Best VPN for Canada in 2024: Speed, Security, & Savings

Looking for the best VPNs for Canada? You are not alone. Between the continuing loss of online privacy in the country, and the government's growing efforts to crack down on dissent, finding the best VPN for Canada is becoming a necessity.

This guide ranks the top options for 2024, focusing on speed, security, and value for Canadian users. NordVPN stands out as an affordable yet effective option, known for its strong security features, audited no-logs policy, high speeds, and its ability to access popular streaming platforms.

Key Takeaways

• Canadians benefit from VPNs to protect their privacy from government surveillance, bypass geo-restrictions for global content, and prevent ISP throttling that affects internet speeds.

• Key features to look for in a VPN include strong encryption, an audited no-logging policy, and an enormous network of servers to ensure fast and secure connections.

• For most people in Canada, NordVPN is the best option. You can get a subscription right now with a 74% off coupon here.

Top 3 VPNs for Canada in 2024

When it comes to choosing a VPN service in Canada, NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN stand out as the best options for 2024. Each of these VPNs offers distinct advantages, whether it’s NordVPN’s unparalleled performance and security, Surfshark’s budget-friendly plans with no limits on the number of simultaneous connections, or ExpressVPN’s user-friendly interface and streaming capabilities.

These top three VPNs cater to a variety of needs, ensuring that everyone from privacy enthusiasts to streaming aficionados can find their ideal VPN solution.

Why Canadians Need a VPN

Canadians are increasingly turning to VPNs to gain multiple benefits. These include:

• Providing security and privacy
• Accessing geo-restricted content
• Avoiding ISP throttling

Let's look at each of these in some detail.

Providing security and privacy is the #1 function of any VPN. Because Canada is a member of the Five Eyes Alliance, your online privacy is threatened by a number of government surveillance and data sharing agreements. And as we saw during the Freedom Convoy crackdowns, this government is willing to use extreme measures against people who disagree with its policies. Thanks to Bill

A quality VPN with strong encryption and an audited no-logs policy can provide the security necessary to protect your privacy against government surveillance. Additionally, features like DNS leak protection and a kill switch can further enhance your online security by preventing data leaks and ensuring your connection is always secure.

Accessing geo-restricted content is a popular use for a VPN. Many commercial services try to control access to their shows and other content by restricting access based on your geographic location. For example, in 2023, many Canadians lost access to various types of news content on Meta after the passage of Bill C-18, the Online News Act.

Then there is the Bill C-63, the Online Harms Act, which if passed would give the Canadian government all sorts of new powers to monitor and control social media content that Canadians would be allowed to see. A VPN allows a Canadian to bypass all of this by making it appear that they are located in some freer location than Canada.

ISP throttling is a common concern in Canada, where Internet Service Providers may limit connection speeds based on user activity, especially during peak times. This can significantly impact your online experience, slowing down your internet connection when you’re streaming, gaming, or downloading large files. Using a VPN can help prevent this by encrypting your internet traffic, which prevents your ISP from identifying and throttling specific types of traffic, such as streaming or torrenting.

Key Features to Look for in a VPN for Canada

As we've just seen, there are several key features to consider when choosing a VPN for Canada. Strong security and privacy features are essential for protecting your online data and privacy. Additionally, a strict, audited no-logs policy is crucial for maintaining your privacy by ensuring that your online activities are not recorded or stored.

Beyond that, the ability to unblock geo-restricted content is useful. So is a large network of VPN servers both inside and outside of Canada. Let’s dive deeper into these features to understand why they are important.

Strong Encryption and Security Features

Strong encryption is the cornerstone of any reliable VPN. All three top VPNs—NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN—utilize AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption, which are the leading encryption algorithms for VPNs today. This level of encryption safeguards your online activities from hackers and malicious entities. In addition to strong encryption, features like a kill switch and DNS leak protection are essential for maintaining your online security.

No-Logs Policy

A strict and audited no-logs policy is essential for maintaining user privacy, ensuring that no data about your online activities is stored or shared. NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN all enforce strict no-logs policies, which have been independently audited to verify their claims. This means you can browse the internet with confidence, knowing that your data remains private and secure.

Ability to unblock geo-restricted content

Given the circumstances in Canada, the ability to unblock geo-restricted content, you may need the ability to unblock geo-restricted content even to get local news content. Unfortunately, only certain VPNs have the ability to consistently defeat geo-blocking systems that are aimed at people in Canada. Each of the VPN services we recommend has this ability, which relies on a combination of engineering prowess, willingness to invest in the ability, and an extensive server network.

Extensive Server Network

An extensive server network is vital for ensuring fast and reliable VPN connections. It is also important for defeating geo-blocking, as those who wish to control what you can view are constantly trying to block the servers of VPNs that can defeat them. In addition, VPNs for Canada should have Canadian servers that can better serve local users by providing optimized performance.

Each of the VPN services we recommend has over 100 servers within Canada, and over 3,000 servers in 100 or more countries around the world. Now let's take a detailed look at each of those VPN.

NordVPN: The best VPN for Canada

NordVPN consistently ranks as the best overall VPN for Canada in 2024, and for good reason. It is a secure and private service that has an audited no-logs policy, built-in kill switches, and a private DNS with leak protection. NordVPN does a great job of unblocking geo-blocked content (it is one of the best VPNs for Netflix).

NordVPN speed and performance

NordVPN is renowned for its impressive speed and performance. In speed tests across Canada, NordVPN consistently delivered download speeds over 600 Mbps, making it one of the fastest VPNs available.

Here are our speed test results:

• Montreal: 641 Mbps
• Toronto: 626 Mbps
• Vancouver: 639 Mbps

Results like these ensure that you can enjoy high-speed internet for streaming, gaming, and other online activities without any lag.

One key to this performance is the NordLynx protocol. NordLynx combines the WireGuard VPN protocol (very fast, very secure) with a Double NAT system (very private) to give you excellent performance for streaming and other bandwidth-intensive tasks while also delivering extreme security and privacy. Whether you’re accessing Canadian streaming services or browsing the web, NordVPN’s speed and performance make it a reliable choice for all your online needs.

Note: Thanks to NordLynx, NordVPN ranks as one of the best VPNs with WireGuard support, as well as one of the fastest VPNs on the market.

NordVPN servers

Another major source of NordVPN's performance is its VPN servers. With over 6,300 servers in 111 countries, and over 480 servers spread across three locations in Canada, NordVPN has the most extensive server network of any service profiled here. Every NordVPN server is now RAM-only (diskless) which makes them fast, secure, and resistant to attack. With no diesk drives in the servers, there is nowhere for hackers to install their nasty software, and nowhere for any private user information to be found.

Such a large network of powerful VPN servers offers several advantages. One is choice. With so many server locations to choose from, you can always find a fast and reliable connection. If you have a problem when using one server you can easily switch to one of the thousands of others.

When it comes to unblocking geo-blocked content, a large network is also important. Streaming services often try to find and block VPN servers that are used to get around their geo-blocking efforts. When a VPN has large numbers of servers in an area, it is harder to detect which servers are being used in this manner, and there are more servers to choose from if one does get blocked.

Another benefit of a large server network is the ability to dedicated some of those servers to specialized uses. NordVPN provides a variety of specialized server types, including:

• Double VPN servers that encrypt your traffic by passing it through a series of two VPN servers located in two different countries. This makes it much more difficult for even powerful foes to track your online activities. Using Double VPN servers does cost you a bit of speed.

• Onion over VPN servers combine the security and privacy of NordVPN with the anonymity of the Tor network. But be aware that the slow speed of the Tor network causes this kind of connection to be very slow.
• P2P servers are optimized for torrenting and other P2P (Peer-to-Peer) file transfers. Very fast and very secure, they put NordVPN on the list of the best VPNs for torrenting.
• Dedicated IP servers give you a static IP address (one that you get every time you connect to the server). These servers provide a static IP address that is dedicated to your sole use.
• Obfuscated servers disguise your VPN traffic to look like HTTPS (HTTP Secure) traffic. Almost all websites and browsers use HTTPS today, which means your VPN traffic becomes indistiguishable from the immense amount of standard internet traffic. Obfuscation helpd NordVPN work in China, Russia, and other heavily censored parts of the world.
• Split tunneling, which allows you to choose which apps are protected by the VPN and which you will allow to access the internet directly.
• Private DNS that is protected by the VPN so that not even your Internet Service Provider (ISP) knows what websites you are visiting.
• Threat Protection is an advanced security system that blocks ads and trackers as well as other malware. Threat Protection Pro (available for Windows and macOS) offers additional capabilities and can even protect internet traffic that does not pass through the VPN tunnel.

See all NordVPN features here >

Streaming and torrenting with NordVPN

With streaming and torrenting being such popular uses of a VPN, we think any respectable VPN for Canada needs these capabilities. Happily, NordVPN is one of the best in both roles.

Streaming Canadian TV and movies is easy with NordVPN. That's not a surprise since we have long considered NordVPN to be one of the best VPNs for streaming. It easily unblocks the Canadian Netflix library and other local content. NordVPN is also a great VPN for Disney Plus and several other service. They even offer one of the best Firestick VPN and Apple TV apps available.

Perhaps more importantly, NordVPN can unblock content that is otherwise unavailable in Canada by making services think that you are located somewhere else.

NordVPN excels at the two most important characteristics of a torrenting VPN: it uploads and downloads torrents quickly, and it won't leak your IP address. Take advantage of its P2P servers for the best torrenting experience.

See all NordVPN features here >> <Alex, please insert the appropriate affiliate link here>

Pricing and Plans

NordVPN offers competitive pricing, especially for long-term users. The two-year subscriptions have the lowest per-month cost, and are inexpensive enough to qualify NordVPN for our list of the Best Cheap VPNs. This makes NordVPN a budget-friendly choice for those wanting a premium VPN service. You will also be glad to know that NordVPN plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 live chat support.

With its combination of high performance, robust security features, and competitive pricing, NordVPN is a top choice for anyone looking for a reliable VPN service.

+ NordVPN Pros

• Based in Panama, a leading pro-privacy jurisdiction
• Audited no-logs VPN with excellent privacy policies
• Support for most operating systems and devices
• Reliable and user-friendly VPN apps with DNS leak protection and kill switch
• Advanced security features like Threat Protection, split tunneling, and multi-factor authentication
• Huge network of fast, 100% RAM-only (diskless) servers with WireGuard support and private DNS
• Specialized servers including Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, Obfuscated, and P2P servers
• Colocated and 10Gbps servers being strategically deployed throughout the network
• Impressive support for streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and most others
• Responsive 24/7 live chat support

– NordVPN Cons

• Cheapest rates only come with a long-term subscription

You can learn more about this great VPN for users in Canada in this complete NordVPN review.

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Surfshark: Great budget VPN that includes unlimited simultaneous connections

Surfshark is a fantastic option for budget-conscious users in Canada. It offers affordable pricing plans and a range of features that provide excellent value for money. Given that it allows you to use an unlimited number of simultaneous connections, Surfshark is ideal for families or individuals with multiple devices.

Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections to its network of over 3,000 servers in 100 cities worldwide. This tally includes over 120 servers in three Canadian cities, making it a versatile option for Canadians with multiple devices. The service has an audited no-logs policy and is based in the Netherlands, one of the better privacy jurisdictions, so your online activities will remain private.

Surfshark speed and performance

Like NordVPN, Surfshark uses the WireGuard VPN protocol and a Double NAT system to achieve a high level of speed, security, and privacy all at the same time. It passes all our leak tests with flying colors and turns in speeds very comparable to NordVPN, as you an see in our NordVPN vs Surfshark comparison.

Surfshark’s speed tests in Canada showed impressive results, with download speeds reaching 633 Mbps. This level of performance ensures that users can enjoy smooth streaming, gaming, and browsing experiences without interruptions.

Should you encounter circumstances where you cannot use the WireGuard protocol, Surfshark also supports OpenVPN with an AES-256 cipher, which provides similar security although slower performance.

Surfshark servers

While the Surfshark server network is not nearly as large as that of NordVPN, Surfshark does still provide several specialized server types. These include:

• MultiHop servers that function like NordVPN's Double VPN servers.
• Dynamic MultiHop servers that let you select the two server locations that your traffic passed through.

• Camouflage mode, which is equal to NordVPN's obfuscated servers and activates automatically when you select the Open VPN protocol.
• Static IP servers provide a fixed IP address that you share with other users.
• Dedicated IP servers provide a fixed IP address that you do not share with other users.
• Private DNS servers that protect you from nosy ISPs.
• CleanWeb & CleanWeb 2.0 that block ads, trackers, and malicious domains.
• Bypasser feature like NordVPN's split tunneling.
• Surfshark Antivirus is a premium feature that is ideal for systems that do not yet have antivirus protection.

See all Surfshark VPN features here >

Streaming and torrenting with Surfshark

Surfshark easily handles streaming and torrenting tasks. It can unblock the major Netflix regional libraries without issues and also works great for alternatives such as Kodi streaming and more.

Surfshark joins NordVPN on our list of the best VPNs for torrenting. We've already seen that Surfshark is very fast, very secure, and keeps no logs. You can torrent using any Surfshark server and get excellent performance.

Pricing and plans

Surfshark is the most cost-effective option among the top three VPNs, with a 24-month plan that will cost you just over $2.00 per month. And don't forget: that price is for an unlimited number of simultaneous connections. These factors make Surfshark an excellent choice for budget-conscious users seeking a reliable VPN service without compromising on features.

In addition to its affordable pricing, Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, in effect giving you a risk-free trial period. They also provide 24/7 live chat support. You will always have access to any help you might need, during the trial period or at any time afterwards.

+ Surfshark Pros

• Audited no-logs VPN with strong privacy policies
• Support for most operating systems and devices
• Security-audited, user-friendly apps with kill switch and DNS leak protection
• Advanced security features like CleanWeb, Whitelister, and multi-factor authentication
• Large network of fast 100% RAM-only servers with private DNS and WireGuard support
• Specialized servers including MultiHop, Camouflage mode, Dedicated IP, and P2P servers
• Colocated and 10 Gbps servers being deployed
• Unblocks Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and other popular streaming services
• Unlimited number of simultaneous connections
• Fast and helpful 24/7 live chat support

– Surfshark Cons

• Limited VPN router support
• Big discount only with the two-year plan

Learn more about this high value VPN service in our Surfshark VPN review.

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ExpressVPN: User-friendly VPN with strong streaming capabilities

ExpressVPN is renowned for its user-friendly interface and exceptional streaming capabilities, making it a top choice for users who prioritize ease of use and access to geo-restricted content. With support for a wide range of platforms and a strong focus on security, ExpressVPN offers a comprehensive VPN solution.

The interface of ExpressVPN is designed to be intuitive, allowing users to navigate and connect without technical expertise. The minimalist and straightforward design ensures that both new and experienced users can quickly set up and use the VPN across multiple devices.

ExpressVPN’s application requires no complicated configurations, making it accessible for all users. Whether you’re using it on Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, or even SmartTV, ExpressVPN provides a seamless and user-friendly experience with vpn apps, ensuring you can connect with minimal effort.

ExpressVPN speed and performance

Unlike the other VPN services covered here, ExpressVPN does not use the WireGuard protocol. Instead, ExpressVPN uses its own custom Lightway protocol. We have run numerous speed tests comparing NordVPN and Surfshark vs ExpressVPN. While Lightway definitely boosts ExpressVPN's speed, head-to-head tests like those in our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparisons always showed ExpressVPN to be much slower than the other two.

Not so in our Canadian speed testing.

In these tests, ExpressVPN was much more competitive. Check out this table:

Location	NordVPN	Surfshark	ExpressVPN
Toronto	626 Mbps	594 Mbps	456 Mbps
Montreal	641 Mbps	577 Mbps	604 Mbps
Vancouver	639 Mbps	633 Mbps	X

While NordVPN and Surfshark were much faster than ExpressVPN when connected to servers in Toronto, ExpressVPN was competitive when connected to servers in Montreal. It was actually faster than Surfshark in this case. These results show that all three VPNs are very fast.

They also show why the 30-day money back guarantees each of these VPNs offer are so important. While each of the VPNs delivers good performance, for some reason, we were unable to establish a connection to ExpressVPN servers in Vancouver from our lab. This is true even though staff in other locations were able to connect to ExpressVPN servers in Vancouver with no trouble. You should take advantage of those 30-day guarantees to confirm that the VPN you are interested in works under your specific circumstances before committing to a long-term contract.

ExpressVPN security and privacy

ExpressVPN places a strong emphasis on security and privacy, operating under a strict no-logs policy that ensures no user activity or connection data is stored. Depending on the VPN protocol you select, your VPN traffic is protected by military-grade AES-256-CBC encryption, or P521 and Kyber post-quantum encryption. In either case, you can rest assured that your data is safely encrypted.

The Network Lock feature acts as a kill switch, halting internet traffic if the VPN connection drops, ensuring data safety. Additionally, ExpressVPN’s private DNS and Threat Manager features prevent data leaks and block apps and websites from reaching out to trackers and malicious entities.

ExpressVPN’s robust security measures make it a reliable choice for users prioritizing online security and privacy.

Streaming and torrenting with ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN excels in streaming performance, making it an ideal choice for users looking to access geo-restricted content from popular streaming services such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer.

Users frequently report that ExpressVPN allows them to enjoy seamless access to a variety of streaming platforms without buffering or restrictions. This means you can watch your favorite shows and movies from anywhere in the world.

Overall, ExpressVPN offers a reliable solution for streamers looking to bypass regional blocks and enjoy content from anywhere. Its fast and stable connections ensure that you can stream high-quality content without interruptions, making it a top choice for entertainment enthusiasts.

Pricing and plans

ExpressVPN is a premium quality VPN that comes with a premium price tag. Even with our discount coupon, it will cost you more than $6.00 per month for the longest term subscription. Still, if ease of use, reliability, and dependable streaming are your priorities, ExpressVPN is worth consideration.

+ ExpressVPN Pros

• Strong security and privacy
• Secure apps for virtually any operating system or device
• Lightway VPN protocol added for better performance
• Large, secure server network
• Good streaming and torrenting performance
• Dedicated VPN router app
• Excellent support and refund policy

– ExpressVPN Cons

• Relatively high price
• Limited feature set

You can get more information about this VPN provider in this complete ExpressVPN review.

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Comparing VPN Services

Comparing NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN involves several factors, such as speed, security, and pricing. Each of these VPNs offers unique features that cater to different user needs, making them top choices for various reasons. Proton VPN is another reliable option for Canadian users, known for its strong security features and no-logs policy.

Let’s take a closer look at how they stack up against each other.

Speed and Performance

In terms of speed and performance, the following VPNs deliver impressive results:

• NordVPN consistently achieved high download speeds in Canada, outperforming both Surfshark and ExpressVPN in local speed tests.

• Surfshark runs a close second to NordVPN in most speed tests, making it one of the fastest VPNs available to Canadian users.

• ExpressVPN’s speed test results wer mixed, lagging well behind NordVPN and Surfshark in some cases, but competitive in others.

Using the NordLynx protocol, NordVPN achieves speeds that can max out internet connections, offering excellent performance for streaming and other bandwidth-intensive tasks. Overall, all three VPNs offer reliable and fast connections, ensuring a smooth online experience for users.

Security Features

All three VPNs—NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN—emphasize strong security features, including strong encryption, relaible VPN protocols, additional security features, and strict no-logs policies. Independent audits have verified their no-logs policies, ensuring that user data is not stored or shared. This level of transparency and commitment to privacy is crucial for maintaining user trust.

Whether you choose NordVPN, Surfshark, or ExpressVPN, you can rest assured that your online security is in good hands.

Pricing and Plans

When it comes to pricing, Surfshark offers the most affordable long-term plan at just over $2.00 per month, making it the best option for budget-conscious users. NordVPN provides competitive pricing with the price of a two-year subscription at $3.00 per month, offering excellent value for money. ExpressVPN, on the other hand, reflects its premium service offering with higher pricing, ensuring ease of use and strong unblocking capabilities for streaming.

Each of these VPNs offers different subscription plans and pricing structures, catering to various user budgets and needs. Whether you prioritize affordability, performance, or ease of use, there is a VPN option that fits your requirements.

Tips for Choosing the Right VPN for You

Choosing the right VPN can be a daunting task, but by assessing your needs and taking advantage of trial periods and guarantees, you can find the perfect fit. User-friendliness, security features, and pricing are all important factors to consider.

Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision.

Assess Your Needs

Before selecting a VPN, it’s crucial to identify your primary reasons for using one. Canadians often use VPNs for enhanced privacy and security, accessing geo-restricted content, and avoiding ISP throttling. By understanding your specific needs, you can choose a VPN that offers the features and capabilities that matter most to you.

Factors like strong encryption, an extensive server network, and a no-logs policy are necessities which all three of our recommendations provide. But beyond these, your specific use cases are key. For example, if streaming is your main priority, a VPN like ExpressVPN, known for its user-friendly interface and ability to unblock streaming services, might be the best choice.

On the other hand, if you need a budget-friendly option with unlimited connections, Surfshark could be ideal.

Trial Periods and Guarantees

As we noted earlier, it is important to take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantees and the 24/7 live chat support provided by each of our recommendations. Use these trial periods to test the performance, security features, and user-friendliness of each VPN you are interested in.

Taking advantage of both free trials and money-back guarantees maximizes the opportunity to select the right VPN with confidence.

Summary

In summary, the top three VPNs for Canada in 2024—NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN—each offer unique features and benefits that cater to different user needs. You can also see a discussion of VPNs for Canada on Reddit, where many people recommend the same options.

NordVPN stands out for its exceptional speed, robust security features, and extensive server network, making it the best overall choice.

Surfshark provides excellent value for money with its affordable pricing and unlimited connections, making it ideal for budget-conscious users.

ExpressVPN excels in user-friendliness and streaming capabilities, offering seamless access to geo-restricted content.

If you've reached this point and are still unsure which service is the best for you, we recommend NordVPN. It is the fastest, most well-rounded of the three, and you can get the best available price with this coupon:

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most common questions related to choosing the best VPNs for Canada:

What is the main reason many Canadians are seeking VPNs?

Many Canadians are turning to VPNs mainly for privacy, security, and accessing streaming content. It's a smart way to protect their online activities and enjoy more entertainment options.

Why is Canada not considered a good jurisdiction for VPNs?

Canada isn't the best choice for VPNs because it's part of the Five Eyes Alliance, meaning your data could be monitored and shared with other countries. This raises privacy concerns for users.

What unique security features does NordVPN offer?

NordVPN stands out with its Threat Protection Pro feature, which blocks ads and malware while also securing your VPN traffic, even when you're not connected to a server. It's a great way to enhance your online safety!

What is Surfshark's notable feature regarding connections?

Surfshark stands out because it offers unlimited device connections, so you can protect all your gadgets at once without any hassle. It's a great way to keep everything secure!

This guide to the best VPNs for Canada was last updated on September 9, 2024.