Best VPNs for the Middle East

Unfortunately, internet censorship is rife in many Middle Eastern and Arab countries, and the government isn’t the only entity that can monitor your online activities. There’s a chance that your employer, your Internet Service Provider (ISP), or hackers also keep tabs on you. Luckily, there’s an easy way to ensure your privacy and safety while online, and that’s to use a VPN.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) encrypt your traffic and route it through a server in a different location, ensuring any outside observer can’t read it. Aside from privacy, this process has another major benefit: it assigns you a temporary IP address, which allows you to appear as though you’re in another country. This allows you to access geographically restricted sites and services — such as your online banking or home streaming libraries — while traveling in the Middle East.

Some countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, block traffic from all but a few government-approved VPNs. This means that the majority of VPNs won’t work in these locations. However, some still do. Below, we’ve listed the best VPNs that work anywhere in the Middle East. We’ll go more in-depth with each of our top picks later, but if you just want to see our recommendations, here’s a quick summary:

The best VPNs for the Middle East:

1. NordVPN: Top recommended VPN for the Middle East. This superfast and highly secure service works easily in countries with strict online censorship. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Middle East.
2. Surfshark: Low-cost, security-conscious service with high speeds and servers in multiple Arab countries. Allows unlimited simultaneous device connections.
3. IPVanish: Very fast servers available in Turkey, Israel and the United Arab Emirates. Apps come with obfuscation that can help disguise VPN traffic. Allows unlimited device connections.
4. ExpressVPN: A reliable VPN with servers in Egypt, Israel, and over 100 other countries. Strong unblocking ability and incredible speeds.
5. PureVPN: This quick, no-logs VPN obfuscates your data automatically, making it ideal for shielding your activities while visiting Middle Eastern countries.
6. ProtonVPN: Offers a vast array of security features, an expansive server network, and exceptional unblocking ability.
7. PrivateVPN: A secure, reliable way to safely browse the internet in the Middle East. A strict no-logs policy and a choice of VPN protocols.
8. Private Internet Access: Servers in 91+ countries. Decent, unthrottled speeds. Secure unlimited devices at once. No-logs policy included.

How to browse safely with a VPN in the Middle East

The good news is that with a VPN, it’s fairly simple to protect yourself when using the internet in the Middle East. Just follow these simple steps to get connected.

Here’s how to use a VPN in the Middle East:

1. First, you’ll need to sign up for a reliable VPN service. We recommend NordVPN, but Surfshark and IPVanish are good alternatives.
2. Download and install the appropriate version for your device.
3. Connect to a server in the country of the site or service you’d like to unblock, this will give you the country-specific IP address you need to access the site. For example, connect to a server in the UAE if you want a UAE IP address.
4. Try loading the desired website. If it doesn’t load immediately, you might have to clear your browser’s cookies and cache. Once you reload the page, it should work correctly.
5. If you face any persistent issues, you will need to reach out to your VPN provider for technical support. Most of our recommendations have live chat, available 24 hours a day.

Criteria for the best Middle East VPNs

Plenty of VPNs are on the market, but they do not all provide the same level of service, and very few of them will work in the Middle East. We found the best available providers by testing them in the following areas:

• Speed: We carried out multiple speed tests while connected to each provider’s servers in the UAE. This helped ensure that we only recommended VPNs that were fast enough for streaming, downloading and other online activities.
• Network accessibility: We specifically looked for providers with multiple server locations in the Middle East. Next, we tested the effectiveness of their obfuscation. Finally, we took into consideration the overall size of their server networks as a measure of availability.
• Security and privacy: Middle Eastern countries vary in the degree that their governments interfere in citizens’ online activities. To ensure you stay safe and secure online, we only recommended providers that scored highly against our 16 security and privacy metrics.
• Ease of use: We used 10 different ease-of-use metrics to gauge the overall user-friendliness of each provider. These included looking at the design of their apps and the existence of any task-specific servers.
• Value for money: To find which providers offered the most overall worth for users, we evaluated them against eight value-for-money metrics. Amongst other things, this involved checking whether they had reasonably priced plans and a money-back guarantee.

This is just an overview. Our methodology section below explains the full testing process and explains how the results might impact your choice of provider. For now, let’s look at the VPNs that made the list.

Middle East VPNs compared

We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice VPN for the Middle East.

Best VPNs for the Middle East

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for the Middle East:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2025

NordVPN is our first choice VPN for the Middle East. It’s one of the fastest VPNs we’ve seen and has a huge network of more than 7,300 servers spread throughout around 117 countries, including Turkey, Israel, and the UAE.

This VPN can easily unblock even the most stubborn geo-blocked services and offers specialized obfuscated servers designed to bypass governmental blocking.

With up to ten simultaneous connections allowed, you can protect most, if not all, of your devices. Speeds are fast enough to perform different tasks on different devices at the same time. In our tests, the provider achieved an average overall speed of 198.21 Mbps, which is fast enough to stream UHD video on up to eight devices simultaneously.

This provider shows a strong commitment to your privacy. It offers 256-bit encryption, a customizable kill switch, an ad blocker, a malware scanner, DNS, IPv6, port forwarding, and WebRTC leak protection. Users can access Tor over VPN or use two VPNs at the same time. NordVPN has a no-logs policy and allows you to sign up anonymously. Live chat is available 24/7 in case of any problems.

NordVPN apps are available for macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, and Linux. It can be manually installed on wireless routers.

BEST VPN FOR THE MIDDLE EAST:NordVPN is our top pick. It offers comprehensive protection, excellent unblocking, and decent speeds at a very affordable price. There’s even a 30-day money-back guarantee making it a risk-free deal.

To find out more, read our full NordVPN review.

---

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is a great budget VPN option that doesn’t compromise on service. It has around 3,200 servers covering 100+ countries, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

It can reliably access stubborn platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and Disney Plus without issue, and is fast enough for streaming in the highest resolution available.

When we tested the speeds of its servers in the UAE, Surfshark was consistently quick. Speeds only varied by 6.01 Mbps between tests, and averaged 192.10 Mbps overall.

Two things set Surfshark apart from the competition. The first is that you can connect as many devices as you like. The second is the sheer number of security features on offer.

256-bit encryption is enabled by default, as is DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leak protection. You can also use Surfshark’s kill switch, use dual VPNs, obfuscate your traffic, or let some apps through the VPN.

There’s even automatic ad and malware-blocking. Surfshark doesn’t log any personally identifiable information, and support is available 24/7 via live chat.

Surfshark has apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire Stick. You may have to manually configure the service on macOS and iOS devices in certain countries. It can be manually installed on Linux and select routers.

BEST BUDGET CHOICE:Surfshark is a fast, security conscious VPN that offers great value for money. Connect all your devices at once. Servers in 100+ countries. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review for more information.

---

3. IPVanish

IPVanish has been in the VPN game for more than a decade, during which time it has expanded its server network, strengthened its privacy and purchased the majority of its hardware (most VPNs rent theirs). It’s a solid choice for the Middle East thanks to a presence in Israel, Turkey, Jeddah, Amman and the United Arab Emirates.

Users can tell which servers will most likely provide the speediest connection by glancing at the ping time and relative load listed alongside each.

We used the provider’s servers in the UAE to carry out several speed tests. As you can see from the chart below, the results were impressive.

IPVanish achieved an overall download speed of 183.89 Mbps, which is fast enough for a range of online activities, including streaming, gaming and torrenting.

If you’re trying to connect from a country with restricted internet access, IPVanish offers an obfuscation feature called Scramble. This can be activated by first switching to the OpenVPN protocol and then clicking on the toggle switch.

Other IPVanish features include a kill switch, an ad and malware blocker, split tunneling, and free access to a SOCKS5 proxy. Users who spend time away from home will appreciate the auto-connect option when an untrusted network is detected.

Privacy-wise, IPVanish is demonstrably leak-free (we tested this ourselves) and has an audited no-logs policy. It uses effectively uncrackable encryption to protect user-generated internet traffic and allows unlimited device connections. Supported platforms include Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, and Amazon Fire Stick/ FireTV.

SCRAMBLE FEATURE:IPVanish servers in eight Middle Eastern countries and impressively fast connection speeds. It can obfuscate user traffic and allows unlimited device connections. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

---

4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN can bypass government-imposed restrictions thanks to its always-on obfuscation. It offers unlimited bandwidth, and provides access to more than 3,000 servers across 105 countries (including Egypt, Turkey, Israel and the UAE).

The provider works with a impressively wide range of streaming services. We successfully used it with Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus during testing.

Its speeds were notably consistent while we were connected to its servers in the UAE, and only varied by 4.72 Mbps across all three tests.

Overall, ExpressVPN averaged 127.34 Mbps, which makes it suitable for streaming in high definition or placing VoIP video calls.  

This VPN ensures your privacy with 256-bit AES encryption (which is effectively military-grade encryption), perfect forward secrecy, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks.

Its desktop apps include a kill switch that automatically stops all traffic if you disconnect unexpectedly, which is especially useful in countries where the internet is monitored. ExpressVPN doesn’t log any personally identifiable information, plus you can pay with Bitcoin for added peace of mind. Customer support is available 24/7 over live chat.

ExpressVPN offers apps for Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, and Linux. There’s also custom firmware to make installing the service on a router easier.

PRIVACY-ORIENTED:ExpressVPN is fast and private, reliably works in the Middle East, and can access VoIP services such as Skype. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our full ExpressVPN review.

---

5. PureVPN

PureVPN boasts a large network, with servers in 65 countries, including Turkey, Egypt, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.

It has obfuscation that works at bypassing government-imposed blocks, though we’d urge you to install the app before arriving in the Middle East since the website may be blocked in certain countries.

In our tests, PureVPN was consistently quick, and achieved an average download speed of 131.01 Mbps. 

This is fast enough for streaming in high definition without lag or buffering — which is handy, given PureVPN’s ability to access a wide range of popular streaming platforms. It even has servers that name the platforms that they work best with, which is a considerable time-saver.

PureVPN is very easy to use and has unbreakable encryption, an ad and tracker-blocker, a kill switch, and leak protection enabled by default. There’s a strict zero-logs policy, which we know for a fact given that this provider has been audited multiple times.

The provider offers its own Windows, Android, MacOS, iOS, and Linux apps. If you’d rather secure your entire home network, there are manual setup guides explaining how to install it on a router.

EVADE CENSORSHIP:PureVPN allows you to access the wider internet in places like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman. What’s more, it provides exceptional performance and doesn’t compromise where security is concerned. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Still not sure? Learn more with our complete PureVPN review.

---

6. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN recently grew its network to a stunning 12,000 servers in 117 countries. It has the largest number of server locations in the Middle East of any provider that we know of — a total of 13 countries in all.

It can help you access region-locked sites from a wide range of Middle Eastern locations. We had no issues accessing platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus while connected.

Speed-wise, the provider is satisfyingly quick. While connected to one of its servers in the UAE, our download speeds averaged 139.95 Mbps. 

There is a free ProtonVPN plan available, but this limits your speeds, number of connections, and server access, so we’d suggest upgrading sooner rather than later. Also, be sure to download the app before traveling abroad, just in case ProtonVPN’s website is inaccessible in your destination.

When it comes to security, this VPN is one of the best. It blocks ads and trackers automatically, prevents data leaks, and uses uncrackable encryption to keep your activities private.

There are also multi-hop servers kept in underground data centers to minimize the risk of third-party interference (though these are noticeably slower than the general-purpose servers). Crucially, ProtonVPN follows a no-logging policy, has been independently-audited, and accepts both Bitcoin and cash payments.

ProtonVPN has apps for Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS, and Linux devices. Further, users can follow manual setup instructions to get it running directly on most routers.

ADVANCED SECURITY:ProtonVPN gives you lots of ways to customize your setup. Not only that, it’s fast, works with a ton of geo-blocked apps, and refuses to store details of your online activities. Paid subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our in-depth ProtonVPN review.

---

7. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN has a smaller network than its closest rivals, with only around 200 servers. However, it’s still well worth your consideration since those servers are spread across 63+ countries, including Israel, Turkey, the UAE, and Cyprus.

It’s highly secure, works in countries with strict censorship, and, as a bonus, it can even access tricky platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime abroad.

Download speeds averaged 56.75 Mbps in our tests for this article. While this seems slow compared to the providers above, it’s still fast enough for streaming in UHD on two devices simultaneously.

Unlike most providers, PrivateVPN allows users to change the length of the encryption key used to protect their traffic. Dropping it from 256-bit to 128-bit will improve connection speeds, but isn’t generally recommended.

Other features include a kill switch, and WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leak protection. PrivateVPN has a strict no-logging policy, it allows you to sign up anonymously using a throwaway email address and Bitcoin. Having difficulty getting set up? No problem – customer support can configure and install the software for you remotely with your permission.

PrivateVPN offers apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Ten connections are allowed at once, so you can stream from whichever device you prefer. Manual configuration is required for Linux-based systems or network routers.

SECURE BROWSING:PrivateVPN is a reliable, good-value service. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, great unblocking capability, and the option to register anonymously.

Interested? check out our full PrivateVPN review.

---

8. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access can help you bypass restrictions in the Middle East, whether they’re due to copyright or censorship. That’s because it has an expansive server network covering more than 91 countries. Seven of these are in the Middle East, and include Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

The provider works well with a range of international streaming platforms, and has dedicated streaming servers available in several countries — including the US, UK and Australia.

PIA achieved steady speeds in our tests, with its best result being a relatively modest 70.11 Mbps. While this won’t win any awards, it’s still more than adequate for streaming in high definition on two devices simultaneously.

Like PrivateVPN, it allows users to drop the level of encryption to provide a speed bump when needed.

Many countries in the Middle East have restricted internet freedom, so it’s important that PIA doesn’t keep logs such as your IP address or timestamps. All of your internet traffic is routed through a 256-bit AES encrypted tunnel, and there’s also DNS leak protection and a kill switch to keep you safe online.

Private Internet Access provides apps for the following: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. Users are permitted unlimited simultaneous device connections. You can also find browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. PIA can work with compatible routers but requires manual configuration.

SERVERS IN 91+ COUNTRIES:Private Internet Access offers unlimited bandwidth, and provides servers in more than 91 countries. Secure unlimited devices simultaneously. All connections are 256-bit AES encrypted. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Private Internet Access review.

---

Finding the best VPNs for the Middle East: Our testing methodology

There are hundreds of VPN providers all vying for your business, but many of them are unsuitable for day-to-day browsing, let alone bypassing the strict online censorship you may experience in the Middle East. To find the most suitable VPNs for the region, we tested them in five main areas:

Network accessibility

There are 18 Middle Eastern countries, and ideally, we’d like there to be a network of servers in as many of these locations as possible. With this in mind, we started by scoring providers on the number of server locations they had in the Middle East. To get a measure of server availability, we then scored them on the number of servers they had in their networks overall. Finally, we scored them on the effectiveness of their obfuscation.

These three scores were combined and converted to a score out of 10 which we used to compare providers.

NordVPN’s score of 8.7 was the highest. The provider combines block-bypassing obfuscation with a profusion of servers in nine Middle Eastern countries. PureVPN, with a score of 7.7, is a good alternative.

Speed

To enjoy a smooth online experience while in the Middle East, you’ll need a VPN that doesn’t overly slow your connection (every VPN will slow your speeds to some extent). We found the fastest by conducting several speed tests for each provider: one in the morning, one at noon, and one in the afternoon.

Measurements were taken using the desktop version of the Ookla speed-testing app. We rate-limited our own connection speed to 250 Mbps to provide an approximation of the average user’s experience in the UAE (where the median download speed is 270.91 Mbps).

We averaged the results and converted them to a score out of 10 for each VPN. You’ll find the results below:

NordVPN achieved a perfect 10 relative to the other providers. Surfshark was a close second with a score of 9.6. Both providers are great options if you want to shave as little as possible off your base connection speed.

Security and privacy

Considering governmental surveillance is a real problem in the Middle East, your security is of paramount importance. All of the VPNs above include effectively uncrackable encryption, IP leak protection, and a kill switch at a minimum. Some offer even more, as you can see in the table below.

Each of the above metrics was assigned a score, which we summed in order to generate an overall score out of 10 for each VPN. This makes direct comparison easier — as the chart below demonstrates.

NordVPN and Surfshark each scored a near-perfect 9.5. Both VPNs use robust encryption and have audited no-logs policies. They’re great options if you’re in one of the more restrictive Middle Eastern countries. ProtonVPN and PIA are also capable of keeping your connection safe while abroad.

Ease of use

VPNs should be simple and straightforward for anyone to use. That means well-designed apps as well as additional quality-of-life features and strong customer support. You can see how the providers stacked up against our individual metrics in the table below.

Again, we gave each metric a score, which we then combined to generate an overall score out of 10 for each VPN.

NordVPN and PIA each scored an impressive 9.6. Their user-friendly apps and simple sign-up process make it easy to get safely connected. IPVanish and ExpressVPN are good alternatives — especially if you’re new to VPN software.

Value for money

Some less scrupulous providers try to get away with charging more than they’re worth. However, we examine what they offer compared to similarly-priced competitors to make sure you never pay more than you should. You can see which providers offered things like discounts, free trials, and money-back guarantees in the table below.

To make a direct comparison possible, we assigned a score to each of the criteria above and converted the sum to a score out of 10.

With a score of 9.7, Surfshark was the best value overall — largely thanks to its low-cost subscriptions and lack of connection limit. IPVanish was the second-best option. It, too, has no device connection limit, though its subscriptions are a tad more expensive than Surfshark’s.

Internet censorship in the Middle East

Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates have some of the most pervasive internet censorship in the world. There are numerous documented cases of citizens being prosecuted for speaking ill of the government or expressing opinions contrary to the status quo. These countries restrict access to huge swathes of content, and these blocks often include popular social media platforms, messaging apps, and news websites, severely restricting the flow of unbiased information.

This table shows you the current status of internet censorship and VPN regulations throughout the Middle East.

VPNs for the Middle East: FAQs