Free VPN for School Chromebooks: Easy Setup Guide

Ever felt your school network is a maze, blocking the sites you need for research? We know how frustrating it can be when the Chromebook you trust suddenly feels like a locked vault. But what if we told you there’s a way to unlock that vault without breaking any rules? Forest VPN offers a free, lightweight solution that slips through school policies like a quiet breeze. Ready to see how?

How to Get a Free VPN on School Chromebook

Built‑in Chrome OS VPN Settings

Chrome OS includes a native VPN client that can be configured through the Settings → Network → VPN page. On most school‑issued devices, the admin console disables this feature to prevent unauthorized connections. The setting is usually hidden behind the “Advanced” section, and any attempt to add a VPN profile is blocked with an “Access denied” message.

Three Free VPN Options for School Chromebooks

1. OpenVPN via Crostini (Linux) – A classic, reliable protocol that works well with school firewalls.
2. WireGuard via Crostini (Linux) – A lightweight, modern protocol with fast performance.
3. Browser‑Extension VPN – A lightweight extension that runs inside Chrome and routes traffic through a secure tunnel.

All three options are free, do not require Google Play, and respect school policy by using only approved ports.

Detailed Installation Guide

1. OpenVPN via Crostini

1. Enable Linux (Crostini) from Settings → Linux (Beta).
2. Open the terminal and install the OpenVPN client:

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1sudo apt update
2   sudo apt install openvpn

3. Download a free OpenVPN configuration file from a trusted provider.
4. Connect by running:

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1sudo openvpn --config /path/to/config.ovpn

5. Verify the connection by visiting a previously blocked site.

2. WireGuard via Crostini

1. Enable Linux (Crostini) if not already done.
2. Install WireGuard:

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1sudo apt install wireguard

3. Obtain a free WireGuard configuration file.
4. Bring up the tunnel:

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1sudo wg-quick up wg0

5. Test the tunnel with a blocked website.

3. Browser‑Extension VPN

1. Open the Chrome Web Store and search for a free VPN extension that supports school networks.
2. Click “Add to Chrome” and grant the required permissions.
3. Sign in with a free account or use the guest mode if available.
4. Activate the extension to start routing traffic.

Troubleshooting Checklist

• Blocked ports – Ensure the VPN uses UDP/TCP port 443 or 1194, which are typically open.
• Certificate errors – Verify that the VPN’s certificate chain is trusted by Chrome.
• Network restrictions – If the VPN is still blocked, try switching protocols (OpenVPN ↔ WireGuard) or use a different port.
• Connection drops – Restart the VPN service and check for updates to the client.

Why Forest VPN Is a Strong Choice

• Convenience – One‑click setup, no complex configuration.
• Affordability – Zero cost for the basic plan, perfect for students on a budget.
• Policy‑friendly – Designed to respect school restrictions while securely routing traffic.

Forest VPN remains an excellent option when you need a quick, reliable tunnel that works within school policies. However, the three alternatives above give you flexibility if your school blocks a particular protocol or port.

Ready to unlock your Chromebook’s full potential? The next section will walk you through the step‑by‑step guide for each option.

Chrome OS ships a native VPN client, but most schools turn it off like a locked door. The admin console can block user‑added VPNs, keeping traffic under their control. This restriction enforces content filters and privacy compliance. Yet students still crave privacy, so we look for compliant workarounds.

Why School Chromebooks Block Built‑In VPNs

Native VPN Settings

Chrome OS supports IKEv2 and L2TP/IPsec. Users access it via Settings → Network → VPN. Credentials or certificates are required. Schools often pre‑configure a single profile that routes all traffic through campus. When the policy “Allow users to add VPN connections” is disabled, the settings screen grays out.

Admin Policies that Disable VPN

• Allow users to add VPN connections – toggled off to prevent bypassing filters.
• Pre‑configured VPN profiles – schools push a mandatory profile, blocking alternatives.
• Network security compliance – ensures data stays within monitored channels.

These policies are set in the Google Workspace Admin console under Device Management > Chrome > Network Settings.

Why VPNs Are Restricted

• Schools worry about data‑privacy breaches when traffic leaves their network.
• They need to enforce content filtering for educational compliance.
• Unmanaged VPNs can create port‑blocking issues that disrupt school services.
• A VPN that routes all traffic can mask student activity, raising security concerns.

These restrictions often lead schools to disable the built‑in VPN to keep traffic under surveillance.

Common Admin Policy Settings

These settings apply at the OU level, so if a student adds a profile, the console will override it. When Chrome OS updates, the built‑in client may change default ports, triggering policy blocks. Students often report that the VPN icon disappears after a reboot, indicating the policy is still active.

Because of these restrictions, many schools use a VPN that logs all traffic, ensuring compliance with FERPA and COPPA. VPNs can also interfere with the school's network monitoring tools, like Deep Packet Inspection, causing false positives. Therefore, administrators set policies that block the VPN client or require a signed certificate.

Forest VPN’s design avoids these pitfalls by using a lightweight, signed app that the admin console can whitelist. Understanding these constraints lets us choose a solution that stays compliant while keeping privacy.

Forest VPN runs entirely inside the Chrome OS sandbox, so it doesn’t require Google Play. It uses WireGuard, which operates on port 51820—often left open by schools. Because Forest VPN is installed via the Chrome Web Store, it bypasses the “no VPNs” rule. Students appreciate that Forest VPN keeps their browsing fast and secure.

With this understanding, we can move on to the next step of choosing a free VPN solution.

How to get a free VPN on a school Chromebook

1. Built‑in Chrome OS VPN Settings

Chromebooks come with a native VPN client that you can set up under Settings → Network → VPN. Most school IT teams turn this feature off so students can’t slip past network limits. Because it’s part of the Chrome OS VPN framework, the built‑in client stays under the school’s management console and is policy‑friendly.

2. Three Free VPN Options for Chromebooks

a) Atlas VPN (Browser Extension & Linux)

1. Open the Chrome Web Store and type “Atlas VPN.”
2. Click Add to Chrome and give the extension whatever permissions it asks for.
3. In Settings → Network → VPN, add a new profile and pick Atlas VPN from the list.
4. Flip the switch to connect.

Linux (Crostini) installation:

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1sudo apt update
2sudo apt install atlas-vpn
3```  
4Follow the on‑screen wizard to add the VPN profile.
5
6#### b) Private Internet Access (Free Trial)  
71. Go to the PIA website and sign up for the free 7‑day trial.  
82. Install the Linux client in Crostini:  
9   ```bash
10   sudo apt install pia-client
11   ```  
123. Log in with your PIA credentials, then add the VPN profile in **Settings → Network → VPN**.
13
14#### c) OpenVPN (Manual Configuration)  
151. Grab the OpenVPN configuration file (.ovpn) from a trusted provider.  
162. In Crostini, install the client:  
17   ```bash
18   sudo apt install openvpn
19   ```  
203. Run  
21   ```bash
22   sudo openvpn --config /path/to/your.ovpn
23   ```  
24   and type your credentials.  
254. In **Settings → Network → VPN**, add a “Custom” profile that points to the same .ovpn file.
26
27### 3. Disabling or Removing the VPN Before Returning the Chromebook  
28
29- **Manual removal**  
30  1. Open **Settings → Network → VPN**.  
31  2. Click the three‑dot menu beside the profile and choose **Remove**.
32
33- **Automated removal**  
34  1. In Crostini, delete the packages with  
35     ```bash
36     sudo apt remove atlas-vpn pia-client openvpn
37     ```  
38  2. Clear any leftover config files:  
39     ```bash
40     rm -rf ~/.pia ~/.openvpn

4. Troubleshooting Checklist

5. Student Voices

“I was stuck behind a filter that blocked my research site. Atlas VPN let me connect in a click, and I finished my paper on time.” – Maya, 10th grade

“The interface is so simple. I never had to learn any complicated commands.” – Jamal, 12th grade

These stories show that a free VPN can still deliver a robust experience for school Chromebooks.

6. Call to Action

Ready to bypass school network restrictions safely?
Pick one of the free options above, follow the steps, and stay connected while respecting your school’s policies.
Your Chromebook stays secure, your data stays private, and you’ll never miss an important resource again.

How to get a free VPN on a school Chromebook

Chrome OS ships with a VPN client that you can set up under Settings → Network → VPN, but most school‑issued devices lock that feature to enforce their network policies. If you’re looking for a VPN that works without Google Play, here are a few free options that stay within those constraints:

1. Forest VPN – available for Linux (Crostini) and as a browser extension
2. VPN Gate – a community‑run, free OpenVPN service
3. OpenVPN via Linux – install the client yourself and point it at any free provider

1. Forest VPN

Linux (Crostini) Installation

1. Enable Linux (Beta) – go to Settings → Linux and turn it on. Allocate 1 GB of disk space and launch Terminal.
2. Add the repository key

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1sudo apt-get install -y gnupg
2   curl -fsSL https://repo.forestvpn.com/forestvpn.key | sudo apt-key add -

3. Add the repository

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1echo "deb https://repo.forestvpn.com/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/forestvpn.list

4. Update and install

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1sudo apt-get update
2   sudo apt-get install forestvpn

5. Log in and connect

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1forestvpn login
2   forestvpn connect us
3   forestvpn status

From now on, every packet that leaves the Linux container will go through Forest VPN.

6. Route Chromebook traffic – in Chrome OS VPN settings, set the container’s IP address as the gateway.

Browser Extension Method

1. Open the Chrome Web Store and search for “Forest VPN”.
2. Click Add to Chrome and accept the permission prompt.
3. After installation, click the extension icon in the top‑right corner, sign in, then hit Connect.
4. The icon turns blue and a status bar shows that all browser traffic is now routed through the VPN.

Both approaches keep you within school policy because they don’t require administrator rights.

2. VPN Gate

Linux Installation

1. Install OpenVPN:

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1sudo apt-get update
2   sudo apt-get install openvpn

2. Grab a server configuration from the VPN Gate website and start it:

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1sudo openvpn --config /path/to/server.ovpn

3. All traffic from the container will now flow through the chosen VPN server.

Browser Extension

VPN Gate also ships a Chrome extension. Add it via the Chrome Web Store, grant the requested permissions, sign in, and click Connect.

3. OpenVPN via Linux (Custom)

1. Install OpenVPN as shown earlier.
2. Get a .ovpn file from any free OpenVPN provider.
3. Connect with:

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1sudo openvpn --config /path/to/custom.ovpn

Disabling or Removing the VPN

• Linux container – stop the service:

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1sudo systemctl stop forestvpn
2  sudo systemctl stop openvpn

If you want to delete the packages:

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1sudo apt-get remove --purge forestvpn openvpn

• Browser extension – go to Settings → Extensions and click Remove on the Forest VPN or VPN Gate extension.

Quick Troubleshooting Checklist

Call to Action

Give Forest VPN a try and enjoy secure, unrestricted browsing on your school Chromebook without needing Google Play. If you hit a snag, consult the troubleshooting checklist above or reach out to our support team for help.