Saudi Arabia has one of the worst internet injustices since it controls internet freedom. Despite good internet access, the government practices digital authoritarianism.
The Saudi absolute monarch and authorities practice surveillance and censorship and restrict what information is available to Saudi netizens.
1. ExpressVPN
2. Private Internet Access
3. Cyberghost
Anyone who is not pro-government, voices dissent, or is found engaging in content deemed inappropriate may face punishments such as fines and jail time.
Thus, most internet users, including content providers, activists, and journalists, practice self-censorship.
Nonetheless, you can discreetly use circumvention tools such as VPNs to reclaim your online freedom. This guide will teach you about the best VPNs for Saudi Arabia.
Internet users in Saudi Arabia face significant challenges due to extensive government surveillance, censorship, and stringent digital controls. To navigate this restrictive digital environment, I’ve identified the most effective VPNs for use in Saudi Arabia, ensuring greater online freedom and privacy.
ExpressVPN is my top choice for several reasons:
With ExpressVPN, I can browse the internet anonymously, access restricted content, and enjoy uninterrupted streaming from various platforms.
Private Internet Access offers:
PIA is a reliable choice for maintaining privacy and accessing censored content in Saudi Arabia.
CyberGhost excels in:
CyberGhost is an excellent option for those seeking a balance between usability and robust security.
Let’s see what the best VPNs for Saudi Arabia are:
10 total score
Consistently super fast and ultra secure. Powerful encryption. Great for HD streaming. 24/7 Live Chat support. Outstanding!
9.7 total score
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a reputable VPN service that offers excellent digital privacy.
9.3 total score
Consistently super fast and ultra secure. Powerful encryption. Great for HD streaming. 24/7 Live Chat support. Outstanding!
9.2 total score
Good zero-logging policy that’s furthered by the great jurisdiction – the British Virgin Isles, outside the 14-Eyes Surveillance Alliance.
Price from: $8.32/mo
Available on:
ExpressVPN is our number one trusted VPN for Saudi Arabia. This VPN provider allows you to stream content while increasing your privacy and security and defeating censorship.
ExpressVPN doesn’t have a server in Saudi. Nonetheless, you can use it to unblock content in Saudi via its servers across 94 countries in 160 locations.
This VPN bypasses restrictions and accesses blocked sites and your favorite content while in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, it can avoid VPN blocks.
ExpressVPN is also suitable for streaming content from Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube while bypassing ISP throttling.
You can find more information about Netflix and VPNs in the linked guide.
Its blazing speeds and unlimited will ensure you watch your content in the highest quality without buffering or lagging.
For more details on how ExpressVPN and other top-performing services fare when it comes to streaming Netflix content, don’t miss our comprehensive guide on the best VPN for Netflix.
Your privacy should be your alone. ExpressVPN doesn’t collect any activity or connection logs. Its no-log policy has also been audited independently.
ExpressVPN enjoys a privacy-centric jurisdiction; the British Virgin Islands (BVI). The BVI doesn’t enforce data retention laws or share its netizens’ data.
Apart from a good jurisdiction, ExpressVPN reinforces its no-log policy with its TrustedServer technology (RAM-based VPN servers).
These servers do not store any user activities. Moreover, when they reboot, every data is wiped clean.
ExpressVPN protects your online activities from Saudi Arabia watchdogs using best-in-class AES 256-bit encryption.
This encryption ensures that no one will intercept or be able to interpret your online traffic. Thus, you won’t have to worry about prying eyes.
This VPN provider offers a network lock (VPN kill switch), private DNS, leak protection, and a threat manager for blocking ads.
Its custom-engineered Lightway protocol ensures faster speeds, reliable connections, and excellent security.
ExpressVPN offers 5 simultaneous connections. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Chromebook, Fire devices, and browsers (Chrome, Firefox, and Edge). This makes it a good Android VPN option.
You can also use it on various routers, network-assisted storage, smart TVs, and consoles.
This VPN offers easy-to-use native VPN apps which are well-designed and have the same interface across all platforms.
ExpressVPN offers three subscription plans. This VPN provider is more expensive than other players in the industry.
Here are the subscription plans:
Its risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to test the VPN before committing to a subscription.
If you get stuck or run into an issue while using the VPN service in Saudi Arabia, you can access 24/7 customer support.
You can use the live chat for a quick solution or the email ticket system for advanced issues. Customer service is also offered via the apps’ support center or help section.
Price from: $2.03/mo
Available on:
Private Internet Access (PIA) is another best all-around VPN for Saudi Arabia. This VPN service has over a decade of experience and focuses on online freedom, security, and privacy.
Private Internet Access allows you to unblock content using its next-gen servers in 84 countries. The servers offer unlimited bandwidth coupled with fast speeds.
If you don’t reside in Saudi, you can access Saudi content via the Riyadh geo-located server (virtual server).
PIA VPN also offers streaming servers that you can use to watch content without buffering. They work well with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and other streaming services.
PIA VPN offers port forwarding and a proxy server that you can set on your torrenting client. Moreover, you can use PIA to torrent safely and privately in Saudi Arabia. It’s one of our favorite VPNs for torrenting.
PIA VPN is headquartered in an unfavorable jurisdiction – the US. This jurisdiction is part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance and home to the CIA and NSA.
This, however, doesn’t stop it from implementing any usage logs policy. PIA VPN has proven this no usage logs policy in court.
This VPN service offers native open-source apps. The open-source nature makes it easy to verify the code.
PIA VPN offers robust protection that takes care of your online connections and activities while you are in Saudi Arabia.
The WireGuard protocol uses AES-256. Its VPN apps allow you to switch between AES-128 or AES-256 encryption on the OpenVPN protocol. You can also use IKEv2/IPSec on iOS.
PIA VPN set of security and privacy-enhancing features include; a kill switch, aggressive IPv6 blocking, leak protection, multi-hop and obfuscation, and you can block ads/trackers.
Private Internet Access offers straightforward VPN apps with minimal clutter. The VPN can be used by novice users on default or expert users who want to tweak various settings.
The VPN service is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Opera), consoles, smart TVs, and routers.
PIA VPN supports a simultaneous connection of up to 10 devices. You can protect all your devices in Saudi Arabia with a single subscription.
Private Internet Access offers budget-friendly long-term plans. You can subscribe to the VPN service using three subscription plans.
They are as follows:
Each plan has a free email breach monitor, and you can enjoy a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Additionally, the long-term plans offer a free Boxcryptor license for 1-year.
Boxcryptor allows you to secure your online cloud files with solid encryption.
You can access technical support around the clock. Private Internet Access offers customer service through a live chat, the website support portal, and an email ticket system.
Its apps also offer an in-app contact support feature. The live chat is excellent, and you get quick, professional responses.
Price from: $2.29/mo
Available on:
CyberGhost VPN provides a service that protects your online identity from the Saudi government and other prying eyes.
CyberGhost has a vast collection of 7800 plus servers that span 91 countries. CyberGhost offers 14 virtual servers in Riyadh city of Saudi Arabia out of this collection.
It also has servers in Venezuela, something few VPNs do, which makes it an ideal Venezuela VPN option.
These virtual servers allow quick access to Saudi Arabian content, but they are unsuitable for other tasks such as torrenting.
Nonetheless, you can use the other servers for data-intensive tasks. They are optimized for torrenting, unrivaled anonymity, and streaming content without lags.
You can use the VPN apps or the website server list to know which server you can use for a particular task.
All servers are optimized to offer the highest possible speeds with unlimited bandwidth.
CyberGhost implements a zero-logging policy that ensures your online identity is not under any threat.
This VPN provider won’t collect, monitor, or track your Saudi online activities. This ensures it won’t have anything to share with the Saudi authorities.
CyberGhost also uses No Spy servers, allowing you to achieve total privacy with ultimate security. CyberGhost manages these servers, and they offer excellent performance.
Additionally, CyberGhost isn’t concerned with data retention policies. Its Romanian jurisdiction deemed them unconstitutional.
Romania is also not part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance.
Besides total privacy, CyberGhost ensures you get maximum online security in the Saudi online environment. This is made possible via AES-256-bit military-grade encryption.
This strong encryption keeps your connection and online activities safe from prying eyes. CyberGhost uses OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols.
Security and privacy-enhancing features from CyberGhost include a kill switch, leak protection, content blocker, HTTPS redirect, and finer Wi-Fi security controls.
CyberGhost offers simple VPN apps with a user-friendly interface and tons of customizations.
You can easily access any settings you want, and the one-tap connection makes things easier. CyberGhost offers a simultaneous connection of up to 7 devices.
This VPN service is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Routers, and consoles, and it has extensions for Chrome and Firefox.
Cyberghost is especially great to use as a Mac VPN due to its app.
CyberGhost offers fairly priced subscription plans. Here are the highlights of the plans:
It’s our only VPN service with two money-back guarantee duration. The monthly plan carries a 14-day guarantee, while the other plans have a 45-day money-back guarantee.
The long-term plans also offer a free Boxcryptor license and access to the No Spy servers, ID Guard, and Privacy guard. The monthly plan only comes with a free ID Guard.
CyberGhost is the only VPN for Saudi Arabia with a premium 24hr free trial. No credit card is required.
Customer service is 24/7, and you can get assistance via a live chat, the comprehensive support center, or email the support team.
The FAQs also have more details and information about the VPN service. You can also get help right from the apps.
Price from: $2.49/mo
Available on:
Surfshark is a reliable Saudi Arabia VPN with a private, secure, and fast VPN experience. This VPN also sports advanced security and pricy features that pack a punch.
Surfshark has a server in Saudi Arabia and a network of 3200 servers in 65 countries. These servers allow you to get access to the free and open internet.
You can access a wide range of content without looking over your shoulder regarding the Saudi government.
With speeds of up to 10Gbps, the high speeds servers can handle any speed and bandwidth-intensive tasks. They also have unmatched unblocking abilities.
Like the other best VPNs in Saudi, you can use Surfshark for streaming, torrenting, gaming, and VoIP services.
Surfshark is based in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). The BVI jurisdiction doesn’t have mandatory data retention laws and is not influenced by the EU or the US regarding privacy.
This favorable jurisdiction allows Surfshark to implement a strict no-log policy. Your online activities and connections will never be compromised.
Like ExpressVPN, Surfshark uses RAM-based servers. RAM-based servers use volatile memory. Once a scheduled reboot occurs, all the data is wiped clean.
Surfshark also allows you to easily bypass Saudi Arabia government monitoring and bypass VPN blocks. This is possible since Surfshark uses obfuscation.
Surfshark uses AES-256 encryption to protect your online data and connections. This encryption ensures that the Saudi government doesn’t know what you are doing online.
This VPN service offers secure, fast, and high-performance protocols. They include OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and WireGuard.
Surfshark apps sport a kill switch, protection against ads and trackers, leak protection, and advanced features such as multi-hop, No Borders Mode, and Camouflage mode.
Multi-hop is a double VPN implementation; you get extra encryption and total privacy. No Borders and Camouflage modes allow you to bypass restrictions with obfuscation.
Surfshark offers fully-fledged VPN apps with an intuitive interface. The VPN service is easy to use, and the apps are straightforward.
Surfshark is compatible with Windows, Macs, Linux, Android, Smart TVs, Fire TV, routers, consoles, and browsers (Chrome, Edge, and Firefox).
Sursfshark is among the few VPNs you can use to protect your entire family circle. It offers unlimited simultaneous connections.
Surfshark offers pocket-friendly plans subscription plans except for the monthly plan. The subscription plans include the following:
The plans carry a hassle-free 30-day money-back guarantee. You also get a 7-day free trial on Android, iOS, and macOS on the 12-months subscription plan.
Surfshark offers 24/7 customer support through a support center, a live chat, and an email ticket system.
The live chat offers quick responses, while the email ticket might take hours. The support center provides a comprehensive knowledge base.
Very few VPN providers offer discreet protection and privacy services in Saudi Arabia. Also, only a handful of them has servers in Saudi.
Therefore, the VPN providers can be used to unblock content outside Saudi Arabia. Nonetheless, our VPN picks suit Saudis and those traveling to Saudi Arabia.
Here are the aspects we considered when selecting the best VPN for Saudi Arabia:
To access Saudi Arabian content, you will need a Saudi IP address. A VPN is the recommendable way to get a Saudi Arabia IP address.
Besides the IP address, a VPN will hide your digital identity, encrypt your connection, allow you to unblock restricted content, and bypass censorship.
Simple steps to get a Saudi Arabian IP address using a VPN:
Unfortunately, it is not advisable to use free VPNs for various reasons. First of all, most free VPNs are not that free. They use your data to cover their operational costs.
Usually, this is done by selling your data to other third parties. This practice can compromise your digital identity due to poor safety practices.
The free VPNs don’t have comprehensive server coverage, and most don’t have servers in Saudi Arabia. This will make it hard for you to unblock restrictions.
Also, their servers are always congested. As a result, free VPNs offer limited bandwidth with capped speeds.
Finally, free VPNs have no privacy and security-enhancing features. Your connections and online activities will be vulnerable to government watchdogs.
Hide your digital identity
The Saudi Arabian government uses surveillance and pervasively monitors social media, emails, blogs, chatrooms, websites, and text messages.
It justifies these online atrocities to maintain social order and national security.
On one occasion, the Saudi government handed an aid worker a 20-year travel ban with a 20-year prison sentence for expressing the freedom of speech through a satirical Twitter account.
Therefore, it is advisable to use a VPN to keep your online identity and protect your online activities.
Access Restricted content
The Saudi government blocks a wide range of content. This ranges from content deemed illegal, offensive, anti-Islamic, harmful, or criticizing the royal family.
Moreover, news websites and other outlets that disseminate extremist content and services such as gambling, pornography, and copyrighted materials are also blocked.
Online streaming services with satirical shows and materials mock the Saudi government and face the same music.
Unblock social media
Social media and other communication platforms are always available. However, the government may block or restricts the use of individuals voicing dissent.
Most affected platforms include Twitter and Telegram accounts. The Saudi Arabia government controls these two platforms and other VoIP services.
Bypass censorship
Besides continued restrictions, the Saudi government uses digital authoritarianism to control the digital sphere and what is available to netizens.
Most media coverage is manipulated and shaped by the government. Content posted online by other individuals is swiftly removed, and their accounts are suspended.
This happened to Al-Huwaitat tribe members and other Twitter accounts who voiced their concerns about forced relocation regarding a government project.
Continue reading to learn more about the best VPNs for Saudi Arabia.
A VPN is the best tool to reclaim your Saudi online freedom. Our best VPNs for Saudi Arabia offer excellent protection, unblock restrictions quickly, and have the best speeds.
They also don’t keep logs; you can use them to circumvent censorship and hide your identity on almost all computing devices.
You can test their services without committing by using the risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Some people found answers to these questions helpful
Are VPNs illegal in Saudi Arabia?
VPNs are illegal if you use them for unlawful activities, as per the Saudi government. Most Saudi internet users use VPNs and other circumvention tools to bypass various restrictions. However, you might find it tough to access the circumvention tools as their websites are always blocked.
Which VPN is best for social media in Saudi Arabia?
Social media platforms suffer the most restrictions in Saudi since they are used to voice dissents. Nonetheless, our VPN picks for Saudi can help you bypass the restrictions. You can use them to access Twitter, WhatsApp, Telegram, and other VoIP services.
How can I get a Saudi Arabian VPN?
The best way to get our top VPNs for Saudi is by downloading them from their respective official websites. If you are in Saudi and cannot access the VPN websites, you can get them from various unblocking forums or the above links.
Can I access streaming services in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. You can use the above VPNs to stream from various platforms such as Netflix. You can also use them to bypass VPN restrictions on other streaming services.