The Best VPNs for UAE - Access Blocked Sites Anonymously

Although Dubai’s official tourism website boasts, “Discover all that’s possible in Dubai”, when it comes to their internet, you’ll find that’s not very much. Anxious to protect the “identity, traditions, ethics, morals and culture” of their country, Dubai has introduced some heavy censorship.

The same can be said for the wider UAE. A large amount of content on the internet is blocked in the UAE, a law implemented to protect those morals and ethics. Even when visiting relatively relaxed cities like the aforementioned Dubai, the larger country laws still apply.

If you are traveling to the UAE or Dubai and still want to access sites and applications such as Whatsapp or Skype, you should use a VPN not only unblock to the content but to ensure that you stay anonymous to hackers or prying eyes – whether they are from regulatory authorities or not.

It’s important to note that Dubai’s censorship also blocks VPN providers’ sites. This means you can’t easily install a VPN which would enable you to bypass the country’s restrictions and access whatever content you wanted. The only way around the problem is to install a VPN before you arrive in the UAE.

Here in this article, we investigate why a VPN works for circumnavigating these issues, what the best VPN for UAE censorship is and what the UAE’s regulatory approach to VPN usage is.

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Why Do I Need a VPN for UAE?

Even if you don’t want to access more controversial or adult-only content, a VPN is the only way to open blocked sites and be free to comment on political issues without censorship. A VPN creates a safe tunnel to the internet where your activities are hidden from prying eyes, along with your IP address.

By encrypting your traffic, a reliable VPN will make it appear as though you’re operating from a different country, and therefore enable you to access geo-restricted sites. So with so much content blocked in the UAE, a VPN is a way around that problem. VPNs allow you to stream the TV shows you want to watch and to call friends on communication apps like Skype.

The Best VPN for UAE and Dubai

We stringently test all VPN providers and, with respect or usage in UAE, we looked for a number of features being provided as standard with all VPN packages. They are:

• Server Location 
• Security Protocols
• Speed 
• Privacy Policy
• Customer Service

Below is the list of our top two VPNs for UAE.

1. ExpressVPN – Works Well In High-Censorship Countries

Top-Tier Encryption | Unlimited Bandwidth | P2P Enabled Servers | Kill Switch | Zero Logs Policy | DNS Leak Protection | IP Leak Protection | TrustedServer Technology | OpenVPN | PPTP

Streaming Services Unblocked: Netflix, Hulu, Sling TV, HBO, DAZN, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, ITV Player, ESPN, YouTube TV, Fubo, beIN Sports, Sky Go, Vudu, Showtime, Hotstar, Crackle, Zattoo, Quibi, Direct TV Now

Compatible With: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, Chrome extension, Firefox extension

ExpressVPN tops our charts continuously for several reasons, and it is easily the best VPN for UAE users and those in Dubai that the market has to offer. It ticks all the boxes in terms of what is required of a super-secure VPN with its quick and secure connection and unrivaled safety features.

ExpressVPN employs military-grade AES-256 encryption (the one trusted by the US government and security experts worldwide), as well as TrustedSever technology, which ensures that none of your data is ever written onto the hard drive of any computer.

Additionally, the VPN boasts a no logs policy as well as a kill switch, which keeps users anonymous at all times when accessing content that is otherwise forbidden in the UAE.

Price: Starting from $6.67/month

If you decide you love ExpressVPN during your trial, bear in mind that they’re offering a SPECIAL DEAL to Secure Thoughts readers: 3 months free (49% savings) on their annual subscription plan.

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2. NordVPN – No Logging Policy

Double VPN | Tor Over VPN | CyberSec | Obfuscated Servers | Kill Switch | Zero Logs Policy | DNS Leak Protection | Onion Over VPN

Streaming Services Unblocked: Netflix, Hulu, Sling TV, HBO, DAZN, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, ITV Player, ESPN, YouTube TV, Fubo, beIN Sports, Sky Go, and more

Compatible With: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, Chrome, Firefox

NordVPN’s approach to its security techniques, ensuring its customers remain safe, secure, and anonymous whilst using their VPN servers, are also market-leading.

For starters, its strict no-logs policies mean that clients can be assured that none of their activity online is tracked, collected or shared with others. Its kill switch adds another layer of protection by automatically cutting any internet connection when a VPN unexpectedly drops out. It also uses a double VPN special feature that not only encrypts your data with AES 256 encryption, it does so twice.

Its connection is also very secure with its strict policies on anonymity and privacy. If the app does not work for you while streaming TV in Dubai, it also comes with a money-back guarantee. NordVPN gives you 30 days to try out their service.

Price: Starting from $3.71/month

Visit NordVPN

Want to learn more about the best VPNs on the market? Check it out here.

3. Surfshark – Unlimited Simultaneous Connections

Strong encryption | Zero logging | Unlimited bandwidth |Unlimited platform protection | Unlimited Server Switching | Some servers work with Netflix | Torrenting allowed | NoBorders feature

Streaming Services Unblocked: Netflix, Hulu, Sling TV, HBO, DAZN, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, ITV Player, ESPN, YouTube TV, Fubo, beIN Sports, Sky Go, and more

Compatible With: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, Chrome, Firefox

One of the biggest reasons we recommend this VPN for the UAE is unlimited device support. The VPN supports all major devices, so you can use it on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, FireTV, and other routers. Surfshark also offers a Whitelister feature, which lets you individually select all applications and websites you wish to automatically bypass the VPN.

Surfshark’s Multihop feature lets you hide your internet connection using multiple servers, while their Camouflage Mode masks your connection so that your ISP won’t know that you are using a VPN at all. CleanWeb is another great option that protects you from malware or phishing attacks.

Want to find out more? Check out Surfskark’s review here.

Price: Starting from $2.21/month

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Is it it Legal to Use a VPN in Dubai?

While it is technically legal to purchase a VPN in UAE or Dubai, it is very much illegal to use the VPN for “criminal purposes.” But what are considered criminal purposes? While those that are used to Western standards may see hacking or accessing the dark web as what would be deemed illegal, it is important to know that the UAE has a much more conservative attitude to what its citizens can access.

Therefore, accessing content and websites that are illegal in Dubai and the UAE is a criminal purpose. Some examples of online content that are illegal to access in Dubai are: social media sites, dating sites, and even online chat services like Skype. Although you might not consider these to be “Criminal”, keep in mind that they are not legal in Dubai, so buying a quality, trustworthy VPN is of the utmost importance to keep you safe.

Staying within the law is obviously very important, and up until recently, VPNs were totally legal to use in Dubai and the wider UAE. However, in 2016, a law was passed that made it illegal to use a fake network address, though users would only be subject to prosecution if they used VPNs or other software with the intention of ‘committing a crime or preventing its discovery’. Since then, rumors have abounded about what the restrictions actually are and what punishments might be expected if people contravene the law.

Currently, the law states that you can use a VPN as long as it’s a legal service and you agree not to use it for any criminal activity or to hide any such activities. Reports that those using a VPN needed to pay a 5000 AED fine and report to their local police station have been quashed by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority who stated that the message was fabricated.

Using VPN in UAE – Bottom Line

If you want to access restricted content in the UAE and Dubai, using a VPN is really the only option available to you. Not only does it allow you to access that very content, it will allow you to do so anonymously. This last element is crucial as it means that you should largely be protected from being found out if you do want to access restricted sites. However, remember that it is not implausible for leaks to happen – even with the very best VPN providers – and if you are found to be accessing illegal content, you will still be subject to the laws of the UAE, regardless of whether VPNs themselves are legal.