A new school year is here, and whether you're heading back to campus or studying remotely, staying safe online has never been more important. From securing personal data on public Wi-Fi to unblocking streaming services from home, the best VPNs are an essential part of any student's toolkit.
The good news? Plenty of leading providers offer exclusive student discounts through platforms like Student Beans and UniDays, making it easier than ever to get premium features without stretching your budget. We've tested the biggest names in the market and shortlisted the six best options based on speed, security, usability, and value.
Read on for our expert picks, plus exclusive VPN deals that can save up to 80% on some of the most trusted VPNs available today.
Surfshark
If you're a student looking for the best cheap VPN, Surfshark is hard to beat, and with an exclusive 15% student discount via Student Beans, it gets even better.
After verifying your student status, you can stack this discount on top of Surfshark's regular offers, making it one of the most budget-friendly premium VPN options available today.
Low price doesn't mean low quality, though. Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can protect every device you own with a single subscription, making it perfect for students juggling laptops, phones, and tablets. Its performance is equally impressive: in our most recent tests, Surfshark handled 4K streaming on platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ without any buffering.
The apps are clean, intuitive, and work seamlessly across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and smart TVs. Plus, advanced tools like CleanWeb (ad and tracker blocking) and MultiHop servers give students extra privacy when they need it most.
NordVPN
NordVPN is a standout choice for students who want premium protection and a fast, reliable performance. Through Student Beams, you can currently get up to 80% off the 2-year Ultra plan (one of the biggest student discounts available right now). After verifying your student status, you also get 3 extra months free, making this an exceptional deal.
What sets NordVPN apart is its balance of speed, security, and versatility. Its independently audited no-logs policy guarantees your browsing data stays private, and advanced tools like Threat Protection automatically block malicious websites, ads, and trackers.
In recent testing, NordVPN delivered exceptional speeds across local and long-distance servers, making it one of the best streaming VPNs on the block, and capable of keeping up with smooth video calls, torrenting, and online gaming.
NordVPN's apps are polished and intuitive, available on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and browser extensions. For students balancing coursework, entertainment, and online safety, NordVPN offers a complete solution without compromise.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is an excellent choice for students who prioritize simplicity, robust privacy, and streamlined performance (now at a budget-friendly price).
By verifying your status through UniDays or Student Beans, you get:
- 51% off + 4 extra months on the 12-month plan.
- 61% off + 4 extra months on the 24-month plan.
- You'll also enjoy an initial 14-day free trial, plus a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN's strengths shine through its clean, easy-to-use apps across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, routers, and more. In fact, it's our favorite VPN for beginners.
Under the hood, it delivers strong Lightway encryption, post-quantum-ready security, and consistently fast level performance, all supported by a global network of VPN servers spanning over 105 countries.
Notably, ExpressVPN also offers the ability to connect up to 8 devices simultaneously, making it perfect for students managing multiple gadgets.
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is a standout for privacy-minded students who prioritize advanced security tools and top-tier performance, both of which are now available with significant savings.
Thanks to Student Beans, you can capture 75% off the Proton VPN Plus 12-month plan, bringing it down from $119.88 to just $29.88. If you're looking for a broader bundle, the Proton Unlimited plan is also discounted by 62% off its 12-month rate, making comprehensive protection more affordable than ever.
What truly sets Proton VPN apart are its unique privacy features. Secure Core routes your data through hardened servers in Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden to defend against advanced network attacks. The Stealth protocol helps you bypass censorship by disguising VPN traffic, while tools like VPN Accelerator ensure speedy connections and NetShield filters out ads, trackers, and malicious domains.
Proton VPN's apps are clean, intuitive, and open-source, backed by independent audits and fortified by Swiss legal protections. It excels at reliable streaming, with broad server coverage and strong torrenting support, making it both powerful and principled.
PrivadoVPN
PrivadoVPN is a superb option for students looking for a high-quality free VPN, or a very affordable upgrade, especially with the current 82% discount on its 24-month plan + 3 months free via Student Beans.
That makes a long-term premium plan exceptionally budget-friendly. If you prefer to try before committing, the free tier offers a generous 10 GB per month with strong speeds, making it one of the best free VPN options right now.
Despite being new to the VPN space, Privado VPN impresses with fast, reliable streaming performance, routinely unblocking Netflix and Prime Video even on the free plan. It supports essential features like a kill switch, split tunneling (SmartRoute), and a user-friendly interface, all wrapped in Swiss-based privacy laws.
The free tier supports just one device, but premium plans jump up to 10 simultaneous connections, and include unlimited data, a broader 300+ server network, and even ad/malware controls in higher tiers.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost is a solid pick for students seeking excellent value. Currently, you can score a massive 82% off plus 3 months free via UniDays, or an equally generous 84% off through Student Beans, comprising two of the most compelling student VPN deals available today.
CyberGhost is one of our favorite Netflix VPNs, and offers polished, user-friendly apps across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and smart TVs, supporting up to 7 simultaneous devices. The platform also includes a 45-day money-back guarantee, giving plenty of time for students to test it risk-free.
Why do students need a VPN?
Whether you're living on campus, studying abroad, or taking classes remotely, a VPN can make student life safer and more connected. By encrypting your internet traffic, a VPN ensures that your data stays private, protecting sensitive information like logins, payment details, and personal messages from hackers and snoopers. This is especially important when using campus Wi-Fi or public hotspots, which are common targets for cyberattacks.
A VPN also lets you access content from home while travelling or studying overseas, including streaming platforms and local new websites.
Some VPNs even include built-in cybersecurity tools like ad blockers, malware filters, and password managers, helping students create a safer online environment without juggling multiple apps. Whether it's for security, streaming, or accessing essential academic resources, a VPN is a smart investment for today's students.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
