You need a virtual private network (VPN) that is well-tested to overcome network restrictions and hide your identity. The best VPNs will protect your privacy, whether you are using an Android device, Windows device, iPhone device or MacOS device. They do this by creating a secure encrypted tunnel between the device you’re on and the site you want to access. This tunnel stops your internet provider from knowing which websites you visit, and it often does the same thing for school network administrators.
Not all VPNs have the same features. Not all VPNs serve the same purpose. Some VPNs serve critical privacy needs better, such as researching private health issues on socially conservative campus. Some VPNs are designed for streaming international media. Others are more focused on gaming and torrenting. Your safety is important because the stakes are high. Before you choose the VPN that is best for you, consider your privacy level. Are you a serious VPN user, or a casual VPN user.
You should also be aware that the privacy protections VPNs offer to MacOS users and iOS users may have some limitations. Independent research suggests that Apple may still receive browsing and internet data from iOS users (and certain MacOS users) despite encryption provided by a VPN tunnel. As more information is uncovered, we will update our recommendations.
After you have determined your needs, it is time to consider your budget. We tested the top two VPNs and found that they were fast and less likely to leak. Surfshark is the second option, and it’s one of the cheapest VPNs that we have seen. IPVanish is our third choice, and it may be useful for students in college or high schools who require more customization options.
The best VPNs for school Wi-Fi in 2022 that we have tested.
Read More: Cheapest VPNs for September 2022
ExpressVPN
Fastest, proven privacy
Apps that are simple, quick and effective Number of serversMore than 3,000 in 160 locations in 94 countries 2022 testing:Zero data leaks with less than 2% loss in internet speed
Country/jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands Three months are free when you sign up for a one-year plan. You also get a year of free cloud backup from Backblaze. (limited-time offer)
ExpressVPN was the fastest VPN that we tested in 2022. We lost less than 2% our total internet speed. The apps for iOS or Android have been designed to be simple and easy to use. On the landing page, a single button directs you to quickly connect. The only option is a dropdown server selection with your nearest city already selected.
ExpressVPN also offers a number of other features, including security and privacy options, account settings, and a support page. These are neatly hidden under the three-bar icon at the top left corner of your screen. They’re definitely worth looking into. ExpressVPN includes an IP address checker on board, as well as two leak testers and password generator.
ExpressVPN has increased the number of independent third-party audits, released details about its TrustedServer implementation process, joined the i2Coalition in order to demand improved VPN industry ethics and released an open-source Lightway encryption protocol.
Our top-rated VPNs are compatible with a wide range of platforms and operating system, but ExpressVPN has a collection of detailed FAQs, troubleshooting guides and setup guides that give it an advantage. Its 24/7 customer service and 30-day, no-questions asked money-back guarantee are also impressive.
ExpressVPN, which has been around since 2009 and has 160 locations in 94 different countries, has a network of over 3,000 RAM only servers. ExpressVPN offers its best plan, which includes five simultaneous connections at $100 per year. This deal also includes three additional months for a total of 15 months service. You can choose a plan for $13 per month or $60 for six-months.
Check out our ExpressVPN 2022 Review: High Speeds, Competitive Transparency and More.
Surfshark
The fastest and least expensive
Number of servers 3,200-plus
The number of servers: 65
Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands
Two-year plan for $2.49 per month (82%) plus two free months
Surfshark has a smaller network than others, but it makes up for this with features and speed. In February, Surfshark announced that it would merge with NordVPN. This merger continues the trend of consolidation within the VPN industry. Even though they are now sister companies, the VPNs each run their own networks. Surfshark is typically cheaper.
Start with the most important feature: unlimited device support. Surfshark VPN is a great way to protect your home or office. You don’t need to worry about the number of devices connected or on. As part of the software, it also includes anti-malware and ad blocking.
It’s quick. We lost less than 17% in average internet speed when we tested the speed of our latest servers, which are located in 65 countries. This is faster than the previous 27% speed loss that we experienced in previous tests and puts ExpressVPN ahead in our current speed comparisons.
All of these servers are optimized to torrent. While it isn’t the best VPN for torrenting, (port forwarding has limitations), Surfshark still makes it competitive in peer-to-peer file sharing thanks to its obfuscation.
Surfshark was given high marks for its Chrome and Firefox extensions when they were tested by German security company Cure 53. (PDF link to full report) This audit, though commissioned by Surfshark, was conducted by Cure 53.
The company offers a wide range of apps that run on Mac, Windows and iOS devices, Android phones, Fire TVs, and routers. Surfshark can be configured on additional devices, such as gaming consoles, via DNS settings. The feature where you can whitelist apps and websites so that they bypass the VPN automatically is one of our favorites. This can be crucial for some business applications.
Surfshark offers three additional modes for users who wish to circumvent restrictions and hide their online footprints more effectively. Camouflage Mode hides your VPN activity, so that your ISP won’t be able to tell you are using a VPN. Multihop allows you to jump your connection between multiple countries in order to conceal your trail. NoBorders Mode allows you to use Surfshark even in restricted regions. Be careful. In your country, doing any of these things could lead to severe penalties. We had no problems accessing Netflix during our tests, as we did not see any IP addresses or DNS leaks.
Surfshark offers its two-year plan at a price of $2.30 per month. This plan locks you in for a 26-month initial term at $60. The subscription will then renew annually at the same $60 price. We discourage people to lock in with one VPN provider for longer than a year, given the rapid changes in the VPN industry. If you do not want to commit for 26 months, you can purchase a 12-month subscription for just $4 per month. That’s about $48 in the first year. This plan will also renew at $60 per year for all subsequent years. The $13 monthly plan does not include a discount. Take advantage of the generous 30-day free trial to determine if this is a service you want to continue. If you decide to go with the 2-year plan, you may wish to set a reminder for 23 months later to see if Surfshark will offer you a discount.
IPVanish
Affordable and torrent-friendly, customizable
Number of servers 1,600-plus in 75-plus locations
The number of servers: 75-plus The number of simultaneous connections is: You can also find out more about Country/jurisdiction: US$4 per month (65% off) for the first service year
IPVanish’s fun and configurable interface is a big plus for anyone who wants to learn what a VPN can do. IPVanish offers a variety of controls, including the kill switch, split-tunneling, VPN protocol, and LAN connection allowance.
IPVanish is designed for peer-to-peer use and comes with SOCKS5 proxy.
IPVanish’s newly redesigned Windows and Android apps pack the same comprehensive suite of digital dials and knobs into an impressively clean mobile interface. The multiplatform flexibility of IPVanish is ideal for those looking to find a Netflix friendly VPN.
IPVanish may not be the fastest VPN but the 58% loss of speed we measured during our latest speed tests is comparable to most VPN providers. IPVanish Quick Connect doesn’t always connect to the fastest server. You may have to manually select a server with a lower load using the Locations feature in the client to maximize your speed.
IPVanish charges $11 per month for its monthly service, and then increases to $90 per year for those who choose the yearly plan. This provider offers a 30-day refund guarantee, but it’s only for those who are on a yearly subscription.
The company deserves praise for allowing unlimited simultaneous connection. The connection kill-switch is a great feature for those who are serious about their privacy when surfing.
IPVanish’s newly redesigned Windows and Android apps pack the same extensive set of digital dials and knobs into an impressively clean mobile interface.
The multiplatform compatibility is ideal for those looking to find a Netflix friendly VPN.
The FAQ
What is the best VPN free for schools?
All of them. Free VPNs are not without limitations. VPNs are not among the many excellent security and privacy applications available online. CNET, which is constantly searching for the best freebies, also has a lot of them. Safe and reliable VPNs are expensive to secure and operate because they require a large physical infrastructure. Free VPNs almost always contain malware that spies on your data. VPNs like ProtonVPN offer free service tiers (often with speed limitations) alongside their premium tiers. We also recommend that people who cannot afford a VPN, but still need privacy online, temporarily try out our recommended VPNs and make use of their money-back guarantee and cancellation period.
Good news! The VPN market is booming right now and prices are dropping. Even the best VPNs can be found for less than $15 per month. Some even offer annual deals of around $40. Find a VPN that fits your budget by checking out our list of budget-friendly VPNs.
Do I need a VPN for everything that I do on campus?
You will need a VPN for your device if you want to protect your data from the prying eyes of your school’s network. If you live in a shared apartment or dorm, a VPN will protect your phone, laptop, Xbox, and smart TV. This can often be accomplished by installing the VPN on your router.
You will need a VPN for your device to be able to access streaming services that are unavailable in your country. It could be as easy as setting up a Chrome VPN or an Amazon Fire TV Stick VPN.
It’s a good idea, no matter what your reasons for wanting a VPN are, to make sure you have it ready to use on as many web-connected devices that you can.
Is it legal to use VPNs at school?
In most countries, VPNs are legal. It’s perfectly legal to use a VPN to protect your online privacy.
VPNs can be illegal or banned in some countries. You may be in trouble if you use a VPN while in China, Iran or Oman. Ironically, these are countries that are notorious for internet surveillance and censorship. You’ll want to use a VPN with strong obfuscation in those countries so that your VPN traffic appears as HTTPS traffic. This way, government entities will not even be aware you are using a VPN.
A reminder: VPNs may be legal in many places, but illegal online activity is illegal whether or not you use a VPN.
Consult your school’s manual and any other rules that may apply to the campus internet network. In most countries it is legal to use a VPN, but certain campuses may ban its use. Know your risks and the rules of using a VPN when you are not in control of the network.
