How to unblock and access Discord in the UAE: Step-by-step guide

Like most VoIP services, Discord is blocked in the United Arab Emirates. For a while, users were able to voice chat using the website instead of the official Discord app but, unfortunately, this no longer works. Now, in order to regain access, visitors from abroad anyone in the UAE, whether a permanent resident or a temporary visitor, has to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

VPNs improve your online privacy by sending all of your internet traffic through an encrypted server. This allows you to spoof your location, making region-locked services believe you are connecting from a non-restricted area. It also prevents telecom companies, hotspot owners, and government agencies from seeing what you get up to online.

In this article, I’ll explain exactly how you can use a VPN to access Discord within the UAE. Based on my extensive hands-on testing, I’ll also list the best providers for the job. First, let’s start with a quick summary. Got questions? You’ll find my in-depth reviews of the best VPNs for Discord further below.

The best Discord VPNs for users in the UAE:

1. NordVPN The best VPN overall for accessing Discord in the UAE 
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Discord.
2. Surfshark Best for users on a budget
3. Total VPN Great choice for Discord
4. Proton VPN Excellent choice for privacy-focused users
5. ExpressVPN Best for users who want a premium VPN
6. IPVanish Best for security and privacy
7. Private Internet Access Good choice for technical users
8. PureVPN Good for users connecting from restrictive countries
9. PrivateVPN Great choice for ease of use

How to unblock Discord in the UAE: Step-by-step guide

Voice chat is one of the core features of Discord, so going without it just doesn’t make sense. Just follow my tried-and-tested steps to combine your VPN with Discord and unlock all of the functionality that this popular communication platform has to offer.

Here’s how to use a VPN to unblock Discord in the UAE:

1. Choose one of the providers listed in this guide. I particularly recommend NordVPN for its ability to bypass strict censorship with speed and security.
2. Sign up with the VPN, selecting the subscription tier and duration that best fits your needs.
3. Download and install the Discord VPN app that’s compatible with the device with which you plan to access Discord.
4. Log into the VPN app and connect to a server in a country that allows unrestricted access to Discord. In my years of testing VPNs, I’ve always found that the nearby servers provide the fastest, lowest-latency connections. However, if you’re at all unsure, servers in the US are always a good option.
5. You should now be able to start using Discord as normal. If you’re having connection issues, clear your cookies and cache or try a different server — it’s possible that the one you originally chose has been IP-banned.
6. Still struggling? Contact your VPN’s support team. They should be able to point you in the right direction.

Testing criteria for the best Discord VPNs

It’s not enough for your VPN to just work with Discord; it has to be suitable for all of your other day-to-day activities. That’s why I made my recommendations based on thorough testing in the following areas:

• Speed: All VPNs slow your connection — the trick is finding the one that slows it the least. I speed-tested providers multiple times to find out exactly which were the fastest.
• Features: I scored providers on the number of countries they had servers in. The more they have, the easier it is to home in on specific country content outside the UAE. I also scored them according to whether they offered obfuscation and split tunneling while using Discord.
• Streaming: Some VPNs let you access a whole new world of otherwise geo-restricted content. I used nine streaming-related criteria to gauge which were the most capable.
• Security and privacy: If you’re connecting from the UAE, you’ll want a trustworthy VPN that’s capable of keeping you safe online. To find which these were, I evaluated providers using 16 different security and privacy metrics.
• Ease of use: I value providers that offer a streamlined service. I gauged how easy each provider’s service was to use by measuring it against 10 different ease-of-use criteria.

The above is just a summary. You can read more about my testing criteria in the methodology section later in the article.

Best VPNs for Discord in the UAE: compared

I’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read my in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – my #1 choice for Discord.

The best VPNs for accessing Discord in the UAE

It’s my aim to bring you the most helpful and accurate VPN information possible. To do that, I personally use each and every VPN and put them through rigorous real-world testing. The following reviews are the result of those first-hand experiences.

Let’s get started. Below, you’ll find the top VPNs for using Discord in the UAE:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2026 unblocks discordTested Apr 2026

NordVPN is my first choice VPN for accessing Discord in the UAE. It has a vast server network covering over 200 locations.

The provider also has a selection of servers that are specially configured for tasks like connecting to the Tor network or beating country-wide censorship. I can confirm that the obfuscated servers work in the UAE as well as in China. It’s also the top VPN for Etisalat, one of the UAE’s leading ISPs.

Best of all, NordVPN is extremely quick. It clocked the fastest speeds in my tests, with an overall average of 176.54 Mbps. Based on my experience using it with Discord, it’s perfect for beating any Discord lag during busy periods.

As well as Discord, I’ve found NordVPN works with notoriously tricky streaming platforms like Netflix and BBC iPlayer. It also has a smart DNS feature for streaming with devices that don’t support VPN software natively.

This VPN keeps you safe using 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, malware scanning, and leak protection. It introduced MeshNet, a new feature that can securely connect devices across different networks; ideal for anyone looking to securely access files from their home PC during a trip. NordVPN has been audited multiple times and proven that it doesn’t log any identifiable data other than advertising IDs which can be cleared manually.

NordVPN offers apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. You can also install it on routers to bypass the 10-device limit or secure traffic from gaming consoles or Smart TVs.

BEST VPN FOR DISCORD IN UAE:NordVPN is my #1 VPN pick for accessing Discord in the UAE. It operates a huge network of servers and pegs some of the fastest speeds available. Plans include a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

---

2. Surfshark

unblocks discordTested Apr 2026

Surfshark is a low-cost VPN with a network of 4,500+ servers spanning 100 countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Israel. It also has plenty of VPN servers in the Middle East. Its censorship-beating NoBorders mode lets you access the wider internet and, based on my access attempts, you’ll even be able to use popular streaming platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+ abroad.

I found Surfshark speeds to be a little variable, though I couldn’t help but be impressed by the top speed of 216.38 Mbps.

Overall, Surfshark averaged 161.13 Mbps, placing it second overall. In my experience, this is more than fast enough for using Discord while gaming at the same time. 

This VPN service offers a suite of security features, including 256-bit encryption, leak protection, automatic wi-fi protection, and a kill switch.

Additionally, there’s a CleanWeb feature capable of blocking ads, malware, and trackers, plus a rotating IP option that, from my point of view, should come as standard with every VPN. Surfshark follows a strict no-logs policy and has been audited to prove it.

Surfshark has its own iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV apps. If you’re looking to use Discord on gaming consoles, you can manually install it on your router. Surfshark has no connection limit and a dedicated 24/7 support team.

BEST BUDGET OPTION:Surfshark is fast, reliable, and great at unblocking content. Plus, it doesn’t impose a device limit and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

---

3. Total VPN

unblocks discordTested Apr 2026

Total VPN is an easy-to-use provider with servers spread across 90 countries. Based on extensive testing, it works great with Discord, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger, plus I’ve found it can access a huge range of other geo-blocked services, so you’ll never be short of things to do. Users can connect five devices at the same time and contact customer support 24 hours a day via live chat or email.

If your connection is too slow, you’ll notice problems like robotic-sounding audio, streams that won’t load, and sporadic disconnection from Discord. That’s why I tested Total VPN’s servers in the US at various points of the day using a 250 Mbps connection. Let’s see just how quick this provider is:

Total VPN delivered an average speed of 154.34 Mbps, and was the third-fastest provider overall, following NordVPN and Surfshark. As such, it’s quick enough to handle any day-to-day task, though its results did vary by around 26 Mbps, so there’s definitely room for improvement.

This provider boasts powerful privacy features but doesn’t ask anything of the user since they’re all active by default. These include a kill switch, AES-256 encryption, a no-logs policy, and automatic DNS and IPv6 leak protection. One of my favorite things about Total VPN is that it comes bundled with TotalAV and Total Adblock.

Total VPN also has a couple of more advanced tools, including support for the obfuscated Hydra protocol and a split tunneling feature that can either let websites through unencrypted or else prevent them from loading if the VPN is turned off.

Total VPN provides apps for iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows.

ULTRA-FAST VPN:Total VPN has the speed, unblocking ability, and powerful security features needed to chat safely during a trip to the UAE. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Total VPN review.

---

4. Proton VPN

unblocks discordTested Apr 2026

Proton VPN is known for two things: its strong commitment to privacy and its staggering of nearly 20,000 servers in over 145+ countries. This VPN can beat virtually any online restriction, making it perfect for users in the UAE or those trying to access their favorite streaming platforms while on vacation. There’s a generous 10-device limit and live chat support just in case anything doesn’t work as expected.

The further you are from your chosen VPN server, the slower your speeds will be. That’s why it’s so important to choose a service that has as little impact as possible. I tested Proton VPN’s American servers at three times of day to get an idea of its overall performance and how much slowdown occurs during peak usage times. You’ll see the results in the chart below:

Proton VPN managed to achieve an average speed of 139.38 Mbps, which was actually one of the faster results. This is well above what’s needed for video calling, and you could even stream on Discord without any noticeable performance issues. Better still, this VPN’s speeds only varied by 6 Mbps, so it’s highly reliable too.

The UAE has pretty strict online censorship so it’s vital your VPN offers a strong set of security tools. Luckily, Proton VPN doesn’t disappoint, offering 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, automatic ad and tracker-blocking, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, plus an audited no-logging policy. Users can even activate the split tunneling, port forwarding, or censorship-beating features for greater control over their connection.

Proton VPN offers its own apps for MacOS, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV devices. Alternatively, you can follow its manual setup guides to get this VPN running on your router directly.

VIDEO CALL SAFELY:ProtonVPN is a reliable, security-first service that makes it easy to call your friends while in UAE. It boasts fast speeds, a truly impressive network, and first-class unblocking ability. Paid plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Proton VPN review.

---

5. ExpressVPN

unblocks discordTested Apr 2026

ExpressVPN is an excellent choice for accessing Discord in the UAE. It has always-on obfuscation, servers in 105+ countries, and an impressive privacy record. Moreover, it worked with just about any streaming platform I tested it with.

In my speed tests, ExpressVPN averaged 79 Mbps overall. Although slower than some of the providers in this list, this is still quick compared with the VPN market as a whole.

More pertinently, I found these speeds to be more than fast enough for use with Discord.

ExpressVPN combines ease of use with a strong security offering. It hides your online traffic using 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection.

The provider works in countries like the UAE without any manual configuration needed. Yet if you’re having any issues, its support — which I found to be excellent — is available 24/7 over live chat. ExpressVPN is a no-logs provider that accepts payment by Bitcoin.

Apps are available for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. This is the only major VPN with its own router firmware, which simplifies the process of gaming securely on your PlayStation, Xbox, or other game consoles.

SECURE AND RELIABLE:ExpressVPN is highly versatile. It provides a vast network of servers and has your back when it comes to privacy and security. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

---

6. IPVanish

unblocks discordTested Apr 2026

IPVanish is a great option for users in the United Arab Emirates looking to access Discord, offering a solution to overcome the country’s strict internet censorship. With its robust network of servers and advanced obfuscation technology, it’s my experience that IPVanish can effectively bypass the UAE’s VoIP ban and allow users to connect to Discord without any hassle.

When it comes to privacy, IPVanish takes a strong stance. The VPN follows a strict no-logs policy, ensuring your online activities remain confidential. It employs military-grade AES-256 encryption to secure your data and protect it from prying eyes, including your ISP and government surveillance.

IPVanish is compatible with a wide range of devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. The user-friendly apps make it easy to set up and use the VPN, even for those who are new to the technology. I like that it allows unlimited simultaneous connections so it’s possible to protect all your devices and share your account with family and friends.

In terms of security, IPVanish offers a range of advanced features. The VPN includes a kill switch that automatically disconnects your internet if the VPN connection drops, preventing any accidental exposure of your online activities. It also provides DNS and IPv6 leak protection to ensure your real IP address remains hidden. In addition, IPVanish’s Advanced tier offers users access to a secure browser and includes 1 TB of secure cloud storage.

With an expanding network of over 3,200 servers in 150+ locations worldwide, IPVanish offers ample options for users in the UAE to connect to servers in nearby regions for optimal speeds.

During my tests, IPVanish’s speeds varied between 68 Mbps and 125.32 Mbps. However, rather than focus on this, I prefer to look at the overall average — which was 99.68 Mbps. 

This was a little faster than the combined average speeds of the other tested providers. In practice, it means that IPVanish will enable smooth voice and video calls on Discord.

IPVanish provides 24/7 customer support via live chat and email, ensuring you can get assistance whenever needed. The VPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you ample time to test the service risk-free.

ULTRAFAST:IPVanish is an excellent choice for users in the United Arab Emirates looking to access Discord and overcome the country’s VoIP ban. With its advanced obfuscation technology, robust security features, and solid speeds, IPVanish ensures you can connect to Discord without any restrictions.

Read our full IPVanish review.

---

7. Private Internet Access

Unblocks discordTested Apr 2026

Private Internet Access is an excellent security-focused VPN with a network spanning over 90 countries. I had absolutely no issues using it to securely access Discord, Netflix, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, or other popular streaming services.

In my tests, PIA averaged 49.89 Mbps. While this is fine for Discord calls, you may notice some connection degradation if using it to stream on several devices simultaneously.

But don’t despair — the good news is that it’s possible to increase your speeds. PIA is one of the relatively rare providers that allows you to sacrifice encryption strength in return for a speed boost.

As you might expect, PIA uses uncrackable encryption to shield your activities from prying eyes. It also offers a kill switch, ad-blocking, malware protection, and leak protection.

Private Internet Access refuses to log any data that could identify you, a fact that has been verified by independent auditors. Live chat is available day and night, just in case you have any issues, and this provider has no device limit.

Private Internet Access has apps for Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS. You’ll have to follow manual setup instructions to get it running on routers, though.

BULLETPROOF SECURITY:Private Internet Access is a solid VPN choice with strong security, no connection limits and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Private Internet Access review.

---

8. PureVPN

unblocks discordTested Apr 2026

PureVPN offers internet users in the UAE a robust, secure connection through its servers in Dubai and approximately 80 other supported countries. Based on my testing, this VPN is particularly effective for bypassing VoIP and website blocks in the UAE, making it an excellent choice for using Discord privately.

With PureVPN, you can torrent anonymously, prevent ISP and government snooping, bypass website blocks at work, and use public wi-fi safely in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or anywhere else in the UAE. Best of all, it is very cheap, making it an affordable Discord VPN for anybody on a tight budget.

In my tests, this VPN was effective in obtaining IP addresses in various locations, enabling access to popular UAE streams like OSN Streaming, STARZPLAY, and Wavo. PureVPN also works with Netflix.

In previous tests, PureVPN stood out for its ability to maintain high-speed performance. This wasn’t the case for this round of testing, which saw the provider achieve an average download speed of 54.55 Mbps because of a much slower evening result.

While this is plenty fast enough for Discord, you may want to look at the faster providers on this list if you want a VPN for gaming in the UAE.

PureVPN’s commitment to security is reflected in features like a kill switch, DNS, and IPv6 leak protection, and its 256-bit AES encryption on OpenVPN and ChaCha20 on WireGuard. Its privacy practices have been validated by multiple independent audits, affirming its dedication to user privacy.

Dedicated apps are available for Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and macOS, and comprehensive installation instructions for numerous router models can be found on its website. The service allows up to 10 simultaneous device connections and offers 24/7 live chat support.

SECURITY ON A BUDGET:PureVPN is a beginner-friendly provider with reliable servers in the UAE and 65+ other countries. It never compromises on privacy and includes a 31-day money-back guarantee with every subscription. Works with Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and other popular international services.

Read our full PureVPN review.

---

9. PrivateVPN

unblocks discordTested Apr 2026

PrivateVPN has a smaller server network than some of its rivals but still offers servers in 63 locations, including Dubai and Turkey. This provider works flawlessly with Discord as well as BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video.

Speed-wise, PrivateVPN averaged a relatively modest 54.08 Mbps. I appreciate the fact that, like PIA, it allows you to reduce the level of encryption used on your traffic in return for a small speed boost.

PrivateVPN secures your internet traffic with uncrackable encryption, leak protection, and a customizable kill switch. There’s a toggleable Stealth mode too, and research shows that this even works in places like China.

PrivateVPN accepts Bitcoin and follows a no-logs policy, so there’s no need to worry about your activities being revealed to telecom companies or the government.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. PrivateVPN can be manually installed on Linux systems and routers. Live chat isn’t available 24/7, but it’s not far off, with around 18 hours of coverage each day.

SOLID SECURITY:PrivateVPN boasts impressive unblocking abilities, powerful privacy tools, and the ability to browse safely in the UAE. Subscriptions include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

Using a free VPN for Discord in the UAE

I always advise against using a free VPN, but that advice is even more important in countries with strict online censorship like the UAE. After spending years testing consumer VPNs, I’ve found that free providers tend to have fewer servers, slower speeds, and low monthly bandwidth caps that make them unreliable long-term solutions. However, more important than that is the security risk.

Free providers can’t compete with premium VPNs in terms of security. There have been cases where they outright lie about the logs they keep. To avoid compromising your privacy, I’d suggest choosing a paid VPN provider with a proven track record instead of using whatever’s free. Remember that the best VPNs all offer a money-back guarantee of at least 30 days or a free trial, so there’s really no risk.

Using a VPN in the UAE: Legalities

If you’re wondering if it’s legal to use a VPN in the UAE, the answer is that it’s somewhat of a legal grey area. In general, the use of a VPN is allowed, but it’s illegal if used to commit a crime. You should be aware that it’s a crime in the UAE to access certain content, such as websites related to gambling, pornography, and anti-religious hate speech, so accessing these using a VPN would still be illegal.

It’s worth noting the penalties for these crimes are pretty steep. If internet protocols are manipulated to commit crime or fraud, perpetrators can face jail time as well as a fine of up to Dh2 million (around $544,000).

With the legality of VPNs being something of a gray area in the UAE, it’s a good idea to download and install a VPN before you travel. That way, you can better protect yourself from prying eyes as soon as you arrive.

It’s a good idea to download your chosen VPN for Discord before you travel to the UAE. There’s a high level of internet censorship in the area, and, as such, some VPN websites may be blocked, preventing you from downloading your preferred VPN once you arrive. Furthermore, you may attract the attention of authorities if you visit a VPN site and download a VPN while in the country.

Disclaimer: Although Comparitech has spent hours researching this topic, nothing said above should be taken as legal advice. You’re encouraged to consult local laws before using a VPN in the United Arab Emirates.

Accessing Discord in the UAE: FAQs

Related: How safe is Discord?