When you're trying to find the best VPN for UAE or Dubai, protocol choice matters. The UAE blocks older VPN protocols like IPSec and OpenVPN, but here's the good news: WireGuard works perfectly fine. This modern protocol flies under the radar, giving you fast, reliable connections for unblocking VoIP services like WhatsApp and Telegram calls in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and across the Emirates.
Why Dubai and UAE Residents Need a VPN
If you live in or visit the UAE, you'll quickly discover that a VPN is close to essential. VoIP services like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal calling are blocked on residential ISP networks. Try to call your family back home and nothing happens. The call just won't connect.
This isn't accidental. Etisalat and Du block VoIP to push users toward their own expensive calling packages. A WhatsApp call that would be free anywhere else in the world requires paying for a premium voice plan in Dubai. Most expats figure this out within their first week and start looking for alternatives. A VPN lets you bypass these blocks and make free calls like normal.
What's actually blocked
Beyond VoIP, you'll occasionally hit blocks on certain websites, forums, and news sources. The exact list changes, but you'll notice it when something just won't load.
Here's what matters: the UAE blocks older VPN protocols like IPSec and OpenVPN, but WireGuard works fine. This is different from China or Russia, which block almost everything. In the UAE, you just need to pick the right protocol.
For UAE users, a fast WireGuard connection is all you need. If you travel to countries that block all VPN protocols—like China, Russia, Qatar, or Saudi Arabia—having V2Ray as a backup gives you flexibility.
How common are VPNs in the UAE?
Very. VPN installations in the UAE jumped 83% in 2024 alone. By Q3 2024, roughly 42% of UAE internet users reported using a VPN at least occasionally. That's one of the highest rates globally.
The Khaleej Times reported on the trend: 6 million downloads and counting. Everyone from expats calling home to business travelers needs one.
What to Look for in a Dubai VPN
The main thing is protocol support. Since IPSec and OpenVPN are blocked, you need a VPN that offers WireGuard.
Why WireGuard matters
WireGuard is a newer protocol that's faster and more efficient than OpenVPN. It has lower latency, which matters for voice calls. It also uses less battery on your phone.
For VoIP calls in the UAE, the difference is noticeable. WhatsApp calls over WireGuard actually sound clear. Over slower protocols (if they even connect), you get lag and dropped audio.
At Tegant, we run WireGuard at the kernel level rather than in userspace. It's a technical detail, but it means faster connections.
V2Ray: for when you travel
WireGuard works in the UAE, but if you travel to China, Russia, Qatar, or Saudi Arabia, it won't. Those countries block all standard VPN protocols.
V2Ray is a separate protocol designed for exactly this situation. It disguises your traffic to look like regular HTTPS browsing. At Tegant, we offer both: WireGuard for speed in the UAE, V2Ray for when you travel somewhere more restrictive.
The VPN market is growing fast (projected to hit $77 billion by 2026, according to PureVPN's industry report). That competition means better infrastructure and faster servers for users.
Privacy and no-logs policies
Two other things matter: a no-log policy and DNS leak protection.
A no-log policy means the VPN provider doesn't store records of what you do online. Look for providers that have had their claims verified by independent auditors, not just marketing promises.
DNS leak protection ensures your browsing requests actually go through the VPN tunnel. Without it, your ISP can still see which sites you visit even when the VPN is connected.
Comparing VPN Providers for Dubai and UAE
Since WireGuard works in the UAE, the comparison is really about implementation quality and server speed. All the major providers offer WireGuard now, so the differences are in the details.
The real test is making a WhatsApp call from Dubai Airport wifi, or logging into your bank without getting flagged. That's where you notice the difference between providers.
Protocol options
WireGuard works for daily use in the UAE. The question is what happens when you travel.
Here's how the main providers compare:
- Tegant VPN: WireGuard (kernel-level) plus V2Ray/XRay for China/Russia
- NordVPN: NordLynx (their WireGuard version) plus obfuscated OpenVPN servers
- Surfshark: WireGuard plus automatic "NoBorders" mode
For the UAE itself, all of these work. The obfuscation features only matter if you travel to countries that block VPNs entirely.
The short version: WireGuard support, a verified no-logs policy, and fast servers. Obfuscation is only needed if you travel to more restrictive countries.
UAE VPN Feature Comparison
To see how these technical differences play out, let's put them side-by-side. This table focuses on the features that directly impact your connection's stability and privacy in the UAE.
| Feature | Tegant VPN | Competitor A | Competitor B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stealth Protocol | V2Ray with XRay-core | Obfuscated OpenVPN | Proprietary (NoBorders) |
| Speed Protocol | WireGuard | NordLynx (WireGuard fork) | WireGuard |
| Protocol Switching | Yes (Manual) | Yes (Manual) | Automatic |
| No-Logs Policy | Strict & Verified | Audited No-Logs | Audited No-Logs |
| Server Network | 10 Gbps global servers | 10 Gbps global servers | 10 Gbps global servers |
All three have fast servers and no-logs policies. The difference is in protocol options: Tegant offers both WireGuard and V2Ray, which matters if you travel to China or Russia.
Speed in practice
The best VPN is one you don't notice. WireGuard is efficient enough that your connection shouldn't feel slower.
I've made WhatsApp calls from Mall of the Emirates wifi with WireGuard running. No issues. The call quality was the same as calling from home. Since WireGuard isn't blocked in the UAE, you get its full speed without needing obfuscation tricks.
V2Ray is there for travel to China or Russia. For daily UAE use, WireGuard is all you need.
Privacy policies
A no-log policy needs to be verified by independent auditors, not just claimed in marketing copy.
- Tegant VPN: Strict no-log policy. We don't store activity logs or connection data.
- NordVPN and Surfshark: Both have had their no-log claims audited by third parties.
All three are reasonable choices on the privacy front. The main differentiator is protocol support and whether you need V2Ray for travel.
How People Actually Use VPNs in Dubai
Enough about protocols. Here's what people actually use VPNs for in the UAE.
Making free WhatsApp and Telegram calls
This is the main reason most people get a VPN in the UAE. WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal calls are blocked on Etisalat and Du home internet connections. The telecoms want you to pay for their voice packages instead.
Without a VPN, your options are: pay Etisalat's premium rates, use the carrier's own apps (Botim or C'Me, which also require subscriptions), or just don't make voice calls. Most people choose a fourth option: get a VPN and make free calls like the rest of the world.
The process is simple:
- Connect to your VPN first (use WireGuard)
- Pick a server outside the UAE
- Open WhatsApp or Telegram and call normally
Your traffic routes through the VPN server, bypassing the local blocks. Calls work normally and cost nothing beyond your regular internet connection.
Public wifi security in Dubai
The free wifi at Dubai Mall, Dubai Airport, and cafes is convenient but not secure. Open networks are easy to snoop on.
Connecting to a VPN before using public wifi encrypts your traffic. Someone on the same network can't see what you're doing. This matters when you're logging into your bank or sending work emails.
Accessing home country services
Some services don't work when you're abroad:
- Online banking: Many banks flag logins from UAE IP addresses as suspicious
- News sites: Some local news sources are geo-blocked
- Streaming: Your subscriptions may not work outside your home country
Connecting to a VPN server in your home country gives you an IP address from there. Your bank sees a UK login instead of a UAE one. Your streaming service works normally.
Setting Up Your VPN for Dubai
Setup is straightforward. WireGuard works in the UAE, so you don't need obfuscation. Just pick the right protocol and server.
Which protocol to use
- WireGuard: Use this in the UAE. It's fast and works for everything: calls, streaming, browsing.
- V2Ray: Only needed if you travel to China, Russia, Qatar, or Saudi Arabia where VPNs are blocked more aggressively.
For more detail on protocols, see our VPN protocol comparison.
Which server to pick
The closest server isn't always the fastest. Servers in neighboring countries can be slow or under surveillance.
European hubs like Germany or the Netherlands often work better than closer options. The infrastructure is better, and the connections are more stable. Try a few and see what works best for you.
Settings to enable
Two settings matter:
- Kill switch: Cuts your internet if the VPN drops, so your real IP isn't exposed
- DNS leak protection: Ensures all requests go through the VPN tunnel
Both should be on by default in most VPN apps, but check your settings to be sure.
Why We Built Tegant for Dubai and UAE Users
We're obviously biased here, but we built Tegant specifically for users in restrictive regions like the UAE, China, and Russia.
For the UAE, the focus is WireGuard speed. We run it at the kernel level rather than in userspace, which makes connections faster. This matters for VoIP call quality.
For travel to more restrictive countries, we include V2Ray/XRay as a separate option. It's a different tool for a different problem: when WireGuard gets blocked entirely, V2Ray's obfuscation can still get through.
We don't log user activity or connection data. The apps are straightforward to use. That's about it.
FAQ
The legal question comes up a lot. Using a VPN for privacy or security is generally fine in the UAE. The issue is using it to access illegal content or commit crimes. For more detail, see our guide on VPN legality.
Will a VPN slow down my connection?
With WireGuard, the slowdown is minimal. You probably won't notice it for browsing or calls. The encryption adds some overhead, but modern protocols and fast servers (10 Gbps) keep it negligible.
What's the best protocol for WhatsApp calls?
WireGuard. It has lower latency than older protocols, and it works in the UAE. Use V2Ray only when traveling to countries that block WireGuard.
Tegant offers both WireGuard and V2Ray, with servers optimized for the UAE and other restrictive regions.