Every time you connect to the internet on an Eduroam University campus, the University’s administrator can monitor your traffic. As a result, any student who doesn’t use a VPN will have their online visits, downloads, and metadata recorded. This is why it’s important to use a VPN for Eduroam.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) works by encrypting your internet traffic and tunneling it to a server in a remote location. By doing so, the VPN bypasses restrictions imposed on the local network, allowing you to use the internet as if you were physically situated elsewhere.
The encryption provided by the VPN also prevents your internet habits from being monitored, which makes you free to surf the web without your school keeping tabs. In this guide, we explain why certain VPN providers are better than others – and we recommend the best Eduroam VPNs for students.
Use the quick list below to select an Eduroam VPN, or scroll down for in-depth summaries that will help you pick the right VPN for your needs.
- NordVPN: Our top VPN for Eduroam campuses. Secure apps for all platforms. Outstanding connection speeds. Highly reliable. Servers in 59 countries. Works with popular streaming services like Netflix US, iPlayer, and Hulu. Risk free 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Surfshark: Best value VPN for Eduroam. Excellent value for money. Servers in over 60 countries. No logs VPN with robust AES-256 encryption. Allows torrenting. Can be used on an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription to share it with your friends. Money-back guarantee.
- ExpressVPN: An industry leading VPN brand. Advanced apps for all platforms. Kill-switch and robust encryption, perfect for Eduroam campuses. No logs policy. Fast servers in 94 countries give you tons of unblocking options. Access two-dozen Netflix regions. 30-day money-back guarantee.
- CyberGhost: Ideal Eduroam VPN for newbies. Low-cost service. Very easy to use. Private and secure. Allows torrenting. Works with Netflix US, Prime Video, iPlayer, Hulu, and many more. 7 simultaneous connections. Generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
- IPVanish: A US provider with a no logs policy. Reliable OpenVPN protocol with AES encryption. Perfect for torrenting and streaming on Kodi while on campus. Unlimited connections mean you can split the bill with a few friends and all use the VPN.
- PrivateVPN: A Swedish provider with a no logs policy that works great on Eduroam campuses. Robust AES-256 encryption. Perfect for torrenting privately. Servers in over 60 countries. Easy to use on all platforms. Works with Netflix US, Netflix UK, and many other regions.
- Hotspot Shield: Has a global server network in over 80 countries. Fast Catapult Hydra protocol. Works with Netflix US. Protects your privacy on campus or when you use Wi-Fi hotspots elsewhere. 45-day money-back guarantee.
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Best VPNs for Eduroam
Not all VPNs have what you need to gain online privacy and freedom while at University. Below, we have included a list of what we looked for:
- A global network of servers that work to unblock content at University
- Fast servers that are good for gaming, streaming, and torrenting
- A trustworthy no logs policy
- 24/7 live chat and email support
- Outstanding value for money
For added transparency, we will explain how we test and recommend VPNs later in the article.
Here’s our list of the best VPNs for Eduroam:
1. NordVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN is a provider based in Panama that has everything you need to gain privacy, security, and freedom on campus. It has a no logs policy, which means it never stores any records about what you do online. And it implements robust AES-256 encryption in its apps, to ensure that your connection to its servers is completely secure.
In addition, it has apps for all platforms that come with advanced privacy features including a kill-switch, DNS leak protection, obfuscated servers, double hop connections, and Tor over VPN. It even implements its cybersec feature which helps to block websites that contain malware and blocks annoying ads.
All of this makes NordVPN perfect for preventing your University from tracking what you do online; even if you decide to bypass any restrictions to visit and use websites and services that have been blocked. Plus, this VPN allows torrenting and is super fast thanks to its NordLynx protocol.
Finally, NordVPN works with Netflix, iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, Prime Video, and many others. This makes it ideal for streaming more content and getting better value for money from your accounts or accessing accounts from back home while visiting a foreign campus. You can test Nord risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros:
- Lightning fast servers in 59 countries
- Excellent 24/7 live chat support
- Allows torrenting and other P2P connections
- Works to unblock tons of international services including Netflix
- Advanced privacy features, and a no logs policy
Cons:
- The one-month subscription is quite expensive
Our score:
BEST VPN FOR EDUROAM:NordVPN is our #1 choice for Eduroam. Fast servers that are great for gaming, HD streaming, and torrenting. Global server network works with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more. Fully featured apps for all platforms. Zero logs. Obfuscation to avoid VPN blocks on campus. Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of NordVPN.
2. Surfshark
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark is a VPN service that represents superb value for money. Subscription prices are low, especially considering how good this VPN is. Best of all, you can use a single subscription on an unlimited number of devices; meaning you can even share it with your friends and split the bill.
Its apps are available for all platforms, and they come with a kill-switch, obfuscation, DNS leak protection, OpenVPN with robust AES-256 encryption, and WireGuard connection to get blistering speeds. Plus, this VPN has a solid no-logs policy, and it permits torrenting throughout its network of servers in over 60 countries.
For those new to VPNs, live chat support is available 24/7. And this VPN has guides to help you set up and use the VPN on all your devices. To increase your security while on campus, in halls of residence, or at home if you rent your own place, the VPN also provides malware protection and ad blocking while surfing.
This VPN is extremely good for accessing streaming content. It works to access more than a dozen Netflix regions, iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, foreign TV channels, and tons of game servers.
Pros:
- Servers in 60+ countries
- WireGuard connections make it perfect for gaming, torrenting, and streaming
- Smart DNS to easily unblock content on more devices
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
Cons:
- Sometimes causes captchas when searching on Google
Our score:
BEST BUDGET OPTION:Surfshark is the best budget VPN for Eduroam. Unlimited connections. WireGuard protocol makes it super-fast. Allows torrenting and provides access to blocked torrent sites like the Pirate Bay. Works perfectly with multiplayer games. Zero logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Surfshark review.
3. ExpressVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN might be a little bit pricier than its competitors, but it is also a service that is highly praised by consumers. The service has a no logs policy to ensure that what you do online stays private now and in future. And its apps implement robust OpenVPN connections with military grade AES-256 encryption. This will stop your University from tracking you constantly while connected to Eduroam.
Its apps can be installed on up to 6 devices simultaneously, and are available for all popular platforms (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS). You can also use ExpressVPN on Firesticks, Smart TVs, and consoles (to name a few) thanks to its useful setup guides and its free Smart DNS service. If you have any issues whatsoever, you can always contact its 24/7 live chat support.
The apps have all the vital privacy and security features you need at Uni. This includes a kill-switch, obfuscation (enabled by default on OpenVPN and Lightway connections), and DNS leak protection.
Servers are located in a whopping 94 countries, and this VPN works with over 20 Netflix regions, iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, Sports streaming services, and tons of other international services – including torrent sites.
Pros:
- No logs policy and military grade encryption
- Servers in 94 countries
- Lightning fast Lightway protocol is ideal for HD streaming and torrenting
- Works with Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, MSNBC and many more
Cons:
- Most expensive than other VPN services
Our score:
RELIABLE AND FAST:ExpressVPN is a versatile VPN that unblocks dozens of popular services. Lightning fast Lightway protocol for streaming and gaming. Access to more than 20 Netflix regions. Servers in 94 countries. Live chat support. Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full ExpressVPN Review.
4. CyberGhost
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost is a popular VPN that we recommend to people who are in the market for something functional that is also easy to use. This provider represents value for money, and you can use the service on up to 7 devices simultaneously, which is good if you own many devices and want to be able to share the VPN with friends or family.
The VPN has apps for all platforms and despite having fewer advanced features, it has everything you need to gain privacy on an Eduroam campus. A kill-switch ensures that you never accidentally leak unprotected data to the University, and robust AES-256 encryption means the VPN tunnel always securely protects your internet habits – even when you choose to access blocked content.
CyberGhost has thousands of servers located in 88 countries to provide you with excellent coverage and superb speeds. The VPN permits torrenting and works with popular services such as Netflix, iPlayer, and Hulu. This makes it a great all-rounder. It even has live chat support so that you can ask questions with setup or using the VPN. Best of all, you can test it thanks to its lengthy 45- day money-back guarantee.
Pros:
- Fantastic option for VPN newbies
- Extremely good value for money
- Fast servers, and torrenting is permitted
- Works Netflix US and tons of other popular streaming services
Cons:
- Fewer advanced features than other VPNs
Our score:
A BUDGET OPTION FOR BEGINNERS:CyberGhost has superb apps for all platforms. Easy to use and a good option for beginners. Kill-switch and AES-256 encryption. Trustworthy no logs policy. Works with around a dozen Netflix regions. 7 simultaneous connections. 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
5. IPVanish
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.IPVanish.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
IPVanish is a US-based VPN that runs on a proprietary network, which allows it to provide fantastic speeds for doing data-intensive tasks such as streaming and videoconferencing. What’s more, this VPN permits torrenting, which makes it a superb all-rounder.
Apps are available for all popular platforms, and those apps are both fully featured and easy to use. During our tests, IPVanish worked with Netflix US. However, it is worth noting that it does not work to stream iPlayer or Hulu. So, if it is a streaming VPN that you primarily desire, you may prefer to shop elsewhere.
That said, this VPN is solid in terms of privacy. It adheres to a watertight no logs policy, and its apps have a kill-switch, XOR obfuscation, robust AES-256 encryption, and DNS leak protection. This ensures that everything you do online is concealed from your University. It also means that your data is secure against hackers on public Wi-Fi.
Finally, we love that this VPN allows you to use it on an unlimited number of devices. This makes the service excellent value for money and means that you can share a subscription with your friends and family.
Pros:
- Servers in over 50 countries
- Proprietary network of super-fast servers
- Torrenting permitted
- Zero logs to ensure your habits remain private
Cons:
- Based in the US
- Doesn’t unblock iPlayer or Hulu
Our score:
PERFECT FOR FAMILIES:IPVanish is a US provider with a no logs policy. Can be used on an unlimited number of devices. Works to stream more Netflix shows on the US catalog. Easy to use. Live chat support. Fast servers for HD streaming. SOCKS5 proxy. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full IPVanish review.
6. PrivateVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PrivateVPN is a Swedish provider that lives up to its name by being strong on privacy but also superb for unblocking content on an Eduroam campus. The VPN has apps for all platforms that come fully featured with a kill-switch, obfuscation, DNS leak protection, OpenVPN connections, and robust encryption. This ensures that everything you do online is kept private. And this VPN permits torrenting.
When it comes to streaming, PrivateVPN is fast enough for watching HD content without any buffering. And this is one of the few services that works perfectly with over a dozen Netflix catalogs, Hulu, iPlayer, HBO Max, and Prime Video. It is also fast enough for unblocking game servers to play anything that has been restricted by your University.
PrivateVPN has a no-logs policy to ensure that everything you do online remains private. And it has a superb reputation with consumers for providing high levels of reliability and great performance across devices. Perhaps the only drawback is that you can only use it on 6 devices simultaneously.
Pros:
- Servers in over 60 countries
- Zero logs policy and secure VPN apps with plenty of features
- Great for torrenting, streaming, and gaming
- Reliable encryption
Cons:
- Fewer servers in each location compared to some competitors
- Customer support is only available during Swedish business hours
Our score:
STRONG ON PRIVACY:No logs policy. Apps for all platforms. Allows torrenting. Works with streaming services like Netflix and iPlayer. Easy to use to unblock content at university. Servers in over 60 countries. SOCKS5 proxy. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full PrivateVPN review.
7. Hotspot Shield
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Hotspotshield.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
Editor’s Note: Hotspot Shield is owned by Pango, Comparitech’s parent company.
Hotspot Shield takes the last position on our list because it is a service that many people enjoy using. It is super fast thanks to its proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol, which makes it a desirable option for any student who wants to play a lot of games or stream HD content.
Admittedly. This VPN is quite expensive if you buy it directly, however, you can get a much better deal by following the link in this guide. Plus, you can compare it to our other recommendation to see whether you enjoy it by leveraging its 45-day money-back guarantee.
Hotspot Shield has apps for all platforms that come with the features you need to prevent your University from tracking your online habits. It also never stores any usage logs about what you do online. However, it does store some connection logs which may deter serious privacy advocates. It is also based in the US, which isn’t everybody’s cup of tea.
Despite these slight drawbacks, this is a useful and versatile VPN that works to unblock popular services like Netflix and iPlayer. And, it has servers in over 80 countries to allow you to bypass censorship with ease.
Pros:
- Servers is over 80 countries
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Apps for all platforms
- Reliable AES encryption
Cons:
- Based in the US
- Stores some connection logs
- No obfuscation
Our score:
A FAST US-BASED VPN:No usage logs policy. Secure apps with super fast connections. Works with iPlayer, Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. Easy to use on all popular devices. An extended 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Hotspot Shield review.
Methodology: How we find the best VPNs for Eduroam
Not all VPNs are the same, and they do not all have what you need to successfully bypass restrictions and gain privacy while at University. At Comparitech, our experts test VPNs using a specially devised scientific methodology. Here is some of what we look for in Eduroam VPNs:
- Privacy: First, we review the apps to ensure they have the features you need to access the internet without fear of surveillance or hacking. This includes important features such as encryption, a kill-switch, and DNS leak protection.
- Servers: We check that there is a wide selection of servers across the world. This not only helps you to access content on Eduroam campuses, but also when you’re traveling abroad and want to access your subscriptions from home.
- Speeds: We test the VPN’s speeds to ensure it is up to the task of streaming in HD, downloading torrents quickly, and allowing you to make video calls or play games. We only recommend the fastest VPNs on the market.
- Devices: We check multiple simultaneous connections that allow you to use the VPN on all your devices. This makes a VPN much better value.
Eduroam VPN FAQ
Where does Eduroam provide internet access?
Eduroam is deployed on a huge number of campuses in 64 countries around the world. However, the number of restrictions experienced on those campuses may vary from one country to another. As a result, it is possible that different game servers, entertainment sites, etc, will be blocked on different campuses.
That said, it is still vital to use a VPN for privacy on all Eduroam campuses because anytime that you connect, your data must pass through its servers, which allows your University to keep records of everything you do online.
As a result, it is possible that any student who visits a foreign University could have their internet habits shared with their home country’s University. This could be problematic if internet access rules and content restrictions differ in the country you are visiting but could be held against you when you return home.
Can I use a free VPN for Eduroam?
Although there are some free VPNs available that you can trust, it is important to remember that the vast majority of free services are insecure. Studies have revealed that free VPNs often lack reliable encryption, have dodgy data practices, and have apps that suffer vulnerabilities or contain malicious code. As a result, those VPNs are not suitable for gaining online privacy.
In addition, free VPNs are often slow and have data caps that make them unsuitable for unblocking streaming services, torrenting, or gaming. As a result, we advise anybody wanting to trial a VPN without paying to make use of the money-back guarantees provided by the VPNs in this guide.
A money-back guarantee will allow you to try a full, unrestricted VPN with robust security without needing to risk your hard-earned cash.
What games are blocked on Eduroam campuses?
Restrictions implemented on Eduroam campuses vary from one location to the next. Some campuses have fewer restrictions than others, meaning that you may be able to play games when visiting one campus, but not another.
Below, we have listed some of the games and game-related services that students have experienced blocks for on Eduroam campuses around the world:
- Runescape
- League of Legends
- Age of Mythology
- Path of Exile
- Rocket League
- Team Fortress
- The Elder Scrolls
- Discord
Can a VPN hide my web history from my University?
Yes. The encrypted tunnel provided by a reliable VPN service is designed to give you privacy. In addition, a VPN proxies your DNS requests, making it impossible for your University to track your web history. This makes everything that you do online private.
However, please remember that when you use a computer that belongs to the University, your history may accumulate on that machine. Thus, it is important to use private browsing mode in addition to a VPN if you don’t want to leave details about what you have done online stored within the browser itself.
Can I unblock torrent sites with a VPN for Eduroam?
If your University, ISP, or government, is blocking torrent sites like the Pirate Bay, you can easily use one of the VPNs recommended in this guide to regain access.
A VPN allows you to bypass online restrictions by letting you connect to a server in a country where torrenting is permitted. That is why we recommend VPNs for Eduroam that have plenty of server locations around the world.
Comparitech does not condone or encourage any violation of copyright restrictions. Please stick to legal torrents and consider the law, victims, and risks of piracy before downloading copyrighted material without permission.
Will a VPN make my Eduroam VPN slower?
If the Eduroam connection provided on your University campus is already slow, it is possible that a VPN will make it even slower. A VPN must encrypt your data and route it via a remote server location, which can cause additional lag. Generally speaking, this will slow down your internet slightly.
In this guide, we have recommended the fastest possible VPNs for Eduroam. Our recommendations have super fast networks, which means that you should only incur minimal reductions in your regular Eduroam internet speeds.
That said, it is possible that your University (or its Internet Service Provider) is engaging in bandwidth throttling when you use certain online services. Under these circumstances, a VPN could actually improve your speeds.
If you believe that your internet speeds are being capped when you stream, torrent, play games, or do other data-intensive tasks, it is worth testing a VPN to see if it helps. All of our recommendations have a money back guarantee, which means you can see whether the VPN improves your connection speeds risk free.
Why isn’t my current VPN working on Eduroam?
Some Eduroam campuses purposefully block connections on the ports used by VPNs. If your VPN is using a port that has been blocked, it is possible that the VPN will fail to establish a connection.
The good news is that some VPNs come equipped to deal with this problem. By connecting to a VPN using OpenVPN over port 443 – or using some other kind of obfuscation (such as obfsproxy, stunnel, or XOR, for example) – it becomes impossible for your University to block you.
The ports and obfuscation systems referenced above make VPN traffic appear to be regular HTTPS. These VPNs leverage ports that are necessary for normal internet use, which means that your University cannot block them.
If you are suffering any problems using your current VPN, we advise that you contact your provider to find out whether it provides obfuscation. Alternatively, try looking in the VPN client’s settings to see whether you can connect using OpenVPN TCP over port 443.
If your existing VPN is not featured in this article, or does not provide any form of obfuscation, it is possible that you will need to try a VPN that has this feature, so please check our summaries to pick the right VPN for your campus.
L’article Best VPN for Eduroam in 2022 est apparu en premier sur Comparitech.
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