Best VPN for Etisalat to Bypass Internet Restrictions
Etisalat is a prime example of the UAE’s modern communications infrastructure, but its use is unfortunately hampered by harsh website restrictions. If you’re planning to travel to or already live in the United Arab Emirates, you should be using a VPN to spoof your location and unblock filtered content on Etisalat’s network. We show you how below.
Etisalat is an Emirates-based telecommunications services provider that operates across 15 countries in the Middle East, as well as some countries in Asia and Africa. With just under 170 million people using its services, Etisalat is considered to be one of the most powerful companies in the UAE as of 2012, and remains one of the backbones of the country’s infrastructure for almost four decades.
Despite Etisalat’s power and influence, the region it is based in has some of the harshest internet laws in the world. In order to comply with UAE’s VoIP policies, even services like Whatsapp calls and Skype were blocked nationwide. This means that in order to freely and safely surf the web, as well as unblock and use global services like Spotify, you will need a quality VPN.
Defeat Etisalat’s unfair content restrictions with these powerful VPNs:
- NordVPN – Best for Etisalat – NordVPN is the number-one provider among privacy-focused Emiratis, due to its military-grade encryption, massive server network, and myriad cybersecurity extras that punch through government censorship like a wet paper bag.
- Surfshark – A new provider you shouldn’t underestimate, offering the same encryption as the NSA and numerous anti-censorship methods that “just work” startlingly well.
- ExpressVPN – The classic choice for unblocking streaming sites thanks to its super-charged worldwide server network.
- CyberGhost – If you can’t be bothered messing around in advanced settings, choose a VPN that simplifies things to plain-language goals like “surf anonymously”.
- PrivateVPN – This provider owns their entire network, ensuring total oversight and complete anonymity for its users.
- PureVPN – No stranger to government censorship, often used to overcome China’s Great Firewall.
In this article, we will discuss how to choose the right VPN for Etisalat, give you our top recommendations, and provide you with more information on how to bypass these regional blocks within minutes.
Editor's Pick November 2024
What makes a great VPN?
With so many VPN services on the market today, it’s often hard to make up your mind. While all providers promise high security, quick connections, and the ability to bypass geo-blocks, there are many factors to take into account when choose a VPN that’s right for you.
United Arab Emirates, as well as other countries in that region, is known for limited internet freedom. A lot of the internet is censored, blocked, or restricted, and government snooping is not uncommon to say the least. In order to beat harsh censorship blocks and avoid being tracked, you’ll need features like strong encryption and a solid no-logging policy. Below, we have outlined the most important criteria for choosing a VPN for Etisalat.
- Server network – The more proxy servers a VPN provider has, the more likely you are to find the fastest available connection whilst remaining secure. Furthermore, the more locations the network is spread across, the more country options you have when connecting.
- Strong encryption – In order to keep your online activity and identity secure at all times, your VPN will need to use strong encryption (like 256-bit AES encryption). This would ensure that no information will ever be traced back to you as a user.
- No-logging policy – In a nutshell, a provider’s entire security policy is centred around how the VPN handles its data logs. Without a zero-logging policy, which ensures that no logs on user activities are being stored, the VPN provider would have to grant the government access to said data if they ever request it. Therefore, choose a VPN service with a strong no-logging policy.
- Speed – A VPN inevitably slows down your internet connection. That being said, a quality service will provide high speed connections and make the difference barely noticeable.
- Unlimited bandwidth – Wherever you are using your VPN service, the last thing you want is to be streaming or browsing and run out of bandwidth. Choose a provider that does not limit your bandwidth or use speed caps for a more seamless user experience.
Comparison of the Best VPNs for Etisalat to Bypass Internet Restrictions
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 24/7 Live Chat
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
Most secure VPN recommendations for Etisalat users
Now that you familiarised yourself with the most important features in a VPN, take a look at our top VPN recommendations both in terms of speed and security. Opting for one of these high-quality service providers will ensure that your experience is reliable, secure, and seamless.
1. NordVPN
- SPECIAL OFFER: 2-yr plan (70% off – link below)
- Over 5,400 servers in 61 countries
- 256-bit AES encryption with perfect forward secrecy
- Based in Panama
- Money back guarantee policy (30-days)
- Refund processing can take up to 30 days
NordVPN stands out as one of the leading VPN providers in the industry for several reasons. Firstly, the network consists of 5,500+ servers in 58 countries, which ensures that you always have the fastest available connection whilst maintaining your privacy. NordVPN’s network is one of the biggest in the industry and is expanding all the time, so you will be getting even more connection options with time. There’s even an array of speciality servers with functionalities including Onion over VPN, which grants complete anonymity on the Onion network, and double VPN, in which your data goes through an extra layer of encryption, making it practically impossible to crack.
NordVPN uses military-grade 256-bit AES encryption as a basic element of their service. Other encryption protocols include OpenVPN’s UDP and TCP, as well as PPTP and SSTP. Moreover, the provider’s no-logging policy is one of the most complete in the industry. It ensures that no logs on everything from traffic to IP address and browsing history are being stored. The DNS leak test and automatic kill switch adds an extra layer of security, ensuring that you are aware of any interruptions in your connection. NordVPN’s service places no restrictions on bandwidth, which means you can enjoy the service with no limitations.
Read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
- Every server optimized for unblocking Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more
- All 800+ servers are P2P-friendly, with private DNS and obfuscation
- Clean, dead-simple app interface makes constant security a no-brainer
- Favorable BVI jurisdiction guarantees no logs kept
- Helpful 24/7 live chat with an actual human being
- Speeds occasionally suffer a noticeable drop
- Power users may wish for more settings to fiddle with
Surfshark has fast become one of the go-to solutions for Emiratis looking to unblock websites and apps on Etisalat’s network. The reason is simple: this VPN was made to bust down censorship and restore access to the free and open Internet.
The backbone of Surfshark’s offering is its network, which since its 2019 launch has already ballooned to over 3200 servers in 65 countries. Connections are established via OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, WireGuard and Shadowsocks (Android and Windows only), and secured by the 256-AES-GCM encryption cipher. This means Surfshark is highly configurable, and flexibly able to bypass all sorts of restrictions on your internet freedom.
Additionally, Surfshark offers CleanWeb anti-malware, Camouflage obfuscation, and NoBorders anti-censorship on each and every node. Their BVI jurisdiction gives them leeway to enforce a “strictly never” logging policy, and they even accept Bitcoin for total anonymity.
3. ExpressVPN
- SPECIAL OFFER: 3 months free (49% off – link below)
- Superfast servers (minimal speed loss)
- AES-256 encryption
- Strict no-logging policy
- 24/7 Live Chat
- Month-to-month plan has high cost
ExpressVPN lives up to its name as one of the fastest VPN services on the market. With 3,000+ proxy servers in 94 countries, you will have the option to connect to a wide range of locations, as well as ensure that it is the fastest available connection in the region. This includes buffer-free streaming, fast downloads, and seamless browsing wherever you are in the world. Furthermore, ExpressVPN provides its users with unlimited bandwidth and doesn’t place speed caps even if you are using the service all day, every day.
While the provider is known to prioritize speed, it does not compromise on security, either. ExpressVPN uses 256-bit AES encryption in order to protect your data from being tracked or traced back to you. Other encryption protocols include UDP, TCP, L2TP, and SSTP, which helps beat even the harshest censorship blocks. The DNS leak test and automatic kill switch, available on desktop, is an extra security measure that saves you from browsing or streaming with an unencrypted protection. Should you ever get disconnected, the VPN immediately shuts down your entire internet in order to protect your identity from being exposed. ExpressVPN is available on most major operating systems and devices, including Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, Chrome, and even Apple TV and PlayStation.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
4. CyberGhost
- LOW PRICE: 6 EXTRA free months (79% off – link below)
- Compatible with TOR
- Located in Romania (out of 14 eyes)
- No log files
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Sometimes experiencing average speeds
CyberGhost is one of our top choices for using a VPN with Etisalat due to its simplicity and reliability. Upon launch, you will have the option to choose from six simple configuration profiles which will automatically apply the best settings for your specific case. These profiles include “surf anonymously”, “unblock streaming”, “unblock basic websites”, and “protect my WiFi connection”. Once you select a profile based on your internet needs, you can further customize with simple toggles in exchange for some of the performance. These toggles include “block ads”, “block online tracking”, and “block malicious websites”, all of which address any security breaches throughout your experience. You can also DIY, and manually select from one of over 5,500 servers in 80 countries.
Despite its ease of use, CyberGhost uses some of the strongest security features as a part of its service. With 256-bit AES encryption, it would take the world’s strongest supercomputer millions of years to crack the data, so you can be certain that your information is safe. Encryption protocols include UDP, TCP, IPSec, and PPTP, which is a great plan-B option in case other protocols don’t work in countries like UAE. CyberGhost’s no-logging policy is one of the most complete in the industry. It logs almost nothing at all, including your e-mail address. On desktop, you have extra security features like a connection guard, a kill switch, and an online tracking blocker.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
5. PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN is one of our top recommendations due to its fast servers and ability to unblock streaming on geographically-restricted services like Netflix and Hulu. Although PrivateVPN has a relatively smaller network consisting of over 150 servers in 60+ countries, you get unlimited access to torrent and P2P connections, as well as no restrictions on bandwidth or server switching. This means that you can enjoy seamless and fast streaming for as long as you wish to use the service.
PrivateVPN also lives up to its name with military-grade security features. Not only does it use 256-bit AES encryption, but you can also choose to boost your connection speed by stepping down to 128-bit AES with just a few clicks. This gives you a good balance of speed and security, allowing you to enjoy both browsing restricted websites and streaming international content. PrivateVPN’s connection types also include OpenVPN’s UDP and TCP, PPTP and L2TP. The DNS leak tests and automatic kill switch further protect you from being exposed online and, consequently, being tracked by the government or even cyber criminals.
Read our full PrivateVPN review.
6. PureVPN
PureVPN is an ideal choice if you want to bypass regional blocks with Etisalat. With security features like DNS leak protection, malware blocking, anti-virus protection, and anonymous browsing, you can be certain that your identity and activity logs will be protected at all times. Furthermore, the 256-bit AES encryption is practically unbreakable, which further protects your data. PureVPN’s zero-logging policy covers all types of traffic, browsing history, and timestamps.
Besides the solid security features, PureVPN has an impressive proxy server network that covers virtually all locations in the world. With 2,000+ servers in 140+ countries, you can bypass all regional blocks and uncover your favourite content wherever you are in the world. The unlimited bandwidth provides seamless downloading, browsing, and streaming as long as you are connected, so you don’t need to worry about data limits. Furthermore, PureVPN employs dedicated streaming servers that are optimized for super-fast streaming. The service is available on most major devices and operating systems, as well as on mobile applications and browser extensions.
Read our full PureVPN review.
Internet restrictions in UAE (and how to beat them)
In the UAE, ISPs are instructed to block parts of Wikipedia that may be considered controversial or politically insensitive, as well as VoIP services like Skype. As the country’s primary Internet service provider, Etisalat complies with Internet restrictions as defined by the country’s laws, therefore almost all VoIP services are blocked on its network. Hence, the only legal avenue for using VoIP services is offered by telecommunications companies via proprietary solutions. Without a VPN, accessing forbidden sites or services otherwise involves working with licensed UAE-based companies to get case-specific permissions.
Is it legal to use a VPN in UAE?
It’s important to firstly point out that the usage of VPN services is not in itself illegal in the UAE. However, it is considered illegal if you use your VPN to access illegal content, or break the law in other ways. Accessing content that is blocked or restricted by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA)–and by extension companies like Etisalat–can earn you a hefty fine or even prison time.
RELATED READING: Is using a VPN illegal in Saudi Arabia?
There is good news, however. When choosing one of our recommended VPN providers, it would be very difficult (or even impossible) to track people down while they are using a VPN. Strong encryption protocols plus no-logging policies lock down your connection, and erase any trace of your activity which can be used to identify you online. Nevertheless, it is your responsibility to ensure that you remain safely hidden behind a VPN, and to ensure that you don’t engage in egregiously illegal behavior.
Can I use a free VPN?
When you first start searching for a VPN service, chances are you will come across tempting free VPN subscriptions that sound ‘just as good’ as the paid services. If it seems too good to be true, that’s because it is. Free VPNs may save you a few bucks in the beginning, but will end up costing you more in the long run, particularly when it comes to security.
LEARN MORE: How to get ExpressVPN for free
Think of it this way – every VPN service provider needs to make money, just like any other business. When the customers themselves are not contributing to the revenue, they need to find a source of income somewhere else. With free VPN services, the revenue typically comes with showing users ads, pop-ups, and other things that interrupt the entire experience. Furthermore, free VPNs don’t usually employ no-logging policies, which means that not only do they store your information, but they can sell the data to interested third parties, violating your privacy.
Conclusion
To conclude, if you are living in the Middle East, particularly the UAE, there is in most cases no way to avoid harsh restrictions placed by the government and, in turn, telecommunications companies like Etisalat. However, there is still a way to enjoy your favourite international content and services, including Skype, Whatsapp, Netflix, and Wikipedia both safely and quickly without needing a lot of tools. Furthermore, this is possible whilst maintaining your privacy and keeping your online identity anonymous.
By choosing one of our recommended providers, you will be able to keep your data logs secure, unlock regionally blocked content, and stream videos as though you were anywhere in the world without leaving your home or office. Had any luck with bypassing regional blocks with Etisalat by using a VPN? Share your experiences with us in the comment section below!
If you need a VPN for a short while when traveling for example, you can get our top ranked VPN free of charge. NordVPN includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. You will need to pay for the subscription, that’s a fact, but it allows full access for 30 days and then you cancel for a full refund. Their no-questions-asked cancellation policy lives up to its name.
