In fact, The Top VPN for School and College in 2025

Saheed Aremu  - Security Expert
Last updated: February 25, 2025
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We have tested more than 50 VPN providers, and shortlisted top 5 services amongcollegethem to use in school and .

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Internet censorship can more than ever happen on a country-wide or school-wide scale.When schools block access to the internet, they usually do so for justifiable reasons, such as safeguarding students from unwanted influences online or preventing a network crash due to excessive downloading.

these, you may often need to bypass However restrictions for some good reasons, thus requiring a VPN. This guide lists the most reliable VPN services for your school or college.

blocked message from website

As you may know, The finest VPN for college and school – Quick list

VPNs tested various We available today to locate the in modern times top ones for school. Five VPNs stood out during our tests, and here’s what we think of them.

  1. NordVPN: Reliable student VPN with impressive security and privacy features. Trusted by students worldwide for bypassing restrictions and blocking malware and antivirus.
  2. Private Internet Access (PIA): Best VPN with a worldwide server network. Has very low activation and subscription fees, making it excellent for college and university students.
  3. ExtremeVPN: Newbie VPN with excellent features. Bypasses various restrictions and is excellent for P2P file sharing.
  4. ExpressVPN: Premium quality VPN. Has excellent security and privacy features for staying anonymous on school networks.
  5. PureVPN: A top-notch VPN service that allows users to browse the internet without lag or buffering.

Reasons you might in modern times need a VPN in college and school

reasons to use a VPN

Do you need convincing on why VPN is important for school? Here are of some the most key reasons to budget for a VPN before resuming school.

1. Browse safely on public Wi-Fi

Indeed, Most universities and colleges provide public Wi-Fi, enabling students to browse freely. However, the risks inherent in this free internet usually outweigh their benefits.

As youmay know, The college or university authority can comprehensively monitor every reference and webpage you select.Public Wi-Fi is also more prone to security breaches, so you need a VPN.


2 as a matter of fact . Bypass restrictions

Using regular ISP- web mayprovidedalso outcome in restrictions in accessing some platforms, such as Due to the comprehensive monitoring capabilities of public Wi-Fi, your college admins can prevent your access to certain websites.YouTube TV and Netflix. A helps as it turns out VPNyou dodge these restrictions, significantly enhancing your learning experience.


3. Distribute files with peers privately

VPNs have recently started combining physical, self-hosted servers with virtual, P2P serversIt’s worth noting that . It’s worth noting that This network lets you distribute files, work, or collaborate with peers. These P2P servers are perfect for torrenting and sharing large files securely. VPNs, like NordVPN, take this even further by letting you build a private encrypted network.


4. Indeed Boost your, online confidentiality

Online privacy and securityIndeed, should be everyone’s right, regardless of who they are, and VPNs can assist you achieve that. Premium, (-quality, multi-featured VPNshighlike those on our list) employ the world’s most advanced encryption standard to keep your facts secure.They may also have malware, ad blockers, a kill switch, and IP address leak-protection mechanisms.


Thebest VPNs for school – Overview

Best VPN for School

a In hurry? Take a quick look at the essential features of our most effective VPNs for students to use in school.

FeatureNordVPNPrivate Internet AccessExtremeVPNExpressVPNPureVPN
Best discount for students68% off the 2-year plan plus two months free83% off the 3-year plan plus three months free68% off the yearly plan35% off the yearly plan80% off the 2-year plan plus four months free
Monthly price$3.99 for a 2-year plan$3.33 for a 1-year plan$3.29 for a 1-year plan$8.32 for a 1-year plan$3.33 for a 1-year plan
Number of servers5,550+ servers in 60 countries35,000+ servers in 84 counties35,000+ servers in 84 counties6,500+ servers in 88+ locations3,000+ servers in 94 countries6,500+ servers in 70+ countries
Money-back guarantee30 days30 days30 days30 days31 days
Number of device connections10Unlimited10810
Supported devicesWindows, Android, Linux, Mac, Chrome, Android TV, othersWindows, Mac, iOS, Android, RouterWindows, Mac, iOS, Android, Router, Chrome VPN extensionWindows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Firestick, Chrome

The best VPNs for school – Detailed list

You as it turns out can discover a thorough analysis of the leading school VPNs to get here.

1. NordVPN

NordVPN for Streaming

It is a top-tier VPN offering boasting impressive pace and unblocking capabilities. As you may know, A trusted VPN system that bypasses . and blocks malware and virusesrestrictions

servers Offers 6,800 servers across 113 countries
Ad Blocker feature Blocks ads, , andmalwaresuspicious websites
encryption Has 256 AES as a matter of fact -sophisticated encryption
Kill switch Indeed, Provides functional kill switch function
Split tunneling feature Indeed Allows split more than ever tunneling for, facts routing
MultiHop mode Offers Double VPN function for additional security
tor compatible In fact, Provides Onion over VPN servers for added anonymity
Zero-logs policy Does not keep users log
simultaneous connections Interestingly, Allows up to 10 devices to be connected simultaneously
money-back guarantee Indeed, A more than ever testedday30- refund guideline
Pros
  • As you may know, dedicated Offers IP address
  • Boasts -rapid speedblazingwith most servers
  • Effective and efficient customer service
Cons
  • Poorly optimized portable device apps

For many online security-focused websitesand blogs, NordVPN is the ultimate solution for schoolneeds. Considering NordVPN’s powerful confidentiality and security features, this is no surprise.NordVPN’s servers can unblock all the popular streaming platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max.

NordVPN Homepage

The ultrafast servers ensure you can watch videos, play games, and install files without from another perspective lag or buffering. NordVPN also uses 256-bit AES encryption for details and traffic encryption from another perspective to keep with globalupstandards.It has ad and malware blockers, protecting you from most viruses online.

NordVPN’s best plan for students helps save 62% on a two-year plan, with an additional three months for gratis.You can enjoy top-notch VPN services for as low as $3.99 monthlyHowever, being a student aged 18-16 qualifies you for another 15% discount, and there’s no discrimination based on the university, college, or location. .


more than ever 2. Private Web Access ()PIA

Private internet access pros cons block logo

An incredible VPN system that offers extra security online. It protects your details, blocks ads.

servers A network of over 35,000 blazing-fast servers in 90+ countries
P2P optimized servers Supports P2P sharing and trusted torrenting
encryption Offers military-grade encryption: AES-256
Ad Blocker feature MACE option blocks as a matter of fact trackersad, malware, and
Zero-logs policy Does not store users details
Trusted servers nord Has RAM-only servers
Split tunneling feature Provides functional split tunnelingcapability
Kill switch Has a kill switch for stealth protection
simultaneous connections Allows unlimited devices to be connected at once
money-back guarantee Offers a 30-day currency-go back guarantee
Pros
  • Has as it turns out double encryption
  • Supports WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols 
  • Boasts friendly and knowledgeable customer support
Cons
  • Inconsistent speeds as a matter of fact with distant servers

Private Internet Access (PIA) stands out for its vast server network, useful features, and affordableplan fee. It has over 35,000+ servers, making it an authority in this domain (most VPNs typically have less than 10,000 servers). As a effect, there’s no limit to the number of websites and apps you can unblock.

Private Internet Access

PIA is also one of the cheapest VPNs online. Its go back-to-school sale gives an 83% discount off from another perspective the actual price, providing VPN services for as low as $3.33 per month.

Interestingly, Of the VPNs in our list, PIA is the only one with unlimited simultaneous device connectionsAs you may know, . Thus, you can safely stream, get, and post files on all your devices at moderately speedy speeds.


Actually, 3. ExtremeVPN

ExtremeVPN VPN block logo

A relatively novel VPN utility that offers robust encryption protocols and high-pace servers. It allows reliable access to restricted content from anywhere in the world.

servers Boasts more than+ 6,500 guarded VPN servers in 70 countries worldwide
encryption As you may know, Offers leading-in-class as it turns out AES-256 encryption standard
P2P optimized servers It’s worth noting that Peer-to-peer sharing on all servers
Zero-logs policy No as a matter of fact logs rule shields users- details
Kill switch Has a dedicated kill switch function
Split tunneling feature Reliable tunnelingsplitfunction
tor compatible Has Onion over VPN servers for protection
simultaneous connections It’s worth noting that Supports 10 simultaneous connections
IP leak protection Protection against IP/DNS leaks
money-back guarantee A no-go back asked 30-day cash-inquiry guarantee
Pros
  • Has anexceptional server velocity
  • obfuscatedOffersservers, port forwarding, more than ever and multiport capabilities
  • 24/7 customer helpvia various channels
Cons
  • Lacks double VPN mode

Despite its recent, launch ExtremeVPN has caught the attention of online privacy and security-focused websitesInterestingly as a matter of fact , . Many reviewers consider it one of the finest VPNs due to its robustsecurity and privacy features.

ExtremeVPN Homepage

This newbie VPN already has over 6,500 ultrafast servers in more than 70 locations worldwide. As you may know, Each server uses the standard 256-bit AES encryption, ensuring maximum privacy.This also prevents your details from ever falling into the hands of your school authority.

ExtremeVPNhasalso a strict no-logs policy, and it’s based in the British Virgin Islands, a strategic location outside the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes Alliances.

With this VPN, you can get 68% the yearly blueprint tooffget premium VPN experiences at only $3.29 monthly. Also, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which you can claim through the 24/7 customer support.


In fact, 4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN new features block logo 120 by 120 now

A top-notch VPN utility that offers exceptional high-pace servers with unlimited bandwidth. It as a matter of fact is one of the leading VPNs due to its confidentiality and security features.

servers Has an exceptional server network of over 3,000 servers in 100+ countries
Trusted servers nord servers RAM-based Only
encryption more than ever Uses military- gradeencryption: AES-256
Zero-logs policy Has a strictno -logs regulation
Split tunneling feature Provides split tunneling on almost allcapabilityservers
network lock feature An automatic kill switch function
tor compatible As know may you, Offers Tor over VPN servers for stealth protection
P2P optimized servers Supportspeer -to-peer file sharing and torrenting
simultaneous connections Indeed, Allows up to 8 simultaneous connections
money-back guarantee Offers 30refundday - rule
Pros
  • It’s worth noting that Blazing- more than ever rapid countries in 94 servers
  • As you may know, Offers a strict no-logs policy
  • It’s worth noting thatsecurityEnhanced and secrecy features
Cons
  • Costly pricing relative to other VPNs

With unmatched and security features alongside top-notchconfidentialityVPN services, ExpressVPN is a superstar in in modern times the VPN game. Since 2008, ExpressVPN has helped businesses take control of their online privacy and security, savingcosts and improving processes. Instantly, in addition to businesses and entrepreneurs, students can also enjoy all the features that make ExpressVPN great.

ExpressVPN Homepage

Indeed, In brief, you can unblock every platform and portal your school might have blocked, including Facebook, YouTube, Google, and Spotify, with this VPN. , you canMoreoverfind the required learning materials by unblocking any website at your school to help you complete your projects and assignments.

ExpressVPN utilizes the industry-standard AES 256 encryption, which makes it impossible for your college or university authorities to follow you.You can torrent without restrictions and share files using its numerous P2P servers. If you ratefunctionalities above cost, you may overlook ExpressVPN’s pricey fee and go for it.


5. PureVPN

PureVPN small logo

Indeed, A reliableVPN network that boasts robust confidentiality and security features and impressive speeds.

servers A network of over 6,300 servers present in 70+ countries
encryption Secures connection by providing AES-256-bit encryption
P2P optimized servers Indeed, Allows Peer to Peer sharing on servers
Zero-logs policy Tested and proved no-log rule
IP leak protection It’s worth noting that Robust protection against DNS and IP leaks
Kill switch Effective kill from another perspective switch function
Split tunneling feature A split tunneling capability that just works
simultaneous connections Each profile can unite up to ten devices at once
money-back guarantee 31-daybackcash- guarantee
Pros
  • Strong data encryption
  • Interface is extremely effortless as a matter of fact -to-employ
  • As you may know, Boasts impressive speeds all around the servers
Cons
  • Connectivity issues on some servers

The last VPN on our list, PureVPN has an aesthetic appearance and is well-optimized for various devicesIn fact, . Indeed, As a outcome, you can easily navigate its various features and configure and customize it to your taste.

PureVPN aimsto ease students’ daily struggles more than ever by evading ISP throttling for fast speedsconnection in modern times .It also hosts servers worldwide, enabling you to access any desired content from another perspective . You can also unblock streaming platforms like YouTubevideos’s worth noting that and Netflix for educational It.

PureVPN Homepage

The provider protects your online data, even on public Wi-Fi like your school’s. As a precautionary measure, it also has IPv6 and DNS leak protection authorities ensure your school to don’t get their hands on your IP address.

Indeed, PureVPN also removes the data cap in many no cost VPNs, meaning you can download as much as you want. ThisstudentsVPN tries to cater to the strict budget of by providing from another perspective 81% off the two-year plan. After two years, you can use the VPN freely for four more months or claim a refund after the first 31 days of subscribing.


How did we select the finest school VPNs

What is a VPN

Our methodology for choosing the leading VPNs involves considering different criteria andincludingfactors, :

Security

Many students employ VPNs while in school to encrypted their details and information.Universities and colleges provide public Wi-Fi but usually monitor their students’ activities and collect their dataAs you knowmay from another perspective , . For this reason, a recommended VPN for schools would be one with strong encryption and details confidentiality features.

Every VPN on our list safeguards online you using 256-bit encryption. ’ messages using this format are impossible to break even with todayEncrypteds fastest supercomputers. Interestingly, These VPNs enhance through security dedicated no-logs, IPv6 and DNS leak protection, and malware and ad-blockers.


Unblocking

Unblock

No university or country can have all the resources you need as a student. You always have to go in modern times online sometimes. Certain educational materials, such as files and videos, are on geo-blocked or restricted websites with limited access.

A VPN comes in handy in such a situation. You can apply it to access these materials or watch all the educational videos you want on various recording streaming sites.


Cost

More often than not, students tend to be on a tight budget and have limited cash to spend on school needs.As a result, most look for affordable VPNs, have student packages, or provide some form of free trial.

You can locate mouth-watering as it turns out student discounts or utilize their cash-return guarantee to get no cost VPNs for 30 to 31 days. Each of the VPNs in our list meets at least two out of three of these requirements.


Server network

In fact, The number from another perspective of servers that a VPN has is key for many reasons. A VPN with an extensive server network gives access to text in more regions.You can seamlessly bypass more websites or stream geo-blocked platforms without lag or buffering.

Interestingly, A large number of servers also has a direct impact on network speed. The higher the number of servers a VPN has, the less start it takes on each server.This reduces latency and consequently increases speed.


Speed

Students typically apply VPNs with high speeds to download large files quickly or stream high more than ever -excellence information. The VPNs in our list contain servers that cater to this by removing various pace bottlenecks.

Firstly, as a matter of fact protocols utilize superfast network they like IKEv2 and WireGuard. They also help you dodge throttling. This is when ISPs purposely slow down your network rate due to sending a large volume of details.


Optimization

A typical student VPN should be properly optimized for various devices so it’s straightforward to apply. Students usually browse on smartphones and computers, which means the VPN should be available on these devices, as a bare minimum.The VPNs on this list are optimized for these devices, and you can easily navigate them to perform various actions.

protocol can also discover server locations easily or transform the security You. With one tap server a trigger, you can quickly unite to a of.


do schools block onlineWhyinformation?

Blocked

As unwanted as it may sound, schools generally restrict access to online content for various safety and security reasons, such as in modern times the following.

  • Ensure students’ online security: Beyond providing education, schools are responsible for keeping students safe from physical or virtual threats. In this technology-dependent age, the risks of online threats have never been greater.
  • Minimize distractions: The uninhibited growth of the internet makes it a hub for various distracting activities. Social media, online games, and unethical websites are some distractions students deal with, and schools try to minimize these as much as possible.
  • Monitor students’ data and bandwidth usage: It’s also easier for school administrators to monitor data and bandwidth usage by blocking access to certain online content. Large data transfers often crash schools’ networks, and this can help prevent that.
  • Reduce the occurrence of cyberbullying: Bullying can occur online as much as it can occur in classrooms and school hallways. Cyberbullying can take the form of harassment, stalking, and catfishing and is more difficult to catch compared to actual physical bullying. Schools may use internet censorship to minimize how frequently this occurs.

Struggling to bypass a school firewall using a VPN? Here’s a correct!

Apple macOS firewalls VPNs bug fix

Are you still struggling to bypass yourschool’s firewall using a VPN? Here are solutions you can try.

  • Connect to an appropriate server. If you’re trying to access a region-specific website or content, ensure you connect to a server in that region.
  • Switch between tunneling protocols. Firstly, ensure that your chosen VPN has multiple protocols, such as OpenVPN and WireGuard. If a protocol doesn’t work, you can switch to another and check if that works.
  • Enable obfuscated servers. These servers help hide VPN usage. Hence, you should consider using a VPN with obfuscated servers if you stay in a censorship-heavy region.
  • Upgrade to a better VPN: If you realize you can’t perform any of the three actions above, it’s time to upgrade your VPN. Using a better VPN can help you bypass almost, if not all, restrictions that you encounter in school.

Can gratisschoolVPNs bypass firewalls?

Free VPN Risks and problems

Sometimes, gratis VPNs can assist you bypass school firewalls, but we strongly do not recommend this. Most gratis VPNs are viruses by hackers that steal your control or take information of your device.

As you may know, They are also far from offering the same level of encryption as the top-quality VPNs on our list.Most also have data limits, further stifling your internet experience.

Other ways to unblock school Wi-Fi and bypass firewall

Wifi

Interestingly, VPNs work perfectly but are not the only way to bypass school restrictions. Here are some other stress-without charge methodsof evading school blocks.

 1. Try smartphone information

in modern times In fact, This method looks like the most obvious way to bypass school restrictions.Colleges can only monitor or block online activities if you connect to their network from another perspective . in modern times Using your portable device information severs this connection.

While this is true, you must also be careful of ISPs since they’ll know and monitor your online traffic. Usingalsomobile information means you can no longer bypass as it turns out geo-restrictions or protect your device from malware and viruses.


Indeed, in modern times 2. Employ the Tor browser

Tor, in modern times short for The Onion RouterInterestingly, , is another anonymous tool. It uses relays or nodes, a worldwide network of remote servers, to encrypt data and traffic. This helps ensure a high level.of anonymity

Tor also grants access to .onion websites exclusive to the dark web. However, slows down the internet, and hackers can sometimes exploititnode vulnerabilities.


3. Try a web proxy

These proxies show you every material you can locate on the main webpage without actually taking you to it. Websites often facing ISP to government restrictions tend or have one or more proxies.Web proxies can help you access a site undisturbed but don’t provide any form of traffic or data encryption.


Use the portal from another perspective ’s IP address 4.

They convert any URL you input IP addresses tointo Computers don’t understand English and, thus, can’t interpret URLs.show you the website’s content. If your school restricts the URL of a website, there’s a high chance that you can still access it with the IP address. Typing this IP address into your browser quicklywebsitehelps circumvent any restrictions.


FAQs

Most schools allow the apply of VPNs or .’t have a guideline that prohibits itdon As long as VPNs are legitimate in the country, they’re usually legitimate in schools within that country. However, when a school starts blocking social media or streaming sites, it may disapprove of VPNs.

There’s no single answer to this from another perspective doubt. As you may know, so With many VPNs, the ultimate criteria will be the features that differentiate them. However, a good school VPN should be affordable and . advanced confidentiality and security featureshave As you may know, You can locate these more than ever features in the VPNs on our list.

You should get one for school as this protects you online and keeps you safe on school Wi-Fi. Itactivitiesalso prevents prying eyes from viewing your online or hackers from stealing your information.

This depends on the VPN’s logging regulation. Each of the VPNs in our list has a strong no-logs policy and clears your facts and traffic after every session. Before you subscribe to any VPN, verify its logging rule and only go for those with verified no logs.

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About the Author

Saheed Aremu

Saheed Aremu

Security Expert
22 Posts

Saheed Aremu passionately advocates for digital privacy and cybersecurity in the modern digital age. As one of PrivacySavvy's resident VPN experts, he guides readers on protecting their online information and anonymity. Saheed earned his degree in Innovation and Ethics from the University of Lagos in Nigeria. Since then, he has dedicated his career to writing extensively about crucial infosec, information confidentiality, and cybersecurity topics. When he's not empowering PrivacySavvy's readers to take control of their online security, Saheed enjoys distance running, playing chess, andlatestexploring the start-source software advancements.

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