Though Canadians have free access to homegrown entertainment platforms like CTV, the allure of US content remains strong. So when choosing the best VPN for this locality, it's not just a matter of which one works, but also which is reliable beyond the borders. That way, even Canadian globe-trotters can access their favorite local shows or hockey games on the move.
But a VPN isn't just for streaming. Privacy is also a growing concern for some Canadians due to the increasing surveillance from ISPs, e-commerce platforms, and public Wi-Fi administrators.
We've sorted out the best VPN providers for Canada, from a number of renowned services in the cybersecurity market. Our VPN evaluation strategy is based on criteria that involves actually testing the software for its intended market, in this case Canada. For each VPN, I'll highlight what makes it stand out for Canada, so you know where to get value.
Our top choice for Canada is NordVPN. It consistently outperformed others in our tests, retaining more than 90% of internet speeds on Canadian and some international servers. Besides that, it has robust tools to bolster online privacy and security. NordVPN plans are flexible and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee for risk-free trial. Android users can also take advantage of a seven-day trial via the Google Play Store. Read on to discover what's offered by other VPNs for Canada.
NordVPN is a top-tier service, with reliable tools for browsing both in and outside of Canada. It's currently the fastest VPN app on our watch list, outperforming rivals like ExpressVPN. That's especially true when using the proprietary NordLynx protocol combined with a nearby optimal server. With over 480 servers across Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal (plus access to servers in 118 countries worldwide) finding servers in any location shouldn't be a problem. Additionally, the VPN has always demonstrated impressive abilities to work with streaming platforms like Netflix.
NordVPN has very high trust scores when it comes to security. So, whether you're browsing news sites or connecting to public hotspots in Canada, it's always up to the task, securing your traffic with unbreakable encryption while also safeguarding against IP and DNS request leaks. Specialty servers like Double VPN and Onion over VPN provide extra layers of anonymity. The app doesn't collect user data, thanks to NordVPN's strict no-logs policy. This prevents third parties or surveillance entities from finding any meaningful information on you.
For users who want a dedicated Canadian IP instead of the shared ones, NordVPN has this option as an add-on you pay for separately. The feature enables you to access IP-sensitive apps and online services safely and consistently, while also minimizing annoying Captcha verifications. Threat Protection Pro is another key feature, blocking malicious ads and links and scanning downloaded files in real time for hidden malware.
NordVPN pricing starts at $3.09 per month for 27 months (billed as $83 up front), making it more affordable in the long term. One-year subscriptions start at $60 ($5 per month), while a single month costs $13. All the plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
NordVPN features — Server locations: Canada and 118 countries | Simultaneous connections: 10 | Platforms: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, and routers | Streaming support: Yes | Kill switch: Yes | Jurisdiction: Panama | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days on Android
If you're looking for an affordable VPN that's also rich in features, PIA is one of the best recommendations. It's especially cheap for long-term use, with the two-years-plus-four-months plan priced at just $57 ($2.03 per month).
One of PIA's standout features is its unlimited device connections with any account. That's a significant advantage, particularly for family or friends who also want to access global content from their own devices. Most VPNs cap simultaneous connections to only 10 or fewer devices.
The server distribution in all 50 US states makes PIA ideal for unblocking US-based online services from Canada. That includes watching content, since the app has specialized servers for streaming. Like NordVPN, it offers a dedicated IP option, but it also includes port forwarding, which is a major plus for torrenting enthusiasts.
Though PIA is based in the US, which is part of the Five Eyes Alliance (a concern for privacy-conscious users), it has put in place measures to ensure data confidentiality. Its no-logs policy has been independently audited by third parties like Deloitte, verifying assertions that no user information is collected or stored. Additionally, PIA apps are open source, allowing anyone to inspect the code for vulnerabilities.
The app is very adaptable, with options to adjust encryption levels, and split tunneling to select specific apps and services to tunnel on the VPN. These tools make the service suitable for dynamic use, ranging from streaming and torrenting to general browsing.
PIA features — Server locations: Canada and 91 countries Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Platforms: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, and routers | Streaming support: Yes | Kill switch: Yes | Jurisdiction: United States | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days on mobile devices
ExpressVPN is reliable for geo-restrictions in Canada and overseas. Its entire network of over 3,000 servers in 105 countries runs on obfuscated technology, which helps to bypass firewalls and VPN blocks with ease. Whether you're streaming the UEFA Champions, the Australian Open, or the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the VPN gives you access without issues.
Another strength of ExpressVPN is its cross-platform compatibility. Outside of PCs and mobile devices (not to mention Android TV and Fire Stick), it offers native apps for Apple TV and routers. This eliminates the need for complicated setups, even on devices that don't support VPNs, like Samsung and LG smart TVs or consoles. You can use the MediaStreamer feature to configure DNS settings and spoof your location for streaming geo-blocked shows.
ExpressVPN remains one of our best VPNs for gaming due to its fast servers and relatively low latency. It's worthwhile for lag-free gaming in Canada while also preventing DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks that can affect performance in online gaming.
Recently, ExpressVPN introduced a seven-day free trial. This is an advantage, considering its premium pricing, allowing you to test the service risk-free. The best deal is the two-years-plus-four-months plan for $140 ($5 per month), while the 15-month subscription costs $100 ($6.67 per month), and one month is $12.95.
ExpressVPN features — Server locations: Canada and 105 countries Simultaneous connections: 8 | Platforms: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, and routers | Streaming support: Yes | Kill switch: Yes | Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days
With increasing surveillance in Canada, prioritizing privacy is essential, and Proton VPN has a wide range of tools for that. Its Secure Core servers, for example, can reroute your Canadian server connections through jurisdictions with strong privacy protection laws, like Switzerland or Iceland, making it almost impossible for anyone to monitor your online activities.
The VPN is also well equipped for safe and private torrenting in Canada. It offers P2P-optimized servers, including within Canada, and supports port forwarding to improve torrenting performance. Combined with robust protocols like WireGuard and VPN Accelerator, the app ensures fast and stable connections over BitTorrent networks while also maintaining high-end security.
With servers in 117 countries and locations, including Canadian cities like Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, Proton VPN is reliable for unblocking content worldwide. It's also our favorite free VPN service, although optimized streaming and torrenting servers are available only with a paid subscription. Canada isn't among the free server locations, but there is ample coverage in the US and Europe. The plans start at $86 ($3.59 per month) for two years, $48 ($4 per month) for one year, and $10 for a single month.
Proton VPN features — Server locations: Canada and 117 countries Simultaneous connections: 10 | Platforms: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, and routers | Streaming support: Yes | Kill switch: Yes | Jurisdiction: Switzerland | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Free option
TunnelBear is a Canadian-based VPN service that also has a free plan. What users praise most about the VPN is the simplicity of its apps. Installation takes just a few clicks, and a playful bear guides you throughout the set-up process. The simple theme makes connecting to servers as easy as tapping a location on the map.
Alongside Windscribe, TunnelBear is a reliable free service with a Canadian IP address. Its free tier gives you access to all the premium servers, in 47 locations, which is uncommon with most free services. The downside is that you're limited to only 2GB bandwidth every month. If you need more bandwidth, TunnelBear's long-term plans are $3.33 per month for the three-year term ($120) and $5 per month for the one-year term ($60). A single-month subscription costs $10, and it's worth knowing that TunnelBear doesn't have a money-back guarantee.
Despite TunnelBear's minimalist interface, its security features are robust. Features like always-on VPN ensure that your online traffic and data is encrypted all the time, including when you forget to turn on the VPN, while SplitBear split tunneling lets you choose specific apps or services to tunnel on the VPN.
That said, TunnelBear's jurisdiction in Canada is a drawback. Although it helps when Canadian users need to get support or find fast local servers, it also raises privacy concerns. Because of the country's laws, it's possible the provider can be forced to collect users' data for domestic or international surveillance purposes, even though the provider says it has a zero-logging policy.
TunnelBear features — Server locations: Canada and 47 countries Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Platforms: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge | Streaming support: Yes | Kill switch: Yes | Jurisdiction: Canada | Money-back guarantee: No | Trial: Free option
| Best VPN for Canada | Server coverage | Special-use servers | Privacy | Best deal | Simultaneous connections |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Canada (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver), and 118 countries | P2P, obfuscated, Onion over VPN, Double VPN, dedicated IP | Audited no-logs policy and jurisdiction in Panama | $3.09/month for 27 months | 10 |
| Private Internet Access (PIA) | Canada (Ontario, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver), and 91 countries | Streaming and dedicated IP | Audited no-logs and jurisdiction in the US (Five Eyes) | $2.03/month for 28 months | Unlimited |
| ExpressVPN | Canada (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver), and 105 countries | All servers use obfuscation | Audited no-logs and jurisdiction in British Virgin Islands | $5/month for 28 months | 8 |
| Proton VPN | Canada (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver), and 117 countries | Streaming, P2P, and Secure Core servers | Audited no-logs and jurisdiction in Switzerland | $3.59/month for 24 months | 10 |
| TunnelBear | Canada (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver), and 47 countries | None | Audited no-logs and jurisdiction in Canada (Five Eyes) | $3.33/month for 36 months | Unlimited |
Choose this VPN... | If you want... |
NordVPN | Robust safety and fast speeds for bandwidth-intensive browsing activities. |
Private Internet Access | Access to many premium features at pocket-friendly rates. |
Express VPN | To bypass geo-restrictions on content platforms and digital services around the world. |
Proton VPN | Solid privacy for online anonymity and peer-to-peer file-sharing. |
TunnelBear | A Canadian-based provider with free access to IP addresses in over 46 countries. |
Changing your location or IP address to Canada is easy and takes only a few steps.
Canadian and global servers: Your VPN should offer a wide network of servers, especially in Canada. That way it's easier to get local and international IP addresses, including nearby server locations, for browsing online content anywhere with fast speeds.
Solid security: Choose a VPN that takes your online safety seriously. This means a verifiable no-logs policy, robust AES 256-bit encryption and protocols, and IP leak protection mechanisms.
Geo-unblocking capabilities: The VPN should be reliable for geo-restricted platforms, apps, and online services, especially when traveling abroad. Test the app by trying to access a few news, social media, and online content sites to see whether it'll show an error message, indicating the VPN is blocked.
Reliable server connections: VPN speeds will always vary depending on the provider. Read reviews, check speed tests, or use the free trial to choose a VPN with reliable connections in Canada and distant locations.
Canada-specific features: Specialized features for Canada, like dedicated IP and optimized servers, will be helpful if you intend to use the VPN for streaming and torrenting activities.
Trial option: A money-back guarantee or free trial enables you to test the premium VPN service before you commit, to verify whether it meets your browsing needs.
Though it's not possible to test every VPN in the market, we conduct thorough evaluations every year to narrow down the most reliable and secure providers. So when it came to choosing the best VPNs for Canada, I already had a good idea where to start. Out of dozens of strong contenders, I focused on providers with servers across major Canadian cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, as well as in the US and on other continents. I tested speeds during peak and off-peak times to determine which VPNs deliver optimal performance for users browsing inside or outside Canada.
For streaming tests, I selected random servers in these locations and tried to access popular content platforms like CTV, CBC, Crave, TSN+, DAZN, Tubi, Netflix, Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and ESPN. Though not all VPNs worked flawlessly with these platforms (the top three did), those that fell short had other strengths that earned them a spot on this list.
Additionally, I conducted fresh DNS and IP leak tests on these VPNs to ensure they still meet our VPN safety standards. I went through their privacy policies to confirm they're still as trustworthy as we've found in our previous tests. Though my primary focus was on mobile and PC use, you can rest assured they're just as reliable on other compatible platforms.
Find out more about how we test VPNs at ZDNET.
Windscribe is one of the best free VPNs for Canada, offering free servers in Canada, the US, and Europe (covering 11 countries in total). Other great free options to consider, depending on your needs, include Proton VPN, Hide.me, Privado VPN, and TunnelBear. Keep in mind that free VPNs come with limitations such as slower speeds and data caps.
You can safely stream IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) in Canada with any reputable VPN. Top picks like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost offer excellent privacy and fast connections for smooth streaming. However, ensure you're streaming content from legal IPTV providers in Canada and adhering to their terms of service. Using a VPN to access copyrighted content without permission is against the law. Your ISP may serve you with a warning notice or, worse, you may face legal action.
Yes, most of the VPNs we recommend for Canada (with the exception of TunnelBear) are compatible with the Fire TV Stick. They provide dedicated apps available on the Amazon Appstore, which you can download and install on your Fire TV or Fire TV Stick. These apps allow you to switch server locations effortlessly, enabling you to stream geo-restricted content on your TV from anywhere.