The Best VPNs for School and College

Student life is pretty challenging on its own. Having to put up with restricted Wi-Fi networks while juggling classes, assignments, and all those other extras? That can be a real headache. But, most schools and colleges mount firewalls to filter online content. Consequently, it can be difficult to source the educational content you need on sites like YouTube. Even social networks like TikTok aren’t all cat videos and dance challenges. They’re also valuable tools for learning. Thankfully, you can bypass that digital roadblock with the best VPN for school.

However, because there are so many VPNs on the market, finding the right one for your needs isn’t easy. We’ve done the hard work, and in this article, we’ll highlight the best VPN services to use as a student (or teacher, for that matter) while connected to your school’s Wi-Fi network.

How to Unblock School Wi-Fi With a VPN

A virtual private network (VPN) is easily the most reliable method to bypass firewalls and unblock your school Wi-Fi network. Don’t worry; it’s not as complex as it sounds.

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to follow:

1. Choose a Reliable VPN: You want a VPN known for its strong encryption, fast speeds, and user-friendly interface. Ideally, it should come with a massive network with servers in multiple locations, including those outside your school’s region. According to our tests, the most effective option is NordVPN.
2. Sign Up: Create an account with your chosen VPN provider. Most services offer various subscription plans, so pick one that fits your budget and needs.
3. Download the VPN App: Head to the download section on the VPN’s website or an official app store. Most premium providers have apps for various platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. They may also offer browser extensions. Download and install the appropriate app for your device.
4. Connect to a Server: Launch the installed app and log in with your account credentials. Select a server in your country or a nearby region, for better performance. Click the “Connect” button to establish a secure connection.
5. Browse Freely: Congratulations, you’re now free to use previously blocked websites and online services. Enjoy unrestricted access to educational resources, social media, streaming platforms, and more.

It goes without saying that you should be using a quality VPN service that excels at bypassing geo-restrictions, whether at school, college, or anywhere else. We’ll discuss the best options below.

The Best VPN for School and College — Our 5 Top Picks in 2024

You need a VPN in school for two main reasons: to gain access to restricted websites and resources and to ensure your privacy and security while doing so. What’s more, it should ideally provide fast connection speeds.

You cannot rely on just any VPN service to handle these tasks, as they aren’t all on the same level. Below, you’ll find the five VPNs we consider best for students following extensive testing. They each combine strong unblocking capabilities with excellent performance, user-friendliness, and air-tight security.

1. NordVPN

According to our tests and analysis, NordVPN is the best VPN for school and college because it effortlessly tackles restrictive school Wi-Fi. It excels at bypassing firewalls and other restrictions that may block your access to educational resources on various websites.

Your school has systems in place to detect and block VPN use? No problem. NordVPN offers specialty obfuscated servers that dress your VPN traffic up as regular traffic to avoid detection. We tested them multiple times, and they worked perfectly.

As for security and privacy, it’s feature-packed. The AES 256-bit algorithm encrypts your internet traffic, making it appear like a jumbled mess to anyone trying to snoop. The VPN also has a kill switch, DNS leak protection, ad and malware blocker, and several other advanced tools.

What’s more, NordVPN never tracks, collects, or shares your internet activities with third parties. That means there’s no chance your online sessions can lead back to you.

On top of that, you needn’t worry about slow connection speeds. NordVPN, the fastest VPN in 2024, offers 10 Gbps servers and excellent performance with its 6,300+ servers across 111 countries, whether you’re browsing, downloading content, or streaming.

Broad compatibility means you can install NordVPN on all major platforms. It allows as many as ten devices simultaneously, so some classmates can connect their devices to your account. Its pricing is fair compared to many others, and a 30-day money-back guarantee backs every plan.

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2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is another exceptional VPN for school that lets you access the websites and online services your school network has restricted. It’s so hassle-free that you don’t have to keep switching servers to get through to the sites you’re interested in.

Plus, the provider offers obfuscation on all its 3,000+ servers across 105 countries. Consequently, your school cannot detect your VPN use, let alone block it.

Several advanced features safeguard your traffic while you’re online. ExpressVPN employs military-grade encryption, as well as an automatic kill switch and IP/DNS leak protection. A pretty effective ad blocker stops pesky ads from intruding while you’re studying, and the provider blocks malicious sites.

What’s more, its TrustedServer technology ensures any details of your online sessions are wiped away when the servers shut down.

ExpressVPN’s speeds are truly impressive, thanks to performance-friendly servers and its proprietary Lightway protocol. That translates to buffer-less streaming, and you can browse smoothly without hiccups.

With a user-friendly interface and apps for all major platforms (it’s one of the best VPNs compatible with macOS), setting up and using ExpressVPN is straightforward, even if you’re not tech-savvy. Each subscription permits up to eight devices simultaneously, enough to fit in a few other students.

The main downside is ExpressVPN’s rather expensive plans. Still, there’s a generous discount on its annual plan that students can take advantage of. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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3. Private Internet Access

What if you could share your VPN connection with all your friends and classmates at school? Private Internet Access offers unlimited simultaneous device connections, which means that one subscription covers every device connected to the VPN.

There may be hiccups if you’re looking to watch content on some international streaming platforms. That said, PIA will grant you easy access to most websites that your school blocks students from connecting to. It’s not all bad on the streaming front either — it unlocks Netflix US and several other libraries and services.

Connect to a PIA server, and your data is encrypted and obfuscated. As a result, neither your ISP nor the school’s network administrator can see what you’re browsing or streaming.

Multiple security audits have confirmed the VPN’s stance that it doesn’t log any identifiable information on its servers. In addition, the feature-rich provider offers bank-level AES 256-bit encryption to scramble your data and effectively plug DNS leaks. Its advanced kill switch prevents your cover from being blown when the VPN connection drops.

PIA’s network blows away every other provider on this list, with more than 30,000 connection options across 91 countries. Combine that massive collection with 10 Gbps connections and no bandwidth limits, and you can count on smooth browsing and streaming experiences.

If you’re not impressed by the VPN’s service, its refund policy allows you to get your money back within 30 days.

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4. Surfshark

For a relatively young VPN service, Surfshark is pretty remarkable. Take its unblocking capabilities, for instance, with the provider effortlessly bypassing most network restrictions. Your school’s firewalls won’t stand a chance.

Our tests have shown that the provider also beats geo-restrictions on region-exclusive websites and platforms. It’s an excellent VPN for streaming, offering access to foreign libraries on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more.

Camouflage Mode is its version of obfuscation and removes VPN traces from your connection. That makes it nearly impossible even to detect your VPN use.

Surfshark offers comprehensive protection. It employs ironclad encryption and a strict no-logs policy to keep potential snoopers away. Plus, there are features like CleanWeb, which blocks ads and malware, and Multi-Hop, which routes your traffic through multiple countries for added security.

Performance-wise, Surfshark’s 3,200+ servers across 100 countries deliver impressive speeds and reliability. It comes through with a smooth and uninterrupted service, whether you’re streaming educational videos or simply browsing the web.

Surfshark packs a ton of value into a package that’s budget-friendly. Well, as long as you opt for its longer-term plans. Also, like PIA, it allows unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can protect all your devices with a single subscription.

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5. Proton VPN

Proton is the only freemium service to earn a spot on this list. While we consider its free plan the best free VPN on the market, a paid plan makes all the difference when you need a VPN for school.

We especially like its Stealth protocol. Proton VPN doesn’t offer obfuscation on other protocols but built Stealth from the ground up to bypass deep packet inspection (DPI) technology and other network restrictions.

The VPN is renowned for its strong emphasis on privacy and security. That makes sense, considering the same team behind Proton Mail developed it. Industry-standard encryption protects your data with extra layers of security in the form of advanced features like Tor over VPN. What’s more, NetShield blocks ads and malware while you browse.

Proton VPN doesn’t store details of your online sessions on its servers — it won’t even keep metadata logs like most other services.

In terms of performance, you can expect speedy and stable connections. With over 5,500 servers across 91 countries, you won’t run out of nearby options no matter where you are.

Proton VPN is compatible with multiple platforms and devices and permits up to 10 connections at once. If you decide the VPN isn’t for you, a 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to request a full refund.

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Methodology for Ranking the Best VPN for School

A quick Google search will reveal a dizzying array of VPN services vying for your attention. Unfortunately, not all of them deliver on their promises. And sometimes, even the features they do have may not be well implemented.

So, we considered several crucial factors to cut through the clutter and ensure our recommendations meet your unique needs. Here’s a breakdown of what we looked out for.

• Bypassing Capability: The primary requirement of a VPN for school is to bypass restrictive networks and geo-blocks. The providers we listed can effectively evade those restrictions so you can access the resources you need.
• Speed and Performance: Your school’s firewall already slows down your internet connection. A sluggish VPN would significantly worsen things. To avoid that, we put each VPN through a speed test and prioritized those with impressive results.
• Security and Privacy: With the firewall out of the way, your online traffic may be exposed on your school’s Wi-Fi network. Our recommended services offer industry-standard and advanced features to safeguard your online activities.
• Compatibility: Students and teachers use various devices, from computers to smartphones and tablets. The school VPNs we ranked are versatile, offering apps for a wide array of platforms.
• Ease of Use: They’re also user-friendly, which is a plus for students who aren’t tech-savvy.
• Customer Support: You need reliable customer service to answer pressing questions or when an issue pops up. Each provider on our list offers 24/7 customer support.
• Value for Money: Students typically have tight budgets, but free VPNs may not do the job. So, we looked to find a balance between cost and quality offered.
• Money-Back Guarantee: If a VPN’s performance doesn’t impress you, don’t worry; you didn’t throw the money away. The services on our list back their subscriptions with full refund options for unsatisfied customers.

Can’t Bypass Your School’s Firewall With a VPN? Quick Fixes

You may encounter situations where your school’s content block seems impenetrable, even when you’re using a top-notch VPN. These are a few quick fixes you can try to regain access:

1. Switch Servers: There’s a chance your school blocked the IP address assigned by the VPN server. Alternatively, the server may be experiencing heavy traffic. Either way, connecting to a different server on the VPN app may be an easy way to bypass the firewall.
2. Clear Your Cache and Cookies: Your browser’s cache and cookies may be the villain behind your connection issues. Clear them in the browser settings and try accessing the blocked site again.
3. Change the Protocol: You could also switch to a different tunneling protocol if the issue persists. Common options include OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard. Some VPNs have their own custom protocols, like NordLynx (NordVPN) and Lightway (ExpressVPN).
4. Enable Obfuscation: This advanced feature disguises your VPN traffic as regular internet traffic to trick the firewall into allowing the connection. It’ll come in handy if your school blocks VPNs on its network through deep packet inspection (DPI) techniques. Check to see if your provider offers obfuscation and enable it.
5. Try a Different VPN: If all else fails, you’re probably not using a top-notch VPN, and it’s time to switch. While there are hundreds of providers around, the school-friendly VPNs listed above are better at bypassing firewalls than most others.

Free VPNs for School and College: Can I Use One Instead?

We discussed paid VPN services because, well, they are the best options for beating your school’s firewalls. But free VPNs are exactly that — free. That automatically makes them alluring, especially if you’re a budget-conscious student.

However, we generally don’t recommend using free VPNs ahead of the providers above, and for good reason.

For one, they typically have limited server options and can suffer from slow connection speeds due to overcrowded servers. Throw in data caps and bandwidth restrictions, and your browsing, streaming, and downloads can quickly become frustrating experiences.

There’s more. Your school has a good reason for blocking some websites. Unfortunately, some free VPNs only offer subpar encryption and security features. They may not safeguard your data well enough when you visit dangerous sites. Plus, some providers log and sell your data to third parties to generate revenue, which completely undermines the privacy you’re seeking anyway.

So, we recommend sticking to the premium providers up there. If pricing is a major issue, opt for an affordable VPN like NordVPN or Private Internet Access.

Final Words

Many schools and colleges place restrictions on their networks to keep students and teachers focused. The idea isn’t strictly wrong. Still, it can be counterproductive when you cannot access some educational resources or relax during break periods because certain websites are behind a firewall.

This article highlighted and discussed the best options for choosing a VPN for school. Our top choice is NordVPN, as it comes with all you need for unrestricted browsing and streaming. The best part? It’s completely risk-free to try for up to 30 days.

Bypass School Blocks with NordVPN

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FAQs

Here are the most frequently asked questions (and their answers) regarding using a VPN for school or college:

Can I use a VPN on school Wi-Fi?

Yes, you can. Using a VPN while connected to your school’s network helps you access blocked websites and online resources. In addition, it keeps your online traffic private and safeguards your data from hackers and other internet-based nasties.

Why won’t my VPN work at school?

Your school prefers that students don’t access certain websites and may have set up VPN blocks to prevent circumventing its restrictions. However, some VPN services can bypass even these blocks by disguising your internet traffic through obfuscation.

Can schools see your VPN?

Your school’s IT administrator may detect your VPN use because the provider routes your traffic through a different server. However, they cannot directly see what you’re doing online with a VPN because of the encryption employed by the service. That includes the websites you visit, the files you download, and what you stream.

What VPN to use for school?

NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, Surfshark, and Proton VPN are excellent VPN options to use for school. Of these providers, NordVPN is our top choice because it checks the most boxes.