Best VPNs for Qatar: Unblock Content Worldwide

Are you concerned about your online freedom in Qatar? Despite being one of the Middle East’s most digitally connected nations, Qatar’s internet is under a tight grip, with numerous sites and platforms off-limits. Additionally, self-censorship is extremely common due to the serious ramifications of speaking out against the government or ruling family. But what if there was a way to navigate the web and freely and securely access restricted content?

With the right Virtual Private Network (VPN), you can hide your activities from prying eyes, access websites that aren’t normally available, avoid ISP throttling, and spoof your location, preventing the sites you visit from realising that you’re in Qatar at all. We’ll discuss the top VPN services for Qatar shortly and answer some questions you might have about beating Qatari censorship.

If you don’t have time to read the whole article, here’s a brief overview of the best VPNs for Qatar:

1. NordVPN Best all-round VPN for Qatar. Puts your privacy first but doesn’t compromise on speed or unblocking ability. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Qatar.
2. Surfshark Best budget VPN. Boasts a large network, powerful privacy features, and the ability to secure every device you own.
3. IPVanish Quick and versatile service with no connection limit. Provides 24/7 support via live chat and does a great job of bypassing regional restrictions.
4. ExpressVPN A veteran provider capable of beating the world’s strictest censorship. Steady speeds, real streaming ability, and a custom router app.
5. ProtonVPN This privacy-first VPN has an excellent reputation and impeccable security credentials. A strong choice for streaming, VoIP calls, and more.
6. PureVPN A great option for anyone hoping to use VoIP services, unblock sites, or browse the web anonymously in Qatar.
7. Hotspot Shield No-logs VPN with steady speeds. Handily sidesteps most online restrictions and includes a variety of powerful security tools.
8. PrivateVPN This zero-logs provider owns its entire network outright and works virtually anywhere in the world, including Qatar. Suitable for almost any task.

Criteria for selecting the best VPNs for Qatar

We’ve evaluated providers on the following standards before mentioning them on our list of the best VPNs for Qatar:

• Has a wide network of servers across the world
• Unblocks geo-restricted streaming services without breaking a sweat
• Offers a fast and reliable service
• Provides apps for all major platforms
• Includes some form of obfuscation to help sidestep censorship
• Uses strong encryption parameters to guard your location
• Allows for multiple simultaneous connections
• Provides excellent customer support

You will find a far more detailed look at our testing methodology later in this article.

Qatar VPNs compared

We’ve researched and then compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Qatar.

Best VPNs for Qatar

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for Qatar that meet our criteria.

1. NordVPN

Apr 2025 Works In QatarTested Apr 2025

NordVPN is our top pick for a Qatar VPN. It operates more than 7,000 servers across 110+ countries, with a large presence in the Middle East. This is the only major provider with two anti-censorship tools built in (the obfuscated servers and its custom NordWhisper protocol), making it uniquely well-suited to users in Qatar. Customer support is available over live chat, 24 hours per day, just in case.

Speed is one of the first things you should consider when buying a VPN, but be aware that their obfuscation and additional security tools will have an impact on your performance. We tested NordVPN’s American servers multiple times to see just how fast they were. Take a look at the results below:

With an average speed of 201.98 Mbps, this service can handle whatever you throw at it, from video calling to streaming 4K content. NordVPN was the fastest provider in this list, and with just 7 Mbps of difference between its highest and lowest results, it’s also one of the most reliable.

NordVPN does not store any user data. Its servers have been confiscated on a couple of occasions, but authorities have not found any incriminating evidence. Security standards include 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, automatic tracker-blocking, and DNS leak protection. It also boasts an independently-verified no-logs policy and extensive audit history.

Apps are available for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. A basic plan allows for 10 devices to connect concurrently.

BEST FOR QATAR:NordVPN is our top pick. It works well for streaming, keeps no logs, and is packed with great security features. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free deal.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

works in QatarTested Apr 2025

Surfshark is a budget-friendly provider that offers access to over 3,200 servers in 100+ countries, so it’s a great choice for bypassing geographic restrictions. Whether you’re hoping to stream TV from back home or access sites usually unavailable in Qatar, this VPN covers you. Better still, it lets you connect as many devices as you like and offers 24/7 support over live chat.

Despite its low price point, Surfshark has historically done very well in our industry-wide performance tests. To make sure that it’s still up to the challenge, we tested its US servers at three times of day (morning, noon, and afteroon) on a 250 Mbps connection. Here are the results:

Surfshark managed to provide an average speed of 197.51 Mbps, just barely slower than NordVPN. In real terms, this means that you’re highly unlikely to notice any performance issues, even when doing data-intensive things like making video calls or torrenting. As such, this is an exceptional choice for families.

This service actually includes a NoBorders feature that was designed to bypass country-wide internet blocking. There’s also 256-bit AES encryption, an internet kill switch, an ad-blocker, a malware scanner, and protection against WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leaks. Surfshark follows a no-logging policy, but for added protection, you can choose to pay in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Ripple.

Surfshark offers access to Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS apps. This VPN also works with select wireless routers, although you’ll have to install it manually.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark comes packed with security and privacy features, making it ideal for anyone who wants to access the internet freely in Qatar. It also offers decent speeds, a no-logs policy, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. IPVanish

Works In QatarTested Apr 2025

IPVanish scores points on both speed and privacy. It’s one of the few VPN providers that independently operates its entire network of servers — there are currently 2,400+ spread across more than 100 countries. This VPN works with all kinds of geo-blocked streaming platforms, and while it works in Qatar, its obfuscation isn’t strong enough to be relied upon in the neighboring UAE.

IPVanish has dramatically improved its performance over the last few years, adopting the WireGuard protocol and rolling out 25 Gbps servers across its entire network. We wanted to see just how quick its speeds were, so we tested this provider’s American servers several times throughout the day:

Following three tests, IPVanish had an average speed of 169.42 Mbps. That’s well above what you’d need for tasks like streaming, playing online games, or making video calls. It was extremely consistent too, with its highest and lowest results differing by just over 7 Mbps.

Web traffic is secured with 256-bit encryption, perfect forward secrecy, DNS leak protection, and an internet kill switch. There’s also basic obfuscation, though this is only usable on the OpenVPN protocol at the time of writing. IPVanish doesn’t store any user data, meaning there’s no retention of traffic or connection logs of any nature.

This is one of the only major providers that lets you secure as many devices as you like. Another valuable upgrade is its addition of 24/7 live chat for customer support. It offers apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. Its new Advanced plan comes with cloud storage and a secure browser extension.

SUITABLE FOR TORRENTING:IPVanish is popular for torrenting. No logs, strong encryption and above average speeds. Great for streaming US content. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee on annual plans.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

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4. ExpressVPN

Works In QatarTested Apr 2025

ExpressVPN ships with top-notch encryption standards, offers fast speeds, and incorporates a server network that spans 105 countries around the globe. This is one of the best options for streaming, effortlessly unblocking tricky platforms like BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. Live chat-based customer support is available around the clock in case you need it.

ExpressVPN has long been considered a reliable option thanks to its consistently high-speed connections. Still, it’s important to retest regularly so that we can provide the most up-to-date data. Below, you’ll find ExpressVPN’s US speed test results in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon:

This provider delivered an average speed of 134.85 Mbps, which is quick but not exceptionally so. That said, we were blown away by its reliability. ExpressVPN’s speeds only varied by 2 Mbps throughout the day, which is an astounding result and one that many of its rivals can only dream of. This means you can count on the same impressive speeds no matter what time of day you use this VPN.

ExpressVPN is one of the hardest providers out there from a security and encryption standpoint. It uses 256-bit AES encryption, which is considered to be first-class. Included is a built-in internet kill switch along with DNS leak protection, so your information always remains within the VPN encrypted tunnel. Furthermore, ExpressVPN doesn’t store any detailed user logs, such as IP addresses.

It offers apps for Android and iOS, as well as desktop clients for Windows and macOS. A single subscription allows for eight simultaneous connections.

BROWSE ANONYMOUSLY:ExpressVPN has fast speeds for streaming and torrenting, great content unblocking, and class-leading security features. Works with services blocked in Qatar, including Skype, WhatsApp calling and FaceTime. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our review of ExpressVPN.

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5. ProtonVPN

works in QatarTested Apr 2025

ProtonVPN is an extremely reliable option if you want an advanced, trustworthy provider with everything you need to use the internet privately in Qatar. It boasts an expansive network covering more than 110 countries and is just as comfortable unblocking streaming services as it is freeing you from government surveillance.

This VPN has an exceptionally solid reputation for privacy but how does it fare in terms of raw speed? To find out, our team performed multiple tests on its US servers at various times of day. Note that we used a 250 Mbps connection, so if your base speeds are slower, your connected speeds will be too. Here are the results:

ProtonVPN was able to provide reliable, quick connections and an average speed of 134.06 Mbps. For context, that’s enough to stream a dozen 4K videos simultaneously or download a 1 GB file in under a minute. No matter how you plan to use this service, it’s up to the task. You shouldn’t even notice any performance issues when multiple people are sharing your connection.

The VPN has a fully audited no-logs policy and well-designed apps that come with AES encryption, obfuscation, multi-hop connections, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. ProtonVPN’s support for split tunneling and port forwarding is perfect for torrenting. There’s even an alternative routing option that will allow you to access the ProtonVPN website in places where it’s normally blocked.

ProtonVPN apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It can also be manually installed on most routers.

FULLY FEATURED:ProtonVPN has apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux that come packed with advanced features. It is a highly trusted VPN that has completed a full third-party audit. Servers are available in over 85+ countries. Works to watch Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and many other popular services in Qatar. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.

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6. PureVPN

works in QatarTested Apr 2025

PureVPN is strongly recommended for anybody in Qatar looking for a reliable VPN that won’t break the bank. It offers a large network with servers in over 65 countries, making it perfect for bypassing VoIP blocks and accessing blocked websites in Qatar. However, it’s important to note that PureVPN doesn’t host servers in Qatar itself, so if you need a Qatari IP address, you’ll want to shop elsewhere.

When it comes to speed, PureVPN has long been competitive. All the same, periodic retesting allows us to explore how its recent updates have impacted its performance. We tested its American servers several times over the course of a typical day on a 250 Mbps connection. The chart below shows how this VPN fared:

With an average speed of 141.86 Mbps, PureVPN is definately faster than most other services on the market. In other words, it’s a reliable choice for data-intensive tasks like using P2P networks, watching live broadcasts, or using VoIP apps. We’d like it to be a little more consistent but a variance of around 13 Mbps isn’t bad at all.

The VPN’s robust AES encryption, along with a strict no-logging policy, kill switch, DNS leak prevention, and obfuscation features, make it ideal for Qatar residents wanting to use the internet without being tracked by their employer, school, ISP, or the Qatari government. There’s also built-in ad and tracker-blocking and split tunneling support that letsq you allow specific apps to pass through unencryped.

PureVPN apps are available for Linux, Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. Routers are supported too but have to be manually configured.

CHEAP VPN FOR QATAR:PureVPN represents excellent value for money. It is fast and has servers in 65+ countries that work to watch Netflix, Hulu, Max, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, and many other popular services. Fast WireGuard protocol is ideal for gaming and torrenting. Works to bypass VoIP blocks. Includes a 31-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

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7. Hotspot Shield

works in QatarTested Apr 2025

Hotspot Shield has a network spanning 85 countries, including several throughout the Middle East. It’s a great option for regaining access to platforms like Netflix on a trip abroad but that’s far from all it can do. In fact, Hotspot Shield can bypass Qatari internet censorship without any additional setup required. Users can connect up to five devices simultaneously. Users can connect 10 devices at once and speak to staff via live chat, day or night.

This service prides itself on its performance, which is why we wanted to see exactly what it was capable of. To do so, our team performed three speed tests (one in the morning, one at noon, and one in the evening) before comparing the results side-by-side. Let’s see just how fast Hotspot Shield is and discuss what that means for you:

This VPN delivered average speeds of 71.48 Mbps, with around 14 Mbps of difference between its highest and lowest results. Both speed and consistency could be improved but overall, this level of performance should be plenty for most use cases. Backing up this point, we were able to stream live TV and torrent without any noticeable problems.

This VPN includes a wide variety of security features. There’s 256-bit encryption, for instance, as well as DNS leak protection and a kill switch that ensures you’ll never inadvertently browse without being connected to the VPN. It’s also possible to automatically connect any time you’re on an unsecured network. Hotspot Shield doesn’t keep any personally identifiable data once your session ends, meaning your activities cannot be traced back to you.

Hotspot Shield apps are available for Android, Windows, Linux, macOS, and iOS devices.

BYPASS CENSORSHIP:Hotspot Shield is one of the best VPNs around, and it’s capable of bypassing Qatar’s internet restrictions with ease. This service provides strong security features, a 45-day money-back guarantee, and access to a huge network of servers.

Read our full Hotspot Shield review.

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8. PrivateVPN

Works In QatarTested Apr 2025

PrivateVPN has quickly managed to establish a meaningful reputation for itself in the VPN industry despite its status as a relative newcomer. Its focus on quality over quantity means the server offering is relatively small – with roughly 200 servers in 60+ locations – but it does its job very well. Some of the sites it can access are Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO, and Amazon Prime Video.

It’s a bit of an open secret that PrivateVPN is slower than other leading providers. However, it’s also the only VPN that acts as its own ISP, keeping your traffic out of the hands of third parties. To see what speeds this service was capable of, we tested its US servers multiple times. Here are the results:

PrivateVPN’s speeds varied by around 6 Mbps throughout the day, which is an impressive level of consistency. However, it averaged just 52.97 Mbps. While that’s fast enough for any task, it does mean that there’s still work to be done in terms of minimizing its impact on your base speeds.

Strong security and privacy features are a hallmark of this provider. Users can opt for either 128- or 256-bit encryption and are also offered perfect forward secrecy, an internet kill switch, and DNS leak protection. Not only that but it excels at beating governmental censorship thanks to its Stealth VPN mode. A basic plan allows for 10 devices to connect at the same time.

The provider offers apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Linux systems and routers are supported but require manual setup.

GOOD FOR STREAMING:PrivateVPN works well with streaming services. The speeds are good, although the network of servers to choose from is smaller than that of other VPNs on this list. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our review of PrivateVPN.

Qatar VPN testing methodology

Finding a VPN that has robust enough security and privacy features to be used in Qatar is not easy. Due to the political situation in Qatar, it is vital to use a VPN that provides watertight data privacy. To find reliable services that are suitable for bypassing censorship and preventing online surveillance, we constructed a thorough testing process. Below, you can see some of the important things we tested for when researching the top VPNs for Qatar:

Speed

Speed is one of the biggest things you should consider when comparing VPNs. After all, most providers don’t offer servers in Qatar and the further away your chosen server is, the more latency will be introduced. That’s on top of the fact that every VPN will slow down your connection to some degree (a byproduct of the encryption process).

So how do we go about determining which VPNs are the fastest? We first use our 250 Mbps test connection since that’s the average US household broadband speed, then perform three tests at various times of day to account for slowdown during peak usage periods. Finally, we average these results and normalize them, giving a score out of 10. Let’s see how our top VPNs compared in this category:

NordVPN was the fastest overall and PrivateVPN was the slowest, earning these services 10 points and one point, respectively. Still, these are relative scores and every provider in this list is fast enough for day to day tasks like streaming, browsing the web, torrenting, and using VoIP services.

Server availability

Next, we took into account each VPN’s overall network. To begin with, we looked into how many countries each supported and where available, how many servers were in each location (though not every provider publishes this information). Then, we counted how many locations were in the Middle East, since this is a region often neglected by major VPNs. This data was then used to assign a score out of 10, as shown below:

ProtonVPN came out on top here. Not only does it offer more server locations than the majority of its rivals, it has more than a dozen in the Middle East and is the only VPN in our list with Qatari servers.

Security and privacy

If you’re going to be using the internet in a country with strict online surveillance, security should be a top priority. Our experts carefully considered 16 security-realted criteria such as which protocols are supported, whether the VPN follows a no-logs policy, and whether it’s capable of sidestepping advanced censorship tools. Here’s a full list of the criteria we used to assign scores:

Feeling a little overwhelmed by all of these technical terms? That’s understandable! To simplify things, we’ve created a simple, side-by-side comparison showing how each of the best VPNs for Qatar compared. The higher the score, the more privacy-conscious each provider is. See for yourself:

We have a two-way tie here between NordVPN and Surfshark, each with 9.5 points. This shows their unshakable commitment to keeping you safe and more importantly, that they’re willing to back up their privacy claims with action. We would prefer if Surfshark wasn’t based in a Nine Eyes country but given that it keeps no logs, this shouldn’t be much of an issue at all.

Ease of use

Ultimately, nobody wants to use a service that makes staying safe difficult. Here at Comparitech, we value providers that simplify the process as much as possible. For instance, they might offer task-specific servers, allow you to seamlessly switch locations, or provide 24/7 assistance on the off chance that things don’t work as expected. Take a look at our scoring criteria in the table below:

Overall, NordVPN was the easiest to use. Despite its wide variety of advanced features, it remained newcomer-friendly and makes it nice and easy to find a server that meets your requirements. We also appreciated the huge amount of supporting material on its website and the novice-friendly way that its settings were described.

Streaming ability

One of the most popular reasons people use VPNs is to access sites that aren’t normally available in their current location. Perhaps you’re visiting Qatar and want to watch your favorite shows on BBC iPlayer or Netflix. Maybe you just want to use VoIP apps like Discord. In any case, streaming services tend to have the strictest regional-blocking systems so they offer a great way to see just how good a VPN is at flying under the radar. You’ll find our judging criteria in the following table:

NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN all put in a strong showing here. They were able to access every streaming service we tried on the first attempt. That’s particularly impressive considering none of these providers have streaming-optimized servers — they just work, regardless of which you choose.

Interested in learning more about how we put VPNs through their paces? Check out our full VPN testing methodology post for more details.

Should I use a free VPN in Qatar?

Qatar’s internet users will find the online landscape is heavily monitored and censored. Therefore, it’s imperative to opt for a VPN that provides top-tier levels of privacy, encryption, and speed in order to evade government censorship and access blocked content. Unfortunately, these standards are not met by the random free VPNs that exist in abundance across the interwebs.

Most free VPN providers ship a basic product in order to lure unsuspecting users and monetize their service via spammy advertisements or frequent interruptions to upgrade to a paid service. As such, they’re not going to magically offer you the same levels of customer support, speed, and other features as paid VPN services do. On a practical level, this means that you will be subjected to weak encryption standards, wait times to connect to a server in case of network congestion, and data caps. The latter aspect means a free VPN is typically a poor choice for data-intensive tasks like streaming video and playing online games.

Some sordid free VPN services have also engaged in highly unethical acts such as leveraging user bandwidth to build botnet armies and infecting host devices with malware in order to mine data. Clearly, it’s in your best interests to avoid using free VPNs when browsing the internet and choose a private VPN connection from a reputable provider.

Why should I use a VPN in Qatar?

The US Department of State clearly outlines that Qatar practices restrictions on the freedoms of speech and press criminalizes libel, restricts assembly and association, prohibits the formation of political parties and labor unions, and does not allow citizens to choose their government in free and fair elections.

In 2016, Qatari authorities blocked access to Doha News, a popular English-language news website that had a history of covering sensitive political topics. Internet censorship in the country is practiced discreetly – Ooredoo and Vodaphone, the two internet service providers, are believed to operate under the direction of the state regulator and stymie access to sites at will.

Internet advocacy body Freedom House adds that press freedoms in Qatar are “not free” and that media professionals in the country are “subject to significant restrictions.” Furthermore, the entire landscape is heavily self-censored while “journalists are subject to prosecution for criticizing the Qatari government, the ruling family, or Islam.”

What’s more, Qatar allows the regular broadcast of Al-Jazeera, a news and current affairs broadcast station that regularly criticizes rival Arab governments, but silences any voices of dissent at home.

In this climate of stifling internet freedom, it’s in your best interests to use a VPN to navigate the web in Qatar.

Torrenting in Qatar also sits in a legal grey area. Some media providers warn against streaming content from “illegal sites” or downloading material that is copyrighted, saying that said activity can warrant legal action. However, we haven’t come across any instances where individuals were persecuted for downloading torrenting material. Having said that, it’s better to remain on the safe side and use a reliable VPN while downloading torrents in order to protect your privacy.

DISCLAIMER: Comparitech does not encourage using a VPN to stream content illegally. Please consult local laws before deciding to embark on this route. If you have any questions, then it’s best to talk to a lawyer in your country of residence.

Related: Is Torrenting Safe? Is it Illegal? Are you Likely to be Caught?

How to use a VPN in Qatar

Follow the steps below to obtain a non-Qatari IP address while currently in the country.

Here’s how to use a VPN in Qatar:

1. The first order of business is to decide on a provider. We recommend NordVPN.
2. Once you’ve decided on a VPN that works for you, then simply sign up with your credit card information. Some providers also accept PayPal, Bitcoin, and other payment methods.
3. Download the relevant apps for your device directly from the provider’s site.
4. After installation is complete, restart all devices.
5. Open your VPN app and use it to connect to a server of your choice.
6. Now your internet activity is private and secure.

Accessing Netflix libraries in Qatar

If you log into your Netflix account while in Qatar, you’ll be shown the local library of content. This holds true even if you’re visiting the country and had originally registered the account in Europe or North America. Netflix scans your IP address and uses that to determine which library of content it will show. If you want to overcome this restriction, you’ll have to connect to a VPN server to change the visible Netflix library. If you’re trying to access US Netflix, you’ll need to connect to a server in the US prior to logging in to the Netflix app.

Netflix attempts to block VPNs due to copyright restriction laws. Its library of movies and television shows involves licensing agreements with other production houses, so it can’t simply broadcast all content across the globe. If you use a VPN that doesn’t support Netflix, then you’ll probably be shown a proxy error message. Most of the VPNs we’ve recommended in this article work with Netflix, but if you run into any problems, it’s a good idea to check with your VPN customer support for help. Netflix is continuously updating its filtering mechanisms, but VPNs are aware of this and constantly finding workarounds.

Qatar VPN FAQ