Best Canada VPNs for Streaming, Speed, Privacy in 2024

Are you looking to shield your online activities from prying eyes? Maybe you’re a Canadian desperately trying to regain access to streaming platforms like CBC or Crave during a trip abroad? Whatever the situation, a reliable VPN (Virtual Private Network) can help. The problem is that there are hundreds of providers to choose from, and many of them focus on the US and treat Canadian users like an afterthought. That’s why we’ve done the legwork and identified a selection of feature-rich VPNs designed explicitly for the Canadian market.

Our experts have personally used, researched, and tested over a dozen leading providers to find out once and for all which work best in Canada. This way, we can say beyond all doubt which are suitable for your needs and which aren’t worth the money.

We’ll dive into more detail on each of our top picks shortly. For now, though, here’s a brief rundown of the best Canada VPNs and a short description of what makes each so special:

Best VPNs for users in Canada

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for Canadians. Delivers impressive speeds, a ton of customizable security tools, and the ability to access many of Canada’s biggest streaming platforms. There’s even a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try it completely risk-free.TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Canada.
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN for Canada. Despite its low price, it boasts high speeds, phenomenal streaming ability, and a total lack of connection limits. Strict no-logs policy.
3. IPVanish: Quick, beginner-friendly, and reliable, with lots of Canadian servers to choose from. Works with CBC, Global TV, and more. Secure every device you own with a single subscription.
4. ExpressVPN: An excellent option for watching Canadian TV abroad. Easy to use, with strong security and consistently high speeds. Now blocks ads and trackers automatically too!
5. PureVPN: An extremely quick VPN that’s a great choice for any everyday task. No issues accessing CBC or City TV from abroad. Provides 24/7 support via live chat.
6. CyberGhost: Versatile provider with a zero-logs policy and three Canadian locations to choose from. Streaming-optimized servers make watching Netflix CA as easy as possible.
7. ProtonVPN: Security-conscious service with hundreds of servers in Canada. Reliable speeds, powerful privacy features, and great unblocking ability (though only on the paid plan).
8. PrivateVPN: A no-logs VPN that goes the extra mile on privacy. Offers decent speeds and works with lots of Canadian streaming apps. Built-in stealth mode and port-forwarding support.

Scoring criteria: Identifying the best VPNs for Canadian users

Based on user feedback, it’s clear that some people struggle to separate marketing hype from the reality of actually using a VPN. Providers love to talk about how their speeds are the fastest, or how their service is the most secure, but when multiple companies make the same claims, they can’t all be correct. That’s where we come in: our team has more than a decade of combined experience testing consumer VPNs, meaning we’re well-equipped to explain how well each service performs in real-world scenarios.

Our exhaustive evaluation process begins with actually using each VPN over the course of several days. During this time, we monitor its speeds, attempt to perform common tasks like streaming, torrenting, and gaming, and get a first-hand look at the service’s security and privacy offering. We also test out the mobile version since you deserve the same level of protection regardless of whether you’re at home or on the go. Below, we’ll quickly cover our main areas of concern, but you’ll find a more detailed guide to our testing process at the bottom of this post.

• Speed: Slow speeds cause all sorts of problems, from pages that take forever to load to sporadic disconnection from the VPN. We tested each service’s Canadian servers at multiple times of day using a standard home broadband connection to get a better understanding of the speeds you can expect.
• Functionality: You deserve a well-rounded service with minimal limitations. That’s why we looked into how many devices you can secure at the same time, whether the VPN can be installed on routers, and whether it offers split-tunneling functionality. That’s just the starting point, though: if there are any unique or interesting features, you can be sure we’ll mention them too.
• Security and privacy: If your VPN can’t keep you safe, nothing else matters. Our team ensures that the services we recommend use high-end encryption, follow no-logging policies (ideally with verification from independent auditors), and offer all of the safeguards you’ll need to protect you if anything goes wrong. We also highlight services that go above and beyond by offering stealth modes or custom protocols.
• Streaming capability: It’s getting increasingly difficult to access Canadian streaming apps like Global TV, Crave, or CBC from abroad. We pit each candidate against a gauntlet of stubborn platforms to see which works the most reliably with the largest range of services.
• Value for money: Nobody wants to pay more than they have to, which is why a large part of our testing involves checking what each provider offers relative to its competitors and judging whether it’s worth the cost. Further, we check sale frequency, whether student discounts are available, and how steeply the price drops with long-term plans. Finally, every VPN must include a money-back guarantee so that you can try it risk-free.

Best VPNs for Canada – Our hands-on review

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Canada.

Best VPNs for users in Canada

Without further ado, here’s a closer look at our top Canadian VPNs:

1. NordVPN

Nov 2024

NordVPN is our top VPN pick for those in Canada. There are around 500 servers to choose from, spread across three cities (Montreal, Toronto, or Vancouver), allowing you to pick whichever is closest for the best performance. You’ll also be able to access all of your favorite streaming apps while traveling. We’ve had great results testing this VPN against platforms like Netflix Canada, CBC, and Global TV, often with the first server we tried. Of course, if you’re struggling to find one that works, just ask support staff for help; they’re available 24/7 over live chat.

Another great thing about NordVPN is how beginner-friendly its apps are. The home screen allows you to quickly select a suitable server or connect to one you used recently. Navigation is done using the icons on the far left: clicking the globe opens the full server list, while the tabs underneath allow you to configure advanced features like ad-blocking, Meshnet, or the dark web monitor. The settings menu separates its options into categories, making it as easy as possible to find what you need. We also really liked that this VPN explains what each setting does since this makes it less likely you’ll accidentally change something important without realizing it.

This provider uses unbreakable encryption to hide your browsing habits from shady hotspot owners and ISPs. It features a customizable kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection (which we verified for ourselves), and a proven no-logs policy. That’s not all: NordVPN also boasts automatic ad, tracker, and malware filtering, as well as a new tool called Meshnet that can facilitate secure file transfers between devices in different parts of the world. This is impressive in a technical sense, but it’s also practical since you can use it to set up virtual LAN parties or access your home PC while on vacation.

People often worry that a VPN will reduce their speeds to a crawl. This was a problem years ago, but it’s largely resolved now. NordVPN’s Canadian servers, for instance, delivered average speeds of 48.31 Mbps on a standard home broadband connection of 54.16 Mbps. That’s quick enough for any day-to-day task, from streaming 4K content to making video calls. There was minimal variation based on time of day, either, with just 1.68 Mbps difference between its fastest and slowest results.

There are three subscription terms to choose from: one month, one year, or two years. Monthly plans cost around $12.99 USD, which is on the higher end of the market, but there are significant discounts (around 70 percent) for customers willing to pay upfront. Additionally, NordVPN offers two enhanced plans. For a few dollars more each month, you can get the VPN bundled with a password manager, encrypted cloud storage, and a cyber insurance policy that protects you in the event that you lose money to online scams or identity theft.

NordVPN has its own apps for iOS, Android, Windows, MacOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire Stick. Routers are supported, too, but have to be configured manually; there are detailed setup guides in the website’s support center.

BEST VPN FOR CANADA:NordVPN is our #1 pick. Boasts top-tier performance, plenty of powerful security features, and a large presence in Canada. Not only that, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try it completely risk-free.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is the best budget VPN for Canadians. There are over 120 servers to choose from locally, with thousands more in a further 100+ countries. You might be surprised to learn that this is one of the most reliable options we’ve seen when it comes to streaming; it works with Netflix, City TV, Global, and many more platforms. There’s even a Smart DNS feature that’ll let you access region-locked content on your Smart TV or games console! Better still, this provider has no connection limit, meaning you’re free to protect all of your devices simultaneously.

This service boasts a simple, straightforward design that’ll feel instantly familiar to experienced users without alienating novices. You can select a server location and connect right there on the main screen or view settings using the sidebar. Options are well-described and grouped into several tabs, with quick access to support material and live chat just in case you need it. There are a few tabs dedicated to features that are only available with a Surfshark One plan, but that’s hardly the end of the world.

Now, none of this means much if your VPN can’t keep you safe. Thankfully, Surfshark prioritizes customer security, using unbreakable encryption and a kill switch to ensure details of your activities never fall into the wrong hands. Our testing showed that it didn’t leak data via IPv6 or DNS, either, and its no-logging claims have been verified multiple times by independent auditors. There are plenty of advanced features to play with, too, including a censorship-beating NoBorders mode, periodic IP address switching, and automatic ad, tracker, and malware-blocking.

Perhaps you’ve seen our industry-wide speed tests before. These are great for seeing how fast a provider can get in ideal circumstances, but they don’t really reflect how well they’ll perform in real-world scenarios. That’s why we tested Surfshark’s Canadian servers at three times of the day on a home broadband connection with an average speed of 54.16 Mbps.

Surfshark provided average speeds of 46.13 Mbps, which puts it roughly in the middle of the pack. In simple terms, this service will be able to handle 4K streaming, online games, or torrenting without any issues.

Surfshark has three subscription lengths: a month, a year, or two years. At just under $13, monthly plans are about in line with the industry average. That said, it’s possible to save quite a bit by paying for a longer plan upfront. The two-year subscription, for instance, comes with a discount of roughly 80 percent, which works out to a little over $2 monthly. If you’d like extra functionality, such as breach alerts or antivirus software, you can upgrade to Surfshark One for a few dollars more. The most expensive plan (Surfshark One+) can even remove your personal info from people’s search sites and company databases.

This VPN offers apps for Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. With a little manual configuration, you can even run it directly on your router. Check Surfshark’s website for setup guides, or reach out to staff using live chat if you’d like someone to walk you through it.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is a low-cost VPN capable of accessing Canada’s most popular streaming platforms abroad. Keeps no logs and can secure every device you own. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish owns and operates more than 2,400 servers in 60+ locations. There are clusters in three Canadian cities (Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver), meaning you’ll never be reliant on a server that’s on the opposite side of the country. This VPN has really focused on improving its streaming ability recently; it now works with several platforms that previously troubled it, including Netflix, CBC, and Amazon Prime Video. What’s more, it’s perfect for families as you can connect as many devices as you like.

The main screen is split in two. On the left, you have a variety of connection metrics, including your current session length, chosen protocol, and a chat showing your data usage over time. On the right, there’s a map that makes it easy to quickly change location. You’re not limited to just picking a country, either; zooming in lets you select individual cities. The settings menus are sleek and to the point with minimal clutter, so while advanced users may be left wanting more, novices won’t find themselves overwhelmed.

Thanks to this VPN’s uncrackable encryption, there’s no need to worry about shady hotspot owners or the government seeing what you get up to online. It passed our DNS and IPv6 leak tests with no issues, and the built-in kill switch means you’ll be protected even if your connection drops suddenly. IPVanish doesn’t keep any logs, and we know this for sure as it’s been professionally audited. Want a little more control? You can choose to let specific apps or websites bypass the VPN entirely, connect whenever you use an unfamiliar network, or block ads and trackers automatically.

IPVanish was actually the second-fastest provider we tested. It delivered some of the highest speeds we saw in the morning and evening, averaging 49.98 Mbps across the full day. The only faster service was PureVPN, but even then, not by much. So what does this mean for the average user? Well, you shouldn’t notice any buffering, even when multiple 4K videos are playing simultaneously. If you want to watch TV while the kids are chatting and your partner plays online games, this service is up to the task. Here’s a breakdown of IPVanish’s performance:

Customers can choose a monthly, annual, or biennial plan. Naturally, a single month’s subscription costs more (roughly $13 at the time of writing). However, IPVanish does offer substantial discounts if you’re willing to pay for longer upfront. The two-year term, for instance, costs around $52, meaning you’ll pay a little over $2 per month on average – that’s a reduction of over 80 percent.

IPVanish provides its own Windows, Android, MacOS, and iOS apps. It is possible to configure it for most routers and select Linux distros (using the OpenVPN network manager). There are step-by-step instructions in the website’s support center but if you’re struggling, staff are available 24/7 over live chat.

MULTIPURPOSE VPN:IPVanish has the speed and security needed to browse the web safely in Canada. It’s very newcomer-friendly, works exceptionally well with most streaming apps, and doesn’t keep any logs. Long-term plans even include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our comprehensive IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has four Canadian server clusters but its network actually spans a staggering 105 countries. As such, it’s a strong choice not just for people living in Canada, but also those visiting who want to access content from back home. On that note, our extensive testing revealed that ExpressVPN works flawlessly with multiple Netflix libraries, Crave, CBC, and many other popular streaming services. There is an eight-connection limit, which is a little lower than most other providers allow, but realistically, it should be plenty for most households.

This service values ease of use, and it shows. Compared to its rivals, ExpressVPN’s apps are very stripped back, with barely a pixel of clutter anywhere. The home screen is entirely dedicated to getting you connected, while the server list is as straightforward as they come – just a list of countries with a search bar. You can also favorite specific locations to have them appear at the top of the list, which is great. The options menu offers seven tabs so you can quickly find what you’re looking for and get back to business. There may not be as many advanced features as some would like, but there’s no denying that the function-over-form approach is beginner-friendly.

If you’re less concerned about how VPNs work and just want something to handle security for you, ExpressVPN is perfect. By default, it prevents DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks (something we verified ourselves), uses high-end encryption, and has a kill switch active. Leaving Canada? No problem: if you visit somewhere that the internet is heavily censored, obfuscation will kick in automatically. We would suggest activating the Threat Protection feature, though: this has to be enabled manually but will block ads, trackers, and shady sites for you. Most importantly, ExpressVPN follows a zero-logs policy and has been audited more than a dozen times.

Let’s talk about performance for a second. During our testing, ExpressVPN’s speeds were remarkably consistent, with minimal variance depending on time of day. Overall, it averaged 46.08 Mbps, putting it almost neck and neck with Surfshark. In practical terms, this means that it’s suitable for almost anything, whether you want to watch live TV, play online games, or torrent. Naturally, the faster your connection, the better your speeds, though. Here’s a look at this service’s full test results:

If there’s one complaint we have about this service, it’s the price. Monthly plans are about in line with what you’d expect from a premium provider ($12.95), but its long-term discounts definitely have room for improvement. Signing up for a year, even with three months free, lowers the average cost to around $6.70, which is still fairly expensive. On the other hand, ExpressVPN accepts several anonymous payment options and runs regular promotions that can help bring prices down.

This provider offers apps for Linux, Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. It also boasts its own router firmware, meaning there’s very little setup required for anyone looking to protect an entire network. You’ll even be able to take advantage of features not normally available with router VPNs, such as the kill switch and automatic ad-blocking.

FAST AND VERSATILE:ExpressVPN works great in Canada. It has vast server network coverage that is optimized for high-speed secure connections, plus it’s hard to beat on privacy and online security. Also offers a 30-day no-fuss money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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5. PureVPN

PureVPN offers access to 6,000 servers throughout 65 countries, including Canada. Unfortunately, it only has one Canadian location (Toronto), but on the plus side, some of these servers are optimized for accessing geo-blocked streaming platforms like CBC Gem and Disney+ CA. Just hit Location on the left, then open the Shortcuts menu to see which are best for any given app. Users can connect up to 10 devices at a time and customer support is available, day or night, over live chat.

One of the best things about PureVPN is that it’s extremely newcomer-friendly. The main screen is essentially devoted to a quick-connect button, and once connected, there’s a connection details panel that you can open to change protocol, start blocking trackers, or activate the kill switch. In the location menu, we have a searchable server list with options to filter out any that don’t support P2P traffic or port forwarding. The apps do devote quite a lot of space to features that are only included on Plus and Max plans, though; this isn’t a deal breaker, but it would be nice to be able to hide the right panel if you’re not interested in upgrading.

There’s no need to worry about anyone monitoring your online activities since PureVPN uses uncrackable encryption and has been audited on several occasions to prove it doesn’t keep logs. It has all of the necessary safeguards, too, including a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and the ability to connect automatically whenever you launch the app. If you’d like, you can even block trackers or prevent other devices on the network from communicating with your system. Finally, the split tunneling feature is handy for anyone looking to access region-locked content from abroad without losing access to services that are only available in Canada.

Speed is one area where this provider really stands out. It was the fastest service we saw, averaging 52.45 Mbps on a home broadband connection that had a base speed of 54.16 Mbps without a VPN. That is barely any drop in speed at all. Further, it was the most consistent VPN by far, with less than 0.7 Mbps of difference between its fastest and slowest results. As such, it’s a great choice for anyone looking to perform data-intensive tasks like file-sharing, 4K streaming, or video-calling. Here’s how well PureVPN performed at different times of day:

Like its rivals, this VPN lets you sign up for a month, a year, or two years. However, it also offers an almost-unheard-of five-year subscription that cuts the cost to around $2 per month (payable upfront). That’s nothing to sniff at, given that monthly plans cost around $13. There are two enhanced subscription options (Plus and Max), which cost more but include a password manager, personal data removal service, and file-encryption tool.

PureVPN has its own Android, Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Linux apps (and on most distros, you have the option to use either the command line or a graphical interface). Alternatively, you can manually configure it for use with most routers.

CAPABLE OF ANYTHING:PureVPN is an excellent choice whether you’re looking to game, torrent, or stream. Refuses to compromise on security and offers a 31-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PureVPN review.

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6. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has long had one of the largest networks around. It spans 100+ countries, including Canada, and offers servers specially designed for performing certain tasks. Want to play games securely without compromising on speed? Choose a gaming server. Want to watch Canadian TV? Just head over to the For streaming tab and pick the service you’d like to stream. Just bear in mind that often, the general-purpose servers are capable of unblocking region-exclusive sites too, so if the one you want to use isn’t specifically mentioned, it’s still worth a shot.

 The main page looks a little different from some other VPNs on the market, but you’ll get the hang of it pretty quickly. Simply choose a server type on the left, a location in the middle, and hit the power button on the right to get connected. There’s just one minor issue worth mentioning: settings are spread out across three separate menus (some of which have multiple tabs), which can make it a bit tricky to find what you’re looking for. Most people likely won’t spend too much time tinkering in the settings, though.

We’re big fans of this service’s security offering. It boasts a kill switch and unbreakable encryption, plus during testing we didn’t detect any DNS, IPv6, or WebRTC leaks. CyberGhost has twice been audited, so when it says it doesn’t keep logs, you know it’s telling the truth. More experienced users will appreciate the ability to create smart rules that govern when and how the VPN connects on its own. There’s even the option to connect via a random port, which may help you bypass some forms of VPN detection (though if you’re hoping to get around country-wide censorship, you’ll want to keep looking).

CyberGhost was the third-quickest provider we tested, delivering average speeds of 49.61 Mbps on a home internet connection. That’s just a hair slower than IPVanish, which took second place. We did notice speeds were a little slower in the morning but even then, you’d still be able to stream, make calls, or play games without any performance issues. Let’s take a look at the full test results:

This VPN has three subscription lengths, allowing you to sign up for a month, six months, or two-years. Pricing is about what you’d expect from a premium provider ($13 per month and roughly half off for six-month plans). As you might expect, the longest subscription also comes with the steepest discount, bringing your average monthly cost down to around $2. If you’d like a dedicated IP address, that’ll cost an extra $2.50 each month. Alternatively, you can get an antivirus app (Windows only) for an extra dollar.

CyberGhost offers apps for iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, Linux, and Amazon Fire Stick. Its website provides step-by-step configuration instructions in case you’d like to install it on your home router, too. As ever, staff are on-hand 24/7 over live chat in case you need help.

Beginner Friendly Apps:CyberGhost is fast and versatile, with easy to use apps and hundreds of Canadian servers. A strong contender on streaming and security. Includes a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost VPN review.

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7. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a freemium service that you can use to secure your traffic indefinitely in Canada. However, we’d strongly suggest upgrading for the best experience. Free users can’t choose a server location, access streaming platforms, or chat with support staff, plus they’re limited to a single connection (as opposed to 10). Using the paid plan, however, we had no issues using popular sites like CBC, Netflix, or Prime Video. Plus, with a network spanning 110+ countries, you’ll never be short of something to watch.

The bulk of the main screen is dominated by a map, which you can click to change location. Alternatively, hitting the arrow in the top-left hides this, giving you a more traditional app interface with list-based server selection. Servers suitable for streaming, torrenting, or accessing the dark web are marked with a little icon, making it nice and easy to find one that meets your needs. We really liked that the settings menu was neatly organized and that almost every option could be enabled using a simple toggle switch – it just helps keep things from getting overly complex.

Experts in the field agree that VPNs must offer unbreakable encryption (AES-256 or higher) and a no-logs policy in order to keep their users’ data secure. Thankfully, ProtonVPN does, and is audited every year to prove it. This service also reduces the likelihood of any data interception using a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and industry-approved protocols like WireGuard. There’s also a Stealth mode for additional privacy, though this won’t work in countries with extreme digital censorship. Its more advanced features include NetShield (which blocks ads), port forwarding, and alternative routing, which may help you access ProtonVPN’s site on networks that usually restrict access.

The biggest flaw we found was that despite offering an accelerator feature that claims to boost your speeds, ProtonVPN wasn’t able to keep up with the providers listed above. It did provide competitive speeds at noon, but there were 16 Mbps of variance throughout the day, leading to its lower-than-expected daily average speed of 35.93 Mbps. You’ll still be able to perform most tasks without any issues, though. Here’s a quick look at this VPN’s performance results:

Once you’ve decided to upgrade to a paid plan, you have three subscription options: monthly, annual, or two-yearly. A one-month plan costs roughly $10, which is less than most of the other providers on this list. Choosing a longer term cuts the price in half, though, leading to an average monthly cost of about $4.49. Want a more comprehensive security suite? In that case, take a look at Proton Unlimited plans – these are about $3 more each month but include a privacy-focused mail and calendar app, password manager, and encrypted file storage.

ProtonVPN has apps for Fire TV, Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS. It boasts a full graphical interface for Linux systems and even works on routers (though manual configuration is required).

FAST AND SECURE:ProtonVPN has a large presence in Canada, works with most major streaming platforms, and offers plenty of customizable features. What’s more, paid plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ProtonVPN review.

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8. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN takes a different approach from most other providers in that it focuses on offering a small number of self-owned, self-managed servers. There are roughly 200 in 60+ countries, with three in Canada (Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto). You might think that such a small network would make its servers easier to block, but in our experience, PrivateVPN is one of the most consistent options for accessing geo-restricted streaming sites like Netflix or CBC. Users can protect up to 10 devices at a time, torrenting is permitted on any server, and live chat is available almost 24 hours per day.

The app’s main screen features a quick connect button, a way to change location, and not much else. Tapping Advanced View, however, reveals a sidebar that provides access to a settings menu and a couple of advanced features. You’ll also be able to monitor your connection, change protocol, or increase the encryption level here (something we’d recommend doing, as the default is 128-bit AES when the industry standard is 256-bit encryption). Settings are well-described and easy to activate, thanks to their simple toggle switches. We really liked that you can begin a conversation with support staff just by opening the menu and clicking Live Support – it’s a small touch but one that really helps save time and prevent frustration when things go wrong.

It’s clear that this service takes your security seriously. For starters, PrivateVPN is the only major service that acts as its own ISP. This means that no other organization ever has access to user traffic, which helps prevent outside interference. It boasts powerful encryption, a customizable kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. Additionally, there’s a Stealth VPN feature capable of hiding your activities, even in countries like China, where internet usage is heavily monitored. We would like to see in-app WireGuard support, since this is a feature many other VPNs offer while PrivateVPN still asks users to manually configure these connections.

Let’s address the elephant in the room: PrivateVPN is quite a bit slower than its competitors. At noon and in the evenings, it delivered speeds of around 30 Mbps, which is decent if unexceptional. However, we recorded an especially poor result in the morning, which dragged its average speed down considerably. Overall, this service averaged 25.16 Mbps – fast enough for 4K streaming, but maybe not the best choice if you’re the type of person who likes to multi-task. The full results of our speed tests can be found below:

On the plus side, this service is also quite a bit cheaper than many of its rivals. Monthly plans cost roughly $10, but you can get three months of coverage for around $18, which is a discount of nearly 40 percent. The annual subscription offers the highest savings, giving an extra two years, free of charge. At the time of writing, this means you’ll pay just $72 ($2 monthly, payable upfront) for three years’ access. There are no hidden fees, no extra addons, and no enhanced subscription options – you simply get what you get.

PrivateVPN has its own apps for MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. Linux systems and most routers are supported, too, although you’ll have to follow manual setup instructions. Staff can walk you through the process via live chat if you’d prefer.

PRIVACY FIRST:PrivateVPN is a good family choice thanks to its powerful security tools and high connection limit. Excels at unblocking Canadian streaming services and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

Methodology: How we found the best VPNs for Canada

A common problem consumers face is working out exactly which VPN best meets their needs. There is a never-ending stream of VPN providers claiming to be the best and seemingly more launching every week, so the research alone can be pretty time-consuming. That’s where we come in. Our team has created an exhaustive evaluation process to identify the best VPNs for users in Canada based on five key areas of testing.

Canadian server speed

The most data-intensive task most users will perform regularly is streaming. Our extensive research has shown that most streaming platforms require speeds of 2.5 Mbps for standard-definition video to load properly. This increases to 25 Mbps if you’d like to watch in 4K, and naturally, if you’re doing other things at the same time, your connection will have to be even faster to avoid performance issues.

The problem is that a VPN’s speeds are affected by all sorts of things, from the time of day to how far away your chosen server is. You may have seen our fastest VPNs post, which used an ultra-quick testing server to see what services are capable of when pushed to their limits. However, we also wanted to get a more representative view of the speeds that average users could expect. That’s why we tested each VPN’s Canadian servers using a standard home broadband connection as well. Our average speed without a VPN was 54.16. Tests were run in the morning, at noon, and in the evening, then averaged. Finally, we normalized the results, which let us award each service a score out of 10.

PureVPN was our top performer in this category, delivering quick and consistent speeds across all times of day with barely any slowdown. It was one of two providers that managed to exceed 50 Mbps, IPVanish was the other. PrivateVPN was the slowest overall and would have averaged around 30 Mbps if not for a surprisingly poor AM test result.

Features and functionality

People use VPNs for all kinds of things. Some wanted to enhance their family’s digital privacy, for instance, while others just want to torrent anonymously or play online games without fear of being doxxed. That’s why you need a service that’s versatile and capable of handling whatever you throw at it. As you might expect, this is a tricky thing to measure and quantify!

Our experts first looked at how many simultaneous connections each provider allowed. The industry standard is around eight (rising from five just a couple of years ago), but some, including Surfshark and IPVanish, have no limits at all. Then, we checked for split tunneling functionality and whether the service could run on routers. Each VPN was awarded a score out of 10 for each of these three tests. Last but not least, our reviewer (who has personally tested every VPN in this list) assigned a score based on their experiences using the service. These four scores were weighted and normalized to make it easier to compare providers’ results.

As the table above shows, we have a three-way tie for first place. While NordVPN doesn’t allow an unlimited number of connections, our experts did appreciate how customizable it was, which helped bring it in line with Surfshark. ExpressVPN, meanwhile, achieved impressive results thanks to its custom router app. CyberGhost delivered the lowest score (6.2), largely because of its seven-connection limit and lack of split-tunneling support.

Security and privacy

The primary goal of a VPN is to keep you safe. If a service can’t do that, it’s just not worth using. Our experts evaluate providers based on 15 separate criteria, including which country they’re based in, whether their encryption is up to scratch, and what kind of data they log about your activities.

After weighing and normalizing the results, we end up with a single score out of 10 for each provider, as shown below:

Once again, we have a tie between NordVPN and Surfshark, each scoring 9.5 points out of 10. Now, what’s interesting is that these providers lost points in different areas. NordVPN uses SHA-384 authentication instead of the slightly more secure SHA-512, whereas Surfshark is based in a Nine Eyes country. PrivateVPN returned the lowest score, 8.6, largely because it doesn’t have many advanced security features and doesn’t offer a kill switch on all platforms.

Streaming ability

Many streaming services are region-locked, meaning they’re only normally accessible from within specific countries. To properly evaluate how reliable each VPN is when it comes to regaining access, we tested candidates against a gauntlet of stubborn services, including Netflix, CBC, and Global TV, and assigned a score out of 10 based on how many they worked with.

Of course, our analysis doesn’t end there. We also check how many Canadian server locations each provider has, whether it offers a Smart DNS service, whether it can block ads automatically, and how fast its servers in Canada are. These results are weighted, normalized, and combined with the earlier score to provide an overall streaming rating for our top VPNs.

All of our recommendations worked quite well in this area, though NordVPN and Surfhark share the top spot. ProtonVPN had the lowest score (6.7) due to its lack of support for many streaming devices and the fact that it struggled with some high-profile platforms.

Value for money

Price isn’t everything when it comes to choosing a VPN, but we can’t deny that it is a factor. The good news is that you don’t always have to spend top dollar for a high-quality service. To find out which providers are the best value for money, we look into monthly pricing, long-term discounts, and whether it’s possible to save by taking advantage of promotions or seasonal sales. Additionally, to even be considered for a spot in this list, VPNs must offer at least a 30-day money-back guarantee.

To make all this easier to understand, we took this data and assigned each VPN provider a score of 10.

Surfshark was the clear winner here, delivering a score of 9.7 out of 10. Among the factors influencing this decision were its lower-than-average price, lack of connection limits, and the availability of student discounts. ProtonVPN scored just 7.4, since its lowest price is still fairly high, though it is worth mentioning that it offers a free plan that’s usable (for some things) indefinitely.

How to use a Canadian VPN

Wondering how to get started with a VPN in Canada? Simply follow the instructions below.

Here’s how to use a VPN in Canada:

• Choose a reliable VPN that is capable of accessing Canadian content while providing online security. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
• Download the app and install it on your device. Each of the VPNs in this article is compatible with mobile devices, PCs, Macs, and more.
• Connect to a server in your preferred location. To obtain a Canadian IP address, choose a Canadian server.
• That’s it! You can now browse the internet as you normally would, but you will also have access to previously geo-restricted content.
• If you have any issues, try clearing your cookies and cache before reloading the page or connecting to a different server. For persistent issues, contact your VPN’s support team for more help.

Why use a VPN in Canada?

When we think of online surveillance, the first image that comes to mind is probably an American one. The US is prominent in this debate because it got caught and because it’s a big country with a lot of economic and military power. But it’s far from the only country to employ the sorts of surveillance that toe–and sometimes cross–the line between national security and overreach into the lives of ordinary citizens a la 1984‘s Big Brother. One of those countries is Canada, thanks in large part to the 2015 Anti-Terrorism Act that allowed intelligence agencies to gather and share information in much the same way as the NSA.

The underlying problem with these laws and surveillance programs is that they gather information on people regardless of whether that person is a criminal or not, and they disproportionately affect certain groups of people, such as reporters, activists, and immigrants.

All of the options in our list of the best VPNs for Canada will also protect your data when connected to public Wi-Fi. Unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots can allow hackers to intercept your internet traffic and carry out attacks, but a VPN’s encryption will prevent this.

Read more: Canada’s data retention, mass surveillance, and net neutrality laws explained

Using a Canada VPN: Frequently Asked Questions