Toma Novakovic
Updated on: December 15, 2024
Fact-checked by Eric Goldstein
Only 3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Unblock Twitch at School in 2024:
- Download and install a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN because it’s difficult for school networks to detect, and it effectively bypasses all filters schools use to restrict access to Twitch.
- If your school blocks VPNs: Activate the VPN’s obfuscation feature.Follow the steps to enable your VPN’s obfuscation tool. For example, ExpressVPN automatically obfuscates your traffic when it detects VPN blocks on all servers and protocols, while Private Internet Access uses Shadowsocks proxy servers.
- Connect to a VPN server. Open the VPN app and select a nearby server for the best speeds when watching Twitch streams.
- Open the Twitch app or website. That’s it! Now you’re all set to watch your favorite streams.
A VPN is the most secure and effective way to bypass school blocks on Twitch. It encrypts your internet traffic, making it nearly impossible for the school to detect you’re accessing Twitch.
VPNs also use their own DNS servers, allowing you to avoid any DNS-based filters the school may use to block the site. Additionally, the VPNs I recommend come with obfuscation features, which conceal the fact that you’re using a VPN, helping you stay undetected by the school’s network filters.
I tested 20+ VPNs against the common filters used by schools to block Twitch. My top pick is ExpressVPN because it works well with Twitch, it’s hard to detect and block by school administration, and it offers excellent speeds for buffer-free streaming. Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
How to Unblock Twitch at School From Any Device
1. Get a VPN that reliably unblocks Twitch on restricted networks.
ExpressVPN is my No. 1 recommendation. It bypasses school network blocks and filters 100% of the time, it works with Twitch, and it has really good speeds for lag-free Twitch streams in 1080p quality.
2. Download the VPN on your devices.
This takes no more than 1–2 minutes. You can get the app on desktop from the VPN’s website and on mobile, you can download the app from the Google Play store on Android or the App Store on iOS. Then, just follow the on-screen instructions to install the app.
3. Connect to a server and start streaming on Twitch.
Open the VPN app and choose a server location. The VPN connection allows it to bypass the school network blocks for Twitch. I recommend picking a server that’s closest to your location, which will get you the best speeds possible.
Best VPNs for Unblocking Twitch at School in 2024
Quick summary of the best VPNs for unblocking Twitch at school in 2024:
- 🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for streaming Twitch at school (works 100% + fastest speeds).
- 🥈2. Private Internet Access — Excellent VPN for unblocking Twitch on mobile.
- 🥉3. NordVPN — Great for creating a private network for accessing Twitch at school.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Unblocking Twitch at School in 2024
ExpressVPN is the best for unlocking Twitch on school networks. It bypasses all methods schools use to block Twitch, including URL and keyword filtering, firewall rules, and DNS-based blocks.
Additionally, it gets around VPN restrictions with obfuscation, a feature that hides your VPN traffic by making it look like regular traffic, so the school won’t know you’re using a VPN. I like that ExpressVPN automatically enables obfuscation when it detects network blocks, so you won’t accidentally get flagged for using a VPN.
ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN on the market. In my tests, I had no problem watching streams in 1080p without any buffering on all protocols. That said, I had the fastest speeds with ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol Lightway — its code is lightweight, so it uses less power and won’t drain your battery too quickly while you’re streaming on Twitch.
ExpressVPN offers plans starting at £3.91 / month, and it covers all purchases with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Great for Streaming Twitch At School on Mobile
Private Internet Access (PIA) has great mobile apps for unblocking Twitch at school via Shadowsocks proxy servers in 5+ countries (the US, the UK, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Canada, and Japan) that provide obfuscation. That said, ExpressVPN offers obfuscation on all servers.
I like that you can use Siri to connect or disconnect from a server on iOS, and I find its Quick Connect section pretty handy, too. This feature shows the last 6 servers you connected to on the main screen, so you can easily reconnect to a server that works well without having to search for it every time.
Private Internet Access has super affordable plans, starting at £1.69 / month, and it backs all plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. NordVPN — Unique Feature for Unblocking Twitch at School
NordVPN has a unique Meshnet feature for accessing Twitch at school. It lets you connect your school device or your mobile, tablet, or laptop to your home computer via an encrypted network, so you can bypass school filters and stream Twitch without having to rely on the school’s Wi-Fi.
It easily bypassed all the school filters and firewalls I tested, and it worked with Twitch without an issue. Plus it offers obfuscated servers in 15+ countries to keep your VPN use hidden from the school network administrator.
NordVPN’s plans start at £2.66 / month. It backs every purchase with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Editors’ Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Quick Comparison Table
Editors’ Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
I followed our tried-and-true testing methodology to select the best VPNs for unblocking Twitch. This involved testing the VPNs against common blocks and filters, testing their streaming support, speed, and more. Every VPN that made it onto my list met and surpassed all standards.
- I tested these VPNs against common school blocking methods. The VPNs on this list get around URL and keyword filtering thanks to 256-bit AES encryption that prevents the school network administrators from seeing you accessing Twitch traffic.
- I checked for the VPNs’ ability to bypass VPN blocks. Every VPN I recommend here offers obfuscation that makes your VPN traffic look like regular HTTPS traffic. This tool allows you to avoid VPN blocks as the network can’t see you’re using a VPN.
- I made sure all VPNs work with Twitch. I only recommend VPNs with good streaming support that can reliably access Twitch on all types of networks.
- I measured the VPNs’ speeds. All VPNs will affect your speeds, but the VPNs I recommend won’t slow down your speeds to a point where you can’t watch buffer-free in HD. ExpressVPN is the fastest on both nearby and distant servers.
- I only chose VPNs that offer good value. The VPNs I chose allow you to connect multiple devices under a single subscription. They have plenty of extra features (like split-tunneling or an ad blocker), and they back all plans with a money-back guarantee.
What Is a VPN & How Does It Unblock Twitch?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a tool that lets you connect to the internet through a private, secure server instead of your usual internet connection. When you connect to a VPN server, all the data your device sends to and receives from the internet is converted into code that’s extremely difficult to crack.
Schools block Twitch using different methods like DNS filtering, IP blocking, and deep packet inspection (DPI). DNS filtering stops your device from accessing Twitch by blocking its IP address. When you try to visit the site, the school’s DNS server simply won’t provide the address, preventing you from loading the page.
IP blocking works similarly, where the school blocks specific IP addresses that Twitch uses, stopping you from connecting to the site. DPI, on the other hand, involves analyzing the data packets from your device to spot Twitch’s traffic, which the school then blocks.
A VPN helps bypass these blocks by encrypting and obfuscating your traffic. This means your school network administrator can’t see you’re visiting Twitch or what you’re watching there and block it.
Other Ways to Unblock Twitch At School
- Use mobile data. The school can only control what you can access if you’re connected to its network, so it can’t block access to Twitch if you’re using your mobile data. However, be aware that Twitch uses a lot of data for streaming, so you could end up with a large phone bill if you’re not careful.
- Use a Smart DNS service. DNS services work by redirecting only the DNS requests, which are the signals your device sends to find Twitch’s address. When you try to visit Twitch, the DNS request is sent through a different server, which the school can’t block. The rest of your internet activity, like watching videos or chatting on Twitch, goes through the regular network, so the school doesn’t know you’re accessing Twitch.
- Use a proxy server. Proxy servers work like a middleman between you and Twitch. When you use a proxy, your school network only sees traffic going to and from the proxy, not Twitch itself. This helps you get around blocks. However, proxies don’t encrypt your data like a VPN does, meaning they’re not as secure. So, while they can help you access Twitch, your information is still exposed and could be at risk.
- Use the Tor network. The Tor network uses strong encryption in multiple layers, making it hard for your school to see that you’re accessing Twitch. However, Tor slows down your internet speed a lot, which makes streaming on Twitch nearly impossible. It’s great for privacy but not ideal for watching streams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do schools block Twitch?
Schools block sites like Twitch to keep students focused on their studies and to prevent distractions. Twitch can also slow down the school’s network, and the content might not be suitable for a school environment.
If you still want to watch Twitch at school, using a high-quality VPN like ExpressVPN is a good option. It hides your online activity, making it hard for the school to detect that you’re accessing Twitch, allowing you to bypass their restrictions.
Is it legal to use a VPN for unblocking Twitch at school?
In most countries, using a VPN to access Twitch is legal. Twitch itself doesn’t punish VPN use unless you’re doing something like trying to bypass a ban. However, schools often have rules against using VPNs to unblock websites, so using one could get you in trouble with your school, even if it’s legal in your country.
The VPNs I recommend have a no-logs policy, meaning they don’t track your online activity, but you’re still responsible for how you use them. I don’t advise using a VPN to break school rules or local laws. Always consider the potential consequences before using a VPN.
Can the school network see that I’m using a VPN to go on Twitch?
Yes, the school network can detect VPN usage. When you connect to a VPN, they can’t see what you’re doing online, but they can see that you’re using a VPN.
That said, advanced VPNs with obfuscation can mask the VPN traffic to look like regular traffic. Not only with the school administration not know you’re using a VPN, but it’ll also allow you to get around network filters or blocks on sites like Twitch.
Can I use a free VPN to unblock Twitch at school?
You can, but I generally don’t recommend it. Most free VPNs may leak your IP, don’t have security features to protect your privacy, and don’t have obfuscation to help you evade advanced firewalls. Moreover, many free VPNs don’t work with Twitch at all.
You’re better off with a high-quality premium VPN, such as ExpressVPN, which works with Twitch 24/7, has obfuscation on all servers, and offers great speeds for smooth streaming.
