Are you searching for a reliable VPN to safeguard your online presence in Canada? Or perhaps, as a Canadian abroad, do you yearn to reclaim access to your beloved Canadian TV shows and geo-restricted content? After countless hours of meticulous research and rigorous testing, we proudly present our findings on the best VPNs for Canada that offer unparalleled speed, unwavering security, and unmatched value for your hard-earned money.
In an age where online privacy and data protection are paramount, choosing the right VPN is critical. With an array of options available, making an informed choice that perfectly aligns with your needs is essential. Don’t worry; we’ve done the legwork for you, narrowing down the field to the most trustworthy and feature-rich VPN services designed explicitly for the Canadian market.
We’ll tell you how and why we chose the best Canada VPNs below, but if you don’t want to read on, here are our top picks:
These are the best VPNs for Canada:
- NordVPN: The best VPN for Canada and our top recommendation. Offers top-notch security, exceptionally high speeds, and fantastic unblocking ability, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee.
TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Canada. - Surfshark: This highly affordable provider with hundreds of Canadian servers, allows any number of simultaneous connections, and unblocks a ton of popular services. Keeps no logs.
- IPVanish: No-logs VPN with a large presence in Canada. Faster speeds than many of its rivals. Can access many streaming platforms. No connection limit.
- ExpressVPN: Robust security, works with most major streaming sites like Netflix, and provides consistently fast speeds. Great for accessing Canadian content.
- CyberGhost: Thousands of servers in Canada and beyond. Unblocks major streaming services while offering great security and fast servers.
- PrivateVPN: Fast speeds and can access pretty much anything, including US Netflix and Canadian Netflix from abroad.
- PureVPN: Quick, reliable, and extremely versatile. Its Canadian servers work with CBC, City TV, and more. Beginner-friendly apps, 24/7 support.
- ProtonVPN: Security-conscious provider with exceptional streaming ability. Delivers impressive speeds and operates more than 200 Canadian servers.
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Criteria for the best Canadian VPNs
There are hundreds of VPNs, however not all are trustworthy and dependable. In this article, we’ll review the best VPNs for Canada based on the following criteria:
- Plenty of Canadian servers for a local IP address
- The VPN provider is not incorporated in any Five Eyes country
- The VPN must not log any identifying information about how you use the service, including online activity and your real IP address
- Strong, up-to-date encryption standards (256-bit preferred)
- Fast, reliable connection speeds for streaming
- DNS leak protection and other advanced features
- Allows torrenting and P2P filesharing
- Great for streaming geo-restricted content (Netflix, Amazon Video, BBC, Hulu etc)
See also: How to watch Canadian TV abroad
Best VPNs for Canada – Our hands-on review
We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Canada.
No value | NordVPN | Surfshark | IPVanish | ExpressVPN | CyberGhost | PrivateVPN | PureVPN | Proton VPN |
Website | NordVPN.com | Surfshark.com | IPVanish.com | ExpressVPN.com | Cyberghost.com | PrivateVPN.com | PureVPN.com | protonvpn.com | Ranking for Canada: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Streaming Services | Netflix Amazon Prime Hulu HBO Max BBC iPlayer | Netflix Amazon Prime Hulu HBO Max BBC iPlayer | Netflix Amazon Prime Hulu HBO Max | Netflix Amazon Prime Hulu HBO Max | Netflix Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix Amazon Prime | Netflix Amazon Prime | Netflix Amazon Prime | Avg Speed (Mbps) | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 74 Mbps | 400 Mbps | 100+ Mbps | Devices Supported | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, Routers | Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, Chromebook, Routers | Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Chromebook | Total number of servers | 6,000+ | 3,200 | 2,200+ | Undisclosed | 11,000+ | 200+ | 6,500+ | 3,800 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best deal (per month) | $3.09 Up to 73% off + 3 months Free | $2.19 Save 86% on a 2 year Starter plan + 3 months free | $2.19 SAVE 83% on the 2 yr plan | $6.67 SAVE: 49% + 3 months free | $2.19 SAVE 83% on the 2 year plan + 2 months free! | $2.00 Save 85% on a one year plan + 24-months free | $2.14 Up to 82% off the 2-yr standard plan + free months | $3.59 Up to 64% off a 2-year plan |
Best VPNs Canada
From our research, here’s a list of the best VPNs for Canada:
1. NordVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN boasts a true zero-logs policy, meaning it doesn’t even record metadata about how you use the VPN service. It also features military-grade encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch that halts all internet traffic in the event of a dropped connection. The company is incorporated in Panama, which has no mandatory data retention laws. Law enforcement has even confiscated NordVPN servers to no avail. There was nothing there to find.
NordVPN sports a large VPN network of over 5,000 servers around the world in over 100 countries. Further, it’s the fastest service we’ve tested, making it perfect for streaming video and downloading large files. You can also choose from servers specialized for certain scenarios, including double VPN, Tor over VPN, and ultra-fast streaming. NordVPN allows you to stream US Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.
Apps are available for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android.
NordVPN speed test data
No value | NordVPN |
Website | NordVPN.com | Average Connection Speed - North America (USA) | 354 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK) | 262 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong) | 284 Mbps |
---|---|
Best deal (per month) | $3.09 Up to 73% off + 3 months Free |
Pros:
- Fastest VPN around
- Unblocks a wide variety of popular streaming platforms
- Strong encryption and no user logs make for top security and privacy
- Allows 6 simultaneous connections on one account
Cons:
- Desktop apps can be sluggish at times
Our score:
BEST VPN FOR CANADA:NordVPN is our #1 pick.. This no-logs service boasts rock-solid security and blazing fast connection speeds, plus it works reliably in Canada. Still not sure? Try it risk-free thanks to NordVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark is a newer provider with a smaller server network, but it’s a great option for those in Canada who want to access region-locked content from abroad. That includes US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, among others. Best of all, Surfshark stands out by letting you connect as many devices as you want—no limits on simultaneous connections.
Surfshark uses strong encryption and keeps no connection logs. The app’s kill switch prevents unencrypted traffic from leaking onto your network if the VPN connection falters. 24/7 live chat support is available.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Linux.
Surfshark speed test data
No value | Surfshark |
Website | Surfshark.com | Average Connection Speed - North America (USA) | 521 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK) | 702 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong) | 561 Mbps |
---|---|
Best deal (per month) | $2.19 Save 86% on a 2 year Starter plan + 3 months free |
Pros:
- Works with Netflix US, UK, and others
- Offers 24/7 live chat
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
Cons:
- Server network coverage is smaller than most other VPNs
- Some slow download speeds
Our score:
BEST BUDGET VPN:Access Netflix and other region-locked sites on all the desktop and mobile devices in your household for a very low price. Surfshark even comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Surfshark review.
3. IPVanish
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.IPVanish.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
IPVanish is a fantastic choice for anyone traveling or living in Canada. For starters, it allows you to protect as many devices as you like with a single account; there aren’t many services that do this and fewer still capable of delivering average speeds of more than 300 Mbps! Regional restrictions won’t be an issue either since IPVanish works with stubborn platforms, including CBC, City TV, and Crave. Its apps are beginner-friendly and very easy to use, although there is 24/7 customer support via live chat should you need it.
It’s always great to see a VPN enhance its security toolkit. IPVanish recently added automatic ad and tracker-blocking as well as split tunneling functionality. This is an addition to its uncrackable encryption, kill switch, leak protection, and proven no-logs policy. There’s even a traffic scrambling tool that helps hide the fact that you are using a VPN. We’d have liked to see a few anonymous payment options, but this is a fairly minor complaint in the grand scheme of things.
IPVanish offers apps for iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, Linux, and Amazon Fire Stick. Further, it can be manually configured to work with just about any router.
IPVanish speed test data
No value | IPVanish |
Website | IPVanish.com | Average Connection Speed - North America (USA) | 277 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK) | 237 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong) | 352 Mbps |
---|---|
Best deal (per month) | $2.19 SAVE 83% on the 2 yr plan |
Pros:
- Fast and reliable Canadian servers
- Strong commitment to privacy
- Exceptional customer support
- No connection limit
- Popular with Kodi users
Cons:
- No way to sign up anonymously
- Based in the US
Our score:
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.
4. ExpressVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands which, in case you were wondering, is an independent country not within the UK’s jurisdiction. It boasts best-in-class data security standards including 256-bit AES encryption, 4,096-bit RSA keys, SHA256 authentication, and perfect forward secrecy. It logs some non-identifying metadata like what date (not time) you used the VPN service and how long you used it for, but does not record what you do online or your IP address.
ExpressVPN servers are all optimized for maximum speed, and there are a lot of them–over 3,000 in 94 countries. It also comes packed with a kill switch–dubbed “network lock” in ExpressVPN parlance–and DNS leak protection. The provider can access streaming sites that most other VPNs in Canada can’t get at, including Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and certain wifi routers.
ExpressVPN speed test data
No value | ExpressVPN |
Website | ExpressVPN.com | Average Connection Speed - North America (USA) | 319 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK) | 303 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong) | 278 Mbps |
---|---|
Best deal (per month) | $6.67 SAVE: 49% + 3 months free |
Pros:
- Best for use inside Canada or for accessing Canadian sites from abroad
- Strong user data protections and excellent security
- Over 3,000 fast servers in over 90 countries
- No internet usage logs are retained
- 24/7 customer suppport
Cons:
- Not the cheapest in this list
- Doesn’t offer much control over advanced features
Our score:
FAST AND VERSATILE:ExpressVPN is great for 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-quibbles money-back guarantee.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
5. CyberGhost
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost was originally developed in Germany and later relocated to Romania. Recently, however, CyberGhost was acquired by an Israeli firm registered in the UK, a member of the Five Eyes. This might cause concern for some users, but the company plans to remain a standalone company in Romania. On top of that, it maintains a strict no-logs policy. Even registration details aren’t registered, and new subscribers are given an anonymous user ID instead.
CyberGhost VPN offers a large and fast selection of over 9,000 servers, which you can select from based not only on location but on how you plan to use it. Those uses include watching Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. The VPN utilizes 256-bit AES encryption and SHA256 authentication. DNS and IPv6 leak protection ensure that web requests are not sent outside the VPN tunnel. A kill switch can be enabled to halt all traffic in case the connection unexpectedly drops. Users can enable a selection of other useful features as well, including HTTPS redirect, tracker blocking, and app binding.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Linux and Android. Subscribers can connect up to seven devices at the same time.
CyberGhost speed test data
No value | CyberGhost |
Website | Cyberghost.com | Average Connection Speed - North America (USA) | 449 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK) | 269 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong) | 167 Mbps |
---|---|
Best deal (per month) | $2.19 SAVE 83% on the 2 year plan + 2 months free! |
Pros:
- Reliable, low-cost choice for Canada
- We found their apps easy to install and use
- No issues accessing US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and more
- Testing revealed impressive server speeds
Cons:
- Torrenting and P2P won’t work on all servers
- Few customizable options
Our score:
Beginner Friendly Apps:CyberGhost is fast and affordable and easy to use. Great privacy policy with zero logs and DNS leak protection. Unblocks popular video streaming platforms. 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full CyberGhost VPN review.
6. PrivateVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PrivateVPN is a newcomer to the VPN scene, but it can square off with the big boys regarding both speed and security. The company is based in Sweden, which does have some mandatory data retention laws, but is not a part of the Five Eyes. In any case, the company adheres to a no-logs policy to ensure that it has nothing to hand over in the event of a court order to do so. The level of encryption depends on whether you use the TAP or TUN interface with OpenVPN. TAP uses 128-bit AES and TUN uses 256-bit encryption; both are effectively uncrackable but the latter is technically more secure. You’ll also get perfect forward secrecy, a kill switch, and IPv6 and DNS leak protection baked right in.
The number of countries is a bit limited right now but growing rapidly. Download and upload VPN speeds were excellent in our tests. PrivateVPN has worked with everything we’ve thrown at it so far, including Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.
PrivateVPN speed test data
No value | PrivateVPN |
Website | PrivateVPN.com | Average Connection Speed - North America (USA) | 94 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK) | 57 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong) | 62 Mbps |
---|---|
Best deal (per month) | $2.00 Save 85% on a one year plan + 24-months free |
Pros:
- Another low-cost option for Canadians
- Operated from Sweden which is outside of the Five Eyes
- Strong security and privacy features and stable speeds
Cons:
- Small but growing network of server locations
- Live chat is not around the clock
Our score:
GREAT SPEED:PrivateVPN is a good family choice Allows up to 6 devices. Easy to use with excellent privacy and high download speeds. It also unblocks most streaming sites and is suitable for torrenting. Lacks 24/7 support. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full PrivateVPN review.
7. PureVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PureVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 31 DAYS
PureVPN has over 200 servers in Canada but its network spans another 80+ countries as well. These are extremely quick, with average speeds approaching 400 Mbps – that’s fast enough to stream 4K video on 10 devices simultaneously, and conveniently, PureVPN’s high connection limit allows you to do just that. Even the most stubborn streaming platforms won’t cause an issue; PureVPN works with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and CBC, to name just a few. Of course, if you run into problems, you can contact staff directly using the 24/7 live chat service.
Worried about security? Don’t be: PureVPN includes all of the must-have features, such as uncrackable encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. If you’re on the Plus or Max plan, you can also block trackers automatically (though we’d like to see this offered as standard). This service has a zero-logs policy, something we know for sure thanks to its long and well-documented audit history. In short, it’s a great choice for anyone looking to stay safe while visiting or living in Canada.
PureVPN apps are available for Android, iOS, MacOS, Windows, and Linux. Users can also manually install this service on most wireless routers.
PureVPN speed test data
Pros:
- Large network, impressive speeds
- Doesn’t keep any logs
- A great VPN for novices
Cons:
- Some features are platform-specific
- Doesn’t include tracker-blocking as standard
Our score:
CAPABLE OF ANYTHING:PureVPN has plenty of speedy Canadian servers and doesn’t compromise on security. Whether you’re looking to torrent, play games, or stream, it’s an excellent choice.
Read our full PureVPN review.
8. ProtonVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.protonvpn.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ProtonVPN is a fantastic general purpose service. It offers access to servers in 85 countries including Canada and delivers some of the highest speeds we’ve seen (over 330 Mbps on average). As such, it’s more than capable of handling day-to-day tasks like streaming or making video and voice calls. You’ll even be able to access region-locked platforms like CBC or Global while traveling outside of the country! This VPN permits up to 10 simultaneous connections and has staff ready to answer your questions, day or night, over live chat.
Still not fast enough? Just activate the accelerator feature, which claims to boost speeds by up to 400 percent. While you’re tweaking settings, feel free to set up port forwarding or split tunneling too. ProtonVPN doesn’t log any data that could identify you and uses industry-approved encryption to ensure that your activities remain hidden at all times. It prevents DNS and IPv6 leaks, blocks ads and trackers automatically, and has a kill switch to keep you safe if your connection drops unexpectedly. It also accepts Bitocin and cash payments if you’d like another layer of anonymity.
ProtonVPN has apps for Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and MacOS. You can also manually install it on routers to secure more than 10 devices simultaneously.
ProtonVPN speed test data
No value | Proton VPN |
Website | protonvpn.com | Average Connection Speed - North America (USA) | 390 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK) | 306 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong) | 295 Mbps |
---|---|
Best deal (per month) | $3.59 Up to 64% off a 2-year plan |
Pros:
- Lots of advanced security tools
- One of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested
- Proven no-logging policy
Cons:
- Port forwarding only available on Windows
- Secure Core servers are too slow for day-to-day usage
Our score:
FAST AND SECURE:ProtonVPN has hundreds of servers 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.
How we find the best VPNs for Canada – Our testing Methodology
Finding a VPN with Canadian servers, apps for mobile devices and desktop computers, and strong privacy and security features is not easy. There are hundreds of VPNs on the market and they all claim to be the best, fastest, or most secure. The reality is that most VPNs offer an inferior service that is lacking and does not provide value for money.
At Comparitech, we test dozens of reputable VPNs to check how they compare. We use a carefully produced VPN testing methodology to review and compare each service. This allows us to find the best Canada VPNs, and many other distinct use cases. Below, we have included some of the most important features we looked for when curating a list of the best Canada VPNs.
- Servers worldwide: For a VPN to provide exceptional useability, it must provide a wide selection of servers. We have recommended VPNs with fast global server networks that stretch right across the globe, including plenty of Canadian servers. This allows users to access content and services from around the world while abroad, whether on vacation or business.
- Fast connections: We tested VPNs to find the fastest services available. This allows us to recommend secure VPNs with strong privacy features that are also fast enough to play games, torrent, and stream in HD. We also check for advanced modern VPN protocols like WireGuard, which are built to provide better speeds. Surfshark is the fastest VPN in Canada, based on current testing.
- Apps for all devices: We searched for providers that have apps for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. Some even have apps for Firestick devices, routers, and browser extensions.This allows you to use the VPN on all your devices, whether at home or on public wifi in Canada.
- Ease of use: Some VPNs are designed badly, have complicated User Interfaces, and confusing menus. We search for services that are designed optimally to ensure all the features are easy to navigate and the VPNs are suitable for beginners and tech heads alike.
- Strong security: We test VPNs for IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks to ensure they are working as advertised to conceal your internet history from your ISP. We also check the VPN protocols and encryption implementation to ensure that your date is truly secure inside the VPN tunnel. Finally, we look for a kill-switch that cuts your internet should the VPN connection drop out.
- Superb accessibility: We test the VPN’s Canadian servers to see whether they can access popular Canadian streaming services and other local services. We also check the VPN works with Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, iPlayer, and other popular international services.
- Outstanding customer support: We only recommend VPNs that take customer service seriously. The best VPNs for Canada have live chat and email support that is available around the clock. Their website also has online setup guides, FAQs, and other useful resources.
- Value for money: To be named as one of the best VPNs for Canada, we expect to see great value for money. This includes reasonable subscription costs, newcomer discounts, and a generous money-back guarantee. We also look at how many simultaneous connections are supported when assessing value.
How to use a Canadian VPN
Wondering how to get started with a VPN in Canada? Simply follow the instructions below:
- Choose a reliable VPN that is capable of accessing Canadian content while providing online security. We particularly recommend VPN.
- Download the app and install it on your device. Each of the VPNs in this article are 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. For persistent issues, you will need to contact your VPN provider.
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
Can I watch Netflix, Hulu, and HBO with a VPN?
Besides online privacy and security, VPN service providers offer another useful benefit: unblocking geo-locked sites and services. Whenever you connect to a VPN, your real IP address is masked by that of the VPN server. An IP address is a unique string of numbers and decimals that can be used to identify specific devices and their approximate location. So by changing your IP address to the US, for example, you can access content that’s normally restricted to US residents.
That includes the US catalog of shows on Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go, HBO Now, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. Unfortunately, many of these providers have caught onto this tactic and now block VPN connections. Only a handful of VPN providers are still able to access Netflix and Hulu in particular. From the list above, ExpressVPN, NordVPN, PrivateVPN, and CyberGhost will work with US Netflix and Hulu as of the time of writing. You may need to contact the VPN provider’s customer support to ask which specific servers to use, as not all of them will circumvent the VPN ban.
Are Canada VPNs legal?
Yes, VPNs are 100 percent legal in Canada. There are no laws barring VPN use in any Canadian province.
It should go without saying that what you do while connected to the VPN is still your responsibility. We do not encourage or condone illegal or harmful behavior.
Are there any free Canadian VPNs?
We generally advise readers to avoid free VPN services. If security and online privacy are a concern to you, consider that free VPNs still need to make money somehow. To do this, they often record usage activity, insert advertisements into web pages, and inject tracking cookies into web browsers. This defeats the purpose of a VPN when it comes to privacy.
Free VPNs also tend to have a much more limited selection of server locations, waiting queues, user data caps, and bandwidth limits.
In some cases, shady free VPN apps have been known to spread malware. Some are expected of being honeypots for intelligence agencies and law enforcement.
VPNs that Canadians should avoid
There are many Canadian VPNs out there and we can’t cover all of them, but you may have come across a few in your search that should definitely be avoided.
Hola
Hola VPN isn’t a normal VPN. Instead, it uses a peer-to-peer browser extension with few centralized servers. That means your internet passes through other people’s households. A few years ago, Hola hijacked its users computers without their consent to create a massive botnet army. It went on to use that army to carry out distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and distribute pirated media.
TunnelBear
When it comes to free VPN service providers, TunnelBear is among the best. But because it’s incorporated in Canada, Canadians ought to avoid it. While the law is unclear as to whether Canadian VPN providers qualify as internet service providers, it’s best not to take a chance. The company could be forced to hand over customer data by law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Torrenting is also prohibited on TunnelBear servers.
SurfEasy and Opera VPN
For the same reason we can’t recommend TunnelBear, we also suggest Canadians avoid SurfEasy and Opera VPN. SurfEasy is based in Canada and thus possibly subject to government demands for user information. The Opera browser now comes with a built-in VPN that was created by SurfEasy. Furthermore, SurfEasy has not been entirely transparent with us about its encryption standards.
Torrenting in Canada
Torrenting copyrighted material is illegal in Canada.
Under the Copyright Modernization Act, Canada utilizes a notice-and-notice system that primarily targets people who torrent copyrighted movies, TV shows, books, and music. The law requires Canadian ISPs send notices to copyright violators on their networks. The recipients’ identities are stored on ISP servers for six months.
Damages are capped at $5,000, however the policy is generally regarded as more educational than punitive.
Comparitech does not encourage or endorse copyright violation, but using a VPN for torrenting will prevent ISPs and copyright trolls from monitoring P2P filesharing activity and tracing it back to you.
Canada VPN FAQ
How can I watch CBC outside of Canada?
Here’s how to watch CBC from abroad:
- Sign up for one of the VPNs recommended above.
- Download and install the VPN app onto the device that you want to stream CBC on.
- Open the VPN app and select a server in Canada
- Connect to the VPN server.
- Open the CBC website or app and start watching!
How do I stream Sportsnet to my TV?
You can get the Sportsnet app for some smart TVs, Apple TV, Android TV, Xbox, PS4, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast. It’s available on the Apple App Store, Google Play and Amazon app store.
Is there free WiFi in Canada and is it safe?
Yes, there’s plenty of free wi-fi in Canada. But it’s best not to assume it’s safe. Open wi-fi internet connections are prone to hackers because they often don’t authenticate users with a username and password. On top of that, hackers can set up honeypot wi-fi hotspots to lure users into connecting, then intercept everything that passes through the connection. A VPN encrypts internet traffic so that anything a hacker intercepts can’t be deciphered.
How is a VPN different from a proxy server?
A VPN that connects to the internet is, technically, a type of proxy. “Proxy” is a general term used to describe any service that routes your internet connection through a remote intermediary server. But compared to most other types of proxies, a VPN is much more secure. A VPN is a proxy that includes encryption and should protect all forms of internet traffic, including HTTP, DNS, WebRTC, FTP, and BitTorrent, among others.
Note that not all VPNs are proxies. The sort of business VPN a remote employee might use to securely access office apps and documents probably doesn’t route traffic to the internet as well. But most consumer VPNs used for privacy and unblocking, such as those we recommend in this article, function as encrypted proxies to the web.
Can I connect to a VPN server located in Canada to access Canada-only content?
Yes! All of the VPNs we recommend have servers in Canada that you can use to access and stream TV shows, movies, and other content that is normally exclusive to residents of Canada. That includes Crave TV, TSN, and CTV, among others.
NordVPN, for example, operates 480+ servers in Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto.
What is the best VPN for when I'm traveling outside of Canada?
NordVPN is equally well-suited whether you’re in Canada or traveling abroad. It can unblock Canadian streaming sites like Netflix, Crave TV, TSN, CBC, and more from other countries. You get ample security and speed, with 480+ servers in three Canadian cities: Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal.
Where can I find the NordVPN server list for Canada?
You can find a list of NordVPN’s servers in Canada here. They are located in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.
Which VPN has the most servers in Canada?
All of our VPN recommendations have numerous servers in Canada. However, NordVPN is by far the best because it has 480+ servers in three Canadian cities (Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver).
Surfshark and ExpressVPN also have servers in those three Canadian cities. However, they do not disclose the exact number. What we know for sure, is that Express has around 3000 servers in total. Surfshark has 3200+ servers all together and a representative told us they usually have at least 30 to 40 servers in each city.
The VPN that comes closest to NordVPN in terms of numbers is CyberGhost, which has 336 servers in three Canadian cities (also Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver).
Which VPN in Canada is best for gaming?
If you want to be able to play online games while connected to a VPN server, you will need a VPN that provides fast Tier 1 servers. All the VPNs recommended in this guide have been chosen because they provide fast VPN protocols and servers that are suitable for data-intensive tasks like gaming.
Currently, IPVanish, NordVPN, and Surfshark provide the fastest speeds on the market. This makes those three VPNS the best for playing games. All three of those options provide WireGuard connections (NordVPN provides NordLynx, which is a proprietary fork of WireGuard) a VPN protocol designed to be extra fast.
Which VPN in Canada is best for online banking?
All the VPNs that we have recommended have servers in Canada that provide a valid Canadian IP address. This means that you can use any of our recommendations to access online banking abroad.
That said, if you want the very best option, we would recommend sticking with our top recommendation NordVPN. It provides the best possible security features, and the widest range of features, at an extremely fair and affordable cost.
Can I connect to a VPN server in a specific Canadian city?
The best VPNs for Canada allow you to connect to a server in a specific Canadian city. In many cases, servers are available in the cities of Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. You may wish to connect to a server in a specific city if certain online content is only accessible in that location. However, you can also benefit from choosing a more precise server location because the closer it is to your actual physical location, the faster your connection is likely to be.
Will these VPNs give me a Canadian IP address?
Yes. Every VPN we have recommended in this guide has servers in Canada. This means that you can get a Canadian IP address while in the US, or on vacation elsewhere in the world. As a result, you can access Canadian region-locked services from abroad.
A Canadian IP address is also useful for bypassing blocks at work, in school, or on public wifi in Canada. If the local network you are using is blocking Canadian TV servicers or streaming platforms, for example, simply connect to a server in Canada, and you will be able to use those services as if you were at home.
Which VPN’s work best with Bell Canada residential services?
What is your experience wrt to decrease in speeds, droputs etc?
I live in Canada but don’t have Bell. I’d say you won’t notice more than a 10% drop in speed in most cases unless you have a really fast connection, like 50 Mbps or more. It depends on which specific server you connect to as well. Dropouts haven’t been a problem.
I use VPN.ac from Roumania at about 58 bucks Canadian per year. Would be great to get your opinino on that VPN. I ran numerous speed tets, download and uplaord with VPN on and VPN off including the Measurement Lab Internet speed tests (M-lab). The results with M-Lab show that Rogers, my current ISP, really sucks in the downlaod speeds. Rogers uses a preferred testing agency that shows they are doing well but M-Lab is a more realistic test of real life and real conditons. M-Lab shows horrible speeds with Rogers. With the VPN active I can get up complete disconnections, sometiems the speeds at 90 per cent slower with the VPN active. I tried the downlaod and was trying to download a 11 Gb file, with the VPN it was going to take about 12 hours; with the VPN off it took about 1 hr. So is Rogers screw3ing with us. There is no doubt they are as one of the VPs has asked the Federal Government in Canada to ban all VPNs. Scew the public Rogers, Bell, and all the other ISPs do not give a rats ass about consumers.
Having used NordVPN, I found it unreliable and slow.
Server drops are constant.
Server overload (to many users) was also constant.
It was great on my mobile device, but horrible on any of my Linux or Windows systems. I was a paid member for a year, but chose not to renew because it was so slow and unreliable.
Completely second negative NordVPN feedback. It did not work, and I do not rec.
Huh? Why would you recommend SaferVP and Buffered when in your article here:
https://www.comparitech.com/blog/vpn-privacy/best-vpns-privacy-and-anonymity/
you gave them only a 10/18 (56%) and 8/18 (44%) score?
Must be a commission kickback?
You have ExpressVPN as the only 18/18 score, so why would that not be your top recommendation?
Hi Bronze,
We evaluate the VPNs on other criteria besides security and anonymity, such as whether they are capable of unblocking streaming services like Netflix. Also, those VPNs have low scores in the other article because they failed to respond to our survey, not necessarily because they have poor security/privacy practices.
Best,
Paul