Are you struggling with school or college Wi-Fi restrictions blocking your favorite websites or apps? Many educational institutions block certain sites and services to stop students from getting distracted when they should be studying. However, this can be frustrating when you want to enjoy your downtime. Luckily it’s easy to bypass these restrictions and regain access to the internet you love, you just need a VPN.
The best VPNs for schools and colleges will encrypt your internet traffic, change your IP address, and keep your online activities hidden from the school network and administrators. This will allow you to connect to restricted sites safely while on school grounds.
This article lists the best VPNs for the job, shows you how to use them, and answers some common VPN questions. We’ll go into more detail about each of the providers we recommend later on, but if you want to get straight to the point, we’ll start with a quick summary.
The best VPNs for school and college:
- NordVPN the best VPN for bypassing college and school Wi-Fi restrictions. Has one of the largest server networks. Unblocks most popular geo-restricted streaming sites. Keeps no logs and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for students. - Surfshark Best budget VPN option for college and school students. Speedy service that puts security above all else. Has excellent unblocking ability, a no-logs policy, and no connection limit.
- IPVanish Popular with Kodi and Fire TV Stick users for remote control-friendly app. Excellent speeds and strong security are ideal for browsing safely at school or college.
- ExpressVPN Solid privacy features and keeps no usage logs on your activities. Fast servers that are able to circumvent most college network-blocked or geo-blocked content.
- CyberGhost Easy to set up and use, this provider is good for beginners. Vast server network and impressive speeds great for streaming.
- Private Internet Access Strong commitment to no logs policy. Good at circumventing browsing restrictions on school, college, or work networks.
- PrivateVPN Secure choice with plenty of encryption and privacy features. Good speeds and great unblocking ability.
- PureVPN Secure, reliable, low-cost VPN that lets you watch Netflix, ABC, ESPN, Hulu, HBO Max, and other platforms on campus. 24/7 live chat support.
- ProtonVPN Fast is a highly advanced VPN ideal for streaming gaming or torrenting on campus. Choice of US servers to bypass blocks or restrictions.
Many VPNs claim to work with students but most (especially free VPNs) are often blocked.
We regularly test the top 70 VPNs with all major streaming sites and this list only includes VPNs which reliably unblock students and offer a full money-back guarantee, allowing you to try them risk-free.
WANT TO TRY THE TOP VPN RISK FREE?
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There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn't right for you and you'll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.
How to use a VPN app to unblock school Wifi
Even if you’ve never used a VPN before, they’re very simple to set up. Follow our researched instructions below, and you’ll be able to access your favorite websites from school or college in no time.
Here’s how to use a VPN on college or school wifi:
- Choose and subscribe to a suitable VPN provider from the list. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
- Download the appropriate VPN app. You’ll need to do this at home as it’s unlikely any of the VPN websites will be unblocked in your school.
- Open the VPN app and choose a server within your country.
- Hit connect, and you should now be able to unblock websites on the school wifi!
- If you’re encountering any issues, try clearing your cache and cookies and reload the page. If this doesn’t work, try a different server or get in touch with your VPN’s customer support team.
The best VPNs for school: at a glance
We’ve tested and compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for college or school.
No value | NordVPN | Surfshark | IPVanish | ExpressVPN | CyberGhost | Private Internet Access | PrivateVPN | PureVPN | Proton VPN |
Website | NordVPN.com | Surfshark.com | IPVanish.com | ExpressVPN.com | Cyberghost.com | PrivateInternetAccess.com | PrivateVPN.com | PureVPN.com | protonvpn.com | Ranking for school and college students | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Streaming Services | Netflix Amazon Prime BBC iPlayer Hulu | Netflix Amazon Prime BBC iPlayer Hulu | Netflix Amazon Prime BBC iPlayer Hulu | Netflix Amazon Prime BBC iPlayer Hulu | Netflix Amazon Prime BBC iPlayer | Netflix Amazon Prime BBC iPlayer | Netflix Amazon Prime | Netflix Amazon Prime | Netflix Amazon Prime | Avg Speed (Mbps) | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 74 Mbps | 400 Mbps | 100+ Mbps | Popular Sites Unblocked | 95% | 88% | 85% | 86% | 85% | 70% | 85% | 80% | 87% | Total number of servers | 6,000+ | 3,200 | 2,200+ | Undisclosed | 11,000+ | Undisclosed | 200+ | 6,500+ | 3,800 | Simultaneous Connections | 10 | Unlimited | Unlimited | 8 | 7 | Unlimited | 10 | 10 | Free: 1, VPN Plus: 10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best deal (per month) | $3.09 Up to 73% off 2 year plans + 3 EXTRA months | $2.19 Save 86% on a 2 year Starter plan + 3 months free | $2.19 SAVE 83% on the 2 yr plan | $6.67 SAVE: 49% + 3 months free | $2.19 SAVE 83% on the 2 year plan + 2 months free! | $2.19 SAVE 82% on the 2 yr plan | $2.00 Save 85% on a one year plan + 24-months free | $2.14 82% off the 2-yr standard plan + 3 free months | $3.59 Up to 64% off a 2-year plan |
How we selected the top VPNs for college and school
There are simply hundreds of VPNs on the market, but we know you don’t have the time or money to spare testing them all out. So we narrowed the choices down for you by only selecting providers that meet certain non-negotiable criteria, such as:
- Proven ability to unblock a range of geo-locked content
- Speeds fast enough for uninterrupted live streaming
- Wide server network for versatility
- Keeps no usage logs by which you could be identified
- Strong encryption and security parameters
- Fairly priced with a money-back guarantee
This is just an overview, but if you want to know more, we cover our VPN testing methodology in more detail further on in this article.
Best school Wi-Fi VPNs: in-depth analysis
At Comparitech, we aim to bring you the most accurate VPN advice possible and would never recommend you a VPN that we haven’t personally used and tested. The following reviews are based on our first-hand experiences and real-world tests.
Here is our list of the best VPNs to use at school and college:
1. NordVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN is the best VPN for school and bypassing Wi-Fi restrictions for many reasons:
- It’s one of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested.
- Refuses to store any customer data and there are no traffic or session logs at all.
- All web traffic is encrypted via 256-bit AES and 2,048-bit DH keys.
- Torrenting is permitted on each and every server,
- A single subscription grants access to six devices.
And with over 5,500 servers present in 60 countries, there’s a wide range of possible locations to choose from. Additionally, some of these can encrypt your data twice, let you access the dark web, or grant you a dedicated IP address.
There are apps for both Android and iOS mobile devices as well as desktop support for Linux, Windows, and macOS. It works with Netflix as well as other streaming services like Hulu and BBC iPlayer.
Pros:
- Vast server network
- Very capable of accessing most blocked and restricted content
- Exceptional speeds for streaming and downloading
- Strong encryption and no logs make for top security and privacy
- Zero-logs policy
- Offers 24/7 live chat
Cons:
- Can only choose to connect to a location, not a server
Our score:
BEST VPN FOR SCHOOL & COLLEGE:NordVPN is our top choice. It has blazing speeds and is a strong performer in all categories. Strong security features and allows up to 6 devices to be used simultaneously from one account. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free deal.
Read our full review of NordVPN.
2. Surfshark
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark is a wallet-friendly VPN that has 3,200+ servers in more than 100 countries and can easily bypass all but the strictest online blocks. This makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking to watch services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or BBC iPlayer during their breaks at college. Better still, Surfshark lets you connect as many devices as you like. This is especially generous given that many other VPNs have a six-connection limit at most.
This service goes the extra mile where security is concerned. It uses effectively uncrackable 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks, and automatic malware scanning to keep you safe at all times. Surfshark doesn’t log any data that could be traced back to you and provides the option to pay in one of three cryptocurrencies. If you run into problems, customer support is available around the clock via live chat.
Surfshark offers easy-to-use apps for iOS, macOS, Android, Linux, and Windows. It can be manually configured for use with select wireless routers too.
Pros:
- Servers in around 100 countries
- Good speeds and even better unblocking ability
- Allows an unlimited number of connections
- Strong security and privacy credentials
- Accepts a variety of cryptocurrencies
Cons:
- Some features require Surfshark One, an optional paid addon
Our score:
BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark has no connection limit, meaning you can secure all of your devices at once. It also boasts an array of advanced security features, a no-logs policy, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of Surfshark here.
3. IPVanish
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.IPVanish.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
IPVanish ticks all the boxes when it comes to a fast and easy-to-use VPN that won’t compromise your privacy or security. There’s absolutely zero retention of any web traffic logs or data. The company only retains a sliver of information when your account is registered for the very first time. Nothing after that.
Encryption standards are equally vigorous. It uses 256-bit encryption on the WireGuard protocol by default, SHA512 authentication, and a DHE-RSA 2,048-bit key exchange with perfect forward secrecy. IPVanish also has your back if the connection freezes. An internet kill switch will ensure there’s no leakage of data. A single subscription lets you secure an unlimited number of devices, so it’s great for anyone hoping to share their VPN with family.
Torrenting is permitted on all servers, which are excellent for high speeds and video streaming. There are over 2,000 of them spread across 75 locations. Streaming capabilities have drastically improved of late, though IPVanish still struggles with the occasional service.
IPVanish There are apps for both iOS and Android, as well as desktop support for Windows and macOS.
Pros:
- Operates in over 60 countries, great for unblocking restricted content
- Impressive 4K streaming speeds achieved during testing
- Strong encryption makes apps secure
- No-logs policy
- Allows unlimited connections
Cons:
- Lacks some advanced features
- Based in the US
Our score:
FAST AND RELIABLE:IPVanish has a large network of servers. Uncongested network achieves good speeds. Strong security and privacy features. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of IPVanish.
4. ExpressVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN has a neat, user-friendly design and solid speeds. It permits torrenting on all servers and is also a great choice for accessing content on Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
With over 3,000 servers spread across 100+ countries, you shouldn’t have a problem finding an adequate connection. There’s also an internet kill switch included – which ExpressVPN refers to as a ‘network lock’ – that’ll temporarily halt web traffic if the connection drops. That means your data will remain safe and secure.
ExpressVPN uses the OpenVPN encryption parameter with 256-bit AES-CBC as default. HMAC authentication and perfect forward secrecy are both included.
There are no traffic logs of any kind, but the service does retain some metadata to cater to troubleshooting requests. Specifically, these are “dates (not times) when connected to our service, choice of server location, and the total amount of data transferred per day.”
The company accepts Bitcoin as payment, and there are apps for Android and iOS as well as desktop support for Linux, Windows, and macOS.
Pros:
- A large global network of super-fast servers can unblock just about any restricted content
- High-grade privacy and security
- No identifiable personal data is logged
- A wide range of apps available – Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and certain Wi-Fi routers
- 24/7 live customer support
Cons:
- Advanced configuration for power users is a little limited
- Slightly more expensive than other providers on this list
Our score:
VERSATILE UNBLOCKER:ExpressVPN has a vast server network that’s optimized for high-speed connections. User-friendly apps for all operating systems. Great on privacy and security. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of ExpressVPN.
5. CyberGhost
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost is registered in Romania – insists it respects user privacy and doesn’t store any data, but the jury’s still out on that one. The reason for that is its recent acquisition by an Israeli firm that’s headquartered in the UK.
Other than that slight concern, there’s absolutely no issue with its choice of encryption standards. There’s 256-bit encryption on the WireGuard protocol, which is considered fairly stringent. And with approximately 9,000 servers in 90 countries, it’s done a reasonable job of offering a variety of locations.
You can connect seven devices on a single connection. The provider supports Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Pros:
- Vast network of over 9,000 servers
- Happily unblocks a host of blocked and restricted content
- Good value provider with fast servers that are great for streaming and downloading
- Keeps no user activity logs and provides strong encryption to bypass activity detection
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Doesn’t work in China
- Better suited to beginners than power users
Our score:
easy-to-use apps:CyberGhost is beginner friendly. Great privacy with zero logs and DNS leak protection. Unblocks popular streaming platforms. 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of CyberGhost.
6. Private Internet Access
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.PrivateInternetAccess.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Private Internet Access (PIA) might not have the neatest user interface out there, but it does its core job well. It’s another VPN provider that outlaws customer data retention – meaning there are no logs of any kind. Encryption standards are impressive – there’s an option of using the OpenVPN protocol with 256-bit AES encryption, SHA256 authentication, and 4,096-bit RSA keys.
Unfortunately, PIA doesn’t work with Netflix but does permit torrenting on its servers. With over 10,000 of them spread across 80+ countries, the service has done its legwork in terms of securing an excellent user experience. You can connect 10 devices simultaneously with one account.
There are apps for both Android and iOS, as well as desktop support for Windows and macOS.
Pros:
- A budget provider that can unblock a good range of streaming content
- Operates over 10,000 servers globally
- Keep no logs, DNS leak protection and kill switch are activated
Cons:
- Be prepared for troubleshooting in community forums
- Streaming speeds can be inconsistent
Our score:
CONNECT 10-DEVICES:Private Internet Access has top security. PIA is a great choice for students due to its low price, rich security features, and great customer service. Speeds can be inconsistent for video streaming, torrenting, and downloading. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of Private Internet Access.
7. PrivateVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PrivateVPN has become a popular choice among school and college students because it can easily unblock websites and bypass network restrictions. With its robust security features and reliable performance, PrivateVPN enables students to access various online resources and streaming platforms without limitations.
With over 200 server locations across 63 countries, PrivateVPN offers students a wide range of server choices, ensuring fast and stable connections. In addition, this extensive server network enables students to access popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. PrivateVPN also supports torrenting, providing an added benefit for students seeking to download large files or access P2P networks.
Security is a top priority for PrivateVPN, which employs strong 256-bit AES encryption, support for multiple VPN protocols such as OpenVPN and L2TP/IPsec, and a strict no-logs policy. These security measures ensure that students can browse the internet confidently, knowing that their online activities and personal data are protected.
PrivateVPN’s user-friendly interface and compatibility with various devices and platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, make it an excellent choice for students who need a VPN that is easy to set up and use. Additionally, PrivateVPN allows up to 10 simultaneous connections, ensuring that students can protect multiple devices with a single subscription.
Pros:
- Works with a wide range of streaming services
- Zero-logs provider
- Use up to six devices simultaneously
Cons:
- Fewer servers to choose from than other providers higher on this list
- Live chat is not around the clock
Our score:
SOLID PRIVACY:PrivateVPN is epic at unblocking censored websites, it includes a 10-device connection limit and uses military-grade encryption. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full PrivateVPN review.
8. PureVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PureVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 31 DAYS
PureVPN is an excellent low-cost solution for those looking to bypass content blocks on social media, YouTube, Netflix, and other internet services that are blocked on campus. With subscription rates starting as low as $1.96 per month, PureVPN offers WireGuard connections and US servers that effectively unlock access to Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, Peacock, and many other popular services.
Boasting a network that spans over 65 countries, PureVPN enables users to tap into a wide range of international services, making it an outstanding choice for streaming content from Canadian, British, and other global TV networks. In our tests, it even worked with Japanese, French, German, and Brazilian streaming services, for example. The service supports torrenting and offers port forwarding for an additional minor fee.
Available on multiple platforms such as Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Firestick, PureVPN’s apps are equipped with robust privacy tools, including AES encryption, a strict no-logs policy, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection, all of which have been independently verified. This suite of features ensures comprehensive online privacy whether at home, in school dorms, on campus, at work, or using public networks.
While the response time of PureVPN’s live chat support could be improved, this minor inconvenience is overshadowed by the VPN’s affordability and effectiveness in providing reliable IP addresses on both the West and East Coasts of America—ideal for circumventing sports blackout restrictions on campus. Users are encouraged to experience PureVPN’s capabilities firsthand with a risk-free 31-day money-back guarantee.
Pros:
- Fast connections
- Works with HBO Max, Netflix, Hulu, and many others
- Servers in 65+ countries
Cons:
- Support is a bit slow
- Port forwarding costs extra
Our score:
LOW COST:PureVPN lets you watch Netflix, ABC, ESPN, Hulu, HBO Max, and many other platforms on campus. Starts at just $1.96 per month. The VPN is secure and reliable despite being low-cost. Apps provide a no-logs policy, AES encryption, a killswitch, and DNS leak protection. 24/7 live chat support. 31-day money-back guarantee.
Find out more in our PureVPN review.
9. ProtonVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.protonvpn.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ProtonVPN was developed by the team behind Proton Mail in the privacy-centric country of Switzerland. It enjoys a robust reputation for its stringent no-logs policy and commitment to user privacy. It operates servers in 85 countries, including the US, making it ideal for accessing a variety of international streaming services directly from your dorm or anywhere on campus. During our evaluations, ProtonVPN efficiently handled streaming on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and Peacock.
The VPN provides applications for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, all equipped with AES encryption, a kill switch, multiple protocol options, obfuscation, split tunneling, multi-hop connections, and self-owned bare metal servers (Secure Core). It also offers Tor over VPN and port forwarding, which are particularly useful for safely seeding torrents while on campus.
ProtonVPN’s rigorous security measures make it a solid choice for avoiding ISP snooping and government surveillance, as well as offering protection against hackers on public wifi—key concerns for students living or traveling to countries with restrictive internet policies.
Thanks to its implementation of the WireGuard protocol, ProtonVPN delivers high-speed performance suitable for gaming, torrenting, and streaming HD content across any device. Support is readily available through live chat in the members’ area of the website, enhancing user assistance. For those considering this VPN, ProtonVPN provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test its services risk-free while studying or residing on campus.
Pros:
- Excellent speeds for streaming
- Works to access US Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and more
- Many advanced features, including port forwarding
Cons:
- A touch expensive
- Might not be the best for beginners
Our score:
PRIVACY FIRST:ProtonVPN is a fast and highly advanced VPN. It has a choice of US servers that work to bypass streaming blocks or social media restrictions on campus. Fast for playing games in school dorms. It has apps for all platforms with reliable privacy features, including a kill switch, obfuscation, multi-hop, and AES encryption. Allows torrenting. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.
Finding the best VPNs for school and college students: our methodology
There are hundreds of VPNs on the market, both free and paid. However, only some can be trusted to unblock websites and services and keep you safe online. With this in mind, here is our methodology, which helped us find the best VPNs for school and college students:
- Unblocking: Not all VPNs are able to bypass restrictions, be they due to geo-blocking or censorship. However, the best VPNs for school and college students have thousands of IP addresses, while some are even able to disguise VPN traffic as regular web traffic. As a result, they can more consistently navigate blocks.
- Servers worldwide: Some content is region-locked and only available in certain countries. This means you’ll need access to servers in countries worldwide if you want to be able to unblock websites. Most of the VPNs we’re recommending in this post have thousands of servers across dozens of countries.
- Speed: Need to stream or download while at school or college? This requires a high-speed connection! Without it, streams will be low resolution, and with lag while downloads would take far too long. Not only have we found the fastest VPNs, but we’ve also ensured all of them have unlimited bandwidth.
- Security: Your studies likely keep you busy enough without having to worry about phishing attempts, viruses, and the like. By using a VPN, you can ensure your data is encrypted and secured from such security threats. It’s essential that a VPN also has DNS leak protection and a kill switch.
- Privacy: If you don’t want others to know what you’re doing online, having your data encrypted by a VPN is a great place to start. Unfortunately, some less reputable VPNs log browsing data and sell it to third parties. To browse anonymously, you’ll need a VPN with a strict no-logs policy. We’ve analyzed over 140 VPN logging policies to find which provides the best protection.
- Ease of use: There’s no reason for a VPN to make things complicated. These days, the best VPNs offer user-friendly apps for connecting to a server in seconds. Indeed, you should also have access to 24/7 live chat and email support, as well as further support such as setup guides.
- Value for money: A student’s budget can, understandably, be limited. That’s why it’s so important that a VPN provides affordable long-term and short-term subscription options as well as a generous money-back guarantee of at least 30 days. Keep in mind also that you can take advantage of our VPN discount coupons and save a little extra.
Our VPN testing methodology ensures we find the very best VPNs to fit your needs. We’re constantly running tests on VPN services to ensure the information we’re providing is accurate as well as current.
Free VPNs for school and college
As tempting as it is to search for the best free VPN for school or college, we don’t recommend the use of free VPNs. This is because such services don’t offer the same standards of service that paid versions offer and are also a lingering threat when it comes to malware and violation of privacy standards.
Free VPN providers aren’t registered charities – they have to pay for overheads, staff salaries, and server maintenance costs. So, there’s a strong likelihood that they’ll monetize by inserting tracking cookies to keep a watchful eye on your browsing history and selling the data to third-party advertisers.
Be prepared for tons of invasive advertisements and the possibility of malware infection as your data is sold to the highest bidder. Aside from that, you’ll find they often don’t have basic security features, fail to bypass network restrictions, and engage in bandwidth throttling that can make streaming frustrating, if not impossible.
In short, you’re better off opting for a paid option instead. If you’re concerned about the cost, make use of one of our top VPNs’ money-back guarantees, or opt for a quality VPN provider with a free trial.
Using a VPN at school or college: FAQs
Should I use a VPN on a college network?
College networks are crammed full of people and their devices and hence represent a security risk. Astute network administrators might put in place anti-virus systems, but the best chance of staying secure is to use a VPN. You never know who’s lurking around, and sharing a network with people you don’t know isn’t always the best idea.
Some college administrators don’t understand the fact that it’s essential for students to share information with each other as well as access it regardless of where it’s stored.
It’s generally not a good idea to download terabytes of data via torrents on your school server, but if you’re able to access a nifty research paper, then there’s nothing really wrong with that.
A bunch of very useful data for academic research is also hidden away in the Deep Web. Our academic research on the deep web guide will help you access it.
Colleges in the US are also legally bound to comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which deals with intellectual property rights as well as notices concerning torrents. So if you try to access such content without a VPN, you might fall into trouble.
Having said that, it’s a good idea to be mindful of what you’re getting yourself into – don’t violate end-user agreements or specific policies put in place by your college, especially if there are stiff penalties involved. Also, it’s worth noting that illegal activity is still illegal even if you’re using a VPN.
While we aim to provide the best advice, nothing in this article should be considered legal advice, and it’s always best to check the local laws of your country if you are unsure.
Why do schools block websites and services?
There are multiple reasons why a school or college may block certain websites or services. One common reason is that the content may be deemed inappropriate or simply a distraction to the education of students. Another is that activity on streaming and torrenting sites can use up a lot of bandwidth which results in network throttling. Fortunately, you can bypass blocks with the help of a VPN.
What if I can't download a VPN at school?
It is possible that your school’s network administrator may have blocked access to online resources that provide information about VPNs – as well as VPN provider websites. Schools do this to prevent students from downloading a VPN onto their devices to bypass the network restrictions.
Under these circumstances, you will need to have a fully functional VPN already installed on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop before you arrive on campus. For this reason, we recommend you purchase your VPN subscription at home (or on some other public network if you live in halls of residence).
With the VPN installed and set up correctly, you will easily be able to connect to a VPN server while on campus. This will give you complete privacy and provide access to any websites or online services that the school’s network administrator has blocked.
Will my school be able to tell I'm using a VPN?
This is a more complex question than you might think. If your VPN uses a standard protocol like OpenVPN or L2TP with no additional obfuscation, then yes — your school’s network administrators will be able to see that you’re using a VPN, but not which sites you accessed.
Some providers, like NordVPN, offer additional privacy measures (such as stealth modes, obfuscated servers, or custom protocols) designed for bypassing censorship in countries like China. Considering governments with millions of dollars at their disposal can’t reliably detect this VPN, it’s highly unlikely a school admin would be able to.