Best VPN Dubai UAE in 2018
If you’re living in or planning to visit Dubai, you’ll quickly find that some of the best internet content and websites have been restricted and your browsing may be monitored. The UAE, and therefore Dubai, have strict censorship laws that limit access to many websites and online services such as Flickr, as well as most pornographic sites. Even worse, applications such as Skype and IMO, and torrenting programs are also blocked. Read on to find out how to you can still open blocked sites in the UAE by using a VPN like ExpressVPN.
How to Open Blocked Sites in Dubai with a VPN
While it may seem difficult, you can easily set up a UAE VPN free of charge. Follow these simple steps to get started:
- Choose Your VPN and Pay for Your Subscription: Whether choosing ExpressVPN’s yearly plan or going for a monthly plan with CyberGhost, uncover the best option and choose your plan.
- Download the Client on Your Devices: Most VPNs will request that you download a simple client that lets you control all options for your connection.
- Install the Client: Once downloaded, you can simply click the file and it will automatically install on your computer or mobile device. CyberGhost offers the easiest setup, with a preconfigured client already optimized for connection. Others, such as NordVPN or PrivateVPN, may ask that you configure some additional settings.
- Choose Your Server, and Start Browsing: The last step is to select your server. Depending on the content you want to access, choose a server in that location and browse away!
Best Dubai VPN Services Available in 2018
VPNs are great, but they’re not all equally powerful. We recommend ExpressVPN, but here are the top choices designed to fit your needs:
#1 ExpressVPN – Best VPN for Dubai – Great VPN Speed and Secure Connection
ExpressVPN is easily the best VPN for Dubai. The company offers an impressive number of features, a secure connection, and outstanding customer support.
Top Features: This service offers some of the highest and most consistent speeds when browsing the web and streaming content. ExpressVPN hosts an impressive 1,500 servers in over 90 countries. Even for gaming, the service showed no signs of slowing down and delivered a smooth experience. During stress tests, ExpressVPN did not experience drop-offs in quality.
A single ExpressVPN subscription can be used with up to three devices at a time, including mobile devices. The company delivers 24/7 customer support and some of the highest quality assistance. Overall, ExpressVPN remains the best VPN for UAE.
The pricing options include a 12-month plan for $6.67 with an additional 3 months free. They also offer a 30-day full money-back guarantee with all their plans, so you can benefit from the free vpn service until you decide to enroll.
Get our expert review on ExpressVPN on our ExpressVPN review.
#2 CyberGhost – VPN for Dubai – High Security
If you’re using a VPN in Dubai in order to keep your internet activity hidden from government surveillance, you can rely on CberGhost’s high security and many protective features.
Top features: CyberGhost uses 256-bit AES encryption and offers very strong DNS and IP leak policies as well as a zero logs policy, to ensure that your identity will never be uncovered by prying eyes. The kill switch is a vital tool to make sure that even if your VPN goes down for a moment, your private connection won’t be left exposed.
CyberGhost has a large network of over 1,100 servers in 59 countries worldwide. There are unlimited bandwidth and no restrictions on torrenting or P2P file sharing. CyberGhost’s strong features also help it succeed at unblocking Netflix and other geo-restricted content.
A month’s subscription with CyberGhost costs $11.99, or you can test out the service thanks to a 30-day money back guarantee.
#3 PrivateVPN for Dubai – Fast VPN and Zero Logging
If your primary reason for using a VPN is protecting your personal information, PrivateVPN’s zero logs policy and security features may be appealing.
Top Features: PrivateVPN’s major focus is providing a secure browsing experience for their users, which is a vital concern in Dubai. The company has a strict zero-log policy for user activity and a strong uptime rating of 98.8%. PrivateVPN also offers robust encryption for all browsing done through their VPN servers.
Although the number of server alternatives is less than many competitors, with slightly over 80 in over 50 countries, they tend to be very reliable. Speed is also strong even internationally. You can readily stream video and games at high quality with little drop-off.
The company offers an affordable subscription plan that can start as low as $4.50 per month. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can benefit from a free VPN trial.
#4 NordVPN for Dubai – Free VPN 30-Day trial and User-Friendly App
Coming in at second place, NordVPN offers a strong alternative for customers looking for a free trial and robust features.
Top Features: One of NordVPN’s biggest strengths is their easy-to-use interface, which makes finding the right server and browsing the web a breeze. The service’s graphic interface lets you see where servers are located and quickly access any of them. If you’re wondering how to watch porn in Dubai, NordVPN gives you a slightly slower connection than some competitors, but is still a reliable option for variable locations.
NordVPN provides users with 56 countries and 1,000 servers to choose from. This gives users a good range of access for websites and to access geo-restricted content.
The company stands out with a great 30-day free VPN trial. If you want to subscribe for 1 month only, the price is $11.95; for 6 months, $7.00/mo; and for 12 months, the price is $5.75, Their most affordable subscription is currently at $3.29/mo if you subscribe for 2 years (72% off).
More information on NordVPN features can be found on our expert’s NordVPN review.
#5 HideMyAss VPN for Dubai – Fast streaming
If you’re using a VPN in Dubai primarily to access blocked sites, then HideMyAss’s fast streaming and hundreds of servers could work for you.
Top Features: HideMyAss’ best asset is its huge number of servers worldwide so that its users can always find one nearby. HideMyAss has 30 in the Middle East, and they tend to be fast. Normal torrenting is permitted although not P2P file sharing.
HideMyAss uses strong OpenVPN encryption to keep its users’ personal details and internet activity hidden from surveillance. There are also no IP leaks. HideMyAss does keep logs of some identifying details of its users, but it promises not to hand them over unless there has been illegal activity according to UK law.
The company offers a subscription plan for $11.52 per month or $6.56/mo for a year subscription along with a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can benefit from a free VPN trial.
Visit our HideMyAss review for more information.
#6 SaferVPN for Dubai – Fast VPN with a 1 Day Totally Free Trial
SaferVPN is quite new in town but they are certainly up for competition. Though they currently only have active servers in 34 countries, they have a very large number of them, 700 to be precise. SaferVPN offers a great alternative to ExpressVPN as it is quite reasonably priced and is great for those looking for a free trial.
Top Features: One big plus of SaferVPN if that they offer a no-log policy, perfect for streaming and accessing content in Dubai. Users can enjoy military grade level encryption, so they don’t have to worry about governmental watchdogs peering over them. It can support just about any device you can name and shouldn’t slow down your connection too much.
Even though torrents are not supported, users should be able to easily access geo-restricted content included the US Netflix library and Skype to name a few; perfect for those stuck without those channels in Dubai.
It offers a 30-day money back-guarantee on top of their 24 hour free trial. Subscribing for a month will set you back $9.99, 12 months will cost $4.99/month and 24 months at $3.49/month. In other words it is quite reasonable!
More information on SaferVPN can be found on our SaferVPN review.
VPN Not Working in UAE?
If you can’t seem to get your VPN to work, don’t worry! The software can be tricky to configure and can often fault for seemingly no reason. Unfortunately, all technology is liable to bugs and, with so much pressure on VPN software, they often fall victim to blocks or technical loopholes. Usually, these problems can be fixed. To diagnose why your VPN is not working in Dubai, follow these steps:
- Check Simple Configuration Elements. It’s easy to spend ages on configuration and then overlook the simplest factors. Make sure your VPN isn’t attached to a Dubai server, as this will grant you to the same content as you had before. Try and go for locations with open internet policies, such as the US. If you connect to countries like China or Russia, you’ll be stuck with similar restrictions.
- Website Blocks. Has your VPN been working in general, but when you visit a specific site it’s loading an error screen? Particular websites have started to impose their own bans, using complicated filters to try and identify VPN traffic. Netflix is perhaps the most prominent example of this, as many large VPN providers no longer bypass blocks on the site. Your best bet here is to hunt for a smaller, lesser-known company, as they’ll have more chance of slipping through these blocks unnoticed
- Port/IP Blocking Attempts. VPN bans are becoming increasingly common. Whether they’re imposed by governments, local telecommunications or the commercial website itself, most use the same tactics to enforce the block. One of the most common ways is to blacklist certain ports and IP addresses that are known to host VPN traffic. Providers offer various amounts of manual control over their software; if you’re running a VPN where you can switch ports/protocols, try playing around with these options. If not, see if you have better luck by choosing another server.
- Connectivity & DNS Issues. Sometimes, the problem is not with the VPN configuration, but the connection itself. The best way to check your connectivity is through a ping test, usually used to assess speed. Each VPN provider has a different set of instructions on how to carry out this check, so you’ll have to research the specific steps. Doing a ping test also shows you if the software is lagging, which may be an alternative cause of the issue.
- Contact Provider. If, after checking all of the above, your VPN still isn’t working then it’s worth contacting the provider. Many companies offer an instant chat service that will give you a rapid response. Otherwise, you may have to join a ticketed-queue that will take a few days for a reply. Some VPN sites also offer extensive literature for troubleshooting problems, if you have the time to leaf through it all.
- Try a Different VPN. If your provider can’t seem to solve the problem, it may be that your VPN has reached redundancy. Take advantage of the free trials and money-back policies to test out different VPN services. If you can get one of these to work, then it’s probably time to swap providers!
Best VPN's For Dubai Comparison
Why Is My Web Content Access Limited in UAE?
Dubai is a part of the United Arab Emirates and is subject to the nation’s very strict internet censorship laws. A great deal of content in Dubai is blocked, including, but certainly not limited to:
- Dubai porn
- SIP services, such as Skype and IMO
- Social networking and dating sites, including Match.com
- All Israeli domains
- Anything not fitting with the moral values of the country
- Politically sensitive material
Unfortunately, the list goes on. With the government’s cast-iron grip on internet content, you may have a difficult time to open blocked sites in UAE.
Sign up for a VPN before travelling to Dubai to ensure that none of your access is ever limited, and that your activity is always kept both anonymous and private.
Why do I need a VPN in Dubai?
If you’re not a tech expert, a VPN—also known as a virtual private network—is a tool people use to mask their internet activity. It allows you to use a server in a different country to make authorities and websites see your IP address as coming from a different location.
VPNs let users get around local restrictions and monitoring. With VPNs, you can beat even Dubai’s strict regulations by using a foreign IP address to connect to the web, enabling you to access all the content you need. You can visit any website and online services without worrying about government snooping and harsh restrictions.
It also means that you can view TV, movies, and even unblocked porn sites in UAE. If your concern is privacy, VPNs are designed to keep anyone from peeping at your sensitive data or browsing history. With a VPN, Dubai authorities will not be able to track you or prevent you from accessing any online content.
Are VPNs Illegal in UAE Dubai?
Up until quite recently, VPNs were legal to use in Dubai. In 2016 a new law arrived stating that using a fraudulent network address was no longer allowed, which is simple enough. However, it continued to specify prosecution would only take place when the software was employed ‘for the purpose of committing a crime or preventing its discovery.’ According to the legislation, any infringements will result in a short prison sentence, a fine between Dhs 500,000 and Dhs 2,000,000, or both.
The vague wording of the new law has caused some understandable confusion. Seemingly, it’s not actually illegal to install and use a VPN, just to do so while accessing blocked content. The Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution Office has attempted to provide clarity, stating that the law is only relevant when viewing content or apps that wouldn’t already be available in Dubai. Specific reference has also been made to the use of VoIP. Services like Skype have always had a rocky relationship with the UAE, and this appears to be another attempt to quash them for good.
While this law may seem straightforward at first glance, it fails to take into consideration all corporations who use virtual private networks to create internal online systems for staff. Many companies rely on censored VoIP apps to stay relevant on the global stage; cutting this resource would inevitably impact the UAE economy!
Fortunately, it’s not all bad news. Most VPN users are accustomed to existing in the grey areas of the law. Plus, crackdowns such as this have already occurred in many countries and failed to curb the use of proxy networks. However, there is an important word of warning: UAE is not known for their leniency. Plenty of evidence exists of prison terms and harsh fines for seemingly minor online infractions. It is possible to take steps to use a VPN in Dubai safely, but you do so at your own risk.
If you still want to use a VPN to watch Netflix, or catch up with relatives overseas, be sure to opt for the best quality services to keep you safe from prosecution. Using a subpar VPN means the connection is likely to drop out and expose your identity to anyone monitoring the traffic. High-grade encryption, a kill switch, and guaranteed uptime are essential!
Alternatively, if you’re just looking to call home, both Du and Etisalat offer VPN add-ons that allow you to call overseas, so long as the VoIP app is legal at both ends. The package starts at Dhs 50 per month, but you can use it with complete peace of mind.
What we Recommend as the Best VPN in Dubai
Conclusion: Use Express VPN for Fast, Unlimited Access to Websites in Dubai.
As part of the UAE, Dubai has some of the harshest internet censorship laws. More than just political content, they also block many websites and services customers worldwide can easily access. If you’re wondering how to watch porn in Dubai, or access Netflix, Hulu or a variety of other streaming services, a VPN is the only way to go.
For the widest range of options, we recommend ExpressVPN. In terms of VPN Dubai has few other alternatives as effective at bypassing restrictions and avoiding detection. With an impressive array of servers around the world as well as robust security features, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Dubai, giving you unfettered access to the full web.
For the best VPN in Dubai, get ExpressVPN.
Article comments
Hi is it crime to watch adult movies using vpn in uae?
Hi, and thanks for the interesting question. To answer you concern, let’s start with the laws regarding adult content. It is still not permitted to access any adult content in the UAE, and such websites are blocked by the government. Viewing them carries a hefty fine. You can still access them through a VPN, and in many cases you will likely not be detected. However, the government can charge you with fraudulent use of an IP address, which also brings fines and other consequences. While a VPN can help you avoid the law, you should always learn a little more about local laws before deciding for yourself. Let us know how it works for you!
In Dubai, VPNs are critical for businesses or nearly all companies to securely exchange data between their branches and their partners, and to allow their employees to work remotely. Without it, financial transactions will not be secure.
Furthermore, as popular social media sites like IMO and Skype remains banned, the cost of using a VPN on a daily basis also comes into consideration. Even though ExpressVPN is one of the most secure and fastest VPN in use today, its high subscription fee is a concern for many.
As Dubai bans the usage of VPNs and imposes strict internet usage laws, isn’t the high subscription fee also an added disadvantage for the user?
Hello, and thank you for the considerate question! We appreciate ExpressVPN because it allows users across the world to handle the business needs you’ve described easily alongside reliable speeds and security. We understand that many users have expressed concerns about the service’s high subscription fee, but it can be greatly offset when you purchase one of the company’s long-term plans. For a VPN that offers a strong combination of features, we feel the price is reasonable, but understand that each user has unique financial constraints and VPN needs. If you feel ExpressVPN is truly unaffordable, we recommend you take a look at the other VPNs we recommend in the article, which all provide great features and privacy protections when you’re accessing the web from Dubai. Let us know which service you choose!
I was transferred to UAE for a year. I am still shocked that Skype barred. It’s almost unthinkable. I wasn’t able to use Skype till I stumbled upon your article and used Express VPN. It’s reliable and affordable I’d totally recommend.
This article does provide helpful ideas for those visiting or residing in Dubai and might want to access popular apps like IMO that are banned in Dubai. However, as ExpressVPN is an expensive VPN for usage, there are other VPNs that are relatively cheaper like PrivateVPN as mentioned above. But such cost-friendly VPNs also provide the risk of inefficient privacy and protection which might prove vulnerable for the user as if detected by the authorities, legal actions might be taken as Dubai exhibits strict censorship and internet usage laws. Don’t you think ExpressVPN might not be the ultimate solution for this problem then?
Hello, and thank you for such a well-thought question! We base our recommendations on a rigorous series of tests that gives us a good idea of what a VPN can actually do in the real world. ExpressVPN is on the pricier side of the industry standard, but we recommend it because it offers a great combination of reliably fast speeds and excellent security features alongside a spotless record of bypassing geo-restrictions. However, choosing a VPN is not solely about performance, as you noted, and sometimes price is an important consideration. For this reason, we try to recommend a variety of options that can meet a broad array of users’ needs. All the VPNs you see listed are strong alternatives, and you’d be well suited with any of them. Let us know which you do end up choosing and why!
hey thanks for sharing information about vpn in UAE and it is very useful.Can you tell me about the vpn in China means can i access social media through these vpn in china also?
Hi James,
You’re very welcome!
As for travelling in China, please consult with the following articles: best vpns for China and how to unblock whatsapp in China.
Is still true that can’t use VPN from Dubai? Listed VPN is secure from govement police and will not get caught? Thanks.
Hi Ahmed,
You can definitely use VPNs in Dubai. We re-confirmed with ExpressVPN, NordVPN and all the brands presented in this article for 2018.
Do any of these providers other than PureVPN work for mobile devices? I will be traveling to Dubai in April and will need a VPN can work on my Smartphone, Tablet, Mac and Laptop. Yes, I actually use all of those (graphics and audio engineer).
I really don’t want to get multiple VPNs but I will if I have to. What do you recommend?
Hi Thomas,
All of the VPNs provided above work on mobile devices as well. For more precise information, please consult with our best vpn for Android and best vpn for iphone review.
Want to know, which of the VPN comes with a money back guarantee, I have seen people mentioning NordVPN and ExpressVPN, and am really confused here. I don’t even know the best trusted one to go for.
Hi Daisy,
As per surveys, I know that the preferred choice is ExpressVPN even if it’s more expensive, based on the service performance. NordVPN and SaferVPN are trusted providers as well. They all have a money back guarantee of 30 days for you to try.
Gosh! Thank you for such beautiful service. I was unable to get access to some of my apps in Dubai and now all of them are working perfectly.
I haven’t been to Dubai but I’m planning on taking my family there soon. I sure hope I can access all my social media pages over there? Can I also access Netflix while I’m there?
I Clark,
Yes you can, provided there are servers to connect to. You can easily get your answers via ExpressVPN, NordVPN or any other of the providers on this list via their live chat option.
These listed VPNs are good and I know. The moneyback is what I am concerned about. Is there guarantee on the 30 days moneyback as enlisted in NordVPN?
Hi Craig, I assure you that NordVPN has a 30-day money back guarantee and that you fill get full refund for the service if you are not satisfied.
I had a very redundant but self-assuring system for my Dubai browsing. I obviously used expressVPN because they’re reliable though they are cost effective.
I have been trying to access a website in UAE since last week. Got a VPN and still not accssible. Please, could it be that All these VPNs are not working here as I’ve tried about 3 VPNs already. Help!
Dear Karim,
We can confirm that these brands do work from the UAE based on their confirmation and other users experience. However, your best bet would be to communicate with their live chat customer service (they are real people, not robots and are very knowledgeable) so that they trouble shoot together with you and walk you through the steps. The reason you are encountering issues is most likely dependent on more than 1 factor (device, streaming service, etc), so getting their direct assistance is the best thing to do.
Hi lyndon
Can we use VPN fo Facebook calling or IMO calling in UAE? Or this also ban in UAE? Some people are still using VPN in UAE for call quality on facebook and IMO.
Thanks
Hello Rishi,
Based on my understanding it should be possible, although as to the legality of a VPN in the UAE depends on how you use it. As I am not a UAE Legal expert of any kind, I would recommend checking with more detailed resources on the subject.
Best,
Lyndon
Hi Rishi,
With vpn you should be able to do those things. I used a VPN when I was in Dubai and I can do FB and Netflix streaming without any issues.
If I open match.com with hidemyass…How long would I be on the sites. Whenever I use Vpn to sign up on the site, they block me after few day. I will be getting email notifications but I can’t log in to the site. Any help suggestion would be helpful and very much appreciated. Thanks
Hello Anthony,
I’m afraid I’m not certain enough about your problem in order to properly solve it. It could very well be an issue with Match, and it might be prudent to contact their customer service to find your answer. Depending on how the sites logs and tracks IP addresses (they could get suspicious about different logins from different places) a VPN could simply not work for the dating service.
Hope this helps!
Lyndon
It seems tht every vpn has been restricted in uae and if we use this they might take a particular action towards it. So wat ever vpn u have talked about is safe or not for viber,whatsappcall etc
Hey Savith,
So Dubai is a special situation in that they banned VPNs in the country. We believe these are the Best VPNs for the country at the time being with that in consideration, but each user has to weigh the benefits and costs for themselves.
Hope this helps,
Best,
Lyndon
Awesome post, very informative. Was thinking of how to stream on Netflix when I go there for holiday this Christmas. I really hope Express VPN is fast there.
Hello Jen,
Hope you can help me…I have a friend working in Dubai (Suadi). She got the job through an agency. She applied as a nurse and when she arrived there, she had trouble with her VISA, it now turns out that she is there as a teacher (which she is not at all). Now she is blocked on their system and can’t get a VISA. Can you help? What can we do?
Angela you would need to speak with a lawyer about this.