Proton VPN on Linux gets a huge accessibility boost with 20 new languages

Proton VPN is bringing native localization support to its Linux app
The app will automatically detect your operating system's language
This update follows a string of recent major Linux upgrades

Finding a top-tier security provider that actually prioritizes Linux users has historically been a challenge. Fortunately, one of our favorite services just announced another massive quality-of-life improvement for the open-source operating system as Proton VPN adds 20 more languages.

Proton VPN, which currently sits very high on our list of the best VPN providers on the market, is officially adding localization support to its Linux application. According to an announcement posted by the official Proton Team on Reddit, the update is slated to arrive in the next release, expected around mid-August.

This means you will finally be able to navigate the app's interface, settings, and server lists in your native tongue. Even better, you won't have to fiddle with menus to get it working, as the software will automatically detect your language based on your current OS locale.

It is a welcome addition that makes the powerful privacy tool significantly more accessible for users around the globe who prefer Linux but may not speak English natively.

Proton VPN – best for privacy** **

The popular privacy-first VPN continues to invest in delivering the best Linux VPN possible. Before adding support for its Stealth protocol, the provider has been upgrading its apps with features like split tunneling, better stability across the board, and broader distro compatibility. Subscriptions start from the equivalent of $2.99 per month and are all protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Breaking down the new languages

At launch, Proton VPN will support 20 languages right out of the box.

The initial lineup covers a massive chunk of the global population, including: German, French, Spanish, Spanish (Latin America), Italian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Korean, Japanese, Turkish, Catalan, Czech, Romanian, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Belarusian, Greek, and Slovenian.

While that is already an impressive roster, the provider confirmed in its Reddit post that its localization team will "keep adding more over time."

Because this is a brand-new implementation, the team is actively asking the community for feedback. If you install the upcoming release and notice any visual bugs, you are encouraged to flag them.

The Proton Team specifically requested that users report issues if they encounter "a translation that doesn't fit, text that runs past its container, or a language that isn't detected correctly" via the in-app reporting tool.

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A string of recent Linux upgrades

This upcoming localization update is just the latest in a long string of improvements for Linux users. Over the past year, Proton has worked aggressively to bring its Linux offering up to parity with its Windows and Mac counterparts.

Recently, the Swiss provider expanded its Linux capabilities with a new split tunneling feature, allowing users to easily choose which apps use the encrypted tunnel and which bypass it. We also saw the official Proton VPN app land on even more Linux devices when it brought official one-click installs to the Linux Snap Store, making the installation process much smoother.

Under the hood, the company quietly unveiled a massive upgrade by rolling out its new Rust-powered Proton Protocols. On top of that, it finally brought its proprietary anti-censorship Stealth protocol to Linux, ensuring users in highly restrictive regimes can continue to bypass internet blocks.

Combined with a major GUI and CLI makeover and a prior app update that promised better stability, Proton VPN is rapidly cementing itself as the go-to privacy tool for the Linux community.

Rene Millman is a seasoned technology journalist whose work has appeared in The Guardian, the Financial Times, Computer Weekly, and IT Pro. With over two decades of experience as a reporter and editor, he specializes in making complex topics like cybersecurity, VPNs, and enterprise software accessible and engaging.