How to unblock games on a school computer

School Wi-Fi networks are often restricted, and, unfortunately, these restrictions often extend to online games. Of course, this is to ensure students are paying attention in school. It may also be to save on bandwidth, as speeds would become too slow if everyone played online games! But this can be frustrating, particularly if you just want to play your favorite games during your lunch break or after hours. The good news is that there’s an easy fix: it’s possible to unblock games on a school network by using a VPN.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) changes your IP address so that your school’s Wi-Fi network can no longer see what you’re doing online and can’t block you as a result. Better still, a VPN can do more than just help you unblock games. It encrypts your internet traffic, securing your data not only from snoopers at school but even hackers. You’ll also benefit from unlimited bandwidth, allowing you to game as much as you like without having to contend with lag due to throttling.

Don’t have time to read the full reviews? Here’s a quick summary of the best VPNs for unblocking games on a school computer:

1. NordVPN The best VPN for unblocking games on a school computer. 7,200+ servers, fast speeds, and P2P servers. 24/7 support and a strict no-logs policy. Also comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for gaming.
2. Surfshark Best value VPN. Unblock games and play lag-free thanks to high-speed connections. Connect all of your devices at once.
3. Total VPN A fast and reliable option for playing games on school computers. High degree of privacy and up to five simultaneous connections per account.
4. ProtonVPN This zero-logs service delivers very high speeds and a fantastic set of security features. 24/7 live chat and exceptional unblocking ability.
5. ExpressVPN Servers in 105+ counties, including the US. No bandwidth throttling for non-stop gaming. Encrypts your data, securing it from hackers.
6. IPVanish Improved speed for gaming without lag or buffering. Lets you connect all of your devices at the same time. High levels of encryption.
7. CyberGhost Largest network of servers (11,500+). Particularly fast speeds for playing games at school. No-logs policy and up to seven connections.
8. PrivateVPN Easily unblocks online games and streaming platforms. Good speeds and protects privacy with a no-logs policy.

How to unblock games on a school computer with a VPN

If it’s your first time using a VPN, you will be pleased to hear that using one to unblock games is actually very quick and easy. Simply follow the step-by-step instructions provided below, and you’ll be gaming at school or college using a VPN in a matter of minutes.

Here’s how to unblock games on a school computer using a VPN:

1. First, you’ll need to sign up with a trusted VPN provider. We particularly recommend NordVPN for unblocking games at school.
2. Download the VPN’s app to your device. All of the VPNs in this list offer apps for desktop and mobile apps.
3. Install and then log in to the app. You can now connect to a server to change your IP address. The closer the server is to your location, the faster the connection should be (important for gaming!).
4. You should now be able to access your favorite online games without restriction!
5. If you still face issues unblocking games on a school computer, we recommend clearing your browser cookies and reloading. If problems persist, contact customer support for more assistance.

Testing criteria for gaming VPNs

You may be wondering how we chose the VPNs listed in this post. While many VPNs are capable of unblocking games, we wanted to make sure we only recommend the very best. That’s why, when researching this post, our team evaluated providers against the five key areas below:

• Speed: Gaming uses a lot of bandwidth and requires a reliable, high-speed connection. Our team tested providers at various times of day to make sure they’re suitably quick, no matter when you want to play.
• Features: We look out for VPNs with lots of US server locations, large networks, and ideally, obfuscation ability so that you can hide the fact you’re using a VPN in the first place.
• Streaming ability: Some games block VPN users outright, so it’s important that yours is able to fly under the radar. We also check to see if they work with streaming services like YouTube, Netflix, and Disney Plus since these are among the trickiest to access.
• Ease of use: The more novice-friendly a VPN is, the better. We look out for services offering 24/7 customer support, task-specific servers, and a high level of general usability.
• Security & privacy: A high level of security with military-grade encryption is a given, but we demand more from our top VPN choices. We score providers using 15 different security and privacy criteria, including their ability to protect your privacy with a no-logs policy and offering a choice of VPN protocols.

Check out our methodology section later in this guide for more information about how we test the VPNs we recommend, and also see the results of those tests.

Top VPNs for gaming at school or college: at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for gaming at school.

Best VPNs for unblocking games on a school computer

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for unblocking games on a school computer:

1. NordVPN

Sep 2025

NordVPN is our top recommended VPN for accessing games on school computers. The strong in all areas. This starts with its impressive network of over 7,200 servers. You can find these in 118+ countries, which makes it that much easier to find a fast server close to your location. In the US alone, you can choose from over 1,970 servers in 16+ US cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Chicago.

Speaking of speed, this is also one of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested. With its proprietary NordLynx protocol built around WireGuard, you’ll experience online gaming free from lag and buffering. This was demonstrated in our recent round of speed tests.

As you can see, NordVPN performed exceptionally well, with an average download speed of 195.66 Mbps across the day, peaking at 224.67 Mbps in the evening. This was considerably higher than the average of other providers (131.36 Mbps). Therefore, NordVPN is a great choice for super-fast gameplay on your school computer.

NordVPN’s extensive list of security features includes malware filtering, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and 256-bit AES encryption. For even greater security, Double VPN servers encrypt your data twice. Plus, the provider is based in Panama and has a solid no-logs policy – ideal for always gaining watertight privacy.

One of its stand-out features for online gamers is the availability of specialty servers. Depending on your chosen server, in just one click, you can connect to the Tor network or establish a connection to two VPN servers for additional security and privacy. NordVPN also offers obfuscated servers, so you can bypass VPN blocks in countries like China and Russia.

Users will also appreciate NordVPN’s automatic Wi-Fi protection, which keeps you secure on public Wi-Fi networks at school or in the coffee shop around the corner. Plus, a split tunneling feature allows you to connect to a VPN while using other apps with a regular internet connection.

With NordVPN, you’ll be able to unblock games and bypass bans with ease. Its powerful unblocking ability also navigates the restrictions of streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney Plus, and HBO Max, so you can catch up on your favorite shows during your breaks. Should anything ever go wrong, you can get in touch with its customer support, which is available 24/7.

Connect up to 10 devices at once with NordVPN’s apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. There’s also the option of Chrome and Firefox browser extensions, although manual setup is necessary to use NordVPN with Wi-Fi routers.

BEST VPN FOR UNBLOCKING GAMES:NordVPN is our top choice for unblocking games on a school computer. It has 7,200+ servers, while fast speeds allow for lag-free gaming. Specialty servers, including P2P and Onion Over VPN. No-logs service with 24/7 support. Try it risk-free with the 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

---

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is an excellent choice for students, as it offers an incredibly good service at an affordable price. This makes it our top-budget VPN pick.

It continues to add to its server network, which now stands at over 3,200 servers in 100+ countries. A constantly growing number of IP addresses allows you to unblock games on a school computer and even watch your favorite streaming services while on vacation. This includes Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.

Averaging 165.12 Mbps in our speed tests, Surfshark is highly suitable not only for gaming online but also for streaming and torrenting (thanks to lightning-fast WireGuard). It was consistently fast throughout the day, performing particularly well in the evening (175.1 Mbps).

Once signed up with Surfshark, you’ll be able to secure all of your devices at once – allowing you to share your account with family and schoolmates. Should you need extra security, you can always connect to one of the Double VPN servers for an additional layer of encryption.

There’s also 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS and IPv6 leak protection. Surfshark is based in the British Virgin Islands and operates a no-logs policy, ensuring that your browsing data can’t be seen by anyone but you.

Another notable feature is its alternative ID generator, which allows you to generate an alternative persona complete with name, address, and date of birth. This is desirable if you need to sign up for a gaming platform using an address and is currently available in the US, Portugal, Australia, Brazil, Denmark, and Germany.

Static IP addresses are available should you want to host a gaming server or carry out another task that requires an unchanging IP address. For dedicated IPs, you’ll need to pay a little extra each month.

Also, Surfshark offers a rotating IP address feature for users concerned about their location being traced. This allows you to change your IP address without disconnecting and reconnecting to a server. Trying to play games from a school in a heavily restricted country? You can enable the NoBorders mode to bypass VPN blocks.

You can use Surfshark on desktop (Windows, Mac, and Linux) as well as mobile (Android and iOS). Further options include apps for Android TV and Amazon Fire TV, and browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. It can be manually configured with select routers. If you need help, 24/7 support is included.

BEST VALUE VPN:Surfshark now has more than 3,200 servers and lets you connect all of your devices at once. Speeds are more than fast enough for online gaming, and it also securely accesses Netflix. MultiHop servers available. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

---

3. Total VPN

Total VPN is a reliable, versatile provider with more than 1,800 servers throughout around 80 different countries. This service is extremely easy to use, effortlessly unblocking stubborn platforms like BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, and Paramount Plus (as well as a laundry list of popular online games). Users can connect up to five devices at the same time, and if anything goes wrong, you can reach out for help using the 24/7 support ticket system.

This provider has historically done very well in our industry-wide speed tests, but we wanted to provide the most up-to-date results possible, which is why we put it through another round of testing. Below, you can see how quick Total VPN was at three times of day (morning, noon, and evening), as well as how much its speeds varied during busier periods.

Total VPN was the second fastest service we tested, with only NordVPN providing a higher average speed. This means that it’s not only suitable for playing games at school, but can also handle tasks like streaming 4K video, downloading large files, or taking part in video calls. There was around 15 Mbps of difference between its best and worst results, so there is room for improvement, though.

This service delivers a high level of security thanks to its uncrackable 256-bit AES encryption, protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, and its strict no-logging policy. It provides a kill switch in every version of the app except Windows and even supports the Hydra protocol, which was designed to conceal the fact that you’re using a VPN from anyone monitoring the network. There’s also split tunneling functionality in case you’d like to let specific websites (but not apps) pass through the VPN unencrypted.

Total VPN apps are available for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android.

NO LOGS SERVICE:Total VPN refuses to keep any logs of your browsing habits, offers very high speeds, and can access virtually any region-locked site. Better still, this VPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee on annual plans and a 14-day guarantee on anything shorter.

Find out more in our full Total VPN review.

---

4. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a zero-logs service with a lot to offer. For starters, it operates more than 13,000 servers spread across 120+ countries, giving it one of the largest networks we’ve seen. It’s also a fantastic option for anyone looking to evade online restrictions and access geo-blocked content, since it works with platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus. There’s a generous 10-device limit and 24/7 customer support over live chat.

Gaming uses up quite a lot of bandwidth, especially if you’re playing something fast-paced. That’s why our team tests potential recommendations’ performance multiple times using a 250 Mbps connection — we want to make sure that both the speed and consistency are at a level that’s suitable for your needs. The chart below shows the speed of ProtonVPN’s US servers at various times of day:

Delivering an average speed of 146.37 Mbps, ProtonVPN was one of the more competitive options we saw. You’re extremely unlikely to notice any performance issues, even when undertaking data-intensive tasks like torrenting, playing games, or watching live broadcasts. Better still, there was only around 8 Mbps of variance across three tests, meaning it’s a highly reliable choice.

This VPN has outstanding security credentials, having been created by the team behind privacy-first email client, Proton Mail. Of course, it’s a strong contender even ignoring this fact, boasting unbreakable encryption, a kill switch, automatic tracker-blocking, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. There are a few more advanced tools too, such as split tunneling and port forwarding support, or the Stealth protocol (which lets you browse freely on networks that usually block VPN traffic entirely). Best of all, ProtonVPN follows a proven no-logs policy.

ProtonVPN apps are available for iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux systems. Additionally, this VPN can be manually installed on most types of router firmware.

PLAY GAMES SECURELY:ProtonVPN has the speed, privacy features, and unblocking ability needed to access games on any school or college computer. What’s more, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all paid plans.

Check out our complete ProtonVPN review for more info.

---

5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has long been one of the top VPN providers on the market. Founded in 2009, it’s a true veteran and trailblazer in the VPN industry.

One of its biggest selling points is the fact that its 3,000+ servers are located across 105+ countries. As such, this is a great choice for unblocking a wide range of content, be it an online game or streaming platform. You’ll be able to access two dozen Netflix regions, HBO Max, Hulu, iPlayer, and most other international streaming platforms.

You shouldn’t have to worry about low resolution or lag while gaming because ExpressVPN not only has high-speed servers but unlimited bandwidth to boot. Thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol, it’s a reliable choice.

This was proven during our latest download speed tests. As you can see, ExpressVPN performed consistently in the morning, noon, and evening, with an average of 96.09 Mbps. While this is more than fast enough for playing games at school, it’s slower than the top three providers in this list.

ExpressVPN has beginner-friendly apps that are unlikely to pose problems, but live chat and email support are offered around the clock. All of your data is secured with 256-bit AES encryption when you connect to a server. A kill switch and DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection are included as well.

With ExpressVPN’s split tunneling feature, you can even choose which apps use the VPN connection. Last but not least, ExpressVPN stores no identifying logs, and it offers a free Smart DNS service for streaming.

Secure up to eight of your devices simultaneously with ExpressVPN’s Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux apps. You can also find apps for Amazon Fire TV and Android TV. Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browser extensions are also available, as is custom firmware for routers.

Whether you want to play Roblox, PUBG, Fortnite, WoW, LoL, or any other game online, you can’t go wrong with ExpressVPN.

STRONG SERVER NETWORK:ExpressVPN has servers in loads of countries around the world, including the US. Unblock games and play lag-free with unlimited bandwidth. High-end encryption and quality support available 24 hours a day. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

---

6. IPVanish

IPVanish is more than fast enough for online gaming, and its unlimited bandwidth means there’s no restriction on how much you can play. It’s a US-based provider that is strong on privacy.

IPVanish has over 2,400 servers and 40,000+ IP addresses, including servers in 15+ US cities. With this network, you can unblock a wide range of games and even stream Netflix US from overseas. Plus, this VPN now provides lightning-fast WireGuard connections to offer faster speeds than ever, which makes it a great pick for data-intensive games.

In our recent speed tests, IPVanish proved to be quick and reliable. Download speeds reached a high of 126.5 Mbps at noon, with an average score of 119.14 Mbps across the day. This makes it an ideal candidate for VPN users who have a need for speed.

This is one of the few VPNs that allow unlimited simultaneous connections per account. As such, it’s a great choice for sharing with family and friends. With IPVanish, you’re protected from security threats, including DDoS attacks.

Security includes 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, XOR obfuscation, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch, so you can play your favorite games without anybody tracking you.

Plus, its traffic scrambling feature (on OpenVPN connections) helps access gaming platforms if users are in a country that blocks or restricts VPN usage. However, it’s worth noting that it doesn’t work in China.

Its new Advanced plan is great value and includes an unlimited VPN, one terabyte of secure cloud storage, and a cloud-based browser that ensures your browsing is sandboxed on a remote server. This protects you against malware, trackers, and cookies.

Download IPVanish for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. You can manually configure IPVanish to work with Linux as well as compatible wireless routers. With IPVanish, you can seamlessly game on all of your school and personal devices.

IMPROVED SPEED:IPVanish has upgraded to WireGuard for even faster speeds (ideal for online gaming). Securely access Netflix US while on vacation. Connect all of your devices at once. Military-grade encryption protects you from hackers. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

---

7. CyberGhost

CyberGhost comes out on top when it comes to the sheer quantity of servers. Indeed, there are over 11,500 in 100+ countries in all. Whatever your location, you’ll be able to find fast connections for lag-free gaming on school networks.

The provider is based in Romania, a country lacking mandatory data retention directives or invasive intelligence agencies. This ensures you gain online privacy and security whether at home, in school, or connected to public Wi-Fi.

Of all the VPNs we’ve tested for speed, CyberGhost is right up there with an average download speed of 153.02 Mbps in our recent tests. This is in part thanks to its implementation of the WireGuard protocol.

Our latest speed tests also revealed that CyberGhost was the third fastest VPN in this list, peaking at 157.14 Mbps in the morning. Music to the ears of avid gamers who want to play their favorite games online without interruption.

It also bodes well for students who like to stream the latest TV shows and movies, and CyberGhost seamlessly accesses Netflix, Prime Video, HBO, and any other service that you can think of. Plus, to make things easier, this VPN clearly labels its service by purpose.

This highly secure service protects you from hackers and snoopers alike. It starts with 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS and IPv6 leak prevention. CyberGhost bundles a number of extras that most VPNs don’t offer. For example, it introduced a Windows security suite, which includes antivirus. You’re also protected with a strict no-logs policy.

CyberGhost’s account management procedures are designed to provide total anonymity – all the company knows about you is your account’s expiration date. You can also avoid payments being traced through your bank account by paying with Bitcoin.

Connect up to seven devices at the same time. CyberGhost apps can be downloaded for the following: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. It can also be configured with select compatible Wi-Fi routers, and browser extensions are available for Chrome and Firefox.

FAST CONNECTIONS:CyberGhost has one of the fastest speeds tested. Ideal for online gaming and streaming (works with Netflix US). Vast network of roughly 11,500+ servers in over 100 countries. Can be used on seven devices simultaneously. Generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

---

8. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is a smaller VPN provider based in Sweden, known for its fast and consistent connections (ideal for playing games online). While it only has a little over 200 servers in total, these are located in dozens of countries, and they’ve consistently proved to have excellent unblocking abilities. PrivateVPN works with tricky streaming services such as Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, and 20+ different Netflix catalogs.

You can see how PrivateVPN did in our speed tests here:

Despite not performing as impressively as other VPNs in this list, it still averaged 74.09 Mbps in our recent speed tests. This is more than enough juice for gaming online at school.

You don’t need to worry about your school’s network administrator seeing you’re playing games. That’s because all of your internet traffic is routed through PrivateVPN’s 256-bit AES-encrypted tunnel.

One excellent perk of choosing PrivateVPN is that it allows port forwarding, which is particularly good for students who want to torrent. The port number—displayed in the dashboard when connected—can be used in your torrent client to download and upload files more efficiently.

Aside from DNS leak protection, obfuscated servers, split tunneling, and a kill switch, there’s a strict no-logs policy that means not even PrivateVPN can see what you’re doing online. Is your school located in China? Enable Stealth mode to game until your heart’s content.

A PrivateVPN subscription lets you connect up to 10 devices simultaneously via the apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. It can be manually configured to work with select routers. Live chat and email support are available, as is free remote help and installation.

BEGINNER-FRIENDLY:PrivateVPN is fast, consistently unblocks games, and bypasses bans. User-friendly apps that are quick and easy to navigate. Includes live chat support. Stay anonymous thanks to encryption and a strict no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

VPNs for gaming at school: FAQs