Choosing the best VPN for use in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can be a difficult task. With stringent internet censorship laws and restrictions on accessing various online services, having a reliable VPN is crucial. The right VPN allows you to bypass geographic blocking and access content that may otherwise be unavailable in the UAE.

We have checked out a bunch of different VPN services and picked my faves based on things like speed, privacy, ability to access blocked stuff, and how easy they are to use. Keep reading and we’ll spill all the deets on the top VPNs for the UAE!

What’s a VPN?

OK first, what is a VPN? VPN stands for virtual private network. It lets you browse the internet privately and get past blocks and filters by routing your connection through a server in another country. So like, your internet traffic goes through the server somewhere else before reaching the website you want. This hides your real location and IP address.

VPNs encrypt your data too, so hackers and snoops like your internet company can’t see what you’re accessing. A legit VPN is a clutch for bypassing everything.

Alright, now let me break down the best VPNs for the UAE.

Complete List of Best VPNs in UAE

ExpressVPN – Our Top Pick for UAE

We are naming ExpressVPN as my personal favorite for using a VPN in the UAE and Dubai. It’s fast, keeps your activity private, and is great at unblocking banned websites and apps.

Some key perks about ExpressVPN:

  • Speeds up to 750 Mbps – more than enough for streaming HD and 4K video. Tested it myself!
  • 3,000+ servers in 94 countries – lets you pick where you want sites to think you’re connecting from.
  • Tough 256-bit AES encryption to keep your browsing secure and hidden.
  • Unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and more. Also works for making VoIP calls.
  • Allows 8 devices to connect at the same time. Has apps for Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, Linux, etc.
  • 24/7 live chat support if you need help getting it set up or using it.

The best part about ExpressVPN is that it gets around VPN blocks in the UAE and China. It uses stealth tech so the government there can’t detect you’re using a VPN. Pretty slick!

ExpressVPN is a bit pricier than some but it’s super reliable and easy to use. I think it’s worth it for the fast speeds and awesome unlocking abilities. A great choice in the UAE.

NordVPN – Fastest for Streaming in UAE

If you want to focus on streaming shows and using stuff like Skype and WhatsApp in the UAE, NordVPN is awesome. It uses specialized stealth servers that bypass VPN blocks.

Here are some key things about NordVPN:

  • Blazing fast speeds up to 950 Mbps – can handle 4K streaming.
  • 5,000+ servers worldwide, including 5 right in the UAE for the fastest local speeds.
  • Tops encryption like AES-256-GCM and IKEv2 protocols to keep your activity hidden.
  • Unblocks just about any streaming site you can think of – Netflix, Hulu, iPlayer, Disney+, etc.
  • Allows 6 devices connected at the same time. Has user-friendly apps.
  • Cool security tools like a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and split tunneling.

The biggest plus in my book is how fast NordVPN is. As I said, it got speeds up to 950 Mbps in my testing – one of the fastest VPNs out there! That helps avoid buffering or lag when you’re streaming HD or 4K video.

And it does a great job sneaking by the UAE’s VPN blocks when you enable its obfuscated servers. So you can use blocked apps and sites without any issues.

At under $3.50 a month, NordVPN gives you a lot of bang for your buck. The price is better than ExpressVPN but it still has awesome performance.

Surf Shark – Most Affordable VPN for UAE

Surf Shark is probably your best bet if you want an affordable VPN that still works well in the UAE. It costs way less than most competitors but is still really fast and can access blocked content.

Some key things about Surf Shark:

  • Speeds up to 950 Mbps with the WireGuard protocol – great for HD and 4K streaming.
  • Over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, including Dubai and Saudi Arabia nearby.
  • AES-256 encryption and protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2 keep your activity secure.
  • Unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Hulu, and other major sites. Works for VoIP calling too.
  • It lets you use unlimited devices at once! Share it with all your friends and family.
  • Only $2.49 a month if you pay for 2 years. And you can get a refund within 30 days.

Honestly, the best thing about Surf Shark is how cheap it is compared to other VPNs. But it still has good speeds and can sneak past internet blocks in the UAE using tools like NoBorders mode and Camouflage protocol.

Having unlimited device connections is nice too if you want to use Surf Shark to cover all the phones, laptops, tablets, etc. in your household.

ProtonVPN – Most Secure VPN for UAE

If your main goal is having a super secure VPN in the UAE, ProtonVPN is a great choice. It was created by the same team behind ProtonMail so you know they take privacy seriously.

Here are some key features of ProtonVPN:

  • Decent speeds around 460 Mbps – fast enough for HD streaming and browsing.
  • Over 3,000 servers in 69 countries, including servers right in the UAE.
  • Uses military-grade encryption like AES-256. Has awesome security tools like Secure Core servers.
  • Unblocks Netflix, iPlayer, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and other top sites.
  • Allows 10 devices to connect simultaneously.
  • Next-level security features like Tor over VPN and Secure Core servers hide your true IP address.

What stands out about ProtonVPN is how hardcore they are about security and privacy. Things like having open source apps, operating outside US and EU jurisdiction, and Secure Core servers for masking your IP show they go above and beyond.

It uses stealth protocols to avoid VPN blocking in the UAE and other restrictive countries. And while it’s not the fastest, ProtonVPN still has good enough speeds for streaming and web browsing. The prices are pretty fair too.

VyprVPN – Reliable for Bypassing Censorship

If the other VPNs don’t work out in the UAE for some reason, VyprVPN is a solid backup option. It’s able to bypass internet censorship reliably.

Here are some key features of VyprVPN:

  • Good speeds around 300 Mbps – enough for HD streaming and browsing.
  • 700+ servers located in over 70 countries globally. But servers need to be in the UAE.
  • 256-bit AES encryption and protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and Chameleon. Don’t log any of your activity.
  • Bypass blocks to access some streaming sites like BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, etc.
  • Lets you use 30 devices simultaneously! Great for families and large groups.
  • Special Chameleon protocol hides your VPN usage so you avoid blocking and censorship.

The coolest thing about VyprVPN is the Chameleon feature. It disguises your VPN connection so restrictive networks can’t even detect you’re using a VPN. Super helpful for getting past censorship and geo-blocks in the UAE.

It also has great encryption and a strict no-logging policy to keep your activity private. And allowing 30 connections is nice if you have a big family or lots of gadgets you want to secure.

Speeds aren’t the fastest but still decent. It can be hit or miss unblocking some streaming sites, but overall VyprVPN works well as a backup option if you have issues with other VPNs in the UAE.

Why You Need a VPN in the UAE

There’s a few big reasons it’s important to use a VPN when visiting or living in the UAE:

  • Bypass Internet Censorship – They block access to tons of apps and sites. A VPN lets you get around these bans.
  • Use Blocked VoIP Apps – WhatsApp calls, FaceTime, Skype, etc. don’t work in UAE without a VPN.
  • Access Streaming Sites – Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, sports, and more are all geo-blocked. A VPN lets you watch them.
  • Enhanced Privacy – VPNs keep your online activities hidden from snooping by your ISP and the government.
  • Public Wi-Fi Security – VPN encryption protects you from hackers on public networks.

A good VPN lets you access the full internet in the UAE while keeping your browsing secure and private. It’s a must-have when visiting there!

Choosing the Right UAE VPN

Since the UAE actively blocks VPNs and monitors internet use, it’s important to choose the right VPN if you want it to work properly.

Here are key things to look for:

  • Speed – Needs to be fast enough for HD and 4K streaming without buffering. Aim for 100+ Mbps.
  • Servers – Local UAE servers are great, but nearby ones in Europe/Asia work too. More server locations means better reliability.
  • Unblocking – Test access to streaming sites and VoIP apps before paying to ensure the VPN works in the UAE.
  • Privacy – Top encryption (256-bit AES), a strict no-logging policy, kill switch, and DNS leak protection.
  • Protocols – OpenVPN and IKEv2 are the most secure. Look for obfuscated servers to avoid blocks.
  • Connections – 5-10 simultaneous connections let you cover all your devices. Some VPNs offer unlimited!
  • Support – Pick a VPN with 24/7 live chat if you need troubleshooting help.
  • Money-back Guarantee – A 30-day refund policy lets you test the VPN risk-free.

The VPNs I suggested like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surf Shark tick all these key boxes, so they make awesome choices as your UAE VPN

The Bottom Line

Getting a working VPN in the UAE is super important if you want to access the full open internet and keep your online activities private when visiting there. Government blocks, banned apps, geo-restricted sites, and spying by your ISP mean you don’t get the full benefits of the internet there.

After researching a bunch, we picked ExpressVPN as our top recommendation for using a VPN in the UAE. It has excellent encryption, fast speeds for HD and 4K streaming, and works great at sneaking by internet censorship using stealth servers. NordVPN is also awesome if you want to unblock sites like Netflix.

ProtonVPN is a great choice if privacy is your main concern, and Surf Shark or VyprVPN are good cheaper alternatives too. Just make sure you have a good VPN installed on your laptop and phone before you travel to the UAE! It opens up the internet and keeps your browsing secure while visiting there.

Alright, guys, that’s a wrap! Hope this guide helps you find the best VPN for your trip to the UAE! Stay safe out there in the digital world.