Password managers and VPNs during your studies are two tools many students use without knowing exactly what they cost or which student offers exist. A password manager protects your access to university portals, email and online banking. A VPN encrypts your connection, for example on the library Wi-Fi. This guide shows which offers we could verify and where their limits are.
Kurz beantwortet: Last updated: October 2026, offers change often. Bitwarden has a free account, and its premium version costs 1.65 US dollars per month without a student discount. Through the GitHub Student Developer Pack, 1Password is free for 2 years. Proton offers students 70 percent off VPN Plus, but the page does not state euro prices.
The most important points in brief
- A password manager is almost always worth it, even with the free plan. A VPN, by contrast, does not replace other protective measures.
- Bitwarden offers a permanently free account. The page names no student offer (last updated October 2026).
- 1Password is free for 2 years through the GitHub Student Developer Pack, provided you prove your student status.
- Proton grants students discounts on VPN Plus (70 percent) and Proton Unlimited (62 percent), each for 12 months.
- Proton does not name a free VPN for students on its student page.
- Many universities provide software licences. Ask whether security tools belong to what your university offers.
Which password manager and VPN offers exist for students?
The overview contains only offers that are documented on provider pages or in the GitHub Student Developer Pack. We state euro prices only where the provider gives them.
| Provider | Benefit | Price for students | Duration | Verification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitwarden (Free) | Free account with password management, notes and unlimited devices | free | unlimited | no check needed |
| Bitwarden Premium | Additional encrypted file attachments and emergency access | no student offer named, 1.65 US dollars per month (annual billing 19.80 US dollars) | monthly or yearly | not applicable |
| 1Password (GitHub Pack) | Password manager including developer tools | free | 2 years | GitHub Student Developer Pack |
| Proton VPN Plus | VPN plan | 70 percent discount, euro price not stated | 12 months | Student Beans or Beans iD |
| Proton Unlimited | Bundle of several Proton services | 62 percent discount, euro price not stated | 12 months | Student Beans or Beans iD |
| Campus licences | Software provided by your university | depends on the contract | depends on the university contract | university email |
Last updated: October 2026. Sources are the provider pages and the GitHub Student Developer Pack. Bitwarden states its prices only in US dollars.
Is a password manager worth it during your studies?
A password manager creates long, different passwords and stores them encrypted. During your studies this affects many accounts: university portal, email, cloud storage, learning platforms and online banking. If you use the same password everywhere, one hacked account can compromise all the others.
Calculation example. The Bitwarden premium plan costs 1.65 US dollars per month. With annual billing it is 19.80 US dollars for a year. This corresponds to 1.65 US dollars times 12 months. Most students, however, manage well with the free plan.
Is a VPN useful during your studies?
A VPN encrypts the traffic between your device and the VPN provider. This helps mainly on foreign networks, such as cafés or public Wi-Fi. A VPN does not replace the encryption of the website itself, two-factor authentication or secure password management. The VPN provider can also see that you are connected, so read its privacy rules.
What should you watch for with free VPNs?
Free VPN apps often finance themselves through advertising or data. Before you install one, check who the provider is, which privacy policy applies and whether there is a data limit. A student offer from a known provider, by contrast, is a contract with clear conditions.
What happens to your password manager and VPN after your studies?
Bitwarden remains usable in its free plan, and the premium features then no longer apply. With 1Password, access ends after the two years from the GitHub Pack, unless you take out a subscription of your own. With Proton, the subscription renews automatically at the regular price after the first term, unless you cancel or change the plan.
Export your passwords before your studies end. Make sure the export does not leave an unencrypted file in your downloads folder.
Which protective measures complement a password manager and a VPN?
A password manager and a VPN are building blocks, not a complete security strategy. Most effective is two-factor authentication for university accounts, email and online banking. It prevents a stolen password from being enough on its own. Update devices and apps regularly, because security gaps are often exploited through outdated software.
Caution is just as important with messages that ask you to enter login data. Universities and providers do not ask for passwords by email. Check the sender and links before you enter anything. A password manager also helps here, because it fills in login data only on the right website.
For emergencies, a recovery route is worthwhile. Store an emergency contact with the password manager if your plan provides it, and keep the master password separate from your devices. During studies, when accounts move between university and private use, you otherwise lose track quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a university email address for the Proton discount?
The Proton page refers to Student Beans and Beans iD for checking student status. Which proofs are required exactly is stated on the pages of these services. According to Proton, the entitlement applies to full-time education.
Is 1Password free for students?
According to the GitHub Student Developer Pack, 1Password is free for two years. The offer runs through your verified GitHub student account. The Pack page names no list of countries, so check availability in Germany during the registration process.
Is Bitwarden secure enough for important passwords?
Bitwarden describes its accounts as using zero-knowledge encryption. This means the provider cannot see your passwords in plain text. A strong master password and two-factor authentication remain your responsibility.
Should I use a university licence for security software?
Yes, if your university provides licences. That is free or cheap, but it does not replace checking whether the provider meets your requirements. The licence terms are usually available from your university IT department.
Is a password manager in the browser enough?
For simple cases the browser password manager is usable. A separate program with a database and export offers more control, for example when you change devices or when your studies end. Check where your passwords are stored and how you export them before you commit.
What to do now
- Check whether your university provides licences for password managers or VPNs.
- Set up a password manager with the free plan and change the most important passwords first.
- For a VPN, decide based on the privacy policy whether the provider is trustworthy.
- Cancel student subscriptions in time, before the regular price applies.
Related guides
- Student discounts for software and apps 2026: the overview
- Student status verification explained: SheerID, UNiDAYS, Student Beans and university email
- University email after deregistration: what happens to accounts and licences
- Campus licences: which software your university provides
- AI tools for students 2026: which offers exist with student status
Sources: Bitwarden: pricing (last updated October 2026), GitHub: Student Developer Pack (last updated October 2026), Proton: student offers (last updated October 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
