5 Best VPNs for School or University (Free and Paid)

Today, VPNs are becoming more prevalent than ever. While some advocates of these services would go as far as recommending users to create their own, there’s one group that simply won’t have that option. Kids trying to enjoy their time at school might not have much luck if they’re especially strict about which webpages are allowed to be visited. 

Phones and laptops will be subject to these filters if they’re connected to the school’s Wi-Fi, leading to plenty of headache and frustration. Not to mention, there’s always the chance of less-than-reputable people hijacking the network to collect personal data. Anyone with this issue should consider the 5 best VPN services for avoiding school filters and maximizing security!

Disclaimer: This article includes affiliate links to NordVPN and ExpressVPN. You won’t be charged anything extra for clicking on links to these services, but purchases made through these links will support the writer.

ExpressVPN is another popular service with many user-friendly features, from its own no-log policy to lower lag in online games. It also boasts its usefulness during school hours with much greater pride. The service has entire guides on its website dedicated to unblocking YouTube, Twitter, and even Netflix, making it particularly helpful for kids who just want to have fun between lessons. It helps that the VPN is also very simple to use, making it one of the most beginner-friendly services out there.

ExpressVPN is one of the more expensive options on this list, costing around $8 USD per month for the 12-month plan and around $13 for the one-month plan. To make up for the extra cost, all plans include a built-in password manager, allowing you to easily keep track of your most complicated passwords. 

NordVPN is perhaps the most well-known VPN out in the wild. It has essential features needed to avoid unwanted filters while also offering monitors to prevent your data from being stolen. The minds behind the VPN are quite invested in preventing any breaches, carrying a strict no-log policy and 24/7 support just in case things go wrong. To top it all off, it even acknowledges the benefits of its use in schools, showcasing how important privacy is for anyone pursuing an education.

NordVPN offers multiple different plans across different multi-month packages. The cheapest option is the standard plan, costing around $3.49 per month across two years. The pricier choices offer extra features like encrypted cloud storage and a cross-platform password manager. If you simply want to test-drive the service for yourself, the cheapest option will cost around $13 for a single month of use.

SurfShark is a relatively popular choice for VPN enthusiasts. The company behind it joined forces with NordVPN, so those familiar with the latter should have no problem getting used to the former. It’s particularly helpful for anyone that has multiple devices, as SurfShark carries no limits to how many devices can be registered under an account. It doesn’t take as much pride in its benefits for school use, it does include an article on bypassing school restrictions to enjoy popular websites and games.

SurfShark is currently priced at around $2.49 USD per month. This applies to its 24-month package, meaning you’ll pay around $60 over two years. If you simply want to try out the VPN, it will cost you around $13 for just one month. It’s also been getting a lot of sponsorships on YouTube and other social media sites, so you might have some luck if you want to search around for a special discount code. The service also includes optional features like real-time security alerts and an antivirus for those especially invested in security.

ProtonVPN is an especially unique service. It offers plenty of services that the other VPNs on this list share, but there’s a major benefit it holds over others. The service offers a completely free option, allowing anyone at all to have a taste of the VPN’s usefulness. Those with the free version still have access to customer support and basic servers, making it particularly helpful for those that don’t have permission to buy a VPN from their parents.

It should be noted that the features of the free ProtonVPN are notably limited compared to other paid services. The VPN offers its own “plus” subscription for around €4.99 euros per month, though this applies for a 24-month period. Those wishing to try the Plus service for just one month will need to pay around €9.99. There is also an “unlimited” plan that offers every service from Proton in a premium package, from email to cloud storage.

PIA, or PrivateInternetAccess, is a lesser-known service that aims to compete in the big leagues. As the name suggests, this VPN prides itself on privacy, focusing on advanced encryption and data-leak prevention. It’s particularly useful towards those focused more on education, as it’s simple to use and will keep any important schoolwork from being lost to malicious attackers.

PIA is one of the cheapest VPNs you’ll find that isn’t outright free, offering a package of three years and three months for just around $2 USD. Trying it out for a month will cost around $12, making the 3-year plan an even better value overall. It also includes its own antivirus and a dedicated IP, letting users customize their privacy like never before.

Using a VPN during school comes with some risks, especially if the school has a policy against them. You should be careful about using any of the VPNs on this list if doing so could get you into trouble. If you’re confident in using these, they should be especially helpful in letting you wind down after tough tests or long lessons. 

Though there are other free VPNs out there, few of them have the reliability, feature-set, and good reputation shared by the services on this list. Additionally, all of these services feature a 30-day money-back guarantee. This guarantee applies to any paid plan no matter which one you choose. If you’re having some trouble with one, don’t hesitate to test the others!