5 Best FREE VPNs for UAE & Dubai (Tested & Working in 2023)

By : Lawrence Williams Lawrence Williams
Hours Updated

Best FREE VPNs for UAE & Dubai

UAE Citizens have access to highly restricted Internet. The government regularly censors a range of websites and VoIP services like Skype and WhatsApp. VPN can encrypt your Internet traffic and send it through a secondary server.

When you connect to VPN, you can access content that is generally blocked by geo-restriction measures or government censorship put in place by content distributors.

While surfing the Internet in UAE, your online activities, interest, search history might be tracked by the government and tech-giants like Google, Facebook, Twitter. Your data can even be snooped, especially when you use public Wi-Fi. If you want to protect your privacy, it is good that you use VPN.

Following is a handpicked list of Top VPN that works in UAE and Dubai with their popular features, pros, cons, and website links. The list contains both open source (free) and commercial (paid) software. Read more…

Our Best Free VPN recommendation

Top Pick
ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

✔️ Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands

✔️ Servers: 3000+

✔️ Supported Apps: iOS, Android, Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Windows.

✔️ Works with: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Sky, HBO, Torrenting, Kodi

✔️ Money-back guarantee: 30 Days

✔️ Special offer: 3 months FREE on annual plan

Our score:

9.8

Go to ExpressVPN

30-Day Free Trial

 

BEST VPN for UAE & Dubai (Free and Paid)

 
#1 Best Overall

ExpressVPN

NordVPN

 Atlas VPN Surfshark
VPN Provider ExpressVPN NordVPN Atlas VPN Surfshark
Number of servers: 3,000+ 5,000+ 750+ 3200+
No. of Server Countries 94 59 37 65
24/7 support ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Max connections 5 6 Unlimited Unlimited
Our Review We rate VPNs based on factors such as Speed, User Experience, Bandwidth, Countries Supported, Pricing, No Log Policy etc.
Excellent – 9.8
Excellent – 9.7
Good – 9.6
Good – 9.5
Free trial VPNs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, but you must subscribe to the 1-month plan first. 30 days 30 days 30 days 30 days
Link Try Free Now Try Free Now Try Free Now Try Free Now

1) ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs for UAE and Dubai that enables you to browse the Internet secured from scammers. It offers unlimited access to music, social media websites, video, and more. This VPN does not log IP addresses, browsing history, DNS queries, and traffic destinations.

This working VPN offers online protection using leak proofing and encryption facility. It helps you to stay secure by hiding your IP address and encrypting your network data. Express VPN provides 24/7 assistance via email as well as live chat.

It is one of the best VPNs for Android that allows you to pay with Bitcoin. ExpressVPN encrypts user web traffic and masks IP addresses. It also helps you to hide your physical location. This VPN service provider offers many subscription plans for 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months.

ExpressVPN

Key Specs:

Supported Platforms:
iOS, Android, Linux, MacOS, and Microsoft Windows 		No of Servers: 3000+ Server Countries: 94 Split Tunneling: Yes
Data Allowance: Unlimited Torrenting: Yes Kill Switch: Yes
Able to unblock:
YouTube TV, Netflix, iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Hulu 		No-logging policy: Yes Ip addresses: Dynamic Simultaneous Connection: Unlimited
Free Trial: Yes – 30 days

Pros

This UAE VPN provides good privacy of your Internet activity.
Does not save the IP address, browsing history, traffic destination, and DNS queries.
Allows you to choose which network devices to protect.
Server speed is fast.
It offers a choice of many protocols.
This Etisalat VPN Provides a wide range of server locations.
Good customer support.
Excellent customer reviews in UAE.

Cons

This VPN is costly compared to other programs.
Not good for the advanced user who already knows about Internet, IP, VPN, etc.

How to use ExpressVPN for Free:

  • Start your risk-free ExpressVPN trial right here. You can cancel your subscription at any time within 30 days thanks to ExpressVPN’s money-back guarantee.

Get Free Now >>

30-Day Free Trial

2) NordVPN

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs, which does not track, collect, or share your data. It provides security by encrypting the data sent and received. This is a free P2P VPN that helps you to prevent ads and malware. It is one of the best VPNs for iPhone and Android devices that allows you to access numerous streaming websites with no hassle. NordVPN offers subscription plans for 1 month, 1 year, and 2 years.

NordVPN

Key Specs:

Supported Platforms:
Linux, Windows, MacOS, iOS 		No of Servers: 5000+ Server Countries: 59 Split Tunneling: Yes
Data Allowance: Unlimited Torrenting: Yes Kill Switch: Yes
Able to unblock:
YouTube TV, Netflix, iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Hulu 		No-logging policy: Yes Ip addresses: Static Simultaneous Connection: 6
Free Trial: Yes – 30 days Best for: Connecting double VPN, onion over VPN servers, P2P.

Pros

This VPN service provides good security.
No DNS (Domain Name System) leaks.
This free VPN for torrenting provides protection with a double VPN.
It is one of the fastest VPN.

Cons

Torrenting is supported for a few servers only.
Configuring this VPN with OpenVPN Virtual Private Network system is not user-friendly.

How to use NordVPN for Free:

  • Start your risk-free NordVPN trial. You can cancel your subscription at any time. There are no costs.
  • NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. It also offers flexible pricing plans, which makes it an easy to use and valuable privacy tool.

Get Free Now >>

30-Day Free Trial

3) Atlas VPN

Atlas VPN allows you to discover a safer and more open internet. It offers the best-in-class WireGuard protocol to ensure secure and seamless gaming, streaming, and overall browsing experience. It enables you to access the internet from several IP addresses simultaneously.

Atlas VPN

Key Specs:

Supported Platforms:
Mac, Windows, iOS, Android 		No of Servers: 750+ Server Countries: 37 Split Tunneling: Yes
Data Allowance: Unlimited Torrenting: Yes Kill Switch: Yes
Able to unblock:
YouTube TV, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu 		No-logging policy: Yes Ip addresses: Dynamic Simultaneous Connection: Unlimited
Free Trial: Yes – 30 days

Pros

It provides support for WireGuard tunneling protocol.
Decent speeds during daily use.
Local and faraway servers showed similar speeds.
Mobile-optimized apps for Android and iOS
Atlas VPN offers a high level of protection with built-in 2-factor authentication
24/7 support via email chat

Cons

Currently not available for Linux
Does not provide any dedicated IP-addresses

How to use Atlas VPN for Free:

  • Start your risk-free AtlasVPN trial. You can cancel your subscription at any time. There are no costs.
  • Atlas VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. This VPN service provides flexible pricing plans according to your needs.

Get Free Now >>

30-Day Free Trial

4) Surfshark

Surfshark is one best VPNs for the UAE and Dubai that provides fast and secure access to streaming sites. This software offers secure tunneling protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2. It makes your physical location private and keeps your sensitive data secure.

This is one of the best Etisalat VPNs that allows apps and websites to bypass the VPN blocks. You can protect your identity by hiding your real IP address. It does not log your IP, WebRTC, and prevents DNS leaks.

Surfshark is a VPN that allows P2P connection via VPN on certain servers. This is one of the best VPN services in UAE that can block unwanted websites without any hassle. It enables you to share your IP address with other people on the same server. This Etisalat VPN also enables you to bookmark your favorite locations for future use.

Surfshark

Key Specs:

Supported Platforms:
Mac, Windows, iOS, Linux, and Android 		No of Servers: 3200+ Server Countries: 65 Split Tunneling: Yes
Data Allowance: Unlimited Torrenting: Yes Kill Switch: Yes
Able to unblock:
YouTube TV, Netflix, iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Hulu 		No-logging policy: Yes Ip addresses: Static Simultaneous Connection: Unlimited
Free Trial: Yes – 7 days free trial Best for: Gaming, Browsing, and Streaming

Pros

Offers secure and anonymous browsing.
Supports a wide range of apps.
This Etisalat VPN has good customer support.
Offers ideal server connection speed.
Enables you to keep your data private using the AES-256 encryption technique.
This VPN works well to bypass your location without detecting Proxy.

Cons

It does not offer access to the Tor browser via VPN.
This software has a complicated setup process.
Weak social media presence.

How to use Surfshark for Free:

  • Start your risk-free trial of Surfshark. You can cancel your subscription at any time. There are no hidden costs.
  • Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. It provides different plans for online privacy and protection.

Get Free Now >>

30-Day Free Trial

5) FastestVPN

FastestVPN is a lifetime VPN subscription service based in the Cayman Islands that offers lightning-speed processing, ultra-safe encryption services, split tunneling, and more.

It is one of the few legitimate lifetime subscription services. At just $40 for lifetime access, this company offers one of the best deals available. Moreover, this company has servers in 39+ countries and over 55+ locations.

FastestVPN

Key Specs:

Supported Platforms:
Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire TV, and more 		No of Servers: 600+ Server Countries: 39+ Split Tunneling: Yes
Data Allowance: Unlimited Torrenting: Yes Kill Switch: Yes
Able to unblock:
Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and more 		No-logging policy: Yes Ip addresses: Dynamic Simultaneous Connection: 10
Free Trial: No – 15-day money-back guarantee Best for: Cheapest Lifetime VPN Subscription

Pros

Lifetime access includes 10 multi-logins
Offers 2TB Cloud Storage
Unblock capabilities (Netflix, Disney+, HotStar, Amazon, etc.)

Cons

Extra fee for additional devices.
Split tunneling only on iOS and Android apps.

How to use FastestVPN for Free:

  • Start your risk-free trial for FastestVPN
  • You can cancel your subscription at any time within 15 days. You get your money back – no questions asked
  • If you like the service, you may continue the subscription, as it costs just $40 for a lifetime subsription!

Get Free Now >>

15-Day Money-back Guarantee

6) CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a VPN software that provides you with secure P2P torrenting. It enables you to unblock all streaming services. This app allows you to encrypt your online connection and boosts your security as well as digital privacy. It automatically protects you whenever you connect to a new Internet connection.

CyberGhost application allows you to easily access NoSpy server. It encrypts data using the latest 256-bit AES technique. This program enables you to hide your IP address with just one tap. It will notify you when you connect to an unsecured public network.

CyberGhost is a tool to unblock websites and enjoy your favorite content with no hassle. It is one of the best VPN for streaming as well as bypassing geo-restrictions. This program helps you to surf the Internet anonymously without any restriction.

CyberGhost

Key Specs:

Supported Platforms:
Windows, Mac, IOS, Android, Amazon Fire Stick, Linux, Smart TV, Android TV, Apple TV, gaming consoles 		No of Servers: 7000+ Server Countries: 91 Split Tunneling: Yes
Data Allowance: Unlimited Torrenting: Yes Kill Switch: Yes
Able to unblock:
YouTube TV, Netflix, iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Hulu 		No-logging policy: Yes Ip addresses: Static Simultaneous Connection: 7
Free Trial: No – 45-day money-back guarantee Best for: Accessing streaming websites having HD video.

Pros

Hide your IP and watch YouTube TV with ease.
Protect your digital identity.
Break all geo-restrictions.
Unblock any websites.
Torrent anonymously.
Protect your connections on public Wi-Fis
Hide IP address through good VPN connectivity.
Provides many locations to select from.

Cons

Certain servers are slow and can affect your network speed.
Username and password management are complicated.
CyberGhost software sometimes crashes.

How to use CyberGhost for Free:

  • Start your risk-free CyberGhost trial. You can cancel your subscription at any time. There are no extra costs.
  • CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee and provides many plans for users with different needs.

Get Free Now >>

45-day money-back guarantee

7) Private Internet Access

Best for Security

Private Internet Access offers excellent data privacy for users. Their security is very high with military-grade encryption, and it’s packaged with quick internet speeds.

It is an open-source VPN, so it lets other developers use what has worked for them to develop other VPN software. This also reduces the risks of vulnerabilities, as patches are constantly being made to keep information safe.

Private Internet Access

Features:

  • Effective killswitch: A good killswitch will ensure that if your VPN connection ever drops, all your internet access will be shut down.
  • Built-in ad blocking: All your ads will block ads and trackers.
  • Leading Protocols: Private Internet Access uses trustworthy open-source protocols which ensure your data remains safe. Supports OpenVPN, Wireguard, and IPsec.
  • No Log Policy: has a firm 100% no-log policy. Your browsing history, IP address, and DNS queries are never stored on their servers. It has been proven true in court twice and by independent audits.
  • Multihop: The multihop feature is an interesting option that allows you to route your traffic through two VPN servers. Using an additional VPN server adds an extra step that makes your online activities harder to track.

Key Specs:

Supported Platforms:
iOS, Android, Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Windows. 		No of Servers: 10,000+ Server Countries: 84+ countries Split Tunneling: Yes
Data Allowance: Unlimited Bandwidth Torrenting: Yes Kill Switch: Yes
Able to unblock:
YouTube TV, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu 		No-logging policy: Yes Ip addresses: Static Simultaneous Connection: 10+
Free Trial: No – 30 days money-back guarantee

Pros

Configurable split-tunneling
It prevents your school from seeing traffic information if your VPN fails.
Free trial includes up to 10 devices.
Allows auto-connect rules, so your VPN connects for some networks and not others.

Cons

The app can require troubleshooting from time to time.
Unreliable internet speeds.

How To Get Private Internet Access for Free?

Go to this link. Signup for the cheapest plan. Download and enjoy the VPN. Claim a refund under the 30-days moneyback guarantee.

Get Free Now >>

30 days money-back guarantee

FAQs:

UAE government constantly censors numerous online websites and services. Therefore you may find difficulty in accessing some websites when visiting the United Arab Emirates. For example, if you want to access Amazon Prime and Netflix videos in UAE, you will face difficulty to access some of the content due to the geo-restriction of that location. Therefore, it is good to use VPN to mask your IP address to access online content and enjoy enhanced security and privacy.

Below are some of the Best VPNs for UAE:

Here are the countries that have the best Netflix library:

  • US has the most Netflix titles, while Canada has a good movie catalogue, with a large number of films.
  • South Korea has good Oscar-winning films in its Netflix catalog.
  • UAE has 171+ web series and 440+ movies compared to other countries.
  • Switzerland is the next best country having 85+ Academy Award winner shows.

Use of Netflix is allowed in Abu Dhabi. However, UAE Netflix only displays 28% of shows of its US counterpart. The good thing is that you can enjoy watching American Netflix in Dubai using a VPN.

Free VPNs are not as safe as using a paid VPN. You are putting your online privacy at risk by using a free VPN. Users can experience slower Internet speeds and other issues connecting with a free VPN.

So, it is not a preferred option to use a free VPN software that compromises security by logging and selling your information to third-party advertisers.

Therefore, it is advisable that you choose a reliable premium VPN for 30 days risk-free trial with a money-back guarantee.

Perform the following steps to set up a VPN:

Step 1) Choose any one VPN service from the list given in this article.

Download and install it on your device.

Step 2) Signup with the required details.

Login with username and password.

Step 3) Connect to the server outside UAE.

You need to choose a geographically close server for better speed.

Step 4) Try accessing website content that was blocked.

You can now view it without any issue.

Here are the important things that the VPN can do:

  • Provides unrestricted access to a wide range of streaming content and services.
  • VPN servers prevent hackers from stealing your personal information as it is encrypted.
  • VPNs work on multiple devices. Therefore, you are not restricted to watch streaming services only from computers like Macs or Chromebooks.
  • VPN-friendly phones, Smart TVs, and tablets provide you more choices to watch content online.

ISPs block VPN connections due to the following reasons:

  • They may be worried their customers use VPNs to do illegal things online.
  • They are concerned about illegal torrent downloading.
  • People may use VPN for bypassing bandwidth throttling and use too much data.
  • The government forces them to block VPNs and censor specific websites. So they also block VPNs to make sure their customers don’t unblock said websites.

This is an important security feature that helps you to instantly disconnect from the Internet. Kill switch can keep your IP address and identity secure. It is ideal that you check such a feature before choosing a VPN.

DNS leak is a security flaw that allows your IP address to be seen by other people, for example, the government or cybercriminals. VPN with strong encryption measures and protocols ensures that DNS leaks are not possible and keeps you anonymous and secure online.

Yes, Tor and Proxy are solutions that serve the same purpose as VPN. Tor protects you by bouncing your communications around a distributed network.

The Onion Router or Tor has the following disadvantages compared to VPN:

  • Takes time to load the homepage.
  • It blocks some web services.
  • This IP blocker software reduces bandwidth speed.

Proxy services have one good advantage over VPNs. They offer good speed to surf the Internet.

However, Proxy services have the following drawbacks:

  • It does not have security features.
  • A proxy does not encrypt your data.
  • It has no interface.

These drawbacks show that proxies are not secure and hard to use. However, if privacy is not a concern for you, then they can increase your connection speed. You can find numerous proxies, but it is important that you choose the right one. It is preferable that you invest in a cheap and fast VPN that gives you privacy and protection with great speed.

Here are the important selection criteria to choose a VPN for UAE:

  • Fast Speed: VPNs in UAE can be slow, and therefore, it may be hard to stream video online. You need to first try out the VPNs. If the server speed is good, then you can simply buy it.
  • Large server network: It is good that you choose a VPN having more proxy servers at multiple locations. This will provide you enough choices to locate server locations.
  • No traffic restrictions: Many VPNs block P2P networks and movie streams. This will also restrict your downloading bandwidth per month. It is crucial that you go for VPNs that do not have such limitations.
  • Zero-logging policy: If your VPN does not have a zero-logging policy, it is potentially harmful to your privacy. You need to make sure that a virtual private network must not store any information that belongs to you.
  • Kill switch: This is an important security feature that helps you to instantly disconnect from the Internet. Kill switch can keep your IP address and identity secure. It is ideal that you check such a feature before choosing a VPN.
  • Ease of use: VPN software should be user-friendly so that you get stress free experience. It must be easy to install without having technical knowledge.

Here are the VPNs you should avoid in UAE and Dubai:

  • Hola: Hola Privacy VPN is a free application that provides privacy, encryption, and security. It gives a safe way to browse websites, videos, and media. However, Hola is not transparent about data privacy. So it is preferable that you avoid it.
  • HideMyAss: HideMyAss is a VPN application that provides secure banking transactions. You can also get VPN protection for your IoT network using this software. It enables users to remain anonymous and encrypt online traffic. However, this VPN stores metadata logs that include the real IP addresses of the user, which can easily be prone to cyberattack. Therefore it is good to avoid it.

No. You cannot be tracked if you use a good VPN. There are many good VPNs that do not track, collect or share your data to the government and advertisement companies.

However, it is preferable that you look for the paid Virtual Private Network that does not keep the log activity. You can be on the safer side by checking the security features before buying any VPNs.

The best way to avoid being caught using a VPN in the UAE is to use trusted VPNs like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Cyberghost, and Surfshark. These Virtual Private Network services do not store any logs. Additionally, these providers provide a secure connection that handles DNS requests and Internet traffic with privacy. You can also utilize features like kill switch and DNS leak protection.

Yes, VPN is the safest and strongest way to mask IP addresses in UAE. It enables you to effectively hide your IP without any hassle. VPN has good security features that keep you anonymous while surfing the Internet. Virtual Private Network opens the areas of the Internet that are blocked due to geo-restrictions.

The use of VPN is legal in UAE, but VoIP services like WhatsApp are blocked. This makes it difficult for you to communicate with your friends and family. You can use government-approved services like BOTIM and C’Me. However, there is no guarantee that you will get complete privacy using these services. So, the best option for you to use VoIP services in UAE is to use a VPN.

Yes, it is safe to shop online with a VPN. Virtual Private Networks encrypt your data so that if someone intercepts your web traffic, they cannot read your content. It is specifically helpful when you are using public Wi-Fi networks that are not secure and common place for hackers to steal your data.

Yes, online banking is secure with UAE VPNs. It adds an extra layer of security when accessing your bank account online. Banks create TLS (Transport Layer Security) encryption standards to create a safe connection between both web browser and bank.

However, sites with HTTPs are not secure, and you may even be vulnerable to certain types of cyberattacks. So, it is preferable that you use a VPN to hide your Internet activity.

UAE government controls the local telecom service providers. It strictly prohibits you from making calls on Skype and other applications. Therefore, the government has forced ISPs to block VoIP programs.

The best VPNs for video calling in UAE are ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost. They support video calls via Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom, Google Meets, Facetime, and other popular tools.

No, you can use VPNs in UAE. The laws in United Arab Emirates say that VPNs are illegal only if they are used to commit a crime. The TRA is responsible for Internet surveillance and censorship in UAE.

Content blocking laws of UAE are based on two categories: 1) religious principles and 2) protecting businesses. UAE has a complicated government structure with an absolute monarchy. The laws in this country are based on Sharia and secular civil ideas.

TRA (Telecom Regulatory Authority) blocks the web content that contradicts with morality and ethics of the United Arab Emirates. This mainly includes gambling sites, websites having anti-religious hate speech, Wikipedia pages, etc.

There are many histories that are broadened the laws to include the usage of VPN. However, the use of VPN in Dubai is very common. The evidence given by TRA shows that most of the sites and VPN services going against ethics and laws are not commonly banned. So, you can use Virtual Private Networks without any hassle.

BEST VPN for UAE & Dubai (Free and Paid)

 
#1 Best Overall

ExpressVPN

NordVPN

 Atlas VPN Surfshark
VPN Provider ExpressVPN NordVPN Atlas VPN Surfshark
Number of servers: 3,000+ 5,000+ 750+ 3200+
No. of Server Countries 94 59 37 65
24/7 support ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Max connections 5 6 Unlimited Unlimited
Our Review We rate VPNs based on factors such as Speed, User Experience, Bandwidth, Countries Supported, Pricing, No Log Policy etc.
Excellent – 9.8
Excellent – 9.7
Good – 9.6
Good – 9.5
Free trial VPNs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, but you must subscribe to the 1-month plan first. 30 days 30 days 30 days 30 days
Link Try Free Now Try Free Now Try Free Now Try Free Now
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