Best VPNs for School Students

As a student, you need a good VPN to access blocked content while in school or college. This review shows you 5 of the best VPNs for schools.

Last Update: March 1, 2022
MOST POPULAR

Overall Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
Features:
  • Unlimited P2P and Torrenting
  • High-End Military-Grade Encryption
  • Confirmed Zero Logs Policy
  • Ad-blocker Feature
  • High-Speed Servers
  • Unblock 400 Streaming Services
  • 100% diskless encrypted RAM servers
Available on:
 available_devices

Overall Rating: 4.8 / 5.0
Features:
  • Strict No logs Policy
  • AES-256-GCM Encryption
  • Very Secure Protocol
  • Fast Torrent Speed and Unblocking Netflix
  • Unlimited Devices
Available on:
 available_devices

Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Features:
  • Simple user interface for Android Users
  • Internet Kill Switch
  • Split Tunneling
  • Confirmed Zero Logs Policy
  • Unbreakable Encryption
Available on:
 available_devices

Overall Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Features:
  • Public WIFI Protection
  • IP Leak Protection
  • No Logs Policy
  • Live Chat Support 24H
Available on:
 available_devices

Overall Rating: 4.4 / 5.0
Features:
  • DNS Leak Protection
  • Port Forwarding
  • Free Socks5 Proxy Included
  • Torrents & P2P Allowed
  • Can Connect 10 Devices Simultaneously
Available on:
 available_devices

5 Best VPN for School and College Students

Best Android VPN

On campus, some schools prohibit students from using Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or YouTube. They are concerned that allowing these sites will cause students to become distracted from their studies. 

These restrictions may have an effect on Netflix, Hulu, and HBO, but a break can sometimes help concentration. Using these websites at school does not imply laziness, so get a VPN to unblock them. VPNs allow you to connect to the internet from any location. 

All school-blocked websites are accessible on campus. Regrettably, there is now an abundance of VPNs to choose from, and not all of them are created equal. 

As a result, we've compiled a list of the best VPNs for school to assist you in unblocking content. The first and foremost is NordVPN. NordVPN is most likely the best school VPN. 

You will most likely not be tracked if you use a good VPN because there are no session or traffic logs. Continue reading to see our top recommendation as well as some other decent options.

NordVPN screenshot

When it comes to school VPNs, NordVPN is likely the best option. It provides the fastest internet speed compared to other VPN software on the market today. Aside from the speed, the app is serious about its no-log policy. It does not keep any user data, including traffic and session logs. 

Therefore, you can be confident that you will not experience any privacy issues while using NordVPN. All of your web traffic is encrypted by the software using 256-bit AES encryption and 2,048-bit DH keys

Even if you use the school's Wi-Fi, no one will be able to see what you're doing. NordVPN provides you with access to over 5,500 servers in 60 countries. You can choose from various locations in those countries for your work. 

The best part is that each of these servers supports torrenting. As a side benefit, you can torrent as much as you want. Furthermore, all servers have been optimized to be suitable for video streaming. You can also rely on NordVPN to protect your games from DDoS attacks

Overall, NordVPN does an excellent job circumventing the Netflix ban and providing users with access to geo-restricted content from BBC iPlayer and Hulu.

NordVPN Features

  • Allows up to 6 devices on one subscription
  • Military-grade AES-256 bit encryption
  • Obfuscated servers, Double VPN, and Onion over VPN
  • Compatible with Android, Windows, Linux, Chromebook, chrome extension, Firestick, etc.
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

NordVPN Servers

Nordvpn servers

Over 5200 servers in 60 countries

NordVPN Support

Nordvpn support

24/7 Live chat

NordVPN Pricing

Nordvpn pricing plans
  • Monthly plan: $11.95/month
  • One-year plan: $6.99/month (billed $83.88 every year) – SAVE 41%
  • Two-year plan: $4.99/month (billed $119.76 every two years) – SAVE 58%
  • Three-year plan: $3.49/month (charged $125.64 every three years) – SAVE 70%
NordVPN logo in white color
Overall Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
Visit NordVPN
Surfshark screenshot

Surfshark is a good option if you need an inexpensive but effective VPN at school. Despite being one of the most affordable VPNs, Surfshark provides its users with over 3,200 servers spread across 65 countries worldwide. This VPN is extremely simple to use. 

It enables you to circumvent almost any type of online filtering, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and many others. 

Surfshark's security features include military-grade 256-bit AES encryption. This feature is combined with an optional kill switch, which disables your data connection if the VPN fails to function. You won't have to worry about losing your exposure this way. 

Surfshark also protects against IPv6 leaks, WebRTC leaks, and DNS leaks. The most important feature is that Surfshark allows you to connect as many devices as you want using a single subscription account. 

It's worth noting because most other VPN providers don't allow more than seven simultaneous connections. Surfshark also has a no-log data policy, which means that the VPN provider will not save any of your information while you use the service.

Surfshark VPN Features

  • Gives you access to over 30 Netflix libraries.
  • 1 subscription serves unlimited devices.
  • Has an ad blocker to stop intruding ads.
  • Optional Kill switch kills your internet if VPN goes out.
  • Whitelist option to allow selected apps and websites bypass VPN.
  • Strict no-log policy.
  • AES 205 Encryption
  • Supports Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, ChromeOS, Amazon Fire TV, etc.

Surfshark VPN Servers

Surfshark servers

3200+ servers in 65 countries

Surfshark VPN Support

Surfshark CS

24/7 customer support available

Surfshark VPN Pricing

Surfshark price

Surfshark VPN has the following price plans:

  • 1-month - $12.95 per month
  • 12-months - $6.49 per month
  • 24-months - $2.49 per month
Surfshark logo in white color
Overall Rating: 4.8 / 5.0
Visit Surfshark
Expressvpn-screenshot-new

ExpressVPN comes in third place on our list thanks to its simple and user-friendly interface. ExpressVPN can be used for torrenting on any server due to its incredible speed. 

It also works well to unblock Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming services. ExpressVPN takes encryption seriously, employing the best 256-bit AES-CBC encryption via the OpenVPN encryption setting. 

The app has a no-log policy, which means that they will not collect any of your information unless related to technical issues. 

With over 3,000 servers spread across 94 countries, ExpressVPN should have no trouble finding a suitable connection. 

There's also an internet kill switch, dubbed a "network lock" by ExpressVPN, that temporarily disables online activity if the connection fails. As a result, your data will be protected.

ExpressVPN Features

  • Unlimited bandwidth
  • In-class encryption
  • Available on Mac, Linux, Windows, iOS, Android, ChromeOS, AppleTV, Amazon Fire TV, Console
  • 3 simultaneous connections across different devices
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Allows cryptocurrency payments

ExpressVPN Servers

Expressvpn servers

160 server locations available in 94 countries

ExpressVPN Support

Expressvpn cs

24/7 Live chat

ExpressVPN Pricing

ExpressVPN pricing

The ExpressVPN prices are as follows:

  • Monthly subscription - $12.95
  • 6 months subscription - $9.99 per month
  • 15 months subscription - $6.67 per month

ExpressVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee covers all plans.

Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Visit ExpressVPN
CyberGhost screenshot

One of the most user-friendly VPNs available is Cyberghost. The VPN has been registered in Romania. Due to this, you can trust them to keep user information private. The app follows a zero-log policy and does a fantastic job safeguarding its users. 

Furthermore, the firm ensures that only the most advanced encryption standards are used. On the OpenVPN protocol, Cyberghost currently uses 256-bit AES encryption. This encryption protocol is presently thought to be the most difficult to break. 

Cyberghost ensures that they will never be without a good, strong connection. With Cyberghost, you have access to approximately 5,700 servers spread across 90 countries. 

Because there are numerous servers in various countries, you have complete freedom to choose and make the best decisions possible, and the beauty of this software is that it can be used on almost any device. 

Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, and other operating systems are all supported. The software allows you to connect up to seven devices to a single account if you have multiple devices.

CyberGhost Features

  • Romanian company with strict no-log policy
  • One subscription serves up to 7 devices simultaneously
  • Beginner-friendly
  • Kill switch option
  • High-speed internet connection
  • AES 256-bit encryption
  • 45-day money-back guarantee

CyberGhost Servers

Cyberghost servers

7,300 servers available in 91 countries

CyberGhost Support

Cyberghost features

24/7 Live chat available

CyberGhost Pricing

Cyberghost pricing
  • 1-month - US$12.99 per month
  • 3-year plan - $2.25 per month
CyberGhost logo in white color
Overall Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Visit CyberGhost VPN
pia-screenshot-new

Although Private Internet Access does not have the best user interface, it does its best to provide a good service, especially given its low price. Like the others on this list, the VPN provider is not based in any of the Five Eye countries. 

As a result, it is not required by law to keep any of its customer data or logs. What’s more, it employs the most advanced encryption standards available. 

As a user, you can use 256-bit AES encryption, 4,096-bit RSA keys, or SHA 256 authentication with the OpenVPN protocol. According to Private Internet Access, over 3,307 servers are located in 32 countries. 

That way, you should be able to access the internet almost all of the time. The only drawback to using Private Internet Access is that it does not work with Netflix. 

However, torrents work well on all of its servers. You can get Private Internet Access on Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. In addition, you can connect up to five devices to a single subscription if you want.

Private Internet Access Features

  • An affordable VPN provider that unblocks Instagram, Snapchat, Netflix, etc.
  • Available on Android and iOS devices
  • Strict no-log policy
  • Comes with DNS leak protection and an active kill switch

Private Internet Access Servers

PIA servers

Over 12945+ servers spread across the world

Private Internet Access Support

PIA community forums

Community Forums Available

Private Internet Access Pricing

  • 1-month - $9.95 per month
  • 1-year plan - $3.33 per month
  • 3-year plan - $2.19 per month
PIA new horizontal logo
Overall Rating: 4.4 / 5.0
Visit PIA

What is the Best VPN for School Wi-Fi?

If your school's Wi-Fi is an open network, you might want to use Cyberghost. Cyberghost is popular among students because it protects against IP and DNS leaks and has a strict no-log policy and military-grade 256-AES encryption. 

Even better, it has an automatic kill switch that will disconnect your internet connection if the VPN connection fails for any reason. 

As a result, you don't have to be concerned about inadvertently exposing yourself. The majority of the app's features can be customized to your preferences. 

Cost should not be an issue with CyberGhost because you can connect one subscription account to up to seven devices at once. If you're not sure if this is the right VPN for you, you can try it out for 45 days risk-free.

Why Do You Need a VPN Unblocked at School?

In schools, many people use the network, and most of them have malicious software waiting to infect others. If you get this nasty stuff into your device, you could lose a lot of data or lose access to it permanently. 

As a result, you'll need a good VPN to keep yourself safe while using the school's network. In addition to device security, schools generally limit student access to content and services.

VPNs at school

While it is beneficial to keep students focused, it can be inconvenient when they need to unwind. You can circumvent any school-imposed restrictions by using a VPN. 

The software conceals your location so that you appear to be connecting to your school's network from afar, making previously blocked sites believe you are accessing them from a new location. Because there are no server restrictions, you can access all content even at school.

How to Select the Ideal School VPN

You'll notice that most VPNs on the market are very similar. As a consequence, deciding on one can be difficult, particularly if unfamiliar with what to look for. 

However, if you look closely, you'll notice that they differ in terms of speed, security, server networks, encryption, and a variety of other factors. 

As a student looking for the best, you must understand that your VPN selection is based on your personal preferences and priorities. This is because no single service on the internet can meet all of your requirements. 

When a VPN checks all of your boxes in the areas that are most important to you, it is ideal for you. The following are some of the most important checkboxes to look for in a VPN service.

Price

As a student, there's a good chance you don't have enough money to pay for an extravagant plan. As a result, when choosing a VPN service, the price should be at the top of your list. Be wary of free VPN providers while looking for a low-cost VPN service. 

Some VPN services entice unsuspecting users with the promise of free services, only to sell their data for a profit online. 

Others provide free services, but they are limited and unable to provide you with the level of protection you require. 

There are, however, a few inexpensive and trustworthy VPN services available. Most of them will even give you substantial discounts if you sign up for a longer period.

Security and Privacy

One of the most important reasons to use a VPN is privacy and security. After cost, it is the second most crucial factor to consider. 

Although these two by themselves will not allow you to bypass the block, you must ensure that you are adequately protected, especially since your school's network is open to the public. 

If you do not have adequate protection, you are vulnerable to cybercrime. With a good VPN service, your activities will be hidden from the prying eyes of your school authorities. Your actions will be completely unknown to the admin. 

It should also include a kill switch, which will disconnect your connection if the VPN fails. Even if the VPN fails, the kill switch prevents sensitive information and activities from being accidentally leaked to school authorities.

Device Compatibility

Most VPN services are compatible with the most widely used operating systems. As a result, if your device runs a popular OS, you should have no issues in this regard. In any case, double-check the list of supported devices before signing up for a VPN service. 

Furthermore, look for VPNs that allow you to use their service on multiple platforms, i.e. VPNs that can be used on both your phone and your computer. 

As a result, you can use a variety of devices, and the VPN will assist you in making the most of them all.

Ease of Use

Check to see if the VPN service you're using is user-friendly. This feature is essential if you are new to VPNs. Even though experienced users may have no trouble using some apps, beginners may struggle with more complex applications. Make an effort to find something you enjoy in whatever group you are a part of.

VPN Protocols

Most schools and colleges set up their networks to block traffic from all ports except 448 and 80. You'll need a VPN that supports the SSTP protocol to get around the problem. Even though the SSTP protocol runs on port 443, most firewalls cannot block it. Use of the OpenVPN Protocol via port forwarding is another option. This method, however, only works on Windows computers.

Obfuscated Servers

You should also think about whether the VPN service provides obfuscated servers. Your VPN provider should be able to confuse your traffic in addition to providing multiple servers. Not all VPN services are as sophisticated as this. Your internet traffic will be obfuscated so that it appears to be regular HTTPS traffic using obfuscation.

The technology is incredible, allowing you to circumvent even the most restrictive firewall protocols easily. You can watch almost any type of blocked content right from the school grounds if you use good obfuscation techniques.

Accessing Blocked Content without Using VPNs

A proxy is an alternative to using a VPN to access blocked content at school. A proxy, like a VPN, helps you change your online location by masking your IP address. Proxies, on the other hand, are not as effective as VPNs

They can't provide the same level of security that a VPN can. Even if your location appears to be hidden, an excellent computer-savvy person can still find you using a Proxy. 

When you use your school's network, you're also at risk of receiving malicious content, and hackers can easily track you down.

Using Free Unblocked VPNs in School

The best free VPN services are not free, because the majority of them are inferior to paid VPN services. In addition, many of them are highly risky regarding privacy invasion, malware, and other concerns. As a student, you might be tempted to use one of these VPN services. 

VPN providers, on the other hand, are for profit. Most of these businesses are legitimate and need funding to operate. 

So many "free" VPN services exchange your data in exchange for their "free" service.

vpn connection

Some companies use cookies to collect information that they then sell to third-party advertisers. 

When you use their services, you may be bombarded with advertisements. They may even infect you with malware if they sell your personal information to criminals. However, there are still some genuine free services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is using a VPN at school Illegal?

Using a virtual private network (VPN) at school is not illegal in the United States, provided that you are not engaging in illegal activity while using the VPN. 

Every day, millions of people, business owners, government officials, and corporations worldwide rely on virtual private networks (VPNs) to keep their data safe. 

If, on the other hand, it is against the rules of your school, it could land you in serious trouble with the authorities.

Therefore, prior to using a VPN, you should consult with the appropriate authorities at your school to ensure that you are not violating any rules or regulations.

How can I get a free VPN for school?

Proton VPN offers free and paid services. The free service is limited to 10GB traffic which can be used over all servers during one month, so you need to use the service wisely. ProtonVPN Free for Windows uses 128-bit Blowfish encryption with OpenVPN protocol. 

The ProtonVPN Windows application automatically selects the fastest server for your location and changes it as often as every hour. 

You should set up your system to disconnect from the internet when not using ProtonVPN because there is no P2P support on the free VPN servers.

Why is my VPN not working at school?

VPNs for school can stop working for many reasons. Sometimes, the authorities of your school might block access to VPNs. However, if you feel the VPN won't connect for whatever reason, try these steps to fix it:

  1. Clear your browsing cache and history.
  2. Try to uninstall the VPN and reinstall the app again.
  3. Restart your device.
  4. Disconnect from the present server and connect to a different one.
  5. Disable all location or GPS services.
  6. Contact the customer service of your VPN provider.

Conclusion

Free VPN services may sound appealing, but they aren't because most of them are inferior to paid VPN services in terms of quality. Many of them pose significant privacy, malware, and other risks. As a student, you might be tempted to use any of these VPN services. 

However, VPN providers are not charities. Most of these are legitimate businesses in need of funding. In exchange for their "free" service, many "free" VPN services request your personal information. 

Some of them use cookies in your browser to collect information that they then sell to third parties. If not, you will almost certainly be bombarded with annoying advertisements. 

They may sell these sensitive details to dangerous individuals, increasing the risk of malware infection. However, there are still some that offer genuine free services.

The Future of Online Security
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By: Michael Miller
Michael is the CEO of VPN Online, one of the fastest-growing media companies in the cyber-security space. VPN Online was started in 2019 after Michael consulted with many Fortune 500 companies and saw the lack of understanding about cybersecurity many of their employees had.