As educators, we understand the importance of online security and student protection. To ensure this, many schools choose to block certain sites and platforms, as well as restrict bandwidth usage. While this is done with good intentions, it can sometimes hinder students’ ability to access necessary resources and information.
Luckily, there is a solution for those looking to bypass these restrictions. By using a reliable VPN like NordVPN, students can enjoy unlimited access to the internet while keeping their real IP address hidden. Not only does this allow for easier access to necessary materials, but it also enables students to unblock geo-restricted content on streaming services like Netflix. In this article, we have compiled a list of the best VPNs for schools, taking into consideration factors such as security, privacy, and streaming capabilities.
5 Best VPNs for School and College
When it comes to finding the best VPN for school or college, there are a few factors to consider. We’ve done the research and testing to bring you the top 5 VPNs that are perfect for students:
- NordVPN – Our top pick for the best VPN for school overall, NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and is great for accessing blocked content.
- Surfshark – If you’re looking for a cheap VPN for school, Surfshark is an excellent option with unlimited connections and affordable pricing.
- IPVanish – IPVanish is the perfect school VPN for multiple devices, allowing you to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously.
- ExpressVPN – With a free trial and money-back guarantee, ExpressVPN is a secure VPN service that’s perfect for students who value privacy and security.
- PureVPN – PureVPN ensures high-class security while at school, making it a great choice for students who prioritize online safety.
Take advantage of our limited offer and get NordVPN now at 69% off! Follow our step-by-step instructions to get started with one of these top VPNs for school.
How to Use a VPN for School WiFi
To access restricted websites on school WiFi, we recommend using NordVPN. Follow these steps:
- Choose NordVPN, a trustworthy VPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Create an account and follow the installation instructions.
- Connect to the nearest server.
- Browse freely!
Try NordVPN for free and enjoy unrestricted access to the internet on school WiFi.
The Best VPNs for School WiFi – Our Detailed List
1. NordVPN – Best VPN for School Overall with Free Options
NordVPN is our top pick for the best VPN for school and college students. With its ability to effortlessly bypass various blocks, NordVPN is a reliable choice for accessing social media sites and streaming platforms. It offers a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it a risk-free option for students.
NordVPN has over 5,900 servers in 60 countries, ensuring that you can explore various streaming platform libraries from anywhere. It uses an outstanding proprietary tunneling protocol called NordLynx, which ensures high speeds no matter if you’re casually browsing through your social media accounts or watching Netflix.
In terms of security, NordVPN offers a traffic obfuscation feature that helps you avoid getting in trouble with school if it’s prohibited to use a VPN. The reliable kill switch ensures that your data doesn’t leak even if the VPN accidentally fails.
NordVPN can be purchased for $2.99/month and can be used on 6 devices simultaneously. The 30-day money-back guarantee lets you test it out without any long-term commitment.
Pros
- Can effortlessly bypass blocks
- Massive server fleet
- Unmatched speeds
- Traffic obfuscation
- 6 simultaneous connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 7-day free trial
Cons
- Limited Linux usability
2. Surfshark – Wallet-Friendly VPN for School Students with a Free Trial
Surfshark is an excellent VPN for school that is budget-friendly and can easily access websites and platforms restricted by your school’s network. It offers an exceptional 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Surfshark can unlock content on Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney Plus, and more. It has over 3,200 servers distributed across 100 countries, ensuring that you can find servers close to you for better performance.
This VPN uses the widely-accepted WireGuard tunneling protocol, which helps Surfshark guarantee extremely high speed retention rates and top-notch security. It also offers traffic obfuscation, a great way to avoid getting into trouble for using a VPN at school.
Surfshark’s prices start from as little as $1.99/month, and you get to use the account on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. And if you end up dissatisfied with the service, there’s a month-long money-back guarantee as well.
Pros
- Can easily bypass blocks
- Big server fleet
- Exceptional speeds
- Traffic obfuscation
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 7-day free trial
Cons
- Based in a country that’s not privacy-friendly
3. IPVanish – Great VPN for School to Share with Your Friends
IPVanish is a great VPN for school that you could share with your classmates or friends. It allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices on one account for as little as $2.49/month. If you want to try it out for free, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.
IPVanish can bypass various blocks, including streaming services like Netflix, YouTube TV, HBO Max, Disney Plus, and social media sites. It has over 2,200 servers in 52 countries, ensuring that you can unlock content on any side of the world.
IPVanish uses the WireGuard protocol, allowing you to say goodbye to buffering. It also includes traffic obfuscation for those who don’t want the principal to see that they’re using a VPN. A kill switch is also available as a last security resort in case the VPN connection fails.
Pros
- Easily bypasses blocks
- Large server fleet
- Great speeds
- Traffic obfuscation
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Prices increase after a year
4. ExpressVPN – Secure and Fast VPN with a Free Trial and a Money-Back Guarantee
ExpressVPN is a great VPN choice for school. It’s super fast, secure, and offers a free trial as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee. It has over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, ensuring that you can access any content you need.
ExpressVPN can unlock content on Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more. It uses the Lightway protocol, which is faster and more secure than other protocols. It also includes a kill switch and DNS leak protection to ensure your data is secure.
ExpressVPN can be purchased for $6.67/month and can be used on 5 devices simultaneously. The 30-day money-back guarantee lets you test it out without any long-term commitment.
Pros
- Fast and secure
- Free
How We Selected and Tested These VPNs
We have tested dozens of VPNs to determine the best ones for school and college students. Our selection criteria included traffic obfuscation, streaming capabilities, speeds, servers, and security features.
To ensure that your school cannot detect your VPN usage, we only included VPNs that offer traffic obfuscation. This feature makes your traffic appear regular to others, ensuring that your VPN usage goes unnoticed.
We also tested the streaming capabilities of each VPN by trying to access popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and YouTube TV. We only included VPNs that were able to unblock these platforms successfully.
Speed is another crucial factor when selecting a VPN. We used our speed test tool to determine which VPNs offer fast speeds and included them in our list.
Having VPN servers on many sides of the world is essential. This way, you can unlock streaming services and sites of your chosen country, and the servers are less likely to be overcrowded. Therefore, we only included VPNs that offer a wide range of servers worldwide.
Finally, we considered security features such as a kill switch, threat protection, or other additional protection features. VPNs that offer these features were given a significant advantage in our selection process.
Overall, we have carefully selected and tested VPNs that meet our strict criteria to ensure that students have the best possible VPN experience.
Why Use a VPN for School?
At school, many social media and streaming platforms are restricted to help students focus on their studies. However, using a VPN to access the internet can provide several benefits for students.
- Access to online learning material: With a VPN, students can access various learning materials on sites like YouTube, which are otherwise blocked. This allows them to expand their knowledge and learn more about different subjects.
- Download learning material: Some schools may restrict torrenting, which limits students from downloading PDF books or other useful documents for learning. A VPN can help bypass these restrictions and allow students to download the necessary materials.
- Take a break: During breaks or free time, students may want to relax and watch something on Netflix. A VPN can help them access these streaming platforms and enjoy their downtime.
Overall, using a VPN can help students access a wider range of educational resources and take much-needed breaks without any restrictions.
Why Schools Block Websites and Services?
As educators, we have a responsibility to provide a safe and productive learning environment for our students. To achieve this, schools often block certain websites and services for various reasons:
- To increase student engagement and focus: Social media platforms can be a major distraction for students, affecting their ability to concentrate and learn effectively. By blocking these sites, we encourage students to focus on their studies. However, we do recognize the educational value of sites like YouTube and may allow access to certain videos and channels.
- To control bandwidth usage: School networks have limited bandwidth, and data-consuming activities like streaming and downloading can slow down or crash the network. By blocking these activities, we ensure that all students have equal access to the internet and prevent disruptions to the learning environment.
- To ensure online security: Careless browsing can expose school devices to malware and other security threats. By blocking certain sites and monitoring internet activity, we can protect our students and our network from potential harm.
- To prevent bullying: Bullying is a serious issue in many school environments, and social media sites can be a breeding ground for harassment and cyberbullying. By blocking these sites, we aim to create a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.
How to Get a VPN on a School Computer?
Getting a VPN on a school computer can be challenging, especially if the official VPN website is blocked. However, there are a few methods you can try to bypass these restrictions and download the VPN app.
Firstly, you can try using your mobile data to download the VPN app. You can create a hotspot and use your phone data to access the VPN website. This way, none of the websites will be blocked, and you can safely download the app.
Another method is to try using a proxy service. Proxies act as a gateway between the network and you, allowing you to access the VPN website and safely download the app. This method is helpful if your school has site restrictions in place.
Finally, you can use Google Translate to access the VPN website. Once you put a URL into Google Translate, it loads the page on the server to translate it and works as a proxy server. You can then click on the URL on the right (translated) side to access the site.
In conclusion, there are several ways to get a VPN on a school computer, even if the official VPN website is blocked. By using your mobile data, a proxy service, or Google Translate, you can safely download the app and enjoy its benefits.
Can’t Bypass a School Firewall Using a VPN? Here’s a Fix:
If you’re having trouble bypassing your school’s firewall using a VPN, there are a few things you can try before giving up. Here are some potential fixes:
- Switch between different tunneling protocols in your VPN settings. This can be done if you have a VPN service that offers different protocols to choose from.
- Enable traffic obfuscation to conceal the fact that you’re using a VPN. This can be helpful in bypassing the school’s firewall. Look for a VPN that includes DNS and IP leak protection features for added security.
- Try using a different web browser. Sometimes, certain browsers may not work well with a VPN. Switching to a different browser could help.
- Get a more reliable VPN, such as NordVPN. It’s possible that the VPN you’re using isn’t high-quality enough to bypass the firewall. Choose a VPN that includes advanced security features, such as traffic obfuscation or data leak protection.
By trying these different fixes, you may be able to successfully bypass your school’s firewall and access the content you need.
Other Ways to Unblock School Wi-Fi and Bypass Firewall
While getting a VPN is the safest way to bypass school blocks and its firewall, there are other ways to do it. Here are some alternative solutions to bypass school restrictions:
- Use a proxy service: Instead of a VPN, you can try using a proxy server. However, keep in mind that proxies only change your IP address and don’t encrypt your data. Schools try to restrict their usage, so you won’t be guaranteed security or privacy.
- Change DNS address: If it’s possible on your device, you can change the DNS address in your network settings. For instance, Google’s – 8.8.8.8. However, changing DNS doesn’t hide your IP address or encrypt your data.
- Try using Tor Browser: This browser encrypts your information, letting you browse freely and securely. It’s often used by journalists and activists.
- Try accessing websites using IP addresses rather than URLs: If you place the IP address instead of the usual domain name, you act as a DNS server. This means you can easily bypass domain name blocks.
It’s important to note that while these methods may work, they are not foolproof and may not provide the same level of security and privacy as a VPN. It’s always best to use caution and follow school policies when accessing the internet on school grounds.
Can I Use a Free VPN to Unblock School WiFi?
Yes, technically it is possible to use a free VPN to bypass online restrictions at school. However, we strongly advise against it due to security concerns. Free VPN providers do not make money and some of them have been known to sell user data to make a profit. Additionally, downloading a VPN that is malware in disguise can infect the entire school network.
If you are on a budget, freemium VPN services are a better option. These are free, introductory versions of premium VPN services that are reliable. However, they come with limitations such as small server fleets and data caps. They are also usually not good at unlocking streaming sites or bypassing blocks since their servers are already blacklisted by most platforms.
Alternatively, the best option is to make use of free trials and money-back guarantees offered by premium VPN services. This way, you can try out all the features of a VPN for free.
For students, NordVPN is an optimal choice with its proven track record of effortlessly bypassing blocks and advanced security features. You can make use of its 7-day trial and 30-day refund policy to test it out for free. Surfshark is another great option with traffic obfuscation, great speeds, and everything you need to browse the internet freely. Its 30-day money-back guarantee and 7-day trial will let you try bypassing restrictions for free.
In summary, while using a free VPN to unblock school WiFi is possible, it is not recommended due to security concerns. Opting for freemium VPN services or trying out premium VPN services with free trials and money-back guarantees is a better option for students.
Conclusion
In conclusion, many schools restrict access to social media sites and streaming platforms to improve student focus and security. However, this can limit students’ ability to explore online learning material or relax during breaks. Fortunately, there are ways to bypass these blocks using a VPN that can easily unblock any website or streaming platform. NordVPN is our top pick for school use, as it offers outstanding speed retention, a large number of servers, and advanced security features like traffic obfuscation and kill switch. With NordVPN, students can access restricted content safely and securely without anyone knowing.
In addition to using a good VPN, using Microsoft AZ-104: Practice Test Dumps can help you succeed in your studies by passing your exams.
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FAQ
What VPN Works Best at School?
When it comes to choosing the best VPN for school, we recommend NordVPN. It is known for its ability to unblock various sites and streaming platforms with ease. NordVPN also provides a traffic obfuscation feature that hides the fact that you are using a VPN. Additionally, it ensures fast speeds and top-notch security to keep your online activities private.
What Is the Best Free VPN to Use at School?
If you’re looking for a free VPN to use at school, we suggest Windscribe. It includes a traffic obfuscation feature in the free version and even has a kill switch to prevent data leaks. Although it only offers 10GB of monthly data, you can get an additional 5GB for free by tweeting about the product.
Are VPNs Allowed in School?
The permissibility of using VPNs in school depends on the institution’s policy. If social media or streaming sites are blocked once you connect to the school’s Wi-Fi, the use of VPNs is likely not approved. However, VPNs are legal and not against the law in most countries.
What are the top VPN services that can bypass school WiFi restrictions?
There are several VPN services that can bypass school WiFi restrictions, including ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost. These VPNs offer reliable connectivity, fast speeds, and strong encryption to protect your online activities.
How can students safely use a VPN on school networks?
To use a VPN safely on school networks, students should ensure that they are using a reputable VPN service that offers strong encryption and does not keep logs of user activities. They should also follow their school’s acceptable use policy and avoid using the VPN for any illegal activities.
Which VPNs offer reliable connectivity for school Chromebooks?
Some VPNs that offer reliable connectivity for school Chromebooks include TunnelBear, Hotspot Shield, and Windscribe. These VPNs have dedicated Chrome extensions that are easy to install and use.
Are there any free VPN options that work effectively on school networks?
While there are some free VPN options available, they may not be as effective at bypassing school WiFi restrictions as paid VPN services. Additionally, free VPNs may not offer the same level of security and privacy as paid VPNs.
How can one unblock school WiFi restrictions without using a VPN?
One way to unblock school WiFi restrictions without using a VPN is to use a proxy server. However, it is important to note that proxy servers may not be as secure as VPNs and may not offer the same level of privacy.
What measures can schools take to block VPN usage, and how can they be circumvented?
Schools can block VPN usage by blocking specific VPN protocols or IP addresses. However, VPN users can circumvent these measures by using a VPN that offers obfuscation or by using a different VPN protocol that is not blocked. It is important to note, however, that circumventing school policies may result in disciplinary action.
