Top 5 Ideal School-Friendly VPN Services of 2023 - A Comprehensive Guide by ZDNet

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There are a lot of things to worry about in school, but your internet shouldn’t be one.

A VPN, or virtual private network, can help guarantee privacy while browsing, hiding your IP address so you can work anonymously. That means you can use a public network like your school’s WiFi without worrying about your information being public and at risk of being stolen.

But which VPN is the best? We can help. We researched the five best VPNs for school that can help you focus on work.

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View now at NordVPN

Pros

Flexible platforms
User-friendly
Tons of servers

Cons

Monthly fees apply
Limited simultaneous connections

NordVPN

Best VPN for school overall

Tech Specs: Number of servers: 5400+ | Number of server locations: 59 countries

Plan type	Cost
2-year plan	Complete $5.29/mo.Plus $3.99/mo.Standard $2.99/mo.
1-year plan	Complete $6.79/mo.Plus $5.49/mo.Standard $4.49/mo.
Monthly	Complete $14.29/mo.Plus $12.99/mo.Standard $11.99/mo.

NordVPN is our pick for the best VPN for school overall. It uses encrypted private tunnels and traffic routing to keep your information safe when you’re researching or surfing. You’ll benefit from threat protection that fights viruses and trackers while preventing infected websites from poisoning your computer. You also receive a personal IP address, as well as automatic alerts if someone takes your information to the dark web, thanks to the Dark Web Monitor.

Read the review: NordVPN review

Also: NordVPN vs Surfshark: Which is better for you?

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View now at Cyberghostvpn

Pros

Smart rules feature
Excellent connections
Does not log personal data

Cons

Limited privacy
Ping speed could be an issue

CyberGhost

Best VPN for school when studying abroad

Tech Specs: Number of servers: 9,700+ | Number of server locations: 91+

Plan type	Cost
1 month	$12.99/mo.
6 months	$6.99/mo.
2 years and 2 months	$2.03/mo.

Benefit from what CyberGhost claims is the fastest VPN for your studies. CyberGhost has the most servers on our list by far, clocking in around 9,700 servers and over 91 server locations around the world. It automatically encrypts your online use while keeping your IP address hidden. There is also incredible value because CyberGhost offers connections for all of your devices, allowing up to seven devices with a single subscription.

Read the review: CyberGhost review

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View now at ExpressVPN

Pros

Built-in traffic sculpting
Multiple platforms
24/7 support

Cons

Some IP issues for users
Limited connections

ExpressVPN

Best VPN for school for privacy features

Tech Specs: Number of servers: 3,000+ | Number of server locations: 94

Plan type	Cost
1 month	$12.95/mo.
6 months	$9.99/mo.
12 months	$8.32/mo.

When privacy is the ultimate concern, we love ExpressVPN for internet use. You receive access to VPNs in 94 different countries, using AES-256 encryption to protect your information. TrustedServer technology means your information is never stored, regardless of which five devices you choose to connect. If you need help, there is 24/7 customer service, so there’s always someone nearby when you hit a snag.

Read the review: ExpressVPN review

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View now at ProtonVPN

Pros

Affordable
Unlimited data
No data limits

Cons

Only one simultaneous connection
Limited countries

ProtonVPN

Best free VPN for school

Tech Specs: Number of servers: 1,700+ | Number of server locations: 60+

Plan type	Cost
2 years	$4.99/mo.
1 year	$5.99/mo.
1 month	$9.99/mo.

If you’re on a strict budget, ProtonVPN offers a free VPN service for school. There are versions of ProtonVPN you can pay for with the above pricing structure, or you can opt for the free version. It uses an encrypted VPN tunnel to keep information safe while hiding your browsing history with a 10-Gbps server network. One unique feature is ProtonVPN’s ability to protect against Internet censorship, allowing you to access any websites you want. There is also the VPN Accelerator that delivers up to a 400% increase in VPN speeds to quickly get you what you need.

Read the review: ProtonVPN review

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View now at Surfshark

Pros

Unlimited devices
Affordable
Extra security protocols

Cons

Limited countries
Pricey for short-term accounts

Surfshark

Best budget VPN for school

Tech Specs: Number of servers: 3,200+ | Number of server locations: 100

Plan type	Cost
1 month	$12.95/mo.
1 year	$3.99/mo.
2 years	$2.05/mo.

Consider Surfshark as the best affordable VPN for school. It provides security against public ISPs and third-party trackers. It works with all of your devices, too, for excellent compatibility. You also don’t have to worry about your information being leaked, thanks to private DNS and two-factor authentication. 24/7 support is available if you need a helping hand to set up or use the VPN.

Read the review: Surfshark review

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What is the best VPN for school?

We love NordVPN for its performance, affordability, and accessibility. To see how it stacks up against the competition, these are the best VPNs for school.

Best VPN for school	Starting cost	Number of servers	Number of server locations
NordVPN	$2.99/mo.	5,400+	59
CyberGhost	$2.03/mo.	9,700+	91+
ExpressVPN	$8.32/mo.	3,000+	94
ProtonVPN	Free	1,700+	60+
Surfshark	$2.05/mo.	3,200+	100

Which is the right VPN for school for you?

Consider our expert recommendations to help you find your best VPN for school that fits your budget and needs.

Choose this best VPN for school…	If you want…
NordVPN	A fast, budget-friendly VPN for school
CyberGhost	An excellent VPN for international studying
ExpressVPN	The highest security no matter what
ProtonVPN	A free VPN service with limited capabilities
Surfshark	The best budget-friendly VPN service

How did we choose these VPNs for school?

When choosing the best VPNs for school, we kept several factors in mind that may also help you choose:

Bandwidth: Look for a VPN service that does not limit your data or bandwidth while you work.
Security: Search for industry-leading security features, like 256-bit encryption and protection against leaks.
Price: Consider the cost of each VPN for school and look for a service that fits within your budget.

Do the best VPNs for school keep my information private?

The best VPNs for school will conceal all of your browsing and internet activity, even preventing school administrators from tracking your exact activity.

Do the best VPNs for school protect my VPN from my internet provider?

The best VPNs for school are largely hidden from your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Your ISP will know that you are using a remote server but will not be able to see your exact activity.

How much do the best VPNs for school cost?

The best VPNs for school range in price from about $2.00 per month to more than $8.00 per month, depending on the VPN service you choose. Some services like ProtonVPN offer a free plan, as well.