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How to Install ExpressVPN on Linux in USA | Easy Setup Guide

  • Last updated January 27, 2025
  • Aisha Imtiaz
    Aisha Imtiaz
    Aisha Imtiaz
    Editor
    Aisha Imtiaz is an editor at VPNRanks, specializing in VPN technology and OTT platforms. She simplifies complex concepts for diverse audiences who want to enjoy watching geo-limited content. Her hobbies include streaming, reading, photography, and blogging. She enjoys streaming on Discovery Plus, Disney Plus, fuboTV and other platforms.
    See Full Bio >
    written by
    Aisha Imtiaz
    Aisha Imtiaz
    Aisha Imtiaz
    Editor
    Aisha Imtiaz is an editor at VPNRanks, specializing in VPN technology and OTT platforms. She simplifies complex concepts for diverse audiences who want to enjoy watching geo-limited content. Her hobbies include streaming, reading, photography, and blogging. She enjoys streaming on Discovery Plus, Disney Plus, fuboTV and other platforms.
    See Full Bio >
    Editor

Setting up ExpressVPN on Linux in USA is simpler than you might think. With just a few steps, you can install the native app, which uses easy commands to connect you to ExpressVPN’s servers. If you’re more comfortable doing things manually, don’t worry – you can also set up the VPN through Ubuntu’s Network Manager or the Linux Terminal.

From my experience, ExpressVPN is one of the best VPN services, ensuring top-notch privacy and security. Whether you’re using Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch, Raspberry Pi, or Linux Mint, ExpressVPN is compatible with the latest versions of each. In my extensive use, I’ve found it to be a 10/10 VPN service.

Unlike other VPNs that often fall short, ExpressVPN has consistently delivered excellent performance without issues. It supports fast speeds, P2P, and is remarkably cross-platform, working flawlessly on Linux. This guide will walk you through using this VPN on Linux, ensuring you’re protected in no time.

Quick Guide: How to Install ExpressVPN on Linux in USA

  1. Download ExpressVPN. Subscribe, then download it for Linux with strong encryption and a kill switch. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
  2. Install. Run the installer or install it manually through the terminal.
  3. Launch. Open the terminal, type expressvpn,” and enjoy safe browsing with fast speeds.

That’s it! You’re all set for secure and private online activity.

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Why You Should Use ExpressVPN on Linux in USA

ExpressVPN is an excellent choice for Linux users seeking enhanced privacy and protection against DDoS attacks. Through my extensive testing, I’ve consistently relied on it for secure online gaming and penetration testing on Kali Linux. It stands out for its robust security and multi-device connectivity, supporting up to 8 simultaneous connections.

Linux platforms are secure, yet still vulnerable to online threats. Therefore, ExpressVPN has been crucial in safeguarding my browsing, especially on public WiFi. Its no-logs policy and encrypted connections ensure that your real IP is masked, and your data remains private.

With servers in 105 countries, I’ve enjoyed seamless streaming on Netflix and BBC iPlayer without buffering. The high-speed connections and reliability are consistent across various Linux distributions. Moreover, their 24/7 live chat support has been invaluable, providing quick and effective solutions whenever I’ve needed assistance.

Dedicated IP with VPN Protection

You can get a dedicated IP services in 27 locations that’s yours alone, enhancing privacy to the next level. It’s so secure that even ExpressVPN can’t trace it back to you. This feature lets you access work resources remotely, reduces those annoying CAPTCHAs, and provides a smoother browsing experience—all while connected to the VPN.

How to Set Up Linux Using the Terminal

The following steps will show you how to manually set up ExpressVPN on Linux in USA using the OpenVPN protocol with ExpressVPN’s configuration files. I also followed the exact same steps listed below:

  • Go to the ExpressVPN Linux Download page and Sign in after entering your credentials.
  • On this page, you’ll see your Activation Code in the blue box. Note down the code as you’ll need it later.
  • Scroll down the page until you find the Manual Config option in the left-hand menu. Click on this option.
  • Click on OpenVPN in the main section.
  • You will see your username, password, and a list of OpenVPN configuration files.
  • According to your Linux distribution, enter the ExpressVPN Linux commands below:

ExpressVPN For Ubuntu

  • To install the packages for Ubuntu, enter the following command in the Terminal window.
"$ sudo apt install openvpn openvpn-systemd-resolved"
  • To launch OpenVPN, enter the following:
"$ sudo openvpn --config /[path to file]/my_expressvpn_[server location].ovpn --script-security 2 --up /etc/openvpn/update-systemd-resolved --down /etc/openvpn/update-systemd-resolved --dhcp-option 'DOMAIN-ROUTE .' --down-pre"
  • Replace [path to file] with the path to where the ExpressVPN configuration file was downloaded and [server location] with the location shown in the file name.

For Debian

  • To install the packages for Ubuntu, enter the following command in the Terminal window.
"$ sudo apt install openvpn resolvconf"
  • To launch OpenVPN, enter the following:
"$ sudo openvpn --config /[path to file]/my_expressvpn_[server location].ovpn --script-security 2 --up /etc/openvpn/update-resolv-conf --down /etc/openvpn/update-resolv-conf"
  • Replace [path to file] with the path to where the ExpressVPN configuration file was downloaded and [server location] with the location shown in the file name.

For Fedora/CentOS

  • To install the packages for Ubuntu, enter the following command in the Terminal window:
"$ sudo dnf install openvpn"
  • To launch OpenVPN, enter the following command:
"$ sudo openvpn --config /[path to file]/my_expressvpn_[server location].ovpn --script-security 2 --up /etc/openvpn/client.up --down /etc/openvpn/client.down"
  • Replace [path to file] with the path to where the ExpressVPN configuration file was downloaded and [server location] with the location shown in the file name.
  1. It would be best if you kept this terminal window open to keep the VPN connection active. You can minimize the terminal window, don’t close it, or you will terminate the VPN connection.

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How to Use ExpressVPN on Linux in USA

Now that your ExpressVPN app is up and running, let’s see how to use it to connect to a remote server and start browsing:

  • Connecting to a Server: Use "expressvpn connect" to automatically connect to the best smart location, or specify a location with "expressvpn connect [LOCATION]".
  • Disconnecting: The command "expressvpn disconnect" will terminate your VPN connection.
  • Switching Server Locations: To change server locations, input "expressvpn connect [LOCATION]" the desired location.
  • Checking Connection Status: Enter "expressvpn status" to view the current state of your VPN connection.
  • Updating ExpressVPN: Keep your VPN up-to-date by using. "expressvpn upgrade".

These commands efficiently tailor your VPN usage to your needs, ensuring a secure browsing experience on Linux systems.

What is the Alternative to VPN for Linux in USA?

For those looking to maintain web browsing privacy without a full VPN, browser extensions can be an ideal alternative. These focus only on your web traffic, offering a lighter solution compared to full VPN applications.

From my extensive use of ExpressVPN, I can confidently say that their service has been nothing but awesome over the years. Their browser extensions, in particular, are great, and I’ve found the shell utility incredibly useful when I’m on my Linux machines. These extensions for Firefox and Google Chrome integrate seamlessly into daily browsing.

They are easy to use and offer split tunneling, allowing you to selectively protect your online activities. This is especially convenient for Linux users who need focused privacy enhancements without the overhead of a full VPN.

Why Do You Need a VPN for Linux in USA?

A VPN helps you access websites that may be blocked for your location or other reasons. It’s also useful for keeping your activity private, especially when you’re downloading large files like OS ISO files through P2P networks. Additionally, a VPN protects your downloads from being restricted by Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

By using a VPN such as ExpressVPN, you’re ensuring both privacy and freedom while browsing or downloading on Linux. My team has extensively tested various VPN services across multiple platforms, including Linux, and consistently found ExpressVPN to offer superior stability and reliability.

Their tests have demonstrated that ExpressVPN maintains high download speeds, even up to 600Mb on their Lightway UDP protocol, without any noticeable speed drop-offs. This level of performance makes ExpressVPN particularly effective for heavy downloading tasks and streaming, confirming its utility and robustness for handling data-intensive activities on Linux systems.

Best VPN for Linux: What Reddit Users Are Saying

Many people recommend Mullvad as the best VPN for Linux due to its open-source client, privacy features like port forwarding and split tunneling, and compatibility with OpenVPN and WireGuard.

However, I personally recommend ExpressVPN for its ease of use, strong encryption, and reliable performance on Linux. ExpressVPN also offers an easy setup and a no-logs policy, making it a trustworthy option for both regular browsing and torrenting. [Source]

  1. ExpressVPN on Android: Ultimate Protection for Your Android Device
  2. ExpressVPN on Windows: Strengthen Your Windows Security Effortlessly
  3. Setup VPN on Mac: Boost Your Mac’s Privacy Instantly
  4. ExpressVPN on FireStick: Maximize Streaming Security on FireStick
  5. Change Ubuntu IP address : Learn How to Safely Change Ubuntu IP Address
  6. Change Mac IP address: Discover How to Easily Change Mac’s IP Address
  7. Watch YouTube Premium with ExpressVPN: Enjoy Your Favourite Streaming App without Restrictions

FAQs – ExpressVPN on Linux in USA

Yes, it’s safe! ExpressVPN protects your data with military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and split tunneling. Plus, Perfect Forward Secrecy ensures no one can intercept your private info.

ExpressVPN supports many Linux distros like Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and more. Even if your distro isn’t listed, you can still set it up using ExpressVPN OpenVPN Linux for comprehensive protection. 

No, but you can manage VPN connections with Network Manager or use ExpressVPN via terminal.

All VPNs reduce speed, but ExpressVPN is fast. You can use the Lightway protocol for even quicker connections.

No, but you can try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days with no limitations.

Try switching to a different server or VPN protocol. If issues persist, consider reinstalling the app.

Yes, but free VPNs lack security, may sell your data, and often have limited speeds and servers. ExpressVPN offers better protection.

Conclusion

Setting up ExpressVPN on Linux in USA is easy when you follow the right steps. First, download the installation package and sign up for a plan. Next, install the VPN using the graphical interface or simple terminal commands.

ExpressVPN is a trusted choice for securing your Linux device. It provides top-notch privacy features to protect your data from hackers. With a fast and large server network, you can stream your favorite shows without lag. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free!