Ranked for getting through censorship Facts checked 17 Oct 2026 Scores recalculated live
Best VPN for the United Arab Emirates
WhatsApp, FaceTime and Signal voice and video calls are blocked; messaging works normally. In total, 7 of the apps we track are restricted in the United Arab Emirates.
Top pick right now
ExpressVPN 98/100
Uses automatic obfuscation (with the protocol on Automatic) to disguise VPN traffic.
Why you'd use a VPN in the United Arab Emirates
What is blocked
Voice & video calls (blocked), FaceTime (blocked), WhatsApp (partly blocked), Signal (partly blocked), Viber (partly blocked), imo (partly blocked), Tor Browser (partly blocked). The status page has dates and sources for each one.
Before you connect
Most visitors use a VPN for calls home. Know that this sits in a legal grey area.
Is a VPN legal in the United Arab Emirates? Legal with restrictions. VPNs are legal for legitimate purposes. Using one to commit a crime or to access blocked services for illegal ends can bring heavy fines.
The top 3 for the United Arab Emirates
#1
ExpressVPN 98/100
Connects
Uses automatic obfuscation (with the protocol on Automatic) to disguise VPN traffic.
Try ExpressVPN#2
NordVPN 92/100
Connects
Uses NordWhisper or obfuscated servers to disguise VPN traffic.
Try NordVPNFull ranking of the 6 VPNs we track
| # | VPN | Score | Connects here | Visitor reports | Website (OONI) | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ExpressVPN | 98/100 | Connects | Not enough yet | Too few tests | Try ExpressVPN |
| 2 | NordVPN | 92/100 | Connects | Not enough yet | Website blocked 21 tests | Try NordVPN |
| 3 | Proton VPN | 89/100 | Connects | Not enough yet | Website patchy 18 tests | Try Proton VPN |
| 4 | Surfshark | 86/100 | Connects | Not enough yet | Website blocked 15 tests | Try Surfshark |
| 5 | Private Internet Access | 71/100 | Connects | Not enough yet | Too few tests | Try Private Internet Access |
| 6 | CyberGhost | 64/100 | Connects | Not enough yet | Too few tests | Try CyberGhost |
"Connects here" comes from our the United Arab Emirates status page. Visitor reports count the last 14 days. Website checks come from OONI measurements over 30 days, refreshed 19 Oct 2026; a blocked website doesn't mean the app is blocked, but you'll need to install the app another way.
How we scored
Nobody pays for a position here. Each VPN gets a score out of 100 from these weights, chosen because the main reason to use a VPN in the United Arab Emirates is getting through censorship:
- Stealth / obfuscation
- 45%
- Connects in this country
- 30%
- Privacy & audits
- 10%
- Visitor reports
- 15%
Feature ratings are our editorial scores. If a VPN has too few visitor reports, that weight is shared among the other factors. A VPN that doesn't connect here is capped at 35. How we track
Questions people ask
What is the best VPN for the United Arab Emirates?
On our current scores, ExpressVPN (98/100), followed by NordVPN (92) and Proton VPN (89). Scores weigh getting through censorship most heavily for the United Arab Emirates and update as visitors there report what works.
Is using a VPN legal in the United Arab Emirates?
Legal with restrictions. VPNs are legal for legitimate purposes. Using one to commit a crime or to access blocked services for illegal ends can bring heavy fines.
Do all VPNs work in the United Arab Emirates?
All six VPNs we track connect normally in the United Arab Emirates. The differences are in streaming, privacy and speed.
Why does this ranking change?
Part of each score comes from visitor reports in the last 14 days and from whether each VPN currently connects in the country. When those change, the order changes. The formula is shown on the page.
Sources
We earn a commission if you buy a VPN through our links. It never changes what we report as blocked. How we pick