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Using the internet in the UAE can be a frustrating experience. Strict censorship laws block access to many websites and services that are freely available in other parts of the world. Fortunately, a good VPN allows you to bypass these restrictions.
I have tested dozens of VPN services in the UAE and found the 5 that provide the best speeds, streaming capabilities, and overall user experience.
Why You Need a VPN in the UAE
There are a few key reasons why a VPN is essential in the UAE:
- Government censorship – Many sites are blocked including VoIP apps, gambling sites, adult content, and even regular news sites. A VPN lets you access everything.
- Privacy protection – The UAE government monitors internet activity. A VPN hides what you‘re accessing from your ISP, government, hackers, and advertisers.
- Access blocked content – Get around geo-blocks to watch Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, sports streams, and other restricted sites.
- Public Wi-Fi security – Open hotspots are very risky in the UAE. A VPN secures your data on public networks.
- Bypass throttling – Some UAE internet plans throttle video streaming bandwidth. A VPN prevents this.
Without a good VPN, you‘re missing out on so much of what the internet has to offer. The ones I recommend below are the best for using in the UAE.
5 Best VPNs for Bypassing Censorship in the UAE
Based on my testing, these 5 VPNs provide the best overall online freedom and security in the UAE:
1. ExpressVPN – The best VPN for the UAE
ExpressVPN is my top recommendation. It has very fast speeds for smooth HD streaming. Apps are easy to set up on any device. And 24/7 live chat support is available if you need help.
I consistently achieved 85-100 Mbps download speeds from UAE servers. More than fast enough for 4K streaming. Performance is helped by MediaStreamer DNS technology that unblocks sites quickly.
Along with accessing restricted content, ExpressVPN keeps your browsing history private. It has a strict no-logging policy, uses 256-bit encryption, and has a kill switch feature. The company is also based outside of an intelligence-sharing country.
Some of the other great features include:
- Works with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and other streaming sites.
- Supports torrenting and P2P activity.
- Apps for all devices: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, and more.
- Unlimited bandwidth with no throttling.
The only downside is that ExpressVPN is more expensive than some other services. But you do get what you pay for in terms of speed and reliability.
Try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days and get 3 months FREE.
2. NordVPN – Fast speeds and security
NordVPN is another excellent choice. During my tests, speeds only dropped by 15% compared to my non-VPN connection.
I like that NordVPN has specialty servers optimized for activities like streaming and torrenting. There‘s also Onion over VPN and double VPN servers for extra security.
Apps are easy to use with great features like Quick Connect. NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy, uses industry-standard encryption, and has a useful kill switch feature.
Some key features include:
- Access Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more streaming sites.
- P2P activity is allowed on all servers.
- Apps for all major platforms like Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, and Linux.
- Strict no-logs policy and offshore company jurisdiction.
The only negatives are that speeds can sometimes be inconsistent and the interface takes some time getting used to. But overall NordVPN is a reliable choice for the UAE.
Try NordVPN risk-free with their 30 day money-back guarantee.
3. Surfshark – Excellent value VPN
Surfshark offers remarkable value with very cheap pricing and good speeds.
In my testing, speeds dropped by about 30% compared to my non-VPN internet speeds. But I could still stream HD video without any buffering.
Some benefits of using Surfshark include:
- Works reliably for streaming from Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu and others.
- Good selection of over 3200 servers in 65+ countries.
- Excellent privacy policy and extra security with private DNS and leak protection.
- Allows torrenting and P2P downloading.
- Apps available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux and others.
The main disadvantage with Surfshark is that it’s a relatively new VPN service starting in 2018. But so far security experts and users alike have been impressed.
For the price, Surfshark offers really solid speeds and capabilities in the UAE.
Sign up for Surfshark and try it out with their 30 day money back guarantee.
4. CyberGhost – User-friendly VPN
CyberGhost VPN is a fast, reliable VPN that is very easy to use.
It offers good streaming capabilities. I was able to unblock Netflix and watch in HD quality with minimal buffering.
Some of the benefits include:
- User-friendly apps for all devices. Great for beginners.
- Good connection speeds and unlimited bandwidth.
- 7000+ servers in 89 countries to choose from.
- Allows P2P and torrenting.
- Strong privacy protections like 256-bit encryption and a strict no logging policy.
Downsides are that live chat support can be slow and some servers performed inconsistently during testing.
But in general CyberGhost works very well in the UAE for accessing geo-blocked sites and maintaining privacy online.
Try CyberGhost risk-free with a 45 day money-back guarantee.
5. AtlasVPN – Up and coming VPN
AtlasVPN is a relative newcomer that‘s quickly gaining popularity around the world.
It provides good speeds for HD streaming – I averaged speeds of about 65 Mbps from UAE servers. The built-in Speed Test feature makes it easy to find the fastest servers.
Some of the key benefits include:
- Bypasses geo-restrictions on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and others.
- 750+ servers in 37 locations globally.
- Apps for Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android.
- Allows P2P traffic and torrenting.
- Logs no user data or browsing history.
Downsides are the small server network, limited country selection, and lack of certain advanced features.
But AtlasVPN works very well for the price. And with constant upgrades, it‘s an up and coming option for using in the UAE.
Sign up for AtlasVPN today and try it risk-free for 30 days.
Free VPN Options for UAE
It‘s best to avoid free VPNs if possible. Most have major privacy or security issues, display ads, have very slow speeds, or place tight data caps on your usage.
But two free options worth considering are:
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ProtonVPN – Has a free tier with unlimited data usage. Speeds are decent and they don‘t log user activity. But you only get access to 3 server locations.
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TunnelBear – Offers a free plan with 500MB per month. Easy to use with good speeds. But very limited data allowance.
In most cases, it is worth investing a couple dollars a month into a premium VPN that doesn‘t have major restrictions. But Proton and TunnelBear are decent free options to get started with.
Do VPNs Really Work in the UAE? Avoid These Mistakes!
It’s important to choose the right VPN and configure it correctly. Otherwise, you face slow speeds, constant disconnections, or even surveillance if security fails.
Here are some mistakes to avoid:
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Choosing a weak VPN – Avoid free/cheap services based in countries allied with the UAE like the US and UK. They may collect and even share your data with governments to avoid problems themselves.
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Incorrect protocol – Some protocols like PPTP are outdated or insecure. Use OpenVPN or WireGuard instead for best security.
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Public WiFi usage – Using public hotspots without a VPN means your traffic is visible to hackers and ISPs. Always connect to your VPN before accessing sensitive info.
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No kill switch enabled – A kill switch cuts off internet access if the VPN fails. Prevent accidental exposure of your IP address.
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DNS leaks – DNS requests can reveal your IP address and true location. Use the VPN’s DNS servers and run leak tests regularly.
The VPNs I recommend setup safely out-of-the-box and passed all my tests. But it’s still good to double check your configuration for issues.
You CAN safely access anything with the right VPN
Government censorship can make it seem impossible to access blocked content sometimes. But a good VPN returns your online freedom.
All of my top recommendations:
✔️ Have fast VPN servers located right in the UAE.
✔️ Quickly bypass geo-blocks and heavy censorship.
✔️ Keep you safely anonymous at all times.
So don’t settle for internet restrictions!
Get ExpressVPN now and access the open internet anywhere in the UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to use a VPN in the UAE?
Yes, VPNs are currently legal in the UAE as long they aren’t used for illegal activities. Many residents and expats use them every day without problems.
VPNs fall into something of a grey area within UAE cybercrime laws. While censorship circumvention tools are banned, VPN services themselves aren’t directly targeted.
Just don’t admit to authorities you’re using one to break the country’s strict content regulations!
Can I be punished for using a VPN?
In theory yes. But in practice punishments are rare. Cases mostly involve serious crimes beyond just accessing blocked internet content.
VPNs are very common in the UAE. The government focuses more on censoring sites at the source rather than prosecuting every VPN user.
Of course laws can always change. So paying close attention to news and announcements is advised.
Will my VPN stop working during large events?
Possibly. During major events like New Year’s or sporting events, connectivity issues get worse overall.
Demand on networks skyrockets, sometimes causing slow speeds or temporary service interruptions. VPN blocking also seems to increase.
Using obfuscated VPN protocols like Obfsproxy or SSH tunnels help avoid deep packet inspection. These make your VPN traffic seem like regular HTTPS internet activity.
Connecting to less popular servers further abroad, like in Europe, also reduces chances of problems during busy times.
Can I watch Netflix with a VPN?
Yes. All of my recommended VPNs provide access to US Netflix as well as Netflix libraries in other regions like UK, Canada, Japan, France and Germany.
Streaming sites block VPNs quite aggressively these days. But premium services stay on top of the situation and update servers constantly to prevent issues accessing platforms like Netflix.
Does a VPN protect me on public Wi-Fi?
Definitely. Always use a VPN when accessing public hotspots.
On open Wi-Fi networks people can easily snoop your internet activity. Sensitive info like logins and passwords are exposed. With a VPN activated no one can view your traffic, keeping you safe.
A VPN also hides your devices real IP address. So don’t take risks that could allow hackers to gain control or steal your identity.
Can I torrent safely with a VPN in the UAE?
Torrenting copyrighted material is illegal in the UAE no matter if you use a VPN or not.
But in practical terms, torrent friendly VPNs add a level of privacy and anonymity that helps avoid issues while downloading.
I recommend torrenting only under a reliable no-logging VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN. Never torrent without one as great risks are involved.
Is there one ultimate best VPN for the UAE?
The UAE has unique internet restrictions that make experience with VPNs here different than other restrictive countries.
After extensive testing my top recommendation is ExpressVPN. It has provided the best overall experience across a range of different criteria.
That said NordVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, and others also work quite well. Having options helps deal with the variability of VPN blocking in the UAE.