PremierVPN for Linux: Features and Overview

PremierVPN for Linux 2.0 is a native desktop app with a full graphical interface, so you don't need the terminal once it's installed. It connects with five protocols (WireGuard®, AmneziaWG, Stealth, IKEv2 and VLESS), has a kill switch that works with all of them, and includes split tunnelling. This article covers which distributions it supports, how to install it, and what it can do.

Supported systems

Each package comes in an Intel/AMD version and an ARM version. Not sure which you need? Run dpkg --print-architecture on Ubuntu or Debian, or uname -m on Fedora: arm64 or aarch64 means ARM. You also need a graphical desktop and a PremierVPN account with an active plan.

Install on Ubuntu or Debian

1. Download the .deb package for your computer from your Downloads page.
2. Open a terminal and run:

   cd ~/Downloads
   sudo apt install ./premiervpn_*.deb

This installs PremierVPN and everything it needs, including a small background service, premiervpn-helper, that manages the VPN connection. Use apt install ./ rather than dpkg -i, so the dependencies install too.

Install on Fedora

1. Download the .rpm package for your computer from your Downloads page.
2. Run:

   cd ~/Downloads
   sudo dnf install ./premiervpn-*.rpm

IKEv2 needs strongSwan. If IKEv2 doesn't appear in the app, install it with sudo apt install strongswan-swanctl charon-systemd libcharon-extra-plugins libstrongswan-extra-plugins on Ubuntu or Debian, or sudo dnf install strongswan on Fedora.

Open and sign in

1. Open PremierVPN from your application menu, or run premiervpn in a terminal.
2. Sign in with your portal email and password, the same login you use at portal.premiervpn.net. If two-factor authentication is on, enter the 6-digit code.
3. Pick a style (Glass or Signal), then press the connect button. You're protected when it says Protected.

Signed up with Google or Apple on our website? The app needs a password. Sign in to the portal, go to Settings › Portal password and set one first.

Features

• Five protocols: WireGuard® (the default), AmneziaWG, Stealth, IKEv2 and VLESS. If a connection fails, a Try button suggests the next protocol to try.
• Kill switch with every protocol: blocks traffic if the VPN drops, so nothing leaks. Allow LAN access keeps printers and other local devices reachable.
• Split tunnelling in Settings › Split tunnelling: choose apps that bypass the VPN, or apps that only use the VPN. Flatpak and Snap apps are listed too.
• Auto-connect on Wi-Fi you don't trust, or always, with a list of trusted networks
• Locations with live ping, search, Favourites, Direct, VLESS and Dedicated IP tabs
• Security Dashboard with a leak test and a speed test
• DNS leak protection, a choice of DNS servers and an optional ad and tracker blocker
• A tray icon with a quick panel, keyboard shortcuts, and Glass and Signal styles

Update or uninstall

To update, download the latest package and install it the same way. It upgrades in place and keeps your sign-in, settings and favourites, including when you upgrade from version 1.x.

To uninstall on Ubuntu or Debian:

sudo apt remove premiervpn

To uninstall on Fedora:

sudo dnf remove premiervpn

Quick troubleshooting

• "The PremierVPN helper isn't running": start the background service, then reopen the app:

  sudo systemctl enable --now premiervpn-helper

• Won't connect on one network: press the Try button on the error screen: AmneziaWG, then Stealth, then VLESS.
• No internet after a failed connection: that's the kill switch protecting you. Disconnect, or connect successfully, to release it.
• No tray icon on GNOME: turn on the AppIndicator and KStatusNotifierItem Support extension (Fedora needs it installed from GNOME Extensions first). The app works the same without it.
• Login rejected: use your portal email and password, not your VPN username.
• Logs for support: in Settings › Diagnostics, press Copy diagnostics and paste it into your ticket. We may also ask for:

  journalctl -u premiervpn-helper -n 60 --no-pager

Other ways to connect on Linux

You can also connect without the app using your VPN credentials: IKEv2 with strongSwan or OpenConnect. These are handy on servers without a desktop.

Full guide: Set up PremierVPN on Linux.

Still stuck? Open a support ticket and tell us your distribution, app version and what you've tried.