May 28, 2022
How to Save Money on Streaming Services With a VPN
Premium VPNs are commonly used to protect users’ online privacy, but did you know they can also [...]
WHAT’S IN THIS REVIEW?
Disclaimer: Partnerships & affiliate links help us create better content. Learn how.
I’m not afraid to admit that binge-watching TV shows and movies is one of my favorite pastimes. I imagine this goes the same for many students out there, too. I mean, how could it not?
With a host of streaming services out in the world, the content to binge on is truly astounding. But on a student budget, which streaming app(s) do you choose to get the best bang for your buck?
Well, we made it easy and dug out the wide selection of discounts available for all you hard-working students. Then, we’ll go into the benefits of pairing your streaming service(s) with a VPN to enhance your entertainment experience.
Unblock content and websites outside your country with a secure VPN.
Hulu
Hulu stands as one of the most popular streaming services with about 42.8 million subscribers. They host numerous binge-worthy shows, including Handmaid’s Tale, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Rick and Morty, and much more.
Active students can stream all of this content for only $1.99 per month with verified enrollment status—saving 70% the regular price of Hulu’s ad-supported tier.
Amazon Prime
When it comes to Amazon Prime, students have got it made! New student members earn a 6-month free trial, and after, only have to pay $6.49 per month—saving 50% off the regular price.
An Amazon Prime membership includes full access to Prime Video. Additionally, students can unlock more with exclusive add-on deals for streaming channels like SHOWTIME, EPIX, Shudder, Acorn TV, and more.
Did you know? Prime Video has the largest library of movies compared to any other streaming service.
On top of streaming benefits, students with an Amazon Prime membership receive access to Prime Delivery, Prime Music, Prime Reading, Early Access Deals, Amazon’s Warehouse, and Amazon Photos.
Amazon has also partnered with other highly-rated apps and services to offer students unique discounts and save extra money. These include free food delivery with GrubHub, a 3-month free trial ($8.99/year thereafter) with Calm, 10% off hotels and flights with StudentUniverse, and 1-month free trial with Course Hero.
Apple TV+ with Apple Music
For a limited time, students working their way to earn a degree at a college or university can access Apple TV+ for free when signing up for the Apple Music student subscription. This tier is offered at a discounted price of $4.99 per month, for up to 48 months.
Apple Music offers an extensive library of 75 million songs in lossless (CD) and high resolution (192KHz 24bit) quality. As for Apple TV+, they have a great amount of originals featuring popular actors like Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, and Will Ferrell.
Shameless Plug: If you haven’t seen Ted Lasso on Apple TV+, I’m giving you full permission to pause on this article to go subscribe and watch now. It’s a fun-loving comedy that earns 5 stars in my book!
YouTube Premium
In total, YouTube’s channels (i.e. YouTube, YouTube Premium, and Youtube Music) have successfully acquired a whopping 2 billion users. Of that, 50 million subscribers make up the YouTube Music and YouTube Premium user base.
YouTube Premium still trails behind popular streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. But, that doesn’t mean they’re not worth noting for students looking to save money on on-demand streaming.
For eligible students, YouTube discounts their Premium and Music subscription from $11.99/month to $6.99/month (including a 1-month free trial). An official student verification is required annually to reap the benefits of this plan. Students can then receive ad-free entertainment, downloading for offline streaming, and background play for uninterrupted streaming when you open another app on your device.
Spotify with Hulu & Showtime
If you’re looking to get more with a bundle, this one’s for you. Spotify Premium Student offers a popular deal that includes Spotify’s leading music library, Hulu (ad-supported), and SHOWTIME. Gain full access to all 3 of their libraries with a 1-month free trial and only $4.99 per month thereafter. If you’re on a tight budget, this 3-in-1 bundle gives you the best bang for your buck.
Paramount+
Paramount+ is a newer player in the streaming wars. They offers verified college and university students 25% off its Essential tier price of $4.99/month after a 1-week free trial. With Paramount+ Essential, students can access over 30,000 episodes and movies, live sports, original content, and live news from CBSN. To get started, verify your student credentials below.
Discovery+
Discovery+ offers active students 40% off a Discovery+ Ad-Lite plan, which comes out to only $2.99 per month after a 7-day free trial. Discovery+ offers a wide range of content, including binge-worthy shows on HGTV, TLC, Food Network, Animal Planet, and much more.
Why Using a VPN for Streaming Helps
Now, let’s go over the added bonus a secure VPN can bring to the table. Certain streaming services are only available in certain countries. And certain TV shows and movies within these apps can be geo-blocked based on a user’s location.
A VPN like CyberGhost can unlock specific content within streaming services by bypassing geo-restrictions. They can also provide access to other streaming apps that are not available in the country you physically reside in.
Pro Tip: Use a VPN for streaming so you can connect to servers outside of your country and unlock more content under one subscription.
Having said that, there are some key points to note when you’re pairing your streaming service(s) with a VPN.
1.
Find a VPN with fast speeds
When attempting to unlock content and bypass geo-restrictions, you’re most likely connecting to servers outside your country to accomplish this. A VPN can offer various speeds based on the server you connect to. So, keep in mind that it may take some trial and error to find a VPN with optimal streaming speeds.
2.
Find a VPN with numerous server options
It’s important to have a variety of server options to connect to. Especially if accessing geo-restricted content in streaming services is your main goal. More servers will increase your chances of unlocking movies, TV shows, and other streaming apps available outside of your country.
Ready, Set, Binge!
I definitely don’t miss finals and research papers, but I wish I was eligible to sign up for these deals. These opportunities are a useful way to test and discover the best streaming services that fit your personal preferences. And at the same time, save you a lot of money.
Pairing a reliable VPN with a student streaming service is a win-win for your wallet and feeding your binge-watching habits. And that’s nothing to be ashamed of. New to VPNs? I’d highly recommend looking into the other benefits of using a VPN to further enhance your digital experience.
