5 Best VPNs for Saudi Arabia (KSA) in 2024 — Private & Fast
Censorship and surveillance are strictly enforced in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, so privacy protection is essential. Many VoIP apps (like Skype, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger) are also restricted or banned. For these reasons, many people turn to VPNs. However, not all VPNs are secure enough to protect your sensitive data and safely access apps and platforms in the KSA.
My team and I tested 70+ VPNs, shortlisting the fastest, most secure options for Saudi Arabia. We ensured that they have robust encryption, security features, and reliable server networks so you can privately browse the internet.
Among all the VPNs we tested, ExpressVPN is my top recommendation for Saudi Arabia. It offers unmatched speeds, simple but secure apps and can safely access the most commonly used sites and services from anywhere. You can even test ExpressVPN for Saudi Arabia without financial risk since it's backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.
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Short on Time? Here Are the Best VPNs for Saudi Arabia in 2024
- Editor's ChoiceExpressVPN
Best speeds and strong security features for private connections in Saudi Arabia.70% of our readers choose ExpressVPN - CyberGhost
Activity-specific servers provide optimal connections based on your needs. - Private Internet Access
Tons of customizable features to balance speed and security. - NordVPN
Advanced security settings to protect your online data in Saudi Arabia. - Surfshark
Budget-friendly option that can protect unlimited devices simultaneously.
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Best VPNs for Saudi Arabia — Full Analysis (Updated in 2024)
1. ExpressVPN — Fast Speeds for Bufferless Streaming and Uninterrupted VoIP Calls From Anywhere
Tested December 2024 Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Best Feature | Consistently fast speeds for unmatched streaming and browsing speeds |
Server Network | 3,000 servers in 105 countries to easily change your IP address |
Device Connections | Up to 8 simultaneous connections under a single subscription |
Works With | WhatsApp, Netflix, Hulu, Max, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more |
ExpressVPN has the best speeds among all the VPNs we tested, partly due to its proprietary protocol called Lightway. Lightway also uses fewer lines of code, making it more battery-efficient, so it’s ideal for portable devices like mobile phones and tablets. ExpressVPN’s fast speeds, paired with its reliable server network, enable smooth and reliable VoIP calls on apps like WhatsApp.
All of ExpressVPN’s servers offer automatic obfuscation for advanced privacy protection in Saudi Arabia. This makes your VPN connection look like normal internet traffic, allowing you to use networks that block VPNs (like at work or school). Plus, it adheres to an independently audited no-logs policy and owns its DNS servers, eliminating the risk of third-party intervention. We did not find any IP/DNS or WebRTC leaks during our tests.
It’s simple to install and use, so you can secure your connections in the KSA with ease. ExpressVPN offers nearly identical apps for almost all popular devices, so you don’t need to adapt to a different interface for each device. It also offers a smart DNS feature called MediaStreamer for easy setup for streaming on devices that don’t support VPNs. There’s also split tunneling to use the VPN for selective apps only.
The only downside is ExpressVPN’s slightly expensive price, starting at $4.99/month. However, it offers regular discounts throughout the year, making it more affordable. I got 82% off and 3 extra months of free usage with its long-term plan. You can also test all its features completely risk-free for 30 days since it offers a solid money-back guarantee.
Useful Features
- Advanced Protection. ExpressVPN security suite offers an advanced ad, tracker, and malware blocker to protect your data while preventing interruptions during your online activities. In addition, it comes with parental controls to block adult content.
- TrustedServer technology. Instead of traditional servers, ExpressVPN uses RAM-based servers, which do not store any of your data permanently and are reset with every reboot. This adds an additional layer of privacy to your connections in Saudi Arabia.
- Privacy-friendly jurisdiction. It has its headquarters in the British Virgin Islands, which means that it's outside the jurisdiction of intelligence-sharing treaties of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances.
- ExpressVPN Keys. This is a built-in password manager to help you create and store your passwords securely without any additional cost. It also alerts you to any data breaches and allows you to store other sensitive information like your credit card details.
- One of the fastest VPNs
- Works with top streaming sites
- A proven no-logs policy
- Limited customization
- Smart Location isn't always the fastest
2. CyberGhost — Specialized Servers for Streaming, Gaming, and Torrenting Safely in Saudi Arabia
Best Feature | Dedicated servers that are regularly tested for the best online experience. |
Server Network | 11,690 servers in 100 countries, including multiple virtual servers in Saudi Arabia |
Device Connections | Connect up to 7 devices at the same time without any performance issues |
Works With | WhatsApp, Netflix, Hulu, Max, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more |
CyberGhost offers multiple specialized servers for various activities, including streaming, torrenting, and gaming. These are optimized to provide fast and safe connections that are tailored to their respective activities. For instance, we had smooth and secure gameplay while testing CyberGhost with Fortnite. It also offers multiple virtual servers in KSA that provide private Saudi Arabian IP addresses.
It has very fast speeds and is second only to ExpressVPN. Our speed only dropped by 7% (at 246.21Mbps) compared to the base speed on nearby servers. We were able to stream HD and UHD content with CyberGhost and only had to wait for a couple of seconds for the stream to load for an otherwise bufferless streaming session.
In addition, CyberGhost offers strong privacy protection to keep your connections secure in Saudi Arabia. This includes automatic WiFi protection, which connects to a VPN server of your choosing whenever it detects an unsecured network, such as public WiFi. It also offers NoSpy servers, physically located inside CyberGhost headquarters in Romania and only accessible by its staff, cutting out third-party intervention.
The only issue I had with CyberGhost is that it only offers a 14-day money-back period with its short-term plan. This is just not enough time to test all its features. However, it more than makes up for it by offering an extended 45-day money-back guarantee with its long-term plans.
Useful Features
- Content Blocker. CyberGhost’s very own malware and tracker blocker which is also effective in blocking invasive pop-up ads while you browse in Saudi Arabia.
- Smart Rules. It offers multiple automation options under its Smart Rules feature. You can customize it to connect to a particular server whenever you start your system or whenever you open a particular app. It also includes a split tunneling option called Exceptions.
- Annual transparency reports. In addition to adhering to a strict no-logs policy, CyberGhost also releases annual reports detailing all the data requests from different legal authorities. That way, you know your privacy is protected in and outside of Saudi Arabia.
- Secure access to streaming
- Military-level security
- Designed for ease of use
- Slower long-distance servers
- Doesn't work in China
3. Private Internet Access — Customizable Security Features to Balance Speed and Security in KSA
Best Feature | Adjust your encryption and protocol based on your requirement |
Server Network | 29,650 servers in 91 countries, including multiple virtual servers in KSA |
Device Connections | Unlimited simultaneous connections to protect all your devices |
Works With | WhatsApp, Netflix, Hulu, Max, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Peacock, and more |
Private Internet Access (PIA) is very customizable, so you can fine-tune your connections for your online activities in Saudi Arabia. For example, you can choose the more secure AES 256-bit encryption or the AES 128-bit, which is faster. PIA also offers the WireGuard protocol, which gave us the best speeds during our tests. In addition, you can adjust your MTU settings and lower the MTU size if your network is unstable. This also helps in making social media app calls more smooth.
Its Saudi Arabian servers allow you to safely access local channels and sites from anywhere. Since these are virtual (as opposed to physical), they aren’t subject to the surveillance and censorship of the KSA. That way, you can rest assured that your online activities are kept private.
PIA’s MACE feature safeguards your device from harmful ads, trackers, and malicious websites. The lack of ads also improves website load times, making your online sessions smoother. During our tests, MACE was able to remove all pop-up and banner ads on a major news site, like The New York Times.
The only drawback I could find with PIA is that its headquarters are in the US, which is part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance. However, it wasn’t a major concern since it adheres to an independently audited no-logging policy. PIA offers great deals, starting at just $2.03/month, and you can also test it for free with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Useful Features
- Obfuscation. It offers obfuscation via its multi-hop feature, which passes your encrypted traffic through Shadowsocks or SOCKS5 proxy for added protection in Saudi Arabia.
- Private DNS. PIA owns its entire DNS network to safeguard your personal data, such as IP and DNS addresses. This reduces the chances of third parties accessing your data.
- Port forwarding. This feature lets you download faster with streamlined speeds and is offered by many of the best VPNs for torrenting.
- Many servers to choose from
- Customizable security settings
- Solid choice for torrenting
- Hit-or-miss customer support
- Tricky to navigate
4. NordVPN — Robust Security Features Protect Your Online Data in and Outside of Saudi Arabia
Best Feature | Tons of advanced options for increased online security in Saudi Arabia |
Server Network | 6,800 servers in 111 countries to get a new IP |
Device Connections | You can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously |
Works With | WhatsApp, Netflix, Hulu, Max, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more |
NordVPN offers multiple state-of-the-art features to secure your online data in the KSA. This includes Double VPN servers to layer the encryption over your connection. Unlike ExpressVPN, not all of its servers are obfuscated — instead, you can click a tab to see which are. I also like that its Threat Protection feature prevents ads, malware, and tracking while providing a report of everything that was blocked.
It also offers fast speeds for uninterrupted gaming, torrenting, and streaming in Saudi Arabia. On average, it reduced our speeds on nearby servers by only 10%, leaving us with 244.48Mbps. One of the reasons for these speeds is its proprietary protocol, NordLynx. Plus, we could download torrents almost as fast as without a VPN with NordVPN’s P2P-optimized servers.
NordVPN can sometimes take a little longer to connect than other VPNs. However, this isn’t a big issue since it’s fast and stable once connections are established. It also offers discounts up to 74% and its 30-day money-back guarantee lets you test all its features for free.
Useful Features
- Tapjacking Protection. NordVPN’s Android offers tapjacking protection, which prevents malware from disconnecting your VPN by enabling 2-step verification.
- Meshnet. This feature allows you to create encrypted private networks to securely play multiplayer games and transfer files with your friends or family from anywhere. It also allows you to use the IP of other connected devices via its Traffic routing option.
- Dark Web Monitor. NordVPN regularly scans the dark web for your credentials and immediately notifies you if it finds any of your information leaked on the dark web.
- Strong security and privacy
- Fast local and faraway servers
- Great for streaming
- Some long connection times
- High renewal prices
5. Surfshark — Unlimited Connections To Secure All Your Household Devices in Saudi Arabia
Best Feature | It allows you to connect any number of devices on a single subscription |
Server Network | 3,200 servers in 100 countries, including virtual servers for Saudi Arabia |
Device Connections | Unlimited simultaneous connections at only $1.99/month for a long-term plan |
Works With | WhatsApp, Netflix, Hulu, Max, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more |
You can protect all your household devices with a single Surfshark plan. Plus, it has fast speeds with our speeds only dropping by 12% on average. During our tests, we did not experience any buffering issues while streaming HD content with Surfshark connected to 5 devices simultaneously.
Surfshark has its own obfuscation feature called Camouflage mode. Although it is available on all servers, it only works with the OpenVPN protocol. In addition, it also offers a NoBorders mode — this will display a list of the best-performing servers whenever the VPN detects network restrictions in Saudi Arabia.
The only apprehension I had with Surfshark is that it's located in the Netherlands, a 5/9/14-Eyes-Alliance country. However, this wasn’t a huge concern since it follows a strict no-logs policy and uses RAM-based servers. It’s budget-friendly, starting at $1.99/month, plus, Surfshark also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to test it for free.
Useful Features
- IP Rotator. It also has an IP rotator feature that automatically changes your IP without disconnecting from your chosen location. This makes your online activity even more difficult to track, adding an additional layer of online security in the KSA.
- Dynamic MultiHop. Surfshark allows you to choose both servers to double your online encryption with its MultiHop feature.
- CleanWeb. This feature not only blocks malware, trackers, and ads but also prevents phishing attacks while you browse in Saudi Arabia.
- Easy to use
- Military-grade security
- Fast speeds
- Clunky torrenting support
- Based in a 9-Eyes country
- Might not work in China
Quick Guide: How to Set Up a VPN for Saudi Arabia in 3 Easy Steps
- Download a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN for its strong security features and fast speeds for uninterrupted streaming, browsing, and VoIP calls.
- Connect to a server. Connecting to a server closer to your location will provide better speeds, so choose accordingly.
- Start browsing. You can now securely access sites, services, apps, and platforms from anywhere.
Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.
Our Methodology for Testing VPNs for Saudi Arabia
To test and select the best VPNs for Saudi Arabia, we considered multiple relevant factors. Many VPNs offer slow speeds, so we made sure to only include the fastest VPNs. We also tested each provider’s security features and read through their privacy policies to ensure your data is safe in the KSA. Plus, we considered how easy it is to use each VPN and noted how reliable their server networks are.
FAQs on VPNs For Saudi Arabia
Is it legal to use a VPN in Saudi Arabia?
VPNs are not explicitly illegal in Saudi Arabia, but they are regulated, and many VPN servers are blocked there. The VPNs in this list are all reliable options that work in the country. That said, what you do while using a VPN could still be considered illegal, so make sure that you’re well informed on Saudi Arabian law and use a VPN responsibly.
Which VPNs offer Saudi Arabian servers?
There are a couple of VPNs that offer virtual Saudi Arabian servers, but there aren’t many VPNs that provide physical servers in the country. For instance, CyberGhost, PIA, and Surfshark all offer virtual servers in the country rather than physical servers.
These essentially work the same way — they encrypt your online data and assign you a Saudi Arabian IP address, so you can safely browse the internet. The benefit of this is that since they aren’t physically located there, they aren’t subject to the country’s heavy surveillance.
Will a VPN let me video call safely?
Yes, a VPN uses encryption so that no one can intercept your connections, including video calls and online messages. Most popular VoIP apps like WhatsApp also use end-to-end encryption, which means that the apps can’t access your communications. However, many of these types of apps are blocked in Saudi Arabia, so a VPN is one way to use them — or at least their voice and video call functionality.
Can I use a free VPN for Saudi Arabia?
It might be possible, but I wouldn’t recommend it. For reliability and dependable privacy protection, it’s best to use a premium VPN in Saudi Arabia. Free VPNs usually offer very basic security and lack the essential features to keep your connections safe in the KSA. In addition, almost all free VPNs come with speed or data restrictions and are very limited on server options.
Even worse, a lot of free VPNs sell user data to third-party advertisers because they have to make a profit somehow. It’s simply not worth it when you can almost always try a premium VPN for free since they usually offer money-back guarantees.
Get the Best VPN for Saudi Arabia
The best VPNs for Saudi Arabia will provide strong security and fast speeds, so you can safely browse websites, use unsecured public WiFi, or access content from anywhere in HD. While not all VPNs are created equally, we listed those that are safe and reliable for use in the KSA.
ExpressVPN is my top choice for Saudi Arabia. It’s the fastest VPN we tested, so you can enjoy all of your online activities free from interruptions. Plus, it offers industry-leading privacy protection and security features to keep your personal data and online activities private. You can test ExpressVPN for the KSA without financial risk, as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
To summarize, these are the best VPNs for Saudi Arabia…
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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