Top Montreal VPN Services for Secure and Fast Browsing

Looking for a Montreal VPN to boost your online security and keep your browsing info safe? You’ve come to the right place.

As experts in everything related to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), we can help you cut through the noise and save you from the hassle of manually researching which services perform well in Montreal and will fit your needs. You’ll also find some nifty tips on setting up your VPN and troubleshooting, and we’ll also address some burning questions you may have (hint: some of them are about free VPNs). 

Here goes!

Key Takeaways

• A VPN in Montreal enhances your privacy, allows access to geo-restricted content, and keeps you safe by securing connections on public Wi-Fi networks.
• Using a Montreal VPN is legal in Canada, but users must adhere to local laws and avoid engaging in illegal online activities.
• Based on our test results, the best VPN for Vancouver is NordVPN, and it comes with a 74% off coupon here.

For a more general Canada-centric report, check out our guide on the best VPNs for Canada. 

Why you need a Montreal VPN

There are plenty of benefits to browsing the web with a VPN, much so that it’s an indispensable tool for everyone who is spending a significant amount of time online. This is especially true when you consider the fact local authorities are doubling down on the surveillance of citizens and the increasing prevalence of cyber threats.

Here are the three key benefits of using a Montreal VPN:

Better online privacy

A VPN hides your true IP address and encrypts your internet traffic, thus setting a foundation for strong online privacy. You can learn more about how this works in our ‘Everything you need to know about a VPN’ guide, but for the time being, let’s just say that this encryption makes it nearly impossible for third parties to monitor what you do online.

Best premium VPN providers also adhere to a no-logs VPN policy, adding another link to the overall security chain by ensuring they’re not keeping any logs about your internet activities. In other words, even if the VPN server is physically seized, there is no chance of your information being stolen. 

Bypassing geo-restrictions

There’s no feeling in the world like finding out a film you want to watch on a streaming service is blocked in your region. The simplest workaround is a VPN as it allows you to connect to servers in countries where certain content is available. 

For example, with a VPN, you can stream content from US Netflix, which may not be available in Montreal. 

Fortunately, all the VPNs we’ll discuss today can consistently go past these geo-restrictions, opening you to a treasure trove of content you once thought inaccessible. 

Securing public Wi-Fi connections

Public networks are generally unsafe, which is why most cybercriminals target them. By using a VPN when connecting to these networks, you can prevent hackers from accessing sensitive information. 

In fact, VPNs are very effective in protecting against data sniffing and man-in-the-middle attacks, making them essential if you want to access the internet through public Wi-Fi.

How to choose the best Montreal VPN

There are several factors involved in choosing a quality VPN. 

A good starting point is looking at the security features. Top providers implement 256-bit AES encryptions to secure user data, so you should always check what type of encryption is available. Similarly, to eliminate the possibility of your data leaking if the connection drops, you should choose a service that offers a kill switch feature. 

A no-logs policy is very important if you wish to maintain a high standard of online privacy.

Beyond the basics, best VPNs also offer additional security tools such as malware protection and ad blocking, which are a huge plus. Check out our article on VPNs with ad blocking if you want to learn more. 

Speed and performance are also critical factors when picking out a VPN provider. Those that offer higher bandwidths will come in useful if you want to enjoy a smooth experience when streaming or doing bandwidth-intensive activities such as gaming with a VPN. 

Lastly, a VPN should be user-friendly with an intuitive design across various apps that allow you to navigate advanced settings and connect to VPN servers easily. 

Top 3 Montreal VPN services

We conducted extensive testing and our results are clear: only three services fit the bill perfectly in terms of security and reliable connections in Montreal. Here’s the score:

NordVPN – The most comprehensive Montreal VPN

NordVPN is one of the most popular VPNs in the world for a good reason. It provides top performance combined with bulletproof security measures wrapped up in an intuitive and affordable package. In addition to adhering to a verifiable no-logs policy, NordVPN is based in Panama, a country with favorable privacy laws. 

The server network is extensive, counting over 6300 servers across 111 countries, with 480 being based in Canada alone. All of these run in RAM-disk mode, making sure all your browsing data is automatically wiped as soon as you disconnect from the server. 

NordVPN features

As the most comprehensive VPN solution on the market, there are a lot of things to unpack with NordVPN. Here’s a short list of available features:

• Obfuscation: Specialized servers that hide VPN usage, thus helping overcome advanced censorship and blocking systems – making it a perfect VPN for UAE or China. 
• Double VPN: Routes your traffic through two VPN servers for extra protection. 
• Threat Protection: Ad blocker that only eliminates malware and trackers. 
• Onion-Over-VPN: Routes VPN traffic through the Tor network, making NordVPN a suitable VPN for the dark web. 

(opens in a new tab)”>See all NordVPN features here >

Top-notch security aside, NordVPN is the best VPN for streaming due to its ability to unblock most streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. Better yet, it performs identically on all devices and operating systems, including Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, iOS, and gaming systems. 

NordVPN speed test results

Powered by NordLynx protocol, NordVPN is the fastest Montreal VPN. This speed test was conducted on a 1000 Mbps connection in our Pacific Northwest testing lab: 

A 641 download speed is excellent. You may even get a faster speed if you’re located closer to Montreal, as geographical proximity has a major impact on connection quality. The results are super consistent on other Canada-based servers, as you can see in a detailed NordVPN for Canada review.

Feel free to try it out yourself. NordVPN comes with a cool 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning it’s quite close to being the best free trial VPN. If you run into any issues, make sure to contact the 24/7 live chat support, which is nothing short of outstanding. 

Get the full scoop with a dedicated NordVPN review. 

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Surfshark – The most affordable Montreal VPN

Don’t want to spend too much money but require solid connections and all the necessities? Look no further than Surfshark. It’s by far the cheapest, yet full-featured VPN on the market that offers an extensive 3,200+ server network and a wide range of security features. 

What’s more, Surfshark practices a strict no-logs policy, which pretty much means it fits the criteria for being one of the best Montreal VPN services. 

Surfshark features

What’s in the box? Here are our favorite Surfshark features:

• Camouflage mode (obfuscation): Hides VPN usage to overcome VPN blockers. 
• MultiHop (Double VPN): Internet traffic is routed through two different VPN servers.
• Bypasser (split tunneling): Select apps and websites that are excluded from the VPN. Learn more about this feature in the article about VPNs with split tunneling. 
• CleanWeb: Ad blocker that also eliminates malware and trackers.

See all Surfshark VPN features here >

Surfshark is available for all major operating systems and devices. Plus, you’ll love its unique ability to support an unlimited number of devices on a single subscription (most other providers offer around 5). 

Surfshark speed test results

While not as fast as NordVPN, Surfshark is more than capable of delivering fast connections. This is the download speed we got connected to a Montreal server:

577 Mbps is not shabby at all. It’s impressive when you take into account that our Pacific Northwest testing lab is over 2000 miles away from the Montreal server. Generally speaking, Surfshark is only around 30 Mbps slower than NordVPN in other Canadian Surfshark locations, meaning its position at number two isn’t only influenced by its affordable pricing. 

The provider represents a no-risk choice due to its 30-day money-back guarantee, and if you go through any problems, the 24/7 live chat support is always a few clicks away. 

Sift through a comprehensive Surfshark review for a more detailed overview.

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ExpressVPN – Reputable Montreal VPN

ExpressVPN is not the fastest nor the cheapest solution on this list. On the contrary – it’s the slowest and most expensive. So why is it here? 

Two reasons – reliability and a spotless track record. 

As one of the oldest VPN providers out there, ExpressVPN is routinely praised for its no-logs policy and no privacy scandals whatsoever. Add to that military-grade security functionalities, easy-to-use apps, and reliable connections, and its reputation as one of the best is more than deserved.

ExpressVPN features

The service comes packed with all the necessary features, some of which include:

• Obfuscation: Passes VPN traffic as regular HTTP traffic to bypass VPN blocks. 
• Network Lock (kill switch): Stops your IP address from leaking if the VPN connection drops.
• Split tunneling: Choose which apps or websites use your regular internet connection.
• Threat Manager: Ad blocker with anti-malware capabilities. 

See all ExpressVPN security features here >

ExpressVPN is available on all devices and major operating systems, and it’s also one of the best VPNs with router support. All of the apps look pretty much identical, owing to the rectangular UI design that’s consistent across different devices – kudos!

ExpressVPN speed test results

Although slower than its competitors, ExpressVPN is capable of delivering reliable speeds. Here’s what you can expect:

On a Montreal server, ExpressVPN outpaces Surfshark with ease. However, as our ExpressVPN for Canada guide shows, this provider is much slower than Surfshark on average. Nevertheless, its results are pretty solid. 

Not sure if ExpressVPN is fast enough for you?

Don’t fret it. Check if it meets your needs by leveraging the 30-day money-back guarantee. Like other providers, ExpressVPN has incredible round-the-clock live chat support that can get you out of any pickle you may find yourself in. 

Our ExpressVPN review offers additional details bound to help you on your purchase journey.

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Setting up your Montreal VPN

Despite seeming complex, VPNs are super easy to set up. Here’s how to get started.

Download and install the app

Select a VPN app and subscribe to the service on the provider’s website. After making the payment, you can download the app. Follow the installation prompts on the screen to complete the setup.

On mobile devices, it’s even more straightforward – simply download the app from the app store for your operating system and you’re done. 

Connect to a Montreal server

Upon installation, run the app and type ‘Montreal’ in the search box. Then, double-click on the server and that’s how you use a VPN. As soon as the connection is established, your internet traffic will be encrypted and you’ll get a brand new IP address.

Troubleshooting connection issues

If you’re unable to connect to a server, you should try restarting the application or your router. In most cases, this is enough to resolve most connectivity issues. Also, it doesn’t hurt to check if you’re running the latest version of the app.

Free vs paid VPNs for Montreal

What about free VPNs?

While the prospect of getting a VPN for nada seems appealing, you have to remember one thing: freebie software often comes with plenty of limitations that sour the overall experience. Free VPNs may help you save a few bucks a month, but you’ll also have to contend with data caps, poor connection speeds, and a lack of security features. 

For example, you may only be able to use 500MB of data per month, which you can burn in just a few hours.

The worst thing about free VPNs is that they compromise your online security. Not only do they make a living by selling your data, they may even expose your device to annoying ads or malware. 

On the other hand, premium VPNs have no data limitations and keep your information private. Ultimately, if your goal is to protect your online privacy, using a free VPN defeats the purpose. 

Is using a VPN in Montreal legal?

No worries – VPN usage in Canada is perfectly legal. Yet, it’s important to adhere to local laws and regulations when using the software. For instance, engaging in illegal activities like hacking or copyright infringement is still punishable by law. 

What about bypassing geo-blocks on streaming platforms, you ask?

Legal too! However, it does go against the Terms of Service on all streaming platforms and may lead to your account being banned if you’re found out. 

Summary – Enhance your online privacy with a Montreal VPN

Unfortunately, using a VPN is becoming necessary to keep what you do online to yourself. Apart from improving your privacy, a VPN also provides you the unique ability to access restricted content – a massive improvement in the overall browsing experience, if you ask us. 

All the VPNs mentioned today will serve you well in Montreal. The choice will ultimately depend on your needs. NordVPN is the fastest and most well-rounded solution, Surfshark is the best if you’re looking to cut costs, and ExpressVPN is for those who also want a proven provider with years under their belts.

Either way, you’re getting peace of mind – which is priceless.

Other Canada VPN guides:

• Best VPN for Canada
• NordVPN for Canada
• Surfshark for Canada
• ExpressVPN for Canada
• Proton VPN for Canada
• Cheapest VPNs for Canada
• How to get a Canadian IP Address
• Best VPNs for Toronto
• Best VPNs for Vancouver

Frequently Asked Questions

Is using a VPN legal in Montreal?

Yes, using a VPN in Montreal is legal. Engaging in illegal activity while using it is still punishable by law, though.

Are free VPNs safe to use?

Not really. Free VPNs often compromise your privacy by logging and selling your data while providing limited security features. It's simply better to opt for a reputable paid VPN for better protection.

What are the benefits of using a VPN?

Using a VPN helps you enhance your online security and privacy and overcome any online geo-restrictions.

How do I choose the best VPN for Montreal?

To pick the best VPN for Montreal, focus on security features such as a kill switch and 256-bit AES encryption, as well as download speed. These factors will deliver a secure and smooth online experience.

This guide on the best VPNs for Montreal was last updated on September 6, 2024.