries, and it does not enhance performance or privacy in other scenarios.

 

[Dan-L]

I love the free version of the proton VPN, and it seems that is the only free option among its peers that serves my purpose.

The problem is, I was a happy user of Linux Mint for a long time, but when I installed Proton (likely I messed something up), my desktop setting got totally screwed up. It became a hybrid of Gnome and Cinnamon, a lot of the familiar buttons and options were gone. In fact, it took me a while to realise that Proton (and its incompatibility with Linux Mint) is the culprit. I never knew an application that is compatible with Ubuntu cannot play with Mint.

In any case, I somehow do not like the appearance of Ubuntu itself (the reason I chose Mint) but seems using Proton will constrain me to Gnome desktops and Ubuntu derivatives? What are the options I have? Anyone has experience using proton with Pop OS, for example? That is a distribution I heard a lot of great things about, and if they do play well with Proton, I might as well give it a try.

This also happened to me today, but it installed the gnome-desktop fine (i do not want that!) and it also f**** my boot as it mede a separate EFI boot so no i have 2 of them. How can i get it off? I`m running Mint on a Macbook Pro dualboot.
Proton VPN worked fine in gnome-desktop (not in Cinnamon) but i had to do a Timeshift to get it back to the clean Cinnamon as before this install.
I`m running Cinnamon 22.22

 

[Brickwizard]

Welcome to the forums @Dan-L

I don't use a fixed VPN I use the Tor Browser [in the software manager] or annonsurf

 

[Dan-L]

I love the free version of the proton VPN, and it seems that is the only free option among its peers that serves my purpose.

The problem is, I was a happy user of Linux Mint for a long time, but when I installed Proton (likely I messed something up), my desktop setting got totally screwed up. It became a hybrid of Gnome and Cinnamon, a lot of the familiar buttons and options were gone. In fact, it took me a while to realise that Proton (and its incompatibility with Linux Mint) is the culprit. I never knew an application that is compatible with Ubuntu cannot play with Mint.

In any case, I somehow do not like the appearance of Ubuntu itself (the reason I chose Mint) but seems using Proton will constrain me to Gnome desktops and Ubuntu derivatives? What are the options I have? Anyone has experience using proton with Pop OS, for example? That is a distribution I heard a lot of great things about, and if they do play well with Proton, I might as well give it a try.

Seems we are not alone:

"The 5 stars are for Proton VPN, which I used for quite some time in Linux Mint 21.1, which unfortunately crashed last week after a kernel update. After restarting, I was able to reinstall the black screen, but after the update, the same thing happened again. Unfortunately, I had to install 22.2, which disappeared a huge number of well-functioning apps. Installing Proton VPN through the official website proved to be a bad idea. Linux Mint itself initially got 5 stars from me, but now it's only 2."

Linux Mint - Community

Linux Mint - Community

community.linuxmint.com

 

[Dan-L]

I think the major problem is what Kernel you are on.`, idk.

 

[Dan-L]

Welcome to the forums @Dan-L

I don't use a fixed VPN I use the Tor Browser [in the software manager] or annonsurf

Thank you!

 

[McCloud]

Yeah, TOR is the way to go. It's free and it works well. It is a bit of work to set your browser to use port 9050 on localhost since TOR doesn't automatically reroute all your traffic like proton, but I think it's worth the trouble.

 

[deb_user]

I don't think Proton VPN is causing crashes or boot failures. It uses appimages, which should be sandboxed. I've never had an issue with it, but I use Debian. I can't speak to Mint or Ubuntu. I can't say how they handle appimages. Proton does use appimages for all its services, which I'm not elated about, but it does make it easier to maintain software that should work on any distro.

 

[bob466]

Proton free VPN works in many Ubuntu based Distros that I've tried in Virtualbox.

I have the paid version in Mint Cinnamon 22.1...my main SSD and the free version on my spare SSD running Cinnamon 22.2.

The free version has only 5 Terminal commands...so is easy to install and I've never had any problems...I did in the past but it fixed itself.

The free version is a real VPN...the only difference is that you only get 8 servers and the speeds are not as good as the paid version.

 

[Condobloke]

I think the major problem is what Kernel you are on.`, idk.

Linux Mint 21.1 crashing after an update is rare. .....21.3 almost unheard of.

which kernel re you running?...is this still a problem or have you moved on?

LM 22.2 is quite brilliant. It may give you a few glitches from the 6.14 kernel (it is designed for very new hardware...some older hardware will run ok, but not all) (LM means Linux Mint)
It is easy to set it up with the 6.8 kernel (which is what I have done here)......6.8 is quite perfect.

LM 22.2 is about to upgrade to 22.3....shortly

I used to run proton, but developed a "feeling" that I was the product, not the app.

Let us know what the current state is....where are you up to ?