A VPN server in Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver provides a Canadian IP address. Several free VPNs have Canadian servers too. In October, we tested NordVPN, Proton VPN, and ExpressVPN on Toronto servers from Europe. NordVPN was the fastest at 148.18 Mbps on our 190.36 Mbps connection. The three VPNs unblocked CBC Gem, ICI TOU.TV, Crave’s CTV channels, and DAZN Canada.
None of them stood out. Performance was close, and NordVPN was only slightly quicker to load videos. The free plans of Windscribe and PrivadoVPN also unblocked these services, up to their monthly data limit.
Canadian IP Address Steps, October 2026
- Sign up for NordVPN on its website and install the Windows, Mac, Android, or iPhone app.
- Choose a Canadian server and connect.
- Check whatismyipaddress.com to confirm your IP address is in Canada.
- Open the Canadian site or app you want to use.
Connect to a Canadian Server
Subscribe to a VPN with Canadian servers, choose Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver in the app, and connect. NordVPN, Proton VPN, and ExpressVPN offer those three cities, and ExpressVPN has two Toronto locations. Their apps support Windows, macOS, Android, iPhone, Apple TV, and Linux.
Once connected, check whatismyipaddress.com. It should show Canada. The same connection also helps you unblock websites that are only available in Canada.
Toronto Speeds and Canadian Server Counts
Without a VPN, our connection in Europe measures 190.36 Mbps. The table shows each VPN’s speed on a Toronto server, plus its Canadian server count.
| VPN | Canadian servers | Toronto download | Speed loss | Ping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 466 in 3 cities | 148.18 Mbps | 22.2% | 135 ms |
| Proton VPN | 639 in 3 cities | 133.37 Mbps | 29.9% | 132 ms |
| ExpressVPN | 4 locations, count not published | 137.40 Mbps | 27.8% | 179 ms |
Canadian Services We Unblocked
From Europe, these services were blocked or showed a different catalog. With a Canadian IP address, they worked:
- CBC Gem: live TV and on-demand shows played after we created a free account, which requires a Canadian postal code.
- ICI TOU.TV: Radio-Canada’s French-language service played after free registration.
- Crave: the free CTV and Noovo live channels played. The rest of Crave requires a subscription.
- STACKTV: Global TV’s website redirects here, and the free channels played without an account.
- DAZN Canada: unblocked on Toronto servers, with the Canadian catalog and sign-up page.
Our guide to watching Canadian TV abroad explains each service’s sign-up steps.
Best VPNs for a Canadian IP Address
- NordVPN: Best for Toronto Speed, with slightly faster video loading.
- Proton VPN: Best for Canadian Server Count, with 639 servers in three cities.
- ExpressVPN: Best for Switching Toronto Servers, with two Toronto locations to choose from.
1. NordVPN: Best for Toronto Speed
Pros
- Split tunneling on Windows and Android
- NordWhisper protocol for restricted networks
- Double VPN through two servers
Cons
- Renewal price well above the first term
- Occasional connection trouble on Windows
NordVPN measured 148.18 Mbps on its Toronto server, a 22.2% drop, and it has 466 servers in Canada. Videos on Crave and CBC Gem started slightly sooner on it than on Proton VPN and ExpressVPN. NordVPN’s Complete plan, which adds a password manager and ad blocker, is about $4.50 a month. That’s around $1 more than the Basic plan.
2. Proton VPN: Best for Canadian Server Count
Pros
- Hundreds of servers across three Canadian cities
- Stealth protocol to avoid VPN blocks
- NetShield ad and malware blocker
Cons
- No Smart DNS setup for consoles
- Secure Core servers are slower
Proton VPN has 639 servers in three Canadian cities. Its Toronto server measured 133.37 Mbps with a 132 ms ping, the lowest ping of the three, and none of the Canadian services blocked it. A two-year VPN Plus subscription costs about $72.
3. ExpressVPN: Best for Switching Toronto Servers
Pros
- Quantum-resistant encryption
- Lightway protocol for fast reconnects
- RAM-only TrustedServer technology
Cons
- Few settings to customize
- No published Canadian server total
ExpressVPN has four Canadian locations: two in Toronto, one in Montreal, and one in Vancouver. Its Toronto server measured 137.40 Mbps, but ping was the highest of the three at 179 ms. The apps have few settings, which keeps setup simple. ExpressVPN also ranks among the most secure VPNs we cover. ExpressVPN’s Basic plan is just under $3 a month, and the Advanced plan, with a password manager and identity protection, is about $4.50.
Free VPNs With Canadian Servers
Canada is one of the countries free VPNs cover. Windscribe, PrivadoVPN, Proton VPN, Hide.me, and TunnelBear offer Canadian servers at no cost. In our tests, the free versions of Windscribe and PrivadoVPN unblocked CBC Gem and Crave’s CTV channels, with a 10 GB monthly data limit.
Proton VPN’s free plan includes Canada, but it chooses the server for you, so you may not get a Canadian one. Our guide to the best free VPNs for Canada compares them in more detail.
Other Ways to Get a Canadian IP Address
A proxy server changes your IP address too, but your traffic stays unencrypted, so your ISP or network owner can still see it. Our proxy vs VPN comparison covers the difference. Tor can also provide a Canadian IP address, but it’s too slow for streaming. Our Tor vs VPN guide explains why.
Conclusion
NordVPN, Proton VPN, and ExpressVPN unblocked every Canadian service we tried, so the differences are small. NordVPN had the fastest Toronto download. Proton VPN has the most Canadian servers and the lowest ping. ExpressVPN is the simplest to set up.
For occasional use, Windscribe’s or PrivadoVPN’s free plan is enough. If you live in Canada, the best VPN for Canada guide covers VPN use there, and our overall VPN ranking covers the three in more detail.
FAQs
How do I change my IP address to Canada?
Use a VPN and pick a Canadian server. NordVPN and Proton VPN have servers in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver that replace the device's IP address with a Canadian one.
What can I do with a Canadian IP address?
A Canadian IP address unblocks Canadian streaming services such as CBC Gem, ICI TOU.TV, Crave, and DAZN Canada, which check a viewer's location before playing video.
Is there a free VPN with Canadian servers?
Yes. Windscribe and PrivadoVPN offer free Canadian servers with a monthly data limit, and Proton VPN's free tier covers Canada with unlimited data, though the server is assigned automatically.
Which Canadian city should I connect to?
Any of Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver works, because Canadian services only check the country. The city closest to the device usually has the lowest ping.
Is getting a Canadian IP address with a VPN legal?
Yes. VPNs are legal in Canada, and connecting to a Canadian server from another country is legal for travelers, expats, and residents.