How to get a Canadian IP address in 2024 with a VPN

A VPN can provide you with an IP address in Canada. A Canadian IP will allow you to access geo-restricted content and services when you're out of the country. Keep reading to find out how it works.

If you’re looking to access Canadian streaming platforms on a trip away from home, the advice is always the same: “Just use a VPN”. What a lot of people don’t realize until it’s too late is that a huge number of Virtual Private Networks just won’t work with region-locked services in Canada, like Crave.

In fact, it takes a top-quality VPN provider to be able to access regional streaming services. Finding a VPN that does this while providing competitive security features and access to speedy Canadian servers is more difficult than you might expect.

Luckily, we’ve done the legwork for you. Our team carefully considered dozens of VPNs and eventually settled on seven that work exceptionally well for this task. Whether you’re trying to watch your favorite shows on vacation or simply shield your browsing habits from snoopers, one of the following providers will be able to help:

Best VPNs for Canadian IP addresses:

1. NordVPN: Our first choice for getting a Canadian IP address. Industry-leading security tools and 250+ high-speed servers in Canada, plus a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: A low-cost option with plenty to offer. Works with all of the most popular streaming platforms and follows a zero-logs policy.
3. ExpressVPN: This novice-friendly VPN makes protecting your data simple. Boasts top-tier performance, security, and streaming ability, plus an expansive network.
4. Mullvad: An inexpensive service that prioritizes your privacy. P2P-friendly, with servers in three Canadian cities.
5. Proton VPN: MultiHop, P2P, and streaming-optimized servers in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Keeps no logs and includes a good set of security tools.
6. CyberGhost: With almost 500 Canadian servers, exceptional versatility, and 24/7 support, this provider takes the stress out of browsing the web safely.
7. IPVanish: A no-logs VPN capable of securing all of your devices at once. Lightning-fast Canadian servers and no issues with torrenting, gaming, or streaming.

Summary Table

So how did we separate the best from the rest? To begin with, we put together a non-negotiable list of minimum standards and used these to eliminate a huge number of candidates. Here are a few of the “must have” qualities of our top VPNs:

• Has multiple servers in Canada
• Is capable of providing fast speeds
• Does not collect any information that could personally identify users
• Uses as-yet-uncrackable encryption
• Works with popular Canadian streaming services
• Has apps for a wide range of devices
• Offers free, around-the-clock support
• Must operate a 100% diskless server network and have had its infrastructure audited by a reputable third party to qualify for one of the top three positions  

You can find out more information about the criteria we used in the VPN testing methodology section found later in this article.

Best VPN for obtaining a Canadian IP address

We’ve touched upon our chosen services already but now it’s time to scratch beneath the surface of each. 

NordVPN is our first choice. It offers access to more than 6,000 self-owned servers in 60+ countries, with about 10% of its entire network in Canada. This means you can use it to access Crave, DAZN, CBC Gem, RDS, TSN, CTV, Netflix Canada, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Bell Fibe TV, and Rogers Anyplace TV from abroad - or on any network where it has been blocked (such as at work).

Plus, some of its servers are designed to help you access the dark web over VPN, torrent anonymously, or encrypt your data twice, and there are even obfuscated servers for use in countries with extreme online censorship.

With average speeds of around 200 Mbps in our latest tests, NordVPN is one of the quickest around. It’s also among the most versatile VPNs we’ve tested, able to securely access most streaming services without any issues. On the rare occasions we’ve been unable to use one, customer support has usually been able to recommend a suitable server; you can contact staff day or night over live chat.

NordVPN is absolutely packed with security features, but let’s start with the basics. It uses 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks to ensure your data remains hidden at all times. You can also block trackers and ads, connect automatically, let certain apps through the VPN, or set up a dark web monitor that’ll alert you if your login details are leaked online. Equally important, NordVPN follows a no-logging policy, something it has repeatedly verified with independent audits.

This provider has apps for all major platforms including Amazon Firestick. Thanks to its Meshnet feature, you can securely share files across any of your devices, even if they’re in completely different locations. This is an unusual inclusion but shows NordVPN is continuously pushing the industry forward and isn’t content to stay within the bounds of what a VPN has traditionally been.

BEST VPN FOR A CANADIAN IP: NordVPN has lots of Canadian servers, works with almost every major streaming service, and boasts outstanding security. Not only that, but it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can try it completely risk-free.

Read our full NordVPN review.

Surfshark is something extremely rare: a VPN that offers competitive speed, security, and streaming ability at a lower-than-average price. At the time of writing, it has around 120 servers in Canada and 3,100 more in 99+ other countries around the world. We’ve seen Surfshark achieve speeds of more than 300 Mbps which should be more than enough even if you’re sharing your connection with other people. On that note, this VPN is one of the few major providers that lets you secure an unlimited number of devices.

This service works with several Canadian streaming platforms including RDS, Crave, and CBC Gem. There’s also a SmartDNS feature but this only works with US-based services. If you’re having trouble accessing your usual content while connected, just drop customer support a message using the 24/7 live chat service – you’ll usually get a response in a matter of seconds.

Surfshark boasts AES-256 encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch, as well as a CleanWeb tool capable of blocking ads, trackers, and malware automatically. Users can also enable a Rotating IP option to regularly change their IP address as they browse or turn on NoBorders mode to bypass all but the strictest online censorship. Surfshark’s privacy policy is easy to read and very clear: no activity or connection logs, ever.

Now, Surfshark’s apps do have a few features that you can’t access unless you pay an additional monthly fee. These include antivirus, a dark web monitor, and a privacy-focused search engine, so while nice to have, these aren’t strictly necessary for secure browsing. After all, even with the base subscription, Surfshark has plenty to offer.

BEST VALUE VPN: Surfshark is less expensive than its rivals but actually outperforms a lot of them with regard to speed, security, and streaming ability. Additionally, it can secure an entire household of devices simultaneously. Ideal if you need a cheaper streaming VPN connection. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark.

ExpressVPN makes it as easy as possible to get a Canadian IP address. It has servers in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver (plus another 104+ countries), and works with a wide range of popular streaming services. Whether you’re hoping to live stream Sportsnet or catch up on your favorite Netflix show, ExpressVPN has you covered. Better still, our testing revealed average speeds of more than 400 Mbps – that’s seriously fast, even for a veteran provider.

Users can secure their traffic with ExpressVPN’s AES-256 encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and kill switch. This service also has its own protocol, Lightway, which is more lightweight than even WireGuard. Lightway’s not only extremely quick, but it can also keep you safe during the brief interruption that occurs when switching networks.

If you’re looking for a huge amount of customization, you might want to try a different service. ExpressVPN’s only advanced features are split tunneling and automatic connection, but this minimalistic settings menu is perfect for novices, offering just enough control without ever feeling overwhelming. ExpressVPN refuses to log any data that could personally identify you, though it does collect some information (such as daily bandwidth usage) for diagnostic reasons.

This provider offers apps for all major platforms and even has its own browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. There’s an expansive help section on the ExpressVPN website, but if you can’t find answers there, live chat is available day and night. Alternatively, you can submit a ticket or check out the VPN’s official YouTube channel for a selection of setup tutorials.

BEST VPN FOR BEGINNERS: ExpressVPN is clean, uncluttered, and very easy to use. Thanks to its fast Canadian servers and ability to fly under the radar, there’s almost nothing it can’t do. Server locations in 105+ countries. Why not take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee?

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

Mullvad is all about transparency. It undergoes regular audits to verify that its privacy claims are true, is open about the fact that VPNs aren’t a magic solution to online threats, and lets you know exactly how much of its network is owned outright. There are around 650 servers in 40+ countries, with over 35 to choose from in Canada alone. Did we mention that its price hasn’t changed in years? No matter whether you sign up for one month or a decade, the cost is fixed at €5 ($5.20 USD) per month.

One of the best things about Mullvad is that it’s extremely easy to use. You’re automatically protected from data leaks and all traffic is encrypted using AES-256 or ChaCha20 (for OpenVPN and WireGuard connections, respectively). There aren’t many options in the settings, but you can turn on obfuscation, which might help you get around strict VPN blocking. Users can also block adult content and gambling sites, which is a nice touch. Mullvad collects some diagnostic data but will never store activity or connection logs, so there’s no need to worry about your privacy.

If you encounter any issues, you can search the website’s knowledge base for solutions or fire an email across to the customer support team. Ideally, we’d be able to get in touch over live chat, but with a pricing structure like this VPN has, it’s understandable that they’d want to keep operating costs low.

Mullvad provides steady speeds and allows torrenting on any server, though it recently removed port forwarding. Further, it’s begun to struggle with streaming services lately, so if you were hoping to use platforms like Crave, there are better options elsewhere in the list. On the other hand, if you just want to secure your connection on a budget, Mullvad is one of the best around.

PRIVACY-FIRST PROVIDER: Mullvad is a no-logs VPN that’s not afraid to do things differently. While less suitable for streaming, it’s ideal for anyone hoping to be that little bit more anonymous online. Of course, the attractively low price and 30-day money-back guarantee don’t hurt.

Read our full review of Mullvad.

Proton VPN has servers in 71+ countries, including Canada, though you’ll only be able to access these with a premium subscription. Still, these are reasonably priced, and when you upgrade, all speed limitations are removed. You’ll also be able to use servers specifically designed for streaming and torrenting and secure up to 10 devices at a time instead of just one.

This service has remarkably strong security. To begin with, it offers AES-256 encryption, protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, and a kill switch. There’s also a NetShield tool that blocks ads, malware, and trackers by default, plus MultiHop servers, automatic connection tools, and the ability to create custom profiles for quicker access to specific servers. Proton VPN uses full-disk encryption for added privacy and doesn’t keep any logs that could lead back to you.

Still not convinced? Proton VPN also offers a VPN Accelerator option which claims to offer drastically improved speeds by using a modified OpenVPN protocol that supports multi-thread processing. Our latest testing revealed average speeds of over 240 Mbps, which is more than most other freemium VPNs can provide and certainly fast enough for any day-to-day task.

Proton VPN can be installed on just about any device you can think of, including routers. Customer support is available via email, but we’d have preferred to see some form of live chat, even if it was only available during office hours. On the plus side, the help section on the website is expansive and a great starting point for resolving any problems you might face.

QUICK AND CAPABLE: Proton VPN has over 60 servers in Canada and is a great option for torrenting, streaming, or just browsing the web. It offers a ton of control over your connection and even includes a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you change your mind.

Read our full review of Proton VPN.

CyberGhost provides significantly more choice than most of its rivals, with almost 500 Canadian servers (and 10,000+ in 100 countries). Some of these are specially optimized to work with Canadian streaming services like Crave, DAZN, TSN, and CBC - while others boast better performance while torrenting or gaming. What’s more, since it introduced WireGuard support, CyberGhost has outperformed every other VPN we’ve tested, with average speeds of over 280 Mbps.

As you might expect, this VPN uses 256-bit AES encryption and protects against DNS and IPv6 leaks. It also offers a kill switch, split tunneling functionality, automatic connection tools, and the ability to block ads, trackers, and malware. Finally, users can choose to connect via a random port, which might help you get around some VPN-detection systems. CyberGhost collects some aggregate data for operational purposes, but none of this can be linked to you directly.

This VPN is extremely user-friendly, with apps for all major platforms and 24/7 support via live chat and email. There’s also a great help section on its website that can guide you through tasks like installing the service on Linux or manually configuring it for routers. However, it doesn’t reliably work in countries with strict internet censorship such as the UAE.

IDEAL FOR CANADIAN TV: CyberGhost provides servers in three Canadian cities so you can watch CBC, DAZN, and Netflix with minimal fuss. This VPN also boasts first-class performance, an impressive security toolkit, and a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

IPVanish is really starting to pose a threat to the competition. In recent years, it upgraded its entire network, introduced WireGuard support, and optimized its infrastructure with the goal of providing truly exceptional performance. Our latest tests showed an average speed of over 260 Mbps, so it’s safe to say it succeeded. There are around 2,000 servers globally, with roughly 50 of these in Canada to access Crave, CBC Gem, or any other popular Canadian service. There are also servers located in other popular locations like the US and South Africa. Users can connect as many devices as they like at the same time.

This VPN keeps you safe using 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. There’s also an automatic reconnection feature, the ability to assign trusted networks, and LAN traffic blocking. For a long time, this provider was seen as a good choice for security but not really for streaming. The team seems to have taken this criticism onboard, since IPVanish now works with popular international streaming platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max.

You may have heard that in 2018 IPVanish helped the Department of Homeland Security to carry out a targeted attack that helped identify a child abuse suspect. That’s true, but the company has been under new ownership for years now and has been independently audited to prove that it doesn’t collect any personally identifiable data. In other words, it can’t divulge details of your activities to anyone under any circumstances. It is also worth mentioning that no other users were affected by the highly-targeted investigation in 2018.

IPVanish has apps for most major platforms, though it has to be manually installed on Linux systems. We’d love to see a command line-based installer at some point but in the meantime, there is a free, 24/7 live chat service where you can ask for help, as well as a large selection of guides in the knowledge base.

SECURE BROWSING ANYWHERE: IPVanish is fast, reliable, and able to protect an unlimited number of devices. It’s a no-logs service with fantastic streaming capabilities including access to Canadian content, 24/7 live chat, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

Methodology: Finding the best VPNs with Canadian servers

We put a huge amount of effort into ensuring that the services we recommend are actually worth your time. This involves testing each VPN ourselves, querying the company on anything that isn’t perfectly clear, and verifying their claims to the highest degree possible. We can also remove providers from contention if they don’t meet our minimum requirements, laid out below:

• Server choice: Providers must offer several servers physically located in Canada, ideally spread across multiple cities. We also like to see separate lists of servers optimized for streaming and torrenting since this helps simplify the selection process. These should be able to access major streaming sites, without impacting online security. 
• User-first privacy policy: We will never recommend a VPN that collects personally identifiable information. We strive to highlight zero-log providers, particularly those that have undergone independent audits to prove their privacy claims are true.
• Minimal impact on speed: Slow servers cause frustration, streaming issues, and random disconnection from online services. A huge amount of progress has been made in this area lately, so there’s no excuse for sluggish performance.
• Does not compromise on security: A VPN that fails to secure your traffic isn’t worth using. The providers we recommend must use effectively-uncrackable encryption, prevent the most common types of leaks, and include a kill switch. This is just a starting point; however, with additional security tools and privacy features greatly appreciated.
• Suitable for novice users: VPNs can be confusing, so we welcome providers that go the extra mile to simplify things. They might provide 24/7 support, a brief description of what each setting does, or apps for uncommon devices, for instance.
• Third-party audits: Almost every provider says they are a ‘no logs' VPN, but the best ways of testing this claim are either through audits or going through the courts. Therefore, we will only consider providers for our top three positions if they have undergone infrastructure audits from a reputable third party. This assessment is the closest the industry has to a verification process for logging policies.
• Diskless infrastructure: Similarly, this is also a requirement for providers in the top three positions. While the data stored on a VPN server should be minimal, it could still be accessed if the servers were hacked. By moving processes to RAM, no information can be physically taken from servers and it is wiped on shutdown.

How to get a Canadian IP address

It’s actually remarkably easy to get an IP address from Canada. Just follow these steps to hide your true location and make it seem like you’re browsing the web in Canada.

How to get a Canadian IP address:

1. Start by signing up for one of the VPNs above (NordVPN is our top pick). Remember, if you only need the service for 30 days or less, you can usually take advantage of a money-back guarantee, effectively letting you get a Canadian IP address for free.
2. Download and install the VPN app.
3. Log in and choose one of the available Canadian servers.
4. Wait a moment for the app to connect.
5. Congratulations, the websites you visit should now think you’re in Canada. If not, clear your cookies and refresh the page, or switch to a different Canadian server.

VPNs and Canada: FAQs

Are VPNs legal in Canada?

VPNs are completely legal in Canada, and in most of the world. These are legitimate privacy tools used by millions every single day, meaning there’s no reason you’d get into any trouble so long as you stay within the bounds of the law. This means that you will still be liable if you download copyrighted material, harass people online, or access illegal content.

Do any free VPNs have Canadian servers?

With thousands of free VPNs out there, there’s almost certainly one that has servers in Canada. However, we’d advise you to avoid these. Not only do free VPNs usually have more users than their networks can support, but they’ve also been known to misrepresent how secure they actually are. In fact, “free VPNs” are often simply Trojans seeking to infect your system with malware.

Even assuming you find a legitimate, safe, free-to-use VPN, there are often limits in place to encourage you to pay. For example, there’ll usually be a low monthly data cap, restrictions on your speed, or only a handful of servers available until you become a premium member. If you’re going to end up paying anyway, you may as well choose a reputable provider from the beginning – most of these have a money-back guarantee, so you’re not risking anything by trying them out.

Why is Crave detecting my VPN?

There are several reasons your VPN might not work properly with streaming services like Crave, RDS, TSN, or CBC Gem. These sites could have stored location data from previous visits, recognized some of the key indicators of VPN usage, or simply blacklisted the IP address of your chosen server.

If clearing your cookies, refreshing the page, and trying a different server don’t fix your issue, we’d suggest getting in touch with your VPN provider directly. Support staff may be able to tell you which servers will work or at least help you rule out any other potential causes.

Can I access Canadian TV abroad with a VPN?

Yes. If you are on vacation in the US, Mexico, or anywhere else in the world, you can regain access to Canadian TV services and streaming platforms by using a VPN. A VPN is an online service that allows you to conceal your real location from the websites you visit. By connecting to a VPN server in Canada, you can get a valid IP address in the country that works to watch Canadian TV abroad.

The important thing to remember is that Canadian streaming service providers and TV networks have blocked most VPNs. In addition, most VPNs have slow servers that will cause lag and buffering when you try to stream your accounts. This means that you must pick your VPN provider carefully.

The VPNs recommended in this guide all have fast servers that are suitable for data-intensive tasks such as HD streaming, torrenting, gaming, and videoconferencing. That said, each VPN differs and may work with different Canadian streaming services – so we recommend that you test your favorite VPN with your own streaming services to ensure it is the right option for you.

Below, we have included a list of Canadian streaming services you can watch with a VPN:

• CBC Gem
• Crave
• CTV
• Global TV
• Citytv
• Sportsnet Now
• TSN Direct
• ICI TOU.TV
• Radio-Canada (ICI Radio-Canada Télé)
• TVA (TVA Nouvelles, TVA Sports, TVA Network)
• Télé-Québec
• Noovo
• APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network)
• OMNI Television
• Treehouse
• HGTV Canada
• Food Network Canada
• Slice
• Showcase
• Telelatino (TLN)
• OUTtv
• FX Canada
• W Network
• History Canada
• Discovery Canada
• Comedy Network
• YTV
• Family Channel
• Space
• MTV Canada
• Much
• Citytv NOW
• Sportsnet NOW+
• TSN GO
• Super Channel
• Netflix Canada
• Club illico