Best VPN for School

Best VPN for School & College in 2025: Free & Paid Services

Last update: January 24, 2025

Quick Summary: Best VPNs for School 

  1. NordVPN — Best VPN for students
  2. Surfshark — Best budget VPN for school
  3. ExpressVPN — Best student VPN for bypassing censorship
  4. CyberGhost — Best student VPN for student activists
  5. Private Internet Access — User-friendly VPN for students
  6. PrivadoVPN — Best free VPN for school
Overall Rating 9.3 / 10
Visit NordVPN

NordVPN is the best VPN for school and college, offering features like double VPN, obfuscation and fast connection speeds — all at a cheap price. You can try NordVPN with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

My college life would have been better if I’d had the best VPN for school by my side. The school network blocked a sometimes-random selection of sites and monitored user behavior on others, which was frustrating — and exactly the situation the best VPNs are made for.

Censorship on school networks often begins with the good intention of blocking harmful and illegal content. However, the definition of “harmful” can be expanded and politicized, cutting students off from online resources necessary for their development. Schools may end up blocking sites that offer education on topics like LGBTQ sexuality or racism.

Today, I will cover all the best VPNs for school, the features that make them ideal for students, and why every student needs one. If you’re concerned about accessing sites you need for classwork, or you have reason to believe your school is spying on what happens on its network, this is for you.

  1. Overall Rating 9.3 / 10
    Visit NordVPN
    Money-Back Guarantee
    30 Days
    Worldwide Server Amount
    Over 5,400+ servers in 59 countries
  2. Overall Rating 9.2 / 10
    Visit Surfshark
    Money-Back Guarantee
    30 Days
    Worldwide Server Amount
    1700+ Servers in 63 Countries
  3. Overall Rating 9.1 / 10
    Get 49% Off ExpressVPN
    Money-Back Guarantee
    30 Days
    Worldwide Server Amount
    Over 3,000 servers in 105 countries
  4. Overall Rating 7.5 / 10
    Visit CyberGhost
    Money-Back Guarantee
    45 Days
    Worldwide Server Amount
    7,300 Servers worldwide
  5. Overall Rating 8.7 / 10
    Visit Private Internet Access
    Money-Back Guarantee
    30 Days
    Worldwide Server Amount
    84 countries
  6. Overall Rating 8.4 / 10
    PrivadoVPN
    Money-Back Guarantee
    30 days
    Worldwide Server Amount
    76 in 44 countries

Why Use a VPN Service for School? 

American schools are required by law to block students from accessing obscene content using the school internet. Schools must do this to receive federally subsidized internet access. However, there have already been cases of schools overblocking useful information and underblocking actual harmful content. 

An investigation carried out by The Markup in 2024 unearthed the deliberate censoring of sites that didn’t pose any danger to students. For example, schools in the Rockwood district blocked any content with “human sexuality” content. This effectively blocked all sites that advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.

Some schools were found to have blocked “sex education” and “abortion,” resulting in health-related websites getting blocked even though they didn’t feature any pornographic material. AI has become the newest flashpoint, with some schools blocking all access to ChatGPT to ensure students hand in original work.

The consequences of being caught accessing restricted sites on school networks may include confiscation of mobile devices, contacting parents or even suspension. Repeated infractions may harm your academic standing. To stay safe, use a VPN to access the internet outside your school’s network, avoiding any potential surveillance.

Why Do Schools Block Certain Sites? 

Schools resort to blocking some sites for several reasons, some more justifiable than others:


How to Choose the Best School VPN

Here are some factors you should consider when you choose the best school VPN.


The Best VPNs for School 

Before I start dissecting the six VPNs that made the list, here’s a quick summary of all the standout features.

VPN:Best Price*Student DiscountsAverage DownloadAd/Malware BlockerUnblocks Netflix?
NordVPN$2.99 / month for 27 months77%92.49 / 100 MbpsThreat ProtectionYes
Surfshark$1.99 / month for 28 months90%97.73 / 100 MbpsCleanWebYes
ExpressVPN$4.99 / month for 28 monthsNone91.48 / 100 MbpsAd blocker / threat managerYes
CyberGhost$2.19 / month for 28 months84%91.99 /100 MbpsBlock contentYes
Private Internet Access$2.19 / month for 26 months71%92.85 / 100 MbpsPIA MACEYes
PrivadoVPNFree82% (Premium)32.51 / 50 MbpsAd/malware blocker (Premium)Yes
*Note that this pricing shows the Cloudwards discount, but the student discount can add an additional cost-cutting.

1. NordVPN — Best VPN for Students

nordvpn for school
NordVPN can unblock restricted social media platforms like TikTok on any school network.

Stats:

  • Best price: $2.99 per month for 27 months
  • Student discount: Extra 15% off
  • Money-back guarantee: 30 days
  • Unblocks major streaming platforms? Yes 
  • Website: NordVPN.com
Pros
  • Blocks ads & malware
  • Fast speeds for streaming
  • Double VPN & obfuscation
Cons
  • Double VPN servers are slow

NordVPN is one of the most private virtual private networks on this list, having passed four independent privacy policy audits. This means you can access restricted online sites without worrying about your browsing history being seen by the wrong people. NordVPN’s RAM-only servers are set up in such a way that your browsing data is periodically wiped.

Additionally, NordVPN has obfuscated servers designed to circumvent VPN blocks in case your school also blocks the use of VPN. When you connect to an obfuscated server, your VPN traffic is disguised as regular internet access, allowing you to keep using the VPN undetected.

NordVPN’s Meshnet feature is also handy for setting up a virtual local area network for gaming with your classmates, even if you’re in different buildings. The “threat protection” feature blocks ads and malware threats on third-party streaming sites like FMovies. Check out our NordVPN review for more.

My Experience With NordVPN: Hands-On Performance

NordVPN is a student-friendly VPN provider that is compatible with common student devices like Chromebooks, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and tablets. You can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, allowing you to share with close classmates.

During my tests, every server connected instantly and unblocked streaming platforms like Max and Disney Plus. Threat protection also managed to block a significant number of ads on YouTube, and I successfully set up a Meshnet network for some of my devices.

nordvpn meshnet
NordVPN’s Meshnet can set up a secure connection to a local network at any distance.

NordVPN Speed Test Results

NordVPN maintained an average of 92.49% of our download speeds against our 100 Mbps unprotected speeds, an 8.51% speed drop. These reliable speeds come from the NordLynx protocol, which our article on VPN protocols discusses, along with other options. 

NordVPN Streaming Test Results

I got Netflix unblocked with NordVPN, along with Peacock TV, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, and BBC iPlayer. I didn’t find any NordVPN servers that failed to unblock what I needed.

nordvpn max
NordVPN unblocked streaming services like Max with ease and no buffering.

NordVPN Pricing and Value

NordVPN isn’t the cheapest VPN on this list, but it’s priced fairly. You can choose from three tiers of features (Basic is enough for simple VPN use) and three price plans. 

The cheapest NordVPN plan is a 27-month option going for $2.99 per month, followed by a 15-month option that costs $4.59 per month and a monthly plan costing $12.99. NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for all its price tiers.

Does NordVPN Offer a Student Discount? 

Yes, NordVPN offers students a discount of 77% for two years. All you need to do is verify that you are a student. 

Overall Rating 9.3 / 10
Visit NordVPN

$2.99 / month for 27 months


2. Surfshark — Best Budget VPN for School

surfshark for school
You can watch NFL, NBA, MLS, and any other sports on your school network through Surfshark.

Stats:

  • Best price: $1.99 per month for 28 months
  • Student Discount: 90% discount
  • Money-back guarantee: 30 days
  • Unblocks major streaming platforms? Yes 
  • Website: Surfshark.com
Pros
  • Cheap long-term plans
  • Obfuscation bypasses VPN blocks
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
Cons
  • Obfuscation slows down speeds

Surfshark is the most cost-effective premium VPN for students. It has affordable long-term prices and supports unlimited simultaneous device connections. With one account, you could hypothetically connect all the devices in your class (although VPN providers may get upset if you go that far). 

The security and privacy offered by each Surfshark VPN server ensure you remain hidden from your school network administrator. Other features you can use to keep yourself safe include CleanWeb for blocking ads and camouflage mode for bypassing network-wide VPN blocks.

As a bonus, Surfshark offers a feature called NoBorders. If the school network admin has blocks in place, NoBorders automatically detects these restrictions, then provides you with a list of servers that work best under the imposed constraints. Check out our Surfshark review for more details.

My Experience With Surfshark: Hands-On Performance

Surfshark is another user-friendly VPN that’s compatible with PC systems like Windows, Linux, macOS, and ChromeOS. You can also use it on Android and iOS, and connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously.

I tried connecting to five random servers one at a time and all connected in less than three seconds. Changing protocols was also a quick affair, with no delays. I expect Surfshark will be a breeze for students, even those using it for the first time.

surfshark ui
Surfshark has an ad blocker called CleanWeb that you can use to block ads on YouTube.

Surfshark Speed Test Results

Surfshark averaged 97.73 Mbps on our 100 Mbps unprotected network. That’s a 2.27% speed drop, making Surfshark the fastest VPN for school. I streamed live games without lags and downloaded huge files within minutes. 

Surfshark Streaming Test Results

I unblocked Peacock TV with a New York server and streamed Premier League games without any buffering. Other streaming sites I accessed include Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Paramount Plus, and different Netflix libraries, including Netflix Japan.

surfshark peacock tv
Surfshark also unblocked Peacock TV for streaming European soccer.

Surfshark Pricing and Value

Surfshark is the most budget-friendly VPN for students and comes with three price plans for three tiers of features. The cheapest Surfshark plan is the Starter 28-month plan that costs $1.99 per month, followed by a 16-month option that will set you back $2.99 per month.

Though the long-term plans are cheap, Surfshark’s monthly plan is one of the most expensive, at $15.45. Note that the renewal cost is at the monthly price. Fortunately, all plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Does Surfshark Offer a Student Discount? 

Yes, Surfshark has a special student discount. However, it has confusing wording, stating that it offers “up to 88% + 20% student discounts.” Though the wording is unclear, our best guess is that it refers to an additional 20% off the 28-month Surfshark Starter plan. That would work out to a 90% discount.

Overall Rating 9.2 / 10
Visit Surfshark

$1.99 / month for 28 months


3. ExpressVPN — Best Student VPN for Bypassing Censorship

expressvpn for school
You can access restricted platforms like Discord for texting and voice chats through ExpressVPN.

Stats:

  • Best price: $4.99 per month for 28 months
  • Student Discount: None
  • Money-back guarantee: 30 days
  • Unblocks major streaming platforms? Yes 
  • Website: ExpressVPN.com
Pros
  • Automatic obfuscation
  • Easy for VPN beginners
  • Ad/malware blocker & parental controls
Cons
  • Expensive
  • No student discounts

ExpressVPN is expensive — not “go into student debt” expensive, but still costly compared to alternatives like Surfshark. However, it’s on this list because it has amazing features that justify that price tag, starting with automatic obfuscation. This feature bypasses VPN blocks on your school network without noticeable slowdowns.

Like other VPNs, ExpressVPN hides your IP address by routing it through secure VPN server locations on any device. This anonymity keeps you safe from the school network admin’s radar while granting you access to restricted sites like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and more.

There’s an ad blocker that deals effectively with ads and a threat manager feature that prevents web trackers and malicious sites. 

My Experience With ExpressVPN: Hands-On Performance

ExpressVPN lists its servers by continent and provides a search button so you can find what you want quickly. Its near-instant server connections allowed me to access blocked sites quickly on all my devices. 

expressvpn ui
Using ExpressVPN is easy, with all servers grouped by continent.

As for compatibility, ExpressVPN works with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. You can connect up to eight simultaneous devices

ExpressVPN Speed Test Results

ExpressVPN averaged 91.48 Mbps on our unprotected network of 100 Mbps. That’s a 9.52% speed drop, making ExpressVPN incredibly fast, though a bit slower than the other VPNs on this list. Still, more than 90 Mbps is plenty for streaming, downloading, and gaming without noticeable lags or buffering.

ExpressVPN Streaming Test Results

In all the streaming tests I have conducted, ExpressVPN has never failed to unblock any platform. I connected to a U.S. server and streamed several episodes of ‘Agatha All Along’ on Disney+. ExpressVPN also unblocked Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu and Max. You can find more details in our ExpressVPN review.

expressvpn disney plus
You can unblock Disney+, Hulu, Max and more with ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN Pricing and Value

As I mentioned, ExpressVPN isn’t particularly budget-friendly for students. There are two ExpressVPN plan options: a 28-month plan for $4.99 per month and a 15-month plan for $6.67 per month. ExpressVPN provides a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Does ExpressVPN Offer a Student Discount? 

No, ExpressVPN doesn’t offer a student discount. Anyone who needs to buy ExpressVPN can do so only through its regular price plan.

Overall Rating 9.1 / 10
Get 49% Off ExpressVPN

$4.99 / month for 28 months


4. CyberGhost — Best VPN for Student Activists

cyberghost for school
CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers make it a safe VPN for student activists.

Stats:

  • Best price: $2.19 per month for 28 months
  • Student Discount: 84%
  • Money-back guarantee: 45 days or 14 days
  • Unblocks major streaming platforms? Yes
  • Website: CyberGhostVPN.com
Pros
  • Student discounts of 84%
  • Streaming-dedicated servers
  • 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons
  • No obfuscation

If you’re actively involved in student activism and fear getting persecuted for it, CyberGhost can protect you. Its NoSpy servers, hosted in their Romanian headquarters and fully owned and controlled by CyberGhost itself, provide a high level of privacy. Romanian data laws don’t allow authorities to force VPNs to save or hand over your browsing data.

CyberGhost’s extensive server network also gives you multiple server options to switch to if the one you’re using is blocked. Outside of activism, its specialty streaming and gaming servers make it easy for students to quickly access any gaming and streaming services the school network may have blocked.

You can also rely on the CyberGhost kill switch to prevent accidental leaks and the content blocker to stop ads from interfering on platforms like YouTube. However, there’s no obfuscation, so if the school blocks all virtual private networks, try an option higher up on this list. Learn more in our CyberGhost review.

My Experience With CyberGhost: Hands-On Performance

CyberGhost is a fun VPN to use for streaming because of its streaming-dedicated servers. It has specific servers for Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and a host of other global streaming sites. These servers aren’t noticeably faster, but they do save you time when looking for the server you need.

cyberghost ui
CyberGhost groups streaming servers based on the service for which they are best optimized.

Plus, CyberGhost is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, with support for up to seven simultaneous device connections. That’s the smallest number on this list after ExpressVPN but is still enough to cover your most important school devices.

CyberGhost Speed Test Results

Cyberghost averaged 91.99 Mbps against our unprotected speeds of 100 Mbps. A 9.1% speed drop makes it slower than Surfshark but easily fast enough for buffer-free streaming. I tested the specialty servers for streaming, downloading and gaming, and the difference was minimal.

CyberGhost Streaming Test Results

CyberGhost simplifies things with its streaming-dedicated servers. For instance, I unblocked BBC iPlayer with a U.K. server on my first attempt. Other platforms I tested that also worked include 10Play Australia, RTVE Spain and DAZN Japan.

cyberghost bbc iplayer
CyberGhost unblocked BBC iPlayer with a U.K. server.

CyberGhost Pricing and Value

CyberGhost is more affordable than NordVPN and ExpressVPN, and it offers three price plans. You can go with CyberGhost’s 28-month option for $2.19 per month or the six-month option for $6.99 per month. A 45-day money-back guarantee covers these two long-term plans.

The final option is the monthly plan, which costs $12.99 and comes with a shorter 14-day money-back guarantee. 

Does CyberGhost Offer a Student Discount? 

Yes, CyberGhost provides a discount of up to 84%. However, this offer is not always available. 

Overall Rating 7.5 / 10
Visit CyberGhost

$2.19 / month for 28 months


5. Private Internet Access — User-Friendly VPN for Students

pia students
PIA can help you access restricted file-sharing sites like MediaFire or MegaUpload.

Stats:

  • Best price: $2.19 per month for 26 months
  • Money-back guarantee: 30 days
  • Server locations: 154 locations
  • Unblocks major streaming platforms? Yes
  • Website: Private Internet Access
Pros
  • Good ad blocker
  • Two kill switches
  • Affordable price plans
Cons
  • VPN connection issues on macOS

Private Internet Access (PIA) has a highly effective malware, tracker and ad blocker called PIA MACE. It stopped unskippable ads from loading on YouTube. PIA also prevents any potential surveillance from your school network admin through secure protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN. 

Some versions, like PIA for macOS, have two kill switches, so you can control the level of IP leak protection. Additionally, high-speed servers in 91 countries can unblock streaming content from different regions. This Private Internet Access review dives into that in more detail.

PIA is also an ideal option for accessing file sharing and downloading resources, like MediaFire and MegaUpload. Schools often block these sites to stop students from downloading movies and TV shows, or sharing huge files.

My Experience With Private Internet Access: Hands-On Performance

Whether you’re using a PC (Windows, macOS, Linux) or a portable device (iOS, Android), you won’t struggle to use PIA. All its apps are clearly labeled, with no confusion regarding where each essential feature is located.

PIA MACE worked surprisingly well on YouTube and other sites notorious for pop-up ads. However, PIA for macOS took a while to connect to a server. I tried it with random locations, and on some occasions, it took up to three minutes to connect. I’m not sure what causes this, but Mac users might want to consider an alternative VPN for Mac.

pia ui
You get two kill switches that you can activate to protect your anonymity.

Private Internet Access Speed Test Results

PIA averaged 92.85 Mbps on our 100 Mbps network, representing a 7.15% speed loss. This puts it slightly ahead of CyberGhost and makes it fast enough for streaming, gaming and handling speedy downloads. 

Private Internet Access Streaming Test Results

PIA unblocked Netflix Japan, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount Plus, Disney+, Qobuz and more. However, I had to switch to Windows to stream most of this content because it connected much more quickly.

pia ui
There are two kill switches that you can activate to protect your anonymity.

Private Internet Access Pricing and Value

Private Internet Access is affordable and offers two price plans. You can go with either the 26-month option for $2.19 per month or the six-month option for $7.50 per month. Both plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Does Private Internet Access Offer a Student Discount? 

The Private Internet Access student offer on StudentBeans costs $2.69 per month for 26 months. This is slightly costlier than a regularly discounted PIA subscription. Students are better off going with the regular 26-month PIA plan. The student version supports up to five simultaneous devices, which is enough to share with a few classmates.

Overall Rating 8.7 / 10
Visit Private Internet Access

$2.19 / month for 26 months


The Best Free VPN for School

Students usually consider free VPNs first because not many have the money to spend on a VPN. However, irresistible as the deals may seem, most free VPNs come with risks other than being caught accessing banned content by your school admin.

For example, some free VPNs may sell your data to third parties, compromising your overall online safety. Many other free VPNs can easily be blocked, rendering them useless. 

That said, the next section will show that there are some reliable free VPNs — like PrivadoVPN — that you can use. I also like Proton VPN as an alternative, though its free plan isn’t quite as extensive (read the Proton VPN review).

PrivadoVPN — The Best Free VPN for Schools

privado for school
The free Privado VPN version can help you access restricted platforms like Reddit, or Telegram.
Pros
  • Easy to use
  • 13 free locations
  • Student-friendly prices
Cons
  • Only 10GB free per month with unlimited bandwidth

PrivadoVPN is the best free VPN that works on school WiFi — perfect for all types of students who may not have the budget for a reliable VPN. The free version comes with 13 free server locations in countries like the U.S., the U.K. and Brazil.

However, the free version limits you to 10GB per month with unlimited bandwidth, which isn’t enough for heavy internet users. Furthermore, you can’t use ad blockers on the free version, so you may have to deal with annoying pop-up ads. 

The premium version of PrivadoVPN gives you access to all the features and a bigger server network that reaches 48 countries. Premium PrivadoVPN is the cheapest option on this list, with plans costing as little as $1.11 per month. Read the PrivadoVPN review for more details.


Using a VPN to Get Around Blocks at School: Step-by-Step Guide 

Here are the steps you can follow to bypass blocks on your school network.

1. Subscribe to a VPN Service

Purchase a VPN that fits your budget. If it has a free version, even better. I used NordVPN to create these steps.

subscribe

2. Download and Install the VPN

Open the VPN website and download the VPN app compatible with the device you normally use at school.  

nordvpn macos

3. Connect to a Server

Launch the VPN and connect to a server of your choice. You should now be able to unblock any site that’s been blocked on the school network.

nordvpn us

VPN Not Working at School: Troubleshooting Tips

You may still run into issues even when you use a VPN to bypass school firewall restrictions. If that’s the case, try these tips:


Conclusion

The main reason why students need a VPN is to access blocked websites. NordVPN remains my top pick for schools and colleges. It has a vast server network, good security, and features like Meshnet and threat protection.

Other good alternatives include Surfshark, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access and PrivadoVPN. Take your pick and start accessing restricted sites without worrying about being monitored.

Have you ever used a VPN in school? Did you access any restricted sites? Drop us a comment below and tell us about your experience. While you’re at it, keep reading our blog for more informative content.


FAQ: School WiFi Unblocked: VPNs 

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