Proton VPN
Try before you pay: a free plan for one device
- Free plan to start (1 device)
- Up to 10 devices on the Plus plan
- Swiss company, also behind Proton Mail
VPN guide
★ Our pick
Best VPN for Students
Free plans, student budgets, campus Wi-Fi protection. NordVPN, Surfshark and Proton VPN compared for students.
University Wi-Fi networks are shared by thousands of students. A VPN keeps your research, messages and login credentials private on campus, in the library and in student housing. Proton VPN's free plan makes it accessible even on a tight student budget.
Surfshark
Big households: unlimited devices on one account
- Unlimited devices on one account
- 30-day money-back guarantee on the first purchase
- No-logs policy independently assessed (2025 report)
NordVPN
All-round choice: simple apps and up to 10 devices
- Up to 10 devices on one account
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- No-logs policy checked by independent auditors
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Side by side
Best VPN for Students
Facts from each brand's official site, checked 27 Oct 2026. Prices change often: today's price is on the official site.
| Proton VPN | Surfshark | NordVPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days (paid plans) | 30 days (first purchase) | 30 days |
| Devices | 10 on Plus · 1 on the free plan | Unlimited | Up to 10 |
| Free option | Free plan (1 device) | 7-day free trial (conditions on the official site) | No free plan |
| Company base | Switzerland (Proton) | Netherlands (Surfshark B.V.) | Panama (parent company in the Netherlands) |
| Best for | Try before you pay: a free plan for one device | Big households: unlimited devices on one account | All-round choice: simple apps and up to 10 devices |
| Proton VPN | Surfshark | NordVPN |
Tips
Tips
Start with a free plan
Proton VPN offers a free plan for one device — ideal for trying a VPN before committing to a paid subscription.
Protect your campus logins
University email, learning platforms and library portals all use credentials. Encrypt the connection so they can't be intercepted.
Share an account with housemates
Surfshark's unlimited devices let an entire student house use one subscription.
Questions
Is there a free VPN that's safe?
Proton VPN's free plan is backed by a Swiss privacy company and has no data limits, unlike most free services that monetize your data.
Will my university block a VPN?
Some institutions restrict VPN protocols. If the standard connection doesn't work, try a different protocol in the app's settings.
Do I need a VPN on campus?
Campus Wi-Fi is shared by thousands. A VPN prevents others on the network from seeing your traffic.
Complete your setup