From shared dorms to common study areas, colleges require you to forgo personal privacy in many situations. Your browsing habits shouldn’t be one of them. A VPN can ensure your school’s ISP can’t see what you’re doing online, though it won’t stop a nosey roommate from peering over your shoulder. That security doesn’t have to be expensive, either. I’ve cataloged a list of reliable VPNs that don’t break the bank. In fact, every option listed is available for under $10 per month. Many on this list offer sizable student discounts, too. For a quick pick, Proton VPN is still the overall top choice and our Editors’ Choice. It offers an excellent free plan, a feature-rich client, and a useful suite of additional security tools.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
- Best free VPN subscription yet
- Numerous advanced privacy tools
- Strong customer privacy stance
- Large server network
- Slick, accessible client
- Excellent upload speed scores
Proton VPN doesn’t place any data limit on free subscribers, making it by far the most usable free VPN we have tested. Proton is also one of the very few VPN services to provide multi-hop connections, split tunneling, and access to Tor via VPN. It has everything you’d want in a VPN and, on a feature-by-feature basis, costs less than the competition for a paid subscription plan.
Proton VPN is a great choice for any student who needs a free VPN. The company also provides all users access to several other privacy-focused products, such as Proton Mail and Proton Drive, so any college student looking to expand their privacy toolbox should start with Proton VPN.
Simultaneous VPN Connections
10
Server Locations
117 countries
Free Version Data Limit
Unlimited
Learn More
Proton VPN Review
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Excellent privacy policy
- Annual independent audits
- Friendly, approachable design
- No multi-hop connections
- Unimpressive customer support
TunnelBear VPN has been our go-to pick for first-time VPN users for years, thanks to its charming interface and affordable price. Although it lacks some of the competition’s advanced security features, it’s no slouch on privacy. This company has released annual audits of its service and has stayed true to its commitment to transparency. Unlike most VPNs, it places no limit on the number of simultaneous connections, so you’ll be able to easily secure all your devices with a single account.
TunnelBear VPN’s simple and friendly interface makes it a great choice for students who are using a VPN for the first time. Its free subscription is also a powerful incentive, although it limits you to just 2GB of data per month. TunnelBear lets its free subscribers use all of its VPN servers, which gives students looking to spoof their location a lot of flexibility.
Simultaneous VPN Connections
Unlimited
Server Locations
46 Countries
Free Version Data Limit
2GB per month
Learn More
TunnelBear VPN Review
Best for Avoiding a Subscription
Mullvad VPN
- Affordable
- Requires no email or account information
- Radically transparency
- Open Netflix access in all regions tested
- Awkward desktop interface
- No transparency report or warrant canary
- Servers in a small range of countries
VPNs are supposed to improve your online privacy, but Mullvad raises the bar with a radical privacy-first stance intended to protect its customers. It uses an account number system to protect personal information, but goes even further by no longer accepting recurring subscriptions. That way, the company can store as little information about its users as possible. Along with IVPN, it is one of only two VPNs we’ve seen that accept cash payments mailed to their respective HQs.
At a flat rate of just 5 euros per month ($5.84 as of this writing), Mullvad is one of the most affordable VPN services we’ve reviewed, making it a good choice for students on a tight budget. Its lack of recurring subscriptions might seem annoying, but students can be assured that they won’t have to worry about being stuck paying for a service they no longer want.
Simultaneous VPN Connections
5
Server Locations
38 Countries
Free Version Data Limit
No Free Version
Learn More
Mullvad VPN Review
Best Company Transparency
Windscribe VPN
- Industry-leading company transparency and communication
- Large number of payment options
- Best free plan of any VPN we’ve tested
- Helpful AI support bot
- Open Netflix access in all regions benchmarked
- Unlimited number of simultaneous connections and devices
- Anonymous signup allowed
Windscribe represents a sea change for the industry, skewing norms of affiliate marketing and paid brand opportunities in favor of radical transparency around data and personal privacy. We like Windscribe not just for its policies, though, as it also provides a large number of available servers all around the globe and the performance to match—no matter where you’re studying in the world.
If you’re a student who is concerned first and foremost about your personal privacy when using a VPN, Windscribe is hard to beat. Though there are less expensive options available, if you can swing the monthly subscription cost, Windscribe’s overall experience is nearly second to none.
Simultaneous VPN Connections
Unlimited
Server Locations
69 Countries
Free Version Data Limit
10GB Per Month
Learn More
Windscribe VPN Review
Best for Flexible Subscriptions
IVPN
- Flexible, affordable pricing
- Powerful multi-hop system
- Privacy is baked into its account system
- Strong stance on transparency
- Offers few server locations
- Multi-hop and account ID features might confuse some
Like Mullvad VPN, IVPN uses an account number system that offers customers more privacy. The company is also extremely transparent about its operations and has a simple, straightforward app. Along with Mullvad VPN, it is one of only two VPNs we’ve seen that accept cash payments mailed to their respective HQs.
Although IVPN doesn’t offer a free option, subscriptions start at $2 per week. This makes it a great choice for students who need to keep costs down or who only want a VPN for a short time—like if they’re traveling or studying abroad—or aren’t ready to commit to a VPN provider.
Simultaneous VPN Connections
7
Server Locations
32 Countries
Free Version Data Limit
No Free Version
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Tuition Is Expensive, But Your VPN Shouldn’t Be. These Are the Best VPNs for College Students in 2025
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Buying Guide: Tuition Is Expensive, But Your VPN Shouldn’t Be. These Are the Best VPNs for College Students in 2025
Do I Need a VPN at School?
Your home ISP monitors your data, but it is rare for one to interact directly with you about what you’ve searched or how much data you’ve used. That’s not the case if you’re in a dorm using the provided wireless network; your school’s IT department monitors data usage and traffic. When I was at university, my roommate got blocklisted completely over torrenting and had to do all of his work in the library.
A VPN that supports P2P traffic could have helped obfuscate that traffic. However, school networks have other ways of pushing back. Even if the IT professional can’t see exactly what it is you’re doing, they can make some educated guesses based on your data consumption. They can also see that you’re connecting to a remote server. The data you send to the VPN isn’t readable, but the traces of the connection are still there if someone is determined enough to look. In short, a VPN will hide your activity but not your data usage. You may still find yourself in an uncomfortable discussion with your resident advisor about why you’re using a VPN.
HTTPS has improved the security of websites, and Wi-Fi networks are, generally speaking, more secure than in years past. However, there is still a risk when connecting to random public networks, which the average college campus has a nearly endless supply of. Everyone is hotspotting their devices or using portable connectivity options to enable study and work on the go. It can be easy to connect to the wrong network, particularly if it is a public one with no password. If you study remotely or travel while doing online courses, this can be especially true.
Aside from studies, a VPN can grant you access to your favorite shows with popular streaming services like Netflix. Unfortunately, some mainstream streaming services block VPNs, too. If you want to learn more about how to unblock Netflix, we cover the subject in greater detail here.
What Doesn’t a VPN Do?
I already mentioned that a VPN can’t stop all data monitoring from your school’s IT department, but there are a few other common misconceptions to keep in mind. For one, you’re still susceptible to malware, ads, trackers, and cookies. Some options, like Windscribe and IVPN, have built-in blockers. Higher-priced services such as Surfshark and NordVPN come bundled with antivirus software, but you’ll be paying well above $10 per month if you go with either. While security suites are quickly improving, these options still aren’t as good as standalone ad blockers and antivirus software. If you just got a new laptop to take to school or to use at home, you should protect that investment from malware.
A VPN also can’t adequately protect you against phishing attacks, which occur when an attacker uses a convincing email or specially built website to trick you into entering your personal information. Many of these emails get sent out en masse to student addresses, promising jobs and scholarship opportunities. Browsers are pretty good at catching phishing sites (antivirus software is usually the best). However, the best defense is vigilance. Verify the email address of the sender and be sure a link is legitimate before you click on it.
Lastly, you should use a password manager to create unique and complex passwords for each site and service you use. Where possible, switch on multi-factor authentication (MFA or 2FA), too. These two tools will make it much harder for someone to take over your accounts.
What Is Two-Factor Authentication?
How We Pick the Best VPNs for Schools
Colleges pile on enough expenses as it is. For this guide, we picked VPNs that offer a good balance of features and affordability. We also gave extra attention to options with good free plans and checked to see if there were any worthwhile student discounts available. Most student deals I found weren’t offered directly. You have to go through discount hubs like UNiDAYS or Student Beans, but the offers found here are legitimate and available as long as you can register with your student email.
Regardless of which VPN you purchase, I recommend you try before you buy. Trial it for a month before locking in an affordable annual subscription. Most options on this list have generous money-back guarantees, so you can get a refund if the service isn’t the right fit for you. Check and make sure it performs well in your area, works with your online class system, and gives you access to your favorite streaming service.
If you pick a free plan, keep in mind that most have limitations. Some restrict the amount of data you can use, while others limit server access to a handful of locations. Proton VPN offers one of the best free tiers on the market with no data limit, though you will only have access to servers in five randomly selected countries.
Do I Need a VPN If I Attend Classes Remotely?
There are still plenty of entities looking to get their hands on your data, even if you’re not being monitored directly by your school’s network. Your ISP has a vested interest in collecting and selling your anonymized data. Advertisers work to build a fingerprint of your activity so that they too can profit from your data, whether that be from direct purchases or from selling your browsing data to other interested parties. Using a VPN can help keep advertisers and your ISP from tracking you across the web, no matter where you connect from.
Recommended by Our Editors
The main caveat is that your school’s remote learning software may not be compatible with a VPN. It will take some trial and error to ensure you get a service that plays well with your university’s systems. This will likely be true if you have to connect to any form of locked-down browser for a monitored test. I wouldn’t recommend connecting to a VPN during such critical moments, especially since you’d be putting your grade at risk if using external programs is a no-go.
For general studies and online class access, there are a few features to keep in mind when picking a service. A fast VPN is a good choice if you’re frequently attending live video lectures or performing presentations. You’ll want all of the bandwidth you can get for a stable internet connection, though your base speeds will also be a big factor in network stability. It’s also worth considering a VPN with split-tunneling if you want to guarantee a reliable connection during data-intensive tasks like the ones mentioned above. Split tunneling lets you route some apps to your base internet connection while making sure the important stuff stays encrypted by your VPN.
Can Schools Block VPNs?
They can. Whether or not they will enforce a ban depends on your school’s network policies. Protecting your privacy is important, but you may find that your school doesn’t share that same view. Ultimately, you may have to make concessions if it means avoiding getting into hot water due to violating your university’s rules. Your college might have a blanket ban on VPN use since one could potentially prevent it from enforcing other rules related to torrenting or academic dishonesty.
Facing a block can be frustrating. There are a few steps you can take to try and get around the block. However, be mindful of the consequences. You don’t want to get accused of cheating or bypassing a locked-down system.
The easiest step you can take is to switch servers and try the different protocols available. Your school may block VPNs by IP address, in which case a server swap may do the trick. Purchasing a static IP address from your preferred service can make your traffic appear more like residential traffic, which could potentially get around a block. It’s not a guaranteed tactic, though. Some VPNs have built-in obfuscated servers that are better at getting through blocks. These servers, generally, are significantly slower, so keep that in mind when connecting.
