6 Best Free VPN for School in 2024

Schools that offer public Wi-Fi networks most often do so in a restricted manner. To protect everyone's safety and security, school Wi-Fi networks employ firewalls that block certain types of content, such as Roblox, Netflix, Instagram, Spotify, YouTube, etc. Also, school admins can see everything you do online by collecting your usage activity, including your Web browsing history.

A free VPN can be a solution for unblocking the Web at school and preserving your privacy. That said, keep in mind that most free VPNs are heavily limited. They impose bandwidth limitations and are most often painfully slow. As such, you can use them for a limited time only. That's why you should consider free VPN trials of premium VPNs, giving you access to features found only in the best VPNs for school.

In this guide, we'll talk about the best free VPN for school, as well as free VPN trials that work on your computer, phone, Chromebook, and more. We'll show you how to get one, how to pick the best VPN, explain what to expect from free VPNs, how to bypass school Wi-Fi restrictions, as well as how to resolve technical issues.

Free VPNs for School - Our Shortlist

1. NordVPN - Our #1-Rated Best VPN Free Trial for School Wi-Fi
2. Surfshark - Free VPN Trial for School with Tons of Servers
3. ExpressVPN - Free VPN Trial with High-End Privacy Features
4. Proton VPN - Best Free VPN for School with Unlimited Bandwidth
5. Windscribe - Free VPN with Fast Speeds & Limited Data
6. Atlas VPN - Free VPN for Unblocking Content on Occasion

How to Get a Free VPN Trial for School Wi-Fi

To get a free VPN trial for school Wi-Fi, you first need to subscribe to one. Then, download its app to your device, connect to a server, and you'll be ready to go. Follow these steps:

1. Get a free trial VPN that works at school (we recommend NordVPN's 30-day risk-free trial).
2. Download the VPN app and install it on your device(s).
3. Launch the VPN and use your account info to log in.
4. Connect to a VPN server of your choice.
5. That's it! You can now browse the Internet without restrictions.

We recommend NordVPN's trial instead of a free VPN, as you'll get unlimited bandwidth, tons of servers, and the ability to unblock any app or site. On top of that, NordVPN brings ultra-fast speeds unmatched by any free VPN service.

Best Free VPNs That Work at School

To find the best free VPN for school Wi-Fi, you need to follow certain criteria. That said, your chosen VPN must have the ability to unblock restricted content at school, such as social media apps, games, etc. Then, you'll need unlimited bandwidth or a generous data allowance at least. Next, there should be native apps for the devices you use at school to connect to the Internet.

Try to find a VPN with as many servers as possible in as many locations as possible. Don't forget about security, meaning that your VPN must offer reliable VPN protocols, strong encryption, and a no-logs policy. We also highly recommend using a kill switch, which will keep you protected and hidden from admins even if your VPN connection drops.

We'll also mention fast speeds and smooth performance, as no one likes a slow Web connection. You'll also want a sufficient number of simultaneous connections. We'll finish the list of our criteria with generous money-back guarantees if you decide to become a paying subscriber. And make sure there's 24/7 live chat support so that you can solve any issue in no time.

Based on the requirements set above, here are the 6 best free VPNs for school:

1. NordVPN - Our #1-Rated Best Free Trial VPN for School Wi-Fi

NordVPN is the best free VPN trial that works at school, bringing a long list of features that enhance your Web browsing experience. You can activate this trial on Android and then use it on any device for up to 7 days. During that time, you get unlimited bandwidth and absolutely no restrictions. More importantly, you'll be able to unblock practically any website or app.

This VPN also works on any device. It offers native software for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chromebooks, and more. To unblock school Wi-Fi with NordVPN, you can use any of its 6,000+ servers in 61 countries. Most of those are standard servers, but there are also specialized ones that help you increase your privacy, download torrents, and more.

NordVPN is powered by ultra-secure protocols like OpenVPN and NordLynx, paired with high-end encryption (AES-256/ChaCha20). There's also a kill switch and a no-logs policy. In fact, NordVPN has been audited multiple times in the past, so you can rest assured that your sensitive data will never be stored on any NordVPN server.

Another benefit of using NordVPN on your school computer is that you get ultra-fast performance. Based on our tests, it's among the fastest VPNs right now, with ultra-fast speeds across nearby and remote servers. We'll also mention that NordVPN supports 6 simultaneous connections, offers a 30-day money-back policy if you become a paying customer, and there's 24/7 live chat support as well.

2. Surfshark - Free VPN Trial for School with Tons of Servers

Surfshark is another highly capable free trial VPN for schools, coming as a great option if you want to share your subscription with others. You can activate this trial on Android, iOS, and macOS, and it lasts for 7 days. Being a trial of a premium VPN, you won't find bandwidth limitations here. What you'll find is the ability to unblock any app, social media network, game, and more.

Surfshark offers native apps for your computer, phone, tablet, and more. Through those apps, you can connect to 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries. That said, this VPN has an incredibly wide reach, which works amazingly well when it comes to unblocking online content, streaming, and gaming.

In terms of security, Surfshark certainly doesn't disappoint. It offers protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard paired with AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption ciphers. There's also a kill switch that prevents leaks and an audited no-logs policy. Surfshark is among the most private VPNs you can find, as proven by its numerous past audits.

This VPN also performs more than well. It can take a while to connect, but you'll always end up with a speedy connection. You'll also get an unlimited number of simultaneous connections, and there's also a 30-day money-back policy should you decide to subscribe. Without any surprise, Surfshark also brings 24/7 live chat support, with many other support channels as well.

3. ExpressVPN - Free Trial VPN with High-End Privacy Features

ExpressVPN is another capable contender when it comes to a free VPN trial that works at school. You can activate this trial on Android and iOS, which gives you 7 days of unrestricted use. In other words, you get unlimited bandwidth and performance, using which you can bypass school Wi-Fi blocks and gain access to any website, app, or game.

To get everything ExpressVPN offers, you'll need to install its apps, which are available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebooks, Android, iOS, and more. To unblock online content, just pick any of its 3,000+ servers in 100+ countries. All those are all-in-one servers, with obfuscation included, which is why ExpressVPN works so well for bypassing firewalls and geo-blocks.

This VPN comes with OpenVPN and Lightway, more than capable of protecting your sensitive data. Those protocols are paired with AES-256 encryption, and there's also a kill switch to ensure your original IP doesn't surface on the Web. In terms of privacy, there's nothing to be worried about, as ExpressVPN comes with an audited no-logs policy.

You should also know that ExpressVPN comes with speedy connections, even if you connect to remote servers. This VPN also gives you 8 simultaneous connections, and there's also a 30-day money-back policy for those who decide to subscribe. Lastly, 24/7 live chat support is part of its offer, with helpful agents awaiting your questions round the clock.

4. Proton VPN - Best Free VPN for School with Unlimited Bandwidth

ProtonVPN is the best free VPN for school if you wish to avoid data allowances. In other words, this VPN imposes no bandwidth limitations, so you can leave it on practically all the time. On top of that, it works well for unblocking websites and apps, even though it's not the strongest option out there. Nonetheless, you'll get to unblock social media apps, games, and some streaming sites.

We have more good news - Proton VPN works on computers, phones, and tablets, so you'll get to install it on your school Chromebook or some other device with no issues. However, the free version of Proton VPN will give you access to a handful of servers in 5 countries: the US, the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, and Poland.

This VPN also delivers in terms of privacy and security, as it's powered by many protocols, led by OpenVPN and WireGuard, paired with AES-256 and ChaCha20. Proton VPN also has a powerful kill switch, and it brings a recently audited no-logs policy. On the other hand, it's far from being the fastest option, as its free servers are typically overcrowded.

Another limitation is that you'll get to connect only one device at a time, so there are no simultaneous connections available. You should also know that 24/7 live chat support is not on offer, but you can ask for help via email or by creating a customer support ticket. Finally, know that you can count on Proton VPN's 30-day money-back policy if you decide to become a paying user.

5. Windscribe - Free VPN with Fast Speeds & Limited Data

Windscribe is a speedy free VPN that gives you access to more blocked sites and apps than most other free VPNs. Still, it also has some pretty serious limitations. For example, you get 2GB of data per month when you first sign up, and you can increase that to 10GB/month if you supply your email address. You can also publish a post on X (Twitter) to get 5GB more per month.

Windscribe works on all major platforms (including browsers via extension), and that includes Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS, Android, iOS, and more. In terms of its server network, you get dozens of servers in 11 countries: the US, Canada, the UK, Hong Kong, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, Romania, and Turkey.

When it comes to privacy and security, Windscribe offers numerous protocols, among which are OpenVPN and WireGuard. It also uses encryption ciphers like AES-256 and ChaCha20. Windscribe features its own spin on a kill switch, employing a firewall to prevent data leaks. A no-logs policy is there as well, and even its apps have been open-sourced not too long ago.

Windscribe offers medium-fast speeds, depending on the occupancy of your chosen VPN server. It also offers unlimited simultaneous connections. That said, its money-back policy is somewhat questionable, as you have only 3 days to ask for your money back (and you shouldn't spend more than 10GB of data). Also, 24/7 live chat is there, but it's powered by a bot.

6. Atlas VPN - Free VPN for Unblocking Content on Occasion

Atlas VPN is a free VPN that lets you bypass school Wi-Fi blocks and gain access to many apps and sites, including social media apps and games. However, it does have a pretty strict limitation, as it comes with 5GB of data per month. There's no way to increase that limit unless you decide to pay for its premium tier.

On the plus side, Atlas VPN works on practically any device. You can install and run it on your computer, phone, tablet, and plenty more. To unblock your school Wi-Fi, just use any of its apps to connect to Atlas VPN servers in the Netherlands, Singapore, and the US. More precisely, you'll gain access to dozens of servers in 3 countries and 4 locations in total.

Atlas VPN doesn't use OpenVPN, but it uses WireGuard and IKEv2/IPsec instead. Nonetheless, your sensitive information will be safe as it uses high-end encryption. You can also count on its no-logs policy, and there's even a kill switch that prevents data leaks.

We'll also note that Atlas VPN is a medium-fast VPN, but its performance can fluctuate based on the occupancy of its servers. You do get unlimited simultaneous connections, though. There's also a 30-day money-back policy for those who decide to subscribe. Sadly, there's no 24/7 live chat support, as that feature is reserved for paying customers only.

Free VPNs for School - Compared

Why Might Free School VPNs Be Risky?

A free VPN for school can be quite risky, as it doesn't provide proper security measures. Also, some free VPNs can be outright malicious, keeping track of what you do online. Here's more info:

• Free VPNs Can't Keep You Safe on the Web: More often than not, free VPNs use less secure VPN protocols to speed up their performance. As a result, their encryption can be quite weak, which means they can keep you safe and protected when using your school Wi-Fi.
• Free VPNs Can Leak Your Sensitive Information: Even with a VPN session active on your school computer, a free VPN is more likely to leak your data. If your original IP address leaks even for a second, your online activities will stop, and your school admins will see what you're doing.
• Free VPNs Track What You Do Online: As a way to generate revenue, most free VPNs use aggressive trackers to record your sensitive information. In other words, free VPNs do the opposite of what a VPN should do, as they record and log your Web browsing history.
• Free VPNs Can Be Easily Breached: You'll have a hard time finding a free VPN with proper measures in place to protect its infrastructure. If a hacker gets to your VPN, which often happens in the world of free VPNs, they could steal your credentials, browsing history, and more.
• Free VPNs Sell Your Sensitive Information: You might wonder what happens to the information that free VPNs collect about you. Well, they need to earn more, so that information is most often sold to advertising agencies, who are willing to pay a lot for such data.
• Free VPNs Use Aggressive Ads: Another way for free VPNs to generate revenue is to inject ads, which can put your school Chromebook or any other device in danger. They do that by injecting code into your Web browsing, allowing them to serve custom ads with ease.
• Free VPNs Are Prone to Malware: In the past, we've seen free VPNs propagate malware across millions of devices by bundling malicious code. In fact, a free VPN is one of the most effective ways to spread malware, so be wary of what you download from the Web.
• Free VPNs Have Outdated Software: Lastly, free VPNs issue updates quite rarely, which means they can't stop on top of the latest threats. As a result, they offer outdated software that can cause technical issues with your device and your Web connection.

How to Choose the Best Free VPN for School?

To choose the best free VPN for school, you need to find one that unblocks restricted content, offers a generous data allowance, and brings plenty of servers. Here's what you need to keep in mind:

• Ability to Unblock Restricted Content at School: Your chosen free VPN must allow you to bypass your school Wi-Fi restrictions. You should be able to use any app or access any website without having to tinker with your VPN's settings or making extra adjustments to your connection.
• Data Allowance: Keep in mind that most free VPNs come with limited bandwidth that resets daily or monthly. In practice, that means you'll use a free VPN for a limited time only, so you'll likely have to cycle between several VPNs each month.
• Server Network Size and Distribution: To unblock content on your school computer, your VPN must offer servers in regions where you can access that content. Most free VPNs offer servers in the US, but make sure to double-check if you need non-US locations as well.
• Performance and Speed: Any VPN will slow you down, but free VPNs are primarily known for their slow speed and throttling. Even the best free VPN will make your connection noticeably slower, so make sure to pick one with a reputation for not slowing you on purpose, at least.
• Security and Privacy: There's no reason to sacrifice your privacy and safety, even while using a free VPN. You'll want one powered by protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard, which should be paired with AES-256 and ChaCha20.
• Supported Devices: You'll want native apps across the board, regardless of whether you use a school Chromebook or a Windows PC. Your VPN must offer native software for computers, phones, and tablets, which helps you avoid configuring your VPN manually.
• Kill Switch: A kill switch will ensure that no leaks happen. More precisely, a kill switch will disable your Internet connectivity if your VPN connection drops for whatever reason. That's how your original IP won't leak, and you'll resume your activities once you connect again.
• Simultaneous Connections: Think about how many devices your VPN will need to cover at once, and then find one that can meet that requirement. Also, you can share a VPN subscription with more people, so in that case, it's best to find one with unlimited simultaneous connections.
• Money-Back Guarantees: You might decide to become a paying customer at some point, which is where money-back guarantees kick in. By picking a VPN with a generous money-back policy, you'll have up to 30 days to ask for a refund, with no questions asked.
• Customer Support: If something goes wrong, you'll be happy to have access to 24/7 live chat support. You might also want detailed installation guides, email support, as well as access to customer support tickets.

What Are the Limitations of Free School VPNs?

The biggest limitations of free school VPNs are that they can't unblock everything, and they also bring relatively slow speeds. They also come with limited features. Here's what you need to know:

• Can't Unblock Everything: Free VPNs typically come with a limited ability to bypass geo-blocks, which means you won't be able to bypass everything that your school Wi-Fi blocks.
• Limited Bandwidth: Most free VPNs come with data allowances, so you can use them for a limited time only. Free VPNs with unlimited bandwidth are typically very slow.
• Restricted Server Networks: While premium VPNs give you access to thousands of servers, free VPNs will limit you to a handful of servers in 5 to 10 countries.
• Data Logging: In general, free VPNs don't come with no-logs policies, which means they can see everything you do online. Most of them will log your Web browsing history.
• No Advanced Security Features: When using your school computer to bypass firewalls, you'll want a kill switch, advanced servers, and split tunneling, which most free VPNs don't offer.
• Few Supported Devices: In terms of supporting devices, free VPNs bring very basic apps at best. Many will ask you to set up connections manually on your school Chromebook.
• Few Simultaneous Connections: While premium VPNs offer a generous number of possible connections, you can usually use a free VPN on a single device.
• Slow Performance: When using a free VPN, expect to encounter heavy throttling. So, streaming YouTube and playing online videos will be impossible.
• Limited Features: When comparing free and premium VPNs, premium ones bring many extra features, such as ad blocking and tools that prevent trackers from working.
• Aggressive Ads and Pop-Ups: Free VPNs can inject ads as you browse the Web, which can ruin your Web browsing experience. They can also serve pop-ups, which can be malicious.
• No 24/7 Customer Support: If you encounter a problem, you won't be able to talk to your free VPN's customer support agents live, so you'll have to contact them via email.

Is It Safe to Use a Free VPN for School?

Yes, it's safe to use a free VPN for school, as long as you stick with trusted providers and set your expectations right. Our recommendations keep no user logs (or minimal, anonymized logs). Moreover, they feature strong encryption to keep hackers and other snoopers at bay.

Of course, we recommend against using a free VPN on your school Chromebook or other computer. Your school may have strict rules against installing third-party apps on their devices (as you borrow them instead of owning them). Just install a free VPN on your personal phone, tablet, or laptop and use it while connected to the school Wi-Fi as usual.

That said, we recommend you read the sections found just above, as going for a free VPN will increase your chances of experiencing a data leak, slow performance, and other issues. So, even though a free VPN can be safe to use on a school computer, it's never the best option. If you want the best, there's no other way than to use one of the top VPN providers, all of which are premium-priced.

Why Do Schools Block Websites and Services?

Schools block websites and digital services to prevent students from accessing distracting content, spreading malware via school Wi-Fi, and accessing copyrighted content. Here are more details:

• Limiting Access to Certain Types of Content: As you can imagine, schools don't allow you to use their network resources to watch explicit content or play games. They want you to use your school Wi-Fi to enhance your education and access useful resources.
• Maintaining Productivity: We all know how addictive social media networks can be, so it's not surprising that schools want to prevent you from scrolling endlessly. Staying away from social media and similar distracting sources will help you maintain your productivity.
• Avoiding Cyberbullying: Sadly, bullying is still widespread among children and older students, and these days, we're also witnessing cyberbullying with grave consequences. By limiting access to certain online resources, schools help with the prevention of cyberbullying.
• Stopping Malware: With limited access to the Web, you're less likely to download malware, which can then easily propagate through your school Wi-Fi infrastructure. By filtering websites, your school is trying to avoid malware and ransomware.
• Conserving Data Bandwidth: Your school Wi-Fi isn't a typical commercial Web connection, so it's understandable that your school admins want to conserve as much bandwidth as possible. That's one of the reasons why you can't stream video on school Wi-Fi, for example.
• Complying with Digital Safety Laws: Many countries have laws that dictate what's allowed on school Wi-Fi networks, which means that your school is forced to implement those rules.
• Preventing Distractions: YouTube, Netflix, Roblox, Instagram, and similar apps, games, and services are a major distraction for students, which is why they're most often blocked.
• Preventing Copyright Infringement: Preventing access to torrent sites and torrent clients is done to prevent copyright infringement, which could cause legal issues for your school.
• Preserving Network Integrity: To avoid straining its infrastructure, your school imposes online blocks to prevent bandwidth-intensive activities.

Final Thoughts

A free VPN for school might look like a good idea at first. However, the truth is that a free VPN won't let you bypass your school Wi-Fi blocks fully. Also, they will track you online, which beats the purpose of using a VPN, in the first place. That said, if your goal is to bypass Wi-Fi restrictions in your school while ensuring the safety of your data, a free VPN trial is a better option.

We highly NordVPN as the best free VPN trial for school Wi-Fi networks. NordVPN offers an array of tools to protect and preserve your online privacy while allowing you to get around Wi-Fi blocks with ease. It's also incredibly fast, making it suitable for browsing, streaming, gaming, and more.

If you're set on using a free VPN, you can try Proton VPN. Remember that you'll get unlimited bandwidth, but you'll also get restricted speeds and just a handful of servers.

That's all for our guide to the best free VPNs for school Wi-Fi in 2024. If you have anything to add, please do so via the comments section below. Thanks for reading!