Best VPNs for Saudi Arabia in 2024

Why Trust Techopedia
Why Trust Techopedia

Internet freedom is highly monitored in Saudi Arabia. The government blocks all sites related to gambling, pornography, or the illegal distribution of copyrighted content. Additionally, they frequently monitor internet use, collecting users’ personal data and activity logs.

However, with the best VPN in Saudi Arabia, you can effectively encrypt your data, making it virtually unreadable to any third parties. Plus, if you’re traveling abroad and wish to access local news or your favorite shows online, you can acquire Saudi Arabian IP and enjoy Saudi content from anywhere.

However, relatively few VPN providers have servers in the country or close to it. Therefore, we’ve tested and shortlisted the best Saudi VPN service in terms of security,  server fleet, ease of use, and price.

The Best VPNs for Saudi Arabia Tested By Our Experts

Surfshark – Best Saudi VPN Overall

Starting from $2.19/month
24-Month Plan + 3 Months Free
VISIT SITE

NordVPN – Best Saudi VPN Service for Security

Starting from $3.09/month
24-Month Plan + 3 Months Free
VISIT SITE

ExpressVPN – Best VPN in Saudi Arabia for Beginners

Starting from $6.67/month
12-Month Plan + 3 Months Free
VISIT SITE

PureVPN – Best VPN Saudi for Streaming

Starting from $2.14/month
24-Month Plan + 4 Months Free
VISIT SITE

CyberGhost – Best KSA VPN Service for Anonymity

Starting from $2.19/month
24-Month Plan + 4 Months Free
VISIT SITE

Private Internet Access – Best VPN Saudi for Traveling

Starting from $2.19/month
24-Month Plan + 4 Months Free
VISIT SITE

Best VPN That Work in Saudi Arabia Reviewed

We’ve looked for reliable and secure VPNs that work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A reliable Saudi VPN will enable you to access global content from anywhere as well as secure your internet activities from any third parties.

Therefore, I’ve tested dozens of popular VPN providers to shortlist the top 6 Best VPNs in Saudi Arabia. Here’s what I found:

Surfshark – Best Saudi VPN Overall

Max Devices Unlimited
Servers in Saudi Yes – and Egypt, UAE
Server Network 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries
Starting Price $2.19/month

Why We Picked It

Surfshark is the best Saudi Arabia VPN for anyone looking to access foreign content and browse the internet and for those who’d like to access Saudi websites from anywhere in the world.

Features

As one of the fastest VPNs, Surfshark allows you to play video games, watch TV shows and movies, and surf the web without any performance deterioration. In addition, it offers Camouflage Mode to mask your VPN usage from the authorities and your internet service provider (ISP), preventing monitoring and ISP throttling.

Surfshark is also the best choice if you’re looking for a VPN for the whole family, as it lets you install and use its services on an unlimited number of devices, while competitors like NordVPN limit you to ten devices.

Additionally, Surfshark is one of a few providers that offer VPN servers in Saudi Arabia. Alternatively, if you wish to access global news or foreign content, you can connect to one of its 3,200 servers spread over 100+ countries worldwide.

In terms of ease of use, I found the Surfsharks dashboard very clean and intuitive, with a good variety of useful features, like a kill switch, split tunneling, rotating IP, private browser, and even an alternative ID.

Price

Surfshark offers three VPN plans, with the cheapest one retailing for just $2.19/month. However, for the best security and additional antivirus functionality, I’d recommend opting for the Surfshark One plan for $2.69/month.

There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial for Android, macOS, and iOS users.

Pros

  • High-speed servers in and near Saudi Arabia
  • Excellent security features
  • RAM-only servers
  • Unlimited connections
  • Bundled device security features

Cons

  • Based in the Netherlands, a member of the 14 Eyes Alliance
Surfshark
9.5
Review

 

NordVPN – Best Saudi VPN Service for Security

Max Devices 10
Servers in Saudi No – but UAE, Turkiye
Server Network 6,400+ servers in 111+ countries
Starting Price $3.09/month

Why We Picked It

NordVPN is a great Saudi Arabia VPN for protecting your devices, privacy, and online accounts. It is also one of the speedies VPNs on the market today.

Features

NordVPN uses the AES-256 encryption algorithm to protect your traffic and mask your online activities from third parties. Besides shielding your privacy, data encryption prevents network throttling, ensuring you have a high-speed connection for streaming and downloading.

While NordVPN does not have any servers in Saudi Arabia, you can bypass Saudi online restrictions by connecting to servers in nearby countries like the UAE, Turkiye, or Israel. While you won’t face connection issues, Surfshark may be a better option if you need fast connections and access to geo-restricted Saudi websites.

NordVPN’s network of 6,400+ servers is spread across 111+ countries, so you’ll be able to access all your favorite shows and news online from anywhere.

Finding a service that offers better security features won’t be easy, though. NordVPN’s top-notch Ultimate plan provides one of the best password managers, data breach scanning, 1 TB of cloud storage, and identity theft protection features.

Price

Similar to Surfshark, NordVPN also offers three pricing plans. The basic entry plan starts at $3.09/month; however, the Plus plan ($3.99/month) includes features like a free password manager and advanced threat protection, thus delivering much better value for money.

If you’re not sure whether NordVPN is for you, you can try it out for 30 days for free with its money-back guarantee.

Pros

  • Superb security features
  • Great for torrenting
  • Proprietary NordLynx protocol
  • Strict no-logs policy

Cons

  • No physical servers in Saudi Arabia
  • No Linux GUI
NordVPN
9.5
Review

 

ExpressVPN – Best VPN in Saudi Arabia for Beginners

Max Devices 8
Servers in Saudi No – but Egypt, Turkiye, India
Server Network 3,000+ servers in 105+ countries
Starting Price $6.67/month

Why We Picked It

ExpressVPN isn’t as affordable as CyberGhost or Surfshark, but it offers great security features and ease of use, as it’s known for having one of the best graphical user interfaces (GUI).

Features

Like its competition, ExpressVPN ensures online security by using top-level AES-256 encryption, fast Lightway protocol, and a strict no-logs policy. The provider also uses RAM-only servers, further ensuring that no user data is being collected.

Beyond this, ExpressVPN offers a kill switchDNS leak protection, and split tunneling, so you can select which portion of your internet traffic is encrypted by VPN while being assured you won’t be affected by data leaks.

Regarding ease of use, during my testing of its apps, ExpressVPN’s straightforward app layout left me pleasantly impressed. It was very easy to navigate, and it took seconds to switch from one location to another.

Although it doesn’t offer VPN servers in Saudi Arabia, it covers over 105 countries globally. If you’re in KSA, you can connect to its servers in nearby locations like Egypt, Turkiye, and India for the best performance. Split tunneling also means, for example, you could use ExpressVPN to stream from Netflix U.S. while playing a video game on your regular internet connection.

Price

ExpressVPN has a single VPN plan that’s available in three subscription terms. The cheapest 1-year subscription brings the monthly rate down to $6.67, which is still nearly three times Surfsharks’ pricing.

However, if you wish to test the services for free before committing, you can take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pros

  • Strong privacy and security features
  • Strict no-logs policy
  • Great download speeds
  • Accepts cryptocurrencies as payment

Cons

  • No servers in Saudi Arabia
  • Only eight simultaneous connections
ExpressVPN
9.2
Review

 

PureVPN – Best VPN Saudi for Streaming

Max Devices 10
Servers in Saudi No – but UAE, Turkiye, Egypt, India
Server Network 6,000+ servers in 65+ countries
Starting Price $2.14/month

Why We Picked It

PureVPN is a good and easy-to-use VPN service for streaming in Saudi Arabia. The provider has over 6,000 servers worldwide, enabling users to bypass geo-blocks and enjoy online content from anywhere.

Features

PureVPN has a user-friendly interface and several fail-safe features, such as DNS leak protection and a kill switch. Furthermore, its split tunneling feature is easy to use, and the provider has an audited no-logs policy.

The only flaw I noticed during testing was its inconsistent kill switch performance, which makes Surfshark or NordVPN better choices for privacy-conscious users.

While PureVPN lacks servers in Saudi Arabia, its servers in Oman, Bahrain, and UAE are ideal if you’re looking for a fast connection with plenty of bandwidth for high-definition streaming. You can also access Netflix U.S. and U.K. libraries.

Opting for its top-tier plan unlocks additional benefits, including a password manager, end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for file sharing, and a personal privacy manager, a unique feature that can help you track and control your digital footprint and the security of your social media accounts.

Price

PureVPN is one of the cheapest VPN services on the market, with prices starting at just $2.14/month. However, for an additional dollar per month, you’ll get a file encryption tool and a password manager, making the middle plan a much better option.

The provider also has a 31-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day paid trial ($0.99), so you can test the service first without committing.

Pros

  • High-speed servers close to Saudi Arabia
  • Unblocks most popular streaming platforms
  • Intuitive interface
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Android and iOS apps lack some security features
  • No servers in Saudi Arabia
PureVPN
9.2
Review

 

CyberGhost – Best KSA VPN Service for Anonymity

Max Devices 7
Servers in Saudi Yes – and Egypt, Turkiye, India
Server Network 11,700+ in 100+ countries
Starting Price $2.19/month

Why We Picked It

CyberGhost’s substantial fleet of high-speed servers guarantees anonymity no matter where you are, including in Africa and the Middle East.

Features

CyberGhost has an excellent no-logs policy and RAM-only servers, which guarantees the provider won’t log your browsing history, downloaded files, or any other data besides the absolute minimum. Moreover, the professional auditing firm Deloitte has tested and confirmed that the provider adheres to the no-log policy.

Additionally, its headquarters are in Romania, a country with no mandatory data logging laws, making it a good pick for privacy-conscious users.

Besides being cheaper than competitors like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, CyberGhost also beats them by offering servers in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as well as in Egypt, Turkey, and India. However, its Qatari and Saudi servers are virtual, meaning performance might be inconsistent.

Although CyberGhost doesn’t offer as many security features as NordVPN, I was impressed with its mobile apps. They are intuitive, easy to use, and packed with unique features, including public WiFi protection.

Price

CyberGhost has a single plan that retails for $2.19/month. A much more impressive aspect is the provider’s extended 45-day money-back guarantee, which enables users to try the VPN out risk-free.

Pros

  • Large server network
  • 45-day money-back guarantee
  • Excellent mobile apps
  • Affordable
  • Verified no-logs policy

Cons

  • No physical VPN servers in Saudi Arabia
CyberGhostVPN
8.7
Review

 

PIA – Best VPN Saudi for Traveling

A logo of Private Internet Access VPN

Max Devices Unlimited
Servers in Saudi Yes – and Egypt, UAE, India
Server Network 35,000+ in 91+ countries
Starting Price $2.19/month

Why We Picked It

PIA is a good choice if you’re looking for a VPN to keep you safe from cyber threats and surveillance as you travel to and from Saudi Arabia. It has servers for Saudi Arabia as well as Egypt, the UAE, and India, so you’ll always be able to access Saudi and foreign websites.

Features

Although it doesn’t have a proprietary protocol, like ExpressVPN’s Lightway or NordVPN’s NordLynx, PIA offers the best VPN protocols, including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec. This guarantees you’ll always be able to get a reliable connection wherever you are.

PIA is also compatible with a wide range of devices and offers one of the best ad blockers in the industry – PIA MACE. This feature blocks ads, third-party trackers, and malware to safeguard users from intrusive data brokering practices and malicious sites.

During stress testing, I found the kill switch feature successfully disconnected my phone from the internet, stopping data leaks after the VPN connection dropped. This means your data won’t leak as you switch from one WiFi hotspot or VPN server to another, making it an excellent pick for anyone looking to evade monitoring.

Lastly, just like Surfshark, PIA is also highly suitable for large households, as it comes with unlimited simultaneous connections.

Price

Private Internet Access offers a single VPN plan, with the cheapest 2-year subscription costing $2.19/month. However, if you want to try the service for free first, you can opt for its standard 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Large server network
  • Great ad, malware, and tracker blocking
  • Audited no-logs policy

Cons

  • Only seven simultaneous connections
Private Internet Access
8.7
Review

 

Best Saudi Arabia VPN Services Compared

Here’s a master table to help you find the best VPN in Saudi Arabia, free of tracking, so you can compare the products head-to-head, compare them to the best VPNs on the market, and make an informed purchase decision.

Provider Cheapest Monthly Price Server Count and Locations Servers in Saudi Arabia Connections Compatibility
Surfshark $2.19/month 3,200+ in 100+ countries Yes – and Egypt, UAE Unlimited Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Smart TVs, browser extensions
PureVPN $2.14/month 6,000+ in 65 countries No – but UAE, Turkiye, Egypt, India 10 Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Smart TVs, browser extensions
NordVPN $3.09/month 6,400+ in 111+ countries No – but UAE, Turkiye 10 Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Smart TV, browser extensions
ExpressVPN $6.67/month 3,000+ in 105+ countries No – but Egypt, Turkiye, India 8 Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Smart TV, browser extensions
CyberGhost $2.19/month 11,700+ in 115+ countries Yes – and Egypt, Turkiye, India 7 Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Smart TV, browser extensions
PIA $2.19/month 35,000+ in 91+ countries Yes – and Egypt, UAE, India Unlimited Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Smart TV, browser extensions
Methodology

How We Review and Test VPN Services

20 VPNS TESTED

25 DATA POINTS MEASURED

300+ HOURS TESTING

500+ USER REVIEWS READ

To provide our readers with accurate and well informed recommendations, we tested 20 leading VPN services to find the best in the market. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:

  • Security Features: We made sure that the provider uses standard security features and a secure tunneling protocol.
  • Privacy Policies: We looked for VPNs that come with a no-logs policy, and verify the extend to which user privacy is upheld.
  • Speed: We run speed tests three times a day and draw an average of the result to see how much of the original broadband speed is retained.
  • Compatibility: We ensure the VPN provider offers multiple simultaneous connections and is compatible with the most popular operating systems.
  • Geo-unblocking: We test whether the VPN service can unlock different libraries (content available in different countries) on the most popular streaming platforms.
  • Customer Experience: When researching products and services, we read real user experiences and test out their customer support channels ourselves.
  • Price and Value for Money: We set out to recommend reasonably priced products that offer value for money.

Why Do You Need a VPN in Saudi Arabia?

Internet freedom in Saudi Arabia is fairly limited. In 2023, Freedom House gave 25/100 on countries’ internet freedom.

Apart from heavy restrictions on content related to gambling, pornography, and pirated content, the government also censors press, movies, TV channels, and anything that goes against local beliefs or religion.

However, most notably, the Saudi government constantly monitors its citizens’ internet use, meaning the official body can access their personal information and online activity log at any time.

Therefore, using a VPN can help you access global news and favorite shows that aren’t available in Saudi Arabia. Plus, it encrypts your online traffic, effectively masking your real IP and personal information and protecting it from your ISP or government.

See our guide to the best VPNs for travel for more recommendations.

Is VPN Illegal in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia is known for its online censorship laws, which block various websites and social media apps for its residents. This likely explains the significant demand for VPN services in the country, with the providers enabling users to access streaming platforms like Netflix.

Although VPN isn’t illegal in Saudi Arabia, the government blocks access to some VPN providers’ websites. Although these restrictions make finding a VPN that provides reliable and continuous protection for Saudi residents challenging, we’ve identified the products that are best suited for the job.

How to Use VPN in Saudi Arabia

Installing and using a VPN in Saudi Arabia takes just a few minutes after you commit to a plan. To help you start using a VPN in Saudi Arabia, here’s a step-by-step guide to installing Surfshark.

  1. Subscribe to a Surfshark Plan

    First, go to Surfshark and pick a plan that suits your needs and budget, and subscribe to its services. Surfshark will prompt you to create an account during checkout, which you’ll need to log in.

    <strong>Subscribe to a Surfshark Plan</strong>
  2. Download Surfshark and Log In

    With your subscription and Surfshark account ready, you can download its apps onto your devices. The installation takes less than two minutes, and you can immediately log into the apps using your Surfshark account credentials.

    <strong>Download Surfshark and Log In</strong>
  3. Encrypt Your Internet Traffic

    Now that you’re logged in, you can start using Surfshark’s VPN features to secure your internet traffic and your online privacy. To establish a VPN connection, you can let Surfshark automatically connect to the fastest, closest server with a single tap, or you can scroll down the list of servers to pick one.

    <strong>Encrypt Your Internet Traffic</strong>

How to Get a Saudi Arabian IP Address With a VPN

  1. Choose a reliable VPN with servers in Saudi Arabia. I suggest Surfshark, which offers a virtual server in Riyadh.
  2. Download the VPN app and install it on your preferred device.
  3. Launch the app and log in. Once logged in, make sure to turn on the kill switch for extra security.
  4. Search for the Saudi Arabia server and connect. In the search bar, type in Saudi Arabia and click on the server below to connect.

How to Choose the Best Saudi VPNs

To determine whether a VPN service will suit your needs and requirements, you need to consider several factors, including its server network and the quality of its features. Here’s what you should look for before you commit to a subscription:

  • Saudi Servers – The best VPN for Saudi Arabia will have servers in the country that guarantee high-speed, stable connections. Although VPN providers rarely offer physical servers in KSA, finding providers with virtual Saudi servers and servers in nearby countries is also good.
  • Encryption – VPNs protect your data by encrypting it and protecting it from attacks and unauthorized access. Ensure your VPN offers a robust encryption algorithm to safeguard your data, such as XChaCha20 or AES-256.
  • Speed – Using a VPN will inevitably slow down your internet, but the slowdown shouldn’t be unbearable, and the VPN connection should be stable. Given this, it’s important to pick a provider that offers decent speeds in your region.
  • Global Server Network – The best VPNs offer servers in dozens of countries around the world. Consider providers with VPN servers for countries where you want local content, such as streaming libraries and restricted websites.
  • Streaming Support – If you intend to watch foreign content in Saudi Arabia or access Saudi content while outside the country, you’ll need a VPN that offers streaming support. The VPN you pick should be able to unblock popular streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu and have servers in Saudi Arabia to allow you access to local content.

For further international recommendations, read our guide to the best VPNs for travel.

Can You Get A Good VPN in Saudi Arabia for Free?

Free VPNs generally have severe usage restrictions and can leave you exposed to data leaks. Their security capabilities are often minimal, while some services are actually fraudulent.

Because of these risks, relying on a free VPN service is unwise, no matter where you are – and you can’t really get a good free internet VPN for Saudi Arabia.

Additionally, most free VPNs don’t cover Africa and the Middle East, so you’re unlikely to find one with servers in or near Saudi Arabia. Using a free VPN in Saudi Arabia would likely come with limited bandwidth, reducing its utility, and you would lack streaming or torrenting support.

An alternative to free VPNs for Saudi Arabia is to use paid solutions with lengthy refund periods, such as CyberGhost, which offers a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Conclusion – What’s the Best Saudi Arabia VPN?

If you want to access global content while in Saudi Arabia or attain a Saudi IP address from abroad, you’ll need a reliable VPN like Surfshark.

A VPN masks your real IP address, enabling you to access geo-restricted content, such as news, local TV channels, and even your bank page, from anywhere.

Surfshark
9.5
Review

FAQs

Which VPN is best for Saudi Arabia?

Is NordVPN blocked in Saudi Arabia?

What is the punishment for using a VPN in Saudi Arabia?

Which VPNs work in Saudi Arabia?

What’s the best free internet VPN for Saudi Arabia?

Ilijia Miljkovac
Technology Writer
Ilijia Miljkovac
Technology Writer

Ilijia Miljkovac is a Techopedia writer with seven years of experience covering all things tech. He writes about cybersecurity topics, spanning VPNs, antiviruses, and hosting, helping to inform B2B and B2C audiences about the latest products and services. He's written for publications such as Business2Community, TheTechReport, Comparitech, and more. When he's not working, Ilijia spends his time hiking in nature or holed up in his apartment gaming.

',a='';if(l){t=t.replace('data-lazy-','');t=t.replace('loading="lazy"','');t=t.replace(/