Best VPN for Canada in 2024

Since Canada belongs to the Five Eyes Surveillance Alliance, the government is required to share intelligence between members, including data collection of their own citizens. Additionally, Canada has passed cybersecurity laws that severely undermine online privacy and security. This raises concerns for those who want to retain their online anonymity.

Fortunately, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) protects you from the government, your Internet Service Provider (ISP), and hackers. It helps hide your IP address, encrypt your connection, unblock geo-restricted content, enable safe torrenting, and get cheaper subscriptions.

I tested 18 reputable VPNs to find the best for Canadians. They all have the necessary features to protect you online while retaining a great browsing experience. Read on to find out more.

Best VPNs for Canada: a shortlist

1. NordVPN

   All-around leading VPN
   9.8
2. Surfshark VPN

   Forward-thinking and affordable
   9.5
3. PrivateVPN

   Cheapest streaming VPN
   8.7
4. Proton VPN

   Security-first VPN
   8.6
5. IPVanish

   VPN with great server coverage
   8.4

Why do you need a VPN in Canada

Canada belongs to the notorious Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, meaning that there are data retention laws requiring Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to collect your data and share it with the government. Furthermore, it gives that information to any member of the alliance when requested.

Moving on, torrenting in Canada can result in a fine, starting from $100 to $20,000. Luckily, this is a civil offense, but if your downloaded content happens to be criminalized, you may as well go to jail. But when you have your IP hidden and traffic encrypted, the chances of such scenarios get close to zero.

Also, there's a problem with geo-blocking. Some people don't know that many services, such as Netflix, become unavailable as soon as they go abroad. With a VPN, you can connect to a server in Canada and watch your favorite shows like you used to.

Finally, Canada has passed a number of laws that seriously threaten your anonymity and online freedom.

Copyright Modernization Act (Bill C-11)

Starting from 2011, the Copyright Modernization Act forces search engines and ISPs into collecting personal data so the government can later use it for copyright infringement claims. In other words, Canada's government has decided that it'd be good to fight piracy by sacrificing everyone's online privacy. To an extension, it compares to the US Stop Online Piracy Act that, thankfully, never got introduced.

Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act

Passed at the end of 2014, this Act empowered the government to use online tracking and access personal data, including phone records. While such action by law enforcement generally requires a warrant, Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act allows it if there are "reasonable grounds for suspicion." The bill received criticism for including points unrelated to cyberbullying – the reason for its proposal.

Antiterrorism act 2015 (Bill C-51)

The latest of all Canada's privacy-threatening bills, the Antiterrorism act 2015, effectively allows the authorities to monitor, record, and hack online activities of virtually any device that's connected to the internet. Hundreds of Canadian law professors and business leaders wrote open letters criticizing the bill to no avail. The political response was also widespread, with multiple parties calling either for an amendment or total withdrawal of the Act.

Despite being liberal, Canada faces serious issues related to cybersecurity. Therefore, using a reliable VPN in Canada is highly recommended. Doing so will increase your chances of keeping your data safe and your browsing secure.

Luckily, Canada is one of the countries that doesn’t ban VPNs, so you can be sure that using one won’t get you into trouble. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can download copyrighted content or do anything else illegal while using a VPN.

Overview of the best VPNs for Canada in 2024

All of the best Canada VPNs you see below have their strengths and weaknesses. Some offer great speeds but cost quite a lot, while others offer excellent security but aren't that great for P2P. That being said, these VPNs below are the best what the industry has to offer now for users in Canada.

Whichever service you pick, it will have apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Also, they come with NASA-grade encryption, a no-logs policy, and leak protection. All VPNs will help you avoid geo-blocking and P2P restrictions.

1. NordVPN – the best VPN for Canada

NordVPN is the best VPN for Canada in 2024. It's also the fastest and most secure service available. Besides, it's from Panama, a country far away from the Five Eyes security alliance.

Its enormous fleet of servers (7000+ in 118+ countries) includes almost 300+ of them in Canada, located in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. I was able to watch multiple Netflix libraries as well as Amazon Prime and Disney+, among others. Plus, it allows 10 simultaneous connections, meaning you won’t have to choose between devices while browsing.

NordVPN comes with two kill switches, zero leaks, and an independently audited no-logs policy. It also has P2P-optimized servers for the best torrenting experience. Plus, it offers some great extras like Threat Protection and Dark Web Monitor to enhance your safety online even further. I enjoyed using NordVPN as it has a very modern beginner-friendly interface, and all the features are easy to find and use.

You can get NordVPN for $2.99/month. Alternatively, you can first try it for 7 days for free if you're an Android user. Each pricing plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

For a deeper investigation of NordVPN, read our NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark – a powerful and affordable VPN

Surfshark VPN is one of the best VPNs for Canada. It has everything I could ask for – top-notch privacy and security, meager prices, and fast speeds for streaming or torrenting.

Of Surfshark's 3200+ servers in 100+ countries, over 120 are in Canada (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver). Due to WireGuard protocol it was perfect for unblocking and streaming various content, including Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, or Amazon Prime. I didn’t notice any speed loss while streaming, either.

This provider comes from a privacy-friendly jurisdiction without data retention laws. What's more, Surfshark VPN has a strict no-logs policy, a reliable kill switch, and leak protection, giving you a hefty dose of anonymity. Thanks to its NoBorders and Camouflage modes, you can use this service even in China to access Canadian websites.

You can grab Surfshark VPN for $2.19/month only and enjoy unlimited simultaneous connections. It has apps for all major platforms plus Amazon TV Fire Stick and supports plenty of other devices. Last but not least, our best VPN for Canadians comes with a 7-day free trial for mobile devices and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

For a deeper investigation of Surfshark VPN, read our Surfshark VPN review.

3. PrivateVPN – cheap Canada VPN for streaming

PrivateVPN is a great Canada VPN that utilizes a no-logs policy. It has a user-friendly interface and works great in and outside the country. Plus, PrivateVPN is indeed private with all the security features.

This service is impressively speedy, even though it has only 200+ servers in 63+ countries. This is because PrivateVPN owns all of its servers. Therefore, connections were swift and smooth, no matter to which server I connected. PrivateVPN is also great for streaming, with dedicated servers unblocking Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, and other platforms. It also has apps for Android TV and Amazon Fire TV Stick, so there was no issue for me to watch on the big screen.

PrivateVPN has many security and privacy features, including AES-256 encryption, IP & DNS leak protection, and a robust kill switch. Plus, it has the Stealth option that facilitated my torrenting and bypassing geo-blocks attempts. Due to the OpenVPN protocol, the speed was great and reliable, allowing me to enjoy browsing and streaming.

Amazingly, this Canada VPN remains very cheap, too, starting at $2.00/month with 10 devices per account. Download PrivateVPN now and enjoy a 7-day free trial. If that wasn't enough, there's also a 30-day money-back guarantee.

For a deeper investigation of PrivateVPN, read our PrivateVPN review.

4. Proton VPN – secure VPN for Canada

Proton VPN is another best VPN for Canada. It’s easy to use and even has a solid free version for first-time VPN users. Proton VPN is registered in Switzerland and has an independently audited no-logs policy, providing the necessary level of privacy.

Proton VPN has 9200+ servers in 110+ countries, including 420+ servers in Canada. I switched between Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver servers without connection or speed loss due to the WireGuard tunneling protocol. Plus, it utilizes a unique feature called a VPN Accelerator that improves connection speeds on any device. This way, I got the best streaming experience on both my phone and computer. Proton VPN is compatible with Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, and other major apps and software.

When choosing a VPN, I always prioritize safety and privacy features. Luckily, Proton VPN is great in this area. It uses AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, IP & DNS leak protection, and split tunneling, so I retained my utmost privacy online. Plus, the Stealth protocol allowed me to easily bypass censorship and VPN restrictions.

While Proton VPN has a free version I recommend Canadian citizens check out the premium version. It offers 10 simultaneous connections instead of one and costs $3.59/month. If you’re not satisfied with a service, Proton VPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

For a deeper investigation of Proton VPN, read our Proton VPN review.

5. IPVanish – great Canada VPN for streaming

IPVanish is one of the top VPNs for Canada and among the best VPNs overall. It works great with Canadian servers, and in other countries as well. While its location is in the US, not the most privacy-friendly country, IPVanish follows a strict no-logs policy.

The service provides a huge network of 2200+ servers in over 51 countries, including 50+ servers in Canada. Combined with the WireGuard tunneling protocol, it ensures excellent speeds and connection. I had no difficulties unblocking Netflix's US library or other streaming services. Additionally, IPVanish offers P2P servers, and perfectly works with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and FireTV.

When it comes to privacy and safety, IPVanish has your back. It utilizes military-grade AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, split tunneling (for Android), and IP & DNS leak protection. Also, IPVanish is one of the few providers that offers a Tor over VPN. All these features enhanced my online privacy, anonymity, and browsing, ensuring that my real location stays hidden.

You can try IPVanish today for $2.19/month and connect as many devices as you want. If you want to test it before buying, IPVanish offers a free trial. Plus, all plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

For a deeper investigation of IPVanish, read our IPVanish review.

The best perk of each VPN for Canada

How I made this Best VPN for Canada list

I evaluated the best VPNs for Canada using the following criteria:

1. Privacy. Every VPN for Canadians should have a strict no-logs policy, leak protection, and a reliable kill switch. It should also be registered outside the Fourteen Eyes in a country with no data retention laws.
2. Security. All Canadian VPNs must use military-grade encryption and the latest tunneling protocols.
3. Speed. Low latency and small drop-off in speed are essential when gaming, torrenting, and streaming in HD.
4. Server list. A VPN with global coverage will always have a server nearby that's not overloaded. Also, there should be enough Canadian servers from different regions to choose from.
5. P2P and streaming. P2P should be allowed on as many servers as possible. Best Canada VPNs should also unblock multiple Netflix libraries and other streaming platforms, such as Disney+ or BBC iPlayer.
6. Pricing. Any plan below $4.00/month is cheap. However, not all VPNs offer the same amount of features for a similar price.

How to get a Canadian IP address?

It’s easy to get a Canadian IP with a VPN by connecting to any VPN server in Canada. If you’re still unsure how to do that, here’s a detailed guide.

1. Subscribe to a trustworthy VPN. My choice is NordVPN, now 74% OFF.
2. Download and install the app on the selected device.
3. Connect to a server in Canada.
4. Enjoy your Canadian IP from anywhere!

Get Canadian IP with NordVPN

Which VPN servers in Canada should I choose?

You should choose the closest VPN server in Canada. As a result, you’ll get the most stable connection and the fastest speeds. Usually, you'll just have to pick a country, and the VPN will select the most viable option.

Unfortunately, not all VPNs offer to choose a city, which can have a huge impact given how massive Canada is. The majority of providers have servers in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. However, sometimes the closest server can be down or overpopulated. That's why getting NordVPN for Canada that lets you select a city, is recommended.

Is a VPN legal in Canada?

Using VPNs is completely legal in Canada. However, you should take full responsibility for everything you do online. Using a VPN should never be an excuse for breaking the laws, so downloading copyrighted content will still be considered illegal.

Many Canadians use VPNs on a daily basis if they work remotely from an airport with unsecure wifi or while traveling abroad. When you're in a country like China, where the internet is heavily restricted, using a VPN might be your only chance to access certain resources online.

However, I don't recommend using Canada-based VPNs because the government might force them to give your data. Even though the majority of VPN services plead no-logs policies, even minimal logging might be enough for the government to track you down.

How long does ISP keep browsing history in Canada?

An ISP keeps logs for 6 months and up to 12 months if the legal proceedings are underway per the notice-and-notice system of the Copyright Modernization Act (Bill C-11).

Then there's the Anti-Terrorism Act (Bill C-51), under which the government can track Canadians and collect personal data for an unlimited period.

In any case, using a VPN in Canada is highly recommended. Because it encrypts your data and hides your IP, your ISP will no longer be able to monitor and log your data. And if your VPN has a strict no-logs policy, the government should also have a hard time tracking you.

Best VPN for torrenting in Canada

NordVPN is the best torrenting VPN for Canada, where P2P is illegal. That's because it's the fastest and most secure VPN overall. You should look no further and simply get NordVPN for torrenting – it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Its features start with two kill switches, leak protection, and Double VPN (multi-hop) for extra security. Additionally, NordVPN has an independently-audited no-logs policy and is registered in Panama, where there are no data retention laws. This provider has also implemented NordLynx, a proprietary version of the WireGuard protocol that allows even better speeds without sacrificing security.

NordVPN has a huge fleet of 7000+ servers in 118+ countries and over 300 of them are in Canada. Torrenting is allowed on P2P-optimized servers. Finally, you get a free SOCKS5 proxy as well.

Get NordVPN with 72% off

What is the best free VPN in Canada?

I don't recommend using a free VPN for Canada. That's because many free VPNs have privacy issues, logging your data and later selling it to third parties. What's more, free VPN services are usually slow, offering overcrowded servers in a few locations.

Alternatively, I suggest picking from the best VPNs overall. These providers have been around for a long time and have a good, if not exceptional, reputation. All of them offer money-back guarantees and some have free trials in case you feel the need to test the services risk-free.

Conclusion

Canada is one of the safest countries in the world. However, even it has some laws and regulations that might make you reconsider your online privacy. For example, Canada belongs to the Five Eyes Alliance which can share intelligence between members, including your personal data.

VPN is a way to keep your online presence secure and out of reach for the third parties. By choosing a reliable VPN, such as NordVPN, you will be protected by military-grade encryption and other advanced security features. Plus, your connections and speeds won’t be affected thanks to modern tunneling protocols and a big server selection.

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You may also like to read:
Best VPN for New Jersey
Best VPN for United Kingdom
Best VPN for iPhone
Best VPN for Android
Best VPN for Ukraine

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FAQ

Are VPNs legal in Canada?

Yes, using a VPN in Canada is legal. However, you should be aware that downloading copyrighted content or doing anything illegal doesn't become justifiable only because you've used a Virtual Private Network.

What is the best VPN for streaming in Canada?

NordVPN is the best VPN for streaming in Canada. It offers the best speeds around the world and easily unblocks Netflix and other streaming platforms.

Is free VPN a good choice for Canada?

No, it isn't. First of all, most free VPNs log your data and sell it to third parties. Also, they show ads. If that wasn't enough, you should expect slow speeds, overcrowded servers, and few locations to choose from, which might even not include Canada.

Is using a VPN safe?

That depends on a VPN. All my recommended VPNs are safe to use. However, if you toggle the settings the wrong way, you may end up vulnerable. That's why you should turn things on and off when you know what you're doing.