Many schools block various sites to have a more disciplined environment and restrict the circulation of disturbing content, misinformation, and distractions among students. However, this also limits students’ exposure and access to online learning material and the social world. To overcome these limitations, you can try out a trusted VPN for school and bypass all the site and bandwidth restrictions.
Keeping this concern in mind, we’ve come up with the best VPN for schools that offers high-quality security features at attractive prices. Let’s have a detailed overview of them.
Nord VPN is one of the best service providers for schools and colleges, as it can bypass geo-restrictions, site blocks, and firewalls effortlessly. It is compatible with several devices, including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Fire TV Stick, Xbox, PlayStation, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Android TV, etc.
Along with its outstanding security features, the VPN lets you stream multiple platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Apple TV+, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, DAZN, and more.
| Based In | Panama |
|---|---|
| Number of Servers | 6400+ servers in 111 countries |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 devices |
| Data Cap | No limit |
Security Features:
- Kill switch
- Minimal logging
- Split tunneling
- Double VPN
- Dedicated IP address
- 256-bit AES encryption
Premium Pricing:
| 1 Month | 1 Year | 2 Year | |
| Basic | $12.99 /mo | $4.59 /mo | $2.99 /mo |
| Plus | $13.99 /mo | $5.49 /mo | $3.89 /mo |
| Complete | $14.99 /mo | $6.49 /mo | $4.89 /mo |
Surfshark is an affordable VPN to access restricted websites and apps at school without getting noticed. It allows you to safely access streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more. This VPN supports several devices such as Android, iOS, macOS, Apple TV, Fire TV, PlayStation, Xbox, Linux, Windows, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Nintendo Switch, etc. to ensure high compatibility.
| Based In | The Netherlands |
| Number of Servers | 3200+ servers in 100 countries |
| Simultaneous Connections | Unlimited |
| Data Cap | No limit |
Security Features:
- Kill switch
- Split tunneling
- Obfuscation
- Dedicated IP address
- Dynamic multihop
- Alternative ID
Premium Pricing:
| 1 Month | 1 Year | 2 Year | |
| Surfshark Starter | $15.45 /mo | $2.99 /mo | $1.99/mo |
| Surfshark One | $17.95 /mo | $3.39 /mo | $2.49 /mo |
| Surfshark One+ | $20.65 /mo | $5.99 /mo | $3.99 /mo |
Proton VPN is another first-rated VPN that you can access on multiple devices, including Android, iOS, macOS, Fire TV, Android TV, Windows, Chrome, Chromebook, Firefox, and Linux. Along with 256-bit AES encryption, the VPN provides secure and uninterrupted entertainment on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, etc. In case of any trouble, you can access their 24/7 live chat customer support.
| Based In | Switzerland |
| Number of Servers | 8,162 servers in 112 countries |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 devices |
| Data Cap | No limit |
Security Features:
- DNS leak protection
- P2P file sharing
- Kill switch
- Split Tunneling
- WireGuard tunnel
Premium Pricing:
| 1 Month | 1 Year | 2 Year | |
| Proton VPN Plus | 10.62 | 5.30 | 4.77 |
| Proton Unlimited | 13.80 | 10.62 | 8.49 |
Hide.me is a popular and reliable VPN that offers a premium as well as a free plan to have top-grade security while unblocking websites. It allows you to stream content on Netflix, Prime Video, ESPN+, BBC iPlayer, Peacock, Disney+, and other platforms in camouflage mode through devices like Android, iOS, macOS, Chrome, Windows, Edge, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, etc.
| Based In | Hide.me |
| Number of Servers | 2600 servers in 91 locations |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 devices |
| Data Cap | No limit |
Security Features:
- Kill switch
- Anonymized payments
- Multihop
- GDPR Compliance
- Split Tunneling
- Torrenting
- Peer-to-peer support
- DNS leak protection
Premium Pricing:
| 1 Month | 12 Months | 27 Months | |
| Premium Plan | $11.95 /mo | $4.49 /mo | $2.29 /mo |
Covering 130+ countries, IPVanish allows you to change your browsing location and access sites blocked by your school. With a very low-speed drop, this VPN lets you download learning materials and stream content on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, MAX, Hulu, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, ESPN+, Disney+, ITV X, and more.
IPVanish has apps and extensions for devices like Android, iOS, macOS, Windows 10, and later, Chrome, Apple TV, Fire TV, NVIDIA SHIELD, Google Chromecast, Fire OS, etc.
| Based In | USA |
| Number of Servers | 2400+ servers in 130 locations |
| Simultaneous Connections | Unlimited |
| Data Cap | No limit |
Security Features:
- No logs
- Kill switch
- Private DNS
- Split tunneling
- Unmetered connections
Premium Pricing:
| 1 Month | 1 Year | 2 Year | |
| IPVanish Essential | $12.99 /mo | $3.33 /mo | $2.19 /mo |
| IPVanish Advanced | $14.99 /mo | $4.49 /mo | $3.29 /mo |
Express VPN is another gem in the list of the best VPNs for schools. It is equipped with AES-256 encryption to safeguard your data on devices like Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Roku, Xbox One, etc.
The VPN lets you bypass geo-block and enjoy streaming on Netflix, Apple TV+, HBO, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Sling TV, Showtime, and many other platforms.
| Based In | British Virgin Islands |
| Number of Servers | 2000+ servers in 105 countries |
| Simultaneous Connections | Up to 8 devices |
| Data Cap | No limit |
Security Features:
- Network lock kill switch
- Private DNS
- No connection logs
- Split tunneling
- Torrenting
Premium Pricing:
| 1 Month | 1 Year | 2 Year | |
| Premium Plan | $12.95 /mo | $4.99 /mo | $6.25 /mo |
Based in Romania, one of the most privacy-friendly countries, CyberGhost is well-known for its high speed and encryption. This helps you to easily download and upload content or to binge-watch on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Peacock, Sling TV, Paramount+, and other platforms. The VPN has a dedicated app for numerous devices, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, etc.
| Based In | Romania |
| Number of Servers | 11,500 servers in 100 countries |
| Simultaneous Connections | Up to 7 devices |
| Data Cap | No limit |
Security Features:
- Kill switch
- Split tunneling
- DNS leak protection
- Shared IP address
- No-logs policy
- Antivirus
Premium Pricing:
| 1 Month | 6 Months | 2 Year | |
| Premium Plan | $12.99 /mo | $6.99 /mo | $2.19 /mo |
PureVPN is again a great choice for students to unlock sites in stealth mode incorporated with the WireGuard protocol. It is accessible on devices like Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Chromecast, Xbox, Apple TV, Android TV, Nvidia Shield, PlayStation, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, etc. This VPN lets you stream content on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Max, and others without interruptions.
| Based In | British Virgin Islands |
| Number of Servers | 6500+ servers in 65 countries |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 devices |
| Data Cap | No limit |
Security Features:
- Kill switch
- Split tunneling
- No-logs policy
- Dedicated IPs
- Multi-factor authentication
Premium Pricing:
| 1 Month | 1 Year | 2 Year | 5 Year | |
| Standard | $12.95 /mo | $3.99 /mo | $2.15 /mo | $1.99 /mo |
| Plus | $15.95 /mo | $5.99 /mo | $3.15 /mo | $2.99 /mo |
| Max | $19.95 /mo | $6.99 /mo | $4.15 /mo | $3.29 /mo |
| Teams | $8.95 /mo | $5.45 /mo | $4.75 /mo | $4.75 /mo |
Why Do Schools Block Websites and Services?
Before moving ahead, we would like to draw your attention to the reasons why schools block some of the age-restricted, disturbing, and unnecessary sites and platforms:
Avoid Distraction
Schools filter online content by blocking some sites to avoid unnecessary distractions in the studies from social media, streaming & gaming platforms, and other material. This helps them to create a more focused learning environment.
Control Bandwidth
Most of the school networks can’t control the high transmission of data and if students start data-consuming activities, it may crash the server.
Online Security
Students often visit malicious sites and links that may install malware on the device. Also, such careless browsing may cause data leaks.
Cyberbullying Prevention
Cyberbullying is a common and concerning issue nowadays that may drastically impact students’ mental health. To prevent students from any such incident on social media platforms, schools restrict several sites and services.
However, many students may need to download online learning materials or take a short break from the classes to freshen their minds. In such a case, a VPN is undoubtedly a great source to access the required sites without getting noticed by the authorities.
Can I Use a Free VPN for School?
Yes, you can choose a free VPN service provider from the various available options on the internet. However, we strongly advise you not to use them due to security reasons. These VPNs are often claimed to sell user data to make money. Also, some of them may install malware on your device.
However, there are some reliable premium service providers like Proton VPN and Hide.me, Atlas VPN, Windscribe, etc. who also offer a free pack with certain limitations like a data cap, slow speed, a small server fleet, and fewer features. So, you may go for them or else you can opt for the free trials and money-back guarantee of all the above-mentioned premium VPNs.
Comparison of Top VPNs for School
To make a quick judgment about the best VPN for school, you may go through this table that compares prominent features, data limit, and number of servers for all the above-discussed service providers:
| VPNs | Split Tunneling | Torrenting | Unblocks Netflix | Data Cap | Servers |
| NordVPN | Yes | Yes | Yes | No limit | 6400+ |
| Surfshark | Yes | Yes | Yes | No limit | 3200+ |
| Proton VPN | Yes | Yes | Yes | No limit | 8,162 |
| Hide.me | Yes | Yes | Yes | No limit | 2600 |
| IPVanish | Yes | Yes | Yes | No limit | 2400+ |
| Express VPN | Yes | Yes | Yes | No limit | 2000+ |
| CyberGhost | Yes | Yes | Yes | No limit | 11500 |
| PureVPN | Yes | Yes | Yes | No limit | 6500+ |
Factors to Consider While Choosing the Unblocked VPNs for School
When you are looking for the best VPN for school WiFi, there are several factors that you should check out before buying the subscription to avail the maximum benefit. Some of them are discussed below:
- Speed and Data Limit
Poor speed and limited data might be a major setback for a VPN. That’s why we suggest a service provider with a higher data speed that doesn’t have any bandwidth limit to have an uninterrupted browsing experience.
- Security & Privacy
While trying to bypass the school’s firewalls, it is necessary to browse in stealth mode. Ensure the selected VPN is equipped with the highest encryption technology and other security features such as a kill switch, threat protection, antivirus, etc.
- Streaming Options and Device Compatibility
If you want to access a particular streaming platform in school, check whether the VPN is supporting it. And the same applies to device compatibility.
- Number of Servers
A large number of servers and locations help you to bypass the geo-restriction of different countries with ease. Choosing such a VPN also avoids overcrowding the server.
- Customer Support
Good customer support to resolve your issues and quick query resolution is a great plus to consider in a VPN. This supports smooth navigation without any trouble.
- Pricing
As a student, it might be difficult for you to afford a VPN at a higher price. So, look out for the one that serves a pack of all the required features without burdening your pocket. You can also avail of various student discounts offered by the providers.
Tips!
Most of these VPNs have similar security, streaming, and compatibility options. In such a case, the number of servers, speed, pricing, and customer support can be a deciding factor to pick out the best VPN for school. So, analyze them closely.
How to Set Up a School VPN?
Once you have selected the most suitable VPN to cater to your needs, now it’s time to know how to set up it on your device to start using. Here is the simple process that you can continue with:
- First, download and install the required VPN from its official site.
- Now, buy the suitable subscription plan or access your free trial.
- Then, select a server location where the required platform or site is unblocked and bypass the geo-restriction. If favorable, prefer to choose a nearby location for faster speed.
- Once connected, test the VPN, and if it is working well, you can continue safe browsing at your school anonymously.
Tips!
While downloading and installing a VPN on your school computer, it is suggested that you use your mobile hotspot and continue the process to avoid any hurdles from the authorities.
Alternative Ways to Bypass School Firewalls
If you are facing trouble with the VPN or can’t buy a premium version, there are some alternative methods that you may try to unblock the sites at school:
- Using a Proxy Service
Instead of a VPN, you may try a proxy server that will change your IP address so that the authorities won’t be able to track your browsing activities. However, unlike VPNs, it won’t encrypt your data, which leads to less security and privacy.
- Opting for Tor Browser
Mostly used by journalists and activists for their research work to browse securely as it encrypts online activities and information.
- Change DNS Address
If your device supports it, consider changing the DNS address in your network settings. Again, this is also a less reliable method as it does not completely hide your IP address or encrypt data.
- Visit Sites with IP Address
You can also bypass the domain name blocks by entering the IP address rather than the URL. This way you work as a DNS server.
Disclaimer: A VPN is the most reliable and secure way to bypass school blocks and firewalls without getting tracked. All the other ways discussed above may compromise your security and anonymity. So, use them at your own risk.
Final Take
Due to authorities’ restrictions on several sites and platforms, students miss out on a lot of benefits of the Internet. To avail of them, you can simply compare all the above-mentioned top-notch VPNs for school and pick out the most suitable one to enjoy safe and secure browsing in stealth mode.
In case you are having any trouble accessing a VPN, you can:
- Switch between different tunneling protocols.
- Enable traffic obfuscation feature to use VPN anonymously.
- Try to visit the site using a different web browser.
And, this way, you can continue downloading the content, play your favorite game, or binge-watch a movie during the breaks in school to burn stress!
Q. What VPN can I use for school?
Ans. You can opt for Nord VPN, Proton VPN, Hide.me, Surfshark, IPVanish, and any other premium option with outstanding features and prices.
Q. What are some of the best free VPNs for School?
Ans. You can try the free version of some of the reliable VPNs like Proton VPN, and Hide.me, Atlas VPN, Privado VPN, Windscribe, TunnelBear, etc.
Q. Can my Internet provider see my VPN?
Ans. Your ISP may see you’re searching from a remote server but can’t track that you are using a VPN because of the ISP masks provided by most of the VPNs.
Q. Is it okay to use a VPN at school?
Ans. In most countries, using a VPN is legal, but school authorities might have personal rules and regulations regarding it. So, it is suggested to check them carefully, before accessing a school VPN.
