The Best VPN For Bahrain in 2024

Online freedom and censorship are still a problem in Bahrain, as the government controls the internet and practices surveillance. The high level of control is easily exercised in the country as there is only one ISP – the Bahrain National Broadband Network (BNET). Similarly, numerous websites are blocked in the country.

Considering this current level of government surveillance and deteriorating online privacy, it is essential to use a VPN to protect your online privacy.

ExpressVPN is our #1 recommendation as to the best VPN for Bahrain  due to its high-level security, extensive 3000+ server network, and ability to access censored and blocked content within the country.

After testing 150+ VPNs, we bring you the 6 best Bahrain VPN providers that offer the best security and unblocking ability for users in Bahrain.

Why Do You Need a VPN for Bahrain?

VPN services have a number of benefits for users in Bahrain. Here are a few reasons why you need a VPN in Bahrain:

1. Internet Censorship

The government censors various content, sites, and services in Bahrain. If you are unable to access a certain page on social media or a video on YouTube, chances are it is banned by the Bahraini government.

In addition to websites, some messaging apps such as Telegram and Skype are blocked in the country. Certain religious and political sects encounter censorship more persistently than others.

Journalists, bloggers, and activists critical of the Bahraini government are particularly targeted. Reporters without Borders ranks Bahrain 168 out of 175, thus rating it as a “Not Free Country.” Bahrain is notorious for jailing cameramen, journalists, and reporters. Simply put, internet censorship is a serious obstacle to freedom of speech in Bahrain.

2. Online Surveillance

The online activities of users in Bahrain are not protected by any official laws. The government takes advantage of the lack of any legal barriers to prevent it from spying digital activities of citizens.

In fact, since 2016, the Bahraini government has been taking measures on social media to promote pro-government views while suppressing the critical viewpoints of activists and citizens.

In 2013, the government announced the establishment of the Cyber Security Directorate to monitor social media platforms and websites to “ensure they are not used to disseminate lies and fallacies that pose a threat to the kingdom’s security and stability.”

A VPN for Bahrain is the most convenient solution to enhance security and ensure anonymity online. A VPN encrypts your online traffic, passing it through the VPN tunnel, which makes it untraceable online, protecting you against ISP snoopers. While there are few to no VPN Servers in Bahrain, there are still many in the nearby UAE that allow users access to fast VPN services for Bahrain.

3. Unblock Streaming Sites

Most popular streaming sites are not available in Bahrain due to geo-restrictions and licensing agreements. The following popular streaming apps and sites are not accessible in Bahrain:

• Amazon Prime
• Hulu
• BBC iPlayer
• Spotify

To access these sites, you would need a VPN for streaming. With a reliable VPN, Bahraini users can change their IP address to any country like the US, and get an American IP address. This way you can unblock all the sites listed above and VoIP platforms like Skype in Bahrain easily.

6 Best VPN For Bahrain (2023 In-Depth Analysis)

Unfortunately, not all VPNs are a great choice for users in Bahrain due to various reasons depending upon the VPN in question. For this reason, we have tested over 150+ VPNs to find the 6 best VPNs for Bahrain. These VPNs have been tested on various performance criteria like security, speed, geo-blocking, money-back guarantee, and more.

1. ExpressVPN – The Best VPN for Bahrain

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Bahrain need, designed to meet their every requirement perfectly. It offers 3000+ servers in 105 countries across the world. Although there are no servers in Bahrain, it does have servers in other Middle Eastern countries. ExpressVPN’s offshore servers are effective at unblocking and bypassing geo-restrictions that are common in Bahrain.

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming as it works with all major platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO, and more in Bahrain. You can have unrestricted access to the internet with ExpressVPN from Bahrain.

We were able to effortlessly unblock Netflix-US using ExpressVPN

Apart from streaming, it also works with VoIP and other platforms including Skype, WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, Snapchat, and more.

ExpressVPN also offers super-fast speed on all its servers. During our ExpressVPN speed test, on a base connection of 100 Mbps, it managed to provide a download speed of  89.49 Mbps and an upload speed of 84.64 Mbps on its US – New York server.

ExpressVPN showed blazing-fast speeds during our test!

ExpressVPN supports 5 simultaneous connections along with compatible apps for, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux. We consider it to be the best Android VPN Bahrain. It also supports devices including smartphones, computers, laptops, Smart TVs, Xbox, Playstation, Chromecast, FireStick, and routers with ExpressVPN.

The provider is based in the British Virgin Islands (one of the safest VPN jurisdictions, safe from the 5 Eyes alliance) and has a strict privacy-focused logging policy that promises zero customer data retention. To further guard your privacy, ExpressVPN even allows you the option to pay using Bitcoin so even your transaction is completely untraceable.

If you’re a regular traveler in search of a VPN to safeguard your privacy when using public Wi-Fi in places like hotels or airports, look no further than ExpressVPN. This exceptional choice not only delivers seamless internet access but also guarantees strong security, establishing itself as one of the best VPN for international travel.

You can also get multiple security features like ExpressVPN’s kill switch, AES 256-bit encryption, split tunneling, and OpenVPN protocol. It also offers DNS and IP leak protection that we tested to confirm by connecting to its US server, and found no leaks.

ExpressVPN servers ensured our actual IP address remains out of sight for people to keep an eye on our online activities.

All of these features come at a price of $6.67/mo - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free with a 30-day money-back guarantee making ExpressVPN the best tool that can effectively guard users’ privacy against authoritarian government surveillance in Bahrain.

Read our ExpressVPN review for more details.

2. Surfshark – Budget-friendly VPN for Bahrain

Surfshark is the most budget-friendly VPN for Bahrain that comes at a super-affordable price of $2.49/mo - Save up to 77% with exclusive 2-year plan + 30-day money-back guarantee. Despite being one of the most affordable VPNs Bahraini users can opt for, Surfshark also offers support for unlimited device connections on a single account.

Surfshark has a network of 3200+ servers in 100 countries, but none of these are in Bahrain. While you may not get a Bahrain IP address with Surfshark, its massive offshore server network will help you bypass geo-restrictions and access censored websites within Bahrain. Since censorship is a common issue in Bahrain, this makes Surfshark quite useful for people in the country.

The provider is also quite efficient for unblocking US Netflix in Bahrain proving itself one of the best Netflix VPN. It also help you gain access to content only available within America like HBO, Hulu, NBC, DC Universe, The CW, and more. We used Surfshark’s Miami-based servers to easily unblock US-Netflix inside Bahrain.

We were able to unblock US-Netflix in Bahrain using the Surfshark Miami server.

During our Surfshark speed test, Surfshark managed to deliver a fast download speed of 88.14 Mbps and an upload speed of 83.72 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection. It is more than enough for high-speed HD-quality streaming and other data-intensive tasks.

Surfshark delivered amazing speeds during our test

Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands, which is a country that does not impose any data logging laws on VPNs/ISPs. This is why the provider guarantees zero logging of any personally identifiable information of users.

It is compatible with all common operating systems including Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS as well as a variety of different devices including PCs, laptops, gaming consoles, routers, Smart TVs, Streaming devices, smartphones, and tablets.

It also offers IP and DNS leak protection, as you can see from the screenshot below, it masked our real IP and there were no leaks.

Surfshark servers cleverly hid our IP and DNS information.

In addition to this, the VPN offers a variety of features such as CleanWeb, WhiteLister, and MultiHop to boost online privacy.

With support for unlimited simultaneous connections and a 30-day money-back guarantee and a week-long Surfshark free trial for mobile users,  Surfshark is one of the most affordable options available for Bahrain citizens.

Read the full Surfshark review for more details.

3. NordVPN – Secure VPN for Bahrain

NordVPN is one of the most secure VPNs in Bahrain]. The provider offers some of the industry-best safety tools for the most optimized privacy, security, and data protection in Bahrain. Some of its notable features include Double VPN, CyberSec, Onion over VPN, and Obfuscated servers.

NordVPN has a huge network of 6000+ servers in 61 countries with none of these in the country of Bahrain. The overseas servers are quite powerful and are built to bypass firewalls and all sorts of censorship on the web. This makes NordVPN great for the heavily regulated internet of Bahrain.

It also works with all major platforms such as BBC iPlayer, BT-Sports, UKTV, Amazon Prime Video, TVNZ, ESPN+, and Comedy Central in Bahrain. Netflix NordVPN is also a perfect combo as demonstrated when we unblocked US-Netflix inside Bahrain using NordVPN servers.

We unblocked US Netflix with NordVPN easily!

NordVPN has dedicated apps for all of the widely used operating systems including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Aside from that, you can use it on a variety of devices including your iPhone, smartphone, tablet, computer, Xbox, TV streaming device, Firestick, and Smart TV.

Our NordVPN speed test also showed a fast download speed of 86.49 Mbps and an upload speed of 79.42 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection, more than enough to enjoy Ultra HD streaming.

NordVPN speed test on a 100 Mbps connection!

The provider is based in Panama and strictly follows a no-logging policy, taking advantage of the privacy-friendly laws of its jurisdiction. This makes this VPN particularly effective for Bahrain where censorship from the government is a persistent issue.

Finally, it offers features like Double VPN, CyberSec, Onion over VPN, kill switch for added anonymity. It also offers IP and DNS leak protection that we tested. NordVPN passed our IP leak test when using a NordVPN France server inside Bahrain as there were no data leaks detected.

NordVPN successfully passed our IP & DNS leaks test.

NordVPN is available for just $3.99/mo - Save up to 63% with exclusive 2-year plan + 3 months free for a friend and you can cancel NordVPN and get your money back within the first 30-days of subscription and mobile users can get a 1-week NordVPN free trial .

Find out more in our NordVPN review.

4. IPVanish – Fastest VPN for Bahrain

IPVanish is one of the fastest VPNs on this list of best VPN for Bahrain. During testing, it managed to deliver a high speed of 91 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection, which is more than enough for streaming, gaming, and other data-intensive tasks. We carried out an IPVanish speed test and obtained a download speed of 93.78 Mbps and an upload speed of 76.12 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection.

IPVanish delivered lightning-fast speeds on our test!

If we talk about servers, IPVanish sports a smaller server network as compared to other VPNs offering 2200+ servers in 75+ countries. It doesn’t offer a server in Bahrain, but it does have servers in UAE.

With IPVanish’s international servers, you can unblock sites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and VoIP apps along with social media platforms in Bahrain.

It follows a zero-logging policy, so you can trust this VPN with your private information. If you need better privacy protection and to prevent the Bahrain government from tracking your online activities, you can rely on IPVanish. We used IPVanish to unblock US-Netflix in Bahrain and were easily able to do so using IPVanish Seattle-based servers.

IPVanish also offers advanced security features including 256-bit AES encryption, an internet kill switch, DNS leak protection, and more. We also ran IP leak tests by connecting to IPVanish’s Singapore server and found no leaks.

No DNS or IP leak was found.

Apart from that, it also supports unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can connect as many devices as you want on a single account. IPVanish is compatible with Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, and even routers. Best of all, it comes with 24/7 live chat support to help you in case you face connectivity issues. Using our guide you can also obtain an IPVanish free trial in Bahrain

You can get this speedy VPN at a price of just $2.99/mo - Get 3 Months Extra + Save 77% on 2-year plan with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our IPVanish review for more information on this provider.

5. CyberGhost – User-friendly VPN for Bahrain

CyberGhost is the most user-friendly VPN for Bahrain. It offers easy-to-use apps for various platforms with dedicated servers for streaming, torrenting, and gaming. So, you can quickly choose a server according to your requirement.

If we talk about its servers network, then CyberGhost offers around 11651+ servers in 100 countries. It does not offer servers in Bahrain, but there are plenty of servers in UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

It offers dedicated servers for various streaming apps like Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Rai TV, Crunchyroll, ESPN+, and more. So, you can unblock all international sites in Bahrain with its thousands of international servers. We were able to unblock US-Netflix in Bahrain by using CyberGhost’s American servers in Washington.

CyberGhost’s optimized servers are great to unblock Netflix in Bahrain

CyberGhost is compatible with most common operating systems and provides apps for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. Device compatibility extends beyond computers, smartphones, and laptops to TV streaming devices and Smart TVs including Android TV and Amazon Fire TV among others.

During our CyberGhost speed test the VPN also offered a fast download speed of 75.12 Mbps and an upload speed of 39.48 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection for bufferless streaming, lag-free gaming, and browsing.

Cyber Ghost speed test gave satisfactory results

CyberGhost is based in Romania, a country with no data logging policies which give users the privacy they need online. CyberGhost’s privacy policy is a clear statement against logging practices of any kind. This is why CyberGhost is a very trustworthy VPN service for Bahrain, especially for privacy-conscious users.

It also offers security-boosting features like a kill switch, split tunneling, and OpenVPN protocol. CyberGhost takes a step further to boost your online security by offering protection against IP and DNS leaks.

We ran an IP leak test by connecting to its server in Japan and were more than satisfied with the results as there were no data leaks.

CyberGhost servers didn’t detect my actual IP address.

In addition, the provider allows 7 simultaneous connections and is compatible with all major devices. For $2.03/mo - Save up to 84% with exclusive 2-year plans + 4 months free with a 45-day money-back guarantee, privacy-conscious users in Bahrain will find CyberGhost an attractive option.

For more information, read our CyberGhost review.

6. PIA VPN – Best VPN for Torrenting in Bahrain

Private Internet Access (PIA) is the best VPN for torrenting in Bahrain, offering advanced security features like SOCKS5 proxy and a kill switch to ensure online safety while torrenting online.

PIA VPN offers 35000+ servers across 84 countries. It doesn’t have servers in Bahrain, but there are plenty of servers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other Middle Eastern countries. Its international servers are more than enough to circumvent social media censorship and strict online regulation in Bahrain.

The provider also works extremely well for accessing streaming platforms. You can use its US servers to access the Netflix US library within Bahrain. PIA also works with other platforms like BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. We were able to unblock US Netflix in Bahrain using PIA’s US servers.

Watching our favorite shows and movies on Netflix US in Bahrain was made easier thanks to PIA servers.

PIA allows 10 simultaneous connections and is compatible with a wide range of devices. Its apps are available for Windows, iOS, Android, Mac, and FireStick, and you can also configure PIA on routers.

We carried out a PIA speed test and found ourselves pleasantly surprised. We obtained a download speed of 61.91 Mbps and an upload speed of 40.67 Mbps.

PIA offered reliable speeds during our speed tests

Furthermore, PIA VPN ensures user privacy by following a trustworthy no-logs policy and 256-bit AES encryption to secure your data. To further enhance user privacy, it uses features like DNS Secure, IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch.

We ran an IP leak test while connected to PIA’s Australia – Victoria server, and it did not leak our real IP address, as can be seen from the screenshot below:

PIA servers didn’t leak our IP or DNS information.

PIA is also an affordable VPN Bahrain costing only $2.11/mo which also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Learn more about this VPN in our PIA review.

Comparison Table: Best VPN For Bahrain

We compiled this easy reference Bahrain VPN comparison table so that you can make an informed decision about which is the best VPN for Bahrain:

VPNs
Servers	3000+	3200+	6000+	2200+	11651+	35000+
Countries	105	100	61 +	75+ locations	100	84
Simultaneous Connections	5	Unlimited	6	Unlimited	7	10
Average Speed	89.49 Mbps	88.14 Mbps	86.49 Mbps	93.78 Mbps	75.12 Mbps	61.91 Mbps
Encryption	AES-256	AES-256-GCM	IKEv2, IPSec, SHA2-384, PFS	AES 256-Bit, OpenVPN	AES-256	AES-256
Price	$6.67/mo	$2.49/mo	$3.99/mo	$2.99/mo - Get 3 Months Extra + Save 77% on 2-year plan	$2.03/mo - Save up to 84% with exclusive 2-year plans + 4 months free	$2.11/mo

Testing Methodology: How we tested the best VPN for Bahrain

When you are choosing the best VPN for Bahrain, make sure to consider the following 6 important criteria before making a Bahrain VPN subscription:

• Server locations: The more servers a VPN offers, the merrier. A large network of servers reduces the chances of any single server being overcrowded. Moreover, it allows you to bypass restrictions placed on various streaming sites and apps.
• Fast speed: All VPNs cause a drop in your internet speed to some extent due to encryption. So, make sure to choose a VPN that offers fast download speeds so you can enjoy a smooth, bufferless experience. A good VPN will not result in a speed drop of more than 30%.
• Robust encryption: For states with heavy surveillance like Bahrain, strong encryption is extremely important. Make sure the VPN you choose offers 256-bit encryption and offers additional security features like a kill switch and IP leak protection.
• Fool-proof security: The best VPN for Bahrain should offer security features like kill switches, and leak protection against IP and DNS. It will ensure your online privacy.
• Privacy policy: The VPN you choose should value your privacy and offer a zero-logging policy. Additionally, it’s best if the VPN is located in the safe jurisdiction of countries outside the 5 Eyes.
• Money-back guarantee: It’s best if the VPN offers at least a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test the service risk-free before subscribing. Among the VPNs mentioned above, CyberGhost offers an extensive 45-day refund period.
• Easy User Interface: Since most people who use VPNs are not computer users, any good VPN that wants to provide a good service to its users should have an intuitive, easy-to-use interface that users can navigate without discomfort.

Free VPNs for Bahrain: Are they Worth it?

No, free VPNs for Bahrain are generally not worth it. Here’s why:

• Limited Server Networks: Since most free VPNs are not providing any income for their owners, there is very little incentive for the owners to invest in upgrading their global server networks. That is why you will find that most free VPNs only offer a few locations for use.
• Slow speeds: Since free VPNs are easy to access, they tend to have a high number of users connecting at any given point in time. This large influx of traffic combined with limited server capacity results in slow speeds for all users.
• Security: There are a whole lot of malicious Free VPNs out there like Hide.me and Hola, that actively record your data and sell it to third parties for profit, display intrusive advertising, rent out your bandwidth, or install malware and spyware on your device, thereby flagrantly violating your rights.
• Bandwidth Limits or Limited Servers: Not all free VPNs are bad though. Some free VPNs are trustworthy but place data limitations for their users to encourage paid usage or just offer a limited number of servers for free. Windscribe is the best Free VPN Bahraini users have access to. It provides 10GB of free data and 10 locations worldwide.

Considering the above inherent weaknesses of free VPNs, we do not recommend using a free VPN in Bahrain. Using a trustworthy premium VPN like ExpressVPN is the best way to stay safe online in Bahrain while safeguarding your privacy.

VPN Guides for Other Countries

Online censorship and privacy are issues for users in most countries like Bahrain. Here are our dedicated VPN guides for other countries with similar restrictions:

• Best VPN for Kuwait
• Best VPN for Saudi Arabia
• Best VPN for UAE
• Best VPN for Qatar
• Best VPN for Oman
• Best VPN for Panama
• Best VPN for Sudan
• Best VPN for Hong Kong
• Best VPN for Lebanon

Best VPN for Bahrain – FAQs

Now, let’s look at some of the most frequently asked questions regarding VPNs in Bahrain.

Best VPN for Bahrain – Wrapping Up!

The current online landscape has made VPNs a necessary tool to ensure online safety and to obtain freedom on the internet in Bahrain. This situation is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Thankfully, we have VPNs to rely on.

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Bahrain to bypass geo-restrictions and maintain online privacy effectively. It also offers robust security features and a true zero-log policy to ensure online security and anonymity in Bahrain.

ExpressVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 12 months + 3 months free offer so you can test the service risk-free in Bahrain and decide for yourself. Mobile users can test the service out absolutely free through a week-long ExpressVPN free trial for iPhone and Android.