- ExpressVPN — Best VPN overall
- NordVPN — Best user privacy and security
- Surfshark — Most affordable VPN
- Proton VPN — Best free VPN
- CyberGhost — Largest server network
- IPVanish — Best for multiple devices
Oman is the oldest independent Arab state in the world, with a rich culture that dates back centuries. Oman has banned adult and betting websites on religious grounds and anything critical of Islam. Political dissent is also discouraged. If you want to use the internet without trouble, you need the best Oman VPN.
Oman’s government controls internet service providers, so ISPs like Oman Telecommunications Company have no qualms about snooping around and snitching on you when you breach their laws. You can use any of our best VPNs to hide your online activity without drawing the government’s ire.
If you want to find hot new matches on Tinder, place bets on DraftKings or make VoIP calls without getting on the wrong side of the law in Oman, this article is for you.
Show allLearn more about our editorial team and our research process.
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12/13/2021
Updated images in the article.
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11/02/2023
We updated the article to reflect ExpressVPN’s expansion of server presence from 94 to 105 countries.
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11/12/2023
Updated to include our experience with HMA’s refund policy.
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01/20/2024
Added more information on our experience with HMA’s money-back guarantee.
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02/19/2024 Facts checked
We rewrote this article and added more capable VPN options with updated features.
- updates
Cloudwards Editor’s Choice: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is the best virtual private network for Oman because it offers more than 3,000 servers in 105 countries that can unblock geoblocked content. It’s among the fastest VPNs that we recommend, allowing you to stream movies and shows without buffering. ExpressVPN is very secure, with a strict no-logs policy that stores your browsing data on volatile memory that is wiped hourly.
How to Choose the Best VPN for Oman
We tested several VPNs and narrowed down the list to six based on the following factors.
- Ability to unblock geo-restricted content: Streaming services like Hulu and Peacock TV are not available in Oman. You can’t access porn or gambling sites either. Your VPN needs well-distributed global servers that allow you to switch locations and unblock anything you want.
- Ability to bypass internet censorship: Oman may not be as high-handed with censorship as China, but it still conducts online surveillance. You need a VPN that masks your internet traffic and location with encryption. It should offer IP and DNS leak protection and have a strict no-logs policy.
- Stable speeds: The ideal Oman VPN needs to be fast enough to handle streaming, gaming or torrenting, even with encryption involved. There should be no bandwidth caps and it should offer specialty servers optimized for speed.
- Device compatibility: The VPN needs apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and more so that users aren’t limited to just one device. The more device connections you can set up on a single account, the better.
The 6 Best Oman VPNs
1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Oman
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
Pros:
- Over 3,000 servers globally
- TrustedServer technology
- Stable & fast speeds
Cons:
- Expensive
ExpressVPN gives you a choice of more than 3,000 RAM-only servers in 105 countries on every continent. You can unblock Hulu in the United States or BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom from your hotel room in Muscat. Most of these locations have physical servers that are fast and secure.
ExpressVPN is also one of the few VPNs with automatic obfuscation for bypassing VPN blocks. It works with every protocol, as opposed to other alternatives that only offer obfuscation through OpenVPN or special protocols like Stealth (used by Proton VPN), which are usually slow. Read our ExpressVPN review to learn how best to use it in Oman.
ExpressVPN Hands-On Testing
ExpressVPN’s app is user-friendly and available for Android, iOS, macOS, Windows and more. You can connect up to eight simultaneous devices — more than CyberGhost or NordVPN. There’s a search button to find the servers you need. If you’re unsure about which server to choose, you can use the Smart Location feature to connect to the best server available.
Notes From the Lab: ExpressVPN Speed Test Results
ExpressVPN appears on our fastest VPN list, averaging 92 Mbps against our unprotected speeds of 100 Mbps. This was only an 8% speed drop, making it faster than CyberGhost and Surfshark. One of the secrets to these speeds is the Lightway UDP protocol, which we highly recommend you switch to when you land in Oman.
Notes From the Lab: ExpressVPN Unblocking Capability Test Results
Netflix | |
Amazon Prime Video | |
Max | |
Disney Plus | |
BBC iPlayer | |
Hulu / ESPN Plus |
We rarely run into problems with ExpressVPN when unblocking and streaming geo-restricted content. No matter where you are in Oman, you can unblock major streaming platforms like Disney Plus, Max and more. This isn’t surprising, as ExpressVPN tops our best streaming VPN rankings.
Notes From the Lab: ExpressVPN Security Analysis
Lightway | AES-256 ChaCha20 | Windows macOS iOS Android Linux routers |
OpenVPN | AES-256 | Windows macOS iOS Android Linux |
IKEv2 | AES-256 | macOS iOS |
ExpressVPN passed our DNS leak test using a New Jersey server without exposing our real IP address or the name of our internet service provider. The key protocols offered include Lightway, OpenVPN and IKEv2; all are reliably secure. Other advanced security features include IPv6 leak protection and a threat manager, which blocks trackers and malicious sites.
ExpressVPN Pricing & Value
ExpressVPN isn’t cheap, and it offers three price plans. The 12-month plan offers the best value at $6.66 per month and includes an extra three free months. All plans offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try ExpressVPN out before committing.
2. NordVPN — Most Secure Oman VPN
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
Pros:
- Over 6,000 servers globally
- Security & torrenting servers
- Fastest connection speeds
Cons:
- Double VPN servers can be slow
NordVPN has more than 6,000 servers in 61 countries across all six continents. We effortlessly unblocked Skype to make video calls, proving that NordVPN still earns its spot on our best Skype VPN list. You can use P2P servers to get the best speeds for torrenting without Omani authorities noticing. Furthermore, NordVPN follows a strict no-logs policy.
NordVPN Hands-On Testing
You can install NordVPN on all your portable smart devices on Android, iOS, Windows and macOS PCs. It’s easy to find the app settings to switch protocols and activate the kill switch for IP protection. Finding the VPN server you need is also easy, as they are arranged alphabetically and a search option is included.
Notes From the Lab: NordVPN Speed Test Results
NordVPN was the fastest VPN in our tests. It only caused a 6% speed drop, averaging 94 Mbps on our unprotected 100 Mbps connection. We streamed 4K movies and shows without the screen freezing when using the NordLynx protocol, which offers the best speeds.
Notes From the Lab: NordVPN Unblocking Capability Test Results
Netflix | |
Amazon Prime Video | |
Max | |
Disney Plus | |
BBC iPlayer | |
Hulu / ESPN Plus |
NordVPN unblocked every streaming platform we tested across all devices. This includes Peacock TV, which isn’t available outside the United States.
Notes From the Lab: NordVPN Security Analysis
NordLynx | ChaCha20 | Windows macOS iOS Android Linux |
OpenVPN | AES-256 | Windows macOS iOS Android Linux |
IKEv2 | AES-256 | Windows Android |
NordVPN offers overall superior security to most alternatives. It provides one of the best double VPN protections, which adds an extra layer of encryption that’s harder to breach. There’s an advanced kill switch, and threat protection counters malicious sites and government web trackers. Our NordVPN review covers what most of these features do.
NordVPN Pricing & Value
NordVPN has three pricing levels, each of which offers three plans. NordVPN Standard is the most affordable, with the 24-month plan offering the best deal at $3.99 per month. A 30-day money-back allows you to take NordVPN for a spin to see if it suits your needs.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
3. Surfshark — Best Affordable Oman VPN
Very Fast
Very Fast
Good
Pros:
- Most affordable VPN
- P2P-friendly servers
- Unlimited device connections
Cons:
- Slower than NordVPN
Surfshark has more than 3,200 servers in 100 countries on every continent. You can unblock the most restricted Netflix libraries to watch shows like the Japan-exclusive ‘Gintama.’ All its servers are RAM-only and secured with a strict no-logs policy that periodically resets for complete privacy. Like NordVPN and CyberGhost, Surfshark has P2P-friendly servers for fast torrenting.
Surfshark Hands-On Testing
Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows and several other devices. This makes it one of the best VPNs for multiple devices, as you get enough slots for friends and family in Oman and beyond. You can change the protocol and easily activate security features like the kill switch and CleanWeb.
Notes From the Lab: Surfshark Speed Test Results
Surfshark registered 91 Mbps on our unprotected 100 Mbps connection — a 9% speed drop. This was slower than NordVPN and ExpressVPN but fast enough for buffer-free streaming and gaming without lags. The fastest protocols you can use are WireGuard and IKEv2.
Notes From the Lab: Surfshark Unblocking Capability Test Results
Netflix | |
Amazon Prime Video | |
Max | |
Disney Plus | |
BBC iPlayer | |
Hulu / ESPN Plus |
Surfshark unblocked Hulu, Max, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime and Netflix using servers from different regions. We’re confident that you can unblock most streaming platforms from anywhere in Oman. Read more on the VPN’s unblocking capabilities in our Surfshark review.
Notes From the Lab: Surfshark Security Analysis
WireGuard | AES-256-GCM ChaCha20 | Windows macOS iOS Android Linux |
OpenVPN | AES-256-GCM | Windows macOS iOS Android Linux |
IKEv2 | AES-256-GCM | Windows iOS Android |
Surfshark aced our DNS leak test without displaying our IP address, proving that the government and ISPs in Oman can’t see where you are connecting from. The VPN also offers a malware and tracker blocker called CleanWeb and NoBorders mode, which connects you to the best servers to get around VPN censorship.
Surfshark Pricing & Value
Surfshark has the cheapest long-term plan on our list, with the 24-month Surfshark Starter option costing just $2.29 per month and offering an extra two months free. All plans have a 30-day refund window so you can test Surfshark’s features before making a final choice.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Everything in One, plus Data removal
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
4. ProtonVPN — Best Free VPN for Oman
Pros:
- Offers a free version
- Safe Secure Core servers
- Intuitive user interface
Cons:
- Slow speeds
Proton VPN has more than 3,000 servers in 71 countries that can bypass internet censorship in Oman. You can unblock dating apps like Tinder with Proton VPN, so we also list it in our article on the best VPN for dating sites. If you’re worried about surveillance, switch to a Secure Core server, which routes your VPN traffic through the most secure locations in Switzerland, Iceland and Sweden.
Proton is the only reliable VPN that offers a free version without data limits. The free version connects you to the fastest available server from any of the available free servers in the U.S., the Netherlands, Japan, Poland and Romania.
Proton VPN Hands-On Testing
Proton VPN is compatible with Android, iOS, macOS and Windows and supports up to 10 simultaneous device connections. Switching between regular and Secure Core servers is easy with the simple preferences menu, and so are changing protocols and activating the kill switch — you can read more on that in our Proton VPN review.
Notes From the Lab: Proton VPN Speed Test Results
Unprotected | 19 | 19.96 | 5.94 |
United States | 26 | 19.43 | 5.55 |
United Kingdom | 299 | 18.46 | 5.45 |
Brazil | 392 | 15.77 | 4.82 |
Singapore | 540 | 14.47 | 3.40 |
South Africa | 604 | 13.27 | 5.40 |
Australia | 523 | 17.53 | 5.09 |
We averaged 16.49 Mbps on our unprotected connection of 40 mbps — a 59% speed drop. That may not be enough to handle basic HD streaming unless your starting connection is at least 50 Mbps. The protocols that offer the best speeds are WireGuard and IKEv2.
Notes From the Lab: Proton VPN Unblocking Capability Test Results
Netflix | |
Amazon Prime Video | |
Max | |
Disney Plus | |
BBC iPlayer | |
Hulu / ESPN Plus |
Both the free and the premium version of Proton VPN easily unblocked all the streaming services we tested, including HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus. We succeeded on the first attempt with each server.
Notes From the Lab: Proton VPN Security Analysis
WireGuard | ChaCha20 | Windows macOS iPadOS iOS Android |
OpenVPN | AES-256-GCM | Windows macOS iPadOS iOS Android |
Proton VPN didn’t expose our real IP address or the name of our internet service provider in our DNS leak test. In addition, the Netshield ad blocker handles pop-up ads and trackers. With the Tor over VPN feature, you can use the Tor network for extra protection in Oman while the VPN keeps you safe from malicious nodes. Available protocols include WireGuard, OpenVPN and StealthVPN.
Proton VPN Pricing & Value
If the free version doesn’t meet your needs, you can choose from three premium subscription plans. The most affordable is the 24-month plan, which costs $4.99 per month. If you want to test a paid plan with Proton VPN, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Unlimited GB
- 1
- Yes
- Unlimited GB
- 5
- Yes
5. CyberGhost — Largest Server Network
Very Fast
Very Fast
Fast
Pros:
- Largest server network
- Specialty streaming servers
- NoSpy technology for privacy
Cons:
- Slow
CyberGhost has the largest server network on this list, with more than 11,000 servers in 100 countries. With a network this big, your chances of landing on a crowded server are minimal, which leads to better speeds.
CyberGhost also has specialty servers dedicated to steaming, torrenting and gaming, which cuts down the time you have to spend looking for the right server. The VPN is based in Romania, which has solid privacy laws; our CyberGhost review explains how that protects you in a place like Oman.
CyberGhost Hands-On Testing
We list CyberGhost on our best beginner-friendly VPN list due to its rich features, especially the Windows and Android versions. You can also run it on iOS, macOS, routers and other devices and connect up to seven simultaneously. The specialty server categories for streaming, gaming and torrenting are convenient and make for easier access.
Notes From the Lab: CyberGhost Speed Test Results
CyberGhost averaged 81 Mbps on unprotected speeds of 100 Mbps. That’s a 19% speed drop, which makes it one of the slower VPN providers on this list. However, if you start with about 30 Mbps, you should be fine for most video quality.
Notes From the Lab: CyberGhost Unblocking Capability Test Results
Netflix | |
Amazon Prime Video | |
Max | |
Disney Plus | |
BBC iPlayer | |
Hulu / ESPN Plus |
You can find a server dedicated to Netflix, Amazon Prime, Max, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, ESPN Plus and more on CyberGhost. We were more than satisfied with its streaming performance.
Notes From the Lab: CyberGhost Security Analysis
WireGuard | ChaCha20 | Windows macOS iPadOS iOS Android Linux |
IKEv2 | AES-128 SHA-1 | Windows macOS iOS |
OpenVPN | AES-256 | Windows Android Linux |
The DNS leak test we conducted for CyberGhost only displayed the virtual French IP address we connected to. The NoSpy servers hosted on data centers that CyberGhost owns and controls can greatly help deal with censorship in Oman. They offer better security, privacy and performance.
CyberGhost Pricing & Value
CyberGhost is ranked fourth on our best cheap VPN list and has one of the longest money-back guarantees at 45 days. The two-year plan offers the best deal at $2.37 per month and offers two extra months free. The monthly plan offers a 14-day money-back guarantee so you can test CyberGhost out.
6. IPVanish — Best Oman VPN for Multiple Devices
Pros:
- Unlimited device connections
- Over 40,000 IP addresses
- Trusted Wi-Fi hotspots
Cons:
- Slowest speeds
- No-logs policy has been breached before
IPVanish has more than 2,200 servers in more than 75 locations with more than 40,000 IP addresses. You shouldn’t have problems unblocking geo-restricted streaming, gambling or dating sites anywhere in Oman.
However, though IPVanish has a no-logs policy, it has cooperated with law enforcement in the past and handed over user logs. It may not be the best choice if you plan to engage in activities that the Omani authorities might frown upon.
IPVanish Hands-On Testing
IPVanish has apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and more. Like Surfshark, you can connect an unlimited number of devices. You can sort the server list based on the ping times to quickly identify the most suitable server. You can access and configure all important security features like the kill switch, public Wi-Fi protection and protocols with a single click in the app settings.
Unprotected | 19 | 45.51 | 5.95 |
United States | 24 | 44.89 | 5.59 |
United Kingdom | 467 | 34.40 | 5.30 |
Australia | 440 | 33.49 | 3.98 |
Brazil | 418 | 27.93 | 4.30 |
South Africa | 713 | 4.06 | 4.48 |
Singapore | 406 | 38.77 | 5.24 |
We got average speeds of 30.59 Mbps on our unprotected speeds of 40 Mbps when we tested IPVanish — about a 25% speed drop. This was the second biggest drop among all six options. We also experienced buffering when streaming 4K content, but HD and SD shows and movies ran much better.
Notes From the Lab: IPVanish Unblocking Capability Test Results
Netflix | |
Amazon Prime Video | |
Max | |
Disney Plus | |
BBC iPlayer | |
Hulu / ESPN Plus |
IPVanish unblocked all the streaming services we tested on our first attempt. We used U.S. and U.K. servers to access sites like Disney Plus and BBC iPlayer. We break down the streaming performance in our IPVanish review.
Notes From the Lab: IPVanish Security Analysis
WireGuard | ChaCha20 | Windows macOS iPadOS iOS Android FireTV |
IKEv2 | AES-128 SHA-1 | Windows macOS iOS Android Linux |
IPSec | No defined protocol | macOS iOS Linux |
OpenVPN | AES-256 | Windows macOS Android Linux |
IPVanish passed the DNS leak test without exposing any information that could harm a user’s privacy. We only saw the Australian IP address we used to unblock Australian channels. Other VPN security features include public Wi-Fi protection for unsecured hotspots all over Muscat.
IPVanish Pricing & Value
IPVanish offers three price plans. The 24-month plan offers the best deal at $3.33 per month. There is also a 12-month and a monthly plan. The 24-month and 12-month plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee, but the monthly plan doesn’t include a refund guarantee, so keep this in mind if you sign up to test IPVanish.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Every year after: $89.99 ($7.50 per month)
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Every two years after: $179.99 ($7.50 per month)
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
Can You Use a Free VPN for Oman?
You can use a free VPN for Oman, but we don’t recommend it. Most free VPNs are unsafe, as their money-making model involves selling user data to third parties. Many of them also don’t work and may lack important security features necessary for handling heavy censorship.
The Best Free VPN for Oman: Proton VPN
The best free VPN for Oman is Proton VPN. It connects you to the fastest server in five locations, which allows you to access blocked sites. Proton VPN is fast and is equipped with AES-256 encryption to keep you safe from surveillance.
How to Get an IP Address for Oman
Getting an Oman IP address is easy, as we discuss in our how to get an Oman IP address article. One note: That article includes HideMyAss and Ivacy VPN because they offer IP addresses in Oman, unlike any of the options here. We didn’t include either of those VPNs on this list because both of them have worrisome privacy gaps.
Why You Need a VPN for Oman
You need a VPN for Oman to access streaming platforms like Hulu, betting sites like DraftKings or online dating apps like Tinder, which are banned in Oman. VPN services are necessary to bypass government-imposed internet censorship for anyone living in or visiting Oman. You can’t discuss LGBTQ topics or access pornographic content online without the government breathing down your neck.
How to Use a VPN in Oman
To use a VPN in Oman, follow these steps.
- Subscribe to a VPN
Open the VPN website, then subscribe to a plan within your budget.
- Download and Install the VPN
Open the download page and locate the link for the app that is compatible with your device. Install the VPN on your device.
- Launch the VPN and Connect to a Server
Connect to the most suitable server for what you want to unblock and enjoy the internet without restrictions.
Final Thoughts
Oman tries to keep a tight ship regarding internet access, and ExpressVPN is the best VPN to bypass that censorship. It has a large server network for unblocking restricted content, it’s fast enough for streaming and gaming, and it assures privacy from everyone, including the government.
If ExpressVPN is not your cup of tea, consider NordVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN, CyberGhost or IPVanish as a capable alternative. Are you planning to travel to Oman? Which VPN on this list do you feel is the most reliable? Drop your comments below, and keep reading for more informative pieces.
FAQ: Best VPNs for Oman
- Are VPNs Legal in Oman?
VPNs are legal in Oman. However, you need government permission to access encrypted areas of the internet. This means the government may want to have a say in how you use a VPN provider’s services.
- What is the Best VPN for Oman?
The best VPN for Oman is ExpressVPN. It has 3,000 servers in 105 countries, is stable and fast, can hide your online activity and is compatible with multiple devices.
- How Do I Get an Oman IP Address?
You can get an Oman IP address by subscribing to a VPN like HideMyAss or Ivacy VPN, which offer IP addresses in Oman.
- How Do I Access Skype in Oman?
You can access Skype in Oman by connecting to a server in a location like the U.S., where VoIP services like Skype aren’t restricted.
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