Using a VPN in Canada will help you avoid unwanted surveillance and data collection. You can also unblock content that isn’t currently available in Canada, such as the full US Netflix library.
In this guide we'll show you the best VPNs to use in Canada and what you can do with them.
What are the best VPNs for Canada?
Check out the list below for a quick look at our recommended Canada VPNs, or keep scrolling for more information.
- ExpressVPN - The best overall VPN for Canada
- CyberGhost VPN - A great value VPN for Canada
- Private Internet Access - A secure and budget-friendly VPN.
- Surfshark - A low-cost VPN with lots of features
- VyprVPN - A VPN for Canada that balances performance and privacy thanks to its proprietary servers.
Best Canada VPNs - In-depth Analysis
Here is a more detailed look at the VPNs our experts recommend, breaking down why each is perfect for both visitors and residents of Canada alike. If you'd still like to learn more about any provider, in particular, you can head over to our in-depth reviews.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Canada. You get lightning fast speeds, perfect for streaming hulu and other HD content that is blocked in Canada. ExpressVPN has a strong privacy policy and keeps no usage logs. Better yet, the servers are all lightning fast, so you can securely use the internet in Canada with only very minimal effect on your connection speeds. When reviewing ExpressVPN we were pleased to find that it's compatible with all popular devices and operating systems. It installs in a snap and is incredibly easy to use. As well as having an intuitive design, it’s extremely secure and includes a host of privacy-conscious features like military-grade encryption standards, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch, which disconnects you from the internet if your VPN stops working for any reason. ExpressVPN also boasts 24/7 live chat support, so you can get the help you need, when you need it, at any time of the day or night. Try it for yourself with a 30-day money-back guarantee. CyberGhost is an easy-to-use VPN for Canada. It offers slick iOS and Android apps that are loaded with fantastic features and great speeds at a low price. CyberGhost VPN has servers in over 90 countries, including in Canada, and in the US. Encryption is rock solid since it offers IKEv2 encryption and OpenVPN protocol (our recommended protocol). This VPN keeps no logs, but it does keep some aggregated bandwidth data. However, the servers won't keep logs of your connections or activities: which is what you want in a VPN that truly protects your privacy. With your CyberGhost VPN subscription, you're permitted up to seven simultaneous connections, so you can protect all your devices or share the account with family and friends. And last but not least, this VPN is of great value for money! It's got plenty of features, and you can test it for yourself with an incredible 45-day money-back guarantee. PIA is one of the most secure VPNs for Canada on our list. It's a trustworthy service that has strong privacy features, a proven no-logs policy and great apps for all devices. Private Internet Access (PIA) is a US-based service that has been around for many years, ensuring privacy by proving its zero-logs policy in court on multiple occasions. This, alongside a wide array of privacy features, has helped PIA develop an excellent reputation on Reddit. Besides strong privacy features, and excellent levels of customizability, this VPN is fantastic for unblocking geo-restricted content from Canada and from all over the world. With PIA you get fast connection speeds, which means you can watch shows in HD without buffering. Considering its versatility, this VPN is affordable, easy to use, and it has apps for all platforms which can be used on up to 10 devices simultaneously. And, if you want to torrent, PIA has a kill switch to ensure you can do it safely. Overall, we really like the versatility of this VPN - it can really do it all, and keep you secure at the same time. It's really a great option for both beginners and experienced users alike. Finally, it has a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test it risk-free. Surfshark is the cheapest VPN for Canada on our list. From $2.49 you can have access to a robust global network of servers that can reliably unblock most streaming services. Surfshark VPN is a relatively new provider on the scene, but in that short time, it has taken the VPN market by storm with blazing-fast speeds, awesome features, and a global network of secure servers. For its low cost, Surfshark provides a feature-rich service, offering obfuscation and kill switch technology to help you cloak your VPN usage, and protecting you if the VPN disconnects. As is to be expected from today’s top VPN providers, Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 live chat support. What really stands out for us, though, is that it offers unlimited simultaneous connections. Try it for yourself and protect your entire household without having to pay for multiple subscriptions. VyprVPN is a VPN for Canada that balances performance & privacy. Thanks to proprietary servers, you get great speeds and unblocking power, all wrapped up in a sleek looking app. VyprVPN is a great VPN for Canada. It owns and operates all of its own hardware, which takes away a lot of concerns about speeds and reliability on the network. This also translates to enhanced security since no third party entities are ever involved in maintaining the server network, it's all done in-house and controlled entirely by VyprVPN. There’s also an optional VyprDNS service, which is great news for those looking to unblock Netflix US, YouTube, and similar services on their devices. We love that VyprVPN has an app for Tomato routers, which allows you to easily get all of your devices covered by one VPN subscription. Encryption is strong, and this VPN keeps no usage logs (but some connection logs for 30 days). We recommend this VPN for everything apart from torrenting. Try it for yourself with a 30-day money-back guarantee to fall back on.
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Can I use a free VPN for Canada?
There are lots of free VPN services out there, but picking one that will actually work well without compromising your privacy is crucial. Many free VPN services come with heavy restrictions, questionable privacy policies, and ineffective encryption. To get the most out of your VPN service without having to sacrifice usability or privacy, a premium service is the best way forward. If price is an issue, then have a look at our top picks for cheap VPN services.
Why do I need a Canadian VPN service?
- Your ISP cannot see what you get up to online.
- Your government and CSEC won't know what you get up to online because your ISP can’t see what you get up to online and tell them.
- Your ISP can’t report you for copyright infringement as required by law (see later) because it can’t see what you get up online.
- You can use public WiFi safely and privately, even when CSEC is using it to spy on you on behalf of the NSA.
- It prevents websites from knowing your real IP addresses. Although you should also use browser add-ons to prevent other forms of website tracking.
- You can use a VPN for Netflix to unblock a lot more Netflix content. A VPN will also enable you to unblock other streaming services like BBC iPlayer which are also blocked in Canada.
At the time of writing, Canada enjoys one of the largest Netflix catalogs rivaling the catalogs in the United States and Japan. But, as we all know, quantity doesn't always translate to quality. With a VPN, you can hop over to experience content from the UK, the US, and more!
Are VPNs legal in Canada?
Yes, VPNs are legal in Canada.
Without VPN technology, Canadian businesses wouldn’t be able to secure their data and traveling employees wouldn’t be able to maintain their digital privacy. VPNs are often used by enterprises for professional use as much as they are by individuals for personal use. For this reason, it is unlikely that VPNs will ever be outlawed.
That being said, it’s not uncommon for services or websites to block incoming VPN traffic. Fortunately, there are VPNs that still slide under the radar. This is why, when selecting VPNs for the top five guides, we always verify whether they access services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
Surveillance laws in Canada
Canada has recently passed a number of laws that expand its internet surveillance capabilities in a number of key ways.
Bill C-11 - Copyright Modernization Act
Bill C-11 requires ISPs and search engines to set up a notice and notice regime. This means they must retain logs of users’ activities and identities so that if a copyright holder notifies them of an infringement, they can identify the offender.
Bill C-11 extends and clarifies what constitutes “fair use” of copyrighted material and reduces the statuary damages liable by consumers of copyrighted material used for non-commercial purposes to between C$100 and C$5000. The Canadian government even intervened when US right holders tried to claim damages of up to $150,000 per infringement.
Bill C-51 - Anti-terrorism Act
This highly controversial law was passed in 2015 and greatly expanded the scope of CSIS‘s powers.
Along with provisions, such as the right to cancel banking transactions and place individuals on no-fly lists, the Anti-terrorism Act gave CSIS sweeping powers to hack or otherwise access any internet-connected device.
Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act (was Bill C-30)
The Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act gives Canadian authorities wide-ranging powers to monitor and track the online activities of its citizens. Unlike the failed C-30, police do now need "reasonable grounds for suspicion" to obtain a warrant to access online data, phone records, and digital tracking, but the bar for obtaining such a warrant has been criticized as being very low.
Conclusion
There are plenty of VPNs available for use in Canada. Now that you know what makes a good VPN, here's a quick reminder of our top picks:
- ExpressVPN - The best overall VPN for Canada
- CyberGhost VPN - A great value VPN for Canada
- Private Internet Access - A secure and budget-friendly VPN.
- Surfshark - A low-cost VPN with lots of features
- VyprVPN - A VPN for Canada that balances performance and privacy thanks to its proprietary servers.