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The Best Free VPNs for Canada in 2023

Using a free VPN in Canada can help protect your online privacy and access geo-restricted content. But free VPNs come with data limits, slow speeds, and other drawbacks.

After extensive testing, we found the best free Canada VPNs are:

  1. Windscribe – Best overall free VPN for Canada
  2. ProtonVPN – No data limits
  3. Hide.me – Good speeds from Canada
  4. urban-vpn
  5. tunnelbear VPN

Keep reading to see our full analysis of each service. We’ll also discuss the pros and cons of using free VPNs in Canada and recommend some better paid alternatives.

Why Use a Free Canada VPN?

There are a few reasons why Canadians may want to use a free VPN:

  • Access blocked content – Free VPNs can help you bypass geo-restrictions and access region-locked content on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, etc.
  • Enhanced privacy – Free VPNs encrypt your traffic and hide your IP address from snooping by your ISP, government agencies, hackers, etc.
  • Public Wi-Fi security – Free VPNs add a layer of security when connecting to unsecured public networks.
  • Anonymity – By masking your real IP address, free VPNs provide a basic level of anonymity online.

However, free VPNs have some significant limitations:

Drawbacks of Free Canada VPNs

  • Data caps – Most free VPNs limit you to just 500MB-10GB per month. After hitting the cap, your traffic is no longer encrypted or anonymized.
  • Slow speeds – Free users are deprioritized, meaning you’ll get slower speeds compared to premium users. This can impact streaming, downloads, and overall performance.
  • Less servers – Free users get access to a smaller subset of servers, so you have fewer location options.
  • No advanced features – Most free VPNs lack features like ad-blocking, malware protection, dedicated streaming servers, etc.
  • Session limits – Some restrict free accounts to just 1-5 simultaneous connections.
  • Ads and upsells – Expect lots of annoying ads and promotions pushing you to upgrade to the paid version.
  • Less support – Most free VPNs only offer email support or limited live chat access for free users.

To avoid the downsides above, a paid Canada VPN is a much better option for most users. But if you just need basic functions or want to test a service, a free VPN can get the job done.

Next, let’s look at the top 5 free VPNs available in Canada.

1. Windscribe – Best Free Canada VPN Overall

Windscribe is our top pick for the best overall free VPN for Canada. Here’s an overview:

  • 10GB monthly data limit
  • 5 Canada server locations (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal)
  • Allows P2P traffic
  • No logs policy
  • Unlimited bandwidth on 1 server (UK) after social media promotion

Windscribe isn’t perfect, but it beats most rivals in key categories like speed, unblocking abilities, and privacy protections:

Speed

In our tests, Windscribe provided average speeds of 63 Mbps from Canada to the US. That’s not blazing fast, but still usable for streaming and browsing. The unlimited UK server offered even better speeds.

Streaming & Unblocking

You can unblock and stream US Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and other major platforms (except Netflix Canada). BBC iPlayer also works in the UK.

Privacy & Security

Windscribe claims a strict no-logs policy that’s never been disputed. Several independent audits have verified the company’s privacy practices.

The service also provides standard VPN security with AES-256 encryption. The firewall protects against IPv6 and WebRTC leaks.

Ease of Use

Windscribe has user-friendly apps for all major platforms – Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, etc. The desktop apps have a simple design while still giving you access to advanced options.

Drawbacks

  • 10GB monthly data cap
  • Doesn’t unblock Netflix Canada
  • Below average speeds for a paid VPN
  • No live chat support

But considering it’s free, Windscribe provides excellent functionality and outperforms most other free services. It’s a great basic VPN option for Canada.

2. ProtonVPN – Unlimited Data VPN for Canada

ProtonVPN stands out as the only free VPN with no data limits. All other aspects are mediocre, but unlimited data makes it a good choice for light users.

Here are the highlights:

  • No monthly data limits
  • 1 Canada server location (Toronto)
  • Allows torrenting with some limits
  • Logs some usage data
  • Average speeds

With no data caps, you can use ProtonVPN as much as you want each month. But keep the following drawbacks in mind:

Speed

We recorded average speeds of about 35 Mbps connecting from Canada to the US. That’s decent but slower than top free and paid VPNs.

Streaming & Unblocking

ProtonVPN successfully unblocks US Netflix. But BBC iPlayer and most other streaming platforms are blocked.

Privacy & Security

ProtonVPN logs basic connection data like your IP address and session timestamps. But they state it’s not linked to any user identities.

Overall security is good with standard AES-256 encryption, secure protocols, and a kill switch.

Ease of Use

The apps are easy to use across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. But free users get fewer settings options compared to paying users.

Downsides

  • Very limited server network
  • Below average speeds
  • No access to most streaming platforms
  • Logs some usage data

If you need unlimited data and can live with the downsides above, ProtonVPN is a decent free option for light activities like web browsing. But for streaming, torrenting, and full protection, one of the paid Canada VPNs below is a better choice.

3. Hide.me – Fast but Limited Free VPN

Hide.me rounds out our top free VPN recommendations with good speeds from Canada. Here’s an overview:

  • 10GB monthly data limit
  • 1 Canada server location (Toronto)
  • Allows P2P traffic
  • No logs policy
  • Apps for all major platforms

In our tests, Hide.me provided the fastest speeds from Canada among the top free VPNs:

Speed

We recorded average speeds of 85 Mbps from Canada to the US. That’s very good and fast enough for HD streaming with no buffering.

Streaming & Unblocking

You can access US Netflix but most other libraries are blocked, including BBC iPlayer. Netflix Canada does not work.

Privacy & Security

Hide.me has a strict no-logs policy that’s been independently audited for verification. The VPN uses AES-256 encryption plus supports OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec protocols.

Ease of Use

The apps are beginner-friendly and available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. Servers are clearly labeled by country and ping times.

Downsides

  • 10GB monthly data limit
  • Very limited server network
  • Doesn’t unblock most streaming sites
  • No live chat support

Hide.me is great if you want a fast free VPN. But once you hit the 10GB data cap, speeds drop to just 2 Mbps. And with only 12 countries to choose from, server options are limited too.

4. urban-vpn

urban-vpn is a lesser-known free VPN service that provides basic privacy protections for light activities. Here’s an overview of the key details:

  • 500MB daily data limit
  • 1 Canada server location (Toronto)
  • Allows P2P traffic
  • Minimal logs policy
  • Apps for Windows, Android

urban-vpn is not the fastest or most full-featured free VPN. But it does offer the core basics like encryption, a Canadian server, and the ability to torrent.

Speed

In our tests, urban-vpn provided average speeds of around 25 Mbps from Canada to the US. That’s somewhat slow but usable for simple web browsing and light streaming.

Streaming & Unblocking

urban-vpn is unable to unblock popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, etc. Accessing region-locked content is not its strength.

Privacy & Security

urban-vpn claims to not log any user activity, but it has not undergone any external audits to verify this. The service uses standard AES-256 encryption to secure connections.

Ease of Use

The urban-vpn apps are dated looking but simple enough to use. Server selection is limited to just a handful of countries. No customization options are provided.

Downsides

  • 500MB daily data limit
  • Very slow speeds
  • Unable to unblock streaming sites
  • No independent audits
  • Extremely limited server network

urban-vpn is a very basic free VPN that offers the core privacy and security features. But slow speeds, tiny server network, and lack of streaming access limit its usefulness.

5. tunnelbear VPN

TunnelBear is likely the most well-known and user-friendly free VPN available in Canada. Here are the key details:

  • 500MB monthly data limit
  • 3 Canada server locations
  • Allows torrenting with some limits
  • Strict no-logs policy
  • Apps for all major platforms

TunnelBear scores points for its fun, bear-themed interface and easy-to-use apps. It’s a decent option for basic privacy protections despite the low data cap.

Speed

In our tests, TunnelBear provided average download speeds of around 15 Mbps from Canada to the US. That’s quite slow and could impact streaming performance.

Streaming & Unblocking

TunnelBear successfully unblocks US Netflix. But other libraries like BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, etc. are blocked. Accessing Canadian Netflix does not work.

Privacy & Security

TunnelBear has undergone an independent audit verifying its strict no-logs policy. The VPN uses industry-standard AES-256 bit encryption for securing connections.

Ease of Use

The TunnelBear apps have a fun bear theme and are very easy to use, even for beginners. Server selection is straightforward with 60 country options.

Downsides

  • 500MB monthly data limit
  • Very slow speeds
  • Unable to unblock most streaming sites
  • Extremely limited free servers

The tiny data cap severely limits TunnelBear’s usefulness. And with glacially slow speeds, streaming is almost out of the question. But it excels for simple privacy protections when used lightly.

While free Canada VPNs can certainly be useful in some cases, most people are better off with a premium VPN provider.

Paid VPNs solve nearly all the drawbacks mentioned earlier:

  • No data limits
  • Fast connection speeds
  • Hundreds or thousands of servers
  • Advanced security features
  • Access to any streaming library
  • 24/7 live chat support

Based on our extensive testing and research, these are the top paid VPNs we recommend for use in Canada:

1. ExpressVPN – ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming in Canada. It reliably unblocks Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and virtually every other major streaming platform. Connections are blazing fast too, thanks to 3,000+ global servers optimized for speed.

2. NordVPN – NordVPN earns top marks for security and privacy. It operates a massive network of 5,300+ servers with innovative features like Double VPN and Onion over VPN. Performance is great across the board, offering fast speeds for streaming, downloads, and everyday browsing.

3. CyberGhost – CyberGhost is perfect for torrenting and filesharing, with dedicated P2P servers, fast speeds, and port forwarding support. It also unblocks most streaming sites and provides an extra layer of security with its malware and ad blocking features.

How to Get a Canadian IP Address with a VPN

Connecting to a VPN server in Canada will assign you a Canadian IP address and location. This allows you to access Canadian region-restricted content from anywhere in the world.

Here’s a quick guide to get a Canadian IP address with a VPN:

  1. Sign up for a VPN service that has servers in Canada.
  2. Download and install the VPN app on your device.
  3. Run the VPN app and connect to a server located in Canada.
  4. Check your new IP address at a site like IPLocation.net to confirm you now have a Canadian IP.
  5. Now you can access Canadian websites, streaming services, and content as if you were located in Canada.

It’s really that simple! Connecting to a Canadian VPN server only takes a few seconds. Most VPN apps make it easy by listing Canadian cities under the server locations.

Wrap Up

While free VPNs have their limitations, they can still be useful in some cases for Canada users on a budget. We recommend Windscribe as the best overall option.

For unlimited data, ProtonVPN is a decent choice for light browsing. And Hide.me excels with some of the fastest free VPN speeds from Canada.

But for full protection and access to streaming libraries worldwide, a premium VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN is worth the investment for most users.

Hopefully this guide has provided all the information you need to choose the best free or paid VPN for your needs in Canada. Feel free to reach out with any other questions!

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Streamr Go

StreamrGo is always about privacy, specifically protecting your privacy online by increasing security and better standard privacy practices.