It’s common practice for network administrators in schools or colleges to block access to sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat as well as streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and HBO. Torrenting on college wifi networks is usually only a thing students can dream about. The easiest way to circumvent such restrictions is by using a VPN for school or college.

Let’s start by looking at why schools and colleges have such blocks. The underlying reason for this is a desire to make sure pupils remain focused on education. There are also considerations such as bandwidth use – if everyone’s downloading or streaming video then the network will get throttled fairly quickly.

This is where a VPN comes in. Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN is a robust software that shields your current location and makes it seem like you’re accessing the web from somewhere else. It does so by encrypting the internet traffic flowing to and from your device and routing it via an intermediary server in a location of your choice.

If you don’t have time to read all the details below at length, here is a roundup of our top VPN picks for schools and colleges.

Best VPNs for School Wifi:

  • NordVPN Our top VPN for college and school Wifi! Has one of the largest server networks. Unblocks most popular geo-restricted streaming sites. Keeps no logs. Includes 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • Surfshark Best budget option. Relatively speedy service that puts security above all else. Has excellent unblocking ability, a no-logs policy, and no connection limit.
  • ExpessVPN Solid privacy features and keeps no usage logs on your activities. Fast servers that are able to circumvent most network or geo-blocked content.
  • CyberGhost Easy to set up and use makes this low-cost provider good for beginners. Impressive network speeds are good for streaming.
  • IPVanish Preferred by Kodi and Fire TV Stick users for remote control friendly app. Good speeds and strong security.
  • Private Internet Access Strong commitment to no logs policy. Good at circumventing browsing and geo-restrictions. Speeds can be inconsistent.
  • VyprVPN Secure choice with plenty of encryption and privacy features. Good speeds but not the cheapest choice on this list.

How to use a VPN on School Wifi

Even if you’ve never used a VPN before they’re very simple to set up. Follow our instructions below and you’ll be able to access your favorite websites from school or college in no time.

There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn’t right for you and you’ll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.

Here’s how to use a VPN for school wifi:

  • Choose and subscribe to a suitable VPN provider from the list above. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
  • You’ll need to download the appropriate VPN app. You’ll need to do this at home as it’s unlikely any of the VPN websites will be unblocked in school.
  • Open the VPN app and choose a server within your country.
  • Hit connect and you should now be able to unblock websites on the school wifi!
  • If you’re encountering any issues try clearing your cache and cookies. If this doesn’t work it might be worth getting in touch with your VPN’s customer support team.

The best VPNs for college or school – At a glance

We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for college or school.

Best VPNs for college or school

Our list of the best VPNs for schools and colleges to unlock websites is based on these factors:

  • No usage logs
  • Optimized for speed and stability
  • Strong encryption parameters
  • Ability to unblock geo-locked content
  • Price

We will cover our VPN testing methodology further in this article. For now, here are the 7 best VPNs for school and college:

1. NordVPN

                    Jan 2023

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background
  • FireTV

Website: www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

NordVPN is our top choice for a school wifi VPN. It’s one of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested and refuses to store any customer data. There are no traffic or session logs at all.

All web traffic is encrypted via 256-bit AES and 2,048-bit DH keys. Torrenting is permitted on each and every server. A single subscription grants access to six devices.

And with over 5,500 servers present in 60 countries there’s a wide range of possible locations to choose from. Additionally, some of these can encrypt your data twice, let you access the dark web, or grant you a dedicated IP address.

There are apps for both Android and iOS mobile devices as well as desktop support for Linux, Windows, and macOS. It works with Netflix as well as other streaming services like Hulu and BBC iPlayer.

BEST VPN SCHOOL & COLLEGE:NordVPN is our top choice. It has blazing speeds and is a strong performer in all categories. Strong security features and allows up to 6 devices to be used simultaneously from one account. Includes 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free deal.

Pros:

  • Vast server network
  • Very capable at unblocking most blocked and restricted content
  • Exceptional speeds for streaming and downloading
  • Strong encryption and no logs make for top security and privacy
  • Zero-logs policy
  • Offers 24/7 live chat

Cons:

  • Can only choose to connect to a location, not a server

Our score:

Read our full review of NordVPN.

2. Surfshark

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website: www.Surfshark.com

This service goes the extra mile where security is concerned. It uses effectively uncrackable 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks, and automatic malware-scanning to keep you safe at all times. Surfshark doesn’t log any data that could be traced back to you and provides the option to pay in one of three cryptocurrencies. If you run into problems, customer support is available around the clock via live chat.

Surfshark offers easy-to-use apps for iOS, macOS, Android, Linux, and Windows. It can be manually configured for use with select wireless routers too.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark has no connection limit, meaning you can secure all of your devices at once. It also boasts an array of advanced security features, a no-logs policy, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Good speeds and even better unblocking ability

  • Allows an unlimited number of connections

  • Strong security and privacy credentials

  • Accepts a variety of cryptocurrencies

  • Some features require Surfshark One, an optional paid addon

Read our full review of Surfshark here.

3. ExpressVPN

Website: www.ExpressVPN.com

ExpressVPN has a neat, user-friendly design and solid speeds. It permits torrenting on all servers and is also a great choice for accessing content on Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.

With over 3,000 servers spread across 94 countries, you shouldn’t have a problem finding an adequate connection. There’s also an internet kill switch included – which ExpressVPN refers to as a ‘network lock’ – that’ll temporarily halt web traffic if the connection drops. That means your data will remain safe and secure.

ExpressVPN uses the OpenVPN encryption parameter with 256-bit AES-CBC as default. HMAC authentication and perfect forward secrecy are both included.

There are no traffic logs of any kind but the service does retain some metadata to cater to troubleshooting requests. Specifically, these are “dates (not times) when connected to our service, choice of server location, and the total amount of data transferred per day.”

The company accepts Bitcoin as payment and there are apps for Android and iOS as well as desktop support for Linux, Windows, and macOS.

VERSATILE UNBLOCKER:ExpressVPN has a vast server network that’s optimized for high-speed connections. User-friendly apps for all operating systems. Great on privacy and security. 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • A large global network of super-fast servers can unblock just about any restricted content

  • High-grade privacy and security

  • No identifiable personal data is logged

  • A wide range of apps available – Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and certain Wi-Fi routers

  • Advanced configuration for power-users is a little limited

  • Slightly more expensive than other providers on this list

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

4. CyberGhost

Website: www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost – which is registered in Romania – insists it respects user privacy and doesn’t store any data, but the jury’s still out on that one. The reason for that is its recent acquisition by an Israeli firm that’s headquartered in the UK.

Other than that slight concern, there’s absolutely no issue with its choice of encryption standards. There’s 256-bit encryption on the WireGuard protocol which is considered fairly stringent. And with approximately 9,000 servers in 90 countries, it’s done a reasonable job of offering a variety of locations.

You can connect seven devices on a single connection. The provider supports Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux.

easy-to-use apps:CyberGhost is beginner friendly. Great privacy with zero logs and DNS leak protection. Unblocks popular streaming platforms. 45-day money back guarantee.

  • Happily unblocks a host of blocked and restricted content

  • Good value provider with fast servers that are great for streaming and downloading

  • Keeps no user activity logs and provides strong encryption to bypass activity detection

  • Doesn’t work in China

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

5. IPVanish

Website: www.IPVanish.com

IPVanish ticks all the boxes when it comes to a fast, cheap, and easy-to-use VPN that won’t compromise your privacy or security. There’s absolutely zero retention of any web traffic logs or data. The company only retains a sliver of information when your account is registered for the very first time. Nothing after that.

Encryption standards are equally vigorous. It uses 256-bit encryption on the WireGuard protocol by default, SHA512 authentication, and a DHE-RSA 2,048-bit key exchange with perfect forward secrecy.

Like ExpressVPN, IPVanish has your back if the connection freezes. An internet kill switch will ensure there’s no leakage of data. A single subscription lets you secure an unlimited number of devices, so it’s great for anyone hoping to share their VPN with family.

Torrenting is permitted on all servers which are excellent for high speeds and video streaming. There are over 1,900 of them spread across 75 locations. Streaming capabilities have drastically improved of late, though IPVanish still struggles with the occasional service.

IPVanish There are apps for both iOS and Android as well as desktop support for Windows and macOS.

FAST AND RELIABLE:IPVanish has a large network of servers. Uncongested network achieves good speeds. Strong security and privacy features. 30-day money back guarantee.

  • Operates in over 60 countries, great for unblocking restricted content

  • Impressive 4K streaming speeds achieved during testing

  • Strong encryption makes apps secure

  • No-logs policy

  • Better options out there for streaming

Read our full review of IPVanish.

6. Private Internet Access

Website: www.PrivateInternetAccess.com

Private Internet Access (PIA) might not have the neatest user interface out there but it does its core job well.

It’s another VPN provider that outlaws customer data retention – meaning there are no logs of any kind. Encryption standards are impressive – there’s an option of using the OpenVPN protocol with 256-bit AES encryption, SHA256 authentication, and 4,096-bit RSA keys.

Unfortunately, PIA doesn’t work with Netflix but does permit torrenting on its servers. With over 10,000 of them spread across 80+ countries, the service has done its legwork in terms of securing an excellent user experience. You can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously with one account.

There are apps for both Android and iOS as well as desktop support for Windows and macOS.

LOW PRICE:Private Internet Access has top security. PIA is a great choice for students due to its low price, rich security features, and great customer service. Speeds can be inconsistent for video streaming, torrenting and downloading. 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • A budget provider that can unblock a good range of streaming content

  • Apps for both Android and iOS devices

  • Operates over 10,000 servers globally

  • Keep no logs, DNS leak protection and kill switch are activated

  • Be prepared for troubleshooting in community forums

  • Streaming speeds can be inconsistent

Read our full review of Private Internet Access.

7. VyprVPN

Website: www.VyprVPN.com

VyprVPN is a no-logs provider that’s become a popular choice in China thanks to its ability to sidestep the Great Firewall. VyprVPN also works on Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. It also supports torrents – although some users have complained in the past of their accounts being suspended due to said activity.

The company manages entire data centers – as opposed to other services which may use a hybrid combination of owning and renting servers. This means it’s able to optimize the speed and stability of the connection. All traffic is secured by the OpenVPN protocol, 256-bit AES encryption, 2,048-bit RSA keys without perfect forward secrecy, and SHA256 authentication.

VyprVPN includes an internet kill switch by default which means internet traffic will be halted temporarily if the connection drops.

There are over 700 server locations across the globe. Apps are available for both Android and iOS as well as desktop support for Windows and macOS.

UNLIMITED DATA USAGE:VyprVPN is user friendly. Speeds were surprisingly good for the cheaper end of the market. Could do with having more servers and lacks 24/7 support. 30-day money back guarantee.

  • Unblocks most popular restricted sites

  • Servers provide reliable connections and decent speeds

  • Keeps no user logs

  • Slightly more expensive than some VPNs

  • Power users would prefer more configuration options

  • No cryptocurrency payment method

Read our full review of VyprVPN.

Finding the best VPNs for school and college students: our methodology

There are hundreds of VPNs on the market both free and paid. However, only some can be trusted to unblock websites and services and keep you safe online. With this in mind, here is our methodology which helped us find the best VPNs for school and college students:

  • Unblocking: Not all VPNs are able to bypass restrictions, be they due to geo-blocking or censorship. However, the best VPNs for school and college students have thousands of IP addresses while some are even able to disguise VPN traffic as regular web traffic. As a result, they can more consistently navigate blocks.
  • Servers worldwide: Some content is region-locked and only available in certain countries. This means you’ll need access to servers in countries worldwide if you want to be able to unblock websites. Most of the VPNs we’re recommending in this post have thousands of servers across dozens of countries.
  • Speed: Need to stream or download while at school or college? This requires a high-speed connection! Without it, streams will be low resolution, and with lag while downloads would take far too long. Not only have we found the fastest VPNs, but we’ve also ensured all of them have unlimited bandwidth.
  • Security: Your studies likely keep you busy enough without having to worry about phishing attempts, viruses, and the like. By using a VPN, you can ensure your data is encrypted and secured from such security threats. It’s essential that a VPN also has DNS leak protection and a kill switch.
  • Privacy: If you don’t want others to know what you’re doing online, having your data encrypted by a VPN is a great place to start. Unfortunately, some less reputable VPNs log browsing data and sell it to third parties. To browse anonymously, you’ll need a VPN with a strict no-logs policy. We’ve analyzed over 140 VPN logging policies to find which provides the best protection.
  • Ease of use: There’s no reason for a VPN to make things complicated. These days, the best VPNs offer user-friendly apps for connecting to a server in seconds. Indeed, you should also have access to 24/7 live chat and email support as well as further support such as setup guides.
  • Value for money: A student’s budget can, understandably, be limited. That’s why it’s so important that a VPN provides affordable long-term and short-term subscription options as well as a generous money-back guarantee of at least 30 days. Keep in mind also that you can take advantage of our VPN discount coupons and save a little extra.

Our VPN testing methodology ensures we find the very best VPNs to fit your needs. We’re constantly running tests on VPN services to ensure the information we’re providing is accurate as well as current.

Free VPN providers aren’t registered charities - they have to pay for overheads, staff salaries, and server maintenance costs. There’s a strong likelihood that they’ll monetize by inserting tracking cookies to keep a watchful eye on your browsing history and selling the data to third-party advertisers.

Be prepared for tons of invasive advertisements and the possibility of malware infection as your data is sold to the highest bidder.

Some college administrators don’t understand the fact that it’s essential for students to share information with each other as well as access it regardless of where it’s stored.

It’s generally not a good idea to download terabytes of data via torrents on your school server, but if you’re able to access a nifty research paper then there’s nothing really wrong with that.

A bunch of very useful data for academic research is also hidden away in the Deep Web. Our academic research on the deep web guide will help you access it.

Colleges in the US are also legally bound to comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act which deals with intellectual property rights as well as notices concerning torrents. So if you try to access such content without a VPN you might fall into trouble.

Having said that it’s a good idea to be mindful of what you’re getting yourself into - don’t violate end-user agreements or specific policies put in place by your college, especially if there are stiff penalties involved.  Also, it’s worth noting that illegal activity is still illegal if you use a VPN.

While we aim to provide the best advice it is worth noting that nothing in this article should be considered legal advice and it’s always best to check the local laws of your country if you are unsure.

Under these circumstances, you will need to have a fully functional VPN already installed on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop before you arrive on campus. For this reason, we recommend you purchase your VPN subscription at home (or on some other public network if you live in halls of residence). 

With the VPN installed and set up correctly, you will easily be able to connect to a VPN server while on campus. This will give you complete privacy and provide access to any websites or online services that the school’s network administrator has blocked.

Some providers, like NordVPN, offer additional privacy measures (such as stealth modes, obfuscated servers, or custom protocols) designed for bypassing censorship in countries like China. Considering governments with millions of dollars at their disposal can’t reliably detect this VPN, it’s highly unlikely a school admin would be able to.