The Best VPNs for United Arab Emirates 2024

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has strict laws, mass surveillance, and content restrictions. For example, they ban VoIP services, including WhatsApp, FaceTime, Skype, and Snapchat. If you live in the UAE or plan on visiting, you should use a VPN.

NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN are our top three best VPNs for the UAE. They offer unparalleled security, great speeds, and airtight privacy and operate secure VPN servers there.

Keep reading to learn how to bypass online censorship and stay anonymous in the UAE.

The best VPNs for the UAE

• NordVPN: Best overall
• Surfshark: Best value
• ExpressVPN: Best for beginners

Top 3 VPN services for UAE compared

VPN
Starting price	Starts at $2.99/mo (billed every two years)	Starts at $1.99/mo (billed every two years)	Starts at $6.25/mo (billed annually)
Number of devices	10	Unlimited	8
Server count	6,800+ servers across 111 countries	3,200+ servers across 100 countries	Unlisted across 105 countries
Servers in UAE
Obfuscated servers
Free version
Streaming support	Yes — Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, BBC, Disney+, DAZN	Yes — Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, BBC, Disney+, and more	Yes — Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, BBC, Disney+, and more
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

NordVPN: Best overall

Who it’s best for

We recommend NordVPN if you're looking for advanced security features. It doesn't have unlimited connections like Surfshark or a beginner-friendly UI like ExpressVPN. However, it offers a second-to-none security setup without sacrificing performance.

What we liked

NordVPN operates five virtual obfuscated servers in the UAE. Obfuscation will disguise your VPN traffic to bypass VPN blocks and firewalls. However, it works only with OpenVPN, so pick that protocol.

Furthermore, most of its VPN servers are optimized for streaming services or torrenting. Such a network can ensure semi-reliable access to content, websites, and apps blocked in the UAE.

Some of NordVPN’s prominent features include:

• Double VPN (multi-hop): This feature adds another layer of encryption to your VPN connection. You can use it to deal with internet censorship and boost your privacy. Routing traffic through two VPN servers instead of one means your ISP won't be able to detect VPN traffic. Double VPN will cause speed drops, so we don't recommend using it on super-slow networks.
• Split tunneling: With a VPN, you can choose which parts of your online traffic to protect. For example, you can browse local UAE sites without protection and then use a VPN to text on WhatsApp.
• Dark web monitor: NordVPN can scour the dark web for data leaks and alert you if it finds your info.
• Threat Protection: This tool blocks web trackers, ads, and malicious websites. It also detects risky apps and scans all the files you download for malware.

NordVPN maintains a proven no-log policy, which ensures your privacy in the UAE. You can also buy a dedicated IP address to bypass IP bans and restrictions. Nord Security offers other products like NordPass (a password manager) and NordLocker (encrypted cloud storage). NordPass also has a Data Breach Scanner, which checks if your info has appeared in data breaches.

What we didn’t like

NordVPN doesn’t allow port forwarding, which can be a deal-breaker for avid torrenters. It can also get expensive if you include additional features and products like NordPass. We’d also like to see more simultaneous VPN connections available for the price.

NordVPN specs

Price range	$2.99–$17.99/mo
Free version	No
Number of servers	6,800+ servers across 111 countries
Number of connected devices	10
VPN protocol	NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review

Surfshark: Best value

Who it’s best for

We recommend Surfshark to protect many devices without breaking the bank. Surfshark is affordable and supports unlimited simultaneous connections. With all its advanced features, it provides the best value for the money.

What we liked

Surfshark has servers in Dubai, but support agents wouldn't tell us how many. We only got confirmation that they were physically there. Physical servers can be faster than virtual servers, depending on your location, but also slower. Surfshark’s network of 3,200+ servers across 100 countries is good but not on par with NordVPN.

Some of Surfshark's advanced features include:

• CleanWeb: It blocks malware, trackers, ads, and phishing attacks.
• Bypasser: This is just Surfshark's term for split tunneling.
• Camouflage mode: Surfshark's term for obfuscation. This feature activates automatically when you use OpenVPN.
• Dynamic MultiHop: Surfshark’s term for double VPN.
• NoBorders: Surfshark’s VPN app can detect network restrictions in the UAE and activate NoBorders automatically. Once enabled, it will give you a special list of best-suited servers for this scenario. You can also activate NoBorders manually.

Surfshark has a proven no-log policy and offers dedicated IP addresses. Depending on your subscription, you can also access Surfshark Alert (data leak notifications), Alternative ID (creates an alternative online persona for you), Surfshark Search (a private search engine), and Surfshark Antivirus.

What we didn’t like

We didn't have the best experience using Surfshark to unblock Netflix. It flagged VPN usage many times and served us with proxy errors. You may need to try various servers to gain access to regional streaming libraries.

Surfshark specs

Price range	$1.99–$17.95/mo
Free version	No
Number of servers	3,200+ servers across 100 countries
Number of connected devices	Unlimited
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review

ExpressVPN: Best for beginners

Who it’s best for

ExpressVPN is an excellent gateway service if you've never used a VPN. Its clients are famous for their uncluttered design and intuitiveness. Although it has its share of advanced features, ExpressVPN prioritizes simplicity and reliability.

What we liked

ExpressVPN is one of the top three VPNs in the world (with NordVPN and Surfshark). It doesn't have any servers in the UAE but offers four VPN server locations optimized for restrictive countries.

They include:

• UK - East London
• UK - London
• USA - New York
• Germany - Frankfurt - 1

The UAE is a treacherous territory for VPNs, and only the best can hope to provide good connectivity there. ExpressVPN opted for an indirect approach rather than operating servers in the UAE.

Some of its notable features include:

• Obfuscation: ExpressVPN doesn't advertise VPN cloaking; you'll find no info about it. Its stealth mode activates automatically if the app detects deep packet inspection; it will run in the background whenever you need it.
• Threat manager: It blocks trackers and malicious websites.
• Password manager: ExpressVPN is one of the rare VPN providers with a built-in password manager.
• Ad blocker: It blocks annoying ads. Note that this feature works only with the Lightway protocol.
• Parental controls: This feature can protect your children from some adult websites. It's not as comprehensive as dedicated parental control apps, but it's a nice addition.

ExpressVPN has passed multiple no-log audits, and it's the first VPN provider to launch a proprietary VPN router called ExpressVPN Aircove.

What we didn’t like

ExpressVPN's long-term subscriptions are expensive. The one-month plan is on par with NordVPN's pricing at $2.99/mo (billed every two years). However, NordVPN offers significant discounts on longer subscriptions. We'd like to see ExpressVPN reduce its prices or boost its feature set to better justify the current pricing structure.

ExpressVPN specs

Price range	$4.99–$12.95/mo
Free version	No
Number of servers	Unlisted across 105 countries
Number of connected devices	8
VPN protocol	Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

Honorable mentions

NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN are our top UAE VPNs. But there were a few other services that deserve your consideration. Here are the honorable mentions:

• CyberGhost: CyberGhost has an affordable price tag and 12 servers in Dubai. While it has some exciting features, our experience wasn't always smooth sailing.
  
  Get CyberGhost | Read Our CyberGhost Review
  
• Proton VPN: Proton VPN has eight servers in Dubai. It's a bit on the pricier side, but it does provide value in terms of security.
  
  Read Our Proton VPN Review
  
• Hotspot Shield: Hotspot Shield is another VPN with servers in the UAE. While we liked the fast speeds, we encountered problems using some features.
  
  Read Our Hotspot Shield Review

Best VPNs for the UAE FAQs

Bottom line: The best VPNs for the UAE

NordVPN is our top pick for the UAE, thanks to its excellent balance of security, privacy, and performance. Surfshark is a close second with similar features and the best price-to-value ratio. Both have servers in the UAE—NordVPN’s virtual and Surfshark’s physical. In third place, ExpressVPN is the best tool for VPN beginners.

Check our list of the best VPNs to learn more about our winners and explore other great options.