The Best VPNs for Canada 2024

We've determined that the best Canada VPNs are NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN. NordVPN is a great option for people needing additional security features outside a traditional VPN. Surfshark came out on top as the best affordable VPN for those on a budget but who don't want to sacrifice quality. Finally, ExpressVPN was the best premium VPN for reliability and speedy connections.

Keep reading to dive into why these VPNs made our top three, based on their ability to access geo-restricted content, maintain fast connection speeds, and successfully mask our location.

The best Canada VPNs

• NordVPN: Best for security
• Surfshark: Best affordable VPN
• ExpressVPN: Best premium VPN

Top 3 VPN services for Canada compared

VPN	NordVPN	Surfshark	ExpressVPN
Starting price	Starts at $2.99/mo (billed every two years)	Starts at $1.99/mo (billed every two years)	Starts at $6.25/mo (billed annually)
Unblocks Netflix Canada
Unblocks BBC iPlayer
Unblocks CBC Gem
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

How we tested the best VPNs for Canada

Our testing to find the best Canadian VPNs began with determining which VPNs had a seamless connection with Canadian streaming services. VPNs were tested on the following streaming platforms: Netflix Canada, BBC iPlayer, and CBC Gem. If it couldn't connect or mask our IP address, the VPN didn't move into the next phase of our review. We've also created a guide on how to get a Canadian IP address based on these top three.

We also took note of any laggy VPN connection speeds, DNS leak protection, and WebRTC leak protection.

In the last phase of testing, we looked at pricing, the number of Canadian servers, the number of connected devices, whether the VPN has a no-logs policy, and what security features are offered. Our top three VPNs stood out in at least one of these areas and claimed their spot as one of the best VPN services.

NordVPN: Best for security

Who it’s best for

NordVPN is a great option for people wanting to unblock Canadian streaming content while also having additional online security features.

What we liked

NordVPN did well when we tested streaming services. It didn't have any problem letting us watch Netflix Canada with a VPN. We also had no issue connecting to CBC Gem.

At one point, we had to switch to incognito mode on our Chrome browser to access BBC iPlayer. But we were able to connect using the regular browser at other times. This isn't necessarily a dealbreaker, but you may have to move around to get your location masked.

Beyond streaming, NordVPN also has an impressive number of security features. If you're looking to fully protect yourself, NordVPN has plenty of online tools to protect your data. Some security features that can be part of your NordVPN plan include:

• NordVPN Threat Protection: Malware protection and tracker and ad blocker
• NordPass: Password manager and data breach scanner
• NordLocker: 1 TB cloud storage and file encryption

Additionally, you’ll find that NordVPN doesn’t skimp on online privacy features, such as double VPN, a kill switch, and split tunneling. It also comes with one of the most user-friendly interfaces and the largest advertised server network in Canada (480+ servers with 3 Canada server locations).

What we didn’t like

We occasionally experienced minor issues connecting to streaming services, but we were never blocked from access entirely. Occasionally, streaming services prevented access, but a simple switch to a private browser (such as Incognito mode on Chrome) fixed the issue.

NordVPN is also a bit pricey if all you are looking for is a basic VPN and you don't necessarily need or want other security features. NordVPN plans start about $1-$2 more expensive than Surfshark's plans, depending on the current promotion.

NordVPN specs

Price range	$2.99–$17.99/mo
Free version	No, but it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee
Number of servers	6,800+ servers in 111 countries
Number of connected devices	10
VPN protocol	NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix Canada	Yes
Unblocks BBC iPlayer	Yes
Unblocks CBC Gem	Yes
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review

Surfshark: Best affordable VPN

Who it’s best for

People who need an affordable long-term VPN subscription. It's also ideal for people who need to connect multiple devices and for frequent travelers.

What we liked

Surfshark had limited problems connecting to multiple streaming services without affecting speed or quality. We tested BBC iPlayer and CBC Gem and connected easily with no noticeable lag or slow load times.

This doesn’t surprise us since Surfshark is one of the fastest VPN providers we’ve tested. Its fast speeds make it ideal for online activities, such as streaming, torrenting, and gaming.

Surfshark is also a great option for people with several devices or who are in a large household since it has an unlimited device policy. With servers in 100 countries, Surfshark may also be ideal for people who frequently travel and need security internationally. Surfshark provides 120+ Canadian VPN servers and three Canadian server locations. 

Sometimes connecting to servers further away from your physical location results in a slow internet connection. But Surfshark’s large server network makes it easier to connect to local or nearby servers without significantly compromising your internet speeds.

What we didn’t like

Even though Surfshark has servers in 100 countries, it doesn't have as many servers in total compared to other VPNs. Specifically looking at Canadian servers, Surfshark has over 120, while NordVPN has over 480. Having a smaller number of servers may mean you will have more difficulty finding and connecting to a local server, and this may have a huge impact on your internet speed.

Surfshark specs

Price range	$1.99–$17.95/mo
Free version	No, but it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee
Number of servers	3,200+ servers in 100 countries
Number of connected devices	Unlimited
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix Canada	No
Unblocks BBC iPlayer	Yes
Unblocks CBC Gem	Yes
Learn more	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review

ExpressVPN: Best premium VPN

Who it’s best for

People looking for speedy connections along with top security and privacy. ExpressVPN is also a great option for people who want varied device compatibility.

What we liked

ExpressVPN impressed us by easily masking our location and giving us access to Netflix Canada, BBC iPlayer, and CBC Gem. Like Surfshark, there was no hassle connecting, and we didn't notice any significant loading times or slow connections.

As a VPN, it provides strong security options:

• AES 256-bit encryption
• No bandwidth caps or data limits
• No-logs policy
• Threat manager to block ad trackers on websites and apps
• It bypasses ISP throttling

It's a great option for people with different operating systems and browser extensions since ExpressVPN has extensive device compatibility:

• Windows
• macOS
• Android
• iOS
• Linux
• Routers
• Gaming consoles (Xbox and PlayStation)
• Smart TVs (Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, etc.)

Overall, it's a high-quality, secure VPN with reliable service.

What we didn’t like

ExpressVPN’s most notable downside is its cost. It can be twice as expensive as NordVPN and Surfshark. However, if you prefer the flexibility of a month-to-month subscription, then ExpressVPN’s monthly plan comes at a comparable cost to its competitors. It's also worth noting that ExpressVPN lets you connect to only eight devices simultaneously, which seems limited for the price point.

We also wish ExpressVPN was more open about how many VPN servers it offers. It's great that it has server locations in 105 countries, but how many servers are available overall? If VPN server count is important to you, then you should opt for one of the other choices on our list, which are more open about their numbers.

ExpressVPN specs

Price range	$4.99–$12.95/mo
Free version	No, but it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee
Number of servers	Unlisted in 105 countries
Number of connected devices	8
VPN protocol	Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix Canada	Yes
Unblocks BBC iPlayer	Yes
Unblocks CBC Gem	Yes
Learn more	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

Honorable mentions

We've presented three of the best VPN services for Canada, but that doesn't mean those are your only options. Here are some alternatives that might check off the boxes for you:

• Private Internet Access: We determined that PIA is the best VPN for affordable privacy thanks to its low starting price and unlimited connections allowance. It also comes with security features like double VPN servers, an ad and tracker blocker, and more. 

  Get Private Internet Access | Read Our Private Internet Access Review

• CyberGhost: CyberGhost is more affordable than Surfshark, and it even has a 45-day money-back guarantee compared to Surfshark’s 30-day money-back guarantee. With servers in 100 countries, CyberGhost has an impressive server network for any VPN needs.

  Get CyberGhost | Read Our CyberGhost Review

• IPVanish: IPVanish often flies under people's radars even though it offers unlimited connections. It also has a clean and user-friendly interface for mobile, so you can maintain your online privacy wherever you go. 

  Read Our IPVanish Review

How to choose the best VPN

When you're looking for a VPN to use in Canada, these are the following features that you need to consider:

• Price — Several VPNs for Canada offer cheap prices or discounts, so keeping yourself safe online doesn't have to ruin your budget. Look for cheaper long-term plans for the biggest savings.
• Servers in Canada — Not every VPN has servers available in Canada. Before you sign up for a VPN, double-check that it has servers where you need to connect.
• Security — At a minimum, the VPN you pick for Canada should have 256-bit AES encryption and a kill switch to ensure your data is kept hidden.
• Ability to access streaming platforms — You shouldn't need to stop watching your shows just because you're using a VPN. The best services will allow you to access your streaming platforms even while protected.

Why should you use a VPN?

Here are just some of the reasons you should be using a VPN:

• Protection from hackers — Using a VPN will encrypt your browsing data and keep it hidden from anyone looking to steal your information. 
• Accessing geo-restricted content — By using a VPN, you'll be able to access content from anywhere in the world from your location in Canada. This will allow you to watch your favorite shows from another country without needing to travel. 
• Bypassing throttling — Your internet service provider (ISP) may sometimes put a speed limit on your network connection. Using a VPN may be able to bypass this throttle and get you the speeds that you pay for. 

Best VPNs for Canada FAQs

Bottom line: The best Canada VPNs

If you’re looking for additional security from your Canada VPN, then NordVPN has your back. Surfshark is a great Canada VPN app for people on a budget, as its pricing is affordable and it still offers a slew of features. ExpressVPN is also a great option for security and reliability, though its cost may be too high for some.

If none of these options suits you, then you can also consider Private Internet Access (PIA). It passed our streaming tests and just barely missed making our top three. (Though we should mention PIA is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, making it a potential no-go for privacy enthusiasts, since the U.S. is part of the Five Eyes alliance.)

3 best VPNs for Canada

	Starting price	Best for	Learn more
NordVPN	$2.99/mo (billed every two years)	Best for security	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review
Surfshark	Starts at $1.99/mo (billed every two years)	Best affordable VPN	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review
ExpressVPN	Starts at $6.25/mo (billed annually)	Best premium VPN	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review