Best VPNs for UAE and Dubai & the legal position on VPN use

Living or visiting Dubai, or the wider UAE, brings a unique set of digital challenges. With the Government blocking services like Skype, WhatsApp, Steam, and Netflix, a VPN that works in the UAE can be a versatile tool.

After exhaustive research, testing, and vetting, this comprehensive guide addresses the most reliable VPNs for Dubai and the UAE, concerns around VPN use in the UAE, and what apps, sites, and services a VPN can give you access to in the region.

The Best VPNs for Dubai and the UAE summary list for 2024

1. NordVPN: Our recommended best VPN for UAE and Dubai.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for the UAE.
2. Surfshark: Low-cost, privacy-focused VPN for the UAE.
3. IPVanish: Privacy-conscious VPN that allows unlimited connections. Great for browsing safely in Dubai and the UAE.
4. ExpressVPN: A fast VPN for streaming in Dubai and UAE.
5. PrivateVPN: The VPN pick for unblocking Netflix in Dubai.
6. Private Internet Access: A great UAE VPN for the privacy-conscious.
7. PureVPN: Speedy, security-conscious service that works perfectly in the UAE.
8. ProtonVPN: Reliable option for protecting yourself while visiting Dubai.

Note: Over the last 12 months many VPNs have been blocked in the UAE. We regularly update this article to only show VPNs that work in the UAE. Occasionally, VPNs on this list may be temporarily blocked.

We use very specific criteria to form our recommendations for the best VPNs for Dubai and the UAE. Wider UAE users, in particular, should use VPNs that allow secure access to blocked websites and VoIP services without data leaks.

With this in mind, the VPN services listed for UAE and Dubai all offer:

• Good encryption
• No traffic logs
• Plenty of servers
• DNS leak protection

As an added bonus, we also emphasized any services that utilized obfuscation to hide the fact that you’re even using a VPN at all. We go into more detail on our testing process below.

Expert tip: Some VPN sites are blocked in the UAE so if you are not yet there, be sure to sign up before traveling.

Travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Dubai is increasingly common. If you do happen to find yourself there for business or for pleasure, you may experience a bit of frustration accessing a fair number of websites. VoIP services like Skype and WhatsApp are blocked, as well as gambling sites like Betfair and several Wikipedia pages. The country’s Telecom Regulatory Authority imposes strict internet censorship across the board. Somewhat surprisingly, the TRA is very transparent regarding what sites are blocked and why. If you want to access blocked sites and apps like Skype in the UAE you will need a VPN, although many won’t work.

The best VPNs for UAE and Dubai – Our hands-on review

We’ve tested and compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for UAE and Dubai.

Best VPNs for UAE, Dubai, and the Emirates

From real-world testing, here’s our list of the best VPNs for the UAE and Dubai that are still working:

1. NordVPN

Oct 2024 Works in UAETested Oct 2024

NordVPN is a great option for those seeking an extra level of security in Dubai and other places with strict censorship laws. It offers a Tor over VPN option, which is perhaps the safest method for browsing the web and enjoying online privacy. By combining its service with Tor, NordVPN ensures an extremely safe and heavily encrypted web-browsing experience, especially for those connecting in the UAE and Dubai.

Additionally, NordVPN features a DNS leak resolver designed to prevent DNS leaks and a process-specific internet kill switch should the service fail or if any individual program running starts leaking data. OpenVPN protocols and PPTP and L2TP/IPsec are available here. While NordVPN does not include its own obfuscation method, it does support Obfsproxy. Their website provides a helpful walkthrough on how to set this up through their service. The service also utilizes a double VPN feature, which encrypts your data twice for added security. However, this does, understandably, slow down the service slightly, but the trade-off is enhanced privacy and security.

VPN apps are available for various operating systems, including Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. This ensures that you can enjoy the benefits of NordVPN’s high security and privacy features no matter what device you use.

NordVPN speed test data

BEST VPN FOR UAE AND DUBAI:NordVPN is our first choice browsing safely in Dubai & UAE. It’s an especially fast VPN with strong unblocking, powerful online privacy features, and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

Works in UAETested Oct 2024

Surfshark is a high-level VPN service that offers everything we looked for in our criteria. This includes AES-256 encryption, a strict no-log policy and many server locations.

You’ll also find that Surfshark utilizes OpenVPN TCP/UDP protocols while supporting PPTP and L2TP/IPsec VPN protocols as well. Notable on this service is the zero-knowledge DNS on each server (meaning your private information is not saved on any server you connect to), automatic kill switch, double VPN chaining, and ease of use, as well as a reasonably large number of servers and server locations (over 500 servers in 50 countries). All of these features are perfect for complete online freedom in Dubai, including the ability to make video calls or access other online services that are otherwise banned in the UAE.

Unlike most VPN services, Surfshark also offers the option to use one account to cover an unlimited number of devices.

VPN apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV. You can also install the service as a Chrome or Firefox plugin to cover just your web browser activities.

Surfshark speed test data

BEST BUDGET OPTION:Surfshark offers online security at an affordable price. Boasts solid speeds, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and impressive unblocking ability. Connect as many devices as you like in the UAE and Dubai.

You can read our full Surfshark review here.

3. IPVanish

Works in UAETested Oct 2024

IPVanish has more than 2,000 servers to choose from, spanning roughly 60 countries (including the UAE). Although its website is blocked in Dubai, you’ll be able to browse the internet as normal, provided you activate the traffic scrambling feature. This VPN excels at accessing region-locked platforms, making it a fantastic option for anyone looking to stream, bypass censorship, or access VoIP services during their visit. If you’re having problems, just let support staff know – they’re available 24/7 over live chat and email.

We’re big fans of services that simplify security. By default, IPVanish uses uncrackable encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection to shield your online activities from prying eyes. It also recently added ad and tracker-blocking, plus split tunneling functionality so you can let traffic to certain websites pass through unencrypted. This provider follows a strict no-logging policy and has proven it with an independent audit. The only downside is that there’s no way to sign up anonymously at the time of writing. On the plus side, there’s no connection limit; this allows you to protect every device you own with a single subscription.

IPVanish offers apps for Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. It can also be manually configured to work with a huge number of routers.

IPVanish speed test data

UNLIMITED CONNECTIONS:IPVanish is a fast and reliable VPN that works perfectly in Dubai. It doesn’t compromise on security and lets you secure as many devices as you like. Not sure it’s right for you? No problem: annual plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Interested? Check out our full IPVanish review.

4. ExpressVPN

Works in UAETested Oct 2024

ExpressVPN easily meets all of our criteria for making the list of best VPNs for UAE and Dubai. The company stores no identifying logs about what users do online while connected.

The VPN uses AES-256 encryption, noted as one of the best encryption methods and notably used by many governments, including the U.S. government and military. ExpressVPN supports OpenVPN with TCP/UDP, SSTP, L2TP/IPSec, and PPTP protocols. ExpressVPN employs DNS protection, and an automatic internet kill switch in case the service fails.

Finally, ExpressVPN has a great server network, with geographic locations in 94 countries. This means that you can easily mask your real IP address and obtain one in a location with more online freedom, bypassing strict internet censorship. As a bonus, this service utilizes its own, proprietary method of obfuscation to hide the fact that you’re connected to a VPN. As such, the service works in even the most VPN-unfriendly countries. It is known to even get past the Great Firewall of China. ExpressVPN reliably works with most major geo-restricted streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and HBO GO, as well as VoIP services like Skype.

VPN apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux (command line), and certain wifi routers.

ExpressVPN speed test data

GREAT FOR SECURITY:ExpressVPN is a quick, reliable service that works well in Dubai & UAE. Unblocks all major sites and apps, including Skype, and offers unlimited bandwidth. Keeps your personal data safe and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review here.

5. PrivateVPN

Works in UAETested Oct 2024

PrivateVPN is a young, up-and-coming VPN provider that offers a service on par with its veteran rivals. The company has a no-logs policy and accepts payment via credit card, Stripe, PayPal, or Bitcoin. You can choose between 128-bit or  256-bit AES encryption, which uses perfect forward secrecy. IPv6 leak and DNS protections are built in, as is a kill switch. These features allow you complete privacy to enjoy internet activities that would be otherwise blocked in Dubai without online surveillance. This includes things like making VoIP calls or video calling.

PrivateVPN is adept at unblocking geo-locked internet content, including the Netflix catalogs of several countries, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer, among others. It ranks near the top in our speed tests despite operating a smaller server network than other VPNs in this list. Live chat is available during business hours.

You can connect a maximum of six devices simultaneously on a single account. Apps and software are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.

PrivateVPN speed test data

GREAT SPEEDS:PrivateVPN works well in the UAE and allows up to 6 devices on the same account. A small network of servers but fast VPN connections. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

6. Private Internet Access

Works in UAETested Oct 2024

Private Internet Access operates a server network of more than 10,000 globally, with servers located in 809+ countries, including Dubai and the UAE. It wouldn’t be our first choice streaming VPN as accessing streaming services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer isn’t as consistent as we’d like, but when it does work, you can expect some impressive speeds. PIA uses the WireGuard protocol for supercharged gaming and streaming, and you can also tweak encryption settings to increase speeds further.

PIA has a suite of useful security tools, including a malware blocker, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. Additionally, it uses 256-bit encryption and has a verified logging policy – even though it’s based in the US, a Five Eyes country.

Apps and software are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android interfaces. You can enjoy ten simultaneous connections. You can take it for a spin for 30 days using its money-back guarantee.

Private Internet Access speed test data

WIREGUARD SUPPORT:Private Internet Access includes a built-in adblocker and kill switch, operates servers in over 80 countries, and doesn’t collect logs.

Read our full Private Internet Access review.

7. PureVPN

Works in UAETested Oct 2024

PureVPN operates more than 6,000 servers in 65 countries around the world (including Dubai). With average speeds of nearly 400 Mbps, it’s far faster than many of its rivals. Additionally, it excels at unblocking geo-restricted platforms, allowing you to stream your favorite shows and use chat apps as normal during your stay. Users can protect up to 10 devices simultaneously and while the apps are very easy to use, customer support is available 24 hours per day via live chat.

The UAE has a history of digital surveillance and censorship but that won’t be a problem for you. PureVPN has uncrackable encryption, blocks DNS and IPv6 leaks, and uses a kill switch to ensure you never inadvertently browse unprotected. Most importantly, it refuses to log any details of your activities and has confirmed this fact with four independent audits. There is also a tracker-blocking tool, though this only works if you chose the Plus or Max plan. That’s a little disappointing considering many competing services offer this feature as standard.

PureVPN apps are available for MacOS, iOS, Windows, Android, and Linux. If you prefer, it could also be manually installed on just about any home router.

PureVPN speed test data

BEAT CENSORSHIP:PureVPN automatically obfuscates your traffic, making it as easy as possible to access your usual services in the UAE. Every subscription comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Why not check out our full review of PureVPN?

8. ProtonVPN

Works in UAETested Oct 2024

ProtonVPN operates more than 3,800 servers in an impressive 85 countries. This includes the UAE, so you’ll be able to access local services as well as international platforms. In our latest testing, this VPN delivered average speeds of over 330 Mbps; as such, you shouldn’t notice any performance issues, even when doing data-intensive tasks. Up to 10 simultaneous connections are permitted with a single account and support staff are on-hand day and night to answer any questions you might have.

This provider goes above and beyond on security. It supports multiple VPN protocols, uses as-yet-uncrackable encryption, and includes a variety of safeguards including a kill switch and automatic leak protection. In fact, ProtonVPN can even block ads and trackers outright. There’s also a strict no-logs policy in place, which has been verified by third-party auditors. Anyone looking for a little extra anonymity can sign up using one of the anonymous payment methods or connect to the slower (but more privacy-conscious) Secure Core servers.

ProtonVPN offers apps for iOS, MacOS, Linux, Windows, and Android. You can also follow manual setup instructions to get it running on most routers.

ProtonVPN speed test data

ZERO-LOGS VPN:ProtonVPN puts your privacy first and doesn’t require any data that could identify its users. Every paid subscription comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

For more info, read our complete ProtonVPN review.

Our Methodology for selecting the best VPNs for the UAE and Dubai

The UAE is a top vacation and work destination. However, the UAE government also imposes one of the most restrictive internet-blocking policies in the world. A VPN will be necessary if you want unfettered access to the free web while you work or travel in the UAE. Taking into account what matters most for VPN usage in the UAE, we rate VPNs for the UAE using the following criteria:

• Strong encryption protocols: Because the UAE actively blocks VPNs, any VPN that works in this country must use the strongest possible encryption protocols with obfuscation technology to help users avoid detection. We specifically look for 256-bit encryption.
• Strict no-logs policy: Accessing certain websites in the UAE may be illegal, especially for citizens of the UAE. Any VPN worth using in the UAE should have a verified and strict no-logs policy to protect user identity.
• Leak protection: Given the need for security and anonymity when using a VPN in the UAE, we prioritized VPNs that protect against all forms of data leaks common with VPNs, including IPv4, IPv6, WebRTC, and DNS.
• Ease of use: The best VPNs are plug-and-play. Once you install it, it should not require any extra steps beyond connecting to a server. Misconfigurations can result in data leaks, so the best VPNs for UAE shouldn’t require any extra steps from the end-user.
• Wide device support: To avoid being limited to one device while in the UAE, you will want a VPN with apps for every major operating system (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android).
• Simultaneous devices: As with support for different operating systems, to prevent being restricted to just one device and to ensure you can share your VPN with your family, a good VPN for UAE will allow you to connect to its service on multiple devices at once.
• Fast server speed: The faster, the better, especially if you plan to use your VPN to stream movies or upload and download large files.
• Streaming services: An effective VPN in the UAE should also bypass geographic content restrictions on your favorite streaming websites, including Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.
• Unblocking ability: Dubai is known for online censorship and surveillance, and some many sites and services are blocked. Any VPN we recommend needs to be able to unblock popular VoIP services like WhatsApp and Skype for video calling.

Our research into VPNs is extensive. You’ll find there are far more technical and policy aspects to VPNs and VPN providers that distinguish the good from the bad. We recommend exploring our extensive VPN testing methodology.

VPNs to avoid in the UAE and Dubai

If you’ve been Googling around for what VPN to use while you’re in the UAE, a few probably popped up that are actually best avoided, either because they don’t work in the UAE or because of a precedent of shifty practices. There are a lot of bad VPN services out there, but here are two, in particular, to stay away from:

Hola

Hola is a peer-to-peer network that uses idle bandwidth on other people’s computers to create a VPN tunnel. Likewise, other people utilize your bandwidth when you’re not using it. This can make you liable for other people’s online activity, a huge risk when in the UAE and Dubai. The company has a history of abusing users’ trust as well. It once turned all of the devices on its network into a huge botnet and used it to carry out distributed denial-of-service attacks on websites.

HideMyAss

While HMA doesn’t record any of your activity or the contents of your internet traffic, it does store detailed metadata user logs, including your real IP address. The most famous example is the arrest of Cody Kretsinger, a LulzSec hacker involved in a cyber attack on Sony Pictures. HideMyAss handed over evidence to authorities under a court order that led to his arrest. While we don’t condone what Cody did, VPN users should be skeptical of HideMyAss’ “no logs” claims.

Are VPNs legal in the UAE?

Many users turn to a VPN to bypass these digital content blocks, an action that currently resides in a significant legal gray area in the country. In fact, rumors regarding the legal consequences of using a VPN in the country abound.

Just recently, many UAE residents received a text message telling them to report a police station in Dubai to pay a fine of Dh5,000. This turned out to be a lie. Despite such false rumors, VPNs remain hugely popular.

A 2012 cybercrime law passed in the country only appeared to ban the use of VPNs for activity considered illegal in the country. Pornography, anti-religious hate speech, and gambling generally top the list. However, that law has since been amended and expanded, throwing many VPN users or potential users into confusion over the new law and whether or not there is a UAE VPN ban in place. Many are now more confused than ever over what is and is not permissible.

Yet between 2012 and 2016, few, if any, VPN websites that allowed users to access blocked internet content were themselves blocked by the TRA, indicating that the country is not actively blocking these sites, or at the least, not actively reporting it. Even still, many local stores sell VoIP cards that allow the use of Voice Over IP services, despite the ban on services like Skype. It would appear a blind eye is turned to what might be considered minor transgressions and a huge number of people use Skype and other “banned” VoIP services with the help of a VPN.

That said, the current amendment to the law is new and one that should be watched closely. There are many uses for a VPN in the UAE and Dubai, most of which are very much within the country’s legal gray area, such as accessing geographically blocked content from streaming content websites like BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video.

UAE’s content and VPN laws

The UAE’s internet content blocking laws are overly complex but based on two categories: religious principles and protecting businesses.

The religious principles aspect of this is pretty clear. The United Arab Emirates has a complicated government structure with an absolute monarchy at the top. Laws are based on a mixture of Sharia and secular civil ideals.*

As the country’s laws have a significant basis in Sharia, the Telecom Regulatory Authority’s online content blocking makes sense per the UAE’s enshrined Muslim belief system, although it’s less draconian than what one might find in other primarily Muslim countries such as Iran or Saudi Arabia.

According to the TRA, content that “contradicts with the ethics and morality of the UAE” is blocked outright. This includes:

• pornography
• VoIP sites and services (Skype)
• gambling
• websites containing anti-religious hate speech
• websites related to the production, sale, and distribution of illegal drugs
• content that is often contrary to the beliefs of the majority Sunni population
• Many Wikipedia pages
• Israeli websites

The TRA provides statistics yearly on its content-blocking initiative:

2016 amended VPN law

In early 2016, the UAE amended its cybercrime law to specify more VPN uses. The law reads:

“Whoever uses a fraudulent computer network protocol address (IP address) by using a false address or a third-party address by any other means for the purpose of committing a crime or preventing its discovery, shall be punished by temporary imprisonment and a fine of no less than Dhs 500,000 ( USD $136,128.51) and not exceeding Dhs 2,000,000 (USD $544,514.04), or either of these two penalties.”

Many stories came out immediately following this amendment that seemingly broadened the extent of this law to include all VPN usage. However, this has not been the case. Indeed, VPN usage in the UAE and Dubai is exceptionally high and very common. As evidenced by the TRA’s own content filtering statistics, most websites outside of those going against ethics laws are not commonly banned. This includes VPN services. Nevertheless, as long as the VPN you are using is doing its job and obfuscating your connection to the VPN server, you’re not likely to draw any attention from authorities.

Some content blocking is meant to benefit businesses

The UAE sees a significant amount of international business traffic and relies heavily on that traffic as part of its economy. Dubai, in particular, has a large number of non-Muslims and temporary residents living and working in the city year-round and long-term. To stay on the friendlier side of their international business partners, the country tends to spend less time enforcing some of the laws it has on the books in Dubai, although recent changes to the law may indicate a consequential return to strict censorship and enforcement.

Businesses themselves enjoy some content-blocking laws that are designed to protect their interests. The digital content blocking of voice over internet protocol (VoIP) and many other messaging apps, such as Skype, WhatsApp, and Google Hangouts, is because the country wants to protect its telecommunications industry from losing business to those using free communication platforms. As such, long-distance calling in the UAE can only be accomplished the old-fashioned way, at least legally.

The VoIP cards that are commonly sold in the country are a below-the-counter method of getting past this ban. VoIP calling cards are a workaround to the system, allowing users to call a remote PSTN that then connects to a VoIP system. This way, users can make VoIP calls using a regular cellular network or a landline phone.

UAE’s Freedom

We recently created a comparison study on the internet censorship policies of various countries. UAE actually ranked in our top 10 worst countries for internet censorship.

As of 2020, the UAE has a score of 28 out of 100 for internet freedom from the democracy and freedom ranking organization Freedom House. The higher the score, the better the country’s internet freedom ranking.

The full report from Freedom House confirms the fact that the UAE’s internet content blocking is among the worst in the world, although it is not the worst in the world, or even in the Middle East. The report also indicates that the country’s Internet service providers like Etisalat utilize content blocking tools NetSweeper, SmartBlocker, and Blue Coat ProxySG. The report additionally indicates that Facebook and YouTube are available, although some search terms and content are blocked on those sites.

Online streaming in Dubai and the UAE

Netflix is not blocked in the UAE. The service was launched in the UAE earlier in 2016. There are now over 300 TV shows and just under 1,000 movies available in the country. This represents around 30% of what is available through U.S. Netflix. Many Netflix users in Dubai are using VPNs to access other Netflix regions. Note that not all VPNs are effective at accessing Netflix; for more details see our Netflix VPN list.

Similarly, many users are utilizing VPN services to access Amazon Prime Video services in the country. Amazon itself is not blocked, but the website does not operate its video streaming services in the country. These are, however, available through a VPN, and not considered part of the “illegal content” under the country’s recently amended VPN laws.

Using a VPN to access international libraries of online media streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, or Amazon Prime Video is considered a low-risk venture. Authorities are more concerned with users utilizing VPNs for serious crimes and, more particularly, for issues more directly related to the ethics laws mentioned earlier.

Tip: Get your VPN before arriving in the UAE

Although VPN websites are in the legal gray area in the UAE, accessing them to download a VPN service may trigger warnings and make you a monitoring target, even if you’re not using the service for illegal purposes. It’s best to download a VPN program before entering the country.

Downloading before you go will help ensure you have the VPN service on your computer before going to the country. You won’t raise any red flags by visiting the VPN’s website after arriving. And if you’re making sure to utilize obfuscation, assuming you’re using a service with this option, you can avoid even getting identified as a VPN user.

Getting around VPN blocking

As stated earlier, VPN blocking does occur in the UAE, as VPN services are among the items listed by the TRA that they monitor. The new amendments to the country’s cybersecurity law to broaden the scope of VPN illegality also makes it more likely that you’ll find your VPN service blocked.

You can, however, get around VPN blocks by utilizing several known methods.

1. Don’t use a free VPN

Free VPN providers are a gamble that is simply not worth your time, especially if you’re traveling to the UAE. Free VPNs often:

• useless secure encryption methods
• place third-party ads on your web pages
• keeps logs
• have fewer server options
• have slower servers with less bandwidth
• sell users’ personal information

Given the significant gray area that exists for VPN users in the UAE and Dubai, there’s no reason to take that risk to save a few bucks.

2. Change your TCP port to 443

OpenVPN TCP protocol can travel through the 443 port. This is the same port as the HTTPS protocol. This is essentially a mild obfuscation method, making your VPN traffic look just like regular SSL traffic from an HTTPS website. Many paid VPN services allow you to easily change to this setting, especially if they’re already using OpenVPN.

3. Change to a different protocol

If the OpenVPN TCP protocol is getting blocked, you may try changing to L2TP/IPsec protocol. This protocol is highly secure and still common. However, make sure that your L2TP protocol comes with the IPsec security, as a “raw” L2TP protocol is not secure.

You may also try the SSTP protocol, if available. However, this protocol is not commonly supported on most devices, although some Windows machines may have it as an option.

We do not recommend changing to the PPTP protocol. It’s not secure, primarily because it is viewed as obsolete. Given that you’ll be connecting to a VPN in a more-or-less unfriendly environment, you’ll want to avoid an insecure VPN protocol.

*Disclaimer: While we have researched this topic thoroughly, nothing in our article should be taken as legal advice. Our goal is to provide you with the best information and solutions. That said, we are not legal experts on the nuances of the UAE’s laws.

Best VPNs for UAE and Dubai FAQ