The 9 Best VPNs for Saudi Arabia (KSA)

Just under one third of internet users in Saudi Arabia rely on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), but why is this? The answer is quite simple: the country has a highly-restricted internet and keeps tabs on its citizens’ online activities. Something as simple as “spreading rumors” could earn you jail time, so it pays to prioritize privacy when visiting The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

VPNs work by encrypting your traffic, preventing anyone from inspecting it to find out what you’ve been up to. This also means that you won’t be subject to Saudi Arabia’s internet-censorship, and that your speeds are less likely to be throttled. The problem is that not every VPN works in this country. We’ve performed hands-on testing to find some of the best VPNs for Saudi Arabia, and you’ll find a quick guide to each below:

We found these to be the best VPNs for Saudi Arabia:

1. NordVPN: The top VPN for Saudi Arabia. Zero-logs policy and strong security. Unblocks streaming sites and platforms blocked by the Saudi Government. Great privacy features for online security and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Saudi Arabia.
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN for Saudi Arabia. Can unblock virtually anything, doesn’t keep logs, and allows any number of connections. Very high speeds.
3. IPVanish: Another strong option for users in the KSA. Quick, reliable, and able to protect every device you own. No-logs policy and powerful security tools.
4. ExpressVPN: A zero-logs VPN with automatic obfuscation and fantastic unblocking ability. Steady speeds and access to 24/7 support via live chat.
5. CyberGhost: This newcomer-friendly service has task-specific servers and a strong focus on privacy. Won’t be stopped by Saudi Arabian censorship.
6. PrivateVPN: A privacy-first provider that manages its entire network in-house. Doesn’t keep logs and can unblock almost anything.
7. Hotspot Shield: Works in Saudi Arabia. Provides servers in 80 countries. Fast, unthrottled speeds and 24/7 support. Doesn’t keep identifying logs of its users.
8. PureVPN: An affordable and very efficient Saudi Arabia VPN. Good blend of speed, security, and unblocking ability. 24-hour live chat-based support.
9. ProtonVPN: Veteran provider with a fantastic reputation. Doesn’t compromise on privacy. Excels at accessing geo-blocked content and delivers fast speeds.

Using a VPN keeps you safe and secure on the web. The software masks your true location by encrypting all the traffic to and from your device and routing it via an intermediary server outside your current location. That means it’s tough for hackers or surveillance agencies to pry.

A VPN is also an excellent choice for foreign expatriates living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia wishing to access local content from back home, like BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Hulu, Sky Sports, or BeIN sports.

Best VPNs for Saudi Arabia – 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 Saudi Arabia.

Best VPNs for Saudi Arabia

There are hundreds of VPNs on the market and more cropping up every week. Still, the vast majority aren’t capable of bypassing the Saudi government’s extremely stringent limitations on the internet. To determine which are the best Saudi Arabia VPNs, we looked for services offering all of the following:

• Fast and reliable connections
• Servers in at least 60 countries (ideally more)
• The ability to sidestep most regional restrictions and access geo-blocked sites abroad
• Uncrackable encryption and a wide range of supplementary security features
• Support for multiple simultaneous connections
• Apps for all major platforms
• Live chat-based customer support

Based on the above criteria we recommend the following VPNs for Saudi Arabia.

1. NordVPN

May 2025 Works in Saudi ArabiaTested May 2025

NordVPN is our first choice service for users in Saudi Arabia. Its network spans more than 100 countries and we’ve had great results using this VPN to access even the most stubborn streaming platforms abroad. It’s also the only provider that offers multiple ways to bypass country-wide censorship. There are the obfuscated servers, but for the fastest connection, we’d suggest using the custom NordWhisper protocol instead. Users can speak to staff 24/7 via live chat is they need help getting set up.

NordVPN has historically been one of the fastest providers around, but it’s constantly upgrading its network and we wanted to see how this has impacted its performance recently. Our team tested its US servers at various times of day using a 250 Mbps connection. Let’s see how well it held up:

As expected, this service did exceptionally well, averaging 205.56 Mbps. There was only 5 Mbps between its highest and lowest results, too. In other words, NordVPN wasn’t just the quickest VPN we saw, it’s also one of the most consistent. Whether you’re hoping to make video calls, stream 4K video, or torrent anonymously, this service is more than up to the challenge.

NordVPN does an excellent job of securing your traffic, too. It uses unbreakable encryption, a customizable kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and automatic tracker-blocking, for a start. There’s also an independently-verified zero-logs policy, plus this VPN is based in Panama, where there aren’t any mandatory data-retention laws. For even greater privacy, you can pay in cryptocurrency or via gift cards (available from several major big box stores).

Apps for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android are available. This VPN also provides manual setup guides for most popular routers.

Best VPN FOR SAUDI ARABIA:NordVPN is our top choice. A great choice for security and privacy and works reliably in Saudi Arabia and throughout the Middle East. Use up to 10 connected devices at once with great VPN connection speeds. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Works in Saudi ArabiaTested May 2025

Surfshark is the best budget VPN. It operates more than 3,200 servers in 100+ countries (including Saudi Arabia itself) and can reliably unblock tricky platforms like Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+ abroad. There’s a toggleable NoBorders mode specifically designed to help you access the wider internet in countries with repressive censorship, and users can connect all of their devices simultaneously. Customer support is available via 24/7 live chat.

Let’s talk about performance. During previous rounds of testing, Surfshark has delivered far higher speeds than you’d expect from a budget service. We put its US servers to the test once again (in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon) to see what it was really capable of. You’ll find our results in the chart below:

With an average speed of 199.35 Mbps, Surfshark was the second-fastest VPN in our list, losing out only to NordVPN (and even then, not by much). This means it’s a fantastic option for data-intensive tasks like streaming, broadcasting live gameplay, or making video calls. Further, its speeds only varied by about 6 Mbps. That’s a very high level of consistency and one that its rivals will surely be jealous of.

When it comes to security, Surfshark is extremely competitive. It uses 256-bit encryption, IPv6 and DNS leak protection, and a kill switch to ensure that you never have to browse unprotected. There’s also a proven no-logs policy in place, plus a feature that can change your IP address periodically, while keeping your location the same. It also blocks ads, malware, and trackers automatically.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire Stick.

BEST BUDGET OPTION:Surfshark is affordable but offers military-grade encryption and privacy standards that will keep your online travels hidden. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our in-depth review of Surfshark

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3. IPVanish

Works in Saudi ArabiaTested May 2025

IPVanish is a top contender for users looking for a Saudi Arabia VPN. With its advanced obfuscation technology, IPVanish can effectively bypass the country’s strict internet censorship and allow users to access their favorite websites and streaming services without any hassle. One of the best things about this service is that it allows you to connect any number of devices. Plus, there’s 24/7 support via live chat in case you ever need assistance.

Given its previous results (and 10 Gbps servers), we had high hopes for IPVanish going into these tests. We tried out its American servers at three times of day, closely examining its speed and consistency to see what kind of speeds the average user could expect. Take a look at our results below:

This provider achieved an average speed of 189.52 Mbps, with just 5 Mbps of variability across three tests. That’s an exceptional result, and in real terms, means that IPVanish can handle whatever you throw at it. For instance, we had great results using this VPN to stream live broadcasts, make video calls, and download large files.

Privacy is a key concern for many users in Saudi Arabia, and IPVanish delivers in this aspect. The VPN follows a strict no-logs policy, ensuring your online activities remain confidential. It also employs robust encryption protocols, such as OpenVPN and WireGuard, to safeguard your data from prying eyes. There’s also unbreakable AES-256 encryption and a kill switch that automatically disconnects your internet if the VPN connection drops, preventing any accidental exposure of your online activities.

IPVanish is compatible with a wide range of devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Manual configuration is needed for routers and Linux systems. This VPN’s new Advanced subscription even comes with 1 TB of cloud storage and a privacy-focused browser.

PRIVACY POWERHOUSE:IPVanish is an excellent choice for users in Saudi Arabia looking to bypass internet censorship and protect their online privacy. Its advanced obfuscation technology, robust security features, and impressive speeds ensure you can access your favorite content without any restrictions. Annual plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

Works in Saudi ArabiaTested May 2025

ExpressVPN has a large presence in the Middle East, boasting servers in 105 countries (plus the ability to sidestep country-wide censorship without any input from the user). It effortlessly unblocks region-locked platforms like BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video, with users able to watch on up to eight devices at once. Staff are available 24/7 via live chat, though in our experience, this is one of the most novice-friendly VPNs on the market.

So how does ExpressVPN perform? Well, its Lightway protocol is designed to minimize speed loss when using distant servers, and it generally does well in our industry-wide speed rankings. We tested its US servers multiple times to see exactly what kind of performance you can expect:

Our experts recorded an average speed of 135.82 Mbps and a difference of around 6 Mbps between its best and worst results. This is much more than you’ll need for any day-to-day activity, so streaming shouldn’t pose any problems. In fact, it’s unlikely you’ll notice any difference when connected unless you’re already used to extremely high speeds. All in all, we were impressed by ExpressVPN’s performance.

This VPN doesn’t disappoint on security either. For starters, it offers unbreakable encryption, a kill switch, built-in leak protection, and automatic obfuscation. Recent updates introduced ad and tracker-blocking as well as optional quantum-resistant encryption. ExpressVPN has been audited numerous times to prove that it doesn’t keep logs of your activities. You can even pay in crypto if you’re concerned about signing up anonymously.

There are apps for Android and iOS as well as desktop support for Windows, Linux, and MacOS. This is the only major VPN with its own router firmware.

SECURE AND RELIABLE:ExpressVPN is a privacy-first provider. Reliably unblocks content in Saudi Arabia and all major sites and apps. Excellent security, online protection, and privacy, it offers extremely fast connections and server locations in a huge range of countries. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our review of ExpressVPN.

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5. CyberGhost

Works in Saudi ArabiaTested May 2025

CyberGhost operates servers in 100 countries including Saudi Arabia, making it a strong choice for anyone hoping to access region-locked content while on vacation. The apps tell you exactly which servers are best for a given task too, removing a lot of the guesswork. Users can connect up to seven devices simultaneously and if you have any issues sidestepping digital censorship, you can let staff know via live chat.

CyberGhost has long been a favorite of users who value high speeds. Still, competition has been tough lately (especially with other providers launching their own protocols), so we wanted to see just how competitive this VPN is. Below, you’ll find the results of three speed tests performed on its US servers:

CyberGhost had an average speed of 113.18 Mbps. That’s reasonable, but we’d be lying if we said there weren’t faster services out there. All the same, you’re extremely unlikely to notice any issues while video calling, torrenting, or streaming. This provider could work on its consistency a bit, though: there was around 24 Mbps of variance across three tests, which is higher than expected.

On the plus side, this VPN’s security is top-notch. It uses 256-bit AES encryption (which is currently considered uncrackable), refuses to keep logs, and shores up your privacy using a kill switch and leak protection. Users can select specific apps to pass through the VPN unencrypted and even connect via a random port, which may help them browse safely on networks that normally block VPN connections entirely.

CyberGhost has its own apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It can be manually installed on most types of router.

QUICK AND SECURE:CyberGhost is a reliable all-rounder that can handle virtually anything. Powerful security features, high speed servers, and the ability to unblock most major region-locked sites. Offers a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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6. PrivateVPN

Works in Saudi ArabiaTested May 2025

PrivateVPN takes a different approach to its competitors. Instead of trying to get the largest network, it has a smaller, curated selection of 200 servers that are all managed in-house. These cover 60+ countries and are able to easily get around even the strictest online censorship, which means regaining access to platforms like Netflix or Hulu abroad isn’t a problem. There’s a 10-connection limit and live chat is available nearly, but not quite, 24 hours per day.

One important thing to note: PrivateVPN has never been the fastest provider on the market. It does usually provide speeds that are high enough for most tasks, but if you’re looking for the absolute highest performance, this might not be the one for you. Let’s see just how fast this VPN’s US servers were over the course of a day:

As expected, PrivateVPN’s speeds were slower at 50.91 Mbps. In practical terms, this is enough for you to queue up half a dozen 4K videos simultaneously without any problems. Our experts were able to play online games, take part in video calls, and torrent flawlessly too, and we really appreciated how consistent its results were.

This is a no-logs provider, which is great news for anyone worried about the Saudi government trying to monitor their activities. It uses 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a customizable kill switch to help keep your browsing habits secure, and you can toggle the Stealth mode on at the touch of a button. We would prefer if this service had been audited but it’s been around for over a decade and has yet to suffer any kind of breach, which speaks volumes.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. You can also use it on Linux systems and most routers after a little manual setup.

STREAMING VPN:PrivateVPN is incredibly fast and unlocks several geo-restricted streaming sites. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our review of PrivateVPN

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7. Hotspot Shield

Works in Saudi ArabiaTested May 2025

Hotspot Shield offers cloaking technology, which means that it works not only in Saudi Arabia but China. Its network consists of some 1,800 servers which can be found in 80 countries worldwide. Some of these are even optimized for streaming so you can continue watching your favorite American and British TV shows while on vacation. There’s a 10 simultaneous connection limit and 24/7 support via live chat.

Slow speeds cause all kinds of problems. With that in mind, our team decided to test Hotspot Shield’s servers in the US at various times of day to see firstly, how fast they were and second, how much their performance changed during busier periods. You can find the results in the following chart:

Hotspot Shield’s average speed was 48.81 Mbps. It’s much higher than you’ll need to perform multiple tasks at the same time, so if you’re the kind of person who likes to broadcast live gameplay or chat with friends while streaming, it’s perfect. This VPN’s consistency was exceptional too, with just 2 Mbps of difference between its highest and lowest test results.

Once connected to a server, internet traffic is routed through a 256-bit AES encrypted tunnel. Additionally, there’s DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and the ability to connect automatically when you use unsecured wifi. Hotspot Shield doesn’t keep any logs and offers a custom protocol called Hydra that boasts faster speeds than OpenVPN while maintaining a high degree of privacy.

Hotspot Shield apps are available for desktop (Windows, Mac, and Linux) and mobile (Android and iOS). You can also find apps for Amazon Fire TV and Android TV, there’s even a Chrome browser extension. Use with routers requires manual setup.

Bypass VPN Blocks:Hotspot Shield has a server network covering 80 countries. Unlimited bandwidth for lag-free streaming. Highly secure thanks to encryption, auto wifi protection, and even a password manager. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Hotspot Shield review.

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8. PureVPN

Works in Saudi ArabiaTested May 2025

PureVPN is a fantastic option for internet users in Saudi Arabia in search of an affordable yet efficient VPN. It boasts servers in over 65 countries, allowing you to bypass censorship and blocks imposed by the Kingdom easily. However, it does not have servers in Saudi Arabia, so please bear that in mind if you specifically want a VPN to access Saudi services from abroad.

PureVPN has a smaller network but that isn’t always a reflection on performance since every provider optimizes their servers differently. To see what this VPN was capable of, we tested its American servers repeatedly. The table below breaks down how fast each was at different points during a typical day:

PureVPN’s average speed was 151.78 Mbps. That is the lowest of any provider in this list but still well above what’s required for everyday browsing. To prove this, we attempted to watch 4K video while chatting on a video call and found that there was no noticeable degradation in quality at any point.

PureVPN’s implementation of the WireGuard protocol ensures steady speeds. Its robust AES encryption, kill switch, DNS leak prevention, and obfuscation allow anybody living in or visiting KSA to bypass blocks without the threat of government oversight. There’s also a no-logs policy and thanks to this service’s history of independent audits, you can trust it to keep your activities private.

This provider offers apps for MacOS, Linux, Windows, Android, and iOS. You can also use it on most routers, though you’ll have to follow manual setup instructions.

AMAZING VALUE:PureVPN is a cheap and reliable VPN to bypass blocks and gain privacy in KSA. It works to access popular international streaming services like Netflix USA, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Max, ESPN, and many others. 31-day money-back guarantee.

Read our review of PureVPN.

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9. ProtonVPN

Works in Saudi ArabiaTested May 2025

ProtonVPN is a natural choice for anyone visiting locations with strict online surveillance. It was created by the team behind Proton Mail, a favorite of journalists and activists the world over. There are servers in 110+ countries that handily unblock most region-exclusive platforms, and a generous 10-connection limit. Best of all, you can get one on one support at any time using this VPN’s live chat service.

ProtonVPN has one of the largest networks we’ve seen, which theoretically means that you can expect higher speeds (since you’re less likely to be assigned an overloaded server). Our experts tested its US servers throughout the day to see just how fast this privacy-conscious provider is:

We’re pleased to report that ProtonVPN is very quick, with an average speed of 158.07 Mbps. There was minimal variability too, speeds fluctuating by just 6 Mbps. So what does this mean for you? Simply, this VPN can handle even the most data-intensive tasks without breaking a sweat.

Let’s talk about security. ProtonVPN keeps you safe using uncrackable encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and an independently-verified zero-logs policy. It also offers multi-hop connections, a stealth-focused protocol, and split tunneling functionality. In other words, it’s ideal for for Saudis hoping to avoid government surveillance.

ProtonVPN apps are available for MacOS, Linux, Windows, Android, and iOS. Alternatively, you can manually install it on most routers.

FULLY FEATURED:ProtonVPN puts your privacy first, supports all major platforms, and can access all kinds of region-exclusive content. Doesn’t keep logs and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee on paid plans.

Read our full ProtonVPN review.

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Our Saudi Arabia VPN testing methodology

There are more than 100 VPNs to choose from, and it is becoming harder and harder for consumers to find a reliable and trustworthy VPN. Many VPNs exaggerate how good their service is, make wild claims about being ‘the fastest’, or claim to be secure when in reality they lack encryption or suffer from terrible leaks.

In Saudi Arabia, where bypassing government censorship could potentially get you in trouble with the authorities, it is vital for a VPN to have strong security, a no-logging policy, and important security features such as a kill switch and obfuscation. Of course, this isn’t everything we consider. Below, we have included some of the important features we looked for when recommending VPNs for Saudi Arabia.

Speed

Speed is a huge factor when considering buying a VPN. Every service will slow down your speeds to some degree but there’s a huge difference between a well-optimized service and one that isn’t. Now, speeds vary due to all kinds of things: how far away your chosen server is, how many other people are using it, and the time of day, to name but a few.

That’s why our comprehensive testing process is designed to minimize variability and provide the most true-to-life results. We run three tests (one in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon) on each VPN’s US servers, using a 250 Mbps connection. That’s the average household broadband speed in the US, meaning our results reflect the level of performance most users can actually expect. Then, we normalize the average speed to get a score out of 10, as shown below:

As you can see, NordVPN was the fastest service overall. Surfshark wasn’t far behind, with IPVanish taking third place. It’s important to note, though, that every VPN in this list was fast enough for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and torrenting.

Suitability

Our next goal is to get an overview of how suitable each VPN is for users in Saudi Arabia. This involved looking into how many countries each covered, how reliably they worked with streaming platforms like Netflix, and how many simultaneous connections they allow. We also looked into whether each VPN works in China — while not directly relevant to this task, it does give us an understanding of how adept they are at bypassing strict digital censorship. Here are our findings:

Surfshark had the highest suitability score overall (9.6 points). Like IPVanish, it has no connection limit and works with a wide range of Netflix libaries. Unlike its rival, though, it works flawlessly in high-censorship countries. NordVPN was a close second, scoring 9.4, with Hotspot Shield coming in third place.

Security and privacy

Privacy is an important consideration for any VPN user and that goes double if you’re in a country where online surveillance and censorship are rampant. To make sure we only recommend services that can truly keep you safe, we require VPNs to offer unbreakable encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a no-logs policy (ideally one verified by external audit). When assigning scores in this category, we carefully consider how each VPN fares in 16 security-related areas:

There are a lot of technical terms in the table above but don’t worry. We normalized the scores and plotted them in the chart below, making it much easier to compare different providers’ security credentials side by side. The higher the score, the more security-conscious the service is:

NordVPN and Surfshark both scored an impressive 9.5 points here, earning them joint first place. NordVPN’s authentication could be shored up slightly and Surfshark is based in a Nine Eyes country, which isn’t ideal. However, the rest of their security offerings are so robust that neither presents any real privacy issues to the average user.

Ease of use

Here at Comparitech, we believe that everyone has a right to digital privacy. That’s why we prioritize VPNs that are simple enough for complete beginners to use with confidence. This doesn’t mean that we penalize services with advanced functionality or customizable features; they just have to be well-described and presented in a way that won’t overwhelm novices. We also look for high connection limits, live chat-based support, and everything else in the table below:

NordVPN was the top scorer again here, with an impressive 9.6 points. IPVanish came in second thanks to its exceptional streaming ability and total lack of a connection limit. Of course, the lowest score we awarded here was 8.6, illustrating just how user-friendly each of our top picks is.

Value for money

One of our top priorities is ensuring you don’t pay more than you absolutely have to. For this reason, we look at a variety of factors, from the monthly price to how steep each service’s long-term discount is. Further, we consider whether there are student discounts and how often the VPN goes on sale. The one requirement we won’t budge on is that our top VPNs must offer a money-back guarantee.

Surfshark took the top spot here with an astounding 9.7 points. IPVanish was right behind, scoring 9.6. These services have a lot in common, with some of the lowest prices on the market (for long-term subscribers) and no connection limits. NordVPN came in third; it’s a little more expensive and only allows 10 devices to be secured simultaneously.

Interested in learning more? Check out our detailed VPN testing methodology post.

What about a free VPN?

It’s tempting to opt for a free VPN because you don’t have to sign up with a credit card and there usually isn’t any cash transaction at all. But forget about receiving the same speeds, encryption standards, or customer service.

Free VPNs are in the business of making money. They’re registered companies that have to pay for staff salaries, office space, server maintenance, and other overheads. So when the product itself is free, you end up becoming the product.

There have been multiple instances of free VPNs transgressing their power by tracking and stealing your data, selling it to 3rd-party advertisers, and bombarding you with invasive advertisements. Because you’re connected to a weak network, there is also the threat of a malware infection. Your device can also be unwittingly used as a pawn in a massive botnet army (more on this later).

If you’re unsure about whether you need a VPN, check out our list of the best VPNs with a free trial. It’ll help you test out the service for a few days and analyze whether the software works for you or not. But we recommend you avoid the random ones that exist on the interwebs. There’s more than what meets the eye.

Some VPNs to avoid

One of the reasons people opt for a VPN is so that their privacy and anonymity are guaranteed. We’ve discussed this at length throughout the article – VPN providers have a similar commitment that they respect the wishes of their users and don’t try to pull a fast one. Unfortunately, some companies have a history of not caring at all. In this section, we’ll tell you about two VPN services that willingly sold or handed over user data. We believe that’s a major ethical violation and a red flag to avoid them in the future.

1. PureVPN

There’s evidence to suggest that VPN provider PureVPN collaborated with law enforcement agencies to help identify one of its users.

PureVPN and the FBI joined forces after an unnamed 24-year-old woman filed a complaint about falling prey to an online blackmailing plot. She suspected her roommate, Ryan Lin, to be culpable.

The FBI traced the online activity back to PureVPN, who then used its logs to identify the culprit. Ryan was arrested. PureVPN insists that it didn’t record the content of communications, but it did have a ‘no-logs’ policy in place. There’s a real question mark on how ethically they might have behaved.

2. HolaVPN

Israel-based Hola, which developed and operated a popular VPN extension for the Chrome browser, built up its user base to a staggering 50 million. Unfortunately, it wasn’t content with further engendering the community. Instead, it chose to decimate its image and goodwill by unethically leveraging the user base by making them pawns in a massive botnet army.

What this meant was that Hola users, without their knowledge or consent, had a part of their internet bandwidth siphoned off for coordinated attacks on other sites, illegal promotion of copyrighted content, and possible distribution of pornography.

We’ll leave the rest to you.

It’s important to note that under no circumstances do we condone the use of VPNs to commit acts expressly forbidden by a country’s laws. However, we maintain that VPN providers need to be open and transparent with users. If it tracks user data, even under certain circumstances, it needs to be open and upfront about it. Violating this trust, handing over data, or hijacking HTTP requests is unacceptable.

How do I blog anonymously in Saudi Arabia?

Liberal Saudi blogger Raif Badawi was arrested in 2017 for promoting free speech and questioning the direction his country was taking. He was released in 2022.

In another case, Abu Sin, a teenage vlogger, was arrested after videos of him chatting online with a female friend in California went viral. Local police said the behavior “was unethical” and stated that was the reason behind his arrest.

Law enforcement agencies in Saudi Arabia don’t take kindly to chatter that deviates from state-sanctioned policies. Any supposed transgressions from the devout Islamic way of life are also looked down upon. We recommend you use a VPN to protect your identity if you are looking to start a blog in Saudi Arabia.

Related: How to blog anonymously, a guide for activists, whistleblowers, and journalists.

Please note that Comparitech does not condone the violation of local laws, whether by using a VPN or not. Please research the possible ramifications of your behavior before deciding to continue on this path. If necessary consult a lawyer who might be able to provide in-depth advice.

Will the internet ever be free in Saudi Arabia?

More than 70 percent of Saudi residents are connected to the web, an impressive number that has made Saudi Arabia one of the most digitally connected countries in the world.

Unfortunately, locals can only access a mere fraction of the web. The Guardian says Saudi Arabia leads the region in internet censorship, with sophisticated filters in place to block content and monitor online behavior.

Freedom House adds that sites deemed to contain “harmful,” “illegal,” “anti-Islamic,” or “offensive” material are likely to be blocked. Other parameters include web pages promoting extremist ideologies or criticism of the Saudi royal family.

A new anti-terrorism law passed in 2014 has also resulted in greater caution regarding online activity. Citizens can be censured for merely liking or commenting on posts that might be construed as damaging to the state.

The state routinely patronizes pro-government websites and publications, generously providing assistance to such journalists. On the other hand, any hint of criticism is met with severe financial pressures, with the Saudi government doing its best to restrict the publication’s source of revenue.

To browse the web safely and securely in Saudi Arabia, we recommend you use a VPN.

VPNs for Saudi Arabia FAQ