5 Best Free VPNs for School Firewalls: Working in 2025

School network restrictions can severely limit access to important educational resources. While free VPNs seem like an easy solution, most are poorly secured and could expose your personal data. Some have even been caught selling users' browsing data to advertisers or embedding malware in their apps.

After testing over 40 VPNs with my team, we found only a few free options that work reliably on school networks. Although these VPNs have limitations like fewer server locations or data restrictions, they all use strong encryption to protect your privacy. They also have user-friendly apps that work on Chromebooks, tablets, and smartphones.

My top recommendation for school is ExpressVPN. It has automatic obfuscation that conceals VPN traffic from school firewalls and fast speeds for smooth browsing. Even though not completely free, ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee*, so you can try it risk-free. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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Best Free VPNs for School — Full Analysis (Updated 2025)

1. ExpressVPN — Automatic Obfuscation to Easily Conceal VPN Use at School

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Tested June 2025

Available on:

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www.expressvpn.com

Your VPN use flies under the radar with ExpressVPN, thanks to built-in obfuscation. This allows it to work even on networks that block VPN traffic, like those at school libraries. Unlike other VPNs on this list, there’s no need to tweak any settings — obfuscation kicks in on its own as long as you’re using the default ‘Automatic’ protocol. And if you wish to direct only specific traffic through the VPN, its split tunneling feature lets you do that.

Short protocol descriptions help when you’re unsure which to choose

Speeds are ideal from smooth online learning, collaboration, and more. That’s mostly thanks to its Lightway protocol — built with less code to boost speed without cutting back on security. It’s light on battery too, so whether you’re using a phone, tablet, or laptop, you can stay connected longer. In our tests, ExpressVPN delivered the fastest speeds — we clocked 175Mbps on nearby servers. 4K streams require 25Mbps, so it’s possible to watch educational content in the best quality.

I found its similar-looking apps for all devices easy to use. Plus, the interface is straightforward — you can connect to a server with just one click, and all the security features are enabled by default. Simply download the app from ExpressVPN website or relevant store (Google Play or Apple). I installed it on my macOS and Chromebook (which a lot of students use) in under 2 minutes.

While it's not free, ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee that lets you try all its features risk-free. It also offers students a 14-day free trial, and if you decide to make a longer purchase afterward, you’ll get some extra bonus months too.

Useful Features

• Threat Manager. It blocks your device from connecting to servers known for tracking your activity or spreading harmful software. You can also enable options to block ads and trackers, and even activate parental controls to stop adult content from loading to maintain a safer and more focused online environment.
• Browser extensions. Lightweight addons for Chrome and Firefox let you quickly change servers or toggle the VPN without leaving your browser.
• RAM-Only Servers (TrustedServer Technology). These servers operate on volatile memory rather than physical storage, meaning your browsing history is completely erased with each reboot.
• Robust security. Uses the high-level encryption (AES 256-bit) and the industry-standard OpenVPN protocol to keep your data safe online. Perfect Forward Secrecy also regularly assigns new encryption keys to secure your sessions. IP/DNS/WebRTC leak protection and an automatic kill switch (Network Lock) further prevent accidental exposure of your real IP.

2. Proton VPN — Unlimited Data To Browse Non-Stop on School Networks

Available on:

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protonvpn.com

Proton VPN's free plan gives you unlimited data, so you won't face any artificial limits while researching online or streaming educational videos. Even better — the apps are completely ad-free, unlike most free VPNs. Speeds held up well too; we hit 126Mbps on nearby servers. We tested every free Proton VPN location and had no trouble watching hours of YouTube course content, with zero slowdowns or data limits.

The Stealth protocol disguises your VPN traffic as regular HTTPS traffic, so it’s less likely to get flagged or blocked by school firewalls. For even better results, turn on Alternative Routing. It securely reroutes your connection through trusted third-party services like AWS that are rarely blocked. Once enabled, it activates automatically when a block is detected.

Proton VPN recommends keeping this setting on, even on unrestricted networks

Its free version includes servers in 6 countries, including the US, the Netherlands, and Japan. While you can't manually select locations, there’s a workaround for it. When we clicked the Change server button, we were often connected to a completely different location, so if you keep changing it, you might eventually connect to a server of your choice.

Unfortunately, its free servers aren’t ideal for a competitive match or two during lunch breaks or downtime on campus, as they aren’t built for high-bandwidth activities like gaming. However, they’re very secure. Your school traffic stays private with Proton VPN's security features. It uses AES-256 encryption and keeps no logs of your browsing activity — a claim validated by independent audits.

Useful Features

• Open-source apps. Proton VPN builds trust by sharing its code openly, so you can peek under the hood and check out its top-notch security for yourself.
• Always-on VPN. This feature protects your privacy by prompting your device to reconnect to the VPN if the connection drops, helping to keep your online activity private. It’s always active on iOS, but on Android, it needs to be turned on manually.
• Good streaming support. Although not as reliable as ExpressVPN, the free plan worked smoothly with Netflix US, Disney+, and Crunchyroll. It’s ideal for watching some favorite shows or movies during breaks at school.
• No payment details needed to get started. You only need an email to create an account, and you can even use a brand-new one to create an anonymous, free account.

3. Avira Phantom VPN — Many Free Servers on Mobile To Browse Safely at School

Available on:

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www.avira.com

Avira Phantom VPN’s large server network on mobile gives you plenty of options to stay connected from campus. Its large network includes many servers across Europe and the US, along with a few in Australia and Asia. On desktop, you’re limited to the Nearest Location option, but the mobile apps let you pick a server manually — helpful for finding a fast, stable connection during study breaks or even late-night sessions.

The server list includes some less common locations like Hong Kong or Iceland

While slower than ExpressVPN and Proton VPN, it still delivers speeds ideal for basic browsing. During testing, Avira Phantom VPN maintained stable connections, though speeds on nearby servers dropped significantly to 65 Mbps. This was still fast enough to load most websites and social media platforms without long waits, but not quite enough for intensive online activities like streaming or gaming.

The free version limits you to 500MB of data per month, which can be exhausted quickly with regular browsing. However, you can increase your monthly data allowance to 1GB by registering with an email address. I used Avira's free plan for around 20 hours of general web browsing before reaching the monthly limit.

Useful Features

• No sign-up required. Browse privately at school without the need to create an account or log in. I really appreciate this approach, as it helps me keep my data footprint as small as possible.
• AES 256-bit encryption. Military-grade encryption makes sure your online privacy is protected at all times while browsing the Internet at school.

4. hide.me — Advanced Security Features To Protect You Against School Firewalls

Available on:

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www.hide.me

State-of-the-art security technologies keep you safe when connected to the school network. It includes AES 256-bit encryption and tunneling protocols like OpenVPN, SoftEther, and IKEv2 — far more than most free VPNs offer. We tested hide.me using ipleak.net and didn’t detect any DNS or IP leaks. Plus, it uses a proven zero-logs policy and is based in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction, Malaysia, so your activity stays private on campus WiFi.

To do this, go to Settings > VPN Protocol > Advanced

hide.me’s apps are user-friendly and offer helpful explanations for most features, making them easy to navigate. While the free tier supports just one device, if you’re only using the VPN on your school laptop or tablet, that should be sufficient.

It also doesn’t limit data, which makes it ideal for streaming lectures, researching, and staying connected throughout the school day. Speeds can dip on faraway servers, but nearby ones perform well. We averaged 138Mbps on a US server close to us and streamed 4K YouTube videos without buffering.

Useful Features

• No registration is required. Similar to Avira Phantom VPN, you can simply download the app and connect to a server without sharing any personal information.
• 24/7 support.me offers round-the-clock live chat to free users, a feature most competitors keep behind a paywall.

5. Hotspot Shield — Intuitive Apps to Easily Secure Your Connection on School WiFi

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

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Try Hotspot Shield >

www.hotspotshield.com

Hotspot Shield’s clean, simple interface makes connecting to any of its free servers straightforward. Settings are also exactly where you'd expect, so turning on handy features like Auto Protect, Launch on Start, and split tunneling is quick and easy. In our tests, we had no trouble connecting to any of its servers.

It lists all free servers clearly, so picking a nearby one for the fastest speed is easy

The free plan packs nearly all the same security features as the paid options. Beyond Hydra, you can switch to the fast and reliable WireGuard, which gave us the best speeds — 155.66Mbps on a nearby US server. We put Hotspot Shield’s kill switch to the test, and it kept us from going online unprotected.

Unfortunately, free users don’t get access to live chat support, and the app does push quite a few ads. Still, it’s great to see that the monthly data cap is gone — which makes it much more practical for schoolwork and everyday use.

Useful Features

• Speed testing tool. This feature allows you to evaluate server performance before connecting, helping you avoid multiple reconnections while trying to find the fastest or most reliable connection.

Quick Comparison Table: Free School VPN Features

I've created this comparison table to help you evaluate the key features of each free VPN for school use. The table highlights important aspects like speeds, data limits, and server availability that can impact your experience when using these VPNs on school networks.

Our Methodology for Testing Free VPNs for School

We focused our testing on security and privacy capabilities when evaluating free VPNs for school networks. First, we verified each VPN's ability to protect your data with encryption and leak prevention. Security was equally important — we checked every VPN's encryption levels and ran extensive leak tests to evaluate their ability to keep you safe on school networks.

Expert Tip: Most Free VPNs for Schools Aren't Safe

The purpose of the VPN is to encrypt your data, and keep your online activity private. However, some free VPNs can put your privacy at risk when using school networks. Many collect and share student data, or have serious security flaws. While the free VPNs I've listed above have proven safe in our testing, most others should be avoided.

Here are the key risks of using untested free VPNs at school:

• They may collect and sell your data. Many free VPNs make money by recording your browsing history, messages, and personal information to sell to advertisers. For example, UFO VPN exposed millions of user logs despite claiming not to keep any records.
• Free VPNs can leak your info. While some free VPNs are safe, others — like Cross VPN — have been found leaking users' real IP addresses and DNS requests. This means your school's network administrator could still see everything you do online.
• Some contain malware and viruses. Research has found that apps like SuperVPN and TurboVPN contain malicious code that could infect your devices. Free VPNs from unknown developers are especially risky.
• Many come from questionable sources. VPNs like Turbo VPN, Hot VPN, and Snap VPN are all owned by Chinese companies with concerning privacy practices, which is particularly risky when using school networks.

The free VPNs I've recommended above are different because they operate on a "freemium" business model, offering both free and paid plans. This means they can maintain high security standards and protect user privacy without resorting to shady practices. Each one implements strong encryption and maintains a strict no-logs policy.

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

FAQs on Free VPNs for School

Can school networks block VPNs?

Yes, many school networks can detect and block VPN traffic. Schools use advanced firewalls and deep packet inspection to identify VPN connections. However, good VPNs with modern obfuscation make it easier to maintain stable connections on restrictive networks like those in schools.

Which free VPN works best on Chromebook, iPhone, and macOS?

ProtonVPN offers the most reliable free service across Chromebook, iPhone, and macOS devices. It has easy-to-use apps for all these devices and includes features that help it work smoothly at school — compared to other free VPNs on my list.

For better performance and more features, paid VPNs are often a more reliable choice. Many premium services offer free trials, so you can test them before committing.

What happens if my school detects VPN usage?

Schools typically respond to VPN detection by blocking the connection and may track repeat attempts. Some institutions have policies that could result in disciplinary action if you repeatedly try to bypass network restrictions. To stay safe, only use VPNs on your personal devices and stick to legitimate academic activities. Choose VPNs with robust obfuscation to minimize detection risk.

Which free VPNs work with school firewalls?

ProtonVPN and hide.me, and Hotspot Shield consistently work with school firewalls thanks to their advanced obfuscation capabilities. These services help mask VPN traffic from detection systems. However, their free plans have limited servers and may be slow during peak hours.

Remember that school network administrators regularly update their blocking methods, so a VPN that works today might not work tomorrow. You can also take a look at our detailed guide on how to unblock websites at school.

What can I do if the VPN doesn't work?

Start by switching to a different VPN protocol or server location — it only takes a few simple steps when using a reliable VPN. If that doesn’t fix the issue, try clearing your browser cache and cookies. For persistent issues, our detailed guide covers easy fixes to common VPN connection problems.

Get the Best Free VPN for School

Most free VPNs can't maintain steady access to the internet at schools. Some could even compromise your online privacy by collecting your data or installing malware. While I found a few trustworthy options, they all have come with some limitations, like no streaming support, data caps, and limited server networks.

ExpressVPN is my top choice for school networks because its obfuscation features work automatically to hide VPN traffic. Plus, its fast speeds let you stream educational content without buffering. While it isn't free, you get military-grade security and reliable access to school resources. Plus, you can try it risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.