Last updated Mar 12, 2024 at 10am ET
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Users in the United Arab Emirates deal with a lot of government-sanctioned online censorship. Loads of content, apps (for example, Tinder, Whatsapp, Discord), and information are unavailable to the general public. Moreover, the fines for breaking the rules are massive. Not to mention, using virtual private networks for personal use is illegal in the United Arab Emirates. Luckily, a reliable UAE VPN can help you avoid any senseless restrictions.
Virtual Private Networks provide security and privacy for internet users and help them access blocked VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services, gambling sites, and streaming sites. Not to mention VPNs open up a whole world of streaming content and P2P downloads for users in the UAE. Plus, you can use a VPN to protect your Android, iOS, Smart TVs, and many other devices.
So read on to find our picks for the best VPN for UAE and Dubai residents.
Best VPN for UAE: shortlist
- The best VPN for unblocking apps in UAE9.6
- UAE VPN with infinite connections9.5
- Affordable & streaming-oriented VPN9.2
- The best P2P VPN for the UAE8.7
How to install the best VPN for the UAE
- Subscribe to a top-grade VPN for UAE. We recommend NordVPN, now 74% off!
- Get the software and set it up on a device of your choice
- Connect to a server nearby for better connectivity
- Enjoy unrestricted access to the web in the UAE!
Why do you need a VPN for the UAE?
First and foremost, the ultimate VPN will unblock previously unavailable apps, streaming platforms, and websites. The UAE government has banned a variety of apps (Tinder, Skype, Whatsapp) and will punish anyone who gets them. However, a trustworthy VPN will bypass firewalls and geo-restrictions, making it possible for you to get anything you want from the internet. For example, you can download Whatsapp in a country where the app is allowed.
Furthermore, a reliable provider will protect your online anonymity. Your internet activity is under high surveillance in this country, and you might want to keep some things private. Therefore, the best no-logs VPNs will ensure that only you know about your browsing habits.
Also, your data will be a lot safer thanks to a VPN. A reliable service will encrypt your info, making it almost impossible to decipher. Thus, neither the government nor hackers can dabble with your precious data.
Best VPNs for the UAE and Dubai: overview
- NordVPN – the best VPN for unblocking apps in UAE
- Surfshark VPN – UAE VPN with infinite connections
- PrivateVPN – affordable & streaming-oriented VPN
- IPVanish – the best P2P VPN for the UAE
When picking the best VPN for the United Arab Emirates, your provider should offer top-notch security and privacy features. Additionally, Stealth VPN technology will help you avoid Deep Packet Inspections (DPI). Furthermore, no geo-blocks should stand between you and the content you want.
1. NordVPN – the best VPN for unblocking apps in UAE
Panama
NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2
$2.99/month
532 Mbit/s
- Unparalleled speeds
- Obfuscated servers
- Dedicated IP option
- No router app
NordVPN is the best VPN for UAE as it’s undoubtedly the most secure and private service. Not to mention it’s the fastest VPN on the market, thanks to the proprietary NordLynx tunneling protocol.
The provider offers 6400+ servers in 111+ countries, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Additionally, obfuscated servers will mask your internet traffic and help you bypass robust firewalls. Plus, with a dedicated IP option, you’ll get fewer CAPTCHAs, easier access to geo-blocked content, and improved performance.
Safety-wise, NordVPN has a spotless reputation with an independently-audited zero-logs policy, so your confidentiality is ensured. Also, the UAE government won’t see your activity thanks to NASA-grade encryption, a kill switch, and IP leak protection. Additionally, Threat Protection will fend off malware, tracker, and obnoxious ads.
Surf the web freely with a NordVPN plan for $2.99/month. You can also make use of our special discount coupon. Additionally, your subscription will be protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Or, if you simply want to see how NordVPN works, try the 7-day free trial.
For a deeper investigation of NordVPN, read our NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark VPN – UAE VPN with infinite connections
Netherlands
WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
$1.99/month
548 Mbit/s
- Excellent performance
- Low priced & very effective
- Can easily bypass geo-blocks
- Unaudited no-logs policy
If you have more smart tech than you can count, then Surfshark is a perfect UAE VPN for you. Thanks to the infinite connections that the provider offers, it’s one of the best services for multiple devices.
In addition, Surfshark has 3200+ servers in 100+ countries, including UAE. Moreover, the WireGuard tunneling protocol ensures stable and fast connectivity globally. Surfshark also offers Camouflage Mode, which will help you bypass firewalls and avoid DPI.
Throw in excellent geo-unblocking skills, and you can get almost any content on websites and streaming platforms. You can also utilize the Smart DNS feature to stream on smart devices that don’t support VPNs. And if you want to be extra secure, grab a 3-in-1 Surfshark One package with antivirus, unbiased search engine, and breach detector.
Take Surfshark’s 7-day free trial to see how it performs. After that, catch a subscription for as little as $1.99/month. Plus, you can obtain it even cheaper with our Surfshark coupon. And don’t worry, a month-long money-back warranty will protect your plan.
For a deeper investigation of Surfshark VPN, read our Surfshark VPN review.
3. PrivateVPN – affordable & streaming-oriented VPN
Sweden
OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP
$2.00/month
299 Mbit/s
- Excellent at bypassing geo-blocks
- Stealth VPN technology
- Free dedicated IP servers
- Lacks WireGuard
One of the best streaming VPNs for UAE is PrivateVPN. It’s versatile, cheap, and can unblock a bunch of content globally.
Private VPN covers 63+ countries with 200+ servers, including UAE. The provider purchases High Quality Network, which boosts the service performance. Furthermore, it’s one of the only services that offer free Dedicated IP servers.
PrivateVPN can bypass geo-blocks and give you access to the most popular streaming platforms, such as Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, or Hulu. Additionally, the Stealth VPN feature will help you fly under the radar and avoid getting in trouble for using a virtual private network. Moreover, AES-256 encryption will ensure that no one gets to your data.
See PrivateVPN’s capabilities with a week-long free trial. However, you can instantly subscribe for $2.00/month. And don’t forget to check out some deals on the PrivateVPN coupon page. Not to mention, your plan will be guarded by a 30-day money-back warranty.
For a deeper investigation of PrivateVPN, read our PrivateVPN review.
4. IPVanish – the best P2P VPN for the UAE
USA
WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, L2TP/IPSec
$2.19/month
- No device limit
- WireGuard tunneling protocol
- Extra security features
- No anonymous payment methods
If you want to download some files, IPVanish is a perfect torrenting VPN for UAE. It’s privacy-friendly, reliable, and offers the critically-acclaimed VIPRE antivirus for long-term subscribers.
Finding the perfect P2P server will be easy, as IPVanish offers 2200+ pieces of hardware in 51+ countries. Additionally, you won’t have to suffer with shoddy connectivity, thanks to the WireGuard tunneling protocol. More so, the Scramble OpenVPN technology will make sure that you don’t get into trouble for using a VPN.
All IPVanish servers are P2P-friendly, so you can get big files globally. Plus, the SOCKS5 proxy will boost your torrenting efforts without having to encrypt the rest of your connection. And apart from using P2P, you can bypass geo-restrictions and enjoy the most extensive libraries on Netflix.
Torrent as much as you want with IPVanish for $2.99/month. Your subscription will be protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Plus, you can save even more money with the IPVanish coupon code. Or, you can see how it works with a week-long free trial.
For a deeper investigation of IPVanish, read our IPVanish review.
How we picked the best UAE VPN
Choosing the right VPN for UAE and Dubai might be difficult. To ease your search process, we created a list of must-have aspects and features for a virtual private network:
- Unblocking capabilities. To get Whatsapp or any other prohibited app in UAE, you’ll need a VPN like NordVPN, which can bypass the strictest firewalls and geo-blocks.
- Ensured confidentiality. No one should know about you or your activities on the web. Thus, make sure the VPN doesn’t collect any logs, has a spotless audit history, and is based in a privacy-friendly country.
- Robust security. The safest VPN should have military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and IP leak protection. Other features, like malware blockers and antivirus, are a huge plus.
- Worldwide coverage. You’ll need a VPN with loads of countries if you want more content. For example, your top pick could be Surfshark VPN, which has 95+ nations to choose from.
- Excellent connectivity. Endless loading screens are annoying and unnecessary. To avoid that, choose a provider with the WireGuard or NordLynx protocols.
- Compatibility. A VPN has no use if you can only use one certain OS. Therefore, scoop a service that has apps for the most popular devices.
- Price-quality ratio. The price of a VPN shouldn’t be as high as Burj Khalifa. You can find top-tier service for as little as $4.00/month.
How to use a VPN in the UAE
You might find it difficult getting and setting up a VPN in the UAE. That’s because the government blocks multiple VPN pages, so even obtaining the software is tricky. Thus, for those who are traveling to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, the best option is to sign up and install a VPN before entering the country.
The actual process depends on each provider. However, your steps should look like this:
- Get a VPN that works in the UAE. Our top recommendation is NordVPN
- Subscribe and set up the app
- Connect to a server of your choice
- Test if your IP address has changed
- Congrats! Now you can surf the web without curbs!
Are VPNs legal in the UAE?
It’s quite a surprise to find out that VPN usage is not illegal in the UAE for business purposes. It’s completely fine to use virtual private networks for companies to communicate internally safely.
Nevertheless, it’s illegal to utilize a VPN for personal use. Changing your actual IP address, streaming adult content, gambling, and many other activities are considered an offense in UAE. Additionally, you can even get fined for downloading apps, such as Tinder, TextNow, Skype, and so on.
The consequences are pretty harsh as well. You might have to pay up to $54,000 for disobeying the law. Luckily, you can avoid financial problems and gain access to blocked content, with a top-tier UAE VPN, like NordVPN.
Websites and apps that are blocked in the UAE
Unfortunately, for people living in the United Arab Emirates, many popular websites and services are off-limits. The reasons behind that are various: some are political, others are religious, while the rest are for making more money.
That’s especially evident with VoIP services. That’s because the government-owned telecommunications companies try to stop freedom of speech and profit more from their proprietary apps.
Here are just a few of the blocked apps and websites in the UAE:
| Category | Banned or restricted apps & websites |
| Messaging & VoIP communication | Whatsapp, Viber, Facetime, Skype, Messenger, Snapchat |
| Gambling | Stake, Roobet, PokerStars, Bet365 |
| Pornography | Pornhub, XVideos, GayMaleTube |
| Dating | Grindr, Tinder, Bumble, OkCupid |
| Other content | Al Jazeera, BBC, Wikipedia |
Thankfully, you can bypass strict firewalls and geo-blocks safely with one of the Top 5 VPNs for UAE. Just remember to turn on the Stealth VPN feature which will let you sneak through restrictions securely.
Is torrenting legal in the UAE?
Just like most good things, torrenting is illegal in the UAE. That’s due to strict copyright laws in the country. If you get caught, you might end up with massive fines or even imprisonment.
But, once again, a handy torrenting VPN should help you out. It will mask your internet traffic, hide your real IP address, and allow you to obtain the wanted files. Make sure a provider offers port forwarding for increased download speeds.
Download the best UAE torrenting VPN
What else can you do with a UAE VPN?
We’ve covered security, privacy, torrenting, and unblocking restricted apps and content. Regardless if you’re a pro gamer, avid streamer, or serial bargain hunter, there are a few more things that the best VPN for UAE and Dubai can do.
Get UAE content elsewhere
Suppose you miss your local TV shows and movies while traveling. In that case, a VPN will let you watch UAE television on streaming platforms outside the country. With a UAE IP address, you’ll be able to watch StarPlaza Arabia, MVC Shahid, VIU, and many more.
Find better deals online
A virtual private network can help you find better deals online. Most services can increase the prices according to your browsing history and frequency, location, and even age. By masking your actual IP address and hopping through regions, you can find cheaper flight tickets, hotels, games, clothes, etc.
As an example, we’ve picked a flight from Dubai to London. Without a VPN, we couldn’t find the cheapest option. However, once we chose a different location and changed our IP address, we managed to get a better deal. Therefore, a UAE VPN would help us save $168!
Cheapest flight without a UAE VPN:
Cheapest flight with a UAE VPN:
Elevate your gameplay
The best gaming VPN won’t improve your skills, but it will deal with gaming-related problems. You won’t have to suffer from DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) attacks as much. Additionally, it will reduce lag and low latency. More so, you can play on any gaming server globally by hopping through regions with a VPN.
Best free UAE VPN
A free UAE VPN will always make compromises with the service it provides. Most often, the company behind it will get its revenue through ads. In more extreme cases, your private data could also be sold to third parties. Not to mention, most free VPNs for Dubai can’t bypass strict firewalls, so they are pointless.
Therefore, the best option is to opt for a free trial VPN. You’ll be able to use the service without paying for a whole week. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about the limited speeds, data, or features. After that, most services offer a 30-day money-back guarantee that you can also make use of.
Bottom line
There is very little internet freedom in the United Arab Emirates: all your activities are under surveillance, and loads of content are inaccessible. Therefore, a VPN for UAE is a must.
And without a doubt, we nominate NordVPN as the best VPN for UAE and Dubai. The service will help you access restricted content hassle-free. Additionally, it’s super fast, secure, and privacy-friendly. Not to mention, it’s extremely fast and reliable. So, go ahead and enjoy the unrestricted web in UAE!
What do you think is the best VPN for the UAE and Dubai? Let us know by leaving a comment!
You may also like to read:
Best VPN for Iran
Best VPN for Bahrain
Best VPN for travel
Best VPN for Saudi Arabia
Best VPN for Facebook
FAQ
Is it legal to use a VPN in UAE and Dubai?
Using VPNs in the UAE to access internal company networks is not illegal. Additionally, some VPNs are available for business purposes. Nevertheless, if you use a VPN for personal reasons, you can get fined if you mask your IP address for illegal activities, such as torrenting, using VoIP, or streaming pornography.
What is the best VPN to use in the UAE?
The best VPN to use in the UAE is NordVPN. It will unblock VoIP services like Whatsapp, Skype, or TextNow. Additionally, it’s super secure, and you’ll stay private while using it. Not to mention, it’s ultra-fast and has loads of servers globally.
What is the fine for using VPN in the UAE?
You’ll get a fine of up to $54,000 if you get caught using a VPN for personal use.
Can I use a free VPN in UAE and Dubai?
Yes, you can use a free VPN in the UAE. However, most costless services are unreliable and will expose you and your data.
A better option is to grab a NordVPN subscription, protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee. That way, you’ll surely be secure and anonymous.
Which VPNs have UAE servers?
Surfshark VPN, PrivateVPN, and IPVanish have reliable and fast servers in Dubai, UAE.
There are quite a few new ones mentioned on this page, some of these VPNs I have never heard of before. Almost $3 per month for NordVPN is a good deal.
As much as I think adult-themed websites are harmful, I think it’s incredibly important to allow for all forms of political speech to be seen, so it’s worthwhile to get a VPN for that.
IPVanish is another good recommendation for UAE and Dubai, but haven’t VPNs been blocked in the UAE these last several months?
I appreciate how VPNPro explains the details of virtual private networks and the reasons why they are specifically useful for the countries being discussed,shows being accessed, etc. I also like how you explain the special features of particular VPN’s such as VyprVPN’s “Stealth VPN.” Never knew there were ways to mask that you’re using a VPN.
1. NordVPN seems to be getting most votes.
2. Be sure to use obfuscation servers.
3. According to UAE law, any website that contradicts the ethics and morality of the country is blocked, including:
Pornography websites, Gambling websites, Israeli websites, VoIP services (Skype), Websites with anti-religious hate speech, Websites publicizing beliefs that are contrary to the Sunni population, Websites with content on illegal drugs (production, sales, use or distribution). Stay away from such sites.