Best VPN for Saudi Arabia

Those living in Saudi Arabia will agree on the need to look for the best VPN for Saudi Arabia. Why so? Well, it is because of “geo-restriction” and strict internet censorship in the region.

A VPN for Saudi Arabia will unblock restricted and geo-blocked sites by letting you pose to be in a different region.

Due to the risks of unblocking restricted content in the Middle East – the best VPN for Saudi Arabia must also provide unparalleled privacy.

What You Should Look For in a VPN for Saudi Arabia

Jamal Khashoggi envisaged of organizing Saudi writers into an ethereal, electronic crowd (the “bees”) opposing government censorship. The Saudi royal family heard of his plans by hacking his mobile phone.

That tragic case shows how aggressively the Saudi state monitors internet activity and wireless communications. Even if you never utter a word against the state; your messages and web browsing activity could get you in severe trouble.

The weak data encryption employed by most messaging apps is no match for government surveillance bureaus. To protect yourself, you have to make sure no messages or internet data traffic is traceable.

By completely encrypting your internet data and hiding your location; a high-quality VPN service makes your internet traffic indecipherable to hackers and spying people and gives you real anonymity online. Look for a VPN service that backs up its encryption with leak protection and a no-logging policy.

The best VPN for Saudi Arabia gives you easy access to the numerous websites that the government bans or censors. Restricted sites include news services and any website considered “anti-Islamic” or “offensive,” including gambling sites and LGBT stuff.

To securely access blocked sites in Saudi Arabia, connect to a VPN server in a region with free speech, such as a European country, the US, or Canada. Make sure your VPN service features a kill switch, which instantly freezes data transmission if your server connection falters.

Using the same method, you will also be able to access geo-restricted streaming services. Just be aware that only premium VPNs will get past the tough geoblocks on US Netflix, Hulu, the BBC iPlayer, and similar websites.

Finally, choose a VPN with unlimited bandwidth and high-speed connections. These features are vital for streaming, torrenting, and gaming. More importantly, knowing you’ll never run out of data means you can keep your VPN running 24/7, which we strongly recommend.

The Best VPNs for Saudi Arabia

What about a free VPN?

It’s fascinating to opt for a free VPN service because, of course, it is FREE, and there is usually no cash transaction at all. But receiving the same speeds, encryption standards, or customer service will be a thing of the past.

Free VPN services are in the business of minting money. They are registered companies that have to pay for staff payrolls, office space, server maintenance, and other expenses. So when the product itself is free, you are their product.

There have been various instances of free VPN services infringing their power by tracking and stealing your data, trading it to 3rd-party marketers, and attacking you with invasive advertisements. Because you are connected to a weak network, there is also the peril of a malware infection. A massive botnet army can also use your device as a tool.

If you’re uncertain whether you should get a VPN, check out our list of the best VPNs for Saudi Arabia with a free trial. It will help you test the service for some time and examine whether the tool works for you. But we recommend you avoid the random ones that exist on the internet. There’s more than what meets the eye.

Will the internet ever be free in Saudi Arabia?

More than 70 percent of Saudi residents use the internet in the country. That is an impressive number, catapulting it into one of the world’s most digitally connected countries.

Perversely, locals can only access a mere fraction of the web. The Guardian says Saudi Arabia leads the region in internet censorship with sophisticated filters in place to block content and keep tabs on online behavior.

Freedom House adds that websites with “harmful,” “illegal,” “anti-Islamic,” or “offensive” material are expected to be blocked. Other parameters include web pages promoting extremist ideologies or criticism of the Saudi royal family.

A new anti-terrorism law passed in 2014 has ended in a greater caution for online activity as well. The government doesn’t hesitate to censor the citizens for liking or commenting on posts, construing undermining to the state.

The state routinely patronized the pro-government websites and publications – with generous assistance provided to such journalists. On the flip side, any hint of criticism is meant with severe financial pressures with the government doing its best to restrict the publication’s source of revenue.

To browse the web safely and securely in Saudi Arabia, we recommend you use a VPN.

Are VPNs legal in Saudi Arabia?

VPNs are not unlawful in Saudi Arabia. However, using a VPN service to commit an unlawful act is not legal. 

Is it safe to video call in Saudi Arabia?

All the VoIP services, including voice and video calls made over the internet, were restricted in Saudi Arabia in 2013. Those restrictions were later lifted back in 2017. You can now use Skype, WhatsApp, Facetime, and other internet calling platforms in Saudi Arabia with or without a VPN. Note that KSA officials can still watches when and where you use VoIP apps, so if you do not want to leave any trace of a call, a VPN is still necessary.

Conclusion

The danger of hacking, surveillance, or punishment for accessing banned content are serious in Saudi Arabia. We recommend you to use a highly rated VPN service every time you go online in Saudi Arabia or communicate with anybody inside the region.

In addition to sheilding your data and securing your mobile and devices against hacking and malware, the best VPN services open up a world of new content. They keep your identity concealed so you can browse that world without fear.