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NordVPN on Raspberry Pi works through the official Linux app, and NordVPN’s support lists Raspberry Pi OS among its supported systems. The trap is remote access: if you connect the VPN over SSH without an exception, the kill switch and new routes can lock you out of the Pi. This guide covers the safe order.
Is Raspberry Pi Supported?
NordVPN’s support lists .deb and .rpm packages for Debian 12 and newer, Ubuntu 22.04 and newer, Mint 21 and newer, Raspberry Pi OS and Fedora 43 and newer. NordLynx is the default protocol in the Linux app.
One dispute remains. A Raspberry Pi forum thread quotes an older NordVPN note saying arm64 was not supported. Sources disagree, so check the install script’s output on your model. Our NordVPN Linux guide covers the install commands.
NordVPN on Raspberry Pi Without Losing SSH
A rock64 setup guide gives the safe order. Before connecting, add port 22 and your local subnet to NordVPN’s allowlist. Only then connect, and only then turn on auto-connect and the kill switch.
If you skip that step, the Pi may drop off your network the moment the tunnel comes up. The Linux kill switch also blocks traffic after a manual disconnect, NordVPN’s support explains, so plan your exceptions first. Our kill switch guide covers the behaviour.
Useful NordVPN on Raspberry Pi Commands
Log in with nordvpn login; on a headless Pi, NordVPN’s separate guide for devices without a GUI applies. Connect with nordvpn connect and disconnect with nordvpn disconnect. Version 5.3.0 added nordvpn diagnostics for support requests.
To switch the VPN off cleanly, see our Linux VPN off guide.
NordVPN App or Your Own VPN Server?
Some people use a Pi as a home VPN server instead, so they can reach home from outside. That is a different job: the NordVPN app makes the Pi a client of NordVPN. Our Raspberry Pi VPN server guide covers self-hosting.
PiVPN, the popular installer, moved to best-effort maintenance in April 2024, and users moved to wg-easy or manual WireGuard. WireGuard has been in the Linux kernel since version 5.6, which helps on a Pi. Our Raspberry Pi VPN guide and NordLynx vs WireGuard pages explain the options.
Using the Pi as a VPN Gateway
A Pi running NordVPN can route other devices through it, much like a VPN router. That takes extra Linux networking work beyond the NordVPN app. For most homes, our router setup guide is the simpler path. NordVPN belongs to Nord Security, which also owns Surfshark.
Testing NordVPN on Raspberry Pi
Once NordVPN on Raspberry Pi is running, confirm the exit IP and DNS. Our VPN test page and DNS leak guide show the checks, which you can run with curl from the terminal. Our IPv6 leak guide matters less here, since the Linux app has paused IPv6.
If the tunnel drops, our disconnection guide covers the Linux checks. Our refund guide explains the 30-day window.
Choosing a Raspberry Pi Model
NordVPN’s support lists Raspberry Pi OS among supported systems, but a Raspberry Pi forum thread quotes an older NordVPN note saying arm64 was not supported. Sources disagree, so check the install script’s output on your own model before relying on it.
Newer boards with more processing power handle encryption more comfortably. NordLynx is lighter than OpenVPN, which helps on any Pi.
Headless Sign-In
On a Pi without a desktop, NordVPN’s separate guide covers signing in without a browser on the device. Follow it before connecting, so the account is ready when you add your SSH exceptions.
Using the Pi for Downloads
A Pi running NordVPN suits always-on downloads, such as a torrent client on a home server. Turn on the kill switch only after the allowlist includes SSH and your local subnet. Our NordVPN torrenting guide covers the client side, including P2P servers.
Reaching the Pi From Outside
NordVPN has no port forwarding, so a Pi behind it cannot accept connections from the internet. Meshnet offers a private route instead. Link the Pi and your phone in Meshnet, as our NordVPN Meshnet guide explains.
Keeping the Pi Updated
Update the NordVPN package with the system’s normal update command, as you would any other software. Updates fix bugs and keep connections stable. After an update, check that the allowlist and kill switch settings survived, and test SSH access from another machine before disconnecting the session you are in.
Version 5.3.0 added nordvpn diagnostics, which bundles logs for support. Use it if a connection fails after an update. Keep a note of the exact commands you used, so a rebuild after an SD card failure takes minutes.
How We Research
This page draws on NordVPN’s Linux support pages, a Raspberry Pi forum thread, a rock64 setup guide, the PiVPN project pages and the azinchen/nordvpn-wg FAQ. We cross-checked these sources against each other, and where they conflict or something can’t be verified, we say so in the text rather than guessing. We read every source on 5 October 2026. The main source we relied on is NordVPN’s Linux install article. Our full approach lives on the About Us page.
NordVPN on Raspberry Pi FAQ
NordVPN’s support lists Raspberry Pi OS among supported systems. An older forum note says arm64 was not supported, so check your model.
Add port 22 and your local subnet to NordVPN’s allowlist before connecting.
NordLynx is the default in the Linux app.
It can act as a gateway with extra Linux networking work. A VPN router takes less setup.
Only on a best-effort basis since April 2024, according to the project.
The Verdict
NordVPN on Raspberry Pi runs on the official Linux app. Add SSH and local-network exceptions before you connect, and check arm64 support on your model.