When it comes to social freedom, Qatar is known to be one of the freest countries in the Gulf; however when it comes to internet freedom the case is different. Similar to most countries in the Gulf, Qatar has very strict online restrictions. These restrictions are mostly due to religious reasons placed by the governing bodies. When it comes to politics, freedom of speech is supposedly protected by the constitution, but in reality lots of online content is also banned due to political reasons under the justification of “hate speech”. In addition to that, many VOIP services are blocked except when used through the Qatar local ISP’s. This is a big problem in Qatar especially that the majority of the residents in Qatar are expats. Another issue that faces the expats or foreigners living in Qatar is not being able to access geo-restricted sites from their home countries (Netflix, BBC iPlayer, HBO, DAZN, etc.). Internet users started seeking reliable solutions for these issues and the most suitable solution was the use of a trustworthy VPN.
A VPN has 3 main purposes. The first purpose is that most reliable VPN providers have a network of servers all around the world so their users can connect to and bypass any online restrictions in their region and at the same time each server provides the users with several shared IP’s to hide their online identity within. Secondly these connections are highly encrypted to keep the users’ online activities and identity secured. Last but not least, they provide their users with online privacy protection features to protect their online information. Almost all VPNs in the market serve these same purposes, however not all of them perform with the same level of efficiency and reliability. This is why it is very critical to focus carefully on the features related to these purposes when selecting the suitable VPN. Accordingly we have done our research and came up with the 3 most suitable VPNs for an online obstacle such as Qatar.
Best VPNs for Qatar
VyprVPN
VyprVPN is one of the leading names in the field of online security as it is owned by the large internet company, Golden Frog. It is located in Switzerland which is known to be one of the countries with the highest online freedom. Ever since it started, it has been providing its users with extremely competitive online security and privacy features. Today it provides these features to over 200,000 satisfied users worldwide including the users in Qatar.
Level of Security
- Network secured with a 256-bit encryption
- Advanced and unique security protocols supported (OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, and its very own Chameleon)
- Additional security features include NAT Firewall and Internet Kill Switch
Network of Servers
- The Golden Frog network consists of over 700 servers in more than 70 server locations, spread across 6 continents
- These servers are 100% owned by Golden Frog
- The network provides its users with more than 200,000 shared IP’s
Additional Features
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Unlimited server switching
- Up to 5 simultaneous connections
- Zero-Knowledge VyprDNS service (zero online traffic logs)
- 3-day free trial
WaselPro VPN
WaselPro is considered the strongest and most popular VPN in the Middle East. It provides its users with extremely competitive and powerful online security features. It has recently merged with one of the large internation VPNs, BVPN, and since has been ranking very high internationally among its competitors. When we were searching for a VPN that is suitable for the online censorship challenge in Qatar, WaselPro exceeded our expectations.
Level of Security
- Entire network is secured with a 256-bit military grade encryption
- Multiple advanced and unique security protocols supported (OpenVPN with UDP/TCP, L2TP/IPSec, SSH, SSTP, and its very own Smoke Tunnel)
- Additional security features include Internet Kill Switch, IPv6 Leak Protection, and Public Wi-Fi Hotspot Protection
Network of Servers
- Network consists of over 20 strategically placed server locations worldwide
- This network is continuously expanded and upgraded
- Servers provide users with countless shared IP’s
Additional Features
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Unlimited server switching
- Up to 6 simultaneous connections
- No logs kept
- Arabic speaking customer support (Very important advantage in the Middle East)
- 7-day money back guarantee
PureVPN
PureVPN is a Hong Kong based VPN provider that officially started operating back in 2007. It has successfully made a very big name for itself in the VPN market and grew at a very impressive rate. It started off with as little as 2 server locations and was able to expand to become an international giant among it competitors. Its commitment to providing its users with the highest level of online security, privacy and freedom is what made it an easy recommendation for Qatar.
Level of Security
- Entire network is secured with 256-bit encryption
- Multiple security protocols supported (OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, SSTP, and IKEv2)
- Additional security features include Automatic Protocol Selection, Wi-Fi Security, Internet Kill Switch, NAT Firewall, and DDoS Protection
Network of Servers
- More than 750 servers spread across 141 countries around the world
- This network provides the users with more than 88,000 shared IP’s and the availability of dedicated IP’s
Additional Features
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Unlimited server switching
- Up to 5 simultaneous connections
- Split Tunneling
- 7-day money back guarantee
Conclusion
Internet in Qatar is a main source of information and communication for expats. This is why these restrictions are causing a massive inconvenience for both citizens and expats. Acquiring a VPN in Qatar is no longer an option or an accessory; it has become a vital issue. It has become as important as the internet connection itself to be able to enjoy complete freedom, security, and privacy while browsing the web or making an international call through a VOIP application.
