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How to set up and use ExpressVPN on Linux OS

Sarath Chinthada
Setup ExpressVPN on Linux

No doubt, Linux is one of the more security-aware OS available. Yet, it is a misconception that they are resistant to malware. Yes, Linux distros offer more in terms of security options but the only reason it is not, yet, infested with malware, ransomware, and Trojans is that majorly Linux is still much niche. Therefore, it is to gain by using ExpressVPN on your Linux OS if you want to further safeguard yourselves. Now before we delve further into this topic, for those who are unfamiliar with VPN, let’s do a recap.

VPNs are a popular service in today’s turbulent times of lacking online privacy and security. In one line, a VPN is a virtual and private network with allows you to connect to the internet bypassing various restrictions, which in turn helps you keep your online activity anonymous and secure.

That’s where ExpressVPN comes in. As a market leader, not only is ExpressVPN a suitable fit for your Linux needs but also has affordable pricing. However, before you decide, let’s first find out if it’s for you or not.

Why Should you use ExpressVPN on Linux? The benefit of using ExpressVPN

  1. Great Network Capabilities – It comes equipped with a list of around 3000 servers spread over 160 different locations, thus effortlessly dealing with issues of latency and throughput.
  2. State-of-the-art Encryption – Not only your data protected under an AES-256 encryption by default. It also offers a plethora of protocols and even split tunneling services tailor-made according to your needs.
  3. Security – the kill switch, termed “Network Lock” prevents your device from accessing the internet if your VPN connection suddenly drops.
  4. Pivotal for Privacy – The ExpressVPN service comes prepared as it guarantees your privacy while you surf the internet worry-free. It has advanced leak protection, and a strict No Logs Policy.
  5. Fast Speed – The Speed Test feature ensures that you get the best speed round the clock.
  6. Enthusiastic Customer Support – A comprehensive 24/7 customer support ready to tackle any and all of your queries in real-time.

Setting up ExpressVPN on Linux OS | All you need to know

Officially, ExpressVPN doesn’t support all the versions of Linux OS. but in this article, we will explore how to add ExpressVPN on even those versions via manual configuration.

ExpressVPN supports the following Linux distros: Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch, CentOS, and Raspberry Pi. As such it has an exclusive app for them.

Still, the various ways you can set up an ExpressVPN on Linux are as follows:

  1. Set it up through ExpressVPN app. It’s easy and hassle-free. (for official distros)
  2. Set it up through OpenVPN client. It is the manual config which is needed to run ExpressVPN on Linux with unofficial distros.
  3. Set it up through the web browser extension.

Setting up ExpressVPN on Linux via App

It is no doubt the easy way to get ExpressVPN on Linux by using the app. It is the most straightforward method. Likewise, it is also recommended to use this method as it provides the best features.

  1. Go to expressvpn.com and select a subscription package. Using the credentials, log into your ExpressVPN account.
  2. Once in, head over to the dashboard and select “set up other devices” tab, > select Linux > then find your desired OS from the drop list.
  3. To find out your OS, open the terminal application and input one of the following command:
    • uname -m
    • arch
  4. After selecting your OS, click on download.
  5. You will find activation code on the download page, copy it for later use.
  6. Now to install the app, you can either use the GUI or command-line
  7. For GUI installation – Head over to the downloaded folder. Find the file and right click on it. Then select Open with other application > software install. On the new popup, enter your password, click on authenticate and run expressvpn.
  8. For Command Line – Open a new terminal window and navigate to the folder where you downloaded the app.
    • Run one of the following commands depending on your distro
    • UBUNTU/DEBIAN – sudo dpkg -i [installer filename]
    • FEDORA/CENT OS – sudo yum install [installer filename] or sudo dnf install [installer filename]
    • ARCH – sudo pacman -U [installer filename]
  9. Now you need to enter your password to approve the installation.
  10. Head back to the terminal window to run the application. Run expressvpn activate and enter the activation code you copied earlier.(the code won’t show, so please be cautious.)

Your ExpressVPN is all set and ready to use.

Use ExpressVPN via app

To Connect to a server

  1. Go to your terminal and run expressvpn connect
  2. it will connect you to the recommended server
    • you will receive connection confirmation
    • you can also type expressvpn status to learn more about the connection status.

To Disconnect from a server

  1. Go to your terminal and run expressvpn disconnect
  2. you will be disconnected and receive confirmation

To Connect to a different server

  1. Go to your terminal and run expressvpn list
  2. From the list shown, Choose your desired location by running expressvpn connect [LOCATION] or expressvpn connect [ALIAS]
  3. After connection, you will receive confirmation

Now let’s head further to explore how to manually configure ExpressVPN on Linux

Setting up ExpressVPN on Linux manually with OpenVPN

Although a bit inconvenient as compared to the app version, this method virtually works on every Linux OS. It uses the OpenVPN protocol. Follow the steps mentioned below to set up ExpressVPN on Linux manually.

  1. Head over to expressvpn.com and login into your account. (you will need a subscription.)
  2. After signing in head over to Dashboard and click on Set up Other Devices
  3. Find your Activation code here and head to the other side of the menu and find Manual Configuration
  4. Click on Manual Configuration.
  5. Select OpenVPN and note down your Username and Password
  6. Now below all this you will find a list of OpenVPN Configuration files of servers. Select one according to your needs and download the .ovpn config file.
  7. Install the OpenVPN package and configure it using the .ovpn file. Different OS will need different commands, some of them are as following:
    • FOR UBUNTU –
      • Go to terminal window and run: sudo apt install openvpn openvpn-systemd-resolved.
      • Then enter the following to launch OpenVPN:
        • 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
      • fill “path to file” with the location of .ovpn config file and “server location” with the location of the server in the .ovpn file.
    • FOR DEBIAN –
      • Go to terminal window and run: sudo apt install openvpn resolvconf.
      • Then to launch OpenVPN:
        • 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
      • fill “path to file” with the location of .ovpn config file and “server location” with the location of the server in the .ovpn file.
    • FOR FEDORA/CENT OS –
      • Go to terminal window and run: sudo dnf install openvpn
      • Then enter the following to launch OpenVPN:
        •  sudo openvpn –config /[path to file]/my_expressvpn_[server location].ovpn –script-security 2 –up /etc/openvpn/client.up –down /etc/openvpn/client.down
      • fill “path to file” with the location of .ovpn config file and “server location” with the location of the server in the .ovpn file.
  8. Now enter the USERNAME and PASSWORD. On successful connection you will see Initialization Sequence Completed
  9. Finally, don’t close the terminal window, as doing so will drop the connection. You can however minimize it.

Use ExpressVPN on Linux manually

To Connect to a network

  1. Go to terminal and RUN expressvpn connect
  2. It will Auto-connect to the recommended server
  3. You will see a message confirmation, to manually check RUN expressvpn status

To Disconnect from a network

  1. Go to the terminal and RUN expressvpn disconnect

To Connect to a different server

  1. Go to terminal and RUN expressvpn list
  2. Now from the list, select the server you want and
  3. RUN expressvpn connect [LOCATION]
  4. In place of location, enter the name of the server you want from the list above.

Setting up ExpressVPN via Web Browser

The disadvantage with this method is that only the data from the web browser will be encrypted.

To use this method

  1. For Firefox RUN expressvpn install-firefox-extension
  2. For Chrome RUN expressvpn install-chrome-extension
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