Here are the best VPNs for school in 2024. A school VPN has different requirements than a normal VPN, that’s how I’ve compiled this list!
Wish to unblock Netflix? Use Torrents? Just access a website your school has blocked? Hey, these VPNs will do all of that, and then some.
You don’t even have to pay! Every single VPN here either offers a completely free trial, or a 30-day (some even offer 31 days) refund policies.
Before we start, let’s clear some basics?
Table of Contents
What to look for in the best VPNs for school?
Well, this is important.
When we generally look for a VPN, we go with those offering extreme privacy, security, anonymity etc.
However, this case isn’t so extreme, is it? I’m sure you aren’t ordering drugs from a school computer (you shouldn’t, from any computer).
Most likely, you just wish to access a blocked website/app such as Netflix or maybe wish to download something off Torrent?
This doesn’t mean the VPNs listed below aren’t anonymous or secure. They most certainly are. However, “speed”, “ability to unblock Netflix/ other sites”, and obfuscation is what I prioritized for this list.
Obfuscation in case you’re new is basically the ability to “hide your VPN connection” from your ISP or any third-party. This is important as some schools may have extreme anti-VPN policies. This helps make sure that your ISP or school can’t simply see you using the VPN.
(Do note that the icon/system files are still visible. You’ll need to hide them manually if you want to, for any VPN).
Of course, compatibility has been taken into account as well. These VPNs will work with nearly every device on the planet.
Split Tunneling can help a school VPN as well. You can login to your school website/access your records and engage in other activities that require you to use your school IP address, while using the VPN for other tasks at the same time.
So, here are the best VPNs for school.
The 5 Best VPNs for school in 2024
1. PureVPN
Download PureVPN: https://www.purevpn.com/
- Obfuscated servers
- 10 devices can be used at the same time
- Unblocks 10 Netflix libraries
- Static (dedicated) IPs
- Split Tunneling
- Doesn’t store any logs
- Operates out of British Virgin Islands
- 6500+ servers, 71 countries
- Cheapest price: $2.29/month
- 31 day refund policy
- 24X7 live-chat
I get it, “privacy” isn’t your biggest concern when choosing the best VPNs for school, well, it is for this VPN.
PureVPN got its “no log” policy audited independently and publicly. A lot of VPNs do that these days. PureVPN did this twice and aims to do this “on-demand, at any time”.
The VPN operates from the British Virgin Islands which makes it one of the safest and most anonymous VPNs in the industry.
Speed is a major requirement, isn’t it? With its WireGuard protocols and 6500+ servers (highest amongst all VPNs on this list), speed isn’t an issue.
Obfuscation is available as well that ensures you don’t get barred from the school for using a VPN.
If Netflix unblocking is why you need the VPN, PureVPN is outright impressive. It can successfully unblock 10 libraries including US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, India, France, Denmark, Italy and Japan libraries.
Guess what, your entire school doesn’t need to purchase PureVPN. A single account will let you use the VPN on 10 devices! Do you seriously have more than 10 friends you’d want to share the VPNs with?
If you’ve specific IP needs, it does offer dedicated IPs that can help you use a single IP for all your VPN needs.
Split Tunneling is provided as well. It lets you choose which browsers or apps you wish to use the VPN for and which should use your normal IP address.
The best part? PureVPN has one of the lowest entry-prices on this list. You can start using the VPN for just $2.29/month.
The refund policy is the most generous as well. You can claim a 100% refund if you don’t like the VPN, within the first 31 days of your subscription!
Stuck with a problem? Their live-chat helps you out 24X7. Finally, you can use the VPN on your iPad, Android phone, iPhone, computers or on most devices, OS and browsers.
2. NordVPN
Download NordVPN: https://nordvpn.com/
- Obfuscated servers
- 6 devices can be used at the same time
- Static (dedicated) IPs
- Split Tunneling
- Doesn’t store any logs
- Ad/malware blockers
- Operates out of Panama
- 5000+ servers, 60 countries
- Cheapest price: $3.49/month
- 30 day refund policy
- 24X7 live-chat
NordVPN is not just the best VPN for school but one of the best VPNs in general.
For starters, it does have obfuscation which most other VPNs lack. It also has the second-highest number of servers after PureVPN. A total of 5000 servers are currently available and you get to choose from over 60 countries.
The massive server arsenal combined with the WireGuard protocols makes NordVPN one of the fastest VPNs in the industry.
It’s not as generous as PureVPN but does allow 6 simultaneous connections which is still a decent number, isn’t it?
One of the most unique features that NordVPN offers is “Double VPN”. It basically changes your IP address twice before connecting you to the web. Then there’s the “Onion over web” feature which routes your connection via the Tor network.
In simpler words, no website or agency will ever know your real location, or identity.
It does have a verified no logs policy. That combined with its Panamanian jurisdiction makes it untouchable.
Considering that you’re looking for a school VPN, Netflix may be one of your requirements? NordVPN unblocks over 11 different Netflix libraries, including U.S/U.K/Japan/Netherlands/Australia and many others.
There’s even a Threat Manager that protects your school devices from malware, fake websites, ads etc. Maybe you can use this to convince your school to allow VPN!
After PureVPN, it’s the only VPN on this list that lets you purchase a dedicated IP if you need it.
The cheapest plan on NordVPN sells for $3.49/month. Yes, you do get to try it absolutely free for the first 30 days. Finally, the live-chat with NordVPN is actually one of the most impressive in terms of response-time and quality of responses.
3. AtlasVPN
Download AtlasVPN: https://atlasvpn.com/
- Unlimited devices
- Split Tunneling
- Doesn’t store any logs
- Operates out of British Virgin Islands
- 750 servers/ 45 countries
- Cheapest price: $1.89/month
- 30 day refund policy
- Free forever plan
I generally wouldn’t include AtlasVPN on any VPN list. That’s because it’s a U.S-based VPN, that’s a straight red flag for me.
However, as far as a VPN for school goes, where privacy isn’t your #1 concern, it fits perfectly.
This doesn’t mean that AtlasVPN isn’t private or secure. It too has a “no logs” policy and that has been verified independently as well. Plus, some of its features are ultra-exclusive and unique.
For starters, there’s SafeSwap. It’s a unique feature that rotates your IP addresses during your VPN session. This gives you a new IP address every X minutes which makes following/tracing you nearly impossible.
Then, there’s MultiHop+. It’s an advanced version of SafeSwap where the IP changes constantly and even jumps countries/locations! Meaning, every X minutes you have a new IP that’s from a different country that your previous IP.
While the no. of servers isn’t impressive, speed isn’t a major issue as the VPN supports WireGuard. In my personal experience though, it certainly isn’t as good as PureVPN or Nord.
The one aspect where it has an edge over both the VPNs discussed above is its “number of devices”. It allows unlimited devices to be connected to a single account.
The other edge the VPN has is with its entry-point. You can start using the VPN for a low $1.83/month. You do get a refund policy valid for 30 days. Just in case you’re skeptical, there’s a forever free plan as well.
Kill-switch, ad/malware blocker, Split Tunneling and databreach monitors are some other not unique but desirable features the VPN offers.
There’s no live-chat though if you aren’t a paying customer.
4. Surfshark VPN
Download Surfshark VPN: https://surfshark.com/
- Obfuscated servers
- Doesn’t store logs
- Based out of the Netherlands
- Unlimited devices
- No HDD servers, RAM-only
- Bypasser
- 3200+ servers, 100 countries
- CleanWeb
- Cheapest plan: $2.39/month
- 30 day moneyback
The last VPN I’d recommend that works on school Wi-Fi is Surfshark VPN. Yes, it does offer obfuscated servers so no one knows you’re using the VPN to begin with.
Your entire school can use it without paying extra as it allows unlimited devices.
The VPN does have a “no log” policy and this sure has been verified independently. It functions out of the Netherlands so privacy isn’t an issue.
The speed is pretty impressive as well considering how it has over 3200 servers and lets us choose from over 100 countries!
Split Tunneling (Bypasser) exists and so does an ad & malware blocker (CleanWeb). None of your data is written to hard-disks. Everything is run off its RAM, a self-wipe measure which cleans the servers every time it’s rebooted.
The VPN doesn’t demand a lot and you can get it for $2.39/month. Maybe it didn’t do what you wanted to? You get full refunds within 30 days. You can even try it absolutely free for 7 days.
It does offer a few more features however as far as a school VPN goes, it certainly has everything it needs.
5. ExpressVPN
Download ExpressVPN: https://www.expressvpn.com/
- Doesn’t store logs
- Based out of the British Virgin Islands
- 5 devices
- No HDD servers, RAM-only
- Split Tunneling
- 90 countries
- Cheapest plan: $8.32/month
- 30 day moneyback
ExpressVPN is an amazing, arguably one of the most popular and established VPNs. Why then have I placed it last on this list?
Well, if you’re looking for VPNs that work at school, you’re probably a student. Even if you aren’t, ExpressVPN prices are a downer for everyone.
The cheapest plan sells for $8.32/month. Apart from that, you can only use it on 5 devices. It also doesn’t offer Obfuscated servers. However, if you can look past these obstacles, it’s one of the more acceptable VPNs for school.
For starters, you can select from over 90 countries! Split Tunneling is available as well. You’re also protected from ads and malware. It also breaks through quite a few Netflix firewalls!
One of its primary features however is the RAM-only servers! A live-chat and its 30-day refund policy additionally sweeten the deal.
Final words: Which are the best VPNs for school?
In my humble opinion, PureVPN is the absolute best VPN for schools.
However, the other VPNs are certainly good for the job as well. Why else would they be on this list?
Why does PureVPN win the #1 spot? Well, its no. of servers, compatibility, security, Netflix support and everything else just come together.
However, just in case you need other options, NordVPN will certainly tick all your boxes. In fact, I’ve not needed another VPN apart from Pure and Nord in the past half decade.
Of course, the other VPNs are pretty good as well. However, PureVPN and NordVPN clearly are in a different league than the others.
That’s about it! Hey, just start with PureVPN for now, you’ve always got these other options if you need more, haven’t you?
