5 Best VPNs for Oman (Access WhatsApp, Skype,… in 2021)

The government of Oman enforces tight censorship laws, and these apply to its citizens’ internet usage too. Services that are taken for granted in other countries – like Tinder, Skype, and VoIP platforms – are simply not allowed in Oman. Streaming services like BBC iPlayer and Hulu are also banned.

Accessing all these services and more is not only possible, though, but actually quite easy with a VPN. A VPN will mask your location from both the Oman government and your ISP. In turn, this will allow you to access whatever sites you please, and watch previously unavailable content. With most premium VPNs being 100% mobile-compatible, you can download any app you like while connected.

I’ve tested dozens of VPNs, and have identified the best VPNs you can currently use in Oman. All of them will allow you to easily bypass government restrictions when in Oman. Some even have servers inside the country, which you can use to access geo-restricted services while abroad.

My number one choice is ExpressVPN, because it’s highly-flexible, fast, and uses powerful encryption. My other options have their own strengths, though, so keep reading to find the VPN that fits your needs.

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The Best VPNs for Oman – Full Analysis (Updated in 2021)

I’ve put a lot of time into researching the hundreds of premium VPNs that are available right now, and can confidently state that these are the 5 best VPNs for avoiding internet censorship in Oman.

Each one has been tested extensively, and I put special focuses on security, reliability, features, and ease of use.

1. ExpressVPN – Best Overall VPN for Oman

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ExpressVPN is, quite simply, the best overall option if you’re looking for a VPN to use in Oman. It offers a brilliant blend of security, features, and it’s user-friendly.

It encrypts your traffic using AES-256 (the same standard used by the US government). You’re also given a private DNS to further protect your privacy, and it doesn’t keep any activity logs whatsoever. You can find out more about the available security measures in our full ExpressVPN review.

One downside with it is that it doesn’t have any servers in Oman itself, meaning it won’t help you to access services there while abroad. If accessing streaming sites like BBC iPlayer or HBO Now is your priority, though, you’ll be able to do so with ease here. There are several servers in the UK, and a whole range in the USA.

ExpressVPN also lets you find the fastest server with ease, thanks to a handy Speed Test. You’re also given unlimited bandwidth for downloading and streaming content. Which means you can stream all the movies and shows you like!

Finally, ExpressVPN is fully compatible with both Android and iOS devices, and has dedicated apps for both. These are simple to download and set up, and allow you to use restricted apps like WhatsApp or Tinder with a couple of taps of your screen.

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2. CyberGhost – Best Server Coverage

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The more servers a VPN allows you to access, the better. Less traffic will be moving through each one, and you’ve got a better chance of finding a server that offers quick downloads and streaming.

When it comes to server coverage, CyberGhost absolutely excels. It has over 7,004 servers to choose from, which are spread across more than 91 countries. This does not include a server in Oman, unfortunately, but there are 12 available in the neighbouring UAE at the time of writing. Given that CyberGhost’s speeds do tend to struggle with servers farther from your location, this is certainly good news.

Once you’ve found a server you like and hid your IP, you’ll find it easy to access streaming services from all around the world. Netflix, iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime and more, really are only a mouse-click away. There are also excellent mobile apps available for your Apple and Android devices, so you can download restricted apps in Oman – like WhatsApp, Skype, and Tinder – with ease.

Whatever you choose to do, your privacy and security are never in doubt. CyberGhost has a strict no-logs policy and uses military-grade AES encryption. It even has dedicated ‘NoSpy’ servers – managed directly by the CyberGhost team – which ensure 100% anonymity. There’s also a kill switch feature, one-click Cookie Cleaner, and DNS leak protection.

To top it all off, you even get a 45-day money-back guarantee. This is significantly better than the usual 30-days, and should help you to make a more informed decision before fully committing to your purchase.

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3. Private Internet Access – Best for Security Options

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The first thing that catches your eye about Private Internet Access is its sheer number of servers. They’re not spread across as many countries as CyberGhost, for example, but having over 35,550 servers to pick from is still certainly impressive. While there might not be any in Oman, there are over 30 servers you can use in nearby countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

I’d argue the most impressive thing about Private Internet Access, though, is its wealth of security measures (full details here). Not only that, but you get to control which features you actually want to use, and which you can do without. AES-256 encryption is naturally safer, but AES-128 gives you better download and browsing speeds. You’re free to choose which you’d like to use at all times.

Private Internet Access provides plenty of other ways to protect your online anonymity, like IP cloaking and server grade firewalls. There are also multiple VPN protocols available and you’re even given the option to use a SOCKS5 proxy instead of the standard VPN. On top of that, Private Internet Access gives you added security against adware and malware. Add all of these features together and you have a VPN that can keep you secure while torrenting, streaming, and more, without compromising your identity.

PIA rounds out its services with a few neat bonuses. You can run this VPN on 10 devices simultaneously, for example, which is superior to many of Private Internet Access’s competitors. There are also solid dedicated mobile apps available, for both iOS and Android users.

The only major downside with PIA is that internet speeds can be inconsistent. On some servers they seem super quick, while on others they’re far more pedestrian.

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4. HMA – Best for Oman-Based Servers

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If you’re specifically looking for a VPN with servers in Oman, this is your top option. It currently has two different servers in the country, both of which are in Salalah, with 6 different IP addresses available to use. If you’re travelling out of the country and need to use some online services back home, this is an excellent solution.

If you do go with HMA, you’ll get access to a whole host of features designed to protect your anonymity, and keep you safe while browsing. From 256-bit AES encryption, to 4096-bit RSA keys for handshakes, your major security bases really are covered here.

It offers built-in protection against DNS leaks, a Smart Kill Switch feature, and even IP shuffling; which you can activate to automatically change your IP address regularly. HMA also features split-tunnelling, which allows you to only route certain apps through the VPN.

Naturally, when you’re looking at VPNs, anonymity is one of your top priorities. It’s important to note that HMA is actually based in the UK, where the government has the ability to request people’s records. You can read more about those potential issues in our full review of the VPN. For now though, it’s worth pointing out that HMA does have a strict no-logs policy in place.

If you travel outside Oman you’ll still get seriously quick connections, whether you are chatting over Skype, torrenting, or streaming. It works off 20Gbps servers and certain servers are even specially optimised for streaming or P2P.

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5. VyprVPN – Best for Unlocking Mobile Apps

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As noted, many of the apps which are taken for granted elsewhere in the world – including Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Tinder – are restricted in Oman. Most premium VPNs will let you bypass these restrictions with a dedicated mobile app, but VyprVPN may have the very best VPN apps around.

Available on both iOS and Android devices, the app is exceptionally easy to use. You simply sign up with Vypr, download your app of choice, sign in, and then enable the VPN with the simple tap of a button.

VyprVPN’s mobile app also offers automatic public WiFi protection. This means your privacy will be maintained if you connect to an unknown network while you’re out and about. With a subscription, you can even decide on a device-by-device basis whether you’d like the VPN enabled or not. You can use it by default on your iPhone, for example, but not on your iPad.

VyprVPN doesn’t have the greatest selection of servers, with around 700 available in only 70 countries. Finding the quickest one available is made simple, as you can ping test any server you like to view its current speed. There’s also dynamic server switching, which automatically swaps you to a better server if your current one becomes overloaded or unavailable.

It doesn’t have any servers in Oman itself, but there are options in nearby Saudi Arabia and the UAE. There’s also a respectable range in the USA, if you’re interested in accessing content there.

Finally, VyprVPN offers a few different protocol choices, including OpenVPN and WireGuard. Military grade 256-bit encryption comes as standard and there’s a NAT firewall that gives you an extra layer of protection.

Bypass Tough Geoblocks With VyprVPN!

How We Tested the Best VPNs for Oman

There are a lot of options when you’re looking for a VPN in Oman. I’ve systematically tested many of those, in order to ensure my recommended VPNs are up to the highest standards. These are the five most important criteria I looked at during my testing.

• Security measures: A VPN must achieve two main goals. Most importantly, it should facilitate completely anonymous browsing. In addition, it should help to protect your device against attacks or intrusions. Strong encryption is the first thing I looked at here, with 256-bit AES being the modern standard. A kill switch is also a must-have, in my opinion, just in case your VPN drops out. VPNs with extra features like ‘Double VPN’, a NAT firewall, and leak protection were also given bonus points.
• Server selection: The more servers a VPN has, the better your chance of finding a reliable, fast server. Ideally, I was looking for VPNs with servers in Oman, but – of my top choices – only HMA ticked this box. Several other options had servers in nearby countries like the UAE, though, which should still be close enough to provide a quick connection. VPNs with plenty of server selections in countries like the USA and UK – which typically have the best video streaming options – were also given a boost.
• Speed: Whether downloading torrents, using apps, or streaming content, you naturally want the fastest connection possible. As noted, server selection has something to do with this. Equally relevant, however, is the quality of those servers. Some are simply quicker than others and certain VPNs have servers which are specially-optimised for P2P file sharing. I also prioritised VPNs with unlimited download speeds and those which made it easy to dodge ISP bandwidth throttling.
• Features: In general this is another case of ‘the more, the better’. I rewarded VPNs that offer apps compatible with a whole range of devices; not only Windows and Mac but iOS and Android, and even Smart TVs. The more devices a VPN can be used on simultaneously, the better my opinion of it. I rewarded VPNs with features that give you extra control too, like split tunnelling and IP shuffling.
• No-log policies: Anonymity is the name of the game when using a VPN, particularly in a country with restrictive online policies like Oman. To ensure that your anonymity is maintained, a no-log policy is essential. This means that the VPN provider keeps no records about the sites you’ve visited, the apps or files you’ve downloaded, and so on.

Why a VPN is Necessary in Oman

Oman is a highly-modernised country. Like other countries in the region, its government has put severe restrictions on internet usage. While this is theoretically done with the view of protecting its citizens, it goes against everything ‘net neutrality’ advocates stand for.

The list of things which have fallen foul of these restrictions is extensive. They include communication platforms such as Skype, WhatsApp, and FaceTime, plus popular dating apps like Tinder and Plenty of Fish. Pornography and even blogs are heavily filtered, and TV shows and movies are often censored to the point of being unwatchable.

These restrictions are not necessarily passive. There have been reports of the government actively monitoring its citizens’ online activity and taking action when they deem it appropriate.

A premium VPN can bypass all of these restrictions. It will allow you to communicate how you want, with whom you want. You can also visit the websites you please, download the apps you choose to, and consume whatever content you please. This will all be done anonymously, so neither the Oman government nor your ISP (Omantel, which is 70% owned by the government) can see what you’re up to.

FAQs

😃 Is it legal to use a VPN in Oman?

It’s a grey area. In 2010, the Oman government drafted a law to ban VPNs and fine individuals around $1,300 for using them. That said, it’s not clear whether the law was actually passed, and I couldn’t find any cases in the news of anybody actually being fined.

Overwhelming evidence suggests that many individuals do constantly use VPNs in Oman, with no consequences. You must weigh up the pros and cons of using a VPN in Oman for yourself before purchasing one.

😄 Do I need a VPN in Oman?

Yes, if you want to enjoy free internet access. Without a VPN, your online browsing will be heavily restricted. Both video and written content are censored, and many popular services and apps are banned altogether.

🙂 Can I use a free VPN in Oman?

No. Even in the best cases, free VPNs are generally weaker and less reliable than premium ones. In Oman, where you can technically get fined if you’re caught using a VPN, I would 100% not recommend taking the risk of using a free app.

😃 What services are blocked in Oman?

VoIP services like Skype, WhatsApp, and FaceTime, and apps like Tinder. The law also prohibits content relating to ‘Anti-Islam information, Gambling, Pornography, and Illegal drugs’. This entails heavy censoring, or outright bans, on a huge amount of TV shows, movies, and blogs. Popular streaming websites like Hulu and BBC iPlayer are completely unavailable without a VPN.

😄 Can I use FaceTime in Oman?

No. In general, services that allow people to video chat – like FaceTime – are completely blocked in Oman. Like many other countries across the Middle East, Oman has banned the use of FaceTime for iOS users. The only way to bypass these restrictions is by using a VPN.

🙂 Can you use WhatsApp in Oman?

WhatsApp is not banned in Oman, but it is heavily restricted. Technically you are able to download WhatsApp onto your mobile device, but you can only use it to send text messages. You are unable to use it for either voice or video calls. Naturally, using one of my top 5 VPNs is the easiest way to get around this problem.

😃 Is Discord banned in Oman?

No. Discord is actually one of the few ways to use online voice chat which is not currently banned in Oman. You are free to download and use it as you would in any other country, whether that’s to play online games, have conversations with friends, or for any of the other usual purposes.

😄 Can I use Skype in Oman?

At the time of writing, yes. The Oman government temporarily lifted the ban on Skype during the Coronavirus pandemic, so that companies could communicate more easily while unable to physically meet. The ban is likely to be reinstated when the pandemic is over, however.

The Bottom Line

Internet access in Oman is heavily restricted. While not quite as bad as somewhere like China, the government has still severely limited the websites people can visit, the apps they can use, and the content they can consume.

The only reliable way to overcome these restrictions is by using a premium VPN. This will allow you to bypass the government’s bans in almost every instance. Most importantly of all, it will protect your anonymity, so that you avoid being caught and fined.

I’ve done a huge amount of research into the best VPNs for Oman, and my #1 option is definitely ExpressVPN. It’s a brilliant all-rounder, offering very high levels of security. It will allow you to access US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Skype, download mobile apps or P2P files, and much more, with total peace of mind.

That said, if you have other specific needs, one of my 6 other recommendations might be better suited for you. All of them facilitate quick, easy, and reliable anonymous browsing, and each has special features that make them perfect for different user bases.

To summarize, here are the best VPNs for Oman

Rank	Provider	Our Score	User Rating	Visit Website
1	ExpressVPN	9.8/10	Read Review	Find Out More Get Started >> Visit Site
2	CyberGhost VPN	9.8/10	Read Review	Find Out More Get Started >> Visit Site
3	Private Internet Access	9.6/10	Read Review	Find Out More Get Started >> Visit Site