Are you a journalist who wants to enjoy the freedom of speech and press in Qatar? Or are you a human rights activist fighting for Qatar’s freedoms but fearing victimization by the military or government? Would you like to open up more geo-restricted content on streaming websites? Would you like to enjoy Facebook, Viber, Skype, WhatsApp, or other social media and VoIP apps like the rest of the world? Or are you an ordinary Qatar resident who wishes to secure your online space? Using the best Qatar VPN is always your best bet!
Despite having made its presence felt in the world, especially by hosting the FIFA 2022 Cup, Qatar remains a mystery region, particularly for its aggressive approach toward internet freedom.
The best VPNs for Qatar will unblock all your dream websites and help you access otherwise Qatar content geo-restrictions. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) encrypt your web traffic and route it to an intermediary server, thus changing your IP address.
So, you fool trackers, websites, and mobile applications into believing you’re browsing the internet from another country! And you can successfully use a VPN to encrypt your internet and hide from the prying eyes of government agencies.
Top 5 Qatar VPNs – Quick list
- ExpressVPN: Military-grade security, encryption, and fast streaming speeds make ExpressVPN the perfect service for unblocking geo-restricted content in Qatar.
- Private Internet Access: Popular security package for internet users since 2010. Private Internet Access VPN has more than 30,000 servers in 84 countries.
- Surfshark: Best budget top-grade VPN for accessing social media in Qatar.
- NordVPN: High-end VPN service with a comprehensive security package.
- PrivateVPN: Newcomer is taking the VPN industry by storm for its solid encryption protocols, fast speeds, and DNS leak protection.
Why do I need a VPN in Qatar?
Qatar is a Middle Eastern Country with stringent restrictions on the internet. According to the US Department of State, Qatar “criminalizes libel, restricts assembly, curtails freedoms of speech and formation of labor unions.” In 2016, the Qatari government blocked Doha News from covering sensitive political stories.
And in part, this bans social media and several other websites. Most internet censorship happens discreetly, with ISP providers making the regulation. Some sources claim that the Ooredoo and Vodafone telcos are responsible for implementing the orders as the state wills.
Unrestricted internet advocacy body Freedom House further claims that the Qataris have no freedom of the press and suffer significant restrictions on information. Anyone who criticizes the government is subject to serious consequences, including prosecution.
Yet, the Qatari Royal family owns Al Jazeera, a worldwide news outlet that heavily criticizes neighboring Arab states but ignores the discontent at home.
The Qatari authorities outline a list of illegal sites which are technically outlawed. Some agencies threaten to take legal action against anyone who streams illegal content or downloads pirated material. But, the law has a gray area regarding using torrent sites, as there is no evidence of anyone ever being sued for downloading content.
So, if you are in Qatar and trying to access a social media website, stream content (or do anything else on the internet), have a VPN! A VPN comes in handy when you want to stay on the safe side of the law and enjoy the entire breadth of the internet.
With a proper VPN, you can unblock a sea of movies and TV shows on Netflix and other streaming websites. Apart from accessing geo-restricted apps, and online services, you can easily unblock websites in Qatar.
Disclaimer: In no way does PrivacySavvy encourage the illegal access or use of the internet in Qatar. Our advocacy for using a VPN aligns with our objective to promote personal security and privacy on the internet. We advise you to seek legal guidance from a professional if you have any questions.
5 best Qatar VPNs in 2023 – Detailed list
The internet has dozens of VPNs you can use to unblock restricted content and pierce through firewalls. But only the best VPNs for Qatar can make it to our list. Our choice of the best VPNs in Qatar is based on a checklist of superior features.
Here are our selection criteria for the VPNs that we recommend for people in Doha and its environs:
- 24/7 customer support
- 256-bit military-grade encryption
- Fast and reliable
- Worldwide network of servers
- Several simultaneous connections per subscription
- Credible providers
- Functional in Qatar and the Middle East
Below is a detailed review of the best VPN services you can use in the Arabian country.