The Best Free & Premium VPNs for Canada

Detailed List of the Best Free Canada VPNs

1. 1. Windscribe Free: Best Free VPN for Canada

   Five free Canadian servers across three cities. Unblocks Canadian & US streaming services.

   Ranked #1 Free VPN for Canada

   

    Rated 5 out of 5 

   3 user reviews

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   Pros

   • Montreal, Toronto & Vancouver servers
   • 11 global locations
   • Unblocks 6 Netflix regions
   • Works with DAZN, HBO Max, Hulu & Disney+
   • Minimal logging policy
   • P2P servers available on free version

   Cons

   • No Netflix US or Canada
   • 10GB monthly data cap
   • No live chat support
   • Logging policy is unaudited
   • Based in privacy-unfriendly Canada

   Overall Canada Rating: 6.7/10

   This overall rating is calculated based on the following category ratings. To learn more, read our Canada VPN testing methodology.

   • Canada Streaming:
     9.39.3/10
   • Canada Server Locations:
     77.0/10
   • Privacy & Logging Policy:
     8.98.9/10
   • Speed:
     8.88.8/10
   • Torrenting:
     7.47.4/10

   Windscribe Free is the best free VPN for Canada overall. It offers a server network with five Canadian locations, reliable access to US streaming sites, and advanced logging and security practices that protect you from unwarranted Canadian snooping. The only major downside is a data cap limited to 10GB per month.

   Data Cap	10GB
   Canadian Servers	5
   Canadian Cities	3
   Canadian Netflix	Yes
   See all features
   DAZN Canada	Yes
   US Netflix	No
   Logging Policy	No Identifying Data
   Torrenting	Partially

   Three Canadian cities & 10 more countries

   Windscribe comes with one of the best server networks of any free VPN. You can choose IP addresses across 11 countries, spread across the globe, including:

   • Canada
   • France
   • Germany
   • Hong Kong
   • Netherlands
   • Norway
   • Romania
   • Switzerland
   • Turkey
   • US
   • UK

   With options in Asia, Europe, and North America, this is a diverse selection for a free VPN.

   You can get a Canadian IP address in Montreal, Toronto, or Vancouver. This is the largest pool of Canadian IP addresses available from any free VPN.

   Despite this, Windscribe Free’s long-distance speeds could be improved. 63Mbps average download speeds is fine, but it’s not the fastest for Canada — Hide.me Free is.

   Accesses Canada, US & UK streaming services

   Windscribe is the best free VPN for streaming content. You can access 6 Netflix libraries with Windscribe, as well as HBO Max, Hulu, Prime Video US, and more.

   However, it’s no longer able to unblock the US Netflix library. To do that, we recommend using PrivadoVPN.

   Windscribe is also useful for streaming British TV in Canada. It can access Channel 4 from overseas, ITV Hub, and BBC iPlayer. It can also stream the UK’s Star hub on Disney+.

   If you want to connect into Canada, you can use Windscribe Free to watch Canadian shows on platforms like CBC Gem and CTV.

   

   Windscribe unblocks Canadian as well as US streaming sites.

   The problem is that Windscribe’s free version has a 10GB per month data limit. You won’t be able to stream or torrent once this runs out. We’ve calculated that, when streaming in HD, this will provide just over three hours of streaming time.

   Strong privacy protections

   Even though it’s free, Windscribe Free is just as private and just as secure as the premium VPN. It’s equipped with the industry-standard AES-256 encryption cipher and Windscribe’s ‘Firewall’ ensures there are no data leaks.

   The Windscribe Free privacy policy only collects a minimal amount of information. But none of this can be used to identify you. An independent audit would go a long way, but we’re confident that Windscribe is private.

   Unfortunately, it’s based in Canada, somewhere in Toronto. This puts it at the mercy of the CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service), which collects large amounts of data on Canadian citizens.

   But it shouldn’t be an issue as Windscribe stores no identifiable data about its users. If the Canadian authorities demand data, Windscribe can’t spoil your privacy as it has nothing to submit.

   Who is Windscribe Free best for?

   You should use Windscribe Free if:

   • You want a free VPN that unblocks streaming services. Windscribe Free unblocks most Canadian and US streaming sites, including CBC Gem, HBO Max, Disney+, and 10 Netflix libraries.
   • You want a VPN that protects you from Canadian data gathering. Windscribe Free is just as secure and private as the paid version.

   You should not use Windscribe Free if:

   • You want unlimited streaming and torrenting. Windscribe Free’s 10GB data cap will limit the amount of streaming and torrenting you can do.
   • You want the fastest speeds in or out of Canada. Windscribe Free is excellent in many areas, but when it comes to long-distance download speeds it’s slower than many paid services.

   Visit Windscribe

   or read our full Windscribe VPN Review.

   
   

2. 2. Hide.me Free: Most Private Free VPN for Canada

   Hide.me Free is best free VPN for privacy in Canada & permits torrenting.

   

    Rated 5 out of 5 

   1 user reviews

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   Pros

   • The most private free VPN for Canada
   • Free Canada server
   • Not Disclosed countries on server network
   • P2P traffic permitted on free servers

   Cons

   • Not recommended for streaming
   • 10GB data cap
   • Some app bugs
   • Throttles connection speeds
   • One connection only

   Overall Canada Rating: 4.4/10

   This overall rating is calculated based on the following category ratings. To learn more, read our Canada VPN testing methodology.

   • Canada Streaming:
     55.0/10
   • Canada Server Locations:
     55.0/10
   • Privacy & Logging Policy:
     8.88.8/10
   • Speed:
     11.0/10
   • Torrenting:
     66.0/10

   Hide.me is the best free VPN if you are concerned about protecting your privacy in Canada. It’s got a very private logging policy that retains almost no data at all and it’s equipped with leak protection, multihop servers, and Stealth Guard. The downside is its inability to unblock almost any global or Canadian streaming service.

   Data Cap	10GB
   Canadian Servers	1
   Canadian Cities	1
   Canadian Netflix	No
   See all features
   DAZN Canada	No
   US Netflix	No
   Logging Policy	No Identifying Data
   Torrenting	Unlimited

   Privacy policy protects against ISP Surveillance

   Hide.me Free has the same privacy guarantee as its premium version, which is close to zero-logs. This makes it the most private free VPN for Canada.

   It only keeps connection data in order to maintain service performance, and even this is deleted every few hours.

   Hide.me established itself in Malaysia for privacy reasons and it releases regular transparency reports detailing legal requests it receives and how it’s unable to offer any information.

   Diverse server network, but throttles speeds

   Hide.me Free is a private and secure service, but it has recently started to throttle its users’ connection speeds. We suspect this is to encourage users to upgrade to its premium version.

   When connecting into Montreal from our location in the US, we recorded an abysmal average download speed of 1Mbps. This is an awful result and limits your online activities to basic web browsing.

   While Hide.me Free’s download speeds are disappointing, it has an impressive server network for a free service. You can select servers in these eight countries:

   • Canada
   • France
   • Germany
   • Netherlands
   • Singapore
   • Spain
   • UK
   • US

   Windscribe Free still offers more countries, but Hide.me’s selection is still good and quite diverse, including a server in Singapore.

   

   Hide.me free has a Canada server along with seven more countries.

   We wish there was more than one Canada city-location (Montreal), but we’re pleased Canadian IP addresses are available on Hide.me’s free VPN.

   Poor for streaming & limited by data cap

   Hide.me was a big disappointment when testing it for streaming. We weren’t able to access any US streaming services or watch your favorite Canadian TV when overseas.

   Torrenting is permitted on all of Hide.me free servers, and Hide.me’s security suite is safe enough that we’re comfortable recommending it for free P2P file-sharing activity, especially if you activate ‘Stealth Guard’.

   Just remember that, like with Windscribe Free, Hide.me is limited to 10GB of data per month.

   Who is Hide.me Free best for?

   You should use Hide.me Free if:

   • You want to protect your online privacy without paying. Hide.me logs hardly any data about its users, guaranteeing user privacy.
   • You want to torrent securely without paying extra. Hide.me Free permits torrenting on all of its free servers, at no extra cost.

   You should not use Hide.me Free if:

   • You want to stream global content. Hide.me is terrible for streaming and is unable to unblock most geo-restricted streaming sites across the globe.
   • User experience is a top priority. Hide.me’s apps are falling behind competitors when it comes to design, and we’ve encountered bugs too.

   Visit Hide.me

   or read our full Hide.me Review.

   
   

3. 3. PrivadoVPN Free: Best Free VPN for US Netflix

   PrivadoVPN is the only free VPN that can unblock US Netflix.

   

    Rated 0 out of 5 

   No user reviews

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   Pros

   • Free US server unblocks American Netflix
   • Access to CBC, HBO Max & more
   • Canada server included
   • Nine country servers
   • Torrenting allowed
   • Secure & private

   Cons

   • One connection limit
   • 10GB data cap
   • Specific streaming set up required
   • Manual renewal of free data needed
   • No WireGuard on macOS

   Overall Canada Rating: 4.7/10

   This overall rating is calculated based on the following category ratings. To learn more, read our Canada VPN testing methodology.

   • Canada Streaming:
     55.0/10
   • Canada Server Locations:
     55.0/10
   • Privacy & Logging Policy:
     6.46.4/10
   • Speed:
     9.39.3/10
   • Torrenting:
     6.26.2/10

   PrivadoVPN Free is a private VPN with servers in Canada and eight more countries. It’s chief strength is being the #1 free VPN for Netflix and the only free service able to unblock US Netflix. It’s also private, secure, and easy to sign up for.

   Data Cap	10GB
   Canadian Servers	1
   Canadian Cities	1
   Canadian Netflix	No
   See all features
   DAZN Canada	No
   US Netflix	Yes
   Logging Policy	No Identifying Data
   Torrenting	Unlimited

   The only free VPN to unblock US Netflix

   If you want to watch US Netflix from Canada without paying for a VPN, PrivadoVPN Free is your best option. While Windscribe Free unblocks more Netflix libraries in total, PrivadoVPN is the only free service that works with the US library.

   It doesn’t end there: PrivadoVPN Free can access many more streaming services, giving Windscribe Free a run for its money. It accesses HBO Max, Hulu, CBC, and CTV.

   

   PrivadoVPN Free is a good free VPN for streaming, including CTV.

   Sign up is simple, and no payment details are required. However, make sure to select ‘Stream Content’ when asked to choose configuration before installing the app. Otherwise, Netflix won’t work.

   Canada server but 10GB data cap

   As with Windscribe and Hide.me, PrivadoVPN Free is limited by a 10GB data cap. The only free VPN that doesn’t have a data cap is Proton VPN Free – but it doesn’t have any servers in Canada.

   Annoyingly with PrivadoVPN Free, you have to manually reset your data allowance each month by going to the PrivadoVPN account page on its website.

   Using PrivadoVPN Free you’ll be able to get IP addresses from these nine countries:

   • Brazil
   • Canada
   • France
   • Germany
   • Mexico
   • Netherlands
   • Switzerland
   • UK
   • US

   It’s a similar pool of countries to Windscribe and Hide.me, but Brazil and Mexico servers help to diversify the selection.

   Easy to use protection against Canadian surveillance

   PrivadoVPN Free shines as a streaming VPN, but it doesn’t forget about privacy and security. Its privacy policy does log more data than Windscribe and Hide.me, but it’s not identifiable data.

   Its security package is safe, but not advanced. It has the best protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard, and top encryption to anonymize your searches, but it’s not offering special tools like Hide.me and Windscribe do.

   We’re confident PrivadoVPN will protect your privacy against Canadian snooping and data gathering. It’s based in Switzerland, which is a privacy haven, and outside the remit of Canadian intelligence-sharing alliances, like the Five Eyes.

   Who is PrivadoVPN Free best for?

   You should use PrivadoVPN Free if:

   • You want to stream US Netflix. PrivadoVPN is the only free VPN that can unblock US Netflix.
   • You want to protect yourself while torrenting. PrivadoVPN allows users to torrent on its free servers and it comes with a reliable kill switch to prevent any leaks.

   You should not use PrivadoVPN Free if:

   • You want an advanced security package. PrivadoVPN is perfectly secure but it lacks the level of advanced security you get from Windscribe and Hide.me.
   • You want to use a VPN on multiple devices simultaneously. PrivadoVPN Free is limited to one connection only, so you cannot protect multiple devices at once.

   Visit PrivadoVPN

   or read our full PrivadoVPN Review.

   
   

Analysis of the Overall Best Canada VPNs

1. 1. NordVPN: Overall Best Canada VPN

   244 servers in three Canadian cities, and fast access to US & Canadian streaming services.

   Ranked #1 out of 55 VPNs for Canada

   

    Rated 4.7 out of 5 

   246 user reviews

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   Pros

   • The fastest long-distance speeds for Canada
   • 244 servers across Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver
   • Reliable access to international streaming services
   • CBC Gem, CTV, Crave & TSN access
   • Robust security suite and private logging policy
   • Optimized for torrenting

   Cons

   • Number of Canadian servers have decreased
   • Doesn’t unblock Netflix Canada
   • Renews at a more expensive price
   • Security breach in 2018
   • Doesn’t accept PayPal

   Overall Canada Rating: 9.4/10

   This overall rating is calculated based on the following category ratings. To learn more, read our Canada VPN testing methodology.

   • Canada Streaming:
     9.89.8/10
   • Canada Server Locations:
     9.29.2/10
   • Privacy & Logging Policy:
     8.88.8/10
   • Speed:
     9.79.7/10
   • Torrenting:
     99.0/10

   NordVPN is the best VPN for Canada, providing everything you need from a VPN service.

   The VPN unblocks Canadian streaming content from overseas thanks to hundreds of Canadian servers, and industry-leading long-distance connection speeds.

   Additionally, NordVPN works well with major American and British video content platforms and its the best VPN for accessing German sites.

   Cheapest Price	$3.29/mo over 2 years See all plans
   Canadian Servers	244
   Canadian Cities	3
   Canadian Netflix	No
   See all features
   DAZN Canada	Yes
   US Netflix	Yes
   Logging Policy	No Identifying Data
   Torrenting	Partially

   Hundreds of servers across three Canadian cities

   NordVPN has 244 Canada servers spread across Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver. It’s one of the largest Canadian server networks you can get – but Private Internet Access is the largest.

   

   NordVPN comes with a number of Canada servers.
   

   NordVPN servers deliver the fastest long-distance connections in our Canada VPN tests. Connecting to Canada from the US, we picked up consistently excellent average speeds of 97Mbps.

   On the flip side, NordVPN used to offer nearly 500 individual servers in Canada. Decreasing its number by half is not a good sign.

   Excellent for unblocking streaming services

   NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for streaming. It can access 11 Netflix libraries, including the US and Japan library, in Full HD. Unfortunately, the Canadian library remains blocked.

   It also works to access Hotstar, HBO Max, and Hulu from anywhere in the world. UK TV fans can access Channel 4, ITV, and BBC iPlayer with ease.

   If you’re outside of Canada and want to stream CBC Gem or TSN live, you can do so by connecting to a NordVPN Canada server.

   

   NordVPN can access local Canadian shows via its Canada servers.

   Advanced security suite & private logging policy

   NordVPN is a certified no-logs VPN. It doesn’t record your internet activity or connection data. External audits have confirmed this.

   The VPN uses WireGuard (branded as NordLynx) and OpenVPN protocols as well as bank-grade AES-256 encryption.

   NordVPN offers various extra security features including Double VPN (multi-server hop), and CyberSec (an ad blocker, malware protection and anti-DDoS tool)

   NordVPN S.A., the company behind NordVPN, is based in Panama. This is an optimal jurisdiction, as Panama has no data retention laws and it sits outside Canada’s surveillance alliances.

   To test NordVPN before purchasing it, see our guide on getting a NordVPN free trial.

   Who is NordVPN best for?

   You should use NordVPN if:

   • You want fast long-distance internet speeds. NordVPN is the fastest VPN for connecting in and out of Canada, with consistently good long-distance speeds.
   • You want to watch Canadian TV shows. NordVPN unblocks all the major Canadian broadcasters and streaming sites from overseas, including CBC Gem and TSN.

   You should not use NordVPN if:

   • You want to pay via PayPal. NordVPN doesn’t accept payments via PayPal.
   • You want to watch Netflix Canada. NordVPN is great for streaming but it’s still unable to access the Canadian Netflix library.

   Visit NordVPN

   or read our full NordVPN Review.

   
   

2. 2. Private Internet Access: Best Cheap VPN for Canada

   3,000 Canadian servers across three cities and a bargain price tag.

   

    Rated 4.3 out of 5 

   29 user reviews

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   Pros

   • The cheapest premium VPN for Canada
   • Largest number of Canada servers
   • Proven no-logs VPN
   • Works with most streaming services
   • Torrenting allowed on all servers
   • Excellent long-distance speeds

   Cons

   • No Netflix Canada or DAZN Canada
   • Mac client has usability issues
   • Smart DNS doesn't work with streaming apps
   • Based in privacy-unfriendly US

   Overall Canada Rating: 9.3/10

   This overall rating is calculated based on the following category ratings. To learn more, read our Canada VPN testing methodology.

   • Canada Streaming:
     8.68.6/10
   • Canada Server Locations:
     9.89.8/10
   • Privacy & Logging Policy:
     9.79.7/10
   • Speed:
     9.79.7/10
   • Torrenting:
     9.79.7/10

   Private Internet Access is the best cheap VPN for Canada. For only $2.19 per month, you’ll get access to the largest Canada VPN server network.

   PIA’s industry-leading Canada server network counts 3,000 servers across three cities (and one region – Ontario), which is way more than every other VPN we’ve tested.

   Thanks to its affordable price tag, extensive server network, as well as security and unblocking capabilities, Private Internet Access comes a close second in our Canada VPN rankings.

   Cheapest Price	$2.19/mo over 26 months See all plans
   Canadian Servers	3,000
   Canadian Cities	3
   Canadian Netflix	No
   See all features
   DAZN Canada	No
   US Netflix	Yes
   Logging Policy	No Logs
   Torrenting	Unlimited

   World-leading Canada server network

   PIA has by far the best and most extensive Canada server network. It has 3,000 servers across Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. It used to have 900 so, unlike NordVPN, it has increased its server count massively.

   One server is listed as the region of Ontario, too, so you can get Canadian IP addresses across large parts of the country.

   

   PIA comes with four Canada locations, including Ontario province.
   

   If you want an IP address outside of Canada, you have over 14,000 servers across 84 countries to choose. It’s the largest VPN server network in the world.

   Previously, PIA’s speeds connecting into Canada weren’t the fastest. PIA has since improved substantially, with an average download speed of 94Mbps connecting into Canada.

   This is an excellent result and 57% faster than the previous download speed we recorded with PIA.

   Verified no-logs VPN

   Alongside servers, security and privacy is Private Internet Access’ big selling point. It hides your IP address and encrypts your traffic with the best protocols, including WireGuard.

   PIA actually owns private DNS servers, meaning that PIA handles your DNS requests itself, not your ISP.

   There are plenty of additional features, too, including the best VPN ad blocker, PIA MACE, port forwarding, split tunneling, and a SOCKS5 proxy.

   Best of all, it’s a completely zero-logs VPN. This has been verified multiple times by court cases. There’s no way Canadian ISPs can harvest your data when using PIA, making its US jurisdiction a non-issue.

   Best value for money Canada VPN

   Despite its huge server offering and robust security credentials, PIA is one of the best value VPNs available, with one of the cheapest price tags of any VPN.

   It only costs $2.19 on its best price deal, which is a lot cheaper than NordVPN’s $3.29 and ExpressVPN’s $6.67 best long-term deals.

   However, while PIA is a good streaming VPN, it’s not as effective as NordVPN and ExpressVPN at unblocking streaming services.

   Who is Private Internet Access best for?

   You should use Private Internet Access if:

   • You want lots of server choices. PIA has by far the largest server network of any VPN and the most Canada choices.
   • You want an affordable top VPN. PIA is one of the cheapest VPNs on the market without any compromise in quality.

   You should not use Private Internet Access if:

   • You want to watch Netflix Canada. PIA is currently unable to unblock the Netflix Canada library.
   • You want to stream via a Smart TV or Fire TV Stick. PIA’s Smart DNS tool doesn’t work very well with streaming sites and its Fire TV Stick could use some improvements.

   Visit PIA VPN

   or read our full Private Internet Access Review.

   
   

3. 3. ExpressVPN: Best Streaming VPN for Canada

   ExpressVPN is an excellent streaming VPN at home and overseas.

   

    Rated 4.8 out of 5 

   1,848 user reviews

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   Pros

   • Best VPN for DAZN, CBC, CTV, & TSN
   • Reliable access to Netflix US & Canada
   • Torrenting on 3,000 servers
   • Fast local and international speeds
   • Top-tier security & privacy
   • Excellent 24/7 live support and user-friendly apps

   Cons

   • More expensive than rivals
   • Many CAPTCHAs on Canadian IP addresses
   • No split tunneling available on macOS

   Overall Canada Rating: 9.2/10

   This overall rating is calculated based on the following category ratings. To learn more, read our Canada VPN testing methodology.

   • Canada Streaming:
     9.99.9/10
   • Canada Server Locations:
     88.0/10
   • Privacy & Logging Policy:
     9.29.2/10
   • Speed:
     9.79.7/10
   • Torrenting:
     9.39.3/10

   ExpressVPN doesn’t have as many Canadian servers as PIA and it’s not as fast as NordVPN, but it’s still an excellent VPN for Canada thanks to its unparalleled streaming capabilities and approach to user privacy. If streaming is your main priority, we recommend ExpressVPN.

   Cheapest Price	$6.67/mo over 15 Months See all plans
   Canadian Servers	Undisclosed
   Canadian Cities	3
   Canadian Netflix	Yes
   See all features
   DAZN Canada	Yes
   US Netflix	Yes
   Logging Policy	No Identifying Data
   Torrenting	Unlimited

   The best VPN for streaming in Canada & overseas

   Whether you want to access international streaming sites or stream Canadian platforms like CBC Gem, TSN live, or Paramount+ Canada, ExpressVPN is the best VPN.

   You can stream global content via its VPN app, browser extensions, MediaStreamer Smart DNS, or ExpressVPN router.

   

   You can use ExpressVPN to stream Canadian TV on CBC Gem, like The Great Canadian Baking Show.

   ExpressVPN also unblocks content on 10 Netflix libraries, including the US and Canada catalogs.

   If you want to access more US streaming services, the Smart DNS MediaStreamer is an excellent feature that works with HBO Max, Hulu, and Prime Video US inside Canada.

   Unknown number of Canadian servers, but fast speeds

   ExpressVPN doesn’t disclose information about the number of individual servers it uses in Canada or anywhere else, but we suspect it’s high as you can choose between three cities (two in Toronto) and we’ve never experienced an issue with congestion.

   

   ExpressVPN has three Canadian cities on its server network.
   

   Our Canada speeds are also consistently fast. We recorded average download speeds of 95Mbps, just shy of NordVPN’s top spot.

   Excellent privacy & security solution

   ExpressVPN is super easy to use, a quick click-and-connect service that you can launch to protect yourself on public WiFi or browse the web anonymously.

   It comes with all the necessary VPN security and privacy guarantees that you’d expect and more, including AES-256, WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols, leak protection, and more.

   Crucially, it’s got the minimal-logs privacy policy you need to protect you from Canadian snoopers and criminal hackers. This has been evidenced by an independent third-party audit.

   Who is ExpressVPN best for?

   You should use ExpressVPN if:

   • You want to stream lots of different platforms. ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming as it reliably unblocks most services via its app, browser extension, Smart DNS, and router.
   • You want to stream Canadian Netflix. ExpressVPN is the only premium VPN on this page that reliably accesses the Canadian Netflix library.

   You should not use ExpressVPN if:

   • You are on a strict budget. Due to its quality, ExpressVPN is one of the most expensive VPNs on the market. You should avoid it if you want a cheap VPN.
   • You want a VPN for Linux. ExpressVPN doesn’t have a Linux GUI interface so you should avoid it if you’re a Linux fan.

   Visit ExpressVPN

   or read our full ExpressVPN Review.

   
   

Other Canada VPNs We Considered

Since 2016, we’ve tested and reviewed 55 VPN services, including some of the most popular used by Canadians.

Below are two very popular Canada VPNs that just missed out of our recommendations list:

IPVanish

Overall Canada Rating: 8.9/108.9

Canada Streaming: 9.0/109.0

Canada Server Locations: 8.3/108.3

Privacy& Logging Policy: 8.8/108.8

Speed: 9.8/109.8

Torrenting: 9.2/109.2

What we don’t like: IPVanish doesn’t have as many servers in Canada as its top competitors. It also lacks many additional features like browser extensions and a Smart DNS service.

Surfshark

Overall Canada Rating: 8.8/108.8

Canada Streaming: 9.1/109.1

Canada Server Locations: 8.4/108.4

Privacy& Logging Policy: 8.7/108.7

Speed: 9.1/109.1

Torrenting: 8.6/108.6

What we don’t like: Surfshark VPN is fast, secure, and private. However it’s slower and operates fewer servers in Canada than its main rivals.

The table below contains a snapshot of our in-depth Canada VPN tests. It shows how our recommended Canada VPNs performed against similar VPNs.

How We Test Canada VPNs

We found the best VPNs for Canada by reviewing all the major paid and free VPNs against a Canada-specific testing criteria.

We expect server locations in Canada and overseas, fast speeds connecting in and out of Canada, the ability to unblock domestic and international streaming services, and excellent privacy protections.

Here’s a more detailed list of the exact categories we test for along with how much of our overall Canada rating they make up:

1. Canada Streaming: 35%

Minimum Requirement: Access to US Netflix and CBC Gem.
We Recommend: Access to multiple international streaming libraries, Netflix Canada, and DAZN.

Our experts manually test every VPN to find out whether they work with geo-restricted streaming services.

We reward the services that work with multiple international libraries on streaming services such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Hotstar, and more.

We also test every Canada VPN to make sure it works with Canadian Netflix, CBC Gem, CTV, and DAZN from overseas.

2. Number of Canada Servers: 25%

Minimum Requirement: A selection of VPN servers in Canada.
We Recommend: A large selection of VPN servers in multiple Canadian cities.

We count how many Canadian VPN servers every VPN has. The more servers there are spread across the country, the less congestion there will be across the network.

VPN services with lots of servers in multiple Canadian cities are rewarded, along with VPNs with servers in nearby countries like the US. If a VPN does not offer multiple servers in Canada, it receives a lower rating.

3. Privacy & Logging Policy: 20%

Minimum Requirement: A clear privacy policy with only anonymized connection logs.
We Recommend: A strict zero-logs privacy policy.

We research every VPN’s privacy policy to find out whether it stores your activity data, for how long, and whether that data is considered sensitive.

Services that have a strict no-logs policy are rewarded, along with those that collect anonymous connection data. VPNs that collect unnecessary or identifying information are heavily penalized.

4. Speed: 10%

Minimum Requirement:Average long-distance download speeds of 40Mbps.
We Recommend: Average long-distance download speeds above 60Mbps.

We measure the average download speed of every VPN before and after connecting to servers in Vancouver from our base in New York.

We reward the VPNs that affect your download speeds as little as possible on both local and international connections, as they will be the best for streaming and torrenting.

5. Torrenting: 10%

Minimum Requirement: P2P support in specific regions, kill switch support, and strong encryption.
We Recommend: All of the above, plus P2P-optimized servers available in multiple regions.

Due to Canada’s strict copyright laws, we reward VPNs that take the necessary steps to protect torrenters. This includes implementing a working kill switch and strong encryption to keep your torrenting activity private.

Our torrenting tests also measure for P2P-optimized servers and fast average bitrates, to ensure the best possible torrenting speeds.

Lastly, we take into consideration the VPN’s policy towards torrenting, with services that permit torrenting across its server network being rewarded more highly.

Data Cap Penalty: Up to 50% Reduction

Nearly every free VPN service is restricted by a data cap. This is intended to limit the functionality of the VPN and, in turn, encourage users to upgrade to the premium version.

Using up your data cap prevents you from connecting to the VPN anymore, including connecting to the Canada VPN server. As a result, you won’t be able to obtain a Canadian IP address or watch geo-blocked Canadian streaming services.

Plus, your torrenting activity will no longer be encrypted, leaving you susceptible to Canada’s strict copyright laws.

We apply a penalty to the VPN’s final overall rating for Canada based on its data cap:

• 10GB per month: -20% to the overall rating
• 500MB per day: -25% to the overall rating
• 5GB per month: -30% to the overall rating
• 1GB per month: -35% to the overall rating
• 500MB per month: -50% to the overall rating

How to Watch American Netflix in Canada

It’s easy to watch US Netflix even if you’re in Canada, as long as you have a good VPN for Netflix.

In the video below, we used ExpressVPN to stream American content from a Canadian location.

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It took us less than 30 seconds to access US Netflix from Canada using ExpressVPN.

How to Get a Canadian IP Address

As long as the VPN of your choice has servers in Canada, it’s straightforward to change your IP address to a Canadian one.

Follow these four steps to get a Canadian IP address using a VPN:

1. Download and set up a VPN with servers in Canada. Select one from our suggested Canada VPNs.
2. In your VPN’s server menu, search for a server located in Canada.
3. Select and connect to your chosen Canadian server location.
4. Once you’ve connected to the server, double-check you’ve been assigned a Canadian IP address using our What Is My IP Address tool.

The video tutorial below shows you how to do get an anonymous Canadian IP address using NordVPN.

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It only took us a few seconds to get a Canadian IP address using NordVPN.

Why You Need a VPN for Canada

A VPN is necessary in Canada for four reasons:

• Protect your internet privacy from mass surveillance and data collection.
• Bypass Canadian web censorship and guard against copyright trolls.
• Protect yourself from hackers, cybercrime, and online security threats.
• Stream entertainment content that is unavailable in Canada.

1. A VPN protects your privacy in Canada

Canada is one of the least privacy-friendly countries in the West.

Here’s a few quick reasons why:

• The Copyright Modernization Act (Bill C:11) requires Canadian Internet Service Providers (ISPs) like Bell, Access Communications, and Cable Axion to log every internet user’s identity and activity for up to six months.
• The Anti-Terrorism Act (2015) allows the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) to collect and store mass surveillance data from citizens for reasons of “national security.”
• Canada is part of an intelligence-sharing agreement called Five Eyes, which was conceived so that the US, Australia, the UK, and New Zealand could share data about its citizens, conveniently avoiding domestic privacy laws.

Using a VPN protects you against this unwarranted snooping by shielding your internet activity.

By encrypting your web traffic and changing your IP address, ISPs can no longer log, sell, or share your data with government agencies.

2. A VPN protects you from Canadian copyright trolls & censorship

Internet censorship happens in Canada, too. In 2017, the Supreme Court of Canada approved a corporation’s effort to censor international websites.

Moreover, Canadian media companies like Bell Media and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) often exert pressure to block websites they don’t like.

These companies have even campaigned to ban VPNs and are often looking to get people into trouble.

As a result, Canada has some of the strictest anti-privacy laws in the world. The Copyright Modernization Act (Bill C-11) requires ISPs to retain logs of all your internet activity.

If a copyright holder complains, the ISP can forward the complaint to its customer and enforce a penalty.

A VPN for file sharing hides your torrent IP address, which is essential for sharing files privately, avoiding copyright trolls, and staying clear of ISP logging.

3. A VPN protects your internet security

Cybercrime happens everywhere, whether it’s ransomware, man-in-the-middle attacks, data breaches, or phishing attacks.

A VPN goes a long way to protect your web security especially over public WiFi.

A VPN encrypts your internet data transfers that makes it much harder for hackers and cybercriminals to capture your data.

A VPN protects you against the many dangers of public WiFi.

4. A VPN bypasses geo-blocks to stream international content

You can use a VPN to stream movies and TV shows that aren’t available in Canada or access Canadian streaming sites overseas, like CBC Gem, CTV, Crave, and TSN.

Streaming sites offer different content based on the country you’re in. A VPN gives you an IP address that can unblock that content.

Although Canada’s Netflix catalog features almost 7,000 titles, its content is different from the US, UK or Japanese libraries.

If you want to stream Japanese Netflix, US Netflix, or any other library, you’ll need a VPN.

The best streaming VPNs can unblock most popular geo-restricted platforms like Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Paramount+, Discovery Plus, and more.

Are VPNs Legal in Canada?

VPNs are completely legal to use in Canada and most other countries.

Despite the efforts of some Canadian ISPs and corporations, Canada still has a free internet and defends net neutrality.

While there has been pressure from private interests to make VPN services illegal in Canada, those attempts have failed so far.

However, any activity that is illegal by Canadian law is still illegal, even if you’re using a VPN.