The best VPNs in the UAE 2024

21.09.2024

Want to access blocked websites and protect your privacy in Dubai? Discover the top VPNs that actually work in the UAE, tested for speed, security, and streaming. Read on for the best picks!

Best VPN for UAE 2024

In this article, we will tell you about the best options to use VPN in the UAE in 2024. Let's make a reservation right away - all the services we described are paid. Their use involves low costs, but provides its users with a number of benefits:

anonymous and secure internet surfing;
browsing streaming resources;
use of VoIP services;
hiding traffic data from outsiders;
unblocking prohibited resources when necessary;
protection of the connection when using public Wi-Fi connections.

During our research, we studied several VPN providers at once, and this material will be dedicated to the best of them.

Key Criteria for Choosing a VPN in Dubai

United Arab Emirates is a wonderful and in many ways advanced country in the world. At the same time, the authorities of this state pursue a strict policy regarding access to many Internet opportunities. In this article, we will tell you about several popular VPN platforms that will help you receive content from any website during your stay in the UAE. In order to understand how to compare and evaluate certain VPN services, we have identified a number of criteria. Let's consider them briefly:

Powerful encryption.

UAE government agencies make frequent attempts to block VPNs. Therefore, any service of this type must use proven encryption protocols that use the latest technology to ensure that users are not detected. In this case, 256-bit encryption is the most optimal.

Leak protection.

The best option would be to use VPN services that guarantee protection against all kinds of leaks. Those services that ensure the security of IPv4, IPv6, DNS and WebRTC are preferable.

Logs policy.

For use in Arab Emirates, it is better to use those VPN services that do not keep or save log entries. This is a reliable way to protect the user, because visiting some Internet sites and using the VOIP services we are accustomed to may be illegal in this country.

Ease of launch.

Best VPNs are organized on a plug-and-play basis. All you need to do is install the application and connect to the server. Many services provide the opportunity for customization, but initially launching a VPN should be simple and reliable so that even an inexperienced client can handle it.

Supports different devices and operating systems.

It is optimal to install and use VPNs, which are supported on all major OSes: Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, macOS.

Simultaneous connections.

The service must support simultaneous connection of multiple devices. Some VPNs have no restrictions on the number of connected devices at all; this is the best option. But for family use, 7-8 simultaneous logins will be quite sufficient.

Speed.

It’s simple: the higher it is, the better for the user. Many VPNs offer very decent data transfer speeds from servers, reaching more than about 500 Mbps.
Support for streaming services. A good VPN should be able to provide you with all the content you are interested in correctly and without any hitches: music, video, photos, and other data. In our evaluation of services, we paid attention to those that easily circumvent geolocation restrictions.

VoIP support.

Censorship backed by the government of the United Arab Emirates does not allow the use of Skype and WhatsApp for video calls. A quality VPN should effectively remove these limitations.

Certain characteristics of a particular VPN service may stand out from the rest, for example, support for the TOR browser. We also highlight and evaluate such interesting features, highlighting them as benefits.

Top VPN Recommendations

Next, we will give examples of effectively working VPN services, each of which can be safely recommended for use. We tried to emphasize their pros and cons and talk about the interesting characteristics of these products.

NordVPN

Pros:

Well-developed server network.
Additional options: protection against viruses, malware, blocking unwanted advertising.
Money back guarantee within 30 days.
Availability of 5 servers in UAE.
A high-speed connection provides comfortable Internet surfing for users.
Double VPN option - the program routes user traffic through two different servers.
Good balance between the quality of service and its price: the most favorable tariff when paying for 2 years is 3.39 USD per month.

Cons:

Limited number of parallel connections—no more than 6.
Not the most user-friendly app design, especially for devices with small screens.

This service is rightfully included in the list of best VPNs in United Arab Emirates in 2024. NordVPN has real physical servers in the country, which compares favorably with many competitors. The company's total server fleet is 6,000 machines distributed over many countries, which allows Nord to provide secure and fast VPN services to users from all over the world. Your online will become private and secure if you use NordVPN.

The service also offers you to use the built-in antivirus and configure personal filters for sites. NordVPN will allow you to block annoying ad blocks and pop-ups, which will allow you to surf the Internet conveniently and risk free. The service also protects its users against DNS leaks.

An interesting trick from NordVPN is Double VPN. With this option, the program redirects you through two servers, rather than through one, as is usually done. Double change of geolocation provides an additional level of protection of your traffic from the attention of strangers. NordVPN not only provides its users with a great opportunity for work, it also provides access to services such as Netflix, Amazon, iPlayer, HULU and others. With NordVPN you will get anonymous, fast and private internet, allowing you to bypass existing restrictions from telecommunications companies in the UAE.

Tests show that with NordVPN connected, data can be transferred at speeds of up to 950 Mbit/second, which is a very good result. This VPN service is perfect for a family or a small work team because it can provide up to 6 simultaneous connections.

ExpressVPN

Pros:

The service supports advertisement blocking.
Integrated password manager.
Uses powerful data encryption.
Effective work of the Help Desk.
An extensive network of obfuscated servers in 105 countries around the world.
Intuitive user interface
Efficient and quick service.
Convenient auto-connection features.

Cons:

There are no real physical servers in UAE.
Relatively high price – 12.95 USD if paid for 1 month of use.
Inconvenient for Linux users – command line only.

ExpressVPN is a quality universal software product that is supported by all major operating systems. The VPN package gives its users good speed for receiving and transmitting information and ensures the confidentiality of your data. With its help you will get access to the services you want: Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, HULU, Disney+ and other blocked resources in the United Arab Emirates.

Tests have shown that ExpressVPN provides excellent data transfer speeds and protection from VPN blocks. The privacy of your data is guaranteed thanks to the use of the AES-256 symmetric encryption algorithm. Also, the ExpressVPN user can choose the protocols themselves; the service also protects against IPv6 leaks and has a kill switch. By the way, we recommend using standard VPN settings, this way you will get the most optimal balance of security and speed.

Besides its remarkable success in maintaining client privacy, ExpressVPN is one of the very successful streaming services. With this VPN you will get access to resources that have received geographical restrictions. ExpressVPN has servers in 94 countries around the world, which allows its users to open up virtually any location restrictions.
The number of simultaneous connections is 8. This will be enough for home use, as well as for a micro-company that employs 2-4 employees. Wide range of options for customizing operating parameters make this service suitable for both beginners and demanding professional users.

ExpressVPN has a dedicated page to support UAE users. Live chat is available 24/7, user questions are resolved really promptly. The service provides its clients with a conditional free trial period when you can evaluate the convenience and speed of ExpressVPN from personal experience - a money back guarantee is valid for 30 days. This is also an advantage of this VPN service.

Surfshark

Pros:

Unlimited number of simultaneous connections.
Physical servers in the UAE
Logs policy: no records are maintained.
Money back for 30 days of use.
Anti-malware protection is working.
Built-in ad blocking.
Quick and easy setup using the application.
Competitive price – from 2.19 USD with a subscription for 24 months.

Cons:

The kill switch function appears to be malfunctioning.
If you require a VPN for torrenting,
Surfshark is not quite suitable, being inferior to competitors in this option.
There are few options for personal settings, which professionals do not like.

Surfshark could be an attractive and affordable VPN option that provides secure and confidential internet access to its users in Arab Emirates. In its work, it uses the AES-256 encryption protocol. The double tunnel option makes your Internet surfing even more anonymous and inaccessible to prying attention. The developer company's Logs policy does not imply keeping records of the history of customer use of the service, so your actions will not leave traces. Surfshark is not as rich in settings and features as the services described above, which are defined as some of the best VPNs in the UAE. However, it is quite suitable for stable everyday use. An important advantage of Surfshark is the unlimited number of connected devices, which is very convenient for a large family or a company of like-minded people. Innovative Nexus technology will make your online experience even more anonymous and secure by redirecting traffic through the server network. Surfshark provides you with convenient and fast access to streaming services. Connection speed reaches 950 Mbps. With multiple servers located in over 100 countries, Surfshark brings you the world of unlimited internet traffic.

CyberGhost

Pros:

Lots of servers in the United Arab Emirates. More than 9 thousand servers worldwide.
Money-back guarantee within 45 days.
The interface is simple and understandable even for beginners.
The user has the opportunity to select the protocols to be used.
Blocking NoSpy servers, advertisements and sites that track user information.
Attractive price: from $2.19 when you activate a two-year tariff plan.

Cons:

Limited payment options: Credit Cards, PayPal or BitPay. This assumes that user data may be exposed.
Limitation on number of Simultaneous Logins: no more than 7.

The company's 12 servers are located directly in UAE, which makes it possible to provide high-quality connections and high speed user data transfer. CyberGhost has a convenient and understandable application that even a beginner can understand. The company’s server network stretches across more than 100 countries, which makes it easy to bypass geo-blocking. CyberGhost users have hassle-free access to streaming services. Moreover, some of them are specifically tuned for traffic from specific resources, for example, Netflix U.S., Netflix France and others. CyberGhost doesn't offer the same speeds for downloading and uploading your data as NordVPN or ExpressVPN can offer you, however, tests have shown enough performance and responsiveness to cover all the basic needs of the average VPN user. You get stable and fast encrypted internet traffic and unlock Amazon Prime Video, HULU, Netflix, Disney+ and others. The tests also showed effective leak protection and effective protection of the IP address.

Proton VPN

Pros:

Supports official 30-day free trial.
Multiple advanced data encryption protocols are used.
There are 12 servers located in UAE.
Traffic technology through ultra-secure Secure Core servers.
Rich functionality: efficient kill switch, NetShield ad blocker, built-in Tor support for accessing Onion sites.

Cons:

Sometimes the response time of the Help Desk is delayed.
Proton VPN has a slightly confusing pricing process for the product.
The server network is not as powerful as that of many competitors.
Some streaming services, such as Netflix, are only available in the Premium version.
To work with torrents efficiently, you will also need to subscribe to Premium.

Proton VPN is one of the best free services you can use in United Arab Emirates. It provides stable and secure internet access that ensures the privacy of its users. If you prefer maximum security measures, you can activate Secure Core - a special technology that will redirect the data flow across several servers at once, provided with ultra-protection.
Proton VPN effectively blocks pop-up ads with its NetShield option. The service instantly ends the session of transferring your data as soon as the VPN is deactivated by using the kill switch function. The software package has built-in protection against DNS leaks and also supports operation in the Tor browser.
Proton VPN, in collaboration with Deutsche Welle, provides access to news while supporting streaming video and audio at decent speeds. Tests have shown that internet traffic using Proton VPN moves within 460-510 Mbit/second. This may be slightly lower than competitive products, but this speed will be enough for any needs of the average user. User support is provided via live chat, which is available to clients 24/7. Proton VPN is an effective unblocker, giving users in the UAE access to oceans of content such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, Disney+ and others.

IPVanish

Pros:

Operates servers in the United Arab Emirates.
24/7 customer support.
Unlimited number of simultaneous connections.
Favorable tariff - from $2.19 when applying for a 2 year plan.
Money back for 30 days if you stop using this VPN.

Cons:

Relatively small network of servers: about 2,000 machines in 60 countries.
There is no anonymous registration option.

IPVanish effectively copes with geo-blocking, giving users in the UAE access to previously closed resources like Netflix, Amazon prime, Disney+ and others. This VPN service is ideal for travelers and locals who want to use VoIP during their trip to the UAE. If you have any questions or problems, please contact our support service. You can communicate with specialists via email or live chat; they respond fairly quickly and are available 24/7. IPVanish is a feature-rich VPN service that uses strong and unbreakable encryption, a kill switch option, and effective leak protection. IPVanish connection speed tests showed performance levels of 230-350 M/bit per second, which is not a record and is lower than the capabilities of VPN competitors. But at the same time, IPVanish allows you to use an unlimited number of simultaneous connections, which is a definite advantage of this product. Not so long ago, an ad blocker was added to the options, as well as dividing the data flow into different tunnels. IPVanish will hide your online activity from prying eyes, and some data packets can be passed through dedicated servers in unencrypted form.
The IPVanish application can be installed for Linux, MacOS, Windows, mobile operating systems: iOS and Android, and Amazon Fire TV. You can also manually configure the program to work with a large number of routers.

PIA

Pros:

Operates servers in the United Arab Emirates.
A money back guarantee period of 30 calendar days if the product does not suit you.
Good speed with WireGuard option enabled.
Built-in advertising and malware blocker.

Cons:

Limited number of simultaneous connections—no more than 10 per session.
Errors while unlocking some streaming services.

Private Internet Access has an extensive server network of over 10,000 machines located in 109 countries around the world. PIA VPN uses the WireGuard protocol, which is able to significantly speed up data streaming and stabilize the gaming process, which is valuable for gamers. The service provides its users with the ability to fine-tune encryption parameters, which have a positive effect on the speed and comfort of your browsing.
PIA VPN has a wide range of tools to ensure security and online privacy. The service protects you from domain name (DNS) leaks, blocks malicious software agents, and uses the kill switch option to cut off unencrypted Internet traffic in the event of an unplanned VPN outage. The service uses strong 256-bit encryption. Logs policy has been verified by testers and leaves no traces of online activities on the VPN server.
The Private Internet Access application is supported for devices running Windows and Linux operating systems, as well as mobile devices. An established money back guarantee of 30 calendar days allows you to try the service for free, and if something doesn’t suit you, you can return the money spent. The application supports 10 simultaneous connections. This is enough for family use or small office use.

OpenVpn

Pros:

Maximum security.
Flexibility of authentication.
Extra protection
Cross-platform.

Cons:

It may not be as fast as the newest VPN service implementations, and only when using a TCP port.

OpenVPN is one of the most widespread implementations of VPN technology, which is mainly used to organize access to internal corporate networks. Compared with other protocols, it is more convenient, efficient, reliable and stable. It is distributed with open source code, which inspires even greater trust among users. Also, not all VPN protocols support cross-platform, and OpenVPN works on many platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD and even Solaris, including mobile devices.

How We Tested

We looked at the most popular protocols to determine their strengths and weaknesses. The evaluation criteria included encryption algorithms, data compression, as well as features of the protocols themselves and their data transmission. The operating speed was not specifically taken into account, since it is individual for each connection. For example, OpenVPN speed depends on the size of the send and receive buffer.
Legal Considerations

The use of VPN in the UAE is under an unspoken ban, but this issue has not been fully resolved by law. Many users use VPN to bypass existing blocks and be able to use familiar websites and instant messengers. According to rumors, using a VPN can entail liability, but in fact this does not happen. VPN services remain very popular in the UAE, as a large number of tourists and business people come to this country, local residents and workers from other countries are also seeking to remove government restrictions on internet access.
The current cybercrime law (passed in 2012) prohibits the use of VPNs to visit websites that are illegal in the country and conduct illegal activities. These traditionally include pornographic resources, gambling, radical political portals, sites that incite hatred and intolerance towards Sunnis, Israeli domains and others. This law received expansions and additions in 2016, which greatly complicated the situation in the future. So, according to government regulations, you can’t use Skype, however, VoIP cards are freely available. As a result, the situation is that many people use Skype and WhatsApp without receiving any fines or other punishments. In fact, local authorities turn a blind eye to these minor crimes. However, we recommend that you use high-quality paid VPN services in the UAE. Free programs use older and simplified encryption protocols, they also store logs and can leak data, exposing your identity. While much of the interpretation of VPN use in the Emirates is in the “gray area,” it is better not to expose yourself to unnecessary risk.
Conclusion
In this short article, we looked at several effective VPN services that will allow you to get secure, fast and hidden Internet access while you are in the UAE. When using these services, your data will be kept confidential, as will your identity, IP address, and online activity history. Even your network service provider will not be able to decipher the content of your traffic.
Each of the VPNs presented in this article deserves your attention and can become a permanent choice. Feel free to install and run any of the above options. Ultimately, most VPN services provide a back guarantee. You can get a refund if you decide that this option is not right for you.