The Best VPNs for School and College 2024

Although firewalls and site blockers have become the norm for school devices, virtual private networks (VPNs) have become a useful tool for students to circumvent these restrictions, protect their privacy online, and more.

NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark are all great options for students to use on their school network. With manageable costs and high functionality, these three VPN providers check all the boxes. Let’s look at their pricing and features so you can decide what’s best for you.

The best VPNs for school and college 2024

Avoiding censorship, internet service provider (ISP) throttling, and firewalls are some of the struggles students face that can be solved with a VPN. The best VPNs for school should also allow you to access regional streaming content, provide better gaming experiences, and even save money.

• NordVPN: Best overall
• ExpressVPN: Best for gaming
• Surfshark: Best budget VPN

Top 3 VPN services for school and college compared

VPN	NordVPN Best Overall	ExpressVPN	Surfshark
Starting price	Starts at $2.99/mo (billed every two years)	Starts at $6.25/mo (billed annually)	Starts at $1.99/mo (billed every two years)
Free version
Streaming support	Yes — Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, DAZN, and more	Yes — Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, DAZN, and more	Yes — Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, DAZN, and more
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review

How we tested the best VPNs for school and college

In researching the most trusted and useful VPNs, we looked for speed, security, price, and extra features. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark are mentioned repeatedly across the internet. After testing them on our own machines, we agree they’re great tools with features necessary for VPNs.

Features include:

• Multi-device capabilities
• Fast speeds
• Expansive server list
• VPN protocol and encryption type
• Kill switch
• Extra security features
• Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux compatibility
• Browser compatibility
• Leak protection
• Affordability

NordVPN: Best overall

Who it’s best for

NordVPN is best for streaming enthusiasts, but don’t think that is its only advantage. If you’re the kind of person who wants to stream content from all across the web, NordVPN gets through the most VPN blockers. Watching Netflix with a VPN can unlock entire catalogs of content you may never have discovered. You can even get a dedicated IP address in a region of your choice to confuse the blockers further.

What we liked

There’s a reason NordVPN is regarded as the best VPN on the market. It’s consistent, reliable, and has a ton of useful features. The dashboard is user-friendly and easy to navigate. As far as the service itself, NordVPN is extremely transparent about its practices. They even have a link on their website to test for a DNS leak. It’s as trustworthy as it is useful.

Some of the more attractive features are the strict no-logs policy; the ability to thwart even the savviest of VPN detectors on streaming platforms like Prime Video, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer; and double VPN, which allows you to reroute your IP address twice to keep your data safe. Additionally, it lets you customize the kill switch if the connection ever drops. These features are all in addition to the standard features you find on most VPNs, like a variety of server locations and fast connection speeds.

What we didn’t like

In the world of VPNs, NordVPN isn’t the cheapest. It also doesn’t provide you with any free features. You'll have to pay for a subscription if you want to enjoy any of NordVPN’s protection. Speaking of subscriptions, the price advertised as the lowest is only if you purchase a full year upfront. If you’re a student, that could be a chunk of change you may not have.

Also, there isn’t an excuse as to why Safari is still being left out of the browser extension list. Mac and iPhone users also want to enjoy the web protection NordVPN offers. It’s time for NordVPN to start including Safari along with Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.

NordVPN specs

Price range	$2.99–$17.99/mo
Free version	No, but it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee
Number of servers	6,800+ servers in 111 countries
Number of connected devices	10
VPN protocol	NordLynx (WireGuard), IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read Our NordVPN Review

ExpressVPN: Best for gaming

Who it’s best for

If you’re a gamer who’s looking to cross regions, get faster gameplay without ISP throttling, or want the latest downloadable content (DLC), ExpressVPN could be your choice. It boasts itself as a necessity for gamers. Reviewers in rural areas love it as well as mobile gamers who are looking to stay protected as they travel.

What we liked

The top feature for gamers is the ability to install ExpressVPN on routers. This allows for indirect access from your gaming console to the VPN features. It also offers the Aircove router, which is the first router to come pre-installed with any name-brand VPN. That way, any student won't have to deal with the headache of configuring a VPN onto their router. 

ExpressVPN is also a service known for speed. Its proprietary Lightway protocol was created for faster, secure, and more reliable VPN connections, which are always needed for gaming and other online activities. Since ExpressVPN protects against bandwidth throttling, you can livestream on Twitch or in PvP tournaments without lags or buffering.

What we didn’t like

ExpressVPN is the most premium service on our list, with a starting price of $2.99/mo (billed every two years) for an annual plan. Like Nord, it doesn't offer any free plans or features, so it might be out of most students' budgets. Even the Aircove router doesn't come with ExpressVPN, you'll still need to purchase a VPN subscription to go along with your router. 

Also, ExpressVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands and could be considered within Five Eyes territory. Minor logging plus a global intelligence group specifically formed for spying don’t sound like best practices for a VPN.

ExpressVPN specs

Price range	$4.99–$12.95/mo
Free version	No, but it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee
Number of servers	Unlisted in 105 countries
Number of connected devices	8
VPN protocol	OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get ExpressVPN Read Our ExpressVPN Review

Surfshark: Best budget VPN

Who it’s best for

Surfshark's lowest price starts around $1.99/mo (billed every two years), making it a cost-effective choice for any student on a budget. But don't be fooled, despite the low price Surfshark comes chock-full of features including the CleanWeb tracker and ad blocker that also doubles as malware protection, the Bypasser split tunneling feature, and the option to use Surfshark on as many devices as you want.

What we liked

Unlimited devices and camouflage mode are two of Surfshark VPN’s best features. The camouflage mode is particularly helpful because it masks your connection to disguise your VPN usage. Many VPN services still create IP addresses that are specific to VPN usage, but with Surfshark you can mask that you’re using a VPN. This is key in getting around VPN detectors.

Surfshark also has a no-logs policy. Since it’s based in the Netherlands, Surfshark falls within a Nine Eyes country, so that policy is important. It’s also fast, secure, and reliable.

What we didn’t like

Software that’s meant to help with privacy that’s also based in Eyes alliance countries feels like a contradiction. Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, which is in the Nine Eyes alliance. 

If a country is part of the Eyes alliances, that means it's entered into an intelligence-sharing agreement with the other countries. Although the Netherlands doesn't have any obligatory data retention laws, its headquarters could still be an issue if you're more privacy-conscious.

Surfshark specs

Price range	$1.99–$17.95/mo
Free version	No, but it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee
Number of servers	3,200+ servers in 100 countries
Number of connected devices	Unlimited
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get Surfshark Read Our Surfshark Review

Honorable mentions

Although we think NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark are the best school VPNs, that doesn't mean they're the only options available. Here are some alternatives you can consider if you're nold sold on our top three:

• Private Internet Access: Private Internet Access is one of the most affordable VPNs on the market and it allows for unlimited connections. It also comes with advanced security features like MACE, which blocks ads, malware, and online trackers, and two types of kill switch.

  Get Private Internet Access | Read Our Private Internet Access Review

• CyberGhost: CyberGhost is another budget-friendly VPN, with servers in 100 countries to ensure fast connections and unblock geo-restricted content. It also comes with specialty servers for streaming, gaming, and other online needs. 

  Get CyberGhost | Read Our CyberGhost Review

How to choose the best VPN

If you're looking for a VPN you can use at school or college, you want to make sure you're picking the right one. These are the features you should consider when you're looking for a VPN:

• Price — You don't want to spend a lot on a VPN when you have to buy books or school supplies. Consider VPNs with discounts or sign up for the longest subscription plans for the biggest savings. 
• Server network — Make sure the VPN you choose has servers in the locations you need. The VPN should also be able to replace servers that stop working for whatever reason.
• No-logs policy — Keeping your browsing activity private is essential. The VPN you choose should have a no-logs policy to ensure your data is never saved.
• Security — At a minimum, VPNs should offer 256-bit AES encryption and a kill switch for your online protection.
• Speeds — The VPN you go for shouldn't noticeably impact your speeds. Pick a VPN that is consistently fast no matter what time of day it is. 

Why should you use a VPN?

Circumventing a school’s inherent protections for browsing social media (like Snapchat), accessing other regions’ streaming services (like BBC iPlayer), and looking at restricted content are huge draws for working under a VPN connection. Just know there’s a chance of getting caught that may have adverse consequences.

There are many reasons why schools block their students from accessing certain websites. During the late ‘90s and the early 2000s, educational institutions began to adopt the internet as a necessary tool for learning.

However, administrators quickly realized that students might not use it for academic purposes 100% of the time. Firewalls and site blockers became the norm for on-site machines. In response, students began seeking out VPNs to access restricted content.

Today, the internet is a vital part of everyday life. With it being such a vast landscape, there are more reasons than ever before to put protections on internet access.

Ransomware is a huge concern for schools with multimillion-dollar price tags being the least of their worries. (Identity data of students and staff, including medical records and Social Security numbers, is a huge draw for hackers.) And managing everyone’s cyber knowledge for internet safety is difficult with hundreds or even thousands of students.

Additionally, an educational system’s ISP may be prone to throttling the connection speed on school Wi-Fi because of the demand caused by so many people accessing the servers. This, coupled with the prevalence of public Wi-Fi-related hacks and good old-fashioned censorship, are all reasons why using a VPN as a student can significantly enhance your user experience. A VPN encrypts your data so even the IT administrators can’t see what you’re doing.

Best VPNs for school and college FAQs

Bottom line: The best VPNs for school and college

NordVPN is the best VPN for school, college, and beyond. ExpressVPN and Surfshark are close seconds due to their advanced security features as well as their competitive costs and unlimited bandwidth. Surfshark is especially impressive as it offers unlimited connections and a super low initial cost for a multi-year contract.

While there are other options out there, these three provide the most useful features for their price, as well as fast speeds and no connection issues. You can trust that your data and activity will be well-guarded if you use any of these VPNs. Additionally, you’ll be able to enjoy full use of the internet without the restrictions that may come from your educational institution’s IT department.

3 best VPNs for school and college 2023

	Starting price	Best for	Learn more
NordVPN	Starts at $2.99/mo (billed every two years)	Best overall	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review
ExpressVPN	Starts at $6.25/mo (billed annually)	Best for gaming	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review
Surfshark	Starts at $1.99/mo (billed every two years)	Best budget VPN	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review