14-07-2025
Mozilla VPN Lands on Every Linux Desk
Linux users can now install Mozilla VPN via Flatpak on Flathub, opening the way for seamless cross‑distribution deployment. The move elevates the privacy-centric VPN's reach beyond Debian-based systems, where it was previously limited by Debian packages, addressing long-standing accessibility challenges.
Bringing Mozilla VPN to Flatpak aligns with growing demand for universal packaging solutions across diverse desktop environments. Previously, users on distros like Fedora, Arch and openSUSE had to compile the client from source if not on Ubuntu derivatives. The new Flatpak, officially published by Mozilla, offers an easier route for installation—even though Flathub's verification process is still underway, meaning some distributions will hide the unverified app until it's signed off.
The Flatpak version harnesses the advantages of sandboxing—each application runs in an isolated environment, reducing the risk associated with vulnerabilities—though experts caution that no sandbox system is entirely impervious and emphasise the importance of reviewing permissions and verifying digital signatures. For administrators managing mixed-distro environments, the convenience of a single install method carries significant operational weight.
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Under the hood, Mozilla VPN continues to use WireGuard, delivering high-speed and efficient encryption with minimal latency compared to legacy protocols. These characteristics resonate with privacy-conscious consumers and IT teams across sectors, who prioritise both performance and data protection.
Mozilla VPN is a subscription service, priced at $9.99 monthly or $4.99 on an annual plan, and it is powered by Mullvad's network infrastructure—itself well regarded for its commitment to privacy and minimal logging. Users can connect up to five devices simultaneously and access more than 500 servers across over 30 countries. The partnership with Mullvad preserves user anonymity to a large degree, although the reliance on an external provider underscores the trade-off compared with self-hosted WireGuard solutions.
Linux community feedback has been supportive. One user noted the ease of use on Fedora thanks to RPM binaries, indicating the Flatpak route removes a barrier to entry for less technically inclined users. However, security‑focused users discussing the trade-offs between Mozilla VPN and Mullvad suggest the former offers user-friendly attribution and Mozilla‑aligned mission support, while direct Mullvad subscriptions might hold a marginal edge in anonymity.
Despite some friction—such as the lack of full Flatpak verification and extra steps required on distributions with strict app policies—the rollout represents a milestone for Mozilla's open-source VPN strategy. With universal Linux support now achieved, the company is poised to penetrate enterprise and educational networks that rely on heterogeneous systems, even as self-hosted options like Algo VPN or private WireGuard servers remain preferred in high-security environments.
Apart from cross-distro compatibility, Mozilla emphasizes that this Flatpak release ensures users encounter the same feature set across Windows, macOS and mobile platforms: device protection, multi-hop routing, malware and tracker blocking, and unthrottled bandwidth. For organisations deploying VPNs to staff, this experience consistency and a centralised subscription model can simplify onboarding and policy enforcement.
Distribution maintainers are also responding. Fedora has long offered RPMs for Mozilla VPN via GitHub artefacts, while Ubuntu derivatives continue to support Debian packages from the official Mozilla APT repository—options that remain valid alongside Flatpak and aid users bound by corporate or regulatory compliance.
The Flatpak release is likely to prompt further improvements in permissions handling, performance tuning and Flathub verification. That said, the package enables end-users to manage installations via both GUI and CLI, using commands such as flatpak install flathub org. mozilla. vpn, which is expected to significantly reduce friction for adoption.
