Accessing Discord in the UAE: A guide to overcoming bans with VPNs

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, visitors from abroad (and members of the gaming community in the UAE) have to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to regain access. We’ll reveal the best VPNs for Discord shortly, but first, let’s explain what these services actually are.

VPNs improve your online privacy by sending all of your internet traffic through an encrypted server. This allows you to spoof your location, access region-locked services, and bypass digital censorship. It also prevents telecom companies, hotspot owners, and government agencies from seeing what you get up to online.

Here’s a brief rundown of the best Discord VPNs for users in the UAE:

1. NordVPN: Our top pick for Discord. Has a large network of servers, a wide range of security tools, and excellent streaming ability. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Discord.
2. Surfshark: The best budget-friendly VPN. Offers faster speeds and more server locations than most of its rivals, plus a suite of advanced security tools
3. ExpressVPN: A reputable provider with reliable speeds and custom router firmware, meaning you can even use Discord securely on gaming consoles
4. PrivateVPN: This security-conscous service works with plenty of streaming platforms and has a Stealth mode built for bypassing censorship
5. AtlasVPN: Secure, easy to use, and boasts an exceptional average connection speed. Connect as many device as you like
6. Private Internet Access: P2P-friendly VPN with 80+ server locations and support for many popular streaming services

How to unblock Discord in the UAE

Voice chat is one of the core features of Discord, so going without it just doesn’t make sense. Just follow these 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 with Discord in the UAE:

1. Choose one of the providers above (we recommend NordVPN)
2. Download the app and install it to any device you use Discord on
3. Log into the VPN app and connect to a server in a country that allows access to Discord. In our years of testing VPNs, we’ve always found that the nearby servers provide the fastest, lowest-latency connections
4. You should now be able to start using Discord as normal. If you’re having connection issues, try a different server — it’s possible that the one you originally chose has been IP banned

Best VPNs for Discord in the UAE – at a glance

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

Best VPNs for Discord in the UAE

It’s not enough for your VPN to just work with Discord; it also has to be suitable for all of your other day-to-day activities. That’s why, in our judgement, the best Discord VPNs for users in the UAE should meet all of the following criteria:

• Allows you to use all features of the Discord app in the UAE
• Provides reliable speeds and lots of locations to choose from
• Uses strong encryption and extra security features to hide your online traffic
• Logs as little information as possible
• Provides apps for all major platforms and ideally, support router installation so that you can chat via Discord on gaming consoles
• Offers customer support over live chat
• Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee

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

1. NordVPN

Dec 2023 unblocks discordTested Dec 2023

NordVPN is our first choice. It has a vast network, with servers in 60 countries, and some of these are even specially-configured for tasks like beating country-wide censorship. Not only that, but it boasts an average connection speed of nearly 200 Mbps, which is more than fast enough for simultaneous chatting and gaming. As well as Discord, NordVPN works with streaming platforms like Netflix and BBC iPlayer.

This VPN keeps you safe using 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, malware-scanning, and leak protection. Recently, 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, and Linux. You can also install it on routers to bypass the six device limit or secure traffic from gaming consoles or Smart TVs.

BEST VPN FOR DISCORD IN UAE:NordVPN is our #1 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.

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2. Surfshark

unblocks discordTested Dec 2023

Surfshark is a low-cost VPN with a network of servers spanning 100 countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Israel. Its censorship-beating NoBorders mode allows you to access the wider internet, and you’ll even be able to access popular streaming platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+ abroad. Best of all, Surfshark has no connection limit and a dedicated 24/7 support team.

This provider offers a suite of security features, including 256-bit encryption, leak protection, automatic wifi 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 our 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, and Linux apps. If you’re looking to use Discord on gaming consoles, you can manually install it on your router.

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

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. ExpressVPN

unblocks discordTested Dec 2023

ExpressVPN is an excellent choice for accessing Discord in the UAE. It delivers some of the fastest speeds around, which makes it ideal for data-intensive tasks like gaming or streaming, and with servers in 94 countries, you have plenty of options. There is a five device limit, but this should be plenty for most people.

This is one of the best VPNs for Discord thanks to its ease of use and strong security offering. It hides your online traffic using 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection, plus it works in countries like the UAE without any manual configuration needed. ExpressVPN is a no-logs provider that accepts Bitcoin. If you’re having any issues, support is available 24/7 over live chat.

Apps are available for Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, and iOS. This is the only major VPN with its own router firmware, which simplifies the process of gaming securely on your PlayStation, Xbox, or other games 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.

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4. PrivateVPN

unblocks discordTested Dec 2023

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 and is fast enough for just about anything. You can even stream BBC iPlayer, Netflix, or Amazon Prime Video if you get bored. Live chat isn’t available 24/7, but it’s not far off, with around 18 hours of coverage each day.

This VPN secures your internet traffic with uncrackable encryption, leak protection, and a customizable kill switch. There’s a toggleable Stealth mode too, and our research showed 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. There’s a 10 device limit, which is nearly twice the industry average.

SOLID SECURITY:PrivateVPN boasts impressive speeds, 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.

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5. AtlasVPN

unblocks discordTested Dec 2023

AtlasVPN has the fastest speeds of any provider in this list (averaging 270 Mbps per our latest testing), plus it works with a wide range of geo-blocked apps, not just Discord. For instance, our team had no problems with popular streaming platforms like Max, Disney+, and Hulu abroad. Better still, this is one of the few low-cost VPNs that has no device limit at all.

One of the best things about AtlasVPN is its commitment to security. It boasts strong encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy.What’s more, there are special Privacy Pro servers capable of changing your IP address periodically. In other words, your data is in good hands. Need help? No problem: support staff are ready to help 24/7 over live chat.

AtlasVPN apps are available for iOS, Windows, Android, Linux, and Mac. Unfortunately, there’s no router support at the time of writing.

EFFORTLESS UNBLOCKING:AtlasVPN is a reliable Discord VPN with excellent security and servers in 40+ countries. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full AtlasVPN review.

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6. Private Internet Access

Unblocks discordTested Dec 2023

Private Internet Access is an excellent security-focused VPN with a network spanning 84 countries. We’ve had no issues using it for Discord, Netflix, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, or other popular streaming services. Further, with an average connection speed of 117 Mbps, you likely won’t notice any performance hit unless you’re used to extremely fast internet.

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.

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

BULLETPROOF SECURITY:Private Internet Access is a budget-friendly VPN with strong security, high speeds, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Private Internet Access review.

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Can I use a free VPN for Discord in the UAE?

We advise against using a free Virtual Private Network and especially in countries with strict online censorship like the UAE. After spending years testing consumer VPNs, we’ve found that free providers tend to have fewer servers, slower speeds, and low monthly bandwidth caps that make them unreliable long-term solutions.

Free providers can’t compete with premium VPNs on security either. We’ve seen cases where they outright lie about the logs they keep, and research indicates that a high number of services fail to use any encryption at all. To avoid compromising where your privacy is concerned, we’d suggest choosing a paid VPN provider with a proven track record instead of using whatever’s free. Remember: most offer a 30-day money-back guarantee so there’s really no risk.

Methodology: Choosing the best VPNs for Discord in the UAE

You can’t just use any old VPN with Discord in the UAE. First, it has to evade detection, then provide the extra security features and reliable speeds needed for glitch-free voice chat. Of course, this is just scratching the surface. During our research, we looked into all of the following areas to make sure we only recommended the very best VPNs for Discord:

• Network: The closer your VPN’s servers, the quicker your connection will be. That’s why we looked for those with servers in the UAE and surrounding areas. The more supported countries, the better, since this limits which popular streaming platforms you can access while traveling
• Performance: If your connection isn’t up to the task, you’ll notice robotic-sounding audio on regular calls. We’ve personally speed-tested dozens of VPNs and only recommend those with above-average speeds
• Unblocking potential: The UAE has very strict online blocking, so you’ll need to fly under the radar to even access popular VoIP services like Discord, Skype, or WhatsApp. Luckily, we’ve performed thousands of tests, so we know which VPNs are able to beat this kind of restriction the most consistently
• Security features: To make sure you’re as anonymous as possible, we looked for services with excellent security toolkits. This means, at minimum, 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, a no-logs policy, and leak protection. Extras like malware protection or rotating IP addresses are very welcome
• Ease of use: The best services need no tutorials. That’s why our top picks all have well-organized, beginner-friendly apps and solid multi-platform support. Of course, we also made sure that there’d be live chat-based support in case you run into any issues.
• Price: Some providers try to take advantage of customers by charging more than they’re really worth. However, thanks to our years on the scene, we can spot these VPNs a mile away and will never recommend one that isn’t priced fairly. What’s more, we include information on discounts, deals, and guarantees so you’ll pay as little as possible.

We have a whole post dedicated to explaining how we put VPNs through their paces.

Virtual Private Networks in the UAE: FAQs