Price: FREE
Servers: 11 countries
Simultaneous connections: Unlimited
Jurisdiction: Canada
Torrenting: OK
Unblocks Streaming: Yes
Traffic: 10 GB Free TrustPilot Score: 4,8/5
Speed: Fast
In today’s educational landscape, the boundaries between physical and digital learning have blurred, making online resources an integral part of academic life. Whether you’re a high school student, college undergrad, or graduate student, accessing educational content, research materials, and online courses is now commonplace. However, with the increasing reliance on digital platforms, it’s essential to address the challenges of online security and unrestricted access to resources.
This article is your guide to finding the best VPNs tailored for students. We understand that the academic journey is multifaceted, and so are the VPN needs of students. From bypassing campus restrictions to protecting sensitive research data and ensuring privacy while studying abroad, VPNs play a vital role in enhancing your educational experience.
Join us as we explore and recommend VPNs that excel in various aspects, such as affordability, ease of use, reliability, and the ability to unblock restricted content. Whether you’re writing your thesis, attending virtual classes, or collaborating on group projects, the right VPN can be your digital companion, securing your education and empowering your online learning journey.
NordVPN is one of the most reliable VPNs in schools and colleges. With jurisdiction in Panama, it leverages a mix of privacy and security tools to provide the best internet censorship bypass experience. They have apps for virtually every major platform, including routers.
There is no free trial here, but we get a 30-day money-back guarantee on subscribing to any plans. The support helps resolve the issue through their emails and live chat.
Features
Double VPN, also known as Multi-hop, provides enhanced protection from censorship at all levels. The client connects to a different VPN location and then establishes a second connection to the second VPN before ultimately connecting to the destination.
The browser extension offers VPN protection without requiring an app installed on the computer. This comes in handy in college computers, where students have installation privileges. It automatically logs in if the NordVPN account is signed in on the browser. The extension also has an effective adblocker which works when the VPN is enabled.
NordVPN offers its in-house VPN protocol, NordLynx, built from scratch. It is based on WireGuard and NAT (Network Address Translation) for an additional security layer.
Consistent speeds are irrespective of the time of the day. The speeds are higher than its competitors and vary according to the distance from the user.
You can combine NordVPN with Tor (The Onion Router), adding an extra layer of security. Protect yourself from snoops on the internet through specialty servers.
Pros
Exclusive static IP is assigned to a user. It is available and parking for you, reducing the chances of being targeted by blacklisted IP bans.
Pause a VPN connection for a specific period, and it will automatically resume without user input.
Over 5500 servers across 59 countries worldwide, providing a wide range of locations.
Multi-hop servers offer an extra layer of security and anonymity from locally installed censorship
One of the largest collections of accessible Netflix libraries. Enjoy content from around the world.
Combine VPN with the Tor support and avoid getting snooped on.
Connect up to 6 different devices and get comprehensive protection anywhere.
Cons
No way to mark individual servers as favorites and access them later. Only recent connections are available.
Torrenting is not supported on all the servers.
The background process needs to run even when the VPN app is not running on the computer.
This VPN is a popular choice amongst users living in regions with state-implemented censorship. ExpressVPN justifies its higher pricing with the reliable VPN service that evades content filters and censorship in place.
Sign up for a free 7-day trial through the mobile application. It does not ask for payment information. There is a standard month-long money-back guarantee on subscribing to a premium plan. ExpressVPN’s web browser extension provides an all-around cover for the computer, eliminating the need for the app.
Features
The feature-rich mobile app has a plethora of options to explore, and the VPN connection gets established within 3 seconds, irrespective of the distance to the server location.
Peppy mobile app dashboard with the option to pin specific apps and websites. Tap on any of them, and they will be opened with the VPN connection enabled, routing all the traffic through them.
Unlimited bandwidth with zero caps on the traffic and speed. Stream the videos in 4K, and download content without worrying about drying up the data quota.
A private and encrypted DNS for every server, ensures that the activities stay safe and anonymous. No DNS hacking, blocking, filtering, or hijacking is possible.
One of the largest collections of OTT access from around the world. Netflix, Hulu, RaiPlay, Hotstar, BBC Iplayer, etc., are unblocked through ExpressVPN, just by turning on the VPN.
Pros
Six different VPN protocols are supported across different platforms.
TrustedServer Technology provides the latest security updates on the VPN server’s end, ensuring the same code runs on all the server locations.
More than 3,000 servers in 94 countries across the world. It covers entire Europe, Africa, America, Asia, and other areas.
Versatile web browser extension which can run VPN on the entire system.
Government-grade 256-bit encryption for incoming and outgoing traffic on all the servers routed through the apps and DNS.
Spotless record of maintaining user privacy with no breaches since it began operations.
Reliable customer support through live chat goes out of the way to help the users.
Cons
Pricier than the rivals and not affordable for budget customers.
CyberGhost is not the most advertised VPN out there. It does tick all the boxes for being a dependable service that helps use the internet with freedom in school and college. Their desktop and mobile apps share the UI philosophy, providing a seamless switch between the two.
Like ExpressVPN, we get a 7-day free trial here, which can be availed from the mobile app. CyberGhost goes a step further and offers a 45-day long money-back guarantee, the longest assurance period among the competition.
Features
Domain fronting is available and circumvents censorship by replacing the visiting domain with a dummy one. The filters let the traffic go through without getting flagged.
CyberGhost offers P2P optimized servers and encourages using them for downloading files from torrent sites.
Create specific privacy triggers through Smart Rules, which work according to your instruction. Configure Wi-Fi protection, launch rules, app rules, and exceptions in one place.
NoSpy servers are located outside 5 eyes and 14 eyes jurisdiction. Use them without running the risk of being audited or snooped through the VPN server.
The in-built ad, malware, and tracker blocker is available across apps for different devices.
Pros
Connect up to 7 different devices on one subscription.
Consistent fast VPN server speeds with unlimited data bandwidth across the devices.
Wallet-friendly for long-term users and people on are looking for an economical solution. The festival offers to help save more on subscriptions.
Native support for streaming libraries of Netflix and other OTTs.
The dependable browser extension is faster than the mobile or desktop app. One click to instantly connect and start using the VPN protection.
They keep zero logs of the servers and the users. The company is situated in Romania, which helps them avoid stringent data retention laws.
The longest period of money-back guarantee helps in trying out different real-world scenarios of your standard usage.
Cons
Limited payment options for a few regions.
No city-based servers are available
Longer configuration time on non-standard platforms
The company behind ProtonVPN is famous for its privacy-focused email service, spearheading the anti-censorship mission. Their VPN offering is not far behind, built on similar principles, emphasizing breaking down barriers of internet censorship.
ProtonVPN offers a free account instead of a trial. It houses basic features bundled with fast VPN speeds, comparable to their subscription plans. Along with that, premium members can always opt for the 30-day money-back guarantee.
Features
Create numerous VPN profiles for different works – streaming, work, school, etc.
VPN accelerator boosts the connection speeds by overcoming CPU limitations, reducing latency, and redesigning the protocols.
ProtonVPN secures traffic by routing it through multiple servers before reaching the destination. Advanced adversaries cannot monitor the traffic, or the connection details.
App’s source code is open-source and available for scrutiny on Github. It is independently audited by industry experts and veterans. This reduces vulnerabilities and patches the loopholes in the applications.
Robust DNS filtering blocks spam ads, and trackers and stops malware from reaching the user.
Pros
Establish up to 10 simultaneous connections at a time across devices and platforms
Open-source apps with code available for the public to review
4096-bit RSA keys for encrypting traffic, ensuring the highest level of protection.
Specially dedicated servers for use with torrent downloads. P2P is officially supported by ProtonVPN.
Headquartered in Sweden, with strong internet freedom laws, outside the jurisdiction of the EU and the US.
Tor over VPN is official supported, offering an additional layer of security and privacy while using the service.
Consistently high speeds in the free account for users who want to try the service before making a purchasing decision.
Cons
No live chat support, only through email and social media
Lower number of servers compared to its competitors, limited presence in Asia
Access to all the servers only on the highest premium plan
SurfShark starts off strong its aggressive pricing, often unmatchable by the competitors. Apart from a VPN, they offer antivirus, a tracer with a search engine, and a personal data leak monitor with the SurfShark One plan.
We get a week-long free trial, available through the mobile app alone. The alternative route is through the 30-day money-back guarantee with no questions asked.
Features
Register for a SurfShark account from the desktop app, available for Windows, macOS, and many Linux distros.
In-built antivirus on the Windows and Linux apps. It can be enabled from the settings.
Multihop is available, which connects to another destination server, before connecting to the destination. This keeps user information and activities concealed from the visiting websites and servers.
SurfShark has RAM-only servers, which does not allow storing anything on it apart from the default files, and they get wiped clean on turning off.
No cap on the number of devices, and unlimited bandwidth is available for every user.
Pros
Servers optimized specifically for gaming, torrenting, and streaming.
Unlimited simultaneous connections, meaning connecting any number of devices at a time.
The VPN works well in China, which is impossible on most VPNs.
A free seven-day trial without requiring a credit card or other payment information.
NoBorder mode offers a better mechanism to evade internet censorship without getting flagged on the firewall systems.
Industry leading AES-256-CGM encryption for all the VPN servers, including the traffic flows in both directions.
Periodic independent security audits done by leading cyber-security firms to ensure that the latest practies are followed.
Cons
No city-based servers for localized VPN experience.
The browser extension lacks the punch and offers basic functionalities.
2.1 Why do schools and colleges censor the internet?
Schools and colleges censor the internet to prevent students from accessing questionable content. Generally, school administrations block social media, gaming, and websites offering explicit content. Internet is also restricted when colleges do not want the scholars to consume the bandwidth by streaming videos or watching live sports resulting in network throttle when employees need internet to complete office-related tasks.
While many may consider such limitations to be unfair, they are necessary to keep distractions at bay so that the students can concentrate on their studies. After all, binging on your favorite Netflix series over college Wi-Fi is not a good idea when you should be preparing for your presentation.
2.2 Can we unblock the internet at school?
Internet restrictions are extremely essential within the school premises to keep the students focused, but what if you need to access a restricted website to gather facts about your upcoming project or have to watch an educational documentary on YouTube?
In such scenarios, bypassing the restrictions set by your school’s network administrators becomes essential. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to access the blocked content at school and, at the same time, maintain your online privacy, preventing your school admin from catching you.
2.3 How to unblock the internet at school without installing anything?
Below we have put together the most successful methods, employing which you can bypass the internet restrictions at school and browse the internet to your heart’s content.
Use a Proxy: If you are in a hurry, a public Web Proxy is the best option, although not a secure one. They obscure your IP address from the school or university, allowing you to access geo-restricted websites.
Tor Browser: Tor is an open-source web browser and can also be used to surf the internet freely as it encrypts the data multiple times before directing it through a random network of servers, hiding the IP address from your school administration. Tor browser diminishes the browsing speed, and you might be restricted from downloading Tor browser on your college computers.
VPN: VPN is, by far, the most popular and secure way to circumvent the restrictions imposed on your college’s network, especially if you have to do it regularly. VPN employs several security measures before connecting to a remote VPN server. This hides your real IP address and location, making your online activity completely anonymous.
2.4 How to choose a VPN for School and College?
There are several VPN providers in the market, so before settling for one, you need to compare them to the following factors.
Unlimited bandwidth
A VPN imposing no restrictions on data consumption and bandwidth is a better choice for users planning to stream web content, access social media, or play games without having to worry about reaching the daily limit of VPN data.
Security Features
Ensure that the VPN is equipped with features like malware protection, AES 256-bit encryption, Leak Protection, and most importantly, a Kill Switch that keeps your identity undisclosed even at the time of sudden connection failure.
Affordability
Go for a VPN that offers sophisticated features without burning a hole in your pocket. Many VPN services offer a trial period so that users can be sure about the features they are promised before committing for the long term.
No user logs
Go for a Zero-log VPN when purchasing one for your school that assures that none of the user’s online activities or connection details are stored. Such VPNs ensure you do not leave digital footprints or a record of activities that may seem offensive to the school authority.
Bypass Geo-Restrictions
Opt for a powerful VPN that is capable of accessing geo-restricted content. That is essential if you are planning to binge on TV shows or access certain websites not accessible in your location.
2.5 Are VPNs legal to use?
Using VPN technology to be anonymous in the virtual world to safeguard online information is legal in most countries. However, performing unlawful activities such as torrenting or accessing the dark web while remaining hidden behind a VPN might not be permitted, so you should avoid such actions lest you want to land in hot waters. It is worth mentioning that some countries, Russia and China to be the prominent ones, have outright banned the use of VPNs for any purpose whatsoever.
2.6 Are free VPNs worth it?
While availing VPN without spending a penny might seem like a win-win, you should refrain from doing so. Most free VPN alternatives lack the advanced features required to bypass Wi-Fi restrictions imposed at school. Even worse, they are infamous for selling personal information and browsing history to advertisers without the user’s knowledge, posing a severe threat to privacy. Most free VPN alternatives do not disclose their usage terms and may not even support data encryption. Moreover, free VPN services have a low success rate if you are looking for a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions.
Marcus is a cybersecurity analyst with a focus on VPN and proxy services. As the founder and driving force behind a prominent VPN and proxy website, Private Proxy Guide, Marcus has emerged as a trusted authority in the digital realm. With a passion for staying ahead of evolving cyber threats, he has played a pivotal role in educating and empowering individuals and businesses to safeguard their online presence.
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