What if you want to view geo-restricted content while residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), what will you do? Use a proxy server? Use a free virtual private network (VPN)? Proxy and free VPN services are not always secure. That’s why to view geo-restricted content, you will need a secure VPN service that gets the job done. 

In this article, we will discuss some of the best VPN services that you can use for streaming content from any location without worry. The VPN services we will discuss are completely secure, have a no-logging policy, and offer numerous servers to choose from. Moreover, you can use these VPN services to unblock various websites, mobile apps, and even VoIP services such as Skype and WhatsApp. 

If you are a video junkie like me and would like to stream US or UK specific content from UAE, then these VPN services are a great way to unblock that as well. Now that we have gone through the introduction, let’s discuss these VPNs in detail. 

Here is all you must know before searching for ‘VPN Dubai’ on your search engine.

How to Select the Best VPN for Dubai & UAE?

There is no hard and fast rule. Most people select a VPN service depending on their personal preferences. But when selecting any VPN service, make sure that you observe the technical features that are essential for a secure and anonymous connection. 

For our use, we have selected the following VPN features that ensure a safe and secure VPN service.

• Military-grade encryption
• No-log policy
• Servers in multiple locations
• DNS leak protection

5 Best VPNs for UAE (Dubai)

Now let’s check the list of the best VPNs you can use in the UAE and Dubai.

Surfshark-Best VPN for UAE in 2020

Surfshark offers a high-quality VPN service to its users. You will find that Surfshark checks all the boxes for security, anonymity, price, and diversity. The VPN service offers military-grade protection with AES-256 encryption. It also offers a no-log policy and over 1000+ servers in 50+ countries. Moreover, It also works with VoIP services such as Skype, Whatsapp, and Facetime. It is a great VPN service for streaming American Netflix, Hulu, BBC UK, and Disney+.

Surfshark uses OpenVPN, iKev2, and Shadowsocks protocols for internet connection. If you are using Surfshark, you will get the highest speeds and the best security. Surfshark doesn’t use PPTP and L2TP because those are obsolete protocols and slow in comparison with the ones it has on offer. 

Moreover, Surfshark offers a kill switch, multi-VPN connection chaining, and hundreds of servers all spread around the globe so that you can stream content from any country’s streaming service without geo-restriction worries.

Pros:

• Available in UAE and Dubai
• Connect unlimited devices
• Fast and secure 

Cons:

• A considerably small number of servers in comparison with other VPN services

ExpressVPN-Blazing Fast VPN for Dubai

ExpressVPN is another great VPN service that you can use in UAE and Dubai. It has remained the number VPN service on multiple VPN ranking websites and it meets the criteria of being the most secure VPN service in our list as well. It has a no-log policy, offers the same level of military-grade AES-256 encryption, and has support for OpenVPN, SSTP, L2TP/IPSec and PPTP protocols. Moreover, ExpressVPN offers complete DNS protection, a kill switch, and over 3,000 servers in 160 countries. It is truly one of the most widely spread VPN services in our list so far. 

Pros:

• Most trusted VPN for UAE and Dubai
• Comes with cutting-edge security features
• Offers fast speeds for streaming video
• Offers obfuscated servers to bypass VPN blocks
• Due to its range of servers, it works with all leading streaming content websites including Netflix, Hulu, BBC, Disney+ and others.

Cons:

• Not the cheapest VPN service in the market 

NordVPN-Top Recommended VPN for Dubai 

NordVPN is another great VPN service to have for streaming restricted content. It provides an extra layer of security thanks to the SSL-2048-bit encryption. Moreover, NordVPN has a no-log policy, more than 2000 servers in multiple locations across the globe, offers Tor over VPN option as well. Since Tor is a safe way to browse the internet and especially the onion websites, if you want to visit darknet while living in the UAE & Dubai, then NordVPN is a great choice.

NordVPN comes with a DNS leak resolver that prevents data leaks and protects your IP address from getting exposed. Moreover, it comes with a process-specific kill switch that you can use in case the VPN service halts unexpectedly. 

For protocols, NordVPN offers OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP/IPsec protocols. NordVPN does not offer obfuscated servers, but it does offer Obfsproxy. You can learn more about the obfsproxy on their website. 

Pros:

• Decent pricing for UAE and Dubai customers
• Fast and reliable service for HD streaming
• Works with VOIP and Skype communication devices
• Protects personal data and keeps no logs

Cons:

• Slow desktop app
• OpenVPN configuration is not user-friendly

IPVanish-Working VPN for UAE

If you are looking for something fast, low-priced, and easy to set up, then nothing can beat IPVanish VPN service. IPVanish comes with a lot of features such as military-grade protection, DNS leak protection, kill switch, no-log policy, anonymous torrenting, unlimited server switching, unlimited P2p traffic, and much more. 

You can subscribe to the IPVanish service through credit card, Stripe, PayPal, and even Bitcoin. The VPN company is based out of Sweden.

Pros:

• Lowest billing option for 3 years at $78 for the whole term
• Works with Netflix, Hulu, and other video streaming services
• Over 850 servers with 40,000 dedicated IP addresses

Cons:

• Poor mobile application
• Bad customer support as reported by some customers

Private Internet Access (PIA)-Reliable VPN for UAE

Private Internet Access (PIA) is the most reliable VPN service because of the number of simultaneous connections it offers i.e. ten. It is widely used in countries like UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and other middle easter countries. 

PIA also offers advanced security options, multiplatform support, torrenting, and p2p file sharing. You can get PIA on Windows, macOS, iOS, and even Android. 

Pros:

• PIA offers over 1700 servers in North America alone
• It has a military-grade security
• No-logs are stored
• Can unblock streaming services in the US, UK, and other EU countries
• Compatible with UAE and Dubai

Cons:

• Limited support options
• Based in the US (Can come under monitoring by five eyes)

VPNs You Should Never Use In Dubai & UAE

While there are multiple VPN services available in the market. It isn’t always secure to choose just any VPN service. Search a little and stick with one that offers security, anonymity, and a fast internet connection. With that said, there are a few VPN services that you should avoid at all costs when viewing geo-restricted content.

These are:

Hotspot Shield

Hotspot Shield is a free VPN service and according to many sources, it doesn’t work in the UAE. Moreover, there have been cases where people have even complained that it hijacks HTTP requests and redirects users to affiliate sites. Hotspot VPN also adds tracking cookies to browsers that show third-party advertisements to the users. So, if you want a safe VPN for streaming content, then stay away from the Hotspot shield.

Hola

Hola is another free VPN service that you must have come across if you ever searched for free VPN services. Hola is not a VPN but a peer-to-peer network. It uses the bandwidth of other users to create VPN tunnels. Many people have complained that Hola VPN steals user bandwidth. It has a record of abusing its users and even leaking their information to third party services and even government agencies. So, make sure to stay away from this service for good.

HideMyAss

Hidemyass is another free VPN service that offers services across the world. While it doesn’t store user data but it does store user’s metadata and this includes the IP address as well. There is one famous case where Hidemyass was led to the arrest of Cody Kretsinger, who was involved in the hacking of Sony Pictures. HideMyAss VPN gave all information about the hacker to the law enforcement agencies. Although it was due to a court order, it still did that when it clearly stated that it doesn’t store user data. So, in a sense, it lied to its users. 

If you want a secure connection, stay away from it as well.

FAQs 

Here is a list of confusing questions that people often ask when searching for a VPN in Dubai.

Is a VPN illegal in Dubai?

No, VPN service is not illegal in Dubai. The cybercrime law passed in 2012 says that VPNs are banned for all activities that are supposed to be illegal in the country. These include pornography, anti-religious content, hate speech content, and gambling websites and apps, and many more similar items. 

The law clearly states that the illegal content is what may ‘contradicts with the ethics and morality of the UAE,’ it includes:

• pornography
• VoIP services such as Skype
• Gambling websites
• anti-religious and hate speech content
• Ecommerce stores selling illegal drugs
• Content against the beliefs of Sunni sect
• Multiple Wikipedia pages 
• Content related to Israeli websites

Which VPNs work in Dubai?

There are a dozen servers that you can use while staying in Dubai and UAE. But the best way to stay connected anonymously in the UAE is if you get a paid VPN service that offers security, safety, reliability, and multiple servers. 

Since there is no free food, you shouldn’t expect the same level of security from free VPN services in Dubai.

Why is VPN illegal in UAE?

VPNs are not illegal in Dubai and UAE. The only access to pornographic and illegal material using a VPN is blocked in UAE. We have already mentioned all the websites, VOIP, and content materials that are considered illegal according to the UAE Federal Law of 2016 of Cyber Crimes. 

If you are found using VPN services to any of these content sources, you will be fined AED 150,000 or imprisonment of two years or both.