PiVPN : How to Run a VPN Server on a $35 Raspberry Pi!

Buy it on Amazon - lon.tv/2vhlg (affiliate link) - Note PiVPN has moved to a new domain. Use "curl -L install.pivpn.dev | bash" to install, everything else should be the same. A $35 Raspberry Pi can work as a very effective VPN server. You'll gain access to your local network resources remotely and have a secure connection to the Internet. See more Raspberry Pi : lon.tv/pi and subscribe! lon.tv/s
LINKS:
PiVPN Project: www.pivpn.io/
OpenVPN Windows Client:
openvpn.net/community-downloads/
Tunnelblick (Mac client):
tunnelblick.net/downloads.html
VIDEO INDEX:
0:00 - Intro
02:08 - Setting up PiVPN
03:55 - Setting up static local IP address
06:37 - Assigning port number
07:58 - Setting up dynamic dns (DDNS)
09:01 - Dynamic DNS services
13:38 - Creating PiVPN users
14:13 - OVPN user configuration file
16:41 - Configuring Windows Client
18:44 - Router port forwarding
20:03 - Connecting to the VPN on Windows
22:20 - Connecting to the VPN on Android
25:11 - Connecting to the VPN on iOS
25:56 - Connecting to the VPN on Mac
27:13 - Overall VPN Performance
29:45 - Managing Users on VPN
30:52 - Final Thoughts
31:49 - PiVPN works on PCs too
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[@matthewburkett7149]

I feel like I’m watching a high quality 90’s walkthrough. I love it.

[@HaikHakopyan]

I was about to say the same thing!!

[@harsh1i]

True

[@MagruderSpoots]

I thought the same thing when I saw the installation screen. I miss 1990.

[@chrisparussin5359]

Do i need a public ip to do this?

[@sanquineo]

@@chrisparussin5359 Check the video again :).

[@sleeprene]

I love how articulately he speaks. Clear and straight to the point too.

I really appreciate your video showing all the process from installing the server to configuring the client.this is the most useful video I've seen so far on the topic. Thank you

[@jonwelch564]

Having tried to setup a VPN on my Pi some years ago, I gave up trying because each time I updated/re-imaged the Pi the setup for a VPN was different. Using this method I had a VPN setup and running in less than half the time it took to watch the video. Thank you for finding this, it has made my very happy.

[@AnimalFacts]

When I'm on public Wi-Fi with my tablet, I'm happy knowing that a Raspberry Pi is at home keeping me safe.

[@AnimalFacts]

@1Bit Yeah, just for when I'm out on public wifi.

[@theverdantwolf5402]

So through public wifi you connect to the pi to connect to the internet through your home connection? Or am I misunderstanding?

[@1235pankaj]

correct.

[@chrisparussin5359]

Do i need a public ip to do this?

[@jamesvelvet3612]

@@chrisparussin5359 Watch the video 8:00

[@PotentialEn3rgy]

Best home VPN walkthrough I've seen. Thank you!

[@kameshnistala2113]

This tutorial was super detail and to the perfect required depth and detail for a novice to pick up and deploy. Excellen. Keep the good the work coming through.

[@sheaerickson537]

This guy is great. Long video but it was thorough and didn't feel like it had any filler. All valid and useful information. And he is so wholesome and happy. Keep it up man.

[@niels9947]

Very nice and clear video with good explanation! Thanks Lon!

[@Ratsnake]

Excellent job. I appreciate the hard work you put into this. One of the best tutorials I have watched. I was easily able to set this up.

[@MIHMediaInc]

Heres what happened to me: 1. Stumbled upon this channel. 2. Watched the amazing vpn walk through. 3. Subscribed instantly. Tanx Lon 👍

[@MaloMonster]

This video was fantastic. I know it's 3 years old now but man this was detailed and insightful, and you were crystal clear and detailed when describing everything. Thank you for this!

[@shankarthakur1]

Best of all the VPN videos . Took me just 35 mins to be on my OWN VPN after watching your video. Out of these 35 mins 20 mins is what it takes to complete the " KEY " step after using 2048 bit .

[@AK-yn4br]

Did you ever try to compare bandwith of VPN with long and short key? Is it not too slow with your choice? I will use Pi version 2 or one (have both in unused stuff box)...

[@shankarthakur1]

@@AK-yn4br I am not using the VPN for media so I am ok with the BW and 2038bit strong key.

[@TobiasDettinger]

How did you do the install? curl doesnt works for me...

[@goldengeckogaming4882]

@@TobiasDettinger Try installing curl. You can just do "sudo apt install curl"

[@geraldcates7785]

Lon, you sure fit a plethora of information into a half hour video! I did thoroughly enjoy it though, as I am thinking of doing that for myself. I also have a spare computer that I might just do a Linux install on, and go in that direction. A lot to think about, to be sure, but certainly do-able. Thanks for the video and information.

[@philhuynh2974]

Thank you for the clear instruction. I always hesitate to set up a vpn server due to its complexity, but your video making this task painless. Thanks again!

[@DarknessViper99]

So fantastic, this helped establish the core of my server project, very clear & concise for a newbie like me.

[@LonSeidman]

But Lon - you didn't mask your DDNS and it still resolves! Yes it's resolving but not to my IP. I changed it before I posted the video. IMPORTANT: PiVPN has changed their domain - this is the new command for installation: curl -L install.pivpn.dev | bash

[@NovaCayn]

and this means what? any separate stuff we need to do?

[@lechf]

CryonicCore Gaming no just don’t publish your DDNS address on a popular KZbin channel :)

[@TobiasDettinger]

Those bastards. I tried everything... Why did they do this? Even now in their website they have their own download link wrong... Wow now i know how they do their work - simply not... Thoose idiots...

[@JosephSalmoiraghi]

help!

[@stub1116]

I watched your video and I have to say: it was brilliant. Some things I need to have another look at , but the video is one of the best I've watched. Well done and keep it up!

[@brasofilo]

Great production values, great teacher, great content, yeah, top notch video!

[@gregoryturner1505]

Just got my pi4 and set up a vpn, your video made it so easy. Tested it on all my devices, works great. Thank you so much.

[@rayerdinc2441]

Brilliant video, so easy to follow. Thank you Lon. Subscribed.

[@usafspaceguy05]

Lon, this gave me the info and confidence to finally get mine running! Works great and I owe that to you! Thanks!

[@jimhickman5537]

Lon - appreciate lots of your posts, this one is outstanding!!

[@izik6894]

Lon, another fantastic tutorial! Thank you for showing this. This is exactly what I was looking for!

[@bgable7707]

WOW, very well done, from A-Z, setup to expected connection speeds from the outside. You covered it all with excellent explanations, descriptions, and examples. GOT IT!!!

[@Bugkiller666]

I wanna say thanks for sharing with us the VPN server setup on Pi !! I love it.

[@AnimalFacts]

I've also noticed that with Openvpn Compression turned on that wifi on public networks is significantly faster.

[@omarkhaledk11]

What an awesome and extremely detailed tutorial ! We need more of you on KZbin , Sir.

[@hitardo]

Great video! I will use this, as I was looking to use it for a long time. Tried doing it with my QNAP NAS, but I think this solution is better. Different things, require separate devices. Cheers.

[@btno222]

AMAHI HAS VPN

[@fassaklaq3425]

I really don't often comment on youtube videos, but I had to comment this one. This is literraly what I was searching for, for a very long time. Thank you sir, you made my workflow so much better when I'm on the road. This is perfect!

[@septynigarsai]

Internet provider spying on you whatewer you made :)

[@AbhiKhatri]

Nice setup man, I’ll set this up with my nas soon. ❤️

[@FairlyBasicTech]

This is the best explanation of OpenVPN I've seen yet. Thanks so much for posting this!

[@wintdkyo]

Thank you Lon for this video. I had a raspberry pi lying around and followed your instructions and setup piVPN and pi hole. I feel so "clean" now. This is probably one of the best privacy oriented practices you can do on your home devices.

[@Tsabo8]

Did you run both on one device?

[@kam_uk]

Love a "step by step" video.. Good job Lon

[@seanc.5310]

That show went off the air in the 90's. Lol 😂

[@krisgee9553]

Lon! Great video. I would love to hear how this content resonates with your subscribers. I try to explain procedures like this and wonder if my message is lost because of the technical nature. Again, great job. I enjoyed it!

[@feldmesserjeremy3229]

Excellent detailed walkthrough. P.S. Love the ZX81! Your bookcase is a history of computing !

[@majomitto5251]

Very good video, with every step explanation. I've tried to use some other manuals, but on the end I've uninstall all and start from scratch following this video. Everything works like a charm till laptop and mobile client run. Thanks a lot.

[@boomwithpeter623]

I run headless raspbian strech on my Pi3 B, thanks for the video, helped me a lot

[@phazonclash]

I've switched from PiVPN (OpenVPN) to Wireguard recently (Raspberry Pi 3 server too). That was a pretty good decision

[@MartinPaoloni]

I decided to do this with an old Model B+ I had laying around, and went straight to this video. Thanks, Lon. Everything went great!

[@MartinPaoloni]

@1badhorsie about 5 Mb/s download (upstream from my house) which is about what my ISP gives me. It works great to check ip cameras and stuff like that! If I do a speed test, the pi's cpu would go to 100% but for small tasks it works just fine. I imagine a Pi 2 would be miles better.

[@tommyvanpelt2408]

You did very well with this Lon...I follow another channel that is heavy with pi content and he has done the same thing but in a six minute video. Nice that you took your time with it so others can follow in real time.

[@blankfido7229]

Which is that channel?

[@c.cokernator4726]

This is amazingly detailed. Well done!

[@daveboogie1]

absolutely great guide, worked perfect, I salute you sir

[@ScottBeckerMCC]

Had it up and running in about an hour. Very nice. Thank you!

[@tommiv4953]

I did it! Awesome feeling when you hit that refresh and your router config screen pops up.

[@LonSeidman]

Always great when it feels like magic!

[@KaiserOnTheRadio]

I've been using PiVPN for a few years now. It's great!!!

[@jasonwang2846]

Good stuff in every way shape and form!

[@chrisreynolds6331]

Thank you this works a treat. I have a raspbx install at home (asterisk pbx for raspberry pi), in fact I’ve put pivpn on this same device, and if I’m away from home with an OpenVPN client I can use a VoIP phone adapter to connect to the home pbx. Works much better than trying to forward sip ports, which is a nightmare.

[@svfrndz]

Very clear explanation! Good work and thanks for this.

[@chriswhite1113]

Hi Lon great vid as always. Have you looked at installing wireguard on a pi to use in the same way as pivpn. If so a video on that would be great. Many thanks from the UK

[@jimlynch9390]

The latest incarnation of PiVPN has a wireguard option as default in addition to the openVPN solution.

[@lancetaiwhanga4127]

Mate! you just solved just about every question or thought I had about VPN. thanks very much and all this information for free.

[@Hakeeeeeeem]

Lon thank you sooo much for this video, your explanation is soo easy and simple and I successfully did it due to your help, thank you from the whole world

[@carmelocarbone3070]

Great Video Lon, precise, clear and very instructive for a first time user of a Raspberry Pi.

[@camiloandresarevalo3276]

I THANK YOU IMMENSELY !!! Greetings from Colombia

[@lordhelmchen100]

Hey Lon, great video as always. i can reccomend wireguard instead of openvpn for a raspberry pi. its alot faster and pretty easy to setup :)

[@btno222]

RISCV NEW PLATFORM OTHER THAN X86,ARM,

[@RupeshPrabhuAG]

I must say that was wonderful and only PiVPN video which clears everything. Looks like a official setup and demo video like you made own made product. Good work.

[@tesla2115]

I just finished configuring my server it worked!!! nice job , this will come in handy when not at home. Thank you

[@sotirisanastasiadis704]

After this set up , can you make a nas server with the same raspberry for your external hard disk if you don’t have NAS servers ?

[@default_youtube_profile]

I have been using raspberry pi 3 as NAS and plex media server for a really long time. I think its time now to must have this vpn set up

[@btno222]

Theres a RISCV. THAT LOOKS PROMISING .. GIVE IT A TRY $59

[@CXensation]

Another good video that adds up to better understanding of networks and router functionality. Its becoming more and more important to know about this these days ... 👍

[@hphilip93]

The only instruction that actually really works! Thank you so much!

[@williambaldwin9346]

Lon, I didn't know that Synology made their own Router? Can you or did you do a review of it? How does these compare to Linksys/Netgear, or the ISP cable modem/routers?

[@LonSeidman]

Check it out here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpeoi4hnZpqYb5o

[@mrmotofy]

Is there a way to have an email sent to you when a user connects? Just as a security measure

[@brianlemos7777]

You could use Python os module to run terminal commands periodically and email yourself based on that output. You can also, dependending on your internet mobile provider, send text messages for free to create custom alerts. Btw, thank you for the idea!

[@vaseline5070]

Funny you make this video right after I setup PiHole and openVPN. I use the VPN aspect to block ads on the go for my phone, it works great.

[@chrisross2916]

Thanks, Lon. Really informative; I'm using the video as a tutorial to set up my RasPi as a VPN. OT: The IIgs in the background brought back memories! :-)

[@abidsamdani1767]

Hi LON, could you please also make a video on using Pihole AND PiVPN together.

[@martinmchugh1924]

I like your thinking. No ads at home OR away then! 👌

[@cangrejojeringa]

On my Iphone (Home accessories), I cant reach the Homebridge (running on my Raspberry too), how do I connect/Add accessories while on the VPN?

[@ramnik.khanna]

@Lon, thanks a lot for the well explained and lucid tutorial! You just earned a thumbs up and a new sub!

[@kellerrobert80]

Great step-by-step, Lon. Very easy to follow.

[@danieltrivino2935]

Hello Lon Excellent video and detailed explanation. I got my working after fixing a couple mistakes I made in the process... from another hand, is it possible to have the pi connected to the router via Ethernet port instead of wifi?

[@ibrahimimran1210]

Hey just wanted to know if i can run the commands through SSH from my computer ...

[@CXensation]

Why not ? SSH is just a remote terminal on your Pi. You will have to restart the SSH session after a reboot of the Pi. It migh be easier to run the regular "remote desktop" from your Windows10, as then you get the Pi desktop up and running on your Windows 10. The its just like having the Pi started with its own display desktop.

[@abdullahahmed5695]

u can

[@ronaldglider]

very good education on how to setup your own VPN - even goes beyond the Pi!

[@JamieKitchens6]

Very informative and thorough. I subscribed immediately.

[@rehmanarshad1848]

Can you do this exact same video tutorial for the Raspberry pi 4, because now the Raspberry Pi 4 has a better CPU, more ram, and the Wifi is no longer bottlenecked to the USB bus! Very Educational! :D

[@psvisualdesign]

The commands are the same :)

[@lst141]

I see a apple II GS behind you. NICE!!!! And a zx81 Well that's old history!! I keep the motherboard

[@1rkthevar]

I had a nice sleep while i watching these.. thanks

[@sandm4n]

Excellent tutorial. Answers a lot of questions I had!

[@TheMax0005]

Sorry, noob questions here: Does choosing higher encryption slow your internet down? Does this protect you from hackers?

[@tazevans8632]

Yeah the higher encryption will take more time to encrypt but will be safer yes.

[@HaitiSpaceAgency]

Will your ISP be able to see the network traffic unencrypted?

[@HaitiSpaceAgency]

After doing some research, yes, they will be. This is not going to work for you if your trying to hide torrent traffic from your isp.

[@aurelf3158]

Everithing spoken clear ,subscribed!thank you !

[@JonathanSchwartz393]

Worked perfectly! Thank you. I used a ubuntu VM on a windows box for more power

[@WiseSilverWolf]

Can you run your own VPN Server and Pi-Hole at the same time from a single Raspberry Pi 4B?

[@AlmightyEye]

Yes. I have this setup myself. And it blocks ads away from the home network. Perfect setup. Just setup PiHole first and during the installation process of PiVPN it’ll ask if u want to use the PiHole for DNS.

[@slobbucket]

@@AlmightyEye That's awsome definitely setting this up

[@stab244]

Would the pi be able to run pivpn and pihole at the same time?

[@Surtistuff]

stab244 Yes. If you want your VPN traffic to go through the PiHole too then you will need to put it that DNS server on the setup page for DNS networks.

[@TomRoss97]

Extremely useful and user friendly tutorial. Thanks for the help!

[@26CT1520]

Thanks for this. So easy to follow! Going to give this a go tonight. Thanks again!

[@acresir]

But you're located in a "5 Eyes" country, so the "security" holds very little to others than civilian...

[@molonlabe8792]

I signed on with SurfShark VPN. Will this arrangement mimic a paid VPN server?

[@shishsquared]

It'll forward all your internet traffic through to your home internet. If you're doing it to hide from your ISP, no you'll want a service hosted somewhere physically else. If you are traveling to another country, or if you don't want your mobile provider snooping on you but don't mind your ISP this will absolutely be just as good (better because it's free)

[@nineEIGHTstangGT]

Otw to get a pi now, im super stoked to configure it. thanks for the vid

[@CRETEJOE]

Excellent , extremely detailed and clear. Thank you John

[@Ezechielpitau]

would this work on Libreelec with Kodi too? (I'd like to be able to reach my media files from outside)

[@HokeyBugle]

Yes

[@MyTechGuyTim]

No-ip is great, I get an email once a month to renew and that’s it. All free! Use this daily.

[@ojnik]

really? I could have sworn the last email i got them a few months ago saying they are no longer doing this for free.

[@MyTechGuyTim]

Phuoc Tong I don’t recall getting any email, and I can confirm firm it’s still working for me and never am even added a cc to my account.

[@vd853]

They require you to confirm every month. Use duckdns instead.

[@MyTechGuyTim]

vd853 my Verizon router doesn’t have duckdns so I had to go with the options they supported. No-ip was the best in the list

[@fbnx4219]

@@MyTechGuyTim Then simply do not use your router to update your dynamic DNS service. When you have a Raspberry Pi running 24/7 you might just use that one for this job

[@ionionescu4791]

This is very good content! I am surprised of all the details. I also like the fact that Lon does not check "remember me" checkbox like 99% of the users.

[@sincerelyyours7538]

Well, there goes my idea to use PiVPN to replace the subbed VPN service I've been using the past few years to bypass domain restrictions on my video streaming services. Just my luck that none of my US relatives are computer savvy enough to keep a Pi online 24/7, and thanks to Covid, I can't visit them often enough to do this myself. But for safely accessing a home network from off-network sites this is the best tutorial I've seen on the subject. Lon takes a complicated subject and walks you through the steps making it seem as easy as Pi.

[@matthewjbauer1990]

I got a VPN add prior to this video. I waited the 15 seconds and skipped it.

[@Fablemaner]

I also got a VPN ad prior to this video. I waited 15 seconds skipped it and closed the video and checked my ad blocker.

[@SBARTSTV]

Boss with a Mac and a PC in the background ;)

[@cristelvideo]

and a Sinclair ZX81 ?

[@Davino.F.Nascimento]

Excellent video. I am a newbie and found it very easy to follow. Thank you very much.

[@brentjohnson6654]

Another great video Lon. Sure beats all the configs we had to put into the corporate Cisco routers.

[@iliankarasimirov9685]

For security , I would change that default port for VPN :)

[@kinglambent]

^

[@sudaphedz433]

LOL.. ummm nmap?

[@Vaati]

suda phedz changing the port will make it harder to see what the port is being used for..

[@candiceord1590]

What do you change it to?

[@Vaati]

hatched tundra7 a port you pick

[@firstsurvivor7600]

Wait, wasn't the PiVPN project no longer supported? We should be looking for other alternatives, not installing PiVPN. (edit : someone pointed the project is supported again, and GitHubs confirms it as true)

[@kcarmical]

Someone else picked up support for the project.

[@firstsurvivor7600]

@@kcarmical You're right, I'm actually surprised as they mentioned they couldn't transfer ownership of the project. It's all for the best as I love to use PiVPN and dreaded to have to change to another VPN client.

[@LCPHOTOGUY]

I really hope you see this. I want to thank you for this easy guide! I did it and it works perfect!

[@nic8544]

The only useful and clear video about vpn. Thank you very much