5 Best Free VPNs for Canada in 2024 — Safe and Anonymous
Reading time: 21 min
Updated on November 01, 2024
You’re not safe using Canadian public networks as hackers are often spying on them to steal data. Additionally, Canada is a member of the 5 Eyes Alliance which shares surveillance data. Using a free VPN to overcome these issues is a good idea if you’re not ready to spend money on a premium VPN.
Unfortunately, most free VPNs risk your privacy and security. Very few free VPNs work effectively against geo-restrictions if you need to access content from back home. I tested 25 of the leading free VPNs in the industry and picked the top few for Canada.
Although it’s not free, ExpressVPN is my #1 choice for Canada. Its premium features like high-speed servers and privacy protection are worth the money. You can try ExpressVPN confidently as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Quick Guide: Best Free VPNs for Canada in 2024
- ExpressVPN — ExpressVPN is the top paid VPN for Canada as it has the fastest speeds and best privacy features. Plus, it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- CyberGhost — Optimized servers for streaming let you access home content from Canada, but it can’t unblock platforms that use strong anti-VPN technologies.
- Proton VPN — No data caps on the free plan for unlimited browsing in Canada, but its free servers are only in 3 countries.
- Hotspot Shield — Proprietary Hydra Catapult protocol provides stable connections in Canada for all your activities, but its free plan includes a lot of ads.
- hide.me — Has the most free servers including one in Montreal, but it limits usage to 10GB per month.
Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
The Best Free VPNs for Canada — Updated 2024
1. ExpressVPN — #1 VPN for Canada With Blazing-Fast Speeds and Excellent Privacy Features
Key Features:
- 3,000+ servers in 105 countries with 3 locations in Canada, including Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal
- Protects your privacy in Canada via its TrustedServer network, private DNS, military-grade encryption, IPv6 leak protection, Network Lock, and more
- Offers fast technical support via 24/7 live chat, email, and an extensive knowledge base
- Secures up to 8 devices simultaneously in Canada
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Though not free, ExpressVPN is my choice for Canada due to its top performance overall. It offers lightning-fast speeds, an extensive network for accessing global platforms, leak protection, and some of the best encryption protocols.
Some of ExpressVPN’s advanced privacy and security features include:
- PrivateDNS — handles all your DNS queries itself instead of sending them to third parties or network providers to keep your browsing in Canada private.
- TrustedServer network — uses RAM-only servers that are physically incapable of storing your data.
- Leak protection — keeps your data inside the encrypted tunnel and blocks IPv6 traffic, a common cause for leaks.
- Network Lock kill switch — cuts your access to the internet if your device crashes to prevent accidental data leaks.
- No-logs policy — audited to guarantee your data isn’t stored on ExpressVPN’s servers besides being based in the British Virgin Islands, where there are no data retention laws.
I enjoyed the fastest speeds with ExpressVPN during tests with the Canadian servers averaging 94Mbps despite being 7,000+ miles away. This is because its proprietary Lightway protocol establishes connections with fewer steps, reducing wait times. For this reason, ExpressVPN is the best option for data-intensive tasks like UHD streaming and gaming.
You can protect up to 8 devices simultaneously with ExpressVPN. That’s more than enough for a single user traveling to Canada. However, you can extend this limit by setting up ExpressVPN on your router to encrypt all your devices in one go. Doing this is a bit technical, so you should get live chat support or refer to the detailed online guides.
With a network of 3,000+ servers across 105 countries, ExpressVPN is the best VPN to access your home content from Canada. All its servers are obfuscated to avoid detection by anti-VPN technologies in streaming services. Plus, ExpressVPN regularly replaces blacklisted IP addresses with new ones to continuously access:
| Netflix Canada / US | Hulu | Global TV | Max (formerly HBO Max) |
| Amazon Prime Video | Crave | TSN Direct | Showtime |
| Crunchyroll | CBC Gem | Sportsnet NOW+ | Canal+ |
One thing I didn’t like about ExpressVPN is that it’s a little pricey. However, it offers excellent value for money with a proprietary protocol, a privacy-friendly location, and top-grade security and privacy features. These are worth your money considering your online activities are monitored in Canada. Free VPNs simply can’t do what ExpressVPN does for your privacy.
The 2-year + 6 months free plan is $4.99 a month and it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. So if you’re not happy after trying it in Canada, you can ask for a refund and ExpressVPN will oblige without questions. I got my money back in 3 business days after requesting it via live chat support.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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2. CyberGhost — Streaming-Optimized Servers for Accessing Home Content From Canada
Key Features:
- 11,670+ servers in 100 countries with a streaming-optimized network to access shows from back home
- Keeps you anonymous in Canada with premium NoSpy servers, military-grade encryption, a kill switch, WiFi and IP leak protections
- Offers 24/7 live chat, email support, and online troubleshooting guides
- Protects up to 7 devices simultaneously in Canada
- Risk-free with a 45-day money-back guarantee on long-term plans
CyberGhost’s specialized streaming servers can access global content from Canada. Each server is designed to unblock a specific platform, so there’s no trial and error involved in finding one that works. I suggest marking a server as a favorite so that it appears in the quick connect menu for easy access.
The streaming servers for DAZN in Canada were about 10% faster than the normal network. However, even the regular local servers averaged 88Mbps, which was more than enough for me to stream UHD content on multiple devices at once. Even when I used all 7 devices CyberGhost allows, my connections remained consistently fast throughout.
I found that CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers provide the ultimate privacy on unsecured Canadian public networks. They’re based in CyberGhost’s private data center in Romania, where there aren’t any data retention laws. In addition, it protects you with:
- Military-grade encryption — hides your browsing traffic in Canada with a powerful cipher used by many military agencies to protect confidential data.
- Built-in leak protection — prevents your Canadian IP address from getting exposed and blocks IPv6 traffic.
- WiFi protection — starts a VPN connection automatically when you’re trying to use unsecured Canadian public WiFi.
- Content blocker — shields your devices from malicious ads and websites to keep you safe from hackers on Canadian networks.
Unlike ExpressVPN, CyberGhost can’t unblock some platforms with strict anti-VPN technologies like DAZN and 10play. However, its 11,670+ servers in 100 countries including the streaming network accessed most global sites from Canada such as:
| Netflix Canada / US | Disney+ | Global TV | Sportsnet NOW+ |
| Max (formerly HBO Max) | Crave | Club Illico | TSN Direct |
| Crunchyroll | CBC Gem | Paramount+ | CBS |
While it doesn’t have a free plan, CyberGhost offers free trials of varying lengths for mobile and desktop users. Additionally, there’s an 84% discount on its 2-year + 4 months plan that you can try risk-free with a 45-day money-back guarantee. I tested it by requesting a refund via live chat. The agent processed it immediately and I was reimbursed in 5 days.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Get Black Friday Deal and Cyber Monday Deal from CyberGhost! You can subscribe to CyberGhost for as low as $2.03 per month + get an extra 4 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 84%)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
3. Proton VPN — Free With Unlimited Data to Support All Your Favorite Online Activities in Canada
Key Features:
- 20+ free servers in the US, the Netherlands, and Japan
- Keeps you anonymous in Canada with IP leak protection, military-grade encryption, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch
- Offers fast customer support via email and has an online knowledge base
- Protects 1 device at a time on a single subscription
- Paid plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee
Proton VPN’s uncapped data limit means you can always use the internet safely in Canada. Most free VPNs limit monthly usage and those that don’t, interrupt your activities constantly with pop-up ads. With Proton VPN, I didn’t see any annoying ads while connected to its server and it didn’t limit my use.
I averaged speeds above 80Mbps on Proton VPN’s free US servers despite being 7,000+ miles away. Most VPNs’ free servers are overcrowded but this wasn’t the case with Proton VPN, even when I tested at different times of the day. I didn’t notice any buffering while streaming Canada in 8K on YouTube.
It also protects your data on the Canadian web with a privacy-friendly location in Switzerland, a verified no-logs policy, and:
- Stealth protocol — avoids detection when bypassing internet censorship and VPN blocks in some locations and networks.
- Kill switch — cuts off internet connectivity if the VPN server drops to prevent accidental data leaks, though all servers I tested were stable.
- Split tunneling — encrypts traffic from only certain apps, so you can stay up to date with local Canadian news and access your home Netflix library at the same time.
A minor issue is that Proton VPN’s free plan only includes servers in 3 countries — the US, Netherlands, and Japan. This limits the content you can access from Canada. As with most free VPNs, I didn’t expect it to access major streaming platforms but I was pleasantly surprised that ProtonVPN worked with Funimation, Crackle, and Crunchyroll during tests.
To access its full network of 4,988+ servers in 71 countries, you can subscribe to Proton VPN’s 2-year plan for just a month. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free purchase. My refund was pro-rated and returned 6 days after emailing the billing team with my subscription details.
4. Hotspot Shield — Proprietary Catapult Hydra Protocol Provides Reliable Connections In Canada
Key Features:
- Offers free servers in 4 locations, including 2 in the US, Singapore, and the UK
- Includes IP leak protection, a no-logs policy, and military-grade encryption
- Email support available to free users
- Lets you secure 1 device in Canada for free
- 45 days money-back guarantee on paid plans
Hotspot Shield’s Catapult Hydra protocol provides stable connections in Canada by using several data pathways at once. If one pathway faces problems, the others continue working, ensuring a steady and quick internet experience.
During tests, my connection never dropped while using Hotspot Shield’s virtual server in the US. I had some initial buffering streaming Linus Tech Tips on YouTube but it lasted just 4 seconds. Data-intensive tasks can lag in Canada due to occasional bandwidth issues, but casual surfing was seamless.
While in Canada, Hotspot Shield secures your traffic with:
- Auto-protect feature — turns on the VPN automatically when you join unsecured public networks in Canada.
- Data leak protection — ensures that your DNS queries and browsing traffic never leave the encrypted tunnel and get exposed.
- Military-grade encryption — hides your activities on the Canadian web by encrypting it with a 256-bit cipher.
The best thing about Hotspot Shield is that you can start using it in Canada without creating an account. The free plan only allows 1 device at a time and it took me under 2 minutes to download it on my PC.
If you’re looking for a VPN to stream content from Canada, Hotspot Shield unblocked Disney+ on Mac but not on other devices. It also accessed Netflix’s global library but it didn’t work with any other major platform.
Unfortunately, Hotspot Shield’s free plan displays a lot of ads. The intense upselling was annoying at first, but the ads are a small price to pay for free and unlimited browsing.
For an ad-free experience, get Hotspot Shield’s 3-year plan as it offers a 77% discount. You can try it risk-free with its 45-day money-back guarantee. The support team confirmed my request via email and I got my refund the following day.
5. hide.me — Free Servers in Plenty of Locations Including Canada to Avoid Congestion
Key Features:
- Offers servers in 8 countries, including Canada, the US, UK, and Singapore
- Has a strict no-logs policy, Stealth Guard, and a fallback configuration
- Provides customer support via email to free users
- Encrypts 1 device at a time on the free plan
- All premium plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee
Hide.me’s free servers in 8 countries prevent slowdowns in Canada, often caused by overcrowding. Since there are more servers, the load is distributed and users are not competing for bandwidth. Plus, it has free servers in Montreal so you can read local news and other content without exposing your real IP address and location.
With Auto-Connect, hide.me automatically encrypts your device on start-up or when you join a public WiFi network in Canada. This gave me peace of mind while browsing as I often forget to start the VPN. Besides that, it includes:
- StealthGuard — lets you choose certain apps or your entire traffic to be routed through hide.me.
- Fallback configuration — connects you to an alternate server if the original one drops unexpectedly, ensuring that you’re not exposed to Canadian network administrators.
Although the fallback configuration provides peace of mind, I never experienced a failed connection with hide.me. In fact, I was impressed by how reliable it was as a VPN for games like Call of Duty: Warzone.
You only have the flexibility to choose a server on hide.me’s free plan while you’re within the 10GB monthly data cap. After that, you’ll be connected to a server randomly. Even so, 10GB is enough for casual surfing in Canada and occasional data-intensive activities like UHD streaming.
Subscribing to hide.me’s 2-year + 3 months plan will give you unlimited data and access to 2,400+ servers in 55 countries at just $2.29 per month. It also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free purchase. When I emailed my request, I was refunded a week later.
Comparison Table: Best Free VPNs for Canada in 2024
| 100% Free | Monthly data usage | Servers in Canada | Device connections | Torrenting support | Money-back guarantee | |
| ExpressVPN | ✘ | Unlimited | ✔ | 8 | ✔ | 30 days |
| CyberGhost | ✘ | Unlimited | ✔ | 7 | ✔ | 45 days |
| Proton VPN | ✔ | Unlimited | ✘ | 1 | ✘ | 30 days |
| Hotspot Shield | ✔ | Unlimited (with ads) |
✘ | 1 | ✔ | 45 days |
| hide.me | ✔ | Unlimited (Connects to a random server after exceeding 10GB/month) |
✔ | 1 | ✘ | 30 days |
How to Choose the Best Free VPNs for Canada
Choosing a free VPN for Canada is difficult as most options have a catch. While testing, I considered the following aspects to help you make an informed decision:
- Server Network — ppt for a free VPN with servers in multiple countries so that you can access your favorite shows from Canada if you’re traveling there.
- Speed and Performance — prioritize free VPNs that don’t reduce your speeds significantly on distant servers to ensure seamless browsing in Canada.
- Security Features — all the free VPNs I picked for Canada have military-grade encryption, a no-logs policy, leak protection, and a kill switch.
- Compatibility — choose a free VPN that supports popular platforms like Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
- Ease of Use — I evaluated each free VPN’s user-friendliness and ensured it had an intuitive interface.
3 Easy Steps to Get a Free VPN in Canada
- Download a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN for Canada because it offers the best overall security, privacy, and speed.
- Connect to a server. Pick one or let the VPN find one for you automatically. Local servers and those near Canada will provide the fastest speeds.
- That’s it! Now you can browse the web safely and anonymously in Canada.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Warning! 3 Free VPNs to Avoid and Why
While free VPNs are tempting, they can risk your security if you get the wrong one. During my tests, I came across these unsafe free VPNs that you should avoid at all costs.
1. Cross VPN
Cross VPN has reportedly been flagged for containing potential malware, which can harm your device and security. Using it could lead to unwanted applications, viruses, or other harmful software being installed on your device.
2. Betternet VPN
While Betternet claims to be free, the service has been criticized for its data logging practices. They’ve been known to collect and sell user data to third-party advertisers, which opposes the anonymity and privacy that a VPN should provide.
3. SuperVPN
SuperVPN has been involved in security scandals, with reports indicating significant vulnerabilities in their encryption protocols. These could allow hackers to intercept your internet traffic and gain access to your personal data.
FAQs on Free VPNs for Canada
Is using a VPN legal in Canada?
Yes, but you can’t use a VPN for illegal activities like downloading copyrighted material. As long as you follow Canadian law, you can use one of the top VPNs to stay anonymous while surfing the web.
A VPN routes your traffic through an encrypted tunnel to hide it from third parties. It also assigns you an IP address in another country to access its content. However, I don’t condone bypassing geo-restrictions with a VPN if it violates a platform’s or website’s terms of service.
Can I use a proxy in Canada instead of a VPN?
Why do I need a VPN in Canada?
Canada is part of the 5 Eyes Alliance which monitors internet activities. Additionally, Canadian public WiFi is not safe. I recommend using one of the top VPNs in 2024 to stay anonymous and avoid hackers and other third parties from watching what you do online.
If you’re traveling in the country, using a VPN is the best way to access all your favorite shows from back home. However, I don’t condone evading platforms’ geo-restrictions or violating their terms of service.
What’s the best free VPN to watch Netflix, DAZN, and other streaming services in Canada?
Which free Canada VPN should I use on my iPhone and Android device?
Why is my free VPN for Canada not working?
This usually happens when there’s a leak that’s exposing your real IP address. You should consult these criteria for picking a reliable free VPN for Canada. Apart from that, your free VPN may not be working due to:
- Server overload — causes unreliable connections so it’s best to try less congested servers and try multiple locations for smoother performance.
- Blacklisted IP addresses — try other servers or a reputable VPN that actively updates its IP addresses because some websites block VPN IP addresses.
- Outdated software — keep your VPN up to date to ensure optimal performance and avoid compatibility issues.
- Firewall or antivirus interference — adjust their settings to allow the VPN or temporarily disable them in case they’re blocking VPN connections.
Which free VPN has the most servers in Canada?
How do I check if my VPN works?
You can use this online IP checker tool to check if your VPN is working. It should display the IP address of the VPN server’s country. If your actual IP address is revealed, the VPN is not functioning correctly.
Unreliable VPNs often leak your real IP address outside the encrypted tunnel. I always run multiple IP, DNS, and WebRTC tests to judge a VPN’s performance. Also, ensure that your VPN has a kill switch and no-logs policy to guarantee complete privacy on the web.
Is it safe to use a free VPN in Canada?
Yes, the free VPNs I’ve listed here are safe, but I suggest using a reliable VPN like CyberGhost for free with its 45-day money-back guarantee. You can get a refund easily via customer support.
While free VPNs are tempting, many sell your data to third parties and can even infect your device with trackers or malware. Even the few safe-to-use free VPNs on this list are restricted by data caps, limited and overcrowded servers, and slow speeds.
Get a Free VPN (That Works) for Canada Today!
Finding a decent free VPN isn’t easy, especially when all of them claim to be the best. In reality, most free VPNs are a privacy risk, and picking the wrong one can be costly. I tested all the top options to save you time and effort in finding the right free VPN for Canada.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Canada due to its top-notch speeds and security and privacy features. While it’s not free, paying a small price is better than risking it all in a potential identity theft or loss of data. You can try ExpressVPN confidently as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Summary: These are the Best Free VPNs for Canada in 2024
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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