If you travel to the UAE (or other countries like China, Oman, and Egypt) you can still connect to your Discord account using a premium VPN. As many VPN services don’t work in the UAE, I’ve tested more than 30 services to find the top VPNs that still work and that will securely connect you to Discord. The best VPN for Discord in the UAE is ExpressVPN, with blazing-fast speeds, obfuscated servers, and top-tier privacy features. Plus, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free — if you’re not satisfied, ExpressVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee. Use Discord in the UAE with ExpressVPN
Quick Guide: 3 Steps to Use Discord in the UAE
How to Use a VPN in the UAE & More
While it’s simple to use a VPN in the UAE and countries with similar network restrictions (like China, North Korea, Iran, Oman, and Egypt), there are certain precautions you must take before connecting. This is because the use of non-government-approved VPNs is often prohibited, and these services are inaccessible when you’re in the country. In the UAE, Etisalat and DU (top ISP services) both attempt to block VPNs and their websites using proxy detection technology. Here are the steps you should take before making a connection: By following these steps, you’ll ensure you can securely connect to Discord when in the UAE, China, and other countries that restrict access to the service.
The Best VPNs for Discord in 2023
1. ExpressVPN — Obfuscation on Every Server and Blazing-Fast Speeds for Secure Discord Chat
Key Features: ExpressVPN is the top service for Discord in the UAE, with outstanding security and privacy features that ensure you always get a secure connection. These features include:
AES-256-bit unhackable encryption on all connections to keep your data and activity secure Obfuscation on every server masks your VPN traffic to look like regular traffic, avoiding proxy detection that could block access to Discord Network lock kill switch automatically cuts access to the internet if the VPN connection is interrupted, maintaining your anonymity Data leak protection prevents accidental IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks that could compromise your security RAM-based server infrastructure with TrustedServer technology guarantees no identifiable data is ever logged or stored Independently audited zero-log privacy policy, with real-world proof that ExpressVPN doesn’t log data — Turkish authorities seized a server but recovered no information.
With these top features, ExpressVPN can not only connect you to your Discord account, but also protect your data and activity from hackers and competitive gaming opponents who may launch DDoS attacks or try to “swat” you. Alongside this impressive security, ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs on the market. Using the proprietary Lightway protocol (designed for speed and security), my server connections were established in less than 2 seconds for near-instant protection. Plus, my download and upload speeds were fast enough for lag-free gaming on Call of Duty: Warzone, clear voice and video calls, UHD streaming, and more. I had a drop in speed of 18% on average, which is impressive considering the layers of encryption and security ExpressVPN provides. I was pleased to find ExpressVPN has platform support for multiple devices, including Windows and Mac, smartphones, and router compatibility — this is ideal for game consoles like PlayStation and Xbox that don’t natively support a VPN app. The app interface is almost identical across devices, making it easy to navigate whether I’m gaming on my Windows PC or chatting on Discord using my iPhone. Plus, ExpressVPN has support for up to 5 simultaneous connections, so you can securely connect to Discord on multiple devices. The only downside is that ExpressVPN is a little more expensive than other VPNs. Its plans start at $6.67/month for a 1-year subscription, giving you a 49% discount. However, I’m happy to pay extra for a service that guarantees a secure and fast connection to my Discord account. Try ExpressVPN with Discord for yourself risk-free — if you’re not satisfied, you can get a full refund within 30 days. I tested this process for myself and it was easy, taking less than 3 minutes to confirm my refund request over the 24/7 live chat. I had my money back in my account in less than 5 days. Try ExpressVPN risk-free
2. CyberGhost — Top-Tier Security With Automatic Connections When Using Discord
Key Features: CyberGhost provides premium security for Discord in the UAE, with configurable settings that guarantee you’re always connected to the VPN before you start chatting online. Here are some of the features it uses to protect your data and online activity:
Military-grade encryption on all server connections to keep data and devices secure Automatic kill switch cuts access to the internet if the VPN is interrupted to avoid accidental data leaks Content blocker stops ads, trackers, and domains containing malicious code RAM-based servers guarantee your data is never logged or stored by CyberGhost Audited zero-log policy confirms CyberGhost doesn’t keep any identifiable user data.
I was especially pleased to see CyberGhost has a feature that automatically connects the VPN when a specific app is opened. It was easy to configure the App Rules feature so you can open the Discord app and immediately connect to a secure CyberGhost server. Manually select a server outside of the UAE to ensure you can always access your account. To keep your gaming and Discord activity smooth and lag-free, CyberGhost has fast connections on its local servers. Nearby locations always had the fastest speeds, with a reduction of 15% on average. While I did experience a bigger slowdown over longer distances, this is pretty standard for a VPN — you’ll only notice a difference if your regular internet speeds are slower than around 25Mbps. To ensure you get the best speeds, I recommend using the WireGuard protocol and choosing a server near to your physical location. If you’re a Windows user, CyberGhost has optimized servers specifically for gaming. These servers are designed to provide blazing-fast, secure connections for lag-free online gaming — and protection from malware, third-party spies, and DDoS attacks. In my tests, I found these servers were ideal for fast-paced online gaming, and I could comfortably chat on Discord without any interruptions. Unfortunately, these servers are only available on the Windows app, so you won’t find them on your Mac or smartphone. On the plus side, CyberGhost has platform compatibility with multiple popular devices, and you can connect up to 7 devices at the same time. This makes it easy to take CyberGhost with you when you travel to the UAE, ensuring you can always securely connect to your Discord account. Give CyberGhost with Discord a try risk-free, and at a reasonable price — plans start at $2.11/month for a 2-year + 3 months subscription. Plus, CyberGhost has a 45-day money-back guarantee, and it’s easy to get a refund if you change your mind. I arranged my refund in a couple of minutes using the 24/7 live chat, and had my money back within a week. Try CyberGhost risk-free
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Huge Server Network Provides Fast Connections to Discord
Key Features: Private Internet Access (PIA) has a huge server network, with high-performing servers in the Middle East. With so many servers available, it’s easy to find a fast, local connection for lag-free Discord video and voice chat, as well as online gaming. PIA has servers in the UAE, as well as nearby countries like Turkey and Pakistan. In my tests, I didn’t experience any issues connecting to servers, or slow speeds caused by user congestion — my connections took a couple of seconds, and nearby servers were fast. I had a speed drop of 20% on local connections, which was fast enough for lag-free gaming, UHD streaming, torrenting, and more. To keep speeds fast, choose a low ping server close to your location and use the WireGuard protocol. You’ll need top security while you’re in the UAE, and PIA provides the following high-tier features on its apps:
AES-256-bit encryption on every server connection Automatic kill switch protects against accidental leaks if the VPN is interrupted Data leak protection avoids IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks Server obfuscation using the multi-hop feature (with Shadowsocks proxy) to hide your VPN traffic and avoid proxy detection (OpenVPN protocol only) Audited zero-log policy confirms PIA won’t log or store any identifiable data while you’re connected to its servers.
As a bonus, PIA has a Split Tunnel feature that I found useful for guaranteeing a VPN connection when using Discord. I configured PIA’s Split Tunnel to only allow Discord when the VPN is active, making sure I wouldn’t accidentally start a call without an encrypted connection. I tested PIA with a variety of devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, and found the apps are intuitive and easy to set up. Plus, PIA provides up to Unlimited simultaneous connections, which is ideal for protecting all of your devices — it’s convenient when you’re traveling abroad, to the UAE and elsewhere. My only issue with PIA is that it’s based in the US, which has notoriously unfriendly privacy regulations that pose a threat to online anonymity. However, as PIA has been independently audited, I feel reassured that my data is secure. Even if the government issues a subpoena, PIA can’t hand over any information. You can try PIA with Discord for yourself risk-free — the best deals are found with its long-term plan (just $2.11/month for a 2-year + 3 months subscription). PIA is also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you change your mind. I tested the process and had my refund arranged after the live chat agent confirmed my request. I had my money back in a week. Try PIA risk-free
4. PrivateVPN — Stealth VPN Obfuscation Feature Ideal for Discord in the UAE
Key Features: PrivateVPN’s effective server obfuscation lets you access Discord in the UAE without detection. Once the Stealth VPN feature is switched on, PrivateVPN masks your VPN traffic to look like regular traffic, making it difficult to detect your VPN use. This lets you chat on Discord and game online without being monitored by your ISP or anyone else watching. Make sure you toggle Stealth VPN on, as it isn’t automatically active when you download the app. Alongside Stealth VPN, PrivateVPN also has the following security and privacy features to keep your data and connections protected:
Military-grade encryption to hide your activity from prying eyes Automatic kill switch stops data leaks if the VPN is interrupted unexpectedly DNS and IP leak protection keeps your data secure against accident leaks Application Guard feature terminates specific apps if the VPN connection is interrupted — can be configured with Discord Independently audited privacy policy confirms PrivateVPN never logs or stores any identifiable user data.
I thought that these high-level features would cause a significant slowdown to my speed, but my tests show PrivateVPN is reliably fast, especially on local servers. My speeds slowed more than with other top VPNs like ExpressVPN, but they were consistently fast enough for lag-free gaming in Call of Duty: Warzone and uninterrupted video calls. On average, my speeds dropped by around 30%. However, it’s important to note that you may notice an impact on your online activities if your regular internet speeds are slow (around 25Mbps or less). With PrivateVPN, you can connect up to 10 devices at the same time — a generous amount for a low cost service. PrivateVPN also has native apps for most popular platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, making it easy to secure your devices when you’re at home and traveling. As one of the most affordable monthly VPNs available, you can subscribe to PrivateVPN from as little as $2.00/month for a 3-year plan. You can try PrivateVPN with Discord in the UAE risk-free, as the service is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. I tested the process by sending a refund request by email to customer support. A confirmation email was sent within 8 hours, and I had my money back in less than a week. Try PrivateVPN risk-free
5. IPVanish — Detailed Interface Ideal for Choosing Fast, Secure Servers for Gaming and Discord
Key Features: This VPN makes choosing the best server easy thanks to its detailed interface, so you’ll always have fast connections for chatting on Discord and gaming online. I found manually selecting my server always resulted in a faster, smoother connection. IPVanish details the ping (or latency) and user load of every server — simply by picking a server with low ping and load, I had a fast connection for lag-free calls and smooth gaming. When manually choosing a server, I found IPVanish provides reliably fast speeds across its global network. Local servers reduced my speeds by just 12%, while distant connections had an average drop of 34%. Even with the reduction, my speeds were fast enough for UHD streaming, lag-free gaming, and clear Discord calls. However, if you have slower speeds (around 20Mbps), you’ll notice a bigger impact. To ensure your connections in the UAE are secure, IPVanish provides the following features:
AES-256-bit encryption to keep third-party eyes away from your data and activity Data leak protection to protect against accidental IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks Scramble obfuscation for OpenVPN to mask your VPN traffic, avoiding proxy detection technology Audited zero-log policy confirms your personal connection data is never stored.
Despite WireGuard being IPVanish’s fastest protocol, I recommend switching to OpenVPN when in the UAE — IPVanish’s OpenVPN protocol is compatible with its Scramble obfuscation feature, which hides your VPN traffic to look like regular traffic. This helps avoid detection so you can access Discord. I also recommend activating the kill switch (to block internet access if the VPN is interrupted) as this isn’t on automatically. I like that IPVanish has unlimited device connections. This means I can keep all of my devices connected to play games, chat on Discord, or browse the web securely. My only issue with IPVanish is its price; it’s an expensive option, considering its limited feature set. Plans start at $3.33/month for a 2-year subscription. For a lower monthly cost, you get a wider range of tools and optimized servers with CyberGhost. If you want to test the service, you can try IPVanish with Discord risk-free for up to 30 days. Getting a refund is easy — I logged into my IPVanish account through my browser and clicked “Cancel Now” in the Subscriptions menu. I had my money back in a couple of hours. Try IPVanish risk-free IPVanish unblocks: Netflix, Showtime, Discovery+, Paramount+, ITVX, ESPN, Vudu, and more.
Why You Need a VPN to Use Discord in the UAE
Due to government restrictions on VoIP calling, Discord is blocked in the UAE — as are other similar apps like WhatsApp, Skype, and Telegram. The main ISP, Etisalat, has imposed a blanket ban on Discord since 2020, encouraging users to use the UAE’s telecoms infrastructure, rather than making free calls. As such, if you want to use Discord when you’re visiting the UAE, you’ll need to connect to a top-tier VPN first. A VPN encrypts your connection through a secure tunnel, masking your online activity so the ISP cannot see what you’re doing and cannot block your Discord use. Some services like ExpressVPN also obfuscate your connection, meaning your VPN traffic looks like regular traffic. This makes it even harder for the ISP to detect your VPN use, so it’s easier to connect to a VoIP service like Discord. Not only does a VPN let you connect to Discord, it also helps you maintain a high level of security and online privacy. Without a VPN, your online activity and data are easily accessible to anyone who wants to monitor your connection: hackers, disgruntled online gaming opponents, and even the UAE authorities and ISP. By first connecting to a VPN, you ensure your identifiable data, true location, and more are hidden and protected. This helps you to mitigate the chance you’ll have your connection monitored, avoid DDoS attacks, and even help prevent “swatting” (a criminal act that involves having emergency services sent to your location through deceptive means). While not every service has the ability to connect to Discord from the UAE, all of the tried-and-tested VPNs listed above do. Of these services, ExpressVPN is the best option for fast, secure connections to Discord in the UAE — its server obfuscation lets you access your Discord account easily, and blazing-fast speeds ensure your video and voice calls are clear and lag-free.
How to Set Up a VPN for Discord on All Your Devices
Use Discord with ExpressVPN
Browsers
If you want to use Discord’s browser app, you can also configure a VPN browser extension. This is useful if you just want to encrypt your browser connection and use other apps on a local IP address.
Game Consoles
Discord is designed for gamers, but game consoles like PlayStation and Xbox don’t support VPN apps. Fortunately, there’s a way you can configure your VPN with your smart TV, game console, or any other device that doesn’t support a VPN app — by using a compatible router. The exact steps for router setup will vary depending on the VPN and router model you choose. Make sure you refer to your VPN’s setup guide for the correct method.
Start Using Discord in the UAE Today
Discord is blocked in the UAE, but that doesn’t mean you can’t connect to your account when you’re visiting on vacation or for work. With a top-tier VPN, you can securely access your Discord account to video and voice chat with friends worldwide. Unofficially, it’s thought that VoIP services like Discord, Skype, and WhatsApp are banned or restricted in the UAE to prevent citizens from communicating with unmonitored connections. The UAE has a thorough and widespread surveillance system for online activity, with many restrictions based on government regulations. As Discord is banned in the UAE, there is a chance you could be penalized if you’re found to be using the VoIP service with a VPN. You could face a fine or even jail time. My team and I don’t condone any illegal activity, so please make sure you’re aware of local laws and regulations before using a VPN with Discord in the UAE. It’s important to note that if you’re found to be using Discord VoIP with a VPN in a restricted country, you could face legal penalties. My team and I do not condone any illegal activity, so make sure you’re fully aware of the laws and legal repercussions before using Discord. Unlike other similar apps (like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Viber), Discord doesn’t provide any encryption or additional security for your activity. While the content of your messages, video chats, and calls isn’t actively monitored, Discord staff can access this data — this is typically to investigate harassment and abuse claims. Even with a VPN connection, Discord staff can read your private messages to investigate reports. You may find that using some VPN IP addresses (typically from free services) means you can’t connect to Discord. This is because Discord will block IP addresses associated with bad conduct or reports of abuse. Fortunately, the solution is simple — choose a quality VPN that is proven to work with Discord. It’s important to download your VPN before you arrive in the UAE, as this action could trigger your activity being monitored by surveillance agencies, even if you’re not doing anything illegal. You should also ensure you only use a top-tier VPN service and avoid free VPNs if you don’t want to be tracked. Many shady free services promise to protect your data, but instead log your online activity to sell to third-parties — this could result in your activity being traced directly back to you. However, the act of downloading a VPN or your VPN use being detected could cause issues. VPN users can be monitored by surveillance agencies, even if you’re not doing anything illegal. This is why it’s so important to use a VPN that not only protects your data, but also keeps your VPN connection hidden with features like server obfuscation, an automatic kill switch, and data leak protection. Even the best free VPNs in 2023 won’t let you connect to Discord as much as you want to. Top free services have restrictions like data caps, speed throttling, and server limitations, making it tough to connect with friends on Discord when you want. While they will keep your connection and activity secure, these restrictions can lead to a frustrating experience. Instead, I suggest you use a VPN that’s proven to work in the UAE, such as ExpressVPN. Not all VPNs work in the UAE, but I’ve found the top services in 2023 that connect you to Discord with ease. After testing more than 30 VPNs, I found ExpressVPN is the best option. Its premium features keep your data and activity anonymous on every connection, and fast speeds ensure lag-free video and voice chat, gaming, streaming, torrenting, and more. Best of all, you can try ExpressVPN with Discord risk-free — if you’re not fully satisfied, you can get a full refund within 30 days of subscribing. Try ExpressVPN risk-free today
