Are you searching for the best VPN for Saudi Arabia? The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is a wealthy nation with a population of 35 million. That said, it’s a country with strict internet censorship and is not a strong supporter of freedom of expression.
Criticisms about the government or comments against religious beliefs are punishable offenses. Hence, it’s no surprise that more than 30% of internet users in the KSA route their online traffic through a VPN.
You’ll need the best VPN for Saudi Arabia to access blocked sites and maintain your privacy so you can freely express yourself online. In this post, we will enumerate the top 5 VPNs for this Middle Eastern country.
At a Glance – Best VPNs for Saudi Arabia
This article will discuss the best VPNs for Saudi Arabia. But if you’re short on time, you can read this summary of our top picks:
Best VPN for Saudi Arabia: Top 5
1. ExpressVPN
In our opinion, the best VPN for Saudi Arabia is ExpressVPN and we will tell you why. ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands and doesn’t keep any logs of their users’ internet activities. The territory is not a member of the surveillance alliances (5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, 14 Eyes) so you can rest assured that no one will be able to track what you’re doing online.
This VPN service has a network of more than 3,000 servers in 160 locations spread across 105 countries (including Middle Eastern locations), making it a viable alternative for Saudi Arabian citizens traveling overseas to stay connected to content available at home.
Because of its several server locations, you can quickly access Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and so much more. Torrenting is also supported.
The 256-bit AES-CBC protocol and HMAC authentication protect ExpressVPN users in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, IPv6 leak protection ensures that no information about your IP address leaks outside of your encrypted connection.
In the event of a sudden loss of connection, the internet kill switch feature will stop all internet traffic, preventing you from accessing the web without the VPN’s security. Except for metadata about the time you connect to the device, your preferred server location, and total bandwidth consumed, ExpressVPN does not log your data. The metadata is only used to improve the service. There is NO personally identifiable information retained. If you want additional privacy, you can pay in Bitcoin.
ExpressVPN runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. This VPN service allows up to 5 devices to connect to their servers at the same time. If that’s not enough, you can get their router app and connect more.
Aside from enjoying all these features, you can also receive 3 months free if you subscribe to ExpressVPN’s annual plan. All subscription plans have a 30-day money back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with the service, you can request a full refund within 30 days from the date of subscription.
PROS
- One of the fastest VPN services for streaming, gaming, and downloading
- Strong security features make it ideal for avoiding surveillance
- Accepts Bitcoin as payment
- No logs are kept
- 30-day money back guarantee
CONS
- Above average prices
2. CyberGhost
CyberGhost is a user-friendly VPN for Saudi Arabia, with a network of more than 10,000 servers spread over 100 countries. It also has 14 virtual servers in Riyadh, which can be used to watch local channels such as Al Arabiya and Al Akhbariya.
Torrenting and Netflix are both supported by the majority of offshore servers. Users in Saudi Arabia wishing to bypass censorship on entertainment services can use this VPN to unblock US Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and other services.
CyberGhost is based in Romania, where censorship is relatively lax and data recording is not required. Hence, it is a fantastic option for Saudi citizens concerned about their privacy being compromised.
This VPN service supports iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and Fire Stick. You can use it on up to 7 simultaneous connections. It offers AES 256-bit encryption, kill switch, OpenVPN protocol, and an ad blocker, among other security features.
PROS
- Large server fleet with good distribution
- Affordable VPN plans
- Several add-ons are available (including antivirus)
- Excellent results on speed tests
- 45-day money back guarantee
CONS
- Confusing privacy policy
3. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access has 30,000+ servers in 91 countries (including 15 dedicated servers in Saudi Arabia). You can connect to its Saudi Arabian server to access famous local channels like Al Arabiya, ART, Al Akhbariya, and more. You can also take advantage of its vast server network to unblock Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more from practically anywhere in the world.
You can use PIA to torrent privately and safely in Saudi Arabia. It has port forwarding support and a proxy server that users can set on their torrenting client. PIA’s servers are P2P-optimized, meaning they can handle large data transfers, both downloading and uploading. Fort these reasons, Private Internet Access is one of the best VPNs for torrenting.
Various privacy features such as internet kill switch, split tunneling, DNS and WebRTC protection help prevent accidental leaks. Although based in the USA (part of the 5 Eyes Alliance), this VPN has a zero-logs policy to keep your online activities secret. Moreover, PIA accepts cryptocurrency as a payment option to keep your information private.
Military-grade 256-bit AES encrypted connection offers comprehensive online security, as does a kill switch and IP/DNS leak prevention. Other features include multi-hop and obfuscation, blocking of ads, malware, and malicious websites.
While PIA’s connection speeds are not the fastest out there, they are more than enough for popular online activities such as streaming, gaming, and surfing. There are no data caps or bandwidth limitations. This VPN also allows up to 10 simultaneous connections.
PROS
- 30,000 servers in 84 countries (15 servers in Saudi Arabia)
- Budget-friendly VPN
- Good VPN for torrenting
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
CONS
- US-based VPN service
Get Private Internet Access now!
4. NordVPN
Another contender for the best VPN for Saudi Arabia is NordVPN. Since its inception in 2012, NordVPN has earned a reputation as one of the most secure VPN providers. NordVPN’s popularity stems in part from its zero-logs policy, which means the company keeps no records of its users or their activities.
Even when the company received official requests for records of user data from government organizations, the company was unable to comply because the information was never saved in the first place. Additionally, NordVPN is based in Panama, which has no data retention requirements for businesses to follow.
NordVPN has one of the largest server networks on the VPN market, with over 5,400 servers in 60 countries. It’s one of the few providers that offers specialty servers optimized for specific tasks, such as video streaming, anti-DDoS, Tor over VPN, double VPN, and dedicated IP.
Furthermore, all NordVPN servers run entirely on RAM, with no data being written to a physical hard disk. This implies that once rebooted, all data is erased from NordVPN servers.
Because of its ability to stream Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and more, NordVPN is a good choice for streaming enthusiasts. It also supports torrenting.
256-bit AES encryption and 2,048-bit SSL keys are among this VPN’s security features. DNS leak protection is enabled. Users concerned about their privacy can sign up anonymously by paying with cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ripple.
NordVPN supports Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android devices. A single username can connect up to 6 devices at once, and router support allows for more simultaneous connections when needed.
PROS
- Tough and reliable security
- Thousands of servers available globally
- No-logs policy
- Accepts Bitcoin for anonymous registration
- 30-day money back guarantee
CONS
- Desktop app can be slow to connect
5. VyprVPN
VyprVPN is a VPN service located in Switzerland that has undergone significant adjustments and upgrades in recent years. VyprVPN is well-known for being one of the VPN companies that owns (rather than rents) its server network. This means the corporation has complete control over each of its 700+ servers.
The outstanding encryption levels of VyprVPN make it one of the few VPNs that can penetrate China’s Great Firewall. Residents of Saudi Arabia and visitors to the country will benefit from a VPN that can circumvent government restrictions.
VyprVPN utilizes 256-bit AES encryption and SHA256 authentication. Other features include an internet kill switch. Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer are among the streaming services that this VPN can unblock. VyprVPN is a zero-logs VPN, allowing users to surf the web anonymously.
Mobile apps are available for Android and iOS, as well as desktop apps for Windows and Mac. All VyprVPN subscriptions support up to 10 simultaneous connections.
PROS
- Works in countries with strict restrictions like Saudi Arabia and China
- Military-grade encryption
- Fast and secure apps for various platforms
- Up to 10 simultaneous connections
- 30-day money back guarantee
CONS
- Few servers
- Does not accept Bitcoin payments
- Expensive
VPN for Saudi Arabia FAQs
How does a VPN work?
A VPN masks your location and protects your data while using the web. It encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through an intermediary server in another place, thereby rendering you “invisible” online. When you connect to a VPN server, you use the server’s IP address rather than your own, creating the impression that you’re accessing the internet from that region rather than your actual location. While visiting Saudi Arabia, this will allow you to unblock online services such as content from popular streaming platforms, blocked VoIP apps, and more.
Is it advisable to use a free VPN in Saudi Arabia?
The short answer is no. Free VPNs are a terrible option for any form of online use, but in a place like Saudi Arabia where internet access is highly regulated, a free VPN shouldn’t even be considered.
Any VPN you use in Saudi Arabia should provide excellent connection security while also allowing you to access content from other countries. A free VPN will not provide either of these services. Moreover, you might have to deal with connection throttling, bandwidth constraints, and monthly data caps if you use a free VPN.
Is music streaming legal in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, streaming music from popular music streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer is legal in Saudi Arabia. If any content is geo-blocked due to licensing and copyright agreements, you can use a VPN to bypass these limitations by connecting to a server in another country, such as the United States.
Is video calling safe in Saudi Arabia?
Restrictions were placed on the usage of VoIP services in 2013 but were lifted in 2017. So, it is legal to make voice and video calls via the internet through Skype, WhatsApp, Facetime, and others. However, safety is another matter, as authorities can still monitor when and where you use these VoIP apps. To secure your privacy, we recommend that you use the best VPN for Saudi Arabia.
Final Thoughts on the Best VPN for Saudi Arabia
When it comes to this country in the Middle East, using a VPN is your best option for preserving your internet freedoms. Using the best VPN for Saudi Arabia is an effective way to bypass content restrictions, safeguard your online activities and personal information from surveillance and theft, and gain access to a vast, amazing world of online content. All VPNs on this list come with a money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose and many things to gain.
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