The best VPNs for school in 2025: Expert tested and reviewed
As you go back to using school or campus Wi-Fi, always remember the disappointments with these networks. You can't reliably used them to access sites like Netflix, Spotify, or YouTube. They say it's so that to conserve bandwidth, minimize study distractions, or for whatever reason. Sometimes you can't even download educational material from legit sites. More often, students use VPNs to survive the boredom -- and you can too.
A virtual private network (VPN) enables you to circumvent school or college restrictions by assigning you an IP address outside your institutional network range, and by also encrypting your traffic so that no one can read your data. As a former teacher myself, I heavily relied on VPNs to safely access social media without someone snooping on me. Now, I just help others enjoy the same freedom as I did. Here are the top VPN recommendations for this fall semester.
What is the best school VPN right now?
Our best school VPN currently is NordVPN due to its consistent performance across the entire server network. It's also one of the most successful when it comes to unblocking online services. Subscriptions start from $3.09/month, and you can get it cheaper with a Student Beans account.
ZDNET has years of experience in the VPN market, and we have extensively tested, researched, and analyzed dozens of VPNs. Based on our research and backed by solid customer reviews, these are our other tested top picks for the best VPNs for school.
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Sort by All Countries and servers Usability Speed and performance Security PriceThe best school VPNs of 2025
Show less View now at NordVPNNordVPN is one of the top VPNs available today and will fit the needs of any school or college user.
Why we like it: This VPN has one of the most extensive server networks in around 126 countries, and is also very successful with streaming platforms. If you want to access, say Netflix, Disney+, ESPN, or quality free sites like Tubi and BBC iPlayer, it delivers. Special features like obfuscated servers (designed to avoid detection by school firewalls) and P2P servers for safely downloading torrents make it a step ahead of the competition.
Review: NordVPN offers consistent speed and performance
In our frequent mobile and PC tests, we've mostly found NordVPN to be user-friendly. Not just us, but customers also applaud the VPN app's ease of use and responsive customer support, which is why we highly recommend it for students who are firsttime VPN users. Plus, if your school Chromebook computer doesn't allow third-party app installation, you can easily use NordVPN extensions for Firefox, Edge, and Chrome browsers.
Who it's for: Many love NordVPN for its advanced security, alongside fast servers. If you want solid protection over school WiFi, features like Double VPN provide encryption twice as strong, while a built-in kill switch and leak protection help to safeguard your information at all times. You can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously under one account, although we would like this to become unlimited in the future.
Who should look elsewhere: NordVPN is inconsistent with it's pricing, and subscriptions renew expensively at $140 a year. If you can, sign up for their student discount (your institution details required) or during a promotional sale. Regular prices start at $3.09 per month on a standard two-year plan with three extra months added to the length of the contract. One-year costs about $59.88 ($4.59 per month), and one month of access starts from $12.99.
NordVPN features: Simultaneous connections: 10 | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, and routers | Countries: 126 | Kill switch: Yes | Logging: Email address and billing information only | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: 7 days on Android
Pros
- Large server network
- Stable and fast connections Successful at circumventing blocks
- No unlimited simultaneous connections
- Expensive renewal
NordVPN
Best school VPN overall
4.4 / 5 ScoreNordVPN is one of the top VPNs available today and will fit the needs of any school or college user.
Why we like it: This VPN has one of the most extensive server networks in around 126 countries, and is also very successful with streaming platforms. If you want to access, say Netflix, Disney+, ESPN, or quality free sites like Tubi and BBC iPlayer, it delivers. Special features like obfuscated servers (designed to avoid detection by school firewalls) and P2P servers for safely downloading torrents make it a step ahead of the competition.
Review: NordVPN offers consistent speed and performance
In our frequent mobile and PC tests, we've mostly found NordVPN to be user-friendly. Not just us, but customers also applaud the VPN app's ease of use and responsive customer support, which is why we highly recommend it for students who are firsttime VPN users. Plus, if your school Chromebook computer doesn't allow third-party app installation, you can easily use NordVPN extensions for Firefox, Edge, and Chrome browsers.
Who it's for: Many love NordVPN for its advanced security, alongside fast servers. If you want solid protection over school WiFi, features like Double VPN provide encryption twice as strong, while a built-in kill switch and leak protection help to safeguard your information at all times. You can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously under one account, although we would like this to become unlimited in the future.
Who should look elsewhere: NordVPN is inconsistent with it's pricing, and subscriptions renew expensively at $140 a year. If you can, sign up for their student discount (your institution details required) or during a promotional sale. Regular prices start at $3.09 per month on a standard two-year plan with three extra months added to the length of the contract. One-year costs about $59.88 ($4.59 per month), and one month of access starts from $12.99.
NordVPN features: Simultaneous connections: 10 | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, and routers | Countries: 126 | Kill switch: Yes | Logging: Email address and billing information only | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: 7 days on Android
Surfshark is an excellent option if you want a high-end app for school without device limitations.
Why we like it: It offers extra settings to try out if your school network firewalls keep blocking VPN usage or access to content. The NoBorders Mode (always enabled by default) can automatically sense restrictions and choose reliable servers to use. Also, the app's OpenVPN protocol uses Camouflage technology that makes VPN detection harder.
Other features to note include a handy pause function, a kill switch, compatibility with multiple operating systems, dedicated IP addresses, antivirus, MultiHop, and Bypasser, and a way to whitelist services to bypass the VPN's connection.
Also: Best VPNs for antivirus
Who it's for: Aside from the app's versatility, Surfshark is an affordable VPN for students on a budget, and there's also a student discount just like with NordVPN. The subscriptions start at just $1.69 per month for a two-year plan, or $3.19 per month for an annual plan. Alternatively, you can sign up for one month for $15.45 (this is where things get a bit expensive), and all plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Who should look elsewhere: Our testing indicates server connections (available in 100 countries) can be wobbly at times, and even joining the VPN network can be slow initially. However, it is reasonably fast whenever it works.
Surfshark VPN features: Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Ad blocker | Two-factor authentication | Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, tvOS, and routers | Countries: 100 | Kill switch: Yes | Logging: No-logs policy | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: 7 days on Android, iOS, and macOS
Pros
- Obfuscation mode
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Affordable
- Beginner-friendly
- Initial connections can be slow
- Mid-range speeds
Surfshark VPN
Best VPN for school Wi-Fi
4 / 5 ScoreSurfshark is an excellent option if you want a high-end app for school without device limitations.
Why we like it: It offers extra settings to try out if your school network firewalls keep blocking VPN usage or access to content. The NoBorders Mode (always enabled by default) can automatically sense restrictions and choose reliable servers to use. Also, the app's OpenVPN protocol uses Camouflage technology that makes VPN detection harder.
Other features to note include a handy pause function, a kill switch, compatibility with multiple operating systems, dedicated IP addresses, antivirus, MultiHop, and Bypasser, and a way to whitelist services to bypass the VPN's connection.
Also: Best VPNs for antivirus
Who it's for: Aside from the app's versatility, Surfshark is an affordable VPN for students on a budget, and there's also a student discount just like with NordVPN. The subscriptions start at just $1.69 per month for a two-year plan, or $3.19 per month for an annual plan. Alternatively, you can sign up for one month for $15.45 (this is where things get a bit expensive), and all plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Who should look elsewhere: Our testing indicates server connections (available in 100 countries) can be wobbly at times, and even joining the VPN network can be slow initially. However, it is reasonably fast whenever it works.
Surfshark VPN features: Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Ad blocker | Two-factor authentication | Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, tvOS, and routers | Countries: 100 | Kill switch: Yes | Logging: No-logs policy | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: 7 days on Android, iOS, and macOS
Proton VPN is a solid choice for school, whether you want to use it as a free or paid service.
Why we like it: The app is genuinely free without a catch. Also, there are no monthly limits imposed on bandwidth data, allowing you to surf and download content on any device uninterrupted. The Stealth protocol feature, which is also available for free, comes in handy on school WiFi that blocks VPN connections. You can access free servers in five countries, namely the United States, the Netherlands, Romania, Poland, and Japan.
Again, something that often worries users is the security of free apps. Proton VPN upholds a clean no-logs policy and data encryption protocols on premium and free accounts, which means you have less to worry about.
Who it's for: If you want to experiment with a free VPN, Proton VPN is a great place to start. The app has several notable features, like port forwarding, making it useful for users seeking customized protection. It works with all major devices, including Chromebook laptops.
Who should look elsewhere: The free version doesn't support streaming with services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video -- although it worked for me on YouTube. Also, you are restricted to one device per account and can't choose servers. Upgrading costs anywhere from $4.49/month for two years and removes these limitations, although you can also get it for less through their Student Beans offer.
Proton VPN features: Simultaneous connections: 10 | Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, tvOS, and routers | Countries: 122 | Kill switch: Yes | Logging: No-logs policy | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Free app
Pros
- Free
- Unlimited data
- No ads
- Only one user per account
Proton VPN is a solid choice for school, whether you want to use it as a free or paid service.
Why we like it: The app is genuinely free without a catch. Also, there are no monthly limits imposed on bandwidth data, allowing you to surf and download content on any device uninterrupted. The Stealth protocol feature, which is also available for free, comes in handy on school WiFi that blocks VPN connections. You can access free servers in five countries, namely the United States, the Netherlands, Romania, Poland, and Japan.
Again, something that often worries users is the security of free apps. Proton VPN upholds a clean no-logs policy and data encryption protocols on premium and free accounts, which means you have less to worry about.
Who it's for: If you want to experiment with a free VPN, Proton VPN is a great place to start. The app has several notable features, like port forwarding, making it useful for users seeking customized protection. It works with all major devices, including Chromebook laptops.
Who should look elsewhere: The free version doesn't support streaming with services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video -- although it worked for me on YouTube. Also, you are restricted to one device per account and can't choose servers. Upgrading costs anywhere from $4.49/month for two years and removes these limitations, although you can also get it for less through their Student Beans offer.
Proton VPN features: Simultaneous connections: 10 | Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, tvOS, and routers | Countries: 122 | Kill switch: Yes | Logging: No-logs policy | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Free app
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