Why Use a VPN with ELinks on Linux
Running ELinks, the powerful text-based web browser, on a Linux terminal offers unmatched speed and minimal resource usage. However, it lacks built-in encryption and geolocation flexibility. That’s where a Virtual Private Network (VPN) steps in:
- Privacy Security: Encrypts all traffic between your machine and the internet, protecting credentials and browsing content 🛡️
- Bypass Geo-blocks: Access region-locked sites or services directly via ELinks 🌍
- Reduced Tracking: Hide your IP address from trackers, ISPs, and malicious actors 👀
- Terminal-Friendly: Many premium VPNs offer a robust Linux CLI or SOCKS5 proxy support for smooth integration with ELinks 🔧
Selection Criteria
We evaluated dozens of VPN providers based on:
- Native Linux Support (command-line interface or scripts)
- No-Logs Policy with audited privacy practices
- Speed Server Network for low-latency performance
- Protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN, etc.)
- Proxy Availability (SOCKS5 or HTTP proxy for ELinks)
- Ease of Setup in terminal environments
Comparison Table
| VPN | Price (Monthly) | Servers | Protocols | CLI / Proxy | Official Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mullvad | 5.00 | 900 in 38 countries | WireGuard, OpenVPN | Native CLI SOCKS5 | mullvad.net |
| ProtonVPN | 4.00 | 1,900 in 60 countries | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | Native CLI SOCKS5 | protonvpn.com |
| NordVPN | 3.29 | 5,800 in 60 countries | NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN | Native CLI SOCKS5 | nordvpn.com |
| IVPN | 6.00 | 100 in 35 countries | WireGuard, OpenVPN | Native CLI SOCKS5 | ivpn.net |
| AirVPN | 3.74 | 240 in 22 countries | OpenVPN, WireGuard (beta) | Custom CLI scripts SOCKS5 | airvpn.org |
Promotional pricing, subject to change.
Top VPN Providers for ELinks on Linux
Mullvad
Overview: Mullvad is renowned for its strict no-logs policy and anonymous account creation (no email required). Its minimal, open-source CLI client and built-in SOCKS5 proxy make configuring ELinks a breeze.
Key Features
- Anonymous account number system
- WireGuard for lightning speeds
- Full OpenVPN support
- Detailed Linux setup guide and scripts
Setup Tip: Install the mullvad package, authenticate with your account number, then point ELinks proxy to localhost:1080.
Official site: https://mullvad.net 😊
ProtonVPN
Overview: From the makers of ProtonMail, ProtonVPN blends privacy with ease-of-use. Their CLI tool is battle-tested, open-source, and integrates seamlessly with Linux terminals.
Key Features
- Strong Swiss privacy jurisdiction
- WireGuard OpenVPN Secure Core servers
- Official SOCKS5 proxy endpoints
- Comprehensive Linux manual
Setup Tip: Use protonvpn-cli to connect, then set export http_proxy=socks5://127.0.0.1:1080 before launching ELinks.
Official site: https://protonvpn.com 🔒
NordVPN
Overview: A household name in VPN, NordVPN’s Linux CLI and NordLynx protocol deliver a balance of speed and security. SOCKS5 support makes it ideal for text-only browsers.
Key Features
- NordLynx (optimized WireGuard)
- Onion over VPN option
- Strict no-logs audited policy
- Dedicated SOCKS5 proxy servers
Setup Tip: Install nordvpn package, nordvpn login, then nordvpn set proxy enabled. Configure ELinks to use proxy at 127.0.0.1:1080.
Official site: https://nordvpn.com 🚀
IVPN
Overview: IVPN takes a privacy-first approach with multi-hop and anti-tracker features. Their CLI is straightforward and supports both WireGuard and OpenVPN.
Key Features
- Multi-hop and port-forwarding
- Transparent OpenVPN WireGuard config
- Built-in SOCKS5 proxy
- RAM-disk servers for extra security
Setup Tip: Use ivpn-cli connect, then configure ELinks with SOCKS5 proxy on localhost:1080. Check logs via ivpn-cli status.
Official site: https://ivpn.net 🔧
AirVPN
Overview: Founded by hacktivists, AirVPN offers a highly configurable Linux environment and community-driven tech. Their Win-Route equivalent scripting makes CLI power-users happy.
Key Features
- Extreme customization via CLI scripts
- Full support for OpenVPN WireGuard beta
- Transparent proxy management
- Detailed status CLI and JSON output
Setup Tip: Download the official airvpn‐test‐cli script, configure your credentials, then run and set ELinks to proxy at 127.0.0.1:8080 by default.
Official site: https://airvpn.org 🛰️
Conclusion
Using a VPN with ELinks on Linux elevates your terminal browsing to a secure, private, and unrestricted experience. Whether you prioritize total anonymity (Mullvad), a Swiss-based fortress (ProtonVPN), lightning speeds (NordVPN), hacker-grade privacy (AirVPN), or balanced customization (IVPN), there’s a perfect match. Set up your SOCKS5 proxy or native CLI, and browse away—text-only never felt so powerful! 🖥️🔒