7 Best Free VPNs for Canada in 2023 — Streaming and Privacy

Choosing a free VPN to use in Canada can leave you overwhelmed. The VPN market is flooded with services that all claim to offer great speeds, security, and reliable access to streaming platforms. Although, my time testing and working with free VPNs has proven that’s usually not the case.

Every free VPN comes with limits, usually in the form of severe speed and data restrictions or limited servers — you're lucky to even find one with Canadian servers. Even worse, many aren't safe to use and may log and sell your personal data for profit. That's not to say this is the case with every free VPN; I’ve found a few that are safe and reliable.

ExpressVPN is my #1 recommended service for Canada. It’s not entirely free, but it also offers way more than the 100% free VPNs in this list. You get fast speeds, industry-leading security, and tons of global servers (including in Canada). ExpressVPN’s 30-day money back guarantee lets you try a premium service without risk. I tested the refund process myself. It was straightforward, and I got my money back in 3 days.

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Best Free VPNs for Canada — Full Analysis (Updated 2023)

1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall Canada VPN for Speeds, Security, and Bypassing Geo-Restrictions

ExpressVPN is equipped with everything you need for use in and out of Canada. It combines fast speeds and strong security with excellent streaming abilities.

It offers the fastest speeds of any VPN I tested, which can be partially attributed to its proprietary, speed-optimized Lightway protocol. When connected to a US server, I measured speeds of 91 Mbps, which was only a 9% drop from my base connection (100 Mbps). This is impressive since it's normal for many VPNs to lose 40% on faraway servers.

Its high-speed connections make it ideal for streaming, gaming, and torrenting in Canada and abroad

Using one of ExpressVPN’s many US connections, I watched my favorite content on Netflix US, Hulu, and Disney+ in 4K. I also tested its Japanese and UK servers and each gave me instant access to its respective Netflix library. With servers in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, it’s also easy to access Canadian content from outside the country.

It offers military-grade encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch. Plus, ExpressVPN’s servers run entirely on RAM or volatile memory, which means your personal data is wiped from the server with each reboot. This is reassuring if you're concerned about your online privacy in Canada.

While it’s true that ExpressVPN isn’t free, it offers coupons and discounts with its long-term plans. It also comes with a trustworthy 30- day money-back guarantee, so you can try ExpressVPN risk-free. I used its 24/7 live chat option to test this. The support agent only asked for my reason for canceling and approved my request. I got a full refund 3 days later.

Useful Features

• Extensive device compatibility. ExpressVPN is compatible with routers and has a Smart DNS feature (MediaStreamer). This lets you unblock streaming sites on devices that don’t support VPN apps, like smart TVs and game consoles. It also has a native app for Fire devices.
• Full-featured browser Firefox and Chrome browser extensions. Most browser extensions are just proxies, but ExpressVPN’s are synched with the full VPN. This way, you can conveniently encrypt and protect the data on your entire device right from your browser window.
• Privacy friendly. ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, and outside of the 14 Eyes jurisdiction. Plus, it follows a strict no-logs policy to ensure your data is protected.
• Supports Torrenting. ExpressVPN allows P2P sharing on all its servers, so you can torrent in Canada safely and privately.
• Shortcuts. ExpressVPN lets you add shortcuts to your favorite apps and websites, so you can access them with one click. For instance, adding the Netflix US app with a preset US server will allow you to access Netflix’s US library from Canada with one click.

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2. CyberGhost — Streaming Servers to Easily Access Content in Canada, the US, and More

CyberGhost’s streaming-optimized servers allow easy access to platforms that aren’t available in Canada. I tried CyberGhost’s Netflix US, Disney+ US, and Hulu connections and gained immediate access to these platforms. Also convenient for travel — there are specialty servers for Canada-exclusive content, like Netflix Canada, DAZN Canada, and CBC.

I got stable connections when watching Seinfeld on Netflix US with CyberGhost’s streaming-optimized server

It also offers servers dedicated to gaming and torrenting that are optimized for speeds and security. When testing its US gaming servers, I recorded a ping of only 18 ms, which allowed for a lag-free gaming session. Dedicated servers in Canada are spread across 3 major cities: Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.

CyberGhost is one of the most user-friendly VPNs I’ve tested, too. All its different servers are neatly divided under separate tabs. Plus, the search bar is really convenient for finding a specific location. I also like that the security features have descriptions to help guide you.

CyberGhost has a free trial, but it's only good for 24 hours. It has a generous 45-day money-back guarantee on ong-term plans, and a 14-day guarantee for shorter terms. If you’re not satisfied, you can get a full refund. Each plan comes with 7 simultaneous device connections.

Useful Features

• Free browser extensions. CyberGhost is unique in that it lets you use its Chrome and Firefox extensions free of charge. Unlike ExpressVPN’s extensions, CyberGhost’s are just proxies, so they won’t encrypt your traffic.
• Block Content. CyberGhost’s powerful ad and malware blocker helped me avoid intrusive ads and malware while browsing.
• Dedicated IPs. For a small monthly fee, CyberGhost offers dedicated IP addresses in 5 countries, including the US and Canada.
• NoSpy servers. CyberGhost offers Romania-based servers that can only be accessed by its staff, ensuring no third parties gain access to your data.

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3. Proton VPN — Unlimited Data for Uninterrupted Streaming in Canada

Proton VPN is one of the few free VPNs that offer unlimited data, so I could stream US platforms without worrying about getting cut off mid-show. While there are no Canadian servers, its free US servers let you access popular platforms like Netflix US, Crackle, and Peacock from Canada.

Using Proton VPN’s free US server, I watched Peacock with no buffering

When testing its free US server, I measured a 27% speed drop, so I could watch Based on a True Story on Peacock lag-free. I did experience an over 45% drop with the longer-distance free Netherlands server. Luckily my baseline connection is pretty fast, so I could still stream in HD without a problem.

Proton VPN is compatible with all major platforms and even offers a full GUI for Linux, which is not very common among free VPNs. Plus, the free app works with Fire TV and Firestick devices and there’s a step-by-step guide on its site that makes installation a breeze. Although, you can only connect one device with the free version.

The main thing I didn’t like about Proton VPN’s free version is that none of the free servers support torrenting. Also, there are no free servers in Canada, so this VPN is not the best option if you need a Canadian IP or want to access local Canadian content while traveling. There are multiple servers across Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver with the free plan, though.

Useful Features

• Split tunneling. Proton VPN offers split tunneling with its free version, which will allow you to route only some of your traffic through the VPN to optimize speeds.
• Fastest location. This feature allows Proton VPN to select the optimal server for speeds, based on your location.
• Swiss-based. Proton VPN is based in Switzerland, a country known for its strong privacy laws, so you can trust your data is safe whether you’re in or outside of Canada.

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4. Avira Phantom VPN — Free Streaming Server to Easily Access US Content From Canada on Mobile

Avira Phantom VPN has a streaming-optimized US server on mobile that reliably accesses a few US-based platforms, including Netflix US and Disney+. Most free VPNs struggle to unblock any major platforms.

There's also more than 30 server locations on its free mobile apps, one of which is a Canadian server. Although it’s hit or miss for accessing Canadian content; the last time I ran this connection through a leak-detecting tool, it showed my virtual location was in Chicago, Illinois.

Avira Phantom VPN has tons of free servers with its mobile app

Plus, Phantom VPN allows you to use an unlimited number of connections with its free plan. To test its speeds, I used the VPN simultaneously on my Android phone, tablet, and Windows laptop, and my speeds never dropped more than 30% on local servers.

You can use the VPN without signing up, but in that case, you’ll only get 500 MB of traffic monthly, which is quite limiting. You can increase that to 1 GB per month if you register with an email address, though.

My main concern with Avira Phantom is that its desktop apps are pretty limited. For instance, you can only connect to your nearest server. Another downside is that the kill switch feature is not available with the free plan, which means your real IP address can be exposed if the VPN connection fails.

Useful Features

• WireGuard protocol. The mobile app comes with the WireGuard protocol, currently the fastest VPN protocol.
• Auto Connect. You can set Avira Phantom VPN to connect automatically when it detects a WiFi network.
• Works for torrenting. Avira Phantom VPN allows torrenting on all its servers, including the free ones

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5. TunnelBear — Free Access to a Global Server Network From Canada

TunnelBear gives you access to its entire server network with the free plan. This includes multiple servers in Canada, which are all located in Toronto. They can reliably access Canadian content from abroad, including Netflix Canada, and CBC. When using its US servers, I was blocked from Hulu and Amazon Prime Video, but I did manage to unblock the US Netflix library.

TunnelBear is the only free VPN I tested that gives you access to its entire server network

I also liked that TunnelBear allows torrenting on all its servers. To test its torrenting speeds, I connected to the fastest server for my location and tried downloading a 1.75 GB movie. I could download it in less than 20 minutes, which is an impressive result for a free VPN.

SplitBear is a split tunneling feature you get completely free with TunnelBear. It allows you to choose which apps you want to route through the VPN and which through your regular network. For example, you can use SplitBear to stream Netflix US and access Canadian sites at the same time.

TunnelBear’s main drawback is that its free version is limited to only 2 GB a month. This is an increase from its previous monthly data cap (500MB), but that’s still less than all other free VPNs on this list offer.

Useful Features

• Intuitive map interface. TunnelBear’s intuitive map interface lets you find and connect to your preferred server quickly and easily.
• GhostBear. it's rare for a free VPN to offer an obfuscation function, but you'll find it in TunnelBear. This makes your VPN traffic look more like regular traffic, which makes it less likely for the VPN to be detected on restrictive networks.
• WireGuard. TunnelBear gives you access to the fastest VPN protocol. Use WireGuard to stream your favorite shows on Netflix US lag-free.

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6. hide.me — Secure VPN for Safe Browsing From Canada

hide.me places a strong emphasis on security and privacy, which makes it a great option for protecting your online activity in Canada. During leak tests, the VPN successfully hid my real IP address. It also has various unique security features. One of them is StealthGuard which blocks access to your entire internet connection (or only certain apps) when the VPN is inactive.

hide.me gives you access to more security protocols than any other free Canada VPN

hide.me also offers a live chat support option with its free plan, which is pretty rare among free VPNs. The live chat is available 24/7, so you can always get assistance if you have a question or an issue to resolve. Every time I used the live chat, I got prompt and informative responses.

All hide.me servers are also P2P friendly, so you'll be able to torrent safely from Canada. I found its speeds average compared to some other free VPNs on this list. For example, downloading a 1 GB torrent file took me over 35 minutes, which is not bad, but slower than the speeds I got when torrenting with TunnelBear, for example.

Although it offers a free Canadian server (located in Montreal),  hide.me failed to unblock most streaming platforms. it's still an excellent option if you want to protect your online privacy in or outside of Canada, but you shouldn’t use it as a streaming VPN.

Useful Features

• 10 simultaneous device connections. You can connect up to 10 devices with hide me, which applies to both its free and paid plans.
• 10 GB data. hide.me’s free plan is more generous than most other free VPNs, offering 10 GB of monthly data for free.
• No sign-up is required. No need to sign up for hide.me. Simply download the app and you can start using the VPN instantly.

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7. Hotspot Shield — Fast Speeds for Buffer-Free Streaming From Canada

Hotspot Shield offers fast speeds for an entirely free VPN, thanks to its proprietary Hydra protocol. The VPN offers free servers in the US, UK, and Singapore. During tests, all of them gave me consistent speeds, with almost no noticeable difference between nearby and long-distance servers.

Hotspot Shield’s Hydra protocol offers lightning-fast speeds

When connected to the fastest server using the Hydra protocol, I got speeds of 88 Mbps, which was only a 12% decrease from my base connection of 100 Mbps. This was the most impressive speed result of any other free Canada VPN on this list.

Hotspot Shield’s free plan includes unlimited data. It also supports torrenting with its free servers, which, combined with its fast speeds makes it a great choice for torrenting from Canada. You only get 1 connection with the free plan.

Hotspot Shield’s free plan does come with a few limitations. Its free servers have trouble accessing most streaming platforms and it doesn’t have any servers in Canada, so it's not the best option if you want to access Canadian content from abroad. There are a lot of Canadian servers with the paid plan, though, spread across Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto.

Useful Features

• Built-in speed test. Hotspot Shield has a built-in speed test tool, which I found useful when I wanted to check how much the VPN has decreased my connection.
• Auto-Protect. The VPN turns on automatically when you connect to a WiFi network. This will allow you to stay safe on public WiFi in Canada.
• No sign-up is required. You don’t need to enter your email to start using the free version.

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Quick Comparison Table: Free Canada VPN Features

All the VPNs on this list are safe and reliable, but some may be more suitable for you depending on your individual needs. For example, if you're looking to unblock websites and streaming sites that are exclusive to Canada you'll need a VPN with Canadian servers.

If you want to torrent or stream from Canada, a VPN with unlimited data is best — or at least generous monthly allowances. Torrenting support is another important feature to look out for if you plan to use the VPN for P2P sharing.

You can use the table below to compare and contrast the features offered by each VPN.

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Tips on Choosing the Best Free VPN for Canada

There are a few essential features free VPNs should offer. Here are the criteria I used to pick the best VPNs for Canada.

• Free or risk-free plans. I looked for VPN providers that offer a free plan without any time limitations or hidden costs. I also tested ExpressVPN’s and CyberGhost’s money-back guarantees to make sure you can get a full refund if you don’t like how they work.
• Good speeds. All the VPNs on this list provide good connection speeds, ensuring smooth browsing and streaming experiences. That said, speed can be greatly affected by how close the server is to your actual location. Considering most VPNs severely limit their server network with their free plans, it can be difficult to find nearby servers for optimal speeds. So, make sure to check the locations of the free servers before choosing a free VPN.
• Military-grade security. I focused on VPNs that employ the strongest AES-256-bit encryption to protect your online activities and data from potential threats.
• Strict no-logs policy. Some free VPNs have been known to log and sell user data for profit. When picking the best free VPNs for Canada, I made sure none of them keep logs of your online activity and personal information.
• Generous monthly allowances. If you want to use a VPN for data-intensive tasks like streaming or torrenting, it's essential to consider your monthly data allowance. Our top 3 VPNs offer unlimited data, and you can get at least 2 GB of data per month for free with the free options.
• Streaming capabilities. While some free VPNs work with streaming platforms like Netflix, many have trouble bypassing geo-restrictions. Some free providers also don’t offer servers in Canada and aren’t can’t access Canadian content from abroad. So, if streaming is your top priority, you’re better off using a reliable paid service that comes with a money-back guarantee.
• Intuitive apps. When searching for the best free Canada VPNs, I prioritized those with clean and intuitive apps, so it's easier for you to find and connect to your preferred server.
• Helpful support. Most VPNs don’t offer 24/7 support with their free plans, but they should at least offer reliable support through email or a comprehensive knowledge base, so you can get assistance if you encounter a problem.

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Expert Tip: Not All Free VPNs Are Safe for Canada

While the free VPNs on this list come with some limitations, such as speed restrictions and data caps, each service has been thoroughly tested to ensure it’s trustworthy and safe to use. However, the same cannot be said of all free VPNs.

Here are the dangers that many free VPNs pose:

• They may log and sell your data. Some free VPNs may log your online activities and sell this information to third parties, which can compromise your privacy and potentially expose you to targeted advertising.
• Free VPNs may leak your personal info. Many free VPNs lack features like leak protection and a kill switch, which may lead to your personal information, like your IP address, location, and browsing history, being exposed.
• Free VPNs can contain malware. Some free VPNs may come bundled with malware, which may pose a threat to your device and data security.
• They may bombard you with ads. Many free VPNs use ads as a means of making a profit. However, some free VPNs go over the top by displaying tons of intrusive ads that can ruin your user experience.
• Sketchy ownership. Some free VPNs are owned by shady companies (usually in countries with intrusive privacy laws) whose sole intent is to spy on your online behavior.

FAQs on Using a Free VPN for Canada

What’s the best free VPN to watch Netflix from Canada?

Almost all of the free VPNs in this list work with at least some Netflix content. But my tests showed that it is best to use a premium VPN with a tried-and-tested money-back guarantee if you want to unblock a specific Netflix library.

Most free VPNs struggle with unblocking streaming platforms, and Netflix is not an exception, so you may only get access to Netflix Originals. And even if they do manage to bypass geo-restrictions, free VPNs often come with speed restrictions that will prevent you from streaming smoothly.

What’s the best free Canada VPN for Firestick?

A few of the VPNs on our list offer dedicated apps for Firestick. That said, they vary in terms of unblocking abilities, server networks, and speeds — which can greatly impact their capabilities for streaming on Fire Stick.

In addition, most free VPNs limit the number of devices you can use to only 1. So, even if you do find a free Firestick VPN for Canada, chances are you won’t be able to use it on any of your other devices while streaming on Firestick. In contrast, premium VPNs offer multiple device connection, so you can stream on all your devices without worrying about getting removed from the VPN connection.

Which free Canada VPN is best for iPhone and Android?

All of the listed free VPNs for Canada offer iOS and Android apps. When I tested them out, they were quick and easy to install — it didn’t take me more than 5 minutes. Plus, their apps are intuitive and easy to navigate, even for VPN beginners.

What’s the best free Canada VPN for Chrome and Firefox?

It depends on the online activities you need to perform with it. A few free VPNs in this list offer browser extensions, but they all have their limitations.

From my experience, premium VPNs with money back guarantees are the best to use on Chrome and Firefox. Unlike most free VPNs, they offer multiple locations to connect to directly from your browser and come with multiple security protocols and features to choose from.

Can I get a Canadian IP address with a free VPN?

Yes, I found some free VPNs that offer Canadian servers, so you can get a Canadian IP address by connecting to one of these servers. This way, you'll be able to access Netflix Canada (or any other Canadian-exclusive content) from outside the country.

Even if you’re in the country, using a Canadian VPN server is a great way to protect your sensitive data when you need it most. For instance, I always use a nearby server while banking and torrenting to prevent prying eyes or hackers from intercepting my connection.

Is it legal to use a VPN in Canada?

Yes, using a VPN is completely legal in most countries, including Canada, so you can download and use any of our recommended VPNs without breaking any laws.

That said, using a VPN to perform illegal activities online is still illegal (downloading copyrighted content, for example). The team at vpnMentor doesn't condone the use of VPNs to perform illegal acts in any way. You should always check the most recent local laws and regulations in Canada or any other country before using a VPN there.

Get the Best Free VPN for Canada Today

While all the free VPNs on our list are safe to use, the activities they work best with in and outside of Canada vary greatly. Many of the free VPNs I tested come with speed restrictions and monthly data caps and aren't capable of unblocking most global and Canadian streaming platforms.

My favorite, unlimited VPN for Canada is ExpressVPN. While it is a premium service, it does come with a 30-day money back guarantee that allows you to test it without risk. Unlike most free VPNs, it doesn’t put a limit on your data usage and can easily access all of the most popular streaming platforms. On top of that, it offers fast speeds for buffer-free streaming in Canada and beyond.

These are the best VPNs for Canada with money-back guarantees