Article Summary
- Best pick for Saudi Arabia: Surfshark, a variety of cybersecurity benefits for unlimited devices, $2.39/month price
- VPN with AI controls: ExpressVPN, a highly secure VPN for 14 devices that you can control through an AI client
- Best Wi-Fi protection: Proton VPN, VPN for 10 devices that overcomes strict network restrictions
- The legal point: Saudi Arabian laws govern what you can access online and what is illegal. A VPN does not make you anonymous to authorities, so its Saudi Arabia use cases are limited.
- Test pass: we reviewed 30 VPNs; a provider only took a spot below if it is secure and offers use cases applicable to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has strict internet censorship. Its content availability is largely controlled by regional laws, limiting it for viewers inside and outside the country.
Also, many popular streaming sites, like beIN SPORTS, are not available outside the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, so you hit a content-unavailable error from a non-MENA IP address.
You can use a VPN to access MENA content outside the region. We unblocked the Saudi Broadcasting Authority’s and beIN SPORTS’ local websites, which were unavailable from our original IP address. VPNs are also beneficial for public Wi-Fi and other risky network protection. According to these use cases, we selected the 4 Best VPNs for Saudi Arabia.
Best VPNs for Saudi Arabia: Quick Comparison and Rankings
| Provider | Public Wi-Fi protection | Kill switch (tested) | Leak test | Speed loss | No-logs audit | Devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surfshark | Proprietary Dausos protocol (macOS only), auto-connect, ad blocker, malware protection, NoBorders mode | Passed | Passed | 8.4% | Deloitte 2025 | Unlimited |
| ExpressVPN | Proprietary Lightway protocol, blocks ads, trackers, malicious, and adult sites, automatic obfuscation | Passed | Passed | 19.1% | KPMG 2025 | 14 |
| Proton VPN | Proton Stealth protocol, Tor over VPN, ad blocker, auto-connect, advanced traffic routing | Passed | Passed | 8.4% | Securitum 2026 | 10 |
| IPVanish | Auto-connect, blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites, traffic obfuscation | Passed | Passed | 15.5% | Schellman 2025 | Unlimited |
The Best VPNs for Saudi Arabia Reviewed
Saudi Arabia has very strict online content control. It is one of several countries where accessing blocked content is illegal, and Freedom House gives it only 25/100 points for internet freedom.
We tested 4 VPNs with Saudi Arabia servers to unblock legal streaming content. We also checked their safety features that protect your browsing activities from cybersecurity risks.
1. Surfshark: Best for Saudi Arabia Overall
Surfshark
Best for Families
#2 of 30 VPNs
Pros & Cons
- Strict no-logs policy
- Unlimited devices
- Unblocks Netflix
- Torrenting allowed
- Simple to use
- Very affordable
- Safe and secure
- Discounts for longer subscriptions only
Surfshark offers all-around protection for a fair $2.39/month price. Its CleanWeb feature disables ads and trackers and blocks malware, which is mandatory for public Wi-Fi protection. Surfshark also offers independently verified antivirus, so its malware blocking may be better compared to other VPNs.
It has virtual servers in Saudi Arabia, which means they provide a local IP address without being physically there. It is beneficial for countries with extremely tight internet control.
Surfshark retained 91.6% of our original connection speed and regularly ranks among the fastest VPNs we test. We also unblocked beIN SPORTS streams in HD quality. Its One+ bundle includes an antivirus, scam alerts, a personal data cleanup app, Incogni, and identity theft protection services (available in the US only).
The bundle Surfshark sells alongside the VPN is covered in our full Surfshark review.
2. ExpressVPN: Unique Advanced Features
ExpressVPN
Best for Simplicity
#4 of 30 VPNs
Pros & Cons
- Fast download speed
- No-logs policy
- Located in the British Virgin Islands
- Torrenting allowed
- Unblocks Netflix USA
- Secure encryption and VPN protocols
- Easy-to-use app
- High cost for month-to-month users
In Saudi Arabia, it’s best to follow the internet censorship laws. ExpressVPN offers an adult website blocker, so even if one manages to stay publicly available, you can block it to avoid any risks.
Right now, ExpressVPN is the only VPN with Model Context Protocol support, which means you can manage it via AI. Once you connect it to your AI client, you can issue natural language prompts to control ExpressVPN. This VPN is a bit slower, with a 19.1% speed drop. But it is also highly secure, with auto-connect and Advanced Protection features.
ExpressVPN opened access to the Saudi Broadcasting Authority website, which streams Saudi Arabian news, sports, and other content to the MENA region. The price starts at $2.99/month, and the higher tiers also include its password manager, eSIM, and a private AI chatbot.
Visit our full ExpressVPN review for more test-backed data.
3. Proton VPN: Variety of Cybersecurity Benefits
ProtonVPN
Best for Privacy
#3 of 30 VPNs
Pros & Cons
- Highest security standards
- Audited no-logs policy
- Fast speeds
- Works with Netflix
- Offers free version
- Strong killswitch
- Advanced features
- No RAM-only servers
- Free plan limitations
Proton VPN is based in neutral Switzerland and passed its fifth consecutive no-logs audit in May, 2026. The company is known for its private email service, ProtonMail, and its VPN also excels at advanced online privacy protection.
It has servers in Saudi Arabia, which retained 91.6% of the original connection speed, identical to Surfshark’s results. Proton VPN also offers Tor through VPN servers to hide your online activities from third parties and Internet Service Providers.
It offers the NetShield feature to block ads, trackers, malware, and adult content. If Proton VPN detects network restrictions, it uses alternative routing to maintain VPN tunneling.
The price starts at $2.49/month, and a higher tier also offers its password manager, data storage, and advanced email features.
Our full Proton VPN review covers all you need to know about it.
4. IPVanish: Wi-Fi Protection for All Devices
IPVanish
Reliable Alternative
#6 of 30 VPNs
Pros & Cons
- Good download speed
- Torrenting allowed
- No logging
- Advanced kill switch
- Strong encryption
- Some servers work with Netflix
- US-based
- Inconsistent streaming performance
- No monthly plan refunds
IPVanish runs two servers in Saudi Arabia. Like others on this list, it blocks ads, trackers, and disables malicious websites. It automatically connects to the VPN server on untrusted networks, which is mandatory for public Wi-Fi protection.
It has four protocols and offers the Scramble feature on OpenVPN, which is how it handles traffic obfuscation. IPVanish also has a High-Speed Mode. The speed drop was 15.5% without it, and the mode reduced it to 11.2%.
This VPN is inexpensive, starting at $2.39/month. Similar to Surfshark, its pricier plans also include an antivirus. Additionally, IPVanish offers SOCKS5 proxies. If streaming is your top priority, you may consider it, because VPN IP addresses, unfortunately, struggle to unblock popular Saudi Arabian streaming sites, like Shahid.
For all other related information, visit our full IPVanish review.
Why You Need a VPN in Saudi Arabia
In the case of Saudi Arabia, unblocking restricted content is more complex than in most countries. Adult content is strictly prohibited. Watching videos that degrade or criticize Islam is not allowed. You cannot gamble, and participating in forums that criticize the Saudi Arabian government is extremely risky.
On the other hand, simply unblocking worldwide streaming services’ libraries does not put you in any real danger. The government focuses on blocking access nationwide instead of going after individuals who stream TV shows.
That’s why unblocking content in Saudi Arabia is extremely hard. We tested all selected VPNs with multiple protocols to unblock the Shahid streaming website and were denied every time.
The same applies to STCTV. Although we were able to register, the website does not display any content.
On the other hand, all VPNs successfully unblocked beIN SPORTS. If you are traveling outside Saudi Arabia, you won’t miss an important match.
We were also able to unblock the Saudi Broadcasting Authority website, which is unavailable outside of MENA.
The Saudi Arabia VPN streaming capabilities are limited, but there are other VPN use cases.
Tourists and citizens should use a VPN on Saudi Arabian public Wi-Fi, as there are reported hacks that target them. VPNs we selected treat public Wi-Fi networks as insecure and automatically turn on when you connect to one.
Each one has a system-level kill switch. If the tunnel to the VPN server drops, it shuts down all access to the internet. So even if your VPN malfunctions for any reason on public Wi-Fi, your data remains protected. This is how it looks in action.
We have turned on the IPVanish kill switch that terminates all internet connections outside of the VPN tunnel. Then we pinged Cloudflare servers and disconnected the VPN. The ping requests return ‘General failure’, which means that we have no internet access without the VPN on.
A Saudi Arabia VPN provides valuable cybersecurity benefits and limited streaming capabilities. It does not protect you against strict Saudi Arabian censorship laws. You cannot access banned content, such as gambling or adult websites. Whatever you post online should also adhere to the country’s cultural and political landscape.
How to Set Up a VPN for Saudi Arabia
Whether you’re traveling or living in Saudi Arabia, here are five steps to use a VPN efficiently.
- Install it on all devices. Secure your laptops, smartphones, tablets, or even routers to encrypt traffic and block malicious websites.
- Sign in and secure. Confirm your email, log in, and set up two-factor authentication to secure VPN accounts.
- Turn on a system-level kill switch. It will protect your data over untrusted networks even if the VPN connection suddenly drops.
- Use traffic obfuscation. On heavily filtered networks, obfuscation disguises VPN traffic as ordinary HTTPS so the connection stays stable. Keep your usage within Saudi Arabian law and your provider’s terms.
- Note the refund date. If you are only traveling in Saudi Arabia for a short time, check your VPN refund window. You might get your money back.
How We Tested the Best VPNs for Saudi Arabia
During our tests, we paid close attention to whether selected VPN kill switches work. Travelers frequently visit Saudi Arabia, and a kill switch is essential for public Wi-Fi protection in airports and hotels. We also verified traffic obfuscation availability, which makes using a VPN easier in a country that has strict internet censorship.
We also tested streaming services. Unblocking the popular Shahid and STCTV proved outstandingly hard. However, we were able to access the beIN SPORTS streams and the Saudi Broadcasting Authority website, which are restricted to MENA.
We performed a speed test. First, we marked our baseline without a VPN on, which was 252 Mbps download.
Here are the four VPN download results:
1) Surfshark 231 Mbps; 2) ExpressVPN 204 Mbps; 3) ProtonVPN 231 Mbps; 4) IPVanish 213 Mbps.
If you want to compare these speed results with other regions, read our China VPN testing.