After testing 30+ VPNs, CyberGhost is my top pick for the UAE and Dubai; it offers the perfect combination of speed and security. Plus, with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee, you can try CyberGhost’s UAE servers totally free. I tested the policy by requesting a refund via the live chat function, and my money was returned in 4 days. Try CyberGhost for the UAE risk-free
Quick Guide: Best VPNs for UAE and Dubai in 2023
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The Best VPNs for the UAE and Dubai (Tested in January 2023)
1. CyberGhost — #1 VPN for the UAE With Fast and Secure Servers
Key Features: CyberGhost is the best VPN for the UAE and Dubai — whether you’re trying to connect to a local account while traveling abroad or log in to a Skype call from Dubai. It has 12 servers in Dubai alone and a network of 9633+ servers well-distributed between 91 countries. In the Middle East alone, CyberGhost has more than 230 servers in 8 countries, including Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. This means you’ll always be able to access your regional Arabic streaming services and apps (as well as local UAE content). During testing, my team and I could access the following services: While it offers specialized streaming and torrenting servers, there aren’t any in the UAE. Still, CyberGhost’s regular servers were just as speedy — at over 90Mbps, it was much faster than any other VPNs I tested in the country. If you need to access sensitive information or banking services, CyberGhost has top-tier security features:
NoSpy servers in Romania automatically delete all your data after every session, so your IP address, passwords, and browsing data are never stored. 256-bit encryption that is virtually unhackable to obscure all your internet traffic. An automatic kill switch stops your data from leaking to the internet without a VPN connection. Strict no-logs policy and RAM-based servers that cannot store any of your data or personal information. DNS/IP leak protection ensures your location and identity are never revealed when you access your favorite sites and apps.
Using a VPN in the UAE can be very risky and incur serious costs, so I ran a DNS and WebRTC leak test to be sure my location and personal information stayed hidden. CyberGhost passed both leak tests — the results only showed its server details, so I could be sure I was anonymous while connected. Even though its long-term plans can be a bit pricey, you can save 83% on a 2-year + 2 months subscription and pay just $2.19 a month. This deal also gives you 2 months free and comes with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee, so you can try CyberGhost’s superfast UAE servers free! I tested the refund process myself, and it’s easy. After contacting customer support through live chat on the website, an agent quickly approved my refund request. Just 4 days later, the money was back in my account. Get CyberGhost for the UAE
2. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Most Servers in the UAE for Guaranteed Access to Your Local Accounts
Key Features: Private Internet Access (PIA) has more than 35 UAE servers, as well as a massive network of 35000+ servers in 84 countries. With this many servers in the UAE, you’ll have access to thousands of UAE IP addresses to access your local accounts. Plus, you won’t have massive speed slowdowns due to high user loads. Its global server network will also give you access to VoIP services like Skype and WhatsApp calling. While it wasn’t as fast as CyberGhost, PIA delivered excellent speeds on nearby servers. However, on long-distance connections, my speeds dropped by 56%. Still, its Dubai servers averaged 48 Mbps, which can easily support high-bandwidth activities like HD streaming, video calls, and gaming. When my team and I tested it, PIA accessed many local services, including: Unlike any other VPN on this list, PIA has a very effective integrated ad and malware blocker. The feature is easy to turn on and off and effectively stops ads from loading on ad-heavy sites like the Khaleej Times. By preventing ads, trackers, and malicious scripts from loading, your internet activity is kept private, and webpages load much faster. PIA also secures your internet connection with the following security measures:
AES 256-bit encryption to secure your internet traffic. Data leak protection on every server prevents accidental leaks of your geographic location. Kill switch on every PIA app to stop your data from being exposed on shaky public WiFi connections in hotels and airports. Independently audited no-logs policy that confirms your data is never logged, stored, or shared.
Even though PIA is headquartered in the US (within the 5 Eyes Alliance network), I don’t think it’s anything to worry about since PIA’s no-logs policy has been proven twice in court and recently audited by Deloitte. If you sign up for a 2-year + 2 months plan, PIA offers a 82% discount, and you’ll pay just $2.19 a month! You can also use its 30-day money-back guarantee to try PIA completely free. I tested the policy by requesting a refund through its 24/7 live chat. It was approved within minutes, and I had the money back within a week. Try PIA for the UAE
3. PrivateVPN — Budget-Friendly VPN for Dubai With Premium Security
Key Features: From as little as $2.00 a month, you can get PrivateVPN to access your UAE-based services and apps. When I tested its server in the UAE, my speeds were fast enough to support HD streaming without interruption and lag-free Google Meet video calls. Despite the low price and small network (just 200+ servers), PrivateVPN worked with virtually every UAE and Middle Eastern service we tested, including: Most of the time, I didn’t have to deal with buffering or lag when streaming 4K videos on YouTube. However, during the peak evening hours (in the UAE), I had to wait a while for videos to load. This was probably because the 1 UAE server quickly became overcrowded. Whether you’re shopping, doing online banking, or downloading torrents, PrivateVPN protects you with an impressive suite of security features:
StealthVPN feature disguises your VPN traffic as regular traffic to stop proxy-detection systems from blocking your access to specific sites and apps. IPv6 leak protection works by automatically disabling IPv6 traffic while connected to the VPN. Customizable encryption lets you choose protocols to lower your encryption level to improve speeds for high-bandwidth activities that aren’t as sensitive.
If you take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try PrivateVPN totally risk-free. Getting a refund is easy but can only be done via email. When I canceled, I only waited a few hours for confirmation that my refund was being processed. Use PrivateVPN in the UAE
4. IPVanish — Generous Device Allowance to Browse the UAE Web on All Your Devices
Key Features: IPVanish has unlimited connections and 2 servers in Dubai, making it easy to connect to your local accounts with a UAE IP address. It’s easy to make the most of the generous device allowance because IPVanish boasts impressive compatibility.
Military-grade 256-bit encryption IPv6 leak protection (only with the OpenVPN protocol) An automatic kill switch (only with the OpenVPN protocol) Split tunneling so you can use the encrypted connection for accessing your Emirates NBD account, while other online traffic uses your regular connection.
When I connected to one of its servers in Dubai, IPVanish took a little longer to connect than CyberGhost or PIA. However, once I connected, I was impressed by the server speeds. It was always fast enough to support HD-quality streams after some buffering at the beginning of every video. During testing, my team and I found that IPVanish’s servers worked with some UAE services, including: Thanks to its global server network of 2000+ servers, IPVanish can bypass advanced location filters on sites like Betfair, Tinder, and more. However, it doesn’t work with many popular international streaming services like Hulu, BBC iPlayer, or Paramount+. You can get IPVanish for $3.99/month, or you can use its 30-day money-back guarantee to test IPVanish for yourself. Unlike other VPNs, the refund process is completely automated after you cancel your account under “Subscription Settings.” I tested it myself, and the full amount was returned to me later that day. Get IPVanish for the UAE
5. Proton VPN — Secure Core Server for Extra Protection While You Browse the Web in the UAE
Key Features: Proton VPN’s Secure Core servers add an extra layer of protection when you access your local accounts from anywhere in the world. There are Secure Core servers for 60+ countries, including the UAE, but they’re located in one of 3 privacy-friendly countries with laws against online surveillance. When you connect to the UAE’s Secure Core server, your data is first routed through a server in Switzerland and then one in Dubai. That way, your activity remains private, even if the Dubai server is compromised. You’ll still get a UAE IP address from Proton VPN and be able to access your favorite Emarati apps and services, like: By routing your connection through 2 servers, Secure Core servers can slow your internet connection significantly. Luckily, Proton VPN also has 12 servers physically located in Dubai. When I tested it, its regular servers showed only a 20% decrease in speed, while Secure Core servers reduced my baseline speeds by up to 95%. Still, all of them were fast enough for HD streaming without mid-show lag or buffering. Even though Proton VPN offers a free plan, you won’t be able to access any of its UAE servers — only 3 servers in the US, Netherlands, and Japan. For the best value, I suggest getting its 2-year plan which comes with a 33% discount; you’ll pay $4.99 a month. You can also make use of the 30-day money-back guarantee to try Proton VPN Secure Core servers risk-free. However, unlike the other vendors on this list, Proton VPN will not refund the full amount — you’ll only be refunded for the unused days of your subscription. Try Proton VPN in the UAE
Comparison Table: 2023’s Best VPNs for UAE and Dubai
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How a VPN Gets You a UAE or Dubai IP Address
UAE-based streaming platforms, banking apps, and websites use your IP address to determine whether to restrict your access to their services. If you’re traveling to the US or Canada, you’ll have a foreign IP address and be locked out of your accounts. With a VPN, you can reroute your internet traffic through a remote server in another country. This way, you’ll get a new IP address from that country, and your real location will stay hidden. When you connect to a VPN server in the UAE, you’ll get a new UAE IP address. To your favorite streaming sites and shopping apps, it will look as if you’re in the UAE, and you’ll be able to enjoy the same content and use the same services as if you were back home. Get a UAE IP address with CyberGhost
3 Easy Steps to Get a UAE or Dubai IP Address
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How I Tested and Ranked the Best VPNs for Dubai and the UAE in 2023
I tested some of the best VPNs in 2023 against the following criteria to find the best options for Dubai and the UAE:
Servers in the UAE — Every VPN on this list has at least 1 server in the UAE (specifically Dubai) and servers in neighboring Middle Eastern countries, like Iran, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Ability to access local content — I ensured every VPN worked with the most popular UAE streaming services, news sites, and banking apps, so you always have access to your accounts while traveling — you’re paying for them, after all. Fast speeds — I tested every VPN’s UAE servers to make sure they were fast enough to support high-bandwidth activities like HD streaming, long-distance video calling, and gaming. Strong security and privacy — To protect your privacy, I only included VPNs that don’t store any identifying information or share any of your data with third parties. Every VPN provider I listed offers a range of protocols, 256-bit military-grade encryption, and an automatic kill switch in most of its apps. I also looked for bonus privacy measures and features like CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers in Romania and PIA’s integrated ad and malware blocker. Apps for popular devices — I ensured that every provider had dedicated apps for the most popular operating systems like Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, as well as support for using the VPN on smart TVs, media players, gaming consoles, and routers.
Browse safely in UAE with CyberGhost
Are VPNs legal in the UAE and Dubai?
It’s complicated. It’s legal to download and use a VPN in the UAE, but if you use one to access restricted websites while there, you could be fined or jailed. The UAE’s 2016 federal cybercrimes law states that individuals found using a fake IP address “for the purpose of committing a crime or preventing its discovery” can be jailed or fined between AED 500,000 and 2,000,000 ($USD 100,000 to 500,000). In addition to cybercrimes like hacking or torrenting copyrighted content, “committing a crime” in the UAE also refers to accessing the following banned apps and websites:
Voice over IP apps like Facetime, WhatsApp, and Skype Pornography websites Some news sites like Al Jazeera Websites with LGBTQ content Gambling platforms Sites with anti-government or anti-Islamic material
There’s very little public information about exactly how many people have been arrested for using a VPN. In the past, it seems that authorities have been more concentrated on prosecuting people who use VPNs to commit serious acts of harm like inciting terrorism rather than, say, watching pornography.
Why is an obfuscated server important for UAE and Dubai VPNs?
An obfuscated server disguises your VPN connection as regular internet traffic — you’ll get this with any of the best VPNs for the UAE. This is useful because it minimizes the risks associated with using a VPN in the UAE. Government agencies won’t detect you as a VPN user or flag you for suspicious activity. This also means you’ll have unrestricted internet access without triggering any firewalls or proxy-detection systems.
Can I use Tor or a proxy in the UAE or Dubai?
Yes, but I don’t recommend it. While the Tor Browser and proxies serve similar functions, they don’t provide the same combination of security and functionality as you’ll get with the premium VPNs on this list. For instance, a proxy will let you spoof your location with a new IP address to access your local accounts, but it only encrypts your web traffic. This leaves the rest of your connection (and personal data) vulnerable to WiFi snoopers, your ISP, and cyber criminals. On the other hand, Tor is much more secure than a proxy, but you won’t get a new IP address. So, even though your ISP won’t be able to track your movements, you won’t be able to access any of your UAE streaming services, banking accounts, or websites.
Can I use a free VPN to get a UAE or Dubai IP address?
Yes, but it’s extremely risky to use a free service in the UAE because free VPNs don’t have the same high-quality security features that premium VPN providers do. Many free VPNs also keep extensive user logs (even if they claim not to). Some services even sell user information to third parties to make money. All of this means that using a free VPN is a serious risk to your safety. In a place like the UAE, where you can be imprisoned for your online activity, that’s not a good trade to make. Aside from these serious security risks, it’s unlikely that you’ll find a safe free VPN that works in the UAE. This is because free VPNs often restrict the server locations you can use. Since the country has made it so hard for providers to operate within its borders, it will be very hard for you to find a VPN with working local servers. Try CyberGhost’s UAE servers risk-free
Get the Best VPNs for the UAE and Dubai (With Local Servers)
If you’re traveling outside the UAE, you’ll have trouble keeping up with the local shows and accessing your bank accounts. On the other hand, if you’re visiting Dubai, you won’t be able to use FaceTime or dating apps like Tinder. With a VPN, you can solve both problems — but you shouldn’t take a chance on just any VPN. If your VPN fails and the UAE government discovers you’re using one to access banned content, you could be fined $500,000 or jailed. With this in mind, I tested over 30 VPNs to find the best providers for the UAE. My testing revealed that CyberGhost is the best overall option for the UAE, with 12 ultra-fast servers in Dubai and top-tier security features that keep you anonymous on the web. It even has a generous 45-day guarantee period, so you can try CyberGhost’s UAE servers completely free. Getting a refund is easy — when I tested it, the full subscription fee was in my account within 4 days.
