Need the best VPN for UAE? That’s exactly what you’ll find here. Not just a VPN, but, I’ll also discuss how to choose the best UAE VPN.
This list isn’t just a random list of VPNs. Each VPN you find here has been curated keeping in mind UAE’s laws and requirements.
The best part? Every single VPN on this list offers a 30 day (or more) refund policy. Meaning, you don’t have to risk your wallet if you aren’t satisfied with the services being offered.
Do note that UAE laws are stricter and more conservative than most other nations. Hence, all your actions are solely your responsibility.
Let’s start with a few basic questions? but first here is a quick table for best VPN services that might use.
| NordVPN | Surfshark VPN | AtlasVPN | ExpressVPN | TorGuard VPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. NordVPN | 2. SurfShark VPN | 3. AtlasVPN | 4. ExpressVPN | 5. TorGuard |
 |  |  |  |  |
Is a VPN legal in UAE?
This of course is the first, primary and most serious question that should be asked before I give you the best VPNs for UAE, isn’t it?
Note that VPNs are completely legal in UAE. They’re simply “regulated”.
A VPN can only be used for “legal purposes” in UAE. (Hey, I’m sure every country has the same policy, some enforce it, others don’t).
Why do I Need a Special VPN for UAE?
If VPNs are legal, why can’t you just use just any VPN in UAE?
Well, UAE has some pretty serious (and weird) laws. More importantly, crossing the legal line is extremely easy with these laws. At times, you wouldn’t even know you’ve done something that’s deemed illegal in the country.
Some things illegal in UAE include:
Hence, you need a VPN that offers iron-clad security. You need a guarantee that no matter what, your actions and activities cannot be traced back to you.
How to Choose The Best VPN for UAE?
So, how do you get this “iron-clad” VPN? Well, here’s a checklist that should help you:
- “Verified” no log policy: Any VPN you try in UAE must have a “verified” no logs policy. Meaning, the VPN must have got its “no log” policy and backend audited and verified by a third-party not affiliated with the VPN.
- Non-UAE or and lenient jurisdiction: this is important. You need a VPN that’s not just out of the U.S/U.K/ the Five-Eye group, but also strictly out of the UAE.
- Obfuscation: So, this isn’t a feature that must exist, however, obfuscation helps mask your VPN traffic and make it look non-VPN. Meaning, ISPs and govts. don’t even know you’re using a VPN. It’s helpful in nations like the UAE where VPN-use is frowned upon and you need utmost privacy.
- Registration and payment anonymity: This is optional with other VPNs but with UAE VPNs I suppose this needs special attention. Pick a VPN that requires no personal data and allows Cryptocurrency payments.
- Dedicated IP: Dedicated IP will let UAE residents use the VPN for all their primary and daily needs (even accessing bank accounts and other serious tasks) using a single IP but with all the VPN protection.
Once you’ve checked for the hardcore features above, you may look for the normal features you need in any VPN. Note that these aren’t mandatory but are certainly desirable when available:
- Number of allowed devices: Of course, more allowed devices mean more security for all your devices and free VPN for some family members.
- Split Tunneling: When this feature exists, you get to choose specific apps that will use the VPN or skip the VPN when it’s running. This lets you both use and not use the VPN at the same time.
- Speed: Of course, even if you’re not in the UAE your VPN must offer good speed, right?
- Protocols: Most of you do not need to stress on this. I’ve only included the best VPNs for UAE which already have the fastest, most secure protocols. However, if you’re into technicalities, you may like to self-audit the protocols available with each VPN.
- Double/Extra encryption: Some VPNs let you change your IP more than once before connecting to the internet. Desirable, isn’t it?
- Device & OS Compatibility: Your VPN of course needs to support your computer, mobile, tablet, browser, TV, router etc.
- Additional security: Kill-switches, DNS Leak protection are some other features I pay attention to when I pick my VPNs.
- Additional features: Some VPNs also offer additional features such as Meshnet, Dark web monitoring, ad & malware blockers etc.
- Budget: Always compare a VPN’s price with other similar VPNs. See if the price being demanded is justified by its features?
To make things easy for you, I’ve compiled this list keeping all of that in mind. Only the best VPNs are listed here. I’ll share which of the above features are available or missing with each VPN for UAE listed below.
NordVPN
Website: https://www.nordvpn.com
- Verified “no log” policy
- Obfuscated servers
- Panama jurisdiction
- 6 simultaneous connections
- Onion over VPN servers
- Double VPN
- Dedicated IPs
- Split Tunneling
- 5000+ servers, 60 countries
- Threat Manager (Ad & malware blocker)
- Entry price is $3.49/month
- 30 day refund policy
- 24X7 live-chat
NordVPN has been my personal favorite for over half a decade now. It’s simply because no other VPN offers as many features as NordVPN does.
For starters, it was one of the first VPNs that got itself “independently audited”. This means, it’s guaranteed that the VPN is truly logless. It can’t help UAE authorities even if it wanted to.
As for jurisdiction, it’s a VPN based out of Panama. It’s a country that isn’t really UAE’s best-friend.
It does have Obfuscation, another one of the extremely rare VPN features. Hence, your UAE ISPs will not even detect that you’re using a VPN. I’ve verified, even if you select its UAE servers (for UAE-IP) you do get obfuscation!
It lets 6 devices use the VPN without any additional payments. As for speed, I’m yet to find a VPN that’s faster than NordVPN (and I’ve tried over 40 VPNs so far).
NordVPN is also the only VPN that offers “Onion over VPN” servers. Something that you may like when trying to avoid the strict UAE govt. The feature routes your connection over the Tor network for added anonymity.
The VPN also offers “Double VPN”. Your IP gets changed twice before you’re connected to the internet.
Split-tunneling makes sure you get to choose the exact apps you wish to use with the VPN.
Dedicated IPs are available as well and this is one of the rarest features in the VPN industry.
NordVPN also has the second-highest number of servers I’ve ever seen. It has a massive arsenal of over 5000+ servers which are one of the reasons why it can offer the speeds it does.
As for available countries, you can connect to 60 different countries! This isn’t the highest number but technically, you never need 60 unique countries.
It’s also the only VPN that offers a “Threat Manager” which doesn’t require a VPN subscription! It basically blocks ads, malware, trackers and harmful sites without needing you to be connected to the VPN. It’s can help you to unblock regional block contents and websites like Netflix and various streaming sites contents.
Signing up is 100% anonymous and you can certainly pay with Cryptocurrencies. You can start using NordVPN for a low $3.49/month. There’s even a 30-day refund policy if you don’t like the services.
Finally, if you’re ever stuck, NordVPN has a 24X7 live-chat that solves almost any VPN-related problems.
Surfshark VPN
Website: https://surfshark.com
- Verified “no log” policy
- Obfuscated servers
- Netherlands jurisdiction
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- RAM-only servers
- Split Tunneling (Bypasser)
- 3200+ servers, 100 countries
- Ad & malware blocker
- Entry price is $2.39/month
- 30 day refund policy
- 7-day free trial
Surfshark VPN doesn’t log any of your activities and yes, this too has been independently verified by third-party agencies.
Apart from that, the company itself is based out of the Netherlands. After Panama, this certainly is a country I trust for my privacy and anonymity.
The VPN even uses RAM-only servers. Hence, nothing is permanently written to a “disk”. This means even if it’s raided or hacked, there’s no data to steal. All data is auto-wiped each time the servers are restarted.
The VPN also offers unlimited simultaneous connections which is pretty amazing, isn’t it? Speed has always been impressive and it recently brought in WireGuard protocols which took things to another level.
Surfshark was actually the first VPN that introduced me to obfuscated servers. There’s of course a kill-switch as well as DNS leak protection.
It has this CleanWeb feature which protects you from ads, malware, malicious websites and trackers.
Split Tunneling is available as well and is called Bypasser on Surfshark. The VPN has a over 3200+ servers and 100 available countries to choose from!
Compatibility isn’t an issue either. It’s compatible on almost all devices and operating systems including Windows, macOs, Android, iOS, Linux, and even has multiple browser extensions.
You don’t really have to just take my word for it! It’s one of the few VPNs that offer a 100% free trial. You can try Surfshark for free on macOS, Android and iOS for 7 days.
Even after the trial, and on other devices, there’s a 30-day refund policy which protects you. 30 days is a pretty long test-drive, don’t you agree?
You can start using Surfshark VPN in UAE for $2.39 or 8.78 UAE Dirhams.
ExpressVPN
Website: https://expressvpn.com
- Verified “no log” policy
- British Virgin Islands
- 5 simultaneous connections
- Split Tunneling
- 94 countries
- Threat Manager (Ad & malware blocker)
- Entry price is $8.32/month
- 30 day refund policy
- 24X7 live-chat
No VPN list on the planet is complete without mentioning ExpressVPN, is it? This is one of the oldest, most reputed VPNs out there. The only reason it’s at #3 is because it offers less features than NordVPN or Surfshark.
As far as a UAE-VPN goes, its fits the criteria. There’s the “no log” policy that has been independently verified by third-party security audit firms.
The jurisdiction is pretty acceptable as the VPN is based out of the British Virgin Islands.
With all the publiclity and fame ExpressVPN has, I’m sure you know that speed must be one of its strongest suits. In fact, it designed its own protocol- the Lightway Protocol.
Just like Surfshark, ExpressVPN too uses RAM-only servers. No hard-written data and hence nothing to steal or hack into.
The kill-switch obviously exists and so does Split-Tunneling. It too offers the “Threat Manager” just like NordVPN. That reminds me, we did an extremely detailed NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN guide some time back if you’re interested.
The VPN lets you connect to 5 devices simultaneously. Of course Cryptocurrencies can be used for payments.
You can use ExpressVPN regardless of your device or OS, it’s compatible with most of them.
Finally, a 24X7 live-chat does exist in case you need help. This one’s not exactly cheap and the entry price (cheapest package) costs you $8.32/month. Fortunately, the 30 day refund policy does exist in case you don’t like it.
PureVPN
Website: https://www.purevpn.com
- Verified “no log” policy (2 X verifications)
- Obfuscated servers
- British Virgin Island jurisdiction
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Dedicated IPs
- Split Tunneling
- 6500+ servers, 71 countries
- Entry price: $2.29/month
- 31 day refund policy
- 24X7 live-chat
PureVPN doesn’t log your original IP address, web activity or anything else that can be traced back to you. This has been independently audited not once, but twice, by 2 different firms.
It also is the first and only VPN with “anytime audit” policy. Unlike other VPNs which decide when an audit will happen, audit firms are free to audit PureVPN at any time they want to.
The founder of PureVPN, Uzair Gadit is one of the most respected names in the industry. He’s also the co-founder of Cloudways, a pretty decent cloud hosting company that I’ve personally used.
The company itself is based out of the British Virgin Islands, the same country ExpressVPN has headquarters in.
The VPN does offer obfuscated servers. It’s compatible with Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, routers and a lot more.
Split Tunneling is available as well. PureVPN actually has the maximum number of servers I’ve ever seen, the number currently is over 6500! These are spread in 70 countries which is an impressive number as well.
Each PureVPN account can be used on 10 devices simultaneously. Kill-switch & DNS leak protection exists as well.
After NordVPN, it’s the only VPN that offers dedicated IPs and port forwarding. And finally, there’s of course a live-chat that’s active 24X7.
You can get PureVPN for a low $2.29/month. Crypto payments are accepted (no refunds are available though). For non-crypto payments, there’s a 31 day moneyback guarantee which is still 1 extra day than most other VPNs out there.
Final Opinion
Without doubt, NordVPN is the best VPN that you can use from UAE, or for a UAE IP-address. Just go through the “list of features” I’ve included and you’ll see no other VPN offers similar protection, speed or features.
The cherry on top? NordVPN actually costs less than most other VPNs out there.
Of course, you can also go with Surfshark or PureVPN. I’d suggest ExpressVPN as a last option simply because it lacks quite a few features. However, if you don’t need anything extra and just need a very secure UAE VPN, ExpressVPN does the job.
Guess what? You’ll never get your answers if you just keep reading. Go try any of these out, the refund policy covers you anyway.
