Best VPNs for Canada in 2024
With 480 servers across three Canadian cities, NordVPN is our recommendation if you want the best internet privacy in Canada
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Last Updated on Aug 16, 2024
- Headquartered outside the jurisdiction of surveillance alliances
- All servers are RAM-based, including the 480 in Canada, meaning all of the data on them gets wiped when they restart
- Intuitive native apps on all major platforms
- Features have clear names making it easier to find the feature you’re looking for
- Great bundle deals with Surfshark antivirus starting at $2.69 per month
- A lightweight app keeps its impact on your device’s performance minimal
- The three year plan lets you lock in a low price of $2.03 per month for the foreseeable future
- The largest server infrastructure with over 34,000 servers globally
- Canadian servers are spread across four cities
Getting a strong connection to a VPN server from Canada can be tricky, especially as you go further north. You’re probably used to settling for a server in the U.S. Well, you won’t have to when you use one of our favorite VPNs.
We dug into the Canada-specific capabilities of the over 40 VPNs we tested. We were surprised to find out that the information we needed wasn’t always easy to get. But we did the digging so you don’t have to. Let’s combine our hands-on experience with in-depth research to figure out which VPNs are the best for Canada.
The Best VPNs for Canada
- NordVPN - Best for Privacy
- Surfshark - Best for Streaming
- Private Internet Access VPN - Best Long-Term Affordability
Comparing the Best VPNs for Canada Side by Side
| System |
NordVPN
|
Surfshark
|
Private Internet Access VPN
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
| Ratings | 9.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.4/10 |
| Servers in Canada | Over 480 | Over 120 | Unknown |
| Server locations in Canada | 3 Cities | 3 Cities | 4 Cities |
| VPN protocols | OpenVPN, NordLynx, IKEv2 | OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2 | OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec |
| Read Review | NordVPN Review | Surfshark Review | Private Internet Access VPN Review |
What are the Best VPNs for Canada?
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1. NordVPN - Best for Privacy
Product Specs
Multihop Yes Camouflage Mode Yes Kill switch Yes Split Tunneling Yes Netflix Yes Torrenting Yes
Why Choose NordVPN?
While we mostly use our VPN for streaming, we understand their core function is privacy. That’s where NordVPN excels. It hits all of the marks we look for when assessing a VPN’s privacy capabilities. They’re not easy to hit either, with most VPN providers’ locations or privacy policies impacting their ability to keep your internet activities hidden.
Beyond the top-notch privacy — which we’ll get into more detail on — NordVPN is extremely easy to use. The interface and layout felt the same whether we were using it on our MacBook or Android phone, meaning we only needed to learn one app to use it on any device.
NordVPN desktop app connected to a Paris, France server >> Learn More: Best VPNs for Android in 2024
Privacy
Like we were saying, NordVPN kept our online activities private. Its no-log privacy policy meant when we connected to its servers, it didn’t collect any device identifiers. For more options with no-log privacy policies, take a read through our list of the best no-log VPNs. All of its servers are RAM-based too, so even if they did collect your data, it gets wiped each time the server restarts.
FYI: Some no-log privacy policies still allow their servers to collect device identifiers. But that data needs to be deleted promptly for us to consider it a no-logs policy. For example, Surfshark deletes your data within 15 minutes of you disconnecting from its servers. So, we still consider it one of the best no-log VPNs.
With headquarters in Panama, it’s located outside of any major data-sharing alliances, like the 14 Eyes, that could compel a company to hand over its customer data. Finally, it has obfuscated servers, which hide the fact that you’re even using a VPN. We used those obfuscated servers to get around Hulu’s VPN blocker.
Pricing
We’ve been singing NordVPN’s praises, but that comes with a cost. The costs for one-year and two-year plans are on the high side, and every plan limits you to ten simultaneous connections. We think NordVPN’s prices and device limit are worth it. Here’s an overview of NordVPN’s three subscription tiers:
Features Basic Plus Ultimate Devices supported 10 simultaneous connections 10 simultaneous connections 10 simultaneous connections NordVPN Yes Yes Yes Malware detection No Yes Yes Browsing protection No Yes Yes Password manager No Yes Yes Data breach scanner No Yes Yes 1 TB cloud storage No No Yes Identity theft coverage None None $1 million in coverage Cyber extortion protection None None $100,000 in coverage One-month price $12.99 $13.99 $15.99 One-year price $59.88 ($4.99 per month) $71.88 ($5.99 per month) $95.88 ($7.99 per month) Two-year price $81.36 ($3.39 per month) $105.36 ($4.39 per month) $153.36 ($6.39 per month) Streaming Capabilities
Many of the features that make NordVPN good for privacy also make it good for streaming. For instance, those obfuscated servers that prevent government surveillance agencies from identifying that you’re using a VPN also help you avoid detection from the VPN blockers that streaming sites use.
Did You Know: Streaming sites try to block VPN logins to stop customers from accessing content they haven’t licensed in your country.
Beyond getting around VPN blockers, NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol helps it keep your download speeds up. All VPNs slow down your internet speeds since they add a stop between your device and the server with the content you want to access. NordLynx keeps that stop short so you can stream without buffering.
Using Prime Video while connected to NordVPN Servers in Canada
Most VPNs don’t publish the number of servers they have in different countries. We think that’s because they want to keep it secret. It’s a lot cheaper to maintain and keep servers in some countries than others. And if you’ve been keeping up with Canada’s real estate market, you know that space for servers doesn’t come cheap in the Great White North.
Well, NordVPN is one of the few that publishes the number of servers they have in each country. There’s over 480 in Canada. That’s over 7 percent of their total server infrastructure. When you consider that they have servers in 111 countries, it’s a good portion of their total servers. Those 480 servers are spread throughout Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, so there will be a server nearby wherever you are in Canada.
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2. Surfshark - Best for Streaming
Product Specs
Multi-hop Yes Camouflage Mode Yes Kill switch Yes Split Tunneling Yes Netflix Yes Torrenting Yes
Why Choose Surfshark?
We always go with VPNs that can get through the VPN blockers that streaming sites use. And Surfshark can do that — but so can most of the VPNs we test. What makes Surfshark special is how easy they make it.
Normally, VPNs hide useful features like obfuscated servers behind technical words that most people don’t understand. That makes them hard to use for the average user. Surfshark renames these features so you can tell what each feature does. Instead of obfuscated servers, Surfshark calls it camouflage mode. It does exactly as the name implies — it camouflages your use of a VPN, making it easier to get around blockers.
Surfshark connected to New York Privacy
Surfshark offers most of the same privacy features as NordVPN. There’s obfuscated servers, RAM-based servers, and a no-logs data policy. But NordVPN protected our privacy better. That’s not the only factor to consider when comparing VPNs, though. Take a look at our Surfshark vs. NordVPN comparison for a complete breakdown.
FYI: RAM-based VPN servers are a new development that increase the amount of privacy VPNs can provide. By running off RAM instead of a hard drive, every time the server restarts, all of the data it has gets deleted. That even includes the operating system, so these servers get a fresh operating system installed on each reboot.
Surfshark’s no-logs policy states that they collect our IP address when we connect to their servers. It gets deleted within 15 minutes of us disconnecting from the server, and that’s been verified by third-party audits. So it’s not a big deal, but we prefer servers that never collect our IP address.
The headquarters of Surfshark are located in the Netherlands, which is part of the Nine Eyes Alliance. This surveillance alliance gives governments the power to mandate that companies share their customer data. There shouldn’t be any data for Surfshark to turn over because of its no-logs policy, though.
Pricing
Overall, we like Surfshark’s pricing. When we buy a VPN, our team tends to sign up for at least a year. And as long as you don’t sign up for one of Surfshark’s month-to-month plans, their pricing competes with the most affordable VPNs. Our favorite is the Surfshark One plan, since it only costs 50 cents more and includes one of our favorite antivirus software.
Here’s an overview of Surfshark’s subscriptions:
Features Starter One One+ Devices supported Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Ad blocker Yes Yes Yes Credit card and ID breach alerts No Yes Yes Antivirus No Yes Yes Webcam protection No Yes Yes Data removal from people search sites and data brokers No No Yes One-month price $15.45 $15.95 $17.95 One year + three months price $44.85 ($2.99 per month) $50.85 ($3.39 per month) $76.35 ($5.09 per month) Two years + three months price $59.13 ($2.19 per month) $72.63 ($2.69 per month) $115.83 ($4.29 per month) Streaming Capabilities
Although Surfshark hasn’t made its own VPN protocol to speed up your connection, its lightweight app will keep your device running smoothly. It also supports the same protocol that NordLynx was built off of (OpenVPN), so the difference between the two is minor. We consider it the gold standard VPN protocol for its balance between privacy and speed. It’s the same one Private Internet Access uses, too.
Surfshark server menu with fastest and nearest server options Servers in Canada
With fewer overall servers than NordVPN, we expected less servers in Canada and our assumption was correct. There are 180 servers in Canada spread throughout the same three cities: Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. They’re all RAM-based servers, so we were confident in the privacy they provided.
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3. Private Internet Access VPN - Best Long-Term Affordability
Product Specs
Multihop Yes Camouflage Mode No Kill switch Yes Split Tunneling Yes Netflix Yes Torrenting Yes
Why Choose Private Internet Access?
If you know you want to lock into a VPN for the next few years, Private Internet Access provides the best value we’ve seen. The three-year plan starts at $2.03 per month. At that price, you get the biggest server infrastructure we’ve tested.
Private Internet Access on Android Privacy
As the name implies, Private Internet Access prioritizes your privacy. They have one of the strongest no-logs policies we’ve read. We were a bit surprised to see that their headquarters are in the United States, though. That puts them in the Five Eyes surveillance alliance, which, again, means governments can mandate that they share their data. But since the no-logs policy is strong and third-party audited, we’re confident they won’t have any of our data to share.
Pricing
At the one-month and one-year price, Private Internet Access is close to industry standard. Their value shines with the three-year plan. But that requires a three-year commitment. Here’s a quick overview of Private Internet Access’ plans and add-ons:
Service One month One year Three years + three months VPN $11.95 $39.95 ($3.33 per month) $79.00 ($2.03 per month) Antivirus $4.50 $24.00 ($2.00 per month) $36.00 ($1.00 per month) Dedicated IP address $5.00 $51.00 ($4.25 per month) $90.00 ($2.50 per month) If you plan to add antivirus software, we recommend Surfshark instead. It has a better antivirus software and only adds 50 cents to your monthly cost instead of at least a dollar. Read through our Surfshark vs. Private Internet Access comparison to help you decide between these two options.
Streaming Capabilities
With over 34,000 servers, you can always find one that will get you into the streaming service of your choice. But we started to get annoyed with having to try multiple servers before we could log into our Netflix account. Private Internet Access doesn’t have obfuscated servers — unlike Surfshark and NordVPN — to hide that you’re using a VPN and get around VPN blockers.
>> Read More: Private Internet Access vs. NordVPN
Testing Private Internet Access speed Servers in Canada
Private Internet Access wouldn’t tell us how many servers they have in Canada. We even emailed them and they told us that they can only confirm they have servers in Canada. They have servers in the same cities as NordVPN and Surfshark, plus more in the province of Ontario. Since there are more locations, we assume they have more servers as well.
What Can I Use a VPN for in Canada?
Even in Canada, where their cryptologic agency (think CIA) cannot direct efforts toward anyone in the country, VPNs still serve a ton of purposes, including:
- Unlocking Streaming Content — All streaming services license their content based on the country in which they show the content. That means you’re not getting access to every show Hulu has when you log into your account in Canada. You only get what they license in Canada. A VPN spoofs your IP address to make streaming services think you’re in a different country, letting you watch the content they license in that country.
- Improving Online Security — Hiding your IP address improves your online security. When you play games with people online or connect to a chat room, you can expose your IP address, which someone can use to perform a DDoS attack on your network. That means they can overwhelm your home network so that it doesn’t work anymore until you pay them a ransom.
- Strengthening Identity Protection — When you connect to a website without a VPN, you send data directly to their servers, whether that’s your login details or credit card information. Malicious actors can intercept this data and steal that information you thought you were sending to a legitimate site. VPNs put you in control of your data’s encryption, so if it gets intercepted, it can’t be used.
How to Find the Number of Servers a VPN Has in Canada
More often than not, finding the exact number of servers a VPN has in Canada isn’t possible. They don’t list a number on their website, and if you ask them, they’ll tell you that it’s information they can’t disclose. Trust us, we tried.
Some VPNs, like NordVPN and Surfshark, provide more transparency here. To find the number of servers either of these VPNs have in Canada, you’ll first need to find their server list. Just type in the name of the VPN followed by “server list,” and it should be the first link. From there, scroll through the countries until you find Canada and click on it. That will direct you to a page with the number of servers the VPN has in Canada.
Methodology: How We Chose the Best VPNs in Canada
Over the past year, we’ve tested over 40 different VPNs. During our test period, we tried each VPN server from all over the world. And Canada was one of the countries we made sure to test. So, our recommendations are based on our real experience using each VPN’s Canadian servers, specifically.
Beyond our own experience, we also did a deep dive into each VPN’s server infrastructure within Canada. Sometimes that only took some digging on the VPNs website, but other times we needed to reach out to find more information about their Canadian capabilities. Either way, we made sure to find out everything we could to make fully informed recommendations based on data and firsthand experience.
Recap
Most VPNs have servers in Canada. That means there’s steep competition, but a few clear winners came out on top after our hands-on test of over 40 VPNs.
It all depends on what you need. Our favorite overall was NordVPN. That’s because we think the main point of a VPN is to improve our internet privacy, and that’s where NordVPN excels. We like to use our VPN to stream, too, and for that, we preferred Surfshark’s ease of use. Private Internet Access’ three-year plan gave us the most bang for our buck.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best VPNs for Canada
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What’s the best VPN for Canada?
Our overall favorite VPN for Canada was NordVPN, since the privacy it provides is unbeatable. But we liked Surfshark more for streaming, and it’s hard to pass up Private Internet Access’ starting price of $2.03 per month.
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Are VPNs legal in Canada?
Yes, VPNs are legal in Canada.
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Does NordVPN work in Canada?
Yes, NordVPN is available and works in Canada. You can access all of its 6,400 servers across the globe, with 480 of those servers directly in Canada.
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Can I get a free VPN in Canada?
There are free VPNs available in Canada. We made a roundup of our favorite free VPNs to help you find one, but we recommend paying for a VPN. The limitations most free VPNs set make them difficult to use.
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Why do I need a VPN in Canada?
Digital threats are pervasive. If you want to remain anonymous online and decrease your digital footprint regardless of where you live, you need to be using a VPN when you’re online.