The right to internet privacy is a significant concern for the Saudi Arabian government. Unfortunately, not quite in the same way as it is with Norway or Switzerland. You see, the Saudi government doesn’t seek to entrench online privacy but rather to control and monitor the internet space within the country. That’s why over 30% of residents have turned to a VPN for Saudi Arabia.
Authorities use sophisticated methods to monitor and restrict internet activities and the information people have access to. That said, a VPN allows you to circumvent the restrictions imposed in Saudi Arabia by masking your IP address and assigning another.
But not all VPN services are created equal when it comes to bypassing censorship, ensuring privacy, and maintaining reliable connections. This article reviews the best VPN providers that work in Saudi Arabia. You should take a look and find out what sets them apart.
Top 5 best VPN services that work in Saudi Arabia
- ExpressVPN – Best VPN for Saudi Arabia in 2024
- CyberGhost – A fast and affordable VPN that works in Saudi Arabia
- Surfshark – Best for protecting an unlimited number of devices
- NordVPN – Best beginner-friendly VPN in Saudi Arabia
- Private Internet Access – VPN for Saudi Arabia with massive server fleet
The Best VPN for Saudi Arabia — Detailed List
You could use a different VPN every day and not run out of options months down the line. With so many out there, it’s a fairly common misconception that they are all on the same level. However, most VPN services simply fall short of the quality and reliability you need for a Saudi VPN.
To streamline your choice, we evaluated dozens of providers and narrowed it down to the five best services for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, focusing on premium VPNs. Let’s get down to it.
1. ExpressVPN – The #1 best VPN for Saudi Arabia
- Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands.
- Server count: 3,000+ in 105 countries.
- Standout feature: TrustedServer technology.
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chromebook, routers, browsers, gaming consoles, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Up to 8 devices.
- Money-back guarantee: 30 days.
ExpressVPN is our top recommendation for those seeking a reliable VPN service in Saudi Arabia, and the reasons are clear-cut.
To begin with, the provider offers 3,000+ servers across 105 countries globally, including several locations in the Middle East, like Lebanon and Israel. As a result, you have plenty of server options for stable, reliable VPN connections.
It’s more than just stable — ExpressVPN is arguably the fastest VPN on the market. Thanks to high-performance infrastructure and its proprietary Lightway protocol, you can stream high-quality video buffer-free and download large files smoothly.
It’s also great at bypassing geographical restrictions. ExpressVPN grants you access to exclusive content on websites and online services within and outside Saudi Arabia, unblocking international libraries on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, and other popular streaming services.
Privacy is a paramount concern in Saudi Arabia, where internet usage is heavily regulated and monitored. ExpressVPN addresses this by implementing virtually unbreakable encryption to keep your data from prying eyes, including those of government agencies. It also has a kill switch, leak protection, and RAM-based servers. The VPN’s strict no-logs policy has passed through third-party checks, so you know it’s legit.
ExpressVPN offers user-friendly apps for various devices and platforms. What’s more, one subscription allows simultaneous connections on up to eight devices, making it an excellent choice for protecting multiple devices.
Need help? The provider’s customer support is available around the clock via live chat. What’s more, you can confidently test the best VPN in Saudi Arabia risk-free, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Learn all about ExpressVPN’s features in our ExpressVPN review.
2. CyberGhost – Fast and Affordable VPN for Saudi Arabia
- Jurisdiction: Romania.
- Server count: 9,600+ servers in 91 countries.
- Standout feature: In-house managed NoSpy servers.
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, browsers, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Up to 7 devices.
- Money-back guarantee: Up to 45 days.
CyberGhost is one of the best Saudi Arabian VPN choices, with its potent blend of reliability, performance, and value for money.
The VPN offers truly global coverage with a massive network comprising 9,600+ servers across 91 countries. Because it has servers in the country, you can obtain a Saudi Arabian IP address with the Romanian-based provider.
If you’re into streaming, torrenting, or online gaming, you should definitely consider CyberGhost because of its tailor-made solution. CyberGhost offers optimized experiences with its dedicated servers for each activity. Whether you’re looking to access foreign streaming platforms, engage in secure P2P sharing, or enjoy lag-free online gaming, it has you covered.
Smart Rules is a feature that can come in handy for Saudi residents. It lets you customize the VPN to work to your preferences or connect to your preferred server following a trigger. For instance, when CyberGhost detects a protected or unprotected Wi-Fi network within your range, it can trigger a connection automatically.
Your performance won’t drop significantly when you connect to a CyberGhost server, especially if it’s in a nearby location. All the provider’s servers are 10 Gbps — and when you add the speed-inclined WireGuard, you can stream in 4K and higher with no issues.
If you’re hyper-paranoid about your privacy (as you probably are, living in KSA), you may be interested in CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers. They are fully owned and managed by the VPN in its data centers.
On top of that, it protects your data with military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and IP/DNS leak protection. CyberGhost also has a strict no-logs policy as part of its commitment to confidentiality.
You can use CyberGhost on up to seven devices at the same time with one subscription. You have up to 45 days to make up your mind about the service, which is significantly more than other premium VPNs offer.
To find out more about this great VPN for Saudi Arabia, read our CyberGhost review.
3. Surfshark – reliable VPN for all devices
- Jurisdiction: The Netherlands.
- Server count: 3,200+ in 100 countries.
- Standout feature: Nexus with SDN technology for multiple server connections.
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, browsers, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Unlimited devices.
- Money-back guarantee: 30 days.
While it’s a low-cost option for VPN users in Saudi Arabia, Surfshark certainly packs a lot under the hood.
For instance, it has the most expansive location spread on this list, with 100 countries hosting its 3,200+ servers. Like CyberGhost, the provider also offers servers in Saudi Arabia. Connect to one of them from abroad, and you can enjoy the range of platforms in the country, from Netflix Saudi Arabia to OSN and Saudi TV 1.
And when you’re home in the Kingdom, Surfshark provides near-unlimited exclusive content. The VPN unblocks popular streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu hassle-free.
While Surfshark may occasionally have slow servers, it’s actively upgrading its entire infrastructure from 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps. A simple server switch is usually sufficient to access high-performance servers, ensuring a smoother browsing, gaming, downloads, or streaming experience.
Surfshark excels where it matters most. It implements military-grade AES 256-bit encryption alongside an array of high-level tunneling protocols. Surfshark uses RAM-based servers that wipe clean after each reboot, so you’re not leaving any digital trails behind. There’s also a kill switch, leak protection, and a verified no-logs policy.
You can extend protection to all your devices at the same time, thanks to Surfshark removing a limit on simultaneous device connections. If you take advantage of that offer, a 30-day money-back guarantee ensures there’s no risk involved.
If you want to know more, check out our Surfshark review.
4. NordVPN – robust VPN for Saudi Arabia
- Jurisdiction: Panama.
- Server count: 5,800+ servers in 60 countries.
- Standout feature: Custom NordLynx protocol built around WireGuard.
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chromebook, routers, gaming consoles, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Up to 6 devices.
- Money-back guarantee: 30 days.
NordVPN is a popular VPN service, and for good reason. While it’s privacy-focused, offering a feature-rich service, the provider is also an all-rounder.
It has a large collection of servers comprising 5,800+ servers in 60 countries. We’re not very impressed by that location spread. But while it lacks servers in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East is well covered, with locations in Israel, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
They are lightning-fast servers, that’s for sure. Only ExpressVPN consistently beats NordVPN for speed and performance. Its custom tunneling protocol, NordLynx, is centered around WireGuard, which means buffer and lag-free streaming, downloads, and gaming.
What’s more, NordVPN adeptly bypasses geo-restrictions on websites and online services. Connect to any of its servers, and you receive unlimited access to extensive libraries in that location on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, and more.
It’s also an excellent choice for torrenting activities. All of NordVPN’s servers work for P2P sharing. But building on that, it also offers a substantial amount of optimized servers for even better performance.
NordVPN is known for its strong privacy and security capabilities. It offers several industry-standard features for top VPNs, ranging from bank-level encryption to app-level kill switch, DNS leak protection, and RAM-based servers. But the VPN also packs several advanced features, including built-in Onion over VPN functionality, obfuscation, and more.
NordVPN is compatible with a wide range of platforms and devices. With a single subscription, you can secure up to 6 devices simultaneously. A 30-day money-back guarantee backs your subscription, so you can get a refund if you’re unsatisfied.
Learn more about the service in our NordVPN review or put it side by side in our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN analysis.
5. Private Internet Access – Easy-to-use VPN for Saudi Arabia
- Jurisdiction: The United States.
- Server count: Servers in 91 countries.
- Standout feature: Choice between AES 128-bit and AES 256-bit encryption.
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, gaming consoles, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Unlimited devices.
- Money-back guarantee: 30 days.
Private Internet Access (PIA) delivers solid value, with cost-effective pricing and robust security and privacy features making it a budget-friendly VPN for Saudi Arabia residents.
The provider boasts the most extensive network on this list, spanning 84 countries. While it’s US-centric, with servers in every state, there is still a broad selection of servers globally. You can even obtain a Saudi Arabian IP address with PIA.
PIA offers optimized servers designed for various streaming platforms. That said, you’re probably better off with ExpressVPN or NordVPN if you want to stream exclusive content extensively. But if you’re looking to stream local content from KSA while abroad, even PIA VPN’s regular servers will suffice.
Keeping your data secure and your online activities private is where Private Internet Access really shines. It uses AES 256-bit encryption, ensuring your internet traffic remains unreadable to potential eavesdroppers, including hackers and your ISP.
Furthermore, it provides additional security measures like Double VPN for an extra layer of encryption. PIA’s commitment to privacy is reinforced by its no-logs policy, which has been validated both in legal cases and through independent audits.
PIA is particularly suitable for larger households and users with many devices. Like Surfshark, a single subscription has no device connection limits. If you don’t enjoy your experience, you can claim a refund within 30 days of your purchase.
We have more information about Private Internet Access in our PIA review.
How We Ranked The Best VPN for Saudi Arabia — Our Methodology
In determining the best VPN for Saudi Arabia, we considered several critical factors, assessing dozens of providers on how they performed against them. Here are the major points in our criteria:
Privacy and Security
Saudi Arabians are concerned about the genuine threat of hackers, identity thieves, and other malicious internet actors. The best VPNs for Saudi Arabia on this list employ strong encryption, leak protection, a kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy to protect against cyber threats, ensuring you can access the internet securely and privately.
In addition, each VPN provides advanced and extra functionality, with features like obfuscation, Double VPN, Onion over VPN, and malware blocker.
Server Network
A sizable and well-distributed server network is vital in providing access to geo-restricted content. An extensive network ensures you can securely and efficiently bypass censorship and enjoy a wide range of international content.
Ideally, the best Saudi VPNs should have a strong presence in Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries. However, the latter has to do because Saudi Arabia isn’t a strong VPN destination.
Speed and Performance
VPNs inevitably slow down internet connections due to encryption and rerouting of traffic. Speed is of the essence in Saudi Arabia, where you need to access various blocked services by connecting to distant servers.
Our ranking evaluated VPNs based on their ability to deliver fast and consistent connections in Saudi Arabia (and around the world), minimizing disruptions to data-intensive activities like streaming, online gaming, and downloads.
Censorship and Surveillance
Saudi Arabia currently blocks thousands of websites and online platforms, including those considered immoral and offensive. The government also routinely monitors the online activities of citizens with the intention of punishing offenders.
The best VPN services that work in Saudi Arabia ensure that you can visit and use each site when you want to, despite the bans. They also come with advanced features to shield your online traffic from monitoring.
Bypassing Geo-restrictions
The providers on this list bypass geographical restrictions on websites and online services. This includes compatibility with popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. Plus, it also comes in handy when you travel outside KSA.
You’ll be able to catch up on current events and your favorite content from home.
User Experience
User-friendly VPN apps are a priority in Saudi Arabia, where many users may not have extensive technical knowledge. The best VPN for Saudi Arabia options all offer intuitive, easy-to-use apps and customer support to guide users through the installation and configuration process.
Money-Back Guarantee
A refund policy allows users to test the service risk-free and make an informed decision. Our assessment took into account the duration and conditions of the money-back guarantee offered by each VPN service.
How to Use a VPN in Saudi Arabia
Here’s a quick guide that lays out the roadmap for using a VPN in Saudi Arabia. For this, you need a subscription to a premium VPN service. We recommend ExpressVPN, as it offers just the right blend of features and functionality for a restrictive country like KSA.
Here’s what to do.
- Choose a reliable VPN service for Saudi Arabia (Our recommendation: ExpressVPN). You want one with an expansive server network, excellent performance and unblocking capabilities, and robust privacy and security features. For best results, it should have servers near Saudi Arabia.
- Visit the VPN’s official website, sign up for an account, and download and install the app on your device. If the VPN’s website is unavailable (Saudi authorities frequently block VPN sites), you may use a reputable third-party website or app store.
- Launch the VPN app and log in with your credentials.
- Select a server location outside Saudi Arabia and connect to it.
That’s all there is to it. If you picked a quality VPN service, you’re now set to visit and use previously blocked websites and online services in Saudi Arabia.
Why You Need a VPN for Saudi Arabia
Living in Saudi Arabia means accepting that internet privacy is something you must work for. Sure, internet access is readily available. However, it comes with stringent regulations that limit the freedom of online expression and information access. According to a Freedom House report, KSA scores poorly regarding obstacles to online access and limits on content.
Authorities in the Kingdom actively employ censorship measures to block access to websites and online content that they consider inappropriate, politically sensitive, or inconsistent with the country’s values. These restrictions include prohibiting websites that relate to political dissent, LGBTQ+ rights, religious freedom, and more.
It’s also worth noting that a VPN will enable you to bypass the blocking of WhatsApp’s call function in Saudi Arabia. Of course, this also applies to all other VoIP applications.
On top of that, the government routinely monitors the online activities of residents. This surveillance is rationalized for national security and maintaining social order. The thing is, pervasive monitoring not only undermines online privacy but also creates a climate of caution and self-censorship.
A high-quality VPN acts as a shield against these issues. It encrypts your internet traffic, rendering it indecipherable to external entities like your Internet Service Provider (ISP), governmental authorities, and potential hackers. This encryption ensures that, even if your online activity is subject to monitoring, it remains concealed from prying eyes.
Moreover, a VPN masks your IP address, making it impossible for websites and online services to trace your location.
This feature can be especially handy when you try to access geo-restricted content. For instance, if you’re physically in Riyadh but looking to watch content available only in the United States, you can connect to a VPN server, get an American IP address, and access the desired content.
This also proves helpful when you travel abroad. That way, you can enjoy local TV and streaming platforms like MBC and Shahid outside the Kingdom.
Can You Use a Free VPN in Saudi Arabia?
We don’t generally recommend using a free VPN except as a last resort. While some may claim to provide online privacy and access to blocked content, they often come with significant limitations and risks.
That includes slow connection speeds, data caps, and a limited number of server locations, which makes them less effective for streaming and online activities.
But even worse, many free VPNs may compromise user privacy by logging data or displaying intrusive ads. Considering the strict internet regulations and surveillance in Saudi Arabia, we advise that you opt for a reputable paid provider instead for better security, privacy, and performance. A budget-friendly option makes a world of difference.
Conclusion
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a restrictive country in terms of internet freedom and has shown no signs of taking its foot off the pedal.
If you’re a resident or traveling there, a quality VPN ensures you don’t need to worry about access to content or government surveillance. Plus, it keeps malicious actors on the internet from stealing your data.
We recommend ExpressVPN as the best VPN for Saudi Arabia due to its excellent functionality, impressive server network, and incredibly fast speeds.
FAQs on using a VPN in Saudi Arabia
Are VPNs legal in Saudi Arabia?
While VPNs are generally legal in Saudi Arabia, the government has imposed restrictions on their use. It’s important to use a VPN for legitimate purposes and avoid any illegal activities that could lead to legal issues.
Do these VPNs have servers in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia (KSA) is not a popular VPN destination, so very few providers have servers there. That said, every VPN on this list offers extensive server networks with locations in nearby Middle Eastern countries.
