5 Best VPNs for Canada in 2023 — Streaming, Speed & Safety

When in Canada, accessing your streaming services from home such as Netflix US or BBC iPlayer is challenging. Likewise, not all local Canadian content is available outside the country. Only a reliable VPN can unblock geo-restricted content.

Canada is also a part of the data-sharing 5 Eyes Alliance, and cyber threats are growing worldwide. This means your online privacy is at risk without a VPN.

My team and I tested over 80 VPNs to find the best services for Canada. I selected those that offer a global network of servers and excellent speeds for viewing global content without interruptions. What’s more, they come with powerful security features to keep your data safe.

ExpressVPN is my top recommendation. It offers servers in and outside Canada, top-notch security, and blazing-fast speeds. You can try ExpressVPN with no risk as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means you can easily get a refund if you’re not 100% satisfied with the service.

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The Best VPNs for Canada — Full Analysis (Updated in 2023)

My recommended VPNs offer global server networks to unblock the content you want while in Canada. These VPNs also have servers in various locations throughout Canada, so you can easily view local content. On top of that, they have easy-to-use apps for multiple devices and come with responsive live chat support.

They also safeguard your online privacy in Canada without compromising speeds. Plus, they offer reliable money-back guarantees — getting a refund is easy if the service isn’t right for you.

1. ExpressVPN — Worldwide Server Network to Access All Your Streaming Services in and Outside Canada

ExpressVPN has a vast global network of servers in 94 countries. It can unblock your favorite services while you’re in Canada, like Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and Peacock TV. There are servers in Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto, too. This means you can get a Canadian IP and access your DAZN and Netflix Canada accounts while outside the country. When I tested ExpressVPN’s Canadian servers, I accessed my CTV, CBC, and Netflix Canada accounts without issues.

Blazing-fast speeds let you stream in 4K without interruptions. ExpressVPN allowed me to watch Young Sheldon on my Amazon Prime Video account with zero delays. My average speeds were above 80 Mbps (25 Mbps is required for UHD streaming). Plus, the VPN has a proprietary Lightway protocol that provides faster speeds without sacrificing security.

With unlimited bandwidth, you can also download as many torrents as you like. Another useful feature is split tunneling, which lets you choose which apps to route through the VPN. That way, you can use your VPN tunnel for torrenting apps and access eBanking services with your normal IP to avoid triggering alerts.

The VPN uses military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, 4,096-bit RSA keys, and SHA256 authentication to keep you protected. Its multiple protocols, including OpenVPN, IPSec, and IKEv2, also add an extra layer of protection. Plus, Perfect Forward Secrecy varies your encryption key for added safety.

I recommend activating the kill switch (labeled “Network Lock” in your app) too. It automatically cuts off your internet if you lose connection (which didn’t occur during my tests). This prevents your actual location and online activity from being exposed.

Your privacy is protected as ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances (an international data-sharing agreement). The RAM-based servers (TrustedServer tech) make sure all data is wiped with every reboot. There’s also an audited no-logs policy, so your sensitive information isn’t handed over to third parties.

I had no issues setting up the VPN — the process is fast and straightforward. The MediaStreamer feature even lets you unblock content (US, UK, AU) on devices that don’t typically work with VPNs, like gaming consoles. French is also available as a language option. You can contact customer support via the 24/7 live chat if you ever get stuck.

A minor con with this VPN is the expensive price tag. The subscription starts at $6.67/month. However, ExpressVPN offers discounts you can use to bring the price down. I got 49% off on the 12-month plan with 3 extra months of free service.

There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, too. I wanted to check if this policy works, so I contacted the live chat. The refund process was hassle-free, and after a couple of chat messages, everything was sorted. The money was back in my bank account in just 3 days.

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2. CyberGhost — Strong Security to Safeguard Your Online Privacy in Canada and Worldwide

CyberGhost protects you with top security measures like 256-bit encryption. For extra safety, there’s an automatically enabled kill switch as well as DNS/IPv6 and WebRTC leak protection. I tested CyberGhost’s leak protection, and my IP address and DNS requests were never leaked. You can even set the VPN to launch and connect automatically when you open selected apps — great for accessing your Bank of Montreal e-banking services.

The VPN is headquartered in Romania (outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances). Plus, the strict no-logs policy means your information isn’t stored or passed on. The service even offers an ad-blocker and forces all websites to load in the safest HTTPS to improve and secure your browsing experience.

Optimized servers enable easy unblocking. There’s a list of servers labeled with the streaming service (and country) they unblock best. I was able to access my BBC iPlayer account from Quebec and watch Sherlock with no issues. You can also find servers for Netflix Canada and CBS, and dedicated servers for torrenting and gaming.

I got average speeds of 70 Mbps and consistently streamed in the highest quality. My online gaming sessions were lag-free, and files downloaded without delays, too. Plus, with unlimited bandwidth, you can torrent and stream all the content you want.

Just like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost’s apps are great for beginners. They support the French language and are easy to install and use on various devices. There’s an extensive knowledge base with step-by-step guides on the website, while customer support is available 24/7 via live chat.

Monthly plans are a bit more expensive and have a shorter money-back guarantee. However, you can save by opting for a longer subscription — the most affordable plan starts at $2.19/month. I recommend getting the 3-year plan as it's the most budget-friendly.

The 45-day money-back guarantee on longer plans means you can test CyberGhost for free. I contacted the customer support team via the online web form for a refund. My money was returned to my PayPal account after 4 days.

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3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — High-Speed Network to Stream International and Canadian Content Interruption-Free

Private Internet Access lets you stream buffer-free 4k content with its fast speeds. There are no bandwidth caps either, so you can stream as much as you like. I tested PIA’s speeds on the Canadian servers and averaged 60 Mbps. This was fast enough to smoothly stream 'Til Death from my CTV account from outside Canada. Plus, I torrented large files without interruptions as all servers are P2P-friendly, and the VPN supports port forwarding.

The VPN has servers in 84 countries and coverage in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. This allows you to access Canadian content and services worldwide as if you’re in the country. It bypassed geoblocks on my Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer accounts from Canada.

Like CyberGhost, you get great privacy and security features to keep your online data safe. You can choose between multiple security protocols, including OpenVPN and WireGuard. PIA also offers DNS/IP leak protection, high-end encryption, and a kill switch to secure your connection. Even better, there’s a built-in ad and malware blocker (MACE) so you can avoid malicious websites and annoying ads.

It’s disappointing to see that PIA is based in the US (part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances). However, the strict no-logs policy ensures the VPN doesn’t collect or store any of your information to hand over to anyone — even US authorities.

You can get PIA for just $2.19/month. Each of its plans comes with the same features (including 24/7 live chat and French language support on all apps). I recommend subscribing to the 2-year plan, which offers the best value for money.

With a reliable money-back guarantee, you can get a refund within 30 days. I visited the VPN's website, signed into the customer control panel, and canceled the auto-renew function. Then, I just had to complete and submit a contact form to get a refund — confirmation came almost immediately. My money was transferred back to my credit card after 5 days.

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4. IPVanish — Unlimited Connections to Bypass Geoblocks on All Your Devices in Canada and Abroad

IPVanish provides unlimited simultaneous connections to access global content on all your devices. I tested IPVanish by connecting 10 devices and experienced no connection drops — including my Android tablet, iPhone, and Windows laptop. My speeds remained fast (around 50 Mbps), even when streaming and gaming on multiple devices.

The VPN’s global network covers 75 countries (Canada too). I unblocked my international streaming services, including Stranger Things on my Netflix US account without buffering. You can also enable “Scramble OpenVPN traffic” in the app settings. This lets you bypass the VPN blocks used by many streaming sites (the feature obfuscates your VPN traffic to make it look like regular traffic).

AES 256-bit encryption secures your connection. It’s so trustworthy that even governments use it for encrypting their classified information. I could also choose between multiple security protocols (OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, and IKEv2).

Plus, the VPN doesn’t keep logs, offers a kill switch, and includes DNS/IPv6 leak protection — your real location isn’t exposed. I ran several tests, and didn’t detect any data leaks. This is ideal for safely accessing your bank accounts on Canadian public WiFi.

I like how simple the IPVanish interface is — it’s intuitive enough for beginners and packed with features that will impress more experienced users. The apps offer 24/7 live chat, and there’s an extensive knowledge base with FAQs and thorough explanations of all features.

A small downside is that the service doesn’t accept cryptocurrency payments. However, you can pay with all major credit cards and PayPal for safe transactions.

Subscriptions start from $3.99/month, making the VPN affordable. I recommend getting the annual plan for the best price.

If you’re still hesitant, keep in mind you can try IPVanish free for 30 days using its money-back guarantee. I asked the live chat team for a refund — the entire process was quick and I got my money back on my credit card within the week.

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5. PrivateVPN — P2P-Friendly Servers for Reliable Torrenting in and Outside of Canada

PrivateVPN is great for torrenting as it supports P2P file sharing and port forwarding on all of its servers. You also get unrestricted bandwidth, so you can download and upload as much as you like. I tested PrivateVPN’s torrent support and downloaded a 1 GB file within 5 minutes. Even when connecting to the UK from Canada, I only noticed minimal speed reduction when torrenting.

The VPN uses military-grade encryption with Perfect Forward Secrecy to boost your privacy. I tested the kill switch and DNS/IPv6/WebRTC leak protection, with no accidental data leaks. Plus, you have the option to switch between 128-bit (TAP: prioritizes speeds but still secure) or 256-bit (TUN: extra security) encryption. It also operates a no-logs policy.

I found the apps very easy to use. They have a simple mode for VPN beginners, but you can access advanced settings if you’re more experienced. There’s also a live chat available 22 hours a day, a free remote installation service, and all the apps are available in French.

A minor con is PrivateVPN’s smaller server network. That said, I had no problem unblocking streaming sites from Canada during my tests. For tougher geo-blocks, you can use the Stealth option to mask your VPN traffic and get around VPN detection software. I easily watched The Boys on my Amazon Prime Video account from Canada with no issues.

You can get PrivateVPN for as low as $2/month. I recommend getting the longest 3-year plan as it’s the most affordable.

There’s a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee too. I easily canceled my plan via the live chat. After answering a few standard questions, my plan was terminated, and I got a refund on my credit card after 9 days.

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Tips on How to Choose the Best VPN for Canada

All my listed VPNs offer great unblocking, fast speeds, and advanced security features. However, if you want to run a few tests yourself, here are the criteria I used to test and rank these VPNs:

• Global server network (including Canada) — Get a VPN with a large server network so you can unblock your international streaming accounts from Canada. Servers in Canada can also unblock local content while abroad.
• Fast speeds — Choose a VPN with fast speeds for streaming your favorite shows, gaming, and torrenting without interruptions.
• Strong security and privacy features — To stay safe from cyber threats, you need a VPN with strong security features like AES 256-bit encryption, a trustworthy no-logs policy, and IP/DNS leak protection.
• Easy-to-use apps — Choose a VPN with intuitive apps that are compatible with all your devices. Responsive support is also useful if you need assistance at any point.
• Trustworthy money-back guarantee — Ensure the VPN you choose provides a reliable money-back guarantee to get a refund if the service isn’t right for you.

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FAQs on Using a VPN for Canada

Is using a VPN for Canada legal?

Yes, you’re allowed to use a VPN in Canada and most countries. In fact, it’s recommended that you use a reliable VPN to keep you safe from growing cyber threats (as well as for unblocking purposes).

Just bear in mind that some other countries, like Russia and China, ban or restrict VPN use. So always check local rules and regulations to stay on the right side of the law.

What is the best VPN for watching Netflix US while in Canada?

The best VPN for watching Netflix US while in Canada is ExpressVPN. It offers a reliable server network that allows you to bypass geo-blocks and access Netflix US. However, all of the VPNs on this list allow you to watch Netflix US from Canada.

Plus, you can also use these VPNs to access Netflix Canada, DAZN, and CTV Montreal while traveling outside the country.

Which VPNs for Canada should I avoid?

Some VPNs to avoid include Hola, Betternet, and Opera VPN. These VPNs have been known to track user information or even leak user data. It’s far safer to use a reliable VPN with secure servers to help protect your online presence.

It’s also a good idea to avoid using VPNs based in Canada, as they can be more vulnerable to government requests for data.

Why do I need a VPN for Canada?

A VPN can help you access international streaming accounts while you visit Canada, or unblock local services if you’re a Canadian traveling abroad. Not all services can achieve this, so you should pick a tried-and-tested VPN to bypass geoblocks in minutes. VPNs mask your real IP address with a “borrowed” one from another country — giving you access to content from that location.

They also protect your online privacy in Canada and worldwide with advanced security measures (like AES 256-bit encryption). This is vital in Canada as cyber threats have been on the rise in the country for years. Canada is also a member of the 5/9/15 Eyes Alliances — international pacts between countries that record and share citizens’ online data.

Can I use a free VPN in Canada?

You can, but using a free VPN in Canada can put your privacy at risk. Many free VPNs have dodgy privacy policies, can spread malware, and are a honeypot for phishing scammers. So, a reliable VPN with a trustworthy money-back guarantee is a safer choice.

Even if you end up finding a free VPN with Canadian servers, you may face plenty of other restrictions instead. Free services usually have data caps, limit your speeds, and restrict your access to servers to persuade you to upgrade to a paid plan.

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The Bottom Line

The best VPNs for Canada should help you access any content you like while in the country. They should also have Canadian servers for unblocking local sites. Remember to pick a VPN that’s fast enough to stream buffer-free while keeping you safe online at the same time.

My top choice is ExpressVPN. It offers a worldwide server network (including Canada) to watch international and local content. It also has advanced security measures to maintain your privacy, and it’s the fastest VPN I tested. You can try ExpressVPN without risk, as it’s backed by a trustworthy 30-day money-back guarantee. Getting a refund is easy if you’re not happy with the service.

To summarize, here are the best VPNs for Canada