VPN use is actively discouraged in the UAE since there is a lot of censorship that is used to control the internet for Dubai citizens. While not necessarily illegal, you can get in trouble for using a VPN to commit a criminal offense. Dubai doesn’t want you to use a VPN–of course not, and there are reasons.
Most people in Dubai use VPNs to get around silly state telecom company monopolies that prohibit the use of VOIP communication apps like WhatsApp, Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, or Skype. By using a VPN in Dubai, you can get around all these blocks to access any online website, service, or app.
So we have covered that you can use a VPN in Dubai for harmless reasons and be OK, but the real catcher is that Dubai has started actively telling users to be wary of VPNs. Instead of trying to get users to stop using them through some ban or another form of VPN censorship, they are using a more subtle approach.
Fake VPNs in Dubai?
This month, Dubai Police have started issuing warnings to VPN users that they might be giving information to hackers creating “fake VPNs.”
Colonel Salim Bin Salem, a Deputy Director of Cyber-Crimes who reported that users have to be careful when using VPNs since “many can hack into your system and steal your personal data like videos and pictures that could be used as a form of blackmail. As you can see, people must be careful when they use VPN”.
This statement clearly is meant to frighten users of all forms of VPNs, not just the fake ones. It’s another effort at taking away what tools can still guarantee internet freedom in Dubai and other places around the world.
Most VPNs AREN’t Fake!
However, while there might be some fake VPNs in Dubai, and we’ve certainly seen our share of questionable VPNs hosted and used in other places around the world (like Hola VPN for example), that doesn’t mean most VPNs are nefarious or seeking to steal data from users who choose to use VPNs in Dubai to access platforms like WhatsApp, Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, or Skype.
In fact, most VPNs do protect your data to an extent–but the effectiveness is what needs to be considered. Does your VPN in Dubai have the best encryption, speed, server connections, customer support, and applications to use on every platform (Mac, PC, iOS, Android, Linux, Browser, etc)?
Best VPNs for Dubai
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|---|---|---|
| Multi-platform Compatible | ||
| 256-AES Encryption | ||
| PRICE | $5 for 1 month with code "best10VPN" | $6.95 a month |
| Website Rating | 9.9 | 8.8 |
| 24/7 Live Chat | ||
| Residential / Dedicated IP for permanent streaming access | ||
| Has Mobile App + PC / Mac Support | ||
| Stealth VPN / Advanced Obfuscation techniques | ||
| Visit VPN Provider | Visit TorGuard | Visit PIA |
If you need to use a VPN for Dubai that is fast, affordable, full of features, and above all–safe, you’ve come to the right place since we have extensive experience testing VPNs. Our top rated VPNs work correctly in Dubai since they have so many servers. So that means, TorGuard, GhostVPN, ExpressVPN, and PIA.
TorGuard is the best all around VPN with a perfect blend of affordability ($9.99) or 25% with our code, features, and ease of use–whereas GhostVPN feels similar with a slightly different interface, website, and an upcoming free proxy feature.
ExpressVPN is more expensive at $12.95, but it’s just as polished as any VPN out there with quick speeds, and a GREAT first-time user experience through its quick installation method (just copy code to login to the app).
Lastly, if you’re on a budget, PIA is similar in quality just a whole bunch cheaper at only $6.95.
