Best VPNs for Canada in 2024
Whether you already live in Canada or plan to move there soon, there are a few specific reasons why you may want to employ a great Canada VPN. First and foremost, a trusted VPN can help you enhance your privacy and security. Additionally, for those who just recently moved to Canada or are planning to move there long-term, a VPN can provide access to geo-restricted content.
At Cybernews, we believe in providing facts based on data and testing. We reviewed 41 various VPNs to offer you the best recommendations for different user needs, such as accessing blocked sites, geo-restricted streaming services, and finding VPNs best for gaming. Also, we carried out speed and security tests, so you know that we take our job seriously.
Continue reading to discover the top 5 VPNs for Canada and how they compare to one another.
Best Canada VPNs in 2024 – shortlist
- NordVPN – overall best VPN for Canada
- Surfshark – best Canada VPN for the budget-conscious
- IPVanish – best VPN for Canada with unlimited devices
- ExpressVPN – best Canada VPN for stable connections
- CyberGhost – best VPN in Canada with the largest Canada server fleet
Why do you need a VPN in Canada?
Briefly put, the best Canada VPN will help you gain online confidentiality and bypass various digital restrictions. Most importantly, a Canadian VPN can hide your data from surveillance. Since Canada belongs to the Five Eyes surveillance alliance, the government can monitor citizens in cyberspace and share information with other countries. A VPN helps you hide all of your information, and some providers even let you conceal the fact you’re using a VPN in the first place.
With a good VPN, you can also unblock streaming sites, like Netflix (various libraries, including Netflix US), Hulu, Max, and others. A Canada VPN also allows you to access Canadian content while abroad, like Crave, Pluto TV, or CTV. If you want to hide your online activities from your ISP, a VPN can certainly help. ISPs are encouraged to monitor your online activities due to the Copyright Modernization Act that aims to prevent copyright infringement. VPN services encrypt your data and make your activities visible to you only.
This can also help you avoid being blocked from torrenting sites. Canada blocks torrenting sites to prevent piracy. Unfortunately, even if you have the best intentions, you may accidentally download a copyrighted file, so a VPN can be very helpful.
The best VPNs for Canada in 2024 – detailed list
I joined a team of experts to test 41 VPN providers with Canadian servers to find the ones that deliver excellent results in various categories. While curating this list, one of the top characteristics I was looking for was a vast server fleet. Only VPNs with plenty of both Canadian and international servers were added. My other top priorities included connection speeds, security, geo-block removal, bonus features, and affordability, so you can definitely find a VPN suitable for your budget. Read the descriptions below to learn more about the top 5 best VPNs for Canada.
1. NordVPN – best VPN for Canada in 2024
| Global servers: | 6900 global servers in 113 countries |
| Simultaneous connections: | 10 |
| No-logs policy: | Yes, independently audited |
| Current deal: | Get 74% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free |
Based on my research and hands-on experience, NordVPN is the best VPN for Canada overall. The global NordVPN server fleet comprises 6900 servers across 113 countries in total and it has over 197+ US servers located in 16 locations – a massive collection beat only by CyberGhost.
During in-house tests, NordVPN excelled in fast connection speeds. In fact, it was the fastest VPN overall, reaching 90% speed retention. Additionally, the VPN ensures reliable protection and excellent unblocking capabilities. While using NordVPN, I was able to enjoy streaming content beyond geo-restrictions: access US Netflix library, watch Hulu, as well as stream sports on TSN and Fubo even outside of the country.
When it comes to security, NordVPN appears to be one step ahead of other providers. That’s because besides using the standard AES-256 encryption, it also employs ChaCha20 encryption. As all reputable providers, NordVPN has a reliable kill switch to protect your identity in case your VPN connection fails.
Besides the basic features, NordVPN’s security suite includes Threat Protection, which blocks online ads and trackers and protects your device from malware. And the strict no-logs policy has been audited several times by independent parties (PwC and Deloitte) that ensured no user activity-related data is being logged.
What’s more, NordVPN has built one of the fastest and safest tunneling protocols on the market. NordLynx is the upgraded version of WireGuard, which was considered the industry’s gold standard until NordLynx came around.
Besides presenting one of the best VPNs solutions on the market, NordVPN is also wallet-friendly. Subscriptions start from as low as $2.99/month (around CA$4.15), and since there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial available, you can test it out worry-free. During tests, I thought the 7-day trial was enough to get a feel for the premium services, and I had no trouble claiming a refund after that.
2. Surfshark – best Canada VPN for all budgets
| Global servers: | 3200 global servers in 100 countries |
| Simultaneous connections: | Unlimited |
| No-logs policy: | Yes, independently audited |
| Current deal: | Now up to 87% OFF Surfshark + 4 months FREE |
If you’re on a budget, Surfshark is the next best Canada VPN – pricing starts at CA$2.69/month, and you can try the VPN out for free using a 7-day trial. There's also a 30-day money back guarantee. But a user-friendly price isn’t the only thing that has pushed this VPN to the top list.
Surfshark comes with unlimited simultaneous connections and has plenty of US servers in 22 major US cities. In total, Surfshark has 3200 servers in 100 countries, which means it can help you unlock services based pretty much anywhere.
Being a market-leading service, Surfshark uses AES-256 encryption to ensure complete security. Just like NordVPN, it also encrypts users’ data with ChaCha20 encryption.
Another thing that these two providers have in common is the RAM-only server infrastructure, which means no trace of your data remains each time the system reboots. And since Surfshark has already been audited twice, you can be certain that your online activities are safe. The VPN is competing with NordVPN, which, by the time of publication, has undergone 4 audits.
During full Surfshark testing, I discovered that this VPN is also very fast. With the WireGuard tunneling protocol enabled, the provider retained 86% of original internet speed on average – this is a great result.
Like NordVPN or any reliable VPN, Surfshark includes a robust kill switch to prevent data leaks if the VPN connection drops. And if traffic obfuscation is something you need, there’s the Camouflage mode that you can use.
Just like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, Surfshark is also an excellent choice for those who need a VPN primarily for streaming. Since Surfshark has servers in 100 countries, I found it very easy to unblock and stream different streaming platforms that otherwise aren’t accessible in Canada. These platforms include international Netflix libraries, Hulu, HBO Max, BBC and more – they all worked perfectly for me.
3. IPVanish – comprehensive Canada VPN with unlimited connections
| Global servers: | 2400 global servers in 100 countries |
| Simultaneous connections: | Unlimited |
| No-logs policy: | Yes, independently audited |
| Current deal: | Now up to 83% OFF IPVanish |
IPVanish is a versatile and well-performing Canadian VPN; however, despite the many great features I’m about to discuss, this provider has the smallest server fleet out of all top providers. In total, there are 2400 IPVanish servers in 100 countries, and 1106 of these servers are in the US. While this is significantly less than what NordVPN and Surfshark can offer, you should still have plenty of options for streaming and other activities.
IPVanish’s security suite comes with all the essentials to deliver robust protection in any situation. As per usual, all data is encrypted with the AES-256 cipher, meaning no ISP or other third party will be able to peek at your online activities. Plus, IPvanish’s no-logging policy has been independently audited, so even the provider cannot know what you’re up to online.
Just like Surfshark, IPVanish supports unlimited simultaneous connections with one single subscription, which empowers you to share VPN protection with family and friends. This makes the low subscription pricing (from $2.19/month or around CA$3.07/month) even more attractive. Moreover, the provider’s kill switch lets you block LAN access if you’re worried about connecting to public Wi-Fi. And if you don’t want others to know that you’re using a VPN, you can use traffic obfuscation called Scramble OpenVPN traffic.
With IPVanish, you don’t have to worry about significant speed bumps because it supports the swift WireGuard protocol. When I tested the VPN, it didn’t surpass NordVPN or Surfshark in terms of speed retention, but it maintained around 80% of the initial speeds, which is a good enough result for streaming, gaming, and other activities.
Even though IPVanish is not as powerful at accessing different streaming services as some other providers on this list, I had no problem unblocking Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube TV, and Max. On the other hand, I couldn’t access Hulu and Amazon Prime Video. Due to its limited ability to access geo-restricted content, it might not be an ideal option but if your main interest is unlocking more content on Netflix or HBO Max it’s a reliable and affordable choice.
4. ExpressVPN – best Canada VPN for streaming
| Global servers: | 3000 global servers in 105 countries |
| Simultaneous connections: | 8 |
| No-logs policy: | Yes, independently audited |
| Current deal: | Now up to 61% OFF ExpressVPN + 4 months FREE |
ExpressVPN is one of the leading players in the VPN market, and I’d say it’s another great choice if you’re looking to get a non-Canada IP address. This provider has 3000 servers in total and they’re located in 105 countries.
ExpressVPN offers two industry-leading encryption ciphers. For most of its tunneling protocols, it applies AES-256 encryption. Meanwhile, the Lightway protocol – which is a proprietary protocol built by ExpressVPN – is secured using the ChaCha20/Poly1305 cipher. Most importantly, ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy has been independently audited by numerous third parties, all of whom couldn’t find any major security flaws.
During ExpressVPN review, I put Lightway to the test, and it proved to be the fastest protocol from this provider. However, the result wasn't the best. ExpressVPN maintained around 77% of the initial speeds, which is great for streaming, gaming, or browsing, but it is the slowest result out of all providers on this list.
Despite performing slower than other VPNs, ExpressVPN is great in terms of security. It includes essentials like a kill switch and split tunneling, and it also introduces Threat Manager to block online trackers and MediaStreamer to help you bypass geo-blocking on streaming devices that don’t support VPNs. For me, this is one of the best features of ExpressVPN.
Speaking of streaming, during tests, I was able to unblock pretty much everything, including Netflix, Max, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, Hallmark Channel, and other platforms. This makes ExpressVPN a great choice for users in Canada who want to access various streaming platforms and enjoy a large variety of streaming content.
In short, while ExpressVPN has the unblocking power of NordVPN and Surfshark, it’s simply not as fast and stable. Moreover, it’s rather expensive. With pricing starting at US$4.99/month (around CA$6.99), it’s nearly double or triple the price of other providers on this list. Fortunately, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. CyberGhost – VPN for Canada with multiple international servers
| Global servers: | 3000 global servers in 105 countries |
| Simultaneous connections: | 7 |
| No-logs policy: | Yes, independently audited |
| Current deal: | Get 83% OFF CyberGhost + 4 months FREE |
CyberGhost is on the list of the best Canada VPNs because it offers one of the largest server fleets (both globally and locally). In total, it has over 11500 servers in 100 countries.
Just like other VPNs for Canada, CyberGhost uses AES-256 encryption to make your online traffic unreadable to snoopers. Most importantly, this VPN follows a strict and independently-audited no-logs policy. As you can see, all VPNs selected for this list follow this rule because I believe that a strong VPN, first and foremost, must ensure reliable privacy.
CyberGhost VPN also includes an automatic kill switch to protect your IP address if the VPN connection fails and an ad blocker to help you avoid unwanted ads and to improve performance.
Speaking of performance, CyberGhost stands out because it has specialized servers for gaming, streaming, and torrenting. In fact, all CyberGhost servers in Canada are P2P optimized. Moreover, this VPN is very fast, and it managed to retain around 86% of the initial internet speed during my tests.
When it comes to bypassing geo-blocking, CyberGhost is another solid option to enjoy international content. While in Canada, this VPN helps stream Netflix US, Hulu, Max, and other popular platforms in HD and buffer-free.
CyberGhost is one of the most wallet-friendly VPNs for Canada due to its meager $2.19/month or around CA$2.84/month starting price and a lengthy 45-day money-back guarantee. If you’re looking for a cheap VPN, CyberGhost is another good option in addition to Surfshark and IPVanish.
Best Canada VPNs compared
| Brand | Rating | Global servers | Unblocked streaming services | Logging | Simultaneous connections | Price |
| NordVPN | 6900+ servers in 113 countries | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more | No logs, independently audited twice by PwC | 10 | ~CA$4.15/month | |
| Surfshark | 3200+ servers in 100 countries | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more | No logs, independently audited by Cure 53 | Unlimited | CA$2.69/month | |
| IPVanish | 2400+ servers in 100 countries | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Disney+, and more | No logs, independently audited by Leviathan | Unlimited | ~CA$3.07/month | |
| ExpressVPN | 3000+ servers in 105 countries | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more | No logs, independently audited by PwC | 8 | ~CA$6.99/month | |
| CyberGhost | 11500+ servers in 100 countries | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ | No logs, independently audited by Deloitte | 7 | ~CA$2.84/month |
How I tested VPNs for Canada
To determine the best Canadian VPNs, I joined the team of experts at Cybernews to first review 41 providers. During the initial round, I looked for VPNs with the most global servers available, user-friendly apps, features, speed retention, and privacy measures.
We used a MacBook Air 7.2 with 1.8 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM to perform all tests. Once I selected the top 5 providers, I looked through test results and tried all VPNs myself to rank them for this list. Here’s the summary of VPN testing for this guide:
- Global servers (20%). My reviewed VPNs have numerous global servers, where the least is over 2400 servers in 100 counties and the most is over 11500 global servers in 100 countries. Global servers are important as they allow accessing global content, bypassing geo-restrictions, maintaining privacy and security.
- Speed and performance tests (15%). To determine which VPNs for Canada were the fastest, I performed thorough speed tests. Only VPNs capable of retaining at least 70% of the original internet speeds were included to ensure optimal performance. Additionally, I reviewed their tunneling protocols and usage of industry leading encryption ciphers to determine VPNs’ performance quality.
- Streaming and accessing geo-restricted content (15%). To determine the best Canada VPNs, I’ve checked their ability to access blocked sites, geo-restricted streaming services like Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Netflix US, and video games. I tested each provider with Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Max, and several other platforms.
- Privacy and security features (15%). Since VPNs are meant to make your traffic more private and secure, I was determined to select providers with excellent privacy and security features. I looked for basics (e.g., kill switch, AES-256 encryption) as well as helpful extras (ChaCha20 encryption, ad blockers, anti-malware protection).
- Ease of use (15%). When testing different applications on macOS, I paid attention to how easy they were to use. From installation to navigation, apps must be easy for beginners but, ideally, should offer advanced options for more experienced users too. I also wanted to only include VPNs that were compatible with the most popular operating systems – Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
- Servers in Canada (10%). Whether you want to avoid surveillance within Canada or wish to explore Canadian content from abroad, you need a VPN with plenty of servers in the country.
- Price to value ratio (10%). Most VPN providers fall into the price range of around CA$2.00-6.00/month. While I wanted to include wallet-friendly options, I didn’t want to compromise on security. Fortunately, after choosing the top providers based on their attributes, I found that most of them are budget-friendly and offer great price-to-value ratios.
Can I use a free VPN for Canada?
Yes, there are free VPNs for Canada; however, I do not recommend trusting them blindly. Instead, I suggest using premium versions with free trials.
Due to security and performance issues, free VPNs aren’t the most reliable. Some completely free VPNs cannot be trusted because they might collect your data and sell it to third parties. On the other hand, freemium VPNs are very limited in terms of functionality and server network.
To get a free Canada VPN, I recommend making use of a reliable premium provider’s free trial or a money-back guarantee. This way, you’ll be able to check how effective the service actually is without any risk. Here are some of the best options:
- NordVPN – the top-pick Canada VPN, has a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Surfshark – the runner-up, offers a 7-day free trial on your preferred app store, followed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Are there any Canada-based VPN providers?
There are two Canada-based VPNs out there – TunnelBear and Windscribe. Both of these VPNs are pretty average compared to other competitors on the market. While TunnelBear is a VPN that will do a good job providing security of your data online, it hasn’t proved itself to be the best in unblocking streaming content. Compared to TunnelBear, Windscribe demonstrates better performance and is able to unblock more streaming services. Additionally, Windscribe stands out by offering some unique features such as split tunneling, double VPN, and timezone spoofing.
Nevertheless, neither TunnelBear nor Windscribe has security features that could match top providers like NordVPN or Surfshark. Additionally, these Canada-based VPNs unblock less streaming platforms and have fewer servers. As a result, despite TunnelBear and Windscribe being good VPNs, they still need to make some improvements to be able to catch up with the big names in the VPN world, such as NordVPN.
Best VPN for Canada video review
Take a peek at the best Canadian VPN recommendations shared in our comprehensive video review:
Internet censorship in Canada
According to Freedom House, Canada’s internet freedom score is 88/100, which is excellent. Nonetheless, Canadians are increasingly more concerned with their online privacy, especially since the C-11 and C-18 bills came into effect in 2023.
Better known as the Online Streaming Act, C-11 enforces streaming platforms to promote Canadian content, which suggests that the government has a say in what kind of content you’re introduced to. This could also restrict Canadians if streaming services choose to exit the market instead of abiding by the government’s regulations.
C-18 is the code name for the Online News Act, which enforces Meta, Google, and other companies to pay news organizations in Canada for linking their content. Unfortunately, as a response, Google and other tech giants chose to remove links instead of paying the tax, making news content less accessible in Canada.
By installing VPNs, Canadians and residents of Canada are able to bypass these government-introduced restrictions and access the news articles on Google and other search platforms without facing government control.
Best VPN for Canada: final thoughts
Whether you live in Canada or just visiting, a reliable VPN can be very useful. It can unlock content in other regions and help bypass government restrictions and regulations. Additionally, a Canadian VPN can help bypass geo-restrictions and unlock content that’s only available abroad.
After thoroughly researching and testing numerous VPNs, I’ve concluded that NordVPN is the best VPN for Canada. It has numerous global servers, which enables you to access US and other international Netflix galleries, stream Hulu, HBO Max, ESPN, and other platforms.
Moreover, this VPN is secure, reliable, and stable – an audited no-logs policy proves that. Plus, with the starting price of around CA$4.15/month, a 7-day free trial, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, there are virtually no risks to trying it out yourself.
FAQ
What is the best VPN to use in Canada?
The best VPN to use in Canada is NordVPN. It provides you with advanced security measures and lets you effortlessly stream geo-restricted content without buffering issues. Also, there’s an audited no-logging policy that guarantees no privacy violations.
Are VPNs legal in Canada?
Yes, VPNs are completely legal in Canada as long as you're not involved in illegal activities. However, you might still be in a situation where VPN use is blocked, like at work or school. In this instance, you may have to use an obfuscated server or tunneling protocol like Chameleon 2.0 to mask your VPN traffic.
Which VPN has the most Canadian servers?
NordVPN offers an impressive 480+ servers across three Canadian cities (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver). In total, the service has a network spanning 6900+ servers in 113 countries, making it a worthwhile investment for anyone seeking access to various foreign content.
What is the best VPN in Canada for streaming?
The best VPN in Canada for streaming is NordVPN because of its ultra-fast speeds, excellent performance, reliable security measures, and a wide global server network. It effortlessly unblocks major streaming sites, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, ESPN+, and more.
Do VPNs actually work in Canada?
Yes, VPNs work in Canada. VPNs are legal to use in the country, and there are no government-imposed laws that would restrict their use. Of course, whenever you want to use a VPN with a new service, you should review its policy to make sure that you’re not violating that service’s rules on VPN usage.