The Best VPNs for Canada 2026

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 2026

The best Canada VPNs compared

VPN	NordVPN	Surfshark	ExpressVPN
Best for	Security	Affordable VPN	Premium VPN
Starting price	Starts at $3.09/mo	Starts at $1.78/mo	Starts at $2.79/mo
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 identifying which VPNs provided seamless access to 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 final phase of testing, we examined pricing, the number of Canadian servers, the number of connected devices, the VPN's no-logs policy, and the security features it offers. Our top three VPNs stood out in at least one of these areas and earned their spot as among the best VPN services.

NordVPN: Best for security

Who it’s best for

NordVPN is a great option for people who want to unblock Canadian streaming content while also enjoying 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 in Chrome 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 need to move around to mask your location.

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, tracker blocker, 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 (300+ servers across 3 Canadian locations). NordVPN is also our top pick if you want to stream Hockey Night in Canada. 

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 browsing window (such as Incognito mode in 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 are about $1-$2 more expensive than Surfshark's, depending on the current promotion.

NordVPN specs

Price range	$3.09–$25.29/mo
Free version	No, but it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee
Number of servers	9,300+ servers in 130+ 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 multiple devices or in a large household, as it offers an unlimited device policy. With servers in 100 countries, Surfshark may also be ideal for frequent travelers who need international security. 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 has fewer servers overall than other VPNs. Specifically looking at Canadian servers, Surfshark has over 120, while NordVPN has over 300. Having fewer servers may make it harder to find and connect to a local server, and this can significantly impact your internet speed.

Surfshark specs

Price range	$1.78–$20.85/mo
Free version	No, but it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee
Number of servers	4,500+ servers in 100 countries
Number of connected devices	Unlimited
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix Canada	Yes
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 are 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

We wish ExpressVPN were 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 the 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	$2.79–$19.99/mo
Free version	No, but it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee
Number of servers	Unlisted in 105 countries
Number of connected devices	14
VPN protocol	Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard
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, user-friendly mobile interface, so you can maintain your online privacy wherever you go. 

  Get IPVanish | 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 low 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 in the locations where you need to connect.
• Security — At a minimum, the VPN you choose for Canada should use 256-bit AES encryption and include a kill switch to ensure your data remains 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 encrypts your browsing data and keeps it hidden from anyone trying 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 traveling. 
• Bypassing throttling — Your internet service provider (ISP) may sometimes put a speed limit on your network connection. Using a VPN may allow you to bypass this throttle and get the speeds that you pay for. 

Bottom line: The best Canada VPNs

If you’re looking for additional security from your Canada VPN, then NordVPN has your back. It offers affordable pricing, top-notch security features, and access to hundreds of Canadian servers. 

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.

Best VPNs for Canada FAQs