How to watch American Netflix in Canada – Step-by-step guide and best VPNs for Netflix US

ExpressVPN Demo

ExpressVPN is an industry titan with over a decade of experience. It's a preferred choice for privacy-conscious folk who don't mind paying an extra dollar or two to ensure the smoothest VPN experience and premium security features. ExpressVPN is consistently one of the fastest VPNs we test and offers many servers in the States, so you won't face any connection difficulties or buffering when streaming Netflix US in Canada.

Perfect for ardent streamers

ExpressVPN offers an impressive server network consisting of thousands of servers in 105 countries worldwide – and it has hundreds of servers in over 20 server locations in the US alone. This gives you a plethora of choices for streaming, gaming, torrenting, and all your other online activities in which you can benefit from geo-hopping.

The provider was already one of the fastest services in the world, thanks to its speedy servers and advanced VPN protocols, including OpenVPN and Lightway VPN protocols (known to be super fast). But, recently, it started upgrading all its 1Gbps servers to 10Gbps servers, further improving user experience. More bandwidth means even less congestion and even better speeds – another reason to choose ExpressVPN for streaming Netflix US.

ExpressVPN is compatible with all your OS and most VPN routers. Such outstanding cross-platform compatibility and advanced features, such as SmartDNS functionality, mean you get to enjoy your favorite Netflix US movies and series on any device, including on your TV screen.

A VPN you can trust

When it comes to security, ExpressVPN has a lot to offer as well. It's a pioneer of TrustedServer technology – operated on its own server network that runs entirely from RAM. The technology ensures that each time a server is rebooted, all server and user data gets deleted and built from the ground. This provides great protection from potential data leaks and persistent intruders.

Military-grade AES 256-bit encryption provides another important layer of security, so nobody can see what you're doing online, and a choice of VPN protocols is available if you wish to further customize your VPN experience. OpenVPN became an industry standard for anyone looking after their privacy, although ExpressVPN's proprietary protocol, Lightway, being incredibly quick as it is, doesn't skimp on privacy either.

Obfuscation (stealth servers) can even obscure the fact that you're using a VPN, ideal for countries where VPN usage is limited or blocked, and a kill-switch is there to protect you from accidental data leaks even if your VPN connection drops. ExpressVPN's headquarters are in the British Virgin Islands, away from invasive governments and jurisdictions. To top things off, the company's no-logs policy has been independently audited (on multiple occasions), proving its determination to protect its users' privacy and security.

Premium experience with a basic plan

Above, we mentioned some of the premium ExpressVPN features, but that's just a glimpse of its generous offer. You also get split-tunneling, which separates your VPN traffic from your non-VPN activities (for better performance), and a Threat Manager that blocks trackers and malicious apps/sites from interfering with your online actions.

The best part is you don't have to pay extra money for these and other advanced features. They all come with ExpressVPN's basic plan. You can use them on up to five devices simultaneously or connect to a VPN router and protect your entire household – your choice.

You can also test all the features before making any long-term commitments, using its convenient 30-day money-back guarantee. All in all, it's a great VPN offer for anyone looking to securely access American Netflix in Canada and protect their overall online privacy.

Nord Demo

NordVPN is a worldwide popular VPN from Panama, a country with strong privacy laws. It's cheaper than ExpressVPN, but, in some aspects, we could say it even shines brighter than the mentioned provider. For a start, it provides even more customizations, and six instead of five simultaneous connections – a noteworthy difference for some. Admittedly, it has fewer server locations than ExpressVPN, but its connections are also super steady and the service is consistently fast, ideal for streaming Netflix US in Canada.

Fast and reliable VPN for streaming

NordVPN is very often my first choice for streaming, especially when I have limited time to watch something. Thanks to its excellent geo-spoofing capabilities and fast servers worldwide, I never faced issues accessing Netflix catalogs from around the world and I almost never experienced buffering with this VPN.

NordVPN offers servers in over 111 countries worldwide, which is less than some other VPNs on this list. However, they are strategically very well placed, and thousands of IP addresses are available in these locations.

In the US alone, NordVPN has nearly 2,000 different servers in over 15 different cities. This gives you plenty of choice for accessing exclusive US content, including local news and gambling sites, and geo-restricted gaming and streaming catalogs. The proximity of these servers to Canada ensures even faster and better connections – ideal for streaming Netflix US in Canada.

Great customization on offer

One of the best characteristics of NordVPN is that it's highly customizable. From choosing a VPN protocol (IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN, or its proprietary NordLynx protocol) to IP address masking and Private DNS settings, NordVPN allows you to customize nearly every aspect of its service.

Features like DNS leak protection and a kill-switch ensure the highest security standards are followed, so your data never leaks, even if your VPN connection gets interrupted. Tor over VPN is also there to further secure your browsing experience. In addition to these, you get the options of split tunneling and dedicated IPs to make your VPN service even more efficient and personalized.

Best buy VPN

Despite its advanced functionalities, NordVPN is very easy to use. Users love it for its intuitive and modern interface, and its interactive servers map is a very convenient tool for VPN newbies. All you need to do is to open your NordVPN app, pick a server on the map, and connect.

NordVPN has apps for all your devices, regardless if you're a Mac, Windows, Android, or iOS user. A secure VPN Linux command-line client is also available (no GUI interface yet) but no doubt Linux users will set up and use the software with ease. This VPN is also compatible with routers, smart TVs, and gaming consoles, and you can use it on up to six devices simultaneously.

Excellent 24/7 customer support is there for any questions you might have along the way. All these benefits, plus the affordable plans you get to choose from, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, make it an excellent value-for-money VPN that’s definitely worth trying out. 

Surfshark Demo

Surfshark is a relatively new competitor on the VPN scene, but it has quickly become one of the most favored providers in the world. Its budget-friendly plans come with a long list of advanced privacy features, and its apps are sophisticated yet very easy to use. Add to this its numerous server locations and its recently audited zero-logs privacy policy, and you’ve got yourself a great all-around VPN solution – efficient, secure, and affordable.

Impressive server offer

Surfshark offers one of the fastest-growing server networks in the world, currently counting over  140 server locations – and the number keeps growing. Over 20 US server locations alone give you plenty of options when it comes to watching Netflix US, and the VPN works perfectly fine with other American streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime and Disney+.

Surfshark also recently started replacing its 1Gbps servers with 10Gbps servers, making sure your connections and speeds don't suffer even in the most congested areas. Advanced features such as Camouflage Mode (stealth servers) make this VPN a safe choice in countries with strict online censorship (Iran, Belarus, and China). Your IP address gets hidden, and your ISP and government can no longer tell that you use a VPN.

Dedicated P2P servers are also available, so you get to protect your torrenting activities from snoopers and malicious intrusions as well. Bottom line, Surfshark comes with a great server offer, perfect for people who like to have access to as many servers as possible.

Top-notch features

Not only does it offer thousands of servers worldwide, but Surfshark is the cheapest feature-rich VPN on this list. Aside from Camouflage Mode, its standout features include:

• Nexus – An exclusive feature by Surfshark that gives users the benefit of using multiple IP addresses instead of just one. It connects them to the entire server network before it routes their data through a single server to a destination website. The result is improved security and performance of VPN traffic.


• Bypasser – Very similar to the split tunneling feature that some of Surfshark's competitors offer. You get to choose which specific apps and sites go through a VPN tunnel and which get to bypass it – e.g. banking apps or work-related platforms.


• IPTV protection – Surfshark enables you to watch your favorite Netflix US shows on a bigger screen thanks to its IPTV protection feature. All without compromising your online security.


• CleanWeb – Surfshark provides more than just VPN services. It goes the extra mile by blocking pesky ads and dangerous malware across the web.


• Surfshark Alert – You can choose to receive alert messages if Surfshark detects a data leak or any other potential hazard involving your sensitive information, including your email credentials and password leaks.

Truly unlimited service

VPN offers can very much differ, even among the industry-leading providers. Although most of them promise you unlimited VPN service for the price of a monthly subscription, sooner or later you'll face some limitations – speed, bandwidth, or data allowance-wise. If nothing else, you'll be limited by the number of devices you can use simultaneously within a VPN plan.

Surfshark is the only VPN on this list that doesn't restrict your VPN usage, in any aspect of its service. Its speeds are superb, data allowance and bandwidth are unlimited, and you can use it on as many devices simultaneously as you'd like.

Surfshark is also one of the few VPNs on the market that offer a fully functional GUI interface for Linux users on top of Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android apps. It's a fully audited service, with cheap plans, an impressive network of servers, and unlimited possibilities. Besides, with its 30-day money-back guarantee, there's no risk involved with choosing Surfshark.

PIA Demo

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a secure VPN provider from the US that comes with robust encryption and thousands of US IP addresses. It's been in business for over 10 years and it has proven on multiple occasions that its zero-logs privacy policy is to be trusted. PIA is a great choice for safely accessing all popular streaming platforms, such as Netflix US and Amazon Prime, and it's currently among the cheapest VPNs on this list.

US-based

PIA's US headquarters are often a subject of dispute. Privacy prudes often advise against this VPN, since the United States is also home to the NSA, CIA, and similar agencies. However, the company has gone a long way to secure its connections and prove it keeps no user logs, even in front of a court of law. So if PIA was pressed with a warrant to hand over your data, all that privacy intruders would get is a bunch of blank sheets.

But whether you hate it or love it, the fact that PIA comes from the US ensures the biggest number of US servers and IP addresses. This VPN offers a staggering number of servers in over 50 different cities across the country and in 84 countries worldwide, making it a superb choice for streaming. Many of these servers are optimized for streaming, and so PIA works great with other in-demand streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime, HBO Max, and Disney+ – for those times when you're in the mood for different movies and series.

The variety of US servers also means less congestion and great speeds, and I can share from my own experience that PIA offers really quick and stable connections for American services, especially if you're accessing them from Canada. Besides, you won't be encountering any hidden bandwidth or data caps with this provider, and you can even prevent ISP throttling, further improving your connection speeds.

Truly open-source

Aside from proving in court that it keeps no user logs (on multiple occasions), PIA employs advanced security mechanisms to ensure the highest level of data protection. The service comes with AES 256-bit encryption and offers OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols, so all your online activities are hidden from snoopers, with the possibility of tailoring the privacy and speed settings.

It's very encouraging as well that PIA software is truly and entirely open-source. So, aside from privacy and security, you also get great transparency with this VPN provider. This is exactly why I recommend PIA to everyone who wishes to stream Netflix from abroad with peace of mind.

One VPN, many uses

It doesn't matter which one is your preferred platform for watching Netflix, PIA has apps for all of them – Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, and even Linux (GUI). The service allows up to 10 simultaneous connections, which is ideal for tech-savvy users and large families! Within your home, PIA has a variety of great uses aside from streaming, including secure browsing, gaming, and torrenting. Dedicated P2P servers are available and port forwarding is enabled, so ardent torrenters can enjoy safe and efficient downloads.

PIA's ad-blocker is another great addition, especially when you want to secure your browsing sessions when outside. It blocks ads, pop-ups, and even malware on less secure networks. You can also make use of split tunneling and segregate the apps/sites which you think should get accessed through a VPN tunnel and those which can be visited directly. For example, you can still access your banking app locally whilst connected to a US server for Netflix.

If any of the advanced PIA functionalities ever confuse you, don't worry! The service offers excellent 24/7 live-chat customer support, so don't hesitate to contact them for help. Another good idea is to test-run the VPN yourself. You have a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you'll have plenty of time to decide and you're not risking your money.

PrivateVPN Demo

PrivateVPN is a Sweden-based VPN that's cheap, easy to use, and above all, very private. With this VPN, you'll be able to access American Netflix in a blink of an eye. This service provider may not have as many additional features as the VPNs above, but with those on offer, it does exactly what it says on the tin. And, for any help you might need, there's its stellar 24/7 customer support.

Stream with ease

PrivateVPN may not offer as impressive a server coverage as ExpressVPN or Surfshark, but it doesn't lag too far behind either. With its reliable servers in over 63 countries across the globe, you'll have a great variety of streaming content to choose from. Its apps are super easy to set up and use, and you won't be experiencing any buffering with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, or any other popular streaming platform.

SmartDNS technology is included for free, which gives you an even better chance of accessing geo-restricted US and international content. What's more, the functionality is available on every PrivateVPN server – a benefit that only a few VPNs offer. That means you get to see the latest and greatest movies throughout the next year (or for however long you subscribe).

PrivateVPN is great for torrenting, too. It offers fast speeds, dedicated P2P servers, and port forwarding – a rare combo among VPN providers. It's also the first choice for many gamers, seen as it's fast, reliable, and cheap.

Privacy that doesn't break the bank

PrivateVPN is based in Sweden, a Fourteen Eyes Alliance country that's no longer the privacy paradise that it used to be. However, just like PIA, this VPN applies strict security standards and a zero-logs policy to ensure no data leaks through their hands.

You are protected by battle-tested OpenVPN encryption, so your online sessions will be snoop-free. A choice of other protocols is also there for you to try out, including the latest and greatest WireGuard protocol (from recently). IPv6 and DNS leak protection are other great security assets. I've personally never detected IP leaks with this VPN, even though I use and test it on a daily basis.

Finally, a kill-switch is available for all your devices to protect you from data leaks even if your VPN connection drops. And, thanks to its Quick Connect button, you can resume all your VPN-protected activities in no time.

Try it for free!

All in all, PrivateVPN is a solid all-rounder you can count on to get the job done no matter which online activities you wish to secure. It's a reliable browsing ally and provides great speeds for your data-intensive tasks, such as streaming and torrenting.

If you're still weighing your options, PrivateVPN's exclusive seven-day free trial, alongside its 30-day money-back guarantee, might help you make up your mind. We think it's fair to put it head-to-head with other providers on this list and then decide, especially since you don't have to pay a trial fee.