The Best Proxies for School

As annoying as it is, schools do block websites. Often, lots of websites, especially the fun ones! But they do this for a reason. Namely, to keep students focused on their school work—they are at school after all—and to protect them and the school from harmful content. Sometimes, though, these restrictions feel a little too strict; this is especially noticeable when the blocked websites are legitimate and needed for research.

One way around those BLOCKED or IT notice pages is to use proxies for school. A proxy is like a forwarding service for internet traffic that can help you bypass restrictions set by your school admins. You get what you want and the school, ideally, doesn’t know that you’ve done so.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about using proxy websites for school, from how they work to the best ones to try. We’ll also cover safety tips and alternatives like VPNs. Let’s dive in!

What Are Proxies for School and How Do They Work?

A proxy acts as an intermediary between your device and the internet. When you attempt to visit a blocked website, the proxy (instead of your device) grabs the content for you. It’s a bit like having a friend pick something up for you because you can’t make it to the store. They’ll get the items you need even though you’re not able to reach the building yourself. They are your proxy. The difference here is that it’s internet traffic, and it’s the proxy server that grabs the items (websites) for you.

Proxies for school are helpful because they disguise your internet traffic. Using the proxy means the school doesn’t see the social media website or video game you’re visiting.

The proxies covered on this page live on the web, meaning they’re super easy to use and don’t require a software download. This is great because most schools put heavy restrictions on software installations.

The Best Proxy Websites for School

Proxy websites themselves can be blocked by your school, which further complicates things. For that reason, we’ve included several options so that you can try each one. Below is a ranked list of our favorite proxy websites for school. We’ve documented their most important features and included some pros and cons for each one to help you compare them.

hide.me

hide.me is a long-time favorite no matter where you’re visiting from, but it’s advanced options make it especially useful as a proxy for school. You can pick which server location to browse from (Netherlands, Finland, or Germany) and you’re given a few options before you load up the page, like whether to block scrips and objects, allow cookies, and encrypt the URL and/or the page. It’s also fast!

Pros:

• Advanced options like page encryption
• It’s fast, even when using faraway locations

Cons:

• Only three locations

4everproxy

4everproxy website sells a VPN service, but they also offer a free web proxy. You get to pick the web server and the location of the hidden IP address. Select the locations you want and then tick the boxes next to the optional advanced settings. Before you know it, you’ll be unblocking all sorts of websites at school! It’s incredibly easy to use.

Pros:

• Lets you hide the page title
• Lots of locations, including in the US and Canada

Cons:

• Sometimes hangs

CroxyProxy

CroxyProxy works a lot like these other proxy websites for school but it’s even easier because you don’t have to (because you can’t) pick any advanced options like the server location. Just enter a URL and you’ll be on your way to viewing the blocked page at school. If you can install Chrome extensions at school, you can join tens of thousands of people who use the CroxyProxy web proxy extension to quickly access this proxy at any time.

Pros:

• Surprisingly useful for unblocking TikTok
• Also works via a Chrome extension

Cons:

• Hardly works for YouTube
• Must revisit the home page to change the website
• Can’t pick the proxy location

ProxySite.com

If you’re dead set on using a proxy site at school that lets you browse from a US or European IP address, then you’re in luck. ProxySite.com has 20 servers in both locations, and it’s easy to switch between them as you browse any website. This is a great school proxy because if one server doesn’t work, simply switch to the next one. Repeat until you’re online!

Pros:

• Non-video pages load really fast
• Fast server switching
• Lots of locations

Cons:

• Claims to work for video streaming, but it doesn’t
• Few advanced options

Free vs. Paid Proxies for School

Understanding the differences between paid and free proxies for school can help you decide where to look for a good proxy. In short, paid proxies give you some more freedom than free ones, but the free ones are accessible quickly and get the job done if all you need to do is bypass a site or two on occasion.

Free proxies are a popular option because they’re, you know, free. There’s zero financial commitment and they are often super simple to use. But there are downsides. Free proxies usually come with limitations like slower speeds, ads, fewer locations to select from, and possibly lower security. For casual use, though, like opening a blocked site at school, free proxies might do the trick. But relying on them for sensitive tasks or high-traffic needs can be risky and frustrating.

Your other option is to use a paid proxy—you can check these out in our Best Proxy Sites list. They offer faster speeds and better reliability, plus they’re often more secure/private. With paid proxies, you’re less likely to run into annoying ads or dropped connections. These often include advanced features like multiple server locations. While the cost might not appeal to everyone, especially students, paid proxies can be a smart investment if you need those extras.

If you’re a light user, free proxies should work out just fine. But for heavy usage or better performance, paid proxies are the way to go.

How to Use Proxy Websites Safely at School

Using proxies for school can absolutely be useful, but safety should always be your top focus. Below are some considerations to be mindful of as you use surf the web with a proxy.

Pick a Reputable Proxy

Using any old proxy isn’t smart because they’re not all created equal. Stick to well-known options like the ones we’ve included above. Reputable proxies are more likely to offer secure connections and fewer risks. Especially, avoid obscure proxies you find on some random list online; they could expose your data or infect your device with malware, two things that are especially important to avoid at school.

Watch What You Log in To

Even with a trusted proxy, it’s best to avoid loading up sensitive accounts like your email, banking website, or social media account. Some proxies (particularly, the untrustworthy ones) log your activity, meaning that entering personal information like your passwords could put your accounts at risk. Use the proxy websites for school stuff only and nothing more.

Use HTTPS Proxies

HTTPS next to a URL means it’s encrypting the information between your device and the website. Always make sure the proxy website you’re using has HTTPS in its URL so that it’s harder for anyone to monitor your activity. This added layer of security is crucial, especially on school networks where traffic is probably being monitored.

Clear the Browser Data

This isn’t a foolproof method since it only applies to your local device. Still, after using a proxy at school, be sure to clear the history, cookies, and cache in the browser. This helps prevent others who might use the computer next from noticing your activity and reporting it. Most browsers have a “clear browsing data” option that’s easy and effective.

Combine the Proxy With Other Tools

A proxy is just one way to unblock websites at school. For extra safety, consider combining or replacing the proxy with a VPN or other privacy-focused tool. This extra layer of protection makes it virtually impossible for school admins to figure out what you’re up to.

Alternatives to Proxies for School

Proxies aren’t your only option for bypassing restrictions at school. In fact, other tools might serve you better, depending on your needs.

One great alternative is a VPN (virtual private network). VPNs take the concept of proxies to the next level by encrypting all your internet traffic, not just what’s routed through your browser. This encryption makes VPNs much harder to detect and block compared to proxy websites. Services like ProtonVPN and NordVPN offer strong security features, and some even have free tiers that are perfect for students. 

You might also consider using your phone’s mobile data to connect to the internet since this will bypass the school’s restrictions entirely. To do this, just turn off Wi-Fi to default to mobile data, or set up a mobile hotspot. This option works best if you have a generous data plan since streaming or heavy browsing can quickly eat up all your bandwidth. This proxy alternative is effective for quick tasks and is guaranteed to work since you won’t be attached to the school’s locked-down network.

Another option is the Tor Browser, which routes your internet traffic through multiple servers worldwide to maintain anonymity. Tor is especially useful for accessing restricted content securely, though it may be slower than VPNs and proxies due to its layered encryption process. Still, for students prioritizing privacy, it’s an excellent choice. There’s a mobile app, so it’s easy to use from your smartphone while you’re at school.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What’s the difference between a proxy and a VPN?

VPNs provide a higher level of security than a web proxy by encrypting your entire internet connection. Your whole device is protected, not just the one website you’re visiting. While proxies are great for quick access to blocked sites, VPNs are a better choice for overall privacy and security. 

See VPNs vs Proxies for more on their differences.

• Can using a proxy for school get you in trouble?

It depends on your school’s policies. Many schools not only monitor network activity in real time and might flag or block proxy usage, but they also have protections in place to prevent such activity in the first place. To reduce the risk, clear your browsing history when finished (this is relevant only if IT or other students might look through the computer) and avoid drawing attention to your activity.

In our experience, you won’t necessarily get suspended or have your computer privileges revoked, but instead will just get a ‘blocked’ page during your attempt to use the proxy website. If you see one of those pages, you’d be wise to quit trying. Repeated attempts might raise some flags.

• Do proxies work for streaming services like Netflix?

Results vary, but some proxies can help bypass restrictions on streaming platforms like YouTube and Netflix. However, many services actively block proxy servers, so using a VPN designed for streaming may be a better option if you want reliable access. Switching to your phone’s mobile internet is another option (just remember to watch that data).

• How do you know if a proxy is safe?

A safe proxy should use HTTPS (check its URL) and have a good reputation online (check reviews, especially Reddit). Avoid proxies that require too much personal information or bombard you with ads; these could be signs of malicious intent. Stick to trusted options like those listed above, and you’ll be good to go!