More VPN applications were downloaded in the UAE last year than in any other country, with total downloads exceeding 9.60 million — a figure that has nearly doubled since 2021, according to a new industry report.
The Cybernews VPN Adoption Report, which tracked the 50 most popular VPN apps across 126 countries using data from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, recorded an 85.5 percent adoption rate for the UAE in 2025 — the highest globally. Downloads have risen consistently from 4.87 million in 2021, climbing through 6.54 million in 2022, 7.81 million in 2023, and 9.20 million in 2024 before reaching last year’s figure.
The report attributed the sustained growth partly to the UAE’s expanding expatriate population, which surpassed 11 million last year. Foreign nationals relocating to the country for employment and quality of life frequently rely on VPN technology to stay connected with family and contacts abroad.
Two other Gulf states also ranked among the world’s top VPN markets. Qatar posted an adoption rate of 58.47 percent with 1.76 million downloads, while Oman recorded 3.98 million downloads and a 54 percent adoption rate. Singapore, Nauru, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Jordan, and France completed the global top ten.
The high download volumes exist alongside strict legal boundaries. UAE residents may legally use VPN applications, but Federal Decree-Law No. (34) of 2021 on combating rumours and cybercrimes prohibits using them to access government-blocked platforms or to conceal criminal activity. Violations carry fines ranging from Dh500,000 to Dh2 million, in addition to potential imprisonment.
Globally, VPN downloads have not returned to their 2022 peak of 487 million, falling to 404 million in 2023, recovering partially to 464 million in 2024, and declining again to 412.5 million last year. Europe remains the sole region recording consistent growth in adoption.
