hide.me
A rare genuinely usable free plan (no card, P2P allowed on the 10 GB free tier) plus audited no-logs claims twice over - DefenseCode 2015 and Securitum 2024…
audited crypto accepted
intro €2.69/mo (about $3.04/mo)
VPNs in Yemen
restricted
There is no single Yemeni VPN law; control is split by the war. In Houthi-controlled areas, the Houthis run YemenNet and TeleYemen through the Public Telecommunications Corporation and have blocked hundreds of sites (SMEX and Access Now counted 208 blocked websites between March 2015 and December 2022) using Netsweeper filtering, purchased DPI capability per the UN Panel of Experts, and periodic blocks of Zoom, Google Meet and Signal (September 2023) and of news sites such as South24 (March 2024); websites of circumvention tools including Tor and Psiphon have also been blocked and VPN traffic is reportedly throttled. The internationally recognized government's AdenNet (since 2018) offers a partial alternative in Aden and some southern areas.
What works there
VPNs in Houthi areas for blocked news sites, though tool websites are blocked and connections are throttled or monitored · AdenNet connectivity in parts of government-held Aden as an alternative to YemenNet
Honest advice: In Houthi-controlled areas assume inspection: VPN tool websites are blocked, VPN connections are often throttled or dropped, and users of blocked content face real risk - configure tools before arrival and prefer low-bandwidth options. In Aden and government-held areas conditions differ, but coverage and reliability remain limited.
VPN providers with servers in Yemen
From each provider's own public server list, 2026-10-31. A local exit IP matters for expats who want "home" catalogues, and for lower latency.
| Provider | Cities | Servers | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 1 | 2 | Visit |
Where a provider's list is not machine-readable (Proton, CyberGhost, PureVPN and others), it is missing here on purpose - we do not guess.
Obfuscation-capable providers
Providers that document obfuscation or stealth protocols - the feature class that matters where VPN protocols themselves are blocked. Directly relevant in Yemen.
Mullvad VPN
The most honest VPN on the internet, and in 2026 still the one this industry is measured against: numbered accounts, cash or Monero accepted, open-source…
court-proven no-logs audit open source crypto accepted
intro €5/mo (about $5.65/mo)
CactusVPN Smart DNS
CactusVPN is the bundle case in the Smart DNS vertical: a 2011 Moldovan three-friends shop that once sold Smart DNS as its own product line and has now folded…
audited
intro $3.96 /mo
Amnezia VPN (self-hosted with obfuscation)
The most credible self-hosting on-ramp in the VPN space, built by and for people inside the censorship: the app is free and open source, you connect it to your…
audited open source
intro $5 /mo
IVPN
The anti-affiliate champion candidate holds up: no affiliate program (stated out loud on the homepage), flat honest pricing, quarterly warrant canary, annual…
audit canary open source crypto accepted
intro $5/mo
Proton VPN
The most honest mainstream deal in 2026: open-source apps, real audits, a genuinely usable free tier with no data cap, and a transparent renewal model - and in…
audit open source crypto accepted
intro $3.49/mo renews $83.88 / 12 mo ($6.99/mo)
Tips & tricks for Yemen
- In Houthi-controlled areas, expect heavy filtering and throttling of encrypted traffic. The use of DPI and Netsweeper means many standard circumvention tools, including Tor and Psiphon, are blocked at the network level. If traveling to or residing in these regions, configure your preferred tools before arrival—direct downloads or updates are unlikely to work.
- Connection stability is a major issue. Even when a VPN connects, speeds are often reduced due to throttling. Prioritize lightweight protocols and low-bandwidth services. Voice calls over apps like Signal may fail during peak times; text-only mode or pre-downloaded content works more reliably.
- AdenNet, operated by the internationally recognized government, offers a partial alternative in parts of Aden and some southern zones. Access to global platforms is more consistent here, though infrastructure limitations mean outages and slow speeds are common. It’s not a full bypass, but it’s less restrictive than YemenNet.
- Assume monitoring is possible, especially when accessing blocked news sites like South24 or communication tools such as Zoom and Google Meet, which have faced intermittent blocks. Users discussing politics or conflict-related topics may face higher scrutiny.
- Always have two access methods ready—one primary VPN and a backup like a lesser-known provider or obfuscated server. Conditions shift rapidly, especially around political events or military developments.
- Do not rely on a VPN for emergency communication. Network shutdowns and blackouts occur without warning. During active conflict phases or political escalations, internet access may vanish entirely for days.
FAQ
Is using a VPN legal in Yemen?
There is no single Yemeni VPN law; control is split by the war. In Houthi-controlled areas, the Houthis run YemenNet and TeleYemen through the Public Telecommunications Corporation and have blocked hundreds of sites (SMEX and Access Now counted 208 blocked websites between March 2015 and December 2022) using Netsweeper filtering, purchased DPI capability per the UN Panel of Experts, and periodic blocks of Zoom, Google Meet and Signal (September 2023) and of news sites such as South24 (March 2024); websites of circumvention tools including Tor and Psiphon have also been blocked and VPN traffic is reportedly throttled. The internationally recognized government's AdenNet (since 2018) offers a partial alternative in Aden and some southern areas.
What actually works in Yemen?
Per current research: VPNs in Houthi areas for blocked news sites, though tool websites are blocked and connections are throttled or monitored, AdenNet connectivity in parts of government-held Aden as an alternative to YemenNet. During crackdowns or sensitive periods, even working methods can be disrupted - have at least two options configured.
Which providers ship the needed obfuscation?
hide.me, Mullvad VPN, CactusVPN Smart DNS, Amnezia VPN, IVPN, Proton VPN document obfuscation features. Self-hosted AmneziaWG or VLESS/Reality on your own server is the strongest option.
last checked 2026-11-04 · information, not legal advice