According to TechRadar, Proton VPN has announced a significant push to modernize its Linux applications. The company’s General Manager, David Peterson, confirmed a complete graphical user interface overhaul is in development, with the first milestone—a shift to the GTK4 framework—already released in beta as version 4.14.0. Simultaneously, the command-line interface app has received substantial updates, split between a stable release (v0.1.4) and a beta channel (v0.1.5). The stable update now allows users to browse by city and connect directly to specialized servers, while the beta adds support for critical features like kill switch, ad-blocker, and port-forwarding. This dual approach aims to close the feature gap with Proton’s Windows and Mac clients. For users, CLI updates are available now, and the GUI beta can be tested, though the visual refresh is still to come.
Why the GTK4 move matters
So, the GUI looks the same for now. That might seem anticlimactic. But the shift to GTK4 is actually the most important part of this first beta. It’s basically laying new plumbing and electrical wiring before you renovate the kitchen. GTK4 is a modern, maintained toolkit that will let Proton’s developers build a more responsive, visually consistent, and feature-rich interface much more easily. Sticking with an older framework would have meant more technical debt and slower updates down the line. Peterson called the GUI refresh “overdue,” and this foundational work is the proof they’re serious about it. It’s a boring but critical engineering step that paves the way for the actual new look everyone’s waiting for.
The CLI gets the real goodies
Here’s the thing: while the GUI work is for the future, the CLI updates are the present-day payoff. And they’re substantial. The ability to select a city, not just a country, is a huge quality-of-life improvement for anyone who needs a specific server location. But the beta channel is where the power users will flock. Adding configuration for NetShield (the ad-blocker), a kill switch, and port-forwarding directly via the command line is a big deal. It turns the CLI from a simple connection tool into a fully-fledged management interface. This is exactly what sysadmins and privacy-focused tinkerers want. They can now script and automate their VPN setup with the same granular control that was previously reserved for the graphical app. Proton is effectively saying, “You want a powerful, text-based tool? Here you go.”
What it says about Proton’s priorities
This dual-track update reinforces Proton’s unique position, especially compared to other VPN providers. Let’s be honest, Linux support is often an afterthought. A clunky, outdated app that barely works. Proton is taking the opposite approach by investing in both the mainstream GUI experience and the niche-but-vocal CLI power user base. It’s a nod to their roots in the open-source and privacy communities. By officially supporting more distros and killing off legacy configs, they’re not just checking a box. They’re treating Linux as a first-class platform. For a company that built its reputation on security and transparency, this consistent support for the open-source ecosystem isn’t just good PR—it’s core to their identity. You can see the commitment in Peterson’s post on social media, directly engaging with that community’s feedback.
The bigger picture for Linux users
Look, for the average person, a VPN app should just work and be pleasant to use. The coming GUI refresh will handle that. But for a significant segment of the Linux world, the terminal is home. By supercharging the CLI, Proton is empowering the users who are most likely to deploy, manage, and advocate for their service in professional or advanced personal setups. It’s a smart strategy. While you wait for the shiny new interface, the core functionality is getting deeply robust. The instruction is simple: if you use the CLI, update your package now. The new features are waiting. If you’re a GUI user, you can test the beta framework, but the visual payoff is still on the roadmap. Either way, it’s clear Proton isn’t letting its Linux offering fall behind.
