Canada circle flag, VPN shield icon, confetti, man jumping out of a trophy with question mark over the face
Short on time? Here's a summary of this article!
The Best VPNs to Use in Canada: A Quick Guide

Canada doesn’t have many internet restrictions. Even so, using a VPN in Canada can help you unblock streaming providers like Hulu, which isn’t available in Canada, or help you access your TD Canada Trust or Scotiabank accounts if you’re traveling abroad.

We thoroughly tested 20+ VPN providers, and here is our list of the best VPNs for Canada:

  1. NordVPN: Best VPN for Canada overall
  2. Surfshark: The most affordable Canada VPN
  3. CyberGhost: Best beginner-friendly VPN for Canada
  4. ExpresVPN: Reliable Canada VPN with robust security
  5. PIA: VPN for Canada with the largest VPN server network

The best VPN for Canada at the moment is NordVPN. This VPN offers excellent speeds for streaming, the most secure encryption, and can unblock any international site from any location.

Want to compare more options? Below, we highlight the best VPNs for Canada and show you which one is best for you, based on your personal preferences.

Canada is not known for its oppressive censorship. However, not all online content is readily available to Canadians. Some popular streaming services, such as Hulu, aren’t available in Canada.

Moreover, with the introduction of the Online Streaming Act (Bill C-11), the content you’ll get recommended may soon be shaped by government institutions. Want to make sure you always have access to any streaming services and apps you want? A VPN can help you out!

We tested 20+ VPNs to find the best VPN for Canada. Our #1 Canada VPN is NordVPN. This provider is an unblocking powerhouse with enhanced security features to help you bypass online restrictions. NordVPN currently has an exclusive deal that gives new users up to 65% off!

The Top 5 Best VPNs for Canada

Best VPN icon

Based on our rigorous testing, NordVPN is the best VPN for Canada. It’s a fantastic VPN that doesn’t just encrypt your data but also offers servers around the globe, meaning you can stream any TV show or movie from anywhere in the world!

Luckily for Canadian users, plenty of excellent VPNs work well in the Great White North. Which VPN is best for you depends on your personal preferences.

The table below shows how each of the best Canada VPNs compare.

Editor’s Pick
VPN
Servers5000+3000-50005000+ThousandsThousands
Operating systemsWindows, Mac, iOS, Android, LinuxWindows, Mac, iOS, Android, LinuxWindows, Mac, iOS, Android, LinuxWindows, Mac, iOS, Android, LinuxWindows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
ProtocolsOpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuardOpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuardOpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuardOpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec, LightwayOpenVPN, WireGuard, L2TP/IPsec
LogsZero logsZero logsZero logsZero logsZero logs
CompatibilitiesWorks with NetflixWorks with HBOWorks with Disney+Works with KodiWorks with BBCWorks with TorrentWorks with GamingWorks with NetflixWorks with HBOWorks with Disney+Works with KodiWorks with BBCWorks with TorrentWorks with GamingWorks with NetflixWorks with HBOWorks with Disney+Works with KodiWorks with BBCWorks with TorrentWorks with GamingWorks with NetflixWorks with HBOWorks with Disney+Works with KodiWorks with BBCWorks with TorrentWorks with GamingWorks with NetflixWorks with HBOWorks with Disney+Works with KodiWorks with BBCWorks with TorrentWorks with Gaming
Money-back guaranteeMoney-back guarantee, 30 DaysMoney-back guarantee, 30 DaysMoney-back guarantee, 45 DaysMoney-back guarantee, 30 DaysMoney-back guarantee, 30 Days
Price$ 3.39$ 2.19$ 2.19$ 6.67$ 1.99
Visit NordVPNVisit SurfsharkVisit CyberGhostVisit ExpressVPNVisit Private Internet Access (PIA)

Keep reading below to learn more about what we have discovered through our extensive tests of the best Canada VPNs.

1. NordVPN: Best VPN for Canada overall

A screenshot of NordVPN's homepage.

NordVPN is the best VPN for Canada—and for good reason! Our review of NordVPN shows that the VPN provider offers ultra-fast servers, can unblock any streaming service you want, including Max and Hulu, and keeps your data encrypted at all times.

Why you should get NordVPN for Canada:

  • Streaming powerhouse: Watch Schitt’s Creek while traveling abroad or unlock K-dramas at home; NordVPN can do it all. We could easily unblock Netflix, Hulu, Max, Amazon Prime Video, and more with this VPN.
  • 6441 servers in 111 countries (incl. Canada!): Access any content you like or request a dedicated IP address for extra privacy.
  • Highly advanced security features: With AES 256-bit encryption, an automatic kill switch, dedicated P2P servers, and Threat Protection to keep ads and malware at bay, NordVPN keeps you secure on all fronts.
  • Affordable subscription plans: With NordVPN, your quality-to-cost ratio is unmatched! Use NordVPN on six devices while never paying more than a few bucks a month.

If you’re looking for a fantastic Canada VPN with an extensive server network (480 Canadian servers!) and incredible security features, this should be your choice. You can get 72% off your NordVPN subscription if you sign up today.

Want to test the VPN service first? NordVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try the VPN risk-free for a whole month and see how it compares to other Canada VPNs.


2. Surfshark: The most affordable Canada VPN

A screenshot of the Surfshark homepage.

If you’re looking for the best Canada VPN that offers affordable plans, we highly recommend Surfshark based on our tests. For next to no money, you get unlimited simultaneous connections and a VPN that can unblock all major streaming services.

Why you should get Surfshark for Canada:

  • 3200+ servers in 100 countries: Besides servers in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montréal, you can unblock international Netflix libraries and live sports streams from anywhere.
  • AES 256-bit encryption and great security: This zero-log VPN won’t leak any of your data thanks to DNS leak protection, RAM-only servers, secure VPN protocols, and CleanWeb ad-blocker.
  • Premium budget VPN: With Surfshark, you get bang for your buck. Subscription plans are consistently affordable. Plus, you can use the VPN on unlimited devices, so it’s perfect for sharing with friends and family.
  • Optimized servers for P2P: Surfshark has optimized servers for torrenting. You won’t have to sacrifice downloading speeds either, as Surfshark is one of the fastest VPNs of the moment.

Surfshark makes it easy to bypass geographical restrictions of any kind. On top of that, they offer an impressive discount of 86% off at the moment! You can also use the 30-day money-back guarantee free trial to test the service.


3. CyberGhost: Best beginner-friendly VPN for Canada

Screenshot of CyberGhost homepage September 2023

This VPN for Canada is great for people new to using VPN services and don’t want to break the bank. Every time we test and review CyberGhost, we are impressed by its features, speed, and performance. It certainly deserves a top spot in our list of the best Canada VPNs.

Why you should get CyberGhost for Canada:

  • Beginner-friendly VPN: The interface is easy to navigate, and the 24/7 support team will help you with any questions or issues.
  • Optimized servers for streaming and gaming: Thanks to optimized servers for gaming, CyberGhost is a great gaming VPN. There are also dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming.
  • Advanced security features: CyberGhost offers a fantastic malware, spyware, and ransomware blocker. Moreover, you can safely handle your finances online, knowing you’re covered by an automatic kill switch and AES 256-bit encryption.
  • Value-for-money VPN: CyberGhost is an affordable VPN. They offer great VPN deals throughout the year. You can have up to seven simultaneous connections for less than the price of a cup of coffee!

With thousands of server locations and counting, CyberGhost can unblock a world of entertainment for you. Want to see for yourself? Unlike other VPNs, CyberGhost has a 45-day money-back guarantee, giving you plenty of time to try out the VPN.


4. ExpressVPN: Reliable Canada VPN with robust security

ExpressVPN homepage showing that you can save 49% on the 12-month plan.

ExpressVPN has been a top-performing VPN for many years. With AES 256-bit encryption and an array of VPN protocols — including the super-fast Lightway protocol — this is a great VPN to use in Canada.

Why you should get ExpressVPN for Canada:

  • Leak-proof and secure VPN: This is a high-quality VPN! With Express’s TrustedServer technology, no data ever gets written on any servers. On top of that, you get a built-in password manager and obfuscated servers.
  • Unblock region-locked content: During our ExpressVPN tests, we found that it can unblock any streaming site or live sports channel we were interested in.
  • Online banking is made easy: Access TD Bank, Scotiabank, or your BMO accounts from anywhere. The Threat Manager tool protects you against malware, trackers, and ads.
  • Expert customer support: The team at ExpressVPN can help you out with any issues you might run into. There’s a 24/7 live chat available for immediate support.

You can use ExpressVPN on five devices at the same time. With thousands of servers in 105 countries (including Canada!), the server network is smaller compared to other VPN services. But with ExpressVPN, you’re primarily paying for security and reliability.

At the moment, you can get 49% off a one-year plan! Since ExpressVPN is on the pricier side, you don’t want to miss out on this deal. Use the 30-day money-back guarantee to try this Canada VPN for a month.


5. Private Internet Access: VPN for Canada with the largest VPN server network

A screenshot of the PIA homepage showing the current VPN deal.

If you’re looking for a secure VPN service that’s reasonably priced and offers an expansive server network and unlimited simultaneous connections, Private Internet Access (also known as PIA) is the best Canada VPN for you. From testing Private Internet Access, we can confidently say it’s a VPN worth checking out if you’re on the hunt for the best VPN for Canada!

Why you should get PIA for Canada:

  • Local Canadian servers and a huge VPN server network: PIA has the biggest server network with 35000 VPN servers across 91 server locations.
  • Unlimited connections: You can get PIA on unlimited devices, meaning you can share your account with friends and family. PIA is also one of the cheapest VPNs.
  • PIA MACE (built-in ad blocker): Whether we were streaming Netflix, Disney+, or just browsing the web, PIA would block annoying ads and detect malware before it could infect our device.
  • Verified no-log VPN: While PIA is located in the US (part of the Eyes Alliance), it has proven in court that it doesn’t hold onto any private user data.

Like many of the best VPNs for Canada, PIA comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. So, you can use any of its 35000 servers for free for 30 days and unblock your favorite sites without committing.


How We Picked the Best VPN for Canada

In order to score highly, a virtual private network has to give excellent results on multiple fronts, from online security to ease of use. There are several things we keep in mind when selecting the best Canada VPNs.

An infographic showing how we picked the best VPN for Canada.

When selecting the best Canada VPN, we looked at the following factors:

  • Security features: Each VPN in this list has been tested in Canada for DNS and WebRTC leaks. We also review the encryption, VPN protocols, kill switch, and additional features like an ad blocker or split tunneling.
  • VPN speeds and daily use: Slow VPNs are frustrating. You don’t want to see drops in browsing or streaming speeds. That’s why all of the best VPNs for Canada performed exceptionally well in terms of speed.
  • Zero-logs VPN: Since Canada is part of the Eyes Alliance, we recommend VPNs that don’t store any private data and have been independently reviewed.
  • Server network: The larger your VPN’s server network, the more content you can unblock. The best Canada VPNs have a diverse server network, with servers in different parts of the globe.

Why Do I Need a VPN in Canada?

Why You Need a VPN icon

Compared to places like Iran or Russia, censorship in Canada is limited. In fact, Canada has a very open media landscape; you don’t need a virtual private network to watch independent news or access your social media accounts.

However, a VPN has many benefits for users in Canada:

  1. A VPN can help you stream region-restricted content (content unavailable in Canada).
  2. A VPN encrypts your internet connection, which prevents tracking and allows for more secure browsing.
  3. VPN services offer extra security features. Top VPN services provide a password manager or secure cloud storage to enhance your overall cybersecurity.

Bill C-11: Is Canada censoring the internet?

Online censorship icon

The Online Streaming Act (Bill C-11) is in its final stages of adoption. This is because the bill grants the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) a lot more regulatory power.

Why does this matter? With Bill C-11, you’ll find that the content you get recommended on audio-visual platforms like Netflix and YouTube might change. This is because the bill aims to promote Canadian content (“CanCon”) as much as possible.

While the intent might be good, Bill C-11 has been criticized as a censorship bill for various reasons:

  • It’s nearly impossible to create good guidelines for what “Canadian content” really means.
  • Giving the CRTC such regulatory power sets a bad precedent for future censorship.
  • Though the bill claims to regulate large companies and not individual users, user-generated content will be affected either way.

The best VPNs for Canada will let you bypass restrictions on global streaming services without issue.

Can I Use a Free VPN in Canada?

Free VPN icon with question mark

Generally, we’re careful to recommend using a free VPN service. Though there are some great free VPNs out there, they often come with limitations. The main risks include:

  • Poor privacy policy: A free VPN might store your data and sell it to third parties.
  • Data caps or bandwidth throttling: Most free VPNs usually offer a limited data volume or throttle the bandwidth.
  • Small VPN server network: Free VPNs often have limited server networks.

Having said this, there are some great free VPNs you might explore if you are looking for the best VPN for Canada.

One we’d like to highlight specifically as one of the best free Canada VPNs is AtlasVPN because of the security and unblocking features it offers.

PrivadoVPN: Best free VPN for Canada

A screenshot of PrivadoVPN's homepage

The best free VPN for Canada is PrivadoVPN. This is a highly secure VPN with a strict zero-logs policy. On top of that, it offers ten different server locations, including Canada.

When testing Privado, we were impressed with how easily the free VPN manages to unblock streaming services, including Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.

While there is a 10 GB monthly data limit, you get unlimited speeds (rare for a free VPN!). Moreover, there’s an automatic kill switch and a split-tunneling option, which you don’t see often with free VPN services.

Unless you want to do some heavy streaming — which we don’t recommend you do with a free VPN, anyway — PrivadoVPN is a great choice for Canada! Get started right away by clicking the orange button.

Is VPN legal icon

Yes, VPNs and other tools to bypass online censorship, such as a proxy server, are still legal in Canada. At some point down the line, the Canadian government might start targeting VPN service providers, especially in light of Bill C-11.

At the moment, however, using a virtual private network is perfectly legal. Unfortunately, not every single VPN is safe. There are certainly some to avoid.

VPNs to Avoid in Canada

Some VPN services do more harm than good, either because they have faulty software or are not as careful with your private data as they should be.

Here are some VPN providers to avoid in Canada:

VPN ProviderWhy You Should Avoid It
Beet VPNKeeps extensive user data logs
Tuxler VPNLacks even the most basic online security features
Hola VPNLogs your data and is a proxy server rather than a real VPN
X-VPNKeeps logs and has some features that don’t work properly (kill switch)

You won’t run into these issues with the best Canada VPNs recommended in this article.

Unblock the Internet From Anywhere With A Canada VPN

Open cage with Internet icon getting freed

Using a virtual private network in Canada opens up a world of possibilities. With a Canadian VPN, you’ll be able to access streaming services from all around the world and bypass any regional internet restrictions.

On top of that, the best VPNs for Canada ensure that you’re much better protected against cyber threats, as well as surveillance tech. The #1 VPN we recommend for Canada right now is NordVPN.

With an extensive global server network, as well as 480 Canadian servers, NordVPN opens up the internet for you and encrypts your data while at it, and you can now make use of one of the best deals NordVPN has ever offered!

Check out some of our other articles if you want to find out how to use a VPN in different countries:

Best VPN for Canada: Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have any questions about VPNs in Canada and why you might need one? Check out our FAQ section below.

What is the best VPN to use in Canada?

The best VPN for Canada is NordVPN. This affordable VPN service offers lightning-fast speeds, excellent security, and tons of additional security features that will keep you safe online.

It also deserves the #1 spot in the list because it can unblock any streaming service you want access to, making it one of the best streaming VPNs available now.

What is the best free VPN in Canada?

One of our favorite free VPNs of the moment is PrivadoVPN. This VPN has a great free plan available, has a strict no-logs policy, and gives you access to ten different server locations (including Canada!). It also unblocks content easily.

Do VPNs work in Canada?

VPNs are completely legal in Canada and work well! Ideally, we recommend that you avoid using free VPNs since they aren’t as reliable.

Do I really need a VPN in Canada?

Canada isn’t known for internet censorship, but some of the issues Canadians may be facing is that they can’t access all streaming services or international sites in Canada. Here, a VPN can really help you out!

More importantly, a VPN encrypts your data so you can browse the web and partake in online banking without worrying about online threats.

Leave a comment