If you’re in UAE, a VPN is very necessary to ensure your internet freedom. Using a trusted VPN to bypass geo-restrictions, unblock censored content, speed up your internet, enjoy fast streaming and no-laggy games is almost all you expect on it. There are many big marks that offer decent VPN services. However, not all of them work seamlessly with key telecom players like Etisalat, DU and Yahsat. So it’s important to choose a UAE VPN that actually works well.
In order to save you time finding a suitable VPN for UAE, we’ve tested dozens of VPNs and we’re glad to share with you the 6 best VPN (free or paid) in UAE that tested working. In this article, we are going to take a detailed look at their features, pros and cons, pricing and lots more. Then, read on.
How to Choose a VPN in UAE?
There are hundreds of VPNs available on the market, but only a few can beat censorship and unblock in UAE. So, before taking a plunge into the VPN world, consider whether these VPNs offer:
- Ability to unblock restricted content from within the UAE.
- Well-distribution servers around the world.
- Fast connection speeds with no data cap or no throttle.
- Shared account or simultaneous connections on multiple devices.
- IPv6 & DNS leak prevention.
- No logs policy, kill switch, split tunneling, protocol forwarding and more.
- Approachable customer support.
- Free plan, reasonable monthly/annual price and money-back guarantee.
- Offers UAE VPN servers to ensure secure access domestically.
So, keep these points in your mind, and you can take them as the criteria for choosing a VPN. Please note that it doesn’t mean a go-to VPN must meet all the standards mentioned above. In fact, just some of them can be factored into your ideal VPN. After understanding this, now let’s step into the next part, you will find a UAE VPN based on your needs, budget and usage.
6 Best VPN for United Arab Emirates
We’ve tested around 30 VPNs both from major brands and niche brands. Almost half of them worked fine on PC, Mac, Tablet, Smart TV, iOS or Andriod Phone in the first round. To make sure it always works, we stretched the test timeline. Our team continued to test the remaining 14 VPNs over several months. Finally, we screened out 6 best UAE Dubai VPN that perform well in terms of privacy, security and speed. Now, let’s dive in.
1. ExpressVPN
| Best for | No.1 VPN for Speed in UAE |
| Servers and Countries | 3,000+ servers in 94 countries |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, Chromebook, Android TV, Fire Stick, Apple TV, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Router, etc. |
| Simultaneous Connections (Devices) | Up to 8 |
| Compatible Streaming Service | Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ Hotstar, TVING, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max/Go, etc. |
| Average Speed | 200 Mbps |
| Encryption Technology | AES-256 and ChaCha20-Poly1305 |
| No Logs Policy | No logs |
| Protocol | Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP, PPTP |
| Price |
Monthly: $12.95/mo (about 47.55 AED) 6 months: $9.99/mo (about 36.68 AED) 1 year: $8.32/mo (about 30.56 AED) |
| Free Trial |
7-day free trial (mobile only) (30-day money-back guarantee) |
| Customer Support | 24/7 live chat support |
ExpressVPN is the world's leading yet long-established VPN provider with over 4 million paid subscribers worldwide. With excellent speed and stability, and it always boasts top-class security and privacy, it’s reviewed as the best overall VPN for Dubai and other cities in UAE.
Express VPN offers 3,000+ servers across 94 countries, so you can choose the appropriate one to access all the geo-based content from all over the world. When we actually conducted the day-to-day test for ExpressVPN in Dubai, there were catches where the speed exceeded 750Mbps while connected to the US server. That being said, it supports 4k streaming, contributes to low-ping games and boosts downloading speed.
Also, it offers a 7-day free trial for mobile apps and a full 30-day risk-free money-back guarantee. So, you can test whether it works fine with your devices or you can get a refund in case you find it stops working after a few days.
- Ultra fast and stable speed.
- Connect up to 8 devices. (with a 6- or 12-month subscription plan).
- Access a host of streaming services securely.
- Compatible with a group of devices and OS.
- A good collection of services worldwide.
- 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee.
- It might be too pricey for your current budget.
- Have to buy an extra license for more simultaneous connections.
Who is it for?
ExpressVPN has fast connection speeds, so it’s recommended for people who want maximum speed and stability, such as unblocking and streaming foreign TV channels, playing geo-based games or downloading large files.
2. Atlas VPN
| Best for | Cheapest VPN for Privacy and Speed |
| Servers and Countries | 1,000+ servers in 42 countries |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV |
| Simultaneous Connections (Devices) | Unlimited |
| Compatible Streaming Service | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, etc. |
| Average Speed | 90 Mbps |
| Encryption Technology | AES-256 and ChaCha20 |
| No Logs Policy | No logs |
| Protocol | IPSec/IKEv2 and WireGuard |
| Price |
Monthly: $11.99/mo (about 44.04 AED) 1 year: $3.29/mo (about 12.08 AED) 27months: $1.82/mo (about 6.68 AED) |
| Free Trial |
7-day free trial (mobile only) (30-day money-back guarantee) |
| Customer Support | 24/7 live chat support |
While some people might habitually think Nord VPN should be sitting behind Express VPN based on its global brand reputation and customer retention, we would think Atlas VPN should be sitting at No.2 among the best VPN for UAE.
First, priced at the $1.82 (around 6.68 AED) per month mark, it’s dubbed as one of the cheapest Dubai VPNs that cover all the bases. Also, it has a dedicated app version that is user-friendly and straightforward and works well with Etisalat and DU’s Celluar & Wi-Fi.
So, even if a tech-phoebe can use it to steam romantic Korean drama, play games with better latency, secure public Wi-Fi connection at The Dubai Mall or do what else’s VPN use with no brain.
- Modern and sleek-looking design.
- Budget-friendly, premium VPN.
- Has fewer servers than major VPN providers’.
- Optimized servers for seamless streaming.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections.
- Only provide a free version for Android app.
- It doesn't work very well with Canada Netflix and Disney+ Hotstar.
Who is it for?
As a UAE VPN with a good balance between price and usability, Atlas VPN is recommended for anyone looking for a cheap VPN that can use for WhatsApp, Messenger and Insta Calling, unblock global streaming services, watch TV shows and ensure online privacy. You can enjoy peace of mind with unlimited connections and a no-logs policy.
3. Falcon VPN
| Best for | Best Free Option |
| Servers and Countries | 3,000+ servers across 40 countries |
| Compatibility | Android and iOS |
| Simultaneous Connections (Devices) | Unlimited |
| Compatible Streaming Service | Netflix US, Hotstar India, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, TVING, etc. |
| Average Speed | 38 Mbps |
| Encryption Technology | AES-256 |
| No Logs Policy | No logs |
| Protocol | OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec and SSTP |
| Price | Free |
| Customer Support | Email support |
Falcon VPN is a free VPN for UAE with unlimited connections and no data cap. It works seamlessly on Andriod phone and iPhone on Etisalat and Du data or Wi-Fi. No trouble while connecting.
It should be noted that free tiers don’t hold back data, speed, server locations and device protection. Falcon VPN gives you easy and free access to your favorite content in UAE. It’s the best free light VPN app to access social media networks abroad, unblock geo-blocked content and make day-to-day voice & video calls.
UnblockAndAccess
Remarkably, it has the ability to unblock foreign TV channels and streaming services, working great with US Netflix, Hulu, Hotstar Desney+ and lots more. Plus, it delivers game-optimized servers for PUBG Moblie, Roblox, Free Fire and more, ensuring your smooth and no-laggy gaming experience.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections.
- Completely free, no ads and no data limit.
- No registration, no email or other information required.
- Dedicated servers for streaming and gaming.
- Works great on Wi-Fi, cellular and data.
- Safe and clean light app.
- Weaker device protection compared with top-notch counterparts.
- Has no client for desktop.
Who is it for?
Secura is a well-designed free UAE VPN for Dubai with no strings attached. Featuring unlimited data and connection, it’s recommended for the bandwidth-hungry and device-heavy to bypass censorship, steam foreign TV channels, browse the web and boost games. It’s secure and priced free. Anyone who’d like to use VPN on mobile devices can tap into it on the go.
4. CyberGhost VPN
| Best for | Best for Online Security |
| Servers and Countries | 9,000+ servers in 91 countries |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire Stick, Apple TV, Smart TVs, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Router, etc. |
| Simultaneous Connections (Devices) | Up to 7 |
| Compatible Streaming Service | Netflix, Hotstar India, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, etc. |
| Average Speed | 50 Mbps |
| Encryption Technology | AES-256 |
| No Logs Policy | No logs |
| Protocol | OpenVPN, IKEv2 and WireGuard |
| Price |
Monthly: $12.99/mo (about 47.70 AED) 6 months: $6.99/mo (about 25.67 AED) 26 months: $2.19/mo (about 8.04 AED) |
| Free Trial |
1-day free trial for desktop 3-day free trial for Android 7-day free trial for iOS (45-day money-back guarantee) |
| Customer Support |
24/7 live chat support |
Compared to ExpressVPN and other big names, CyberGhost VPN is less well-known, and many people may have heard of it for the first time. However, CyberGhost has won a place as a rock-solid VPN for privacy (keep no logs with a third-party audit) in Europe where citizens care about digital privacy intensely.
So, if you are concerned about your online privacy and anonymity and want to hide your online activity from your ISP and snoopers in UAE, consider CyberGhost, with 6800+ servers worldwide and it delivers Dubai VPN servers and other UAE-based servers to encrypt your internet connection domestically.
Plus, it offers optimized servers for Netflix, HBO Max and other streaming services. If you want to smoothly stream US Netflix, HBO Max, YouTube and others in HD with no buffer, CyberGhost is the way to go. Surely, there is a drawback that CyberGhost is slightly slower in terms of speed, compared to other big players. However, it’s basically fast enough for your day-to-day use with no hassles.
- Largest collection of globe servers as well as optimized UAE Servers.
- Reasonable price with up to 45-day money-back guarantee.
- No log policy.
- Simultaneously connect up to 7 devices.
- Dedicated server for Netflix.
- 7-day free trial for iOS.
- Lower speed.
- It doesn’t support Amazon Prime Video or Hulu.
Who is it for?
CyberGhost VPN is relatively cheap if you choose a yearly plan. And it maintains a clear and transparent no-log policy. It’s also risk-free. You can try it for free on various devices without credit card registration. So, CyberGhost is especially recommended for device-heavy who want to access the internet safely and anonymously at a low cost in UAE.
5. Proton VPN
| Best for | Best Free and Open Source VPN |
| Servers and Countries | 65 Free servers in 3 countries |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire Stick, Chromebook, Android TV, etc. |
| Simultaneous Connections (Devices) | Up to 10 |
| Compatible Streaming Service | Netflix US, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, etc. |
| Average Speed | 46 Mbps |
| Encryption Technology | AES-256 and ChaCha20 |
| No Logs Policy | No logs |
| Protocol | OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard |
| Price |
Monthly: $12.48/mo (about 45.84 AED) 1 year: $6.50/mo (about 23.87 AED) 2 years: $5.42/mo (about 19.91 AED) |
| Free Trial |
7-day free trial (30-day money-back guarantee) |
| Customer Support |
Email support |
Earlier in 2020, Proton VPN announced that it had open-sourced its app. At the same time, it had a third-party audit by SEC Consult. This highlights the security of its services and the clarity of its privacy.
Notable too, is the no bandwidth limit free version has over 150 servers available and it implemented the same security policies as its paid counterparts. Also, like Mullvad VPN, it comes with an ad-block feature. So you can use it with peace of mind even though it’s free.
The only drawback is that it only has 3 countries: the US, Japan, and the Netherlands for you to choose from. But overall, it can be safe to say that it’s a fairly free UAE VPN for maintaining security and beating geo-restrictions.
- High security and safety.
- Offers tools to block ads and malware.
- Supports cryptocurrency payments like Bitcoin payment.
- Unlimited data and no ads for the free version.
- Up to 10 devices can be connected simultaneously.
- Split tunneling is available.
- Paid plans are expensive.
- Free version only has 3 locations.
- Only one device can be used with the free version.
- Medium speed compared with other major VPNs.
Who is it for?
Proton VPN is surely for people looking for a free VPN for internet freedom and security.
So, if you are a light VPN user and speed isn’t your big concern, consider Proton VPN.
6. Mullvad VPN
| Best for | Cost-effective VPN for Anonymity and Privacy |
| Servers and Countries | 653 servers in 43 countries |
| Compatibility | Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, and Android |
| Simultaneous Connections (Devices) | 5 |
| Compatible Streaming Service | Netflix and Disney+ |
| Average Speed | 36 Mbps |
| Encryption Technology | AES-256 |
| No Logs Policy | No logs |
| Protocol | OpenVPN and WireGuard |
| Price | $5.50/mo (about 20.19 AED) |
| Free Trial | Unfortunately no free trial |
| Customer Support | Email support |
Mullvad VPN has a rising popularity in UAE for its price, anonymity, security and speed. It’s very confident in maintaining online privacy and security. It absolutely keeps no logs. This can be implied by its official website states and it is also proven by other unbiased reviews from PCMag, Tom’s Guide, TechRadar and vpnMentor.
Mullvad VPN also boasts its anonymous registration and payment. It never asks for any information like your name or email address when you create an account. When logging in, just simply enter the automatically generated 16-digit number.
Yet another remarkable thing is its ad-blocking function and tracker-blocking DNS service, which ensure your non-disturb and anonymous online surfing experience.
- This price is rather low.
- Kill switch enabled by default.
- Various payment methods available.
- Proven no logs.
- Ads ad track block.
- Cannot access Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, etc.
- No live chat support.
Who is it for?
Mullvad VPN provides the best security protection. On top of that, it has a good price. It’s one of the most cost-effective VPN for Dubai location in UAE. So, Mullvad VPN is for anyone who cares about security without breaking the bank.
FAQs
Why Use a VPN in UAE?
Using a VPN in UAE has many benefits:
- Give you absolute online anonymity and security.
- Ensure your internet freedom.
- Access popular streaming services for entertainment.
- Enjoy a smooth and low-ping gaming experience.
- And lots more.
Is It Illegal to Use a VPN in UAE?
According to UAE law, having VPN in UAE is not illegal, using a VPN to commit a crime is illegal. This is the same law as most other Arab or Middle East countries.
What Are the Best VPN that Work Fine with Netflix?
Netflix can easily detect it if you use a shabby VPN to do GPS spoofing. So, consider using a top-tier VPN like Express VPN, CyberGhost VPN, Proton VPN and Mullvad VPN which have capabilities to circumvent Netflix's blockade.
What Are the Best UAE VPN for Games?
If you want to access and play location-based games without bearing the painfully slow speed and high ping, heading to a game-geared VPN should be the best solution. There are some best game VPN in UAE:
| Provider | Average Speed | Average Ping |
| Express VPN | 200 Mbps | 38ms |
| Nord VPN | 190 Mbps | 40ms |
| CyberGhost VPN | 50 Mbps | 46ms |
| Atlas VPN | 90 Mbps | 49ms |
| Proton VPN | 46 Mbps | 55ms |
What Is a Kill Switch?
A kill switch is a function that automatically disconnects the Internet connection when the VPN connection goes down. It prevents unintended data leaks and ensures anonymity.
Can a Free VPN Work Well in UAE?
Free VPNs usually hold back functions, limit data and offer a minimal number of servers. Also, they are slow yet generally less secure than paid options. However, there are still free VPNs like Atlas VPN, Proton VPN and Falcon VPN that offer a reasonable number of servers with decent data, speed and security protection.
Is There a VPN for Chrome Extension?
Yes, there are plenty of VPN providers like Express VPN, Atlas VPN and CyberGhost VPN that offer VPN for Google Chrome and other browsers. They let you unblock websites and surf anonymously online.
Where is Nord VPN?
Since NordVPN acquired Atlas in November 2021, and Atalas VPN is much more cost-effective than Nord VPN, so we just give it a seat for Atlas. Still, if you don’t have to think about your budget, Nord is a great alternative option.
Can a VPN be Used in Other Countries in the Middle East?
Yes, VPN can be used in Saudi Arabia and Arab or Middle Eastern countries to access any content and ensure your security & privacy.
The Bottom Line
Using a UAE VPN is crucial for both the entertainment and the protection of personal information & data. This article covered 6 best VPN for Dubai and UAE . These VPNs ensure your internet freedom and online privacy. Just try them out.
- Express VPN: No.1 VPN for Speed in UAE
- Atlas VPN: Cheapest VPN for Privacy and Speed
- Falcon VPN: Best Free Option
- CyberGhost VPN: Best for Online Security
- Proton VPN: Best Free and Open Source VPN
- Mullvad VPN: Cost-effective VPN for Anonymity and Privacy
