5 best VPNs for Qatar – They still work in 2025

Internet censorship has become more prevalent in recent years, and unfortunately, Middle Eastern countries are the most affected. Although Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates come to mind as countries with the most severe restrictions, Qatar’s censorship practices are not far behind these countries.

When you think of Qatar, you probably think of a tax-free country with cheap gasoline, showy lifestyles, and luxury consumption, but once you’re there, you’ll realize that online life isn’t what you think it is. Because anything that the authorities deem improper is restricted in Qatar. You might think that VPNs will come to your aid in this situation, but the websites of VPN services are also restricted in Qatar.

Although these restrictions may appear impossible to overcome, I will introduce you to the best VPNs for Qatar that can be accessed and run smoothly with Qatar ISPs in this article. You will be able to bypass online censorship in Qatar and access any website you want by using one of the Qatar VPNs I recommend.

I came up with the 5 best VPN services for Qatar after testing more than 20 different VPN services and all of their protocol options. Let’s begin with a quick rundown of Qatar VPNs.

1. ExpressVPN: Accessible via a mirror website; Works both on Vodafone and Ooredoo internet providers; Proven no-log policy; 5 simultaneous connections; Starting at $6.67 per month.

2. NordVPN: Accessible via a mirror website; Works both on Vodafone and Ooredoo internet providers; Solid no-log policy; 6 simultaneous connections; Starting at $5.99 per month.

3. Surfshark: Only works on Vodafone; Reliable no-log policy; unlimited simultaneous connections, starting from 2.3$ per month.

4. AtlasVPN: Only works on Vodafone; Solid no-log policy but US-based provider; Unlimited simultaneous connections; free VPN option in Qatar;  Premium plans starting at $1.82 per month.

5. VeePN: Only works on Vodafone; Solid no-log policy; 10 simultaneous connections; Cheapest VPN on our list starting at $1.67 per month.

Note: The five best VPNs for Qatar listed above only work with the operators listed alongside them. However, if you buy Surfshark, AtlasVPN, and VeePN memberships and install the VPN apps on your device before visiting Qatar, you can use these three VPN services with Ooredoo.

How I picked the best VPNs for Qatar

In Qatar, there are no restrictions on VPN protocols, and you can easily connect to servers outside of the country. The issue is that the websites of the VPN services are blocked in Qatar, making it difficult to find an accessible VPN service. As a result, I concentrated on finding VPN services with operational mirror sites or newer services that have not yet been blocked. Based on my experience in Qatar, here are the guidelines I put together for discovering the best Qatar VPNs.

• The website is accessible

Vodafone and Ooredoo are notorious for quickly blocking the websites of VPN services. As a result, VPN services that have mirror sites or that have not yet been blocked because they are new to the market stand out as viable options. Out of the top five Qatar VPNs that work properly in the country, two are accessible on both operators via mirror sites, and the other three are only accessible with Vodafone.

• The service is working

As previously stated, there is no blocking of VPN protocols in Qatar, and the restrictions are implemented through the websites of the services. Connecting to VPN servers should be simple as long as you find an accessible VPN service. If the situation changes in the future, I’ll update this article accordingly.

• Privacy Policy

In Qatar, online traffic is strictly monitored and controlled. Local authorities specifically target VPN services as a means of getting around online restrictions. To safeguard your personal information, the VPN service you select should have a dependable privacy policy. That is why, when evaluating the available options, I concentrated my efforts on finding no-log VPN services.

• Speed and performance

During my visit to Qatar, I noticed that the internet infrastructure is quite developed and that 5G networks are widely used. As a result, the average download speed I received from local ISPs was quite fast. Connecting to a remote VPN server, on the other hand, will undoubtedly slow down your connection. If you want to have a trouble-free internet experience while in Qatar, you should look into the download and upload speeds of Qatar VPNs from various server locations around the world.

• Compatibility and pricing

Although it may appear trivial, the device or devices you use have a significant impact on your VPN selection. I concentrated on VPN services that offer extensive application libraries to make your job easier. Furthermore, I paid close attention to features, such as the number of simultaneous connections, customer support, the money-back guarantee, and whether or not the service has a reasonable pricing policy.

The 5 Best Working VPNs in Qatar

Now that we’ve determined what we require from a Qatar VPN, it’s time for in-depth reviews of VPN services that operate in Qatar. I recommend that you carefully read the details provided for the five VPN services before deciding on your primary VPN provider. A minor detail that you overlooked may prevent the VPN service from functioning properly.

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has been in the VPN market since 2008 and is a well-known brand. ExpressVPN is no slouch when it comes to circumventing restrictions. If its official website is blocked, ExpressVPN continues to operate through mirror sites, which is also the case in Qatar.

When you get to the ExpressVPN website, you can easily purchase the service. After that, go to the mirror site and download and install the ExpressVPN app. Once installed, you can access the app by entering a unique license code or an email and password combination.

Because there are no restrictions on VPN protocols in Qatar, you can let ExpressVPN choose the best protocol option for your local network. Then all you have to do is connect to the VPN server of your choice.

When it comes to privacy, ExpressVPN was one of the first VPN providers to be audited. ExpressVPN, with its strict no-log policy, is a dependable option for protecting your personal information from online tracking in Qatar.

Furthermore, ExpressVPN provides decent download and upload speeds from all over the world. The upload and download speeds of ExpressVPN servers from three different global locations are shown below.

• The United States – Download: 44.29 Mbps, upload: 65.46 Mbps
• Germany – Download: 113.56 Mbps, upload: 76,97 Mbps
• Australia – Download: 40.52 Mbps, upload: 29.26 Mbps

Considering a download speed of 25 Mbps is sufficient for 4K streaming, you can make seamless voice and video calls and carry out your day-to-day internet activities with ExpressVPN.

When it comes to compatibility, ExpressVPN is also a highly viable option. The following devices are supported by ExpressVPN:

• PC: Linux, Windows, MacOS
• Mobile devices: iOS, Android
• Browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Vivaldi
• TVs: Android TV, Amazon Fire, ROKU, Chromecast, Apple TV, Nvidia Shield
• Consoles: Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
• Others: Routers, FireStick, Kindle Fire

ExpressVPN supports up to five simultaneous connections with a single account, has a 30-day money-back guarantee, and its most affordable plan starts at $6.67 per month.

2. NordVPN

NordVPN is one of the biggest players in the VPN market, and many consider it to be the industry leader. NordVPN works with both Vodafone and Ooredoo in Qatar thanks to mirror sites.

After purchasing a suitable plan, all you have to do is search for the server to which you want to connect and let NordVPN do the rest. You can also let NordVPN choose the best encryption protocol for you.

I mentioned that NordVPN is a good option for those who are concerned about their privacy and security. To begin with, NordVPN’s headquarters are in Panama, which has no data retention legislation. With NordVPN’s strict no-log policy, you can use it in Qatar with confidence. The company summarizes its privacy stance as “nothing to store, nothing to share with anyone.”

When we look at NordVPN’s server performance in different locations, we see download speeds that are close to 300 Mbps in all three.

• The United States – Download: 300.37 Mbps, upload: 16.69 Mbps
• Germany – Download: 310.33 Mbps, upload: 24.78 Mbps
• Australia – Download: 284.02 Mbps, upload: 15.11 Mbps

It is safe to say that NordVPN’s server performance will not disappoint in Qatar, where fast internet is essential. However, for activities requiring high upload performance, you may want to consider other options.

NordVPN has a VPN solution for each platform listed below. While some apps can be installed automatically, others require manual intervention to function properly.

• PCs: Windows, macOS, Linux
• Smart devices: Android, iOS, iPad; Android TV
• Browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox
• TVs: FireTV, Android TV, Chromecast,
• Consoles: Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
• Others: Routers, Raspberry Pi, Amazon Kindle

If you like what NordVPN has to offer, the basic plan costs $5.99 per month. You can use your account with up to six simultaneous connections, and if you are unhappy with their service, you can request a refund within 30 days.

3. Surfshark

Despite being a newer service compared to ExpressVPN and NordVPN, Surfshark is still faced with restrictions in Qatar and is only available through Vodafone. To use Surfshark with Ooredoo, you must purchase a subscription and download the Surfshark app before traveling to Qatar.

In terms of privacy, Surfshark is based in the British Virgin Islands, where there is no legal requirement to log and store user data. Given the level of surveillance in Qatar, this is a significant benefit for anyone who wishes to keep their private data secure. Surfshark also uses 100% RAM Disk servers, which makes data storage impossible, adding another layer of security.

When we examine Surfshark’s performance data, we discover that we can get an average download speed of 300 Mbps from servers located all over the world.

• The United States – Download: 298.21 Mbps, upload: 25.01 Mbps
• Germany – Download: 317.67 Mbps, upload: 73.26 Mbps
• Australia – Download: 295.75 Mbps, upload: 49.79 Mbps

If you need a connection that requires high upload speeds, such as for large-scale online business meetings in Qatar, connecting to Surfshark’s European servers will provide the performance you require.

Surfshark’s application library is quite large, and there is a Surfshark app for almost every popular modern device.

• PC: Linux, Windows, MacOS
• Mobile devices: iOS, Android
• Browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge
• TVs: FireTV, Android TV,
• Consoles: Playstation, Xbox
• Others: Routers

Surfshark is a good option if you are already in Qatar and looking for a VPN service that works with Vodafone. Furthermore, Surfshark is significantly less expensive than ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Surfshark’s basic plan costs $2.30 per month and allows you to use your account on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously.

4. AtlasVPN

If you want the best free VPN in Qatar, AtlasVPN is the service for you. AtlasVPN, in addition to premium servers, provides a free VPN service in Qatar. However, just like Surfshark, AtlasVPN only works with Vodafone.

There is one thing to keep in mind when evaluating AtlasVPN for privacy. AtlasVPN, as a US-based company, is bound by US laws and must hand over all user data to authorities in the face of a court order. Having said that, AtlasVPN claims to have a strict no-log policy and does not store any user data on its 100% RAM disk servers.

We don’t need to differentiate between AtlasVPN’s free and premium versions when evaluating its performance. AtlasVPN’s free servers have no speed restrictions. The company’s free servers are in Amsterdam, Los Angeles, and New York, and the monthly data usage limit is 5GB. Here are the download and upload speeds I received from various locations around the world:

• The United States – Download: 106.16 Mbps, upload: 21.06 Mbps
• Germany – Download: 316.81 Mbps, upload: 21.38 Mbps
• Australia – Download: 285.65 Mbps, upload: 18.25 Mbps

As you can see, by connecting to AtlasVPN’s European servers, you can access the internet in Qatar as if you were not connected to a VPN server. AtlasVPN’s upload performance will also satisfy you.

AtlasVPN has limited app compatibility, which could be a disadvantage. If you choose AtlasVPN as your primary provider, I recommend double-checking whether AtlasVPN supports your device.

• PC: Linux, Windows, MacOS
• Mobile devices: iOS, Android
• Browsers: N/A
• TVs: Android TV, Amazon Fire
• Consoles: N/A

If you are satisfied with AtlasVPN as a free Qatar VPN, the service’s premium prices are also quite affordable. AtlasVPN’s basic plan starts at $1.82 per month and allows you to use your account on an unlimited number of devices.

5. VeePN

VeePN is another VPN service that only works with Vodafone in Qatar. You can use the service with Ooredoo, just like Surfshark and AtlasVPN, if you purchase and pre-download the service before your visit to Qatar. VeePN has a straightforward interface and allows you to change your IP address with a few clicks.

VeePN is a Panama-based company that is not subject to any data retention laws in terms of privacy. VeePN claims to have a zero-log policy, but as a new provider, more time is needed to assess its full trustworthiness.

The speed I got from various VeePN servers appears to be promising.

• The United States – Download: 279.56 Mbps, upload: 39.45 Mbps
• Germany – Download: 316.03 Mbps, upload: 49.45 Mbps
• Australia – Download: 39.29 Mbps, upload: 32.53 Mbps

Even though VeePN’s server performance is more than adequate for your daily internet activities, I must admit that I was dissatisfied with VeePN in terms of streaming and experienced buffering issues.

VeePN supports popular devices, but its application library isn’t as extensive as ExpressVPN’s or NordVPN’s.

• PC: Linux, Windows, MacOS
• Mobile devices: iOS, Android
• Browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox
• TVs: Android TV, FireTV
• Consoles: N/A
• Others: Router

Among all of its other advantages, VeePN’s pricing policy is its most significant advantage over its competitors. VeePN is the most affordable VPN service on our list, with prices starting at $1.67 per month and letting you use your account with 10 simultaneous connections.

Online Censorship in Qatar

Visitors to Qatar face a serious problem with online censorship. Pornography, political criticism, LGBT+ content, dating and escort services, and other potentially harmful content are blocked. Some users have complained that even non-obscene or offensive websites are occasionally blocked.

The government has broad powers and strict surveillance of online activity thanks to laws such as the Cybercrime Prevention Law of 2014 and the Personal Data Protection Law of 2016.

Once in Qatar, you’ll also notice that any form of online communication—online calls, video calls, and encrypted services like WhatsApp and FaceTime—is prohibited. As a result, making phone calls to friends and family in Qatar can be difficult.

How can a VPN help you in Qatar?

You should already have a potential use in mind if you’re looking for the best VPN in Qatar. To broaden your perspective, allow me to go over in greater detail how a VPN service can help you in Qatar.

Make voice and video calls

Voice and video calling apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and FaceTime are not permitted in Qatar. Using a VPN service, you can easily circumvent these restrictions and make audio and video calls to your friends and family.

Watch Porn in Qatar

Pornhub, xHamster, and other pornographic websites are prohibited in Qatar. A VPN allows you to access these sites by routing your traffic through a server in another country where access is not restricted. I recommend connecting to EU countries like the Netherlands.

Avoid Qatar’s internet restrictions and monitoring

I mentioned that the government in Qatar has broad powers for online censorship and surveillance. A VPN connection enhances your online security and privacy by encrypting your data and hiding your IP address, as well as providing access to blocked websites.

Gain access to geo-restricted content

Popular platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and others provide different libraries in different countries. There’s a good chance you won’t be able to find the latest episode of the TV show you’ve been watching for a long time while in Qatar. You can change your virtual location and continue watching movies and TV shows by connecting to a VPN server in your home country (or any other country).

Use dating apps

Dating apps like Tinder, Grindr, Badoo, and Happn may have limited functionality or be banned in Qatar. A VPN can help you get around these restrictions and use these dating apps freely.

Note: While engaging in any of these activities, ensure that you are always connected to a VPN service with a “Kill Switch” feature so that no data is leaked to Qatar’s internet providers.

Summing up the best Qatar VPNs article

Visitors to Qatar face significant challenges due to online restrictions. When using local internet providers such as Vodafone and Ooredoo, you will encounter severe censorship. You will not be able to use popular services such as WhatsApp or FaceTime, nor will you be able to access adult content or dating apps. The list of blocked websites and applications is endless.

VPN services are useful for online security and privacy, as well as for accessing restricted websites and apps. Finding a VPN service that works in Qatar, on the other hand, can be difficult because most of the VPN service websites are also blocked. To save you time, I compiled a list of the top 5 VPNs for Qatar after conducting extensive research and personally visiting the country.

ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, AtlasVPN, and VeePN are all working VPN websites in Qatar. However, before you choose one of them, I strongly recommend that you read about each provider, as two of them work with both operators and the other three only with Vodafone.

Burak Kara

I’m a part-time traveler on a mission: to explore the world and uncover the intricate demands of VPN usage. Fueled by curiosity, I meticulously navigate the realms of privacy, streaming, and unblocking needs in every destination I visit. With a keen eye, I analyze the local and global VPN demands of each country, translating my findings into informative articles about VPN-related topics.