The Best VPN for Canada in 2021 for Security, Streaming & Online Privacy

To jump right to the chase, online privacy is what’s missing in Canada; making internet freedom something of the past. However, with the best VPN for Canada, you’ll be able to stay anonymous while unblocking geo-restricted services!

Canada may be the home to Hockey and maple syrup, but it all goes downhill when your privacy and right to internet freedom is threatened.

Even though Canada is among many other countries that promote freedom, its efforts to prevent cyber threats or terrorism have taken over to another level. So, to achieve that, it started compromising the privacy of its people along the way.

An overview

Everyone knows that Canada is part of the 5-eyes alliance. And for those of you who aren’t aware of what that is, the eyes alliance is a group of countries who have signed an agreement. This includes the monitoring of its citizens’ online activities, sharing of all your files, messages, and much more among other countries of the alliances.

To avoid all this and maintain your online privacy with the securest means possible, I’ve shortlisted the best VPNs for Canada.

They’re among the few providers that allow you to protect your data and access streaming sites from all over the world. It also applies to those traveling out of Canada.

Best VPNs for Canada in 2021

This guide is for you to understand the dire need of using not just any VPN but the best VPN for Canada. You will find many restricted streaming services within Canada, or laws that enforce online censorship and monitoring over the internet. There are even circumstances where you’ll need to bypass ISP throttling.

The best way to dodge these issues or lower risks online is by using the best VPN for Canada. My team and I have carefully selected and tested only a few. They offer high-end encryption for online privacy, assistance with unblocking geo-restricted content, and a lot more.

The best part? They all offer Canadian servers for you to connect to. It will help you get access to your local bank accounts or media platforms while traveling abroad.

They are:

1. ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Canada by a mile

Price	$6.67/mo.
Refund	30-Days
Website	ExpressVPN.com

Headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, we have ExpressVPN, our top pick for best VPN for Canada. Some may say that ExpressVPN is a little overpriced. However, when I tested and reviewed the app, it performed better than most VPNs on this list.

It has 3000+ servers in a huge coverage of 94 countries. This includes numerous Canadian servers in 3 locations (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver) and a wide platform of US server locations.

This is great; providing you equal access to unblock streaming services like US Netflix, HBO GO, Amazon Prime, and other local Canadian channels if ever traveling abroad.

Now, coming to its security, it secures your traffic with OpenVPN protocol on 256-bit AES encryption, provides a Kill Switch, Split-tunneling, delivered the fastest speeds. It also has a SmartDNS feature called MediaStreamer; aiding in gaining access to multiple restricted streaming services.

ExpressVPN supports a number of major devices and apps for Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, Routers, Fire TV, browser extensions, and more, while allowing you to make up-to 5 multiple-device connections per subscription.

To put ExpressVPN to the test, and to find out if this provider is one of the best VPN choices for Canada; try out its free trial or its 30-day refund. Could always as for a refund and account deactivation if you don’t like the service.

Get ExpressVPN for Canada Now

2. Surfshark – Affordable VPN for Canada

Price	$2.49/mo.
Refund	30-Days
Website	Surfshark.com

Known to be one of the best all-rounder VPNs in the industry, Surfshark can provide great services in Canada, especially where bypassing restricted websites and privacy is concerned. This is also why Surfshark is popular among many users.

It has a platform of 3200+ servers in 65 countries, with the inclusion of numerous Canadian servers, perfect for unblocking and streaming local Canadian content (Canadian TV) from anywhere in the world.

Speaking of servers, it also has a wide range of US servers, helping you access blocked or restricted services like US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and much more with ease and top-notch security.

Another thing to look forward to in a VPN for Canada is good security. Surfshark is built with OpenVPN protocol on military-grade 256-bit encryption, has a Kill Switch safeguarding your data from any leaks, and provides good speeds.

It’s also compatible with a number of platforms and apps. Some of these include Windows, iOS, macOS, Android, Nvidia Shield TV, FireStick, and much more. It even offers a Smart DNS feature that you can add to those devices that don’t support native VPN apps. However, the Smart DNS can only be used over one IP at a time. It also allows you to make simultaneous connections on unlimited devices.

You can test it out using the Surfshark trial and refund period to get a better idea of the VPN. Simply ask for a refund if you’re not happy with the service. All this and more is why Surfshark is the best VPN for Canada and worldwide.

Get SurfShark VPN for Canada Now

3. NordVPN – Double VPN protection & fast speeds

Price	$3.29/mo.
Refund	30-Days
Website	nordvpn.com

NordVPN is known in the industry as a top security VPN provider, and also the best VPN for Canada.

This Panama-based VPN also has one of the widest platforms of servers; 5400+ servers in 59 countries. It includes a huge coverage of both Canadian and international servers.

When I reviewed the VPN app and connected to the NordVPN network, I was able to unblock the US Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and much more, with its Double VPN feature, providing double the encryption.

As I mentioned, NordVPN is known to be one of the best where security and privacy are concerned. This VPN runs on bank-grade 256-bit AES encryption, providing DNS and IP leak protection. It also has a CyberSec feature for blocking ads and malicious websites.

Other advanced features include an Onion Over VPN feature and something called SmartPlay, which is the perfect solution for bypassing restrictions put over streaming services worldwide.

NordVPN is compatible with numerous devices and apps. Some of these include Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, Firestick, and much more. Another great thing is that it allows you to simultaneously connect up to 6 devices per subscription.

You’ll be able to test the VPN using the free trial or the 30-day money-back guarantee. Don’t like the services? You can ask for a refund and account cancellation.

Just in case you have a small or large company/business, this provider offers a business VPN called NordLayer.

Get NordVPN for Canada Now

4. IPVanish – Offers Scramble OpenVPN Traffic for Candian internet

Price	$3.75/mo.
Refund	15-Days
Website	ipvanish.com

IPVanish is headquartered in the US, which is good and bad. The positive is that IPVansih can unblock numerous US streaming services. The negative? The US is part of the 14-eyes alliance.

However, this provider follows a strict no-logs policy and possesses other great features, which is why it gets great reviews.

It has network coverage of around 1900+ servers in 75+ countries, with the inclusion of servers in Canada. When I tested these servers, I got access to a couple of Netflix libraries, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Hotstar, Sky Sports, Amazon Prime, and others. The speeds were pretty decent too, fast enough for 4K streams.

IPVanish might not offer a huge list of security features but offers just enough to keep your online presence protected and secure. It runs using AES 256-bit encryption, has a Kill Switch, Split-Tunneling, and even offers a feature called Scramble OpenVPN Traffic.  This feature will allow you to unblock many services without your VPN getting detected.

IPVanish is also great because it offers apps for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Fire TV/ Stick, and others, and even allows unlimited device connections.

There’s no actual free trial available, but you can run a few app tests using the IPVanish 30-day money-back guarantee.

Get IPvanish VPN for Canada Now

5. CyberGhost – User-friendly & Optimized servers

Price	$2.25/mo.
Refund	45-Days
Website	cyberghost.com

CyberGhost, known for having some of the best privacy laws, and is quite a diverse & user-friendly app. It’s also why it makes the best VPN for Canada.

It has one of the biggest platforms of 6000+ servers in 90 countries, with around 341 of its servers in Canada. It also has around 1416 US servers, just incase you’re trying to access US geo-restricted platforms in Canada. During testing, I unblocked Disney Plus, US Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO GO, BBC iPlayer and so much more.

Moving on to its security, let’s start by saying that it’s a Romanian based VPN, meaning it observes strict no-data retention laws. It has military-grade 256-bit encryption, Ad and Malicious Website Blocking, Online tracking feature, and fast speeds.

It is compatible with all the major devices like Windows, iOS, macOS, Android, Browser extensions, Fire TV, and a lot more, along with allowing you to make 7 multi-device logins per subscription.

You can put CyberGhost to the test, using its 7-day free trial on Android or iOS phones, 24-hours trial on PC, or just use its 45-day refund for a longer period on multiple devices.

Get CyberGhost VPN for Canada Now

How to choose a Canadian VPN

The reason for selecting just 5 VPNs out of the many providers in the industry is mainly to suit the needs of the people of Canada. This also extends to Canadian citizens traveling to a foreign land, needing to access local content from back home.

Now to pick the best Canadian VPN, I, of course, had to keep in mind what most Canadians look for and what they’re not. So, according to that, I chose the 5 Canadian VPNs. They include the following aspects:

• Marking safe jurisdiction, observing privacy, and strict no-data retention laws.
• A wide spectrum of server locations, including Canadian, US, and UK servers for unblocking or accessing both international and local content/websites.
• The ability to access streaming services, and also to safely access torrenting platforms.
• Should incorporate basic and necessary security features like a Kill Switch, unbreakable encryption, DNS and IP leak protection, etc.
• It should render fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth.
• A reliable refund policy and trial periods, in case the VPN doesn’t suit your needs.
• A good 24/7 or cooperating support chat system.

Unblocking international geo-blocked streaming services from Canada

Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Hotstar, BBC iPlayer, and HBO GO, are all part of the geo-blocked or restricted committee, rendering its services to only its privileged citizens within its country of origin.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a Canadian or an Australian in this aspect, because all the VPNs provided on my list are selected for more than just being a suitable VPN for Canada.

Thing is, yes, the main target is scoring a reliable VPN for Canada, however, for that, you’re probably not going to be able to access some of the best streaming services within Canada, due to copyright laws or restricted access.

So, to make things easier for you, I’ve rounded up these 5 VPN services based on the fact that they’re the best for avoiding Canada’s surveillance outbreaks, accessing local Canadian content from abroad, and bypassing the strongest geo-blocked websites in the world.

Best VPN for Canada Netflix – Reddit

Reddit is one of the best platforms where the community gets together and shares their personal experiences with a number of products, including rating the best Reddit VPN.

Of course, user experience and preferences often vary from VPN to VPN, so I like turning to Reddit for more information on VPNs. I came across a question asked by one Reddit user regarding the best VPN for Canada for Netflix, to which upvotes were given for NordVPN. Here’s a snippet from the Reddit poll:

Are VPNs legal in Canada?

Yes, VPNs are completely legal to use in Canada.

Yes, the surveillance laws are a tad bit overbearing, but there are many locals as well as government officials who also still use VPNs for various purposes. There are countries like China that also partake in the mass surveillance within their country and block off VPNs altogether.

Canada doesn’t work that way. It does keep a strict eye on any activities carried out online by its citizens but still continue the use of VPNs within the country. But, always remember to carry out whatever activities or services that you’re trying to reach, with great caution.

What about torrenting in Canada? Is it illegal?

Yes, torrenting in Canada, among many other countries in the world, is illegal.

Even though using a VPN isn’t illegal to use in Canada, there are certain activities like torrenting that are looked down upon. It goes against the Copyright Modernization Act, taking immediate action by asking any users who download copyrighted content to pay a fine of $5000.

Looking at the circumstances, I urge you to use a VPN according to your own will and keep in mind the consequences.

Do you need a VPN in Canada?

In short, yes, you do need a VPN in Canada. The thing is, most of us want to secure our privacy online and all the activities we want access to, a VPN can encrypt all your data, securing it through an encrypted tunnel.

However, some of you, who might be skipping in between pointers, might’ve missed the part where I mentioned that Canada is indeed part of the Eyes alliance.

Keeping this apart, even though Canada is a wonderful place to live in, it among many other countries in the world still tab into what their citizens are doing online, keeping track of all their digital footprints, sharing them with other members of the alliance.

However, not all surveillance is looked down upon. There still exists some pretty valid reasons like the Protection Act, to conduct online monitoring, preventing future cybercrimes.

On the other hand, it still comes back to the point that in order to stay online in Canada, some safety measures have to be taken, concerning the protection of basic privacy.

Below you’ll find some of the reasons why you should definitely use good VPN services in Canada or abroad. They are:

Copyright Modernization Act

Also known as Bill C-11, was introduced allowing the government or ISP’s to retain any information provided to them by the users, determining if any copyright violations go against their code. This is why torrenting is also illegal in Canada, which we’ll discuss later on.

The PRISM effect

Not long ago, Edward Snowden, the man of the hour, revealed some pretty dark and classified information from the NSA’s PRISM program, unveiling the fact that the US along with other countries like Canada, had been involved in a major mass surveillance movement. However, Canada still continued to endorse the plan; moving ahead with the surveillance on its citizens.

Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act

Introduced in 2013, this Act allowed the government to monitor every movement and activity taking place online. This was put up in order to prevent future cyberbullying or crimes of various forms, leading to the endangerment of people, mainly teens.

Anti-terrorism Act 2015

Passed by the Harper government in 2015, and also known as Bill C-51, allowing the Canadian Security Intelligence Service to wire into any device, monitoring any activity carried out by its users on the internet. This was due to the multiple threats of terrorism towards the government VIP officials from 2013-2014.

Besides the above, since it was made quite easy for Snowden to hack into the US NSA program, there are countless hackers prevailing, waiting for opportunities to hack into your device, stealing your data, or checking into more sensitive information like your online bank account.

And to thread onto lighter reasons, there’s also the part where you won’t be able to bypass certain restrictions from websites like Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and much more.

Secondly, if you’re a Canadian traveling to another country for a holiday or due to migration, you’re going to need VPN services that can provide a Canadian IP address to gain access to local content from back home.

Can I use a free VPN in Canada?

No!

What’s the point of using free VPN services when they don’t provide half the security or privacy you need in Canada?

A free VPN or a proxy will always manage to steal your data in some form or the other, disrupt your streaming speeds, spread viruses or malware through your device, and throttle with your bandwidth. They also come with a lack of server locations, faltering in connecting to any geo-restricted streaming service.

You’ll find it extremely easy to find a free VPN with enticing offers, but none of them come with a slight hint of trustworthiness that a good VPN provider should have. Plus, a free VPN is never going to get you access to US Netflix or other platforms with major restrictions. There are only a handful of safe free VPNs that work, but there’s still no surety of its performance within Canada.

In conclusion

Canada is a beautiful place to be in, but, of course, not everything is rosy. It may be a great land, but it falls short in providing its people basic freedom to online privacy, whatever the reason may be. For situations like this, it’s always wise to get yourself a top VPN service for the job.

However, in this case, to survive the surveillance laws of Canada, you’re going to need the best VPN for Canada (ExpressVPN, Surfshark, NordVPN, IPVanish, and CyberGhost), restoring your online privacy, providing you with fast streaming speeds, being compatible with all the major devices and securing your overall online experiences.

Even if you’re on a budget, the VPNs on this list offer regular or seasonal discounts. Keep track of them on our VPN deals and discount page.

If, however, you’re traveling to Canada just for business, you could consider using the best business VPN! But, if you’re looking for just one, we recommend Perimeter 81..

To Summarize, the Best VPN for Canada is…..

Rank	Provider	Our Score	User Rating
1	ExpressVPN	9.6/10	Read Review	Find Out More Get Started >>
2	Surfshark	9.4/10	Read Review	Find Out More Get Started >>
3	NordVPN	9.3/10	Read Review	Find Out More Get Started >>
4	IPVanish	9.0/10	Read Review	Find Out More Get Started >>
5	Cyberghost	8.8/10	Read Review	Find Out More Get Started >>