6 Best VPNs for Qatar to Stay Safe and Anonymous in 2024
If you’re planning a trip to Qatar you’ll be disappointed to hear that popular messaging apps are blocked in the country, so you’ll have a hard time staying in touch with family. During my stay in Qatar, I couldn’t access several sites or VoIP services like WhatsApp, Skype, or FaceTime.
Using a good VPN is the best way to access home content from Qatar and stay in touch with friends and family through VoIP services. However, not all VPN services can help you in Qatar, which is why I tested 20 VPNs to find the safest, most effective one.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Qatar because its state-of-the-art security keeps you 100% anonymous. You can buy ExpressVPN in confidence as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee — if you don’t like it, you can claim a full refund. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Quick Guide: Best VPNs for Qatar in 2024
- ExpressVPN — #1 VPN for Qatar because its obfuscation technology provides seamless access to restricted sites in Qatar
- CyberGhost — NoSpy servers hide your data from third parties, but connection speeds are slow on distant servers.
- Private Internet Access — Extensive server network for easy access to restricted content in Qatar, but it’s headquartered in a 5 Eyes Alliance country.
- PrivateVPN — Has dedicated IP servers that secure your data, but its small server network limits its unblocking capabilities.
- IPVanish — Allows unlimited device connections, but no longer offers a 7-day free trial.
- PureVPN — Has excellent leak protection that ensures you remain anonymous, but it can’t get past Qatar’s VoIP restrictions.
Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
The Best VPNs for Qatar — Updated 2024
1. ExpressVPN — #1 VPN for Qatar With Strong Security and Fast Speeds
Key Features:
- 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, providing easy access to global content from Qatar
- TrustedServer technology erases all your data at the end of your VPN session
- Perfect leak prevention, military-grade 256-bit encryption, and a verified no-logs policy to keep you safe
- Connect up to 8 devices at the same time
- 30-day money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Qatar because it provides the best overall security and performance to keep you anonymous. Instead of using conventional disk-based servers, ExpressVPN uses RAM servers that are incapable of storing data in the first place. All your data is erased at the end of each VPN session, so you can browse all your favorite sites securely in Qatar.
VPN leaks can expose your real IP address and location, so I rigorously tested ExpressVPN for any DNS, IP, and WebRTC leaks and found none. Only my IPv4 address was visible, whereas the IPv6 address was blocked — meaning there was no risk of my data leaking.
Sometimes, leaks happen when you put your computer to sleep while the VPN is on. But ExpressVPN’s kill switch disconnects you from the internet if the VPN server drops so that your IP address remains hidden no matter what. ExpressVPN further protects you with:
- Military-grade AES 256-bit encryption — Encrypts your data with an unbreakable 256-bit cipher, making it unreadable even if accessed
- Split tunneling — Lets you choose apps you want to use with a VPN. So, you can check out US news while accessing Netflix Qatar.
- Threat Manager — Prevents sites and apps from tracking and sharing your information and blocks malicious websites for safe browsing in Qatar.
- Strict no-logs policy — Protects your privacy by not storing your data. Its no-logs policy has been audited and verified by PwC.
I was impressed by ExpressVPN’s performance on my speed tests. I could stream in HD without buffering and even play online games like CS:GO without lag.
Having a global network of over 3,000 servers makes ExpressVPN’s unblocking capabilities unmatched — that’s particularly useful in a high-censorship country like Qatar. Accessing geo-restricted sites and VoIP services in Qatar is super easy with ExpressVPN. It can unblock:
Netflix US | Disney+ | Al Jazeera | FaceTime |
HBO Max | Amazon Prime Video | beIN Sports | |
Hulu | ESPN+ | BBC iPlayer | Skype |
You can use ExpressVPN on up to 8 devices at a time. I used it on my Windows PC, laptop, Macbook, iPhone, and iPad without any problem. If you want to protect more devices, you can set ExpressVPN up on your smart TV or router. Alternatively, you can use its DNS spoofing feature called MediaStreamer to stream content on incompatible devices like the PS4.
While ExpressVPN is undoubtedly the best VPN in Qatar, it’s also one of the most costly. Even so, it’s worth the premium price because it excels in every aspect — from unblocking content with lightning-fast speeds to impenetrable security and a customer-focused privacy policy.
Of the 3 plans, I suggest you go for the 2-year + 4 months free plan to get the best discount of 61% and the lowest monthly price of $4.99.
Making a long-term commitment can be uncertain, but you can buy ExpressVPN with confidence because it provides a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can easily get a full refund if you don’t like it. I tested its refund first-hand — I submitted my request via 24/7 live chat and got my money back 3 days later.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Get ExpressVPN's Black Friday Deal! You can subscribe to ExpressVPN for as low as $ 4.99 per month + get extra 4 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 61%)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
2. CyberGhost — NoSpy Servers Provide Extra Privacy in High-Censorship Countries like Qatar
Key Features:
- Connect to 11,670+ servers in over 100 countries to access home content from Qatar
- Fast speeds for lag-free streaming, torrenting, and gaming
- Military-grade 256-bit encryption, leak protection, kill switch, and NoSpy servers to keep your data safe from the Qatari government
- Browse the web in Qatar on up to 7 devices with a single subscription
- 45-day money-back guarantee
CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers make it one of the best VPNs for Qatar. These are special servers based in CyberGhost’s private data center in Romania, so the company directly manages them for optimal performance and security. Moreover, no one except CyberGhost can access these servers, which makes you virtually invisible online in Qatar.
Another unique feature I found on CyberGhost was its malware blocker. I’ve rarely seen VPNs with this feature, so I wanted to test it out to see if it’s really good. I visited ad-heavy sites like Forbes and CyberGhost blocked all ads, trackers, and malicious sites.
Besides the above features, CyberGhost packs many more security features to keep you anonymous in Qatar:
- Solid leak protection — CyberGhost passed all my IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests, meaning your real IP address will stay hidden.
- AES 256-bit encryption — Your internet traffic is encrypted with a virtually unbreakable cipher, so your online activities are invisible to Qatar’s regulated ISPs.
- Multiple protocols — You can choose OpenVPN, IKEv2, or WireGuard to customize your speed-security spectrum. OpenVPN prioritizes security over speed, whereas IKEv2 does the opposite.
I was quite happy with my speeds using CyberGhost. My speeds dropped by 7% and 19% on mid-range and distant servers, respectively. Nearby servers had a negligible impact on my connection speed. I could stream HD and 4K content without buffering, but online gaming was not entirely lag-free on distant servers due to high ping.
With over 11,670 servers worldwide, CyberGhost has remarkable bypassing abilities. Just connect to a server and access your Netflix US library or enjoy unlimited access to:
Qatar Television | Disney+ | Al Kass | |
beIN Sports | Amazon Prime Video | Zoom | Peacock |
Netflix US | FaceTime | JCC | Skype |
The number of devices isn’t a concern with CyberGhost as it supports 7 simultaneous connections and all major platforms. I recommend setting it up on your router if you run out of device connections or want to avoid the hassle of setting the VPN up on all your devices individually.
One drawback of CyberGhost is its speed on long-range servers. You could get drops of up to 20% on distant servers. However, CyberGhost is still fast enough for high-bandwidth activities like HD streaming and even online gaming if you have fast enough internet.
You can sign up for CyberGhost’s monthly, yearly, or 2-year plan. The monthly plan is more expensive and provides a shorter refund period. I recommend the 2-year + 4 months plan as it offers the highest discount of 84% and a 45-day money-back guarantee so that you can try out CyberGhost risk-free. I submitted my refund request via email and got my money back in 5 business days.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Get Black Friday Deal and Cyber Monday Deal from CyberGhost! You can subscribe to CyberGhost for as low as $2.03 per month + get an extra 4 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 84%)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Extensive Server Network Provides Easy Access to Global Content in Qatar
Key Features:
- 35,000+ high-bandwidth servers in over 91 countries for easy access to global content in Qatar
- Excellent leak prevention to keep you anonymous in Qatar
- Shadowsocks proxy adds another layer of disguise to hide your real IP address
- Use PIA on up to unlimited devices simultaneously
- 30-day money-back guarantee
PIA’s vast server network lets you access global content easily from Qatar. It’s home to the largest server network I’ve seen, consisting of over 35,000 servers and an average of 400 servers in each country. As a result, it can unblock dozens of global streaming platforms and VoIP services:
Al Jazeera | Netflix | HBO Max | Eurosport |
Hotstar | Amazon Prime Video | beIN Sports | |
Qatar Television | ESPN+ | BBC iPlayer | Skype |
I ran several speed tests to gauge PIA’s performance on nearby and distant servers. PIA’s speeds didn’t drop below the 13% mark from my baseline levels on nearby and mid-range servers. But they fell to 25% when I connected to a distant server in Australia. I had no trouble streaming HD content buffer-free in both scenarios, but online gaming can be problematic on distant servers.
Although PIA doesn’t have obfuscated servers, it lets you activate “multi-hop” and use Shadowsocks or SOCKS5 proxy on top of your VPN connection. This is extremely useful in restrictive countries like Qatar as it adds another layer of security to your IP.
Besides multi-hop, PIA makes you anonymous to Qatar’s authorities with the following security features:
- MACE ad and malware blocker — Blocks pop-up ads and prevents sites from tracking you. It has an internal database of servers hosting trackers and malware to stop malicious sites from loading on your browser
- Kill switch — Turns off your WiFi connection to stop your IP address from being exposed if the VPN server drops
- Leak protection — Prevents IPv4, IPv6, and DNS leaks on both virtual and geo-located servers
You can use PIA on up to unlimited devices at a time, which is more than enough for any single user traveling to Qatar. It works on all major operating systems and some routers. You can also set it up on your smart TV, but you have to configure custom Smart DNS settings on your TV to pair it with the VPN.
One major concern I had while using PIA was that it’s headquartered in the US, a core member of the Five Eyes Alliance. Given that, I thought it was subject to data retention policies. However, I was relieved that PIA has a strict no-logs policy verified by Deloitte, so it doesn’t store any of your data and can’t share anything, even upon the authorities’ requests.
Even though PIA is more affordable overall, its monthly plan is still quite costly. That’s why I recommend its 2-year + 4 months plan, which provides a discount of 83%. Furthermore, you can take advantage of PIA’s money-back guarantee and try it out risk-free for 30 days.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Get PIA's Black Friday Deal! You can subscribe to PIA for as low as 2.03$ per month + get an extra 4 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 83%)! This is a limited offer, so grab it now before it's gone! See more information on this offer here!
4. PrivateVPN — Dedicated IP Servers Offer Extra Privacy in Qatar
Key Features:
- 200+ servers in 63 countries with dedicated IP servers to keep you anonymous in Qatar
- Public WiFi protection keeps you safe from data snooping in Qatar
- Perfect forward secrecy constantly changes your private keys so that the government can’t intercept your information
- Works on 10 devices simultaneously and supports all major platforms
- No-questions-asked 30-day money-back guarantee
PrivateVPN’s dedicated IP servers keep your data safe in Qatar. A dedicated IP server provides a unique IP address each time you connect. These special IP addresses are more secure since no one other than you and the VPN provider can access them, meaning they’re highly protective.
A VPN that works in China will work in other restrictive countries like Qatar. PrivateVPN is one of the few VPNs I know besides ExpressVPN that works in China. It uses obfuscation technology and Shadowsocks proxy to bypass the strongest of internet censorship. Other than that, PrivateVPN offers the following security features to give you additional privacy in Qatar:
- AES 256-bit encryption — Uses SHA256 and 2048-bit RSA keys for authentication, making it nearly impossible for Qatar’s ISPs or government to decrypt your data
- Leak protection — Prevents IPv4, IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks while browsing in Qatar
- Kill switch — Disconnects you from the internet in the unlikely scenario that the VPN server drops so your IP address remains hidden.
If you’re traveling to Qatar, PrivateVPN is a great choice as it allows 10 simultaneous device connections. I could secure my Windows laptop, Macbook, iPhone, iPad, and Android phone on my travels and still have plenty of connections available left just in case.
The only downside to PrivateVPN is its small server network of 200 servers in 63 countries, which is substantially smaller than other VPNs on my list. However, all servers are directly managed by PrivateVPN for optimal performance. Moreover, PrivateVPN is capable of unblocking most streaming platforms and VoIP services:
Netflix | Al Jazeera | Disney+ | Amazon Prime Video |
ESPN+ | beIN Sports | Skype |
Seeing PrivateVPN’s much smaller network than other contenders, I feared that its servers would be congested and give slow speeds — but I was wrong. PrivateVPN didn’t give me major speed drops on nearby servers and I could stream 4K content without buffering. However, performance on long-distance servers dropped significantly so you can’t enjoy buffer-free streaming if you don’t have fast internet.
Short-term plans are often expensive, and so is PrivateVPN’s monthly plan. However, the 3-month plan is quite affordable if you don’t want to risk a long-term commitment. I suggest you get the 3-year plan and get the maximum discount of 83%. Whichever plan you buy, you can take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee and try PrivateVPN out completely risk-free.
2024 Update! PrivateVPN has dropped prices for a limited time to a crazy $2.00 per month with the 3-year plan (you can save up to %)! This is a limited offer so be sure to grab it now before it’s gone. See more information on this offer here.
5. IPVanish — Unmetered Connections Provide Access to Global Content in Qatar on Unlimited Devices
Key Features:
- 2,400+ servers in over 55 countries to access geo-restricted content from Qatar
- All servers are managed in-house and are optimized for speed and security
- Deep packet inspection so Qatar’s ISP can’t snoop on your online activity
- Allows unlimited simultaneous device connections on a single subscription
- Try out risk-free for 30 days with its money-back guarantee
IPVanish lets you connect as many devices as you want in Qatar on a single subscription. You can take all your devices with you to Qatar and protect all of them at once. This was a great relief, as I constantly find myself unable to put a VPN on all of my devices.
One of the biggest challenges in Qatar is accessing the entire internet freely. IPVanish’s “Scramble IP” feature helps you access restricted sites in high-censorship countries like Qatar. It bypasses VPN detectors, making it seem that you’re not using a VPN and giving you access to services like:
Al Jazeera | Qatar Television | Skype | FaceTime |
Netflix US | beIN Sports | HBO Max |
An ISP can use deep packet inspection to snoop on your online activities. IPVanish offers excellent security to get past deep packet inspection, ensuring full anonymity while browsing the internet in Qatar. It also includes:
- AES 256-bit encryption — Rest assured that your online activities in Qatar remain untraceable due to our data encryption, which matches the standards of US government agencies.
- No-logs policy — IPVanish doesn’t store your browsing data and can’t share it with anyone, even if requested.
I got decent speeds using IPVanish but some distant servers performed better than mid-range servers. For example, I got lightning-fast speeds on a distant server in Japan but they fell by about 50% on mid-range servers in the UK. I suggest you try out different servers and pick the one that works best for you.
Unfortunately, IPVanish no longer provides a 7-day free trial as it used to on its plans, but that doesn’t mean you can’t test it out before buying it. You can try out IPVanish risk-free because it offers 30-day money-back guarantee. I tested its refund policy myself and got my money back a week after getting the email confirmation.
6. PureVPN — Solid Leak Protection Keeps You 100% Anonymous in Qatar
Key Features:
- 6,000+ servers in 65 countries provide access to global content from Qatar
- Excellent IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak protection keep your IP address unexposed
- Multiple protocols let you tailor your online experience for better speeds or security
- Protect up to 10 devices on a single subscription
- 31-day money-back guarantee
PureVPN’s extensive security features make it a reliable VPN for Qatar. The first thing I did was check its leak protection capabilities. I connected to several servers in the US, UK, and Europe and ran IP, DNS, and WebRTC tests. None of my real information, like my IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, was visible.
In addition to leak prevention, PureVPN offers the following security features to keep your browsing data hidden from snoopers and third parties:
- Kill switch — Prevents data leaks if the VPN server drops.
- Split tunneling — Lets you pick which apps access the internet through the VPN and which ones don’t. However, this feature is only available on Windows and Android.
PureVPN’s performance on my speed tests was moderately good. My speeds dropped by 11% and 28% on nearby and distant servers, respectively. However, a long-range server in Australia gave me better speeds than a mid-range server in the UK. Therefore, I suggest you try out different servers to see which one gives you the most optimal performance.
Unfortunately, PureVPN is not powerful enough to get past Qatar’s VoIP restrictions. However, it has decent unblocking capabilities that can be attributed to its large network of 6,000+ in-house managed servers and 300,000 IP addresses across more than 75 countries. It can access the following streaming sites without any hiccups:
Qatar Television | beIN Sports | Netflix | Hulu |
Amazon Prime Video | Disney+ | YouTube TV | Sling TV |
You can connect PureVPN on up to 10 devices at a time, which is a surprise since most VPNs only allow single-digit device connections. It works on all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and a range of smart TVs.
If you’ve decided to try out PureVPN, don’t sign up for the monthly plan because it’s not worth the high price. Instead, go for the 5-year plan to take advantage of PureVPN’s 89% discount and get 3 extra months for free. There’s no risk involved as PureVPN offers a 31-day money-back guarantee on all its plans.
How to Choose the Best VPN for Qatar
Look for the following features when picking a VPN you want to use in Qatar:
- Strong security and privacy features — I ensured that VPNs have a minimum of AES 256-bit encryption, leak prevention, kill switch, and a no-logs policy to keep you anonymous online in Qatar.
- Global server network — I checked that VPNs have servers in multiple countries to allow for seamless access to global sites unavailable in Qatar.
- Fast speeds — I tested each VPN to see if it provides fast speeds on both nearby and distant servers.
- Apps for popular devices — I made sure that VPNs are compatible with and easy to use on multiple platforms like Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
- Customer support — I contacted each VPN’s support to make sure you can reach out to them for any troubleshooting.
3 Easy Steps to Get a VPN in Qatar
- Download a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN as it’s the best all-around VPN for Qatar.
- Connect to a server. Choose a server from the list, or let the VPN find the fastest one for you.
- Surf the web anonymously in Qatar.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
How to Watch the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar
The FIFA World Cup 2022 will be hosted in Qatar, and will be available to stream on popular streaming sites, such as Fox Sports, BBC, and ITV. The catch is that most such sites are region-locked, meaning you have to be in a particular country to access them. For instance, you cannot stream on Fox Sports outside the US, and BBC and ITV are exclusive for UK residents. However, a good VPN can bypass geo-blocks and provide seamless access to FIFA World Cup 2022 live streaming from Qatar.
A VPN routes your traffic through a remote server, hiding your real IP address behind a virtual one. Your IP address is a string of characters unique to your device that geo-restricted sites use to determine your location and block your access. Once a VPN assigns you the required IP address, the site thinks you’re actually there and allows you access.
Not all VPNs have good unblocking capabilities. Some have small server networks and can’t access geo-blocked sites. Others lack security and can leak your data and IP address. After extensively testing dozens of top VPNs, I picked ExpressVPN as my #1 choice for streaming the 2022 FIFA World Cup. You can buy ExpressVPN in confidence as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee — if you’re not satisfied with its performance, you can get a full refund.
FAQs on VPNs for Qatar
Is using a VPN legal in Qatar?
Can I use a proxy in Qatar instead of a VPN?
Can I access WhatsApp, Skype, and FaceTime in Qatar?
Not entirely — you can access VoIP services like WhatsApp, Skype, and Viber but only to text, not call. Getting a top VPN like ExpressVPN is the best way to FaceTime, Whatsapp, and Skype.
If you only need a short-term VPN, all you need to do is get a VPN with a great monthly plan and connect to a server. When you want to contact your family, connect to a server from your home country where VoIP services are freely available. Once connected, the VPN will allow unrestricted access to FaceTime, WhatsApp, and other social media calling services.
How do I check if my VPN works?
Is it safe to use a free VPN in Qatar?
No! Free VPNs are not well-equipped to keep you anonymous in Qatar since all your online activities are monitored. While there are some free and reliable VPNs you can use, most don’t offer advanced encryption and other security features. They may also have overcrowded servers with slow speeds. Worse yet, some have sketchy privacy policies and sell your data to third parties while others can infect your computer when installed.
Instead, use a premium VPN like ExpressVPN because it has top-notch security and privacy features to keep your identity safe and anonymous throughout your stay in Qatar.
Get a VPN (That Works) for Qatar Today!
Qatar has strict internet censorship policies that prevent residents from accessing “inappropriate content” and VoIP services such as FaceTime, WhatsApp, Skype, and more. This can be frustrating for travelers who can’t contact their family or friends back home during their stay in Qatar.
Using a VPN is the best way to regain access to your messaging apps in Qatar. A VPN encrypts your internet data and directs it through an alternate server. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that not all VPNs possess the strength to bypass internet restrictions in Qatar.
After testing dozens of popular VPNs, I picked out the 6 best ones that provide complete anonymity in Qatar. ExpressVPN is my #1 choice because it excels in every domain. It provides excellent security and leak prevention to ensure your data is never compromised and gives access to restricted sites and VoIP services in Qatar. You can buy ExpressVPN in confidence as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee — you can get a full refund if you’re not satisfied with it.
Summary: These Are The Best VPNs for Qatar in 2024
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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