Many schools block access to social media services, game servers, and streaming platforms like Hulu. Colleges and universities do this to ensure that students aren’t distracted. However, it can be frustrating (and seem unfair) if you have a break period or are finished for the day and can’t unwind with your favorite content. The good news is that you can easily use a VPN to unblock Hulu (and other services) at school.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is designed to give you privacy and freedom online. It works by encrypting your internet connection and routing it through a remote VPN server location. This bypasses any local restrictions imposed on the school network and lets you use the internet as if you were back home. Plus, VPNs prevent anyone from tracking what you are doing online, so you’re school won’t know that you’ve been watching Hulu at school.
The best thing about a VPN is that it prevents anyone from tracking what you are doing online. This means you can unblock Hulu in school and nobody will ever know. The only caveat is that not all VPNs work to access Hulu. Many have been blocked or are too slow, which is why you must pick a VPN carefully.
How to unblock Hulu at school
If your school’s network administrator has been told to block streaming platforms, you will need a fast VPN that works with Hulu. Just remember that many VPNs have been blocked by Hulu, and not all VPNs are private enough to let you watch Hulu without being monitored by your school.
Here’s how to unblock Hulu at school:
- Pick a VPN that works to unblock Hulu in school. We recommend NordVPN because it is reliable, fast, and highly secure. Alternatively, you can try Surfshark, which is Hulu-ready and cheap. Or ExpressVPN, which is popular, secure, and effective.
- Subscribe to the VPN and download the VPN app onto your device. If you want to use the VPN on a school computer, you will need to install it there. (To be safe, you may want to remove it afterward.)
- Choose a VPN server that is close to you. A server closer to your school will give you better speeds for HD streaming.
- Head over to the Hulu website or launch the Hulu app. You can now log in to your account and stream Hulu in school, thanks to your new VPN!
- If you still encounter issues, try clearing your cookies and cache and reattempting to watch Hulu. If problems persist, try changing servers or contacting your VPN provider’s customer service team for more advice.
The best VPNs to unblock Hulu in school:
We’ll go into more detail about the VPNs we recommend later on in this article, but in case you’re short on time, here’s a summary.
- NordVPN: The best overall Hulu VPN for school. Super secure, reliable, and strong on privacy. Lightning lightning-fast NordLynx protocol is ideal for streaming Hulu at school. Apps for all popular platforms. Many advanced VPN features, including a kill switch and leak protection. 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Surfshark: Best budget VPN for unblocking Hulu. Allows unlimited connections. Lightning-fast WireGuard protocol to stream Hulu, Netflix, or any other service in school. Reliable iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows apps. Strong privacy and security features. No logs policy.
- ExpressVPN: A highly reliable and secure VPN with servers in 94 countries. Servers in 20+ US cities, perfect for students at any school. The proprietary Lightway protocol is perfect for streaming or gaming at school.
- CyberGhost: A superb Hulu VPN for beginners. Fast WireGuard protocol is fantastic for streaming Hulu in school. Also perfect for gaming, making video calls, and torrenting. Servers in 90+ countries.
- IPVanish: A private and quick US-based VPN. Allows unlimited connections. Works to unblock Hulu or stream Netflix US. Reliable apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. Kill-switch, XOR obfuscation, and DNS leak protection. No logs policy.
- PrivateVPN: A Swedish VPN that is fast for streaming and torrenting. Strong AES encryption and a no-logs policy. Apps for all platforms. Easy to use. Works with around 20 Netflix regions.
WANT TO TRY THE TOP HULU VPN RISK FREE?
NordVPN is offering a fully-featured risk-free 30-day trial if you sign up at this page. You can use the VPN rated #1 for Hulu without limits or restrictions for a month—great if you need to unblock Hulu at school.
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.
Best VPNs for Hulu: 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 unblocking Hulu at school.
No value | NordVPN | Surfshark | ExpressVPN | CyberGhost | IPVanish | PrivateVPN |
Website | NordVPN.com | Surfshark.com | ExpressVPN.com | Cyberghost.com | IPVanish.com | PrivateVPN.com | Ranking for unblocking Hulu | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Streaming services | Hulu BBC iPlayer Netflix Amazon Prime Disney+ HBO Max | Hulu BBC iPlayer Netflix Amazon Prime Disney+ HBO Max | Hulu Netflix Amazon Prime Disney+ HBO Max | Hulu BBC iPlayer Netflix Disney+ HBO Max | Hulu BBC iPlayer Netflix | Hulu BBC iPlayer Netflix Amazon Prime Disney+ HBO Max | Simultaneous Connections | 10 | Unlimited | 8 | 7 | Unlimited | 10 | Devices Supported | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, Routers | Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best deal (per month) | $2.99 74% off 2 year plans + 3 EXTRA months | $1.99 87% OFF + 4 months free | $6.67 SAVE: 49% + 3 months free | $2.03 SAVE 84% on the 2 year plan + 4 months free! | $2.19 SAVE 83% on the 2 yr plan | $2.00 Save 85% on a one year plan + 24-months free |
The Best VPNs to unblock Hulu in School
To ensure we only recommend VPNs that are secure, reliable, and versatile, we use a precise scientific testing method. Below, we have included some of the important features we looked for when recommending VPNs to unblock Hulu at school:
- Fast tier-1 servers worldwide, including a choice of servers in the US that are optimized for streaming platforms like Hulu, HBO, and Netflix.
- Apps for all platforms to let you unblock Hulu on any device.
- Outstanding reliability and advanced security features to keep your online habits private.
- A no-logs policy that promises never to monitor or retain records about what its users do while connected.
- Fantastic accessibility and unblocking capabilities to let you stream YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, iPlayer, and many more blocked or region-locked services
This is just an overview, but if you want to know more about how we test and rank the VPNs we recommend, you can check out our detailed VPN testing methodology article. Right now, let’s take a closer look at the VPNs we recommend.
Here’s our list of the best VPNs for unblocking Hulu from schools:
1. NordVPN
Nov 2024 unblocks HuluTested Nov 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN is our number-one choice VPN for accessing Hulu from anywhere. It’s a provider based in Panama, a location that is optimal in terms of privacy due to its distance from invasive jurisdictions like the US and the UK, its lack of mandatory data retention directives, and its absence of invasive local intelligence agencies. It is a no-log VPN with strong AES encryption and a wealth of advanced security features, which makes it ideal for gaining online privacy under any circumstances.
The VPN is perfect for unblocking Hulu at school because it has servers in 15 US cities, many of which are optimized for accessing platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Prime Video, DirecTV, etc. Plus, this VPN works to access over a dozen Netflix regions around the world. Add to this NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol, which is specifically designed to be fast, and you have the ideal VPN for streaming, playing games, or making video calls at school.
Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. This means you can use the VPN on all your devices. Plus, you can use the VPN on up to 6 devices simultaneously. Those interested in torrenting will be happy to hear that this VPN has a kill switch. Plus, you get AES encryption, malware filtering, and obfuscated servers. Best of all, you can test it yourself using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros:
- 5,500+ super-fast servers in 60+ countries
- Military-grade encryption and a no-logs policy
- Allows 6 simultaneous connections
- NordLynx protocol is perfect for gaming and streaming
- Proven no logs policy
- Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Some servers are slower to connect compared to others
Our score:
BEST VPN FOR UNBLOCKING HULU AT SCHOOL:NordVPN is our top pick to stream Hulu at school. Superfast NordLynx protocol is great for playing games, torrenting, and streaming in HD. Works with Netflix, Sling TV, DirecTV, YouTube TV, HBO Max, and many more. Zero logs policy. Many superb advanced features, including a kill switch and obfuscation. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark has quickly risen to be a consumer favorite service with excellent scores on Trustpilot and a solid fanbase on Reddit. This is primarily due to its watertight no logs policy, its excellent fully-featured apps for all platforms, and its wide range of servers in 100+ countries.
We love Surfshark VPN because it is not only cheap but also highly advanced, secure, and versatile. Impressively, despite being a bargain, it lets you install the VPN on an unlimited number of devices. This means you can share your subscription with friends or even split the bill with your dorm friends.
In terms of features, you get a kill switch, DNS leak protection, obfuscation, AES encryption, and split tunneling. It also includes malware filtering and ad blocking to increase your protection further. This makes it a solid option for torrenting and other sensitive online tasks. Plus, it has everything you need to access Hulu or bypass other blocks without being monitored by your school.
Those wanting to stream will also be happy to find out that this VPN has super fast WireGuard connections and the ability to access around 20 different Netflix regions, HBO Max, iPlayer, and more. You can test it yourself risk-free thanks to its money-back guarantee.
Pros:
- Unlimited simultaneous connections with a single account
- Super-fast WireGuard protocol for playing games or streaming Hulu
- Servers in 100+ countries
- Secure no logs policy and many advanced security features
- Apps for all platforms
Cons:
- Some servers are slower than others
- Customer support could be better
Our score:
BEST BUDGET VPN TO WATCH HULU AT SCHOOL:Surfshark is incredible value for money. Lightning fast WireGuard protocol lets you watch HD videos or unblock multiplayer games without lag. Works to access all sought-after international streaming services, including Hulu. Allows unlimited connections with a single account.
Read our full Surfshark review.
3. ExpressVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN is a provider that is a true veteran in the VPN industry. It was first launched in 2009 and has been a market-leading service ever since. The VPN is incredibly fast, thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol. This makes it a superb option for gaming, HD streaming, torrenting, and video conferencing. This is also one of the few VPNs that works to access Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Prime Video, and any other service that has been blocked by your school.
Apps are available for all popular platforms, and they come with robust AES encryption (OpenVPN protocol), DNS leak protection, a kill switch, obfuscation, and split tunneling. It also has a solid no-logs policy. This makes the VPN perfect for gaining privacy whether at home, on public wifi, or in school.
Servers are available in 94 countries, and Express has over 3,000 in total. This allows you to access popular foreign streaming services like BBC iPlayer, for example. It also has servers in 16 different US cities, which means you can get the best possible speeds for watching Hulu no matter where your school is. Plus, this VPN allows torrenting throughout. You can ask questions thanks to its 24/7 live chat support and test it yourself with a 30-day money-back guarantee
Pros:
- Over 3,000 servers in 94 countries
- Strong privacy features, including a kill switch and AES encryption
- Advanced apps for all platforms and a no-logs policy
- Lightway protocol is fast to stream Hulu in school
- Works with HBO, Netflix, Disney+, and many more
Cons:
- Quite expensive compared to our other recommendations
- Streaming servers are not labeled
Our score:
HIGHLY RELIABLE:Superb all-rounder. Has apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. Offers high levels of online privacy and security. 3,000+ servers in 94 countries. Superfast Lightway protocol is ideal for gaming, torrenting, and streaming. Works with Hulu and over 20 Netflix regions. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of ExpressVPN here.
4. CyberGhost
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost is a service that we often recommend to beginners. It is ideal if you have never used a VPN before because it clearly labels its servers by purpose. As a result, you can easily spot the US server that is designated for streaming Hulu or Netflix, for example.
The VPN is based in Romania, which is great in terms of privacy. It also has a no-logs policy and AES-256 encryption to ensure that everything you do online remains completely private. This ensures that when you bypass school blocks to stream Hulu or play games, the school administrator can’t find out.
Servers are available in 90+ countries, and it has a whopping 9,000+ servers in total. This allows the VPN to provide its services to hundreds of thousands of users worldwide without the potential for server congestion. And this VPN is known to be super fast thanks to its excellent WireGuard implementation.
Despite being relatively simple, this VPN still has a kill switch and DNS leak protection. It also provides ad-blocking and malware filtering. This makes it an ideal service for gaining online privacy and data security whether at home, in school, or on public wifi. Finally, you can compare it to our other recommendations yourself, thanks to its generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
Pros:
- A choice of 9,000+ servers in 90+ countries
- Easy to use for beginners
- Apps for all devices with reliable AES encryption
- Great speeds for streaming Hulu in HD on a school PC
- Generous 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Fewer advanced features than our other recommendations
- Doesn’t work in China
Our score:
EASY TO USE:CyberGhost is perfect for students who have never used a VPN before. Easy-to-use apps for all platforms. Fast WireGuard protocol is great for unblocking Hulu, game servers, or anything else blocked by your school. Works with Netflix US, HBO Max, and many more. Servers in 90+ countries around the world. No logs policy. Has a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
5. IPVanish
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.IPVanish.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
IPVanish is a provider based in the USA. Admittedly, this may put some staunch privacy advocates off the service due to the presence of the NSA and gag orders. In reality, however, this VPN has been audited thoroughly by an independent third party and has a solid no-logs policy that promises never to retain any records of what its users do while connected. This means that the provider has nothing to hand over to the authorities, even if it is approached with a warrant.
With IPVanish, you get a fast VPN that owns the majority of its international server network. This helps to improve the privacy of the platform and allows it to provide excellent speeds. Add to this its WireGuard protocol, which is available for users on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android – and you get a service that is ideal for streaming Hulu at school. Best of all, you can use this VPN on an unlimited number of devices, which means that you can split the bill with a few dorm buddies.
Perhaps the only drawback with IPVanish is that it is not as good at unblocking streams as our other recommendations. The VPN is primarily designed to provide online privacy, and while it does work with Hulu and Netflix US, it does not provide access to 20 different Netflix regions – as is the case with some of our top recommendations. For this reason, we recommend that you test it yourself with any platforms that interest you by leveraging its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros:
- 2,000+ servers in over 50 countries
- Highly secure and has plenty of advanced features
- Impressive apps for all platforms with a kill switch and DNS leak protection
- Allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices
Cons:
- Works with fewer streaming services than competitors
- Doesn’t work in China
Our score:
STRONG PRIVACY FEATURES:IPVanish provides fast speeds and robust security. No logs policy. Lets you connect an unlimited number of devices. Fully featured apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. WireGuard for fast HD streaming. Works to access Hulu and Netflix US in school. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full IPVanish review
6. PrivateVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PrivateVPN is a service based in Sweden, a European jurisdiction that is notable for its lack of mandatory data retention directives. The VPN has a watertight no-logs policy, and it provides solid AES encryption to prevent anybody from tracking what you do online. The service also lives up to its name with a wealth of advanced features, including a kill switch, port forwarding, and split tunneling – this makes it an outstanding choice for anybody who wants to torrent.
PrivateVPN might only have approximately 250 servers in total, but those are located in 63 countries to let you easily bypass geo-restrictions and gain unprecedented levels of freedom online. It is also worth noting that the service performed fast enough for streaming in HD and playing games during our tests. It is also one of the few services that works to access Hulu, HBO Max, iPlayer, and around 20 different Netflix regions.
Perhaps the biggest caveat with this service is that its live chat is only available for around 18 hours per day. That said, you can contact them via email instead, and they are always fast to respond. This service is good value considering the level of service you get, and anybody can try it to watch Hulu in school thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros:
- Fast for playing games and streaming Hulu at school
- Servers in 63+ countries
- Works to stream around 20 Netflix regions
Cons:
- Fewer servers in each country than our other recommendations
- Live chat isn’t 24/7
Our score:
STRONG ON PRIVACY:PrivateVPN is fast and secure. Highly reliable and versatile service. Watertight no logs policy. Servers in 63+ countries. Allows torrenting throughout its network. Kill-switch and obfuscation. Works to stream Hulu and around 20 Netflix regions. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full PrivateVPN review.
Unblocking Hulu at school with a VPN: FAQs
Can I use a free VPN to unblock Hulu at school?
No. Although there are some free VPNs on the market, they are not suitable for unblocking Hulu. This is because Hulu is extremely good at detecting and blocking IP address ranges associated with VPNs, and very few providers know how to stay one step ahead of those blocks. In our experience, there are no free VPN servers that students can use to access Hulu.
Even if you were lucky enough to find a free VPN that had a US server that worked with Hulu, it is likely that it would become blocked quickly. It would also be extremely sluggish because free VPNs have very few server locations and are massively over-subscribed with users from around the world. As a result, you would struggle to stream without constant buffering.
In addition to the performance issues mentioned above and the unavailability of servers that work to stream Hulu in school, free VPNs are a massive security risk. Free VPNs have been found to suffer from severe server and app vulnerabilities and data leaks, and they have highly invasive privacy policies that allow them to harvest your data and sell it to third parties. Studies have even revealed that they sometimes conceal spyware in their apps.
For these reasons, we don’t recommend using a free VPN.
What makes a good VPN to unblock Hulu at school?
The main two considerations when looking for a VPN to unblock Hulu are servers that have not been blocked by Hulu’s anti-proxy technologies – and connection speeds suitable for streaming Hulu in HD.
To find VPNs for this guide, we tested a wide cross-section of the world’s leading VPN providers. We checked that they had US servers that could provide access to Hulu from any school in America. We also checked that those servers can provide access to Hulu from abroad in case you happen to go on vacation and want to watch your Hulu account.
To ensure that each of our recommendations is useful for all students, we only recommended services that have apps for all platforms. This means that you can install and use the VPN on any smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.
Finally, to ensure you get the best speeds, we speed-tested each VPN and recommended only services that have fast tier-1 networks and speedy VPN protocols like WireGuard. This makes the VPN ideal for streaming without any lag or buffering. It also means that you can use the VPN to torrent or do any other data-intensive tasks that take your fancy.
Why is Hulu blocked by my school?
Whether you are studying at a college or university, your school wants you to concentrate on your studies. For this reason, many of the wifi networks and computers provided by schools purposefully block game servers, streaming platforms, TV providers, and even social media sites.
The idea behind these blocks is to prevent students from being distracted in class and to ensure that they spend as much time as possible concentrating on their studies. Of course, if you happen to be stuck on campus all day and have free periods – or have already handed in an important assignment – you may just want to unwind while you wait for a friend to finish.
The good news is that anybody can use a VPN to unblock Hulu and watch shows on the school wifi. A VPN for school or college will sidestep any restrictions imposed on the school network and allow you to access websites and online services without being tracked.
Can I unblock Hulu on a school-issued Chromebook?
This really depends on how your school is blocking Hulu. If the block is being applied to your school-issued Chromebook via restrictions on the wifi network itself, a VPN will be able to bypass those blocks with ease. Thus, it is definitely worth trying one of our recommendations to see if it works.
On the other hand, it is possible that your school is using security software on the device to monitor your computer use and to impose blocks. If this is the case, it is possible that you could receive an email from your school when you try to bypass blocks using a VPN. If this occurs, you may need to remove the VPN software to ensure you are not reprimanded.
Whether you want to try a VPN on your Chromebook or not is completely your personal choice. We advise that you do some research regarding your own school. However, it is our understanding that many students across the US do install a VPN on school-issued Chromebooks without issue.