Proton VPN for Canada: Fast, Secure, and Reliable

Nice to see you here, our Canadian friend (cue “I’m not your friend, buddy” joke)! You’re not the only citizen of the Land of the Maple Syrup looking to boost online security and keep data away from prying eyes. Digital privacy is becoming a huge concern lately and we can’t blame you if you’re looking for a VPN to shield yourself.

You’re in for quite a ride considering the many options out there.

Sure, you could go for a mainstream choice, and there’s nothing wrong with that (as our NordVPN for Canada article so carefully lays out), but there are plenty of lesser-known VPN providers that bring similar features to the table at the same price.

Such is the case with Proton VPN. 

Let’s see what this company has to offer in terms of server coverage, speeds, and security measures. Equally important, we’ll directly compare it to its more celebrated competitors.

Key Takeaways on Using Proton VPN for Canada

• Proton VPN dispenses solid privacy features with a strict no-logs policy, making it a safe choice for users in Canada, or anyone desiring a Canadian IP address.
• Thanks to a combo of high-speed 10 Gbps Canada-based servers, WireGuard protocol, and VPN Accelerator technology, Proton VPN can deliver fast and stable internet connections for gaming, streaming, and other types of online activities. 
• In addition to AES-256 encryption, Proton VPN implements features like a kill switch and DNS leak protection combined with Proton VPN’s Secure Core servers to deliver an extra layer of security. 
• You can get the best savings possible by using this 64% off coupon (drops the price to $3.59/month).

Explore other Canada-friendly VPNs with our detailed article covering the best VPNs for Canada. 

Proton VPN Canada: An overview

What makes Proton VPN firmly stand its ground against more established solutions? Here are the basics:

• Proton VPN has 116 Canada-based servers: 28 in Toronto, 32 in Vancouver, and 56 in Montreal, along with multi-hop connections via Switzerland and Iceland 
• Secure, high-speed connections
• User-friendly apps
• No-logs policy
• Advanced security features such as DNS leak protection and split tunneling

Server Locations in Canada

Proton VPN offers servers in all the locations you need for a smooth online experience, including three major Canadian cities:

• Montreal
• Vancouver
• Toronto

Use the search function in the ‘Countries’ tab to access any of these locations.

Considering servers are strategically placed across Canada, you’ll always be able to find optimal connections due to the varying proximity to the servers. For those outside of Canada looking to access geo-blocked content, this is also beneficial as it allows them plenty of connectivity options. 

Proton VPN benefits for Canadian users

What do Canadians have to gain from using Proton VPN?

Besides obscuring your IP address and making your online persona a mystery (thus allowing you to bypass all sorts of geo-restrictions), Proton VPN also shields your digital activities from third parties – including your ISP. 

When using a VPN, your traffic is completely encrypted, and your ISP (and other sneaky individuals) won’t have insight into what you’re doing. As such, you can escape ISP throttling, which often happens when your provider determines you’re using up too much bandwidth. 

Due to features like NetShield, Proton VPN is effective in blocking ads and malicious software, keeping you even safer during your online shenanigans. This is in line with what most reliable VPN providers offer, as you can see in our best VPNs with ad-blocking article. 

There are additional benefits too. Proton VPN enhances security during online shopping even on public networks, so it’s possible to avoid price discrimination and potentially unlock better prices. 

Proton VPN Canada speed test results

We tested all three locations that Proton VPN offers in our US lab and the results were surprising. While the tests are weaker than what’s expected of bigger names like NordVPN or Surfshark, this VPN is more than capable of delivering a solid performance – to the point it even outmatches the “big boys” in some areas.

Note: these tests were performed on a 1000 Mbps connection. 

Proton VPN Vancouver speed test results

In Vancouver, Proton VPN delivers a connection of stable 411 Mbps:

Although this is 200 Mbps less than NordVPN and Surfshark, and about 100 Mbps slower than ExpressVPN, it’s a solid result that will be adequate for most bandwidth-hungry activities – streaming, torrenting, gaming, you name it.

Since our US test lab is located in the Pacific Northwest (very close to Vancouver), your experience may vary. The proximity to the server does impact the quality of the connection and is something you should keep in mind.

Proton VPN Toronto speed test results

In a surprising twist, we logged a whopping 593 Mbps in Toronto:

This is only 1 Mbps lower than Surfshark and over 100 Mbps faster than ExpressVPN. One word – wow! Not an easy feat and this speed test is a testament to what Proton VPN brings into the mix. 

Proton VPN Montreal speed test results

Things are a bit different in Montreal where we logged 511 Mbps:

Solid performance on its own, but it does fall short of the speed results for ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and NordVPN. 

Don’t let this discourage you as it’s still enough to provide a smooth and uninterrupted connection.

User experience

On the surface, Proton VPN looks absolutely sweet. The layout is user-friendly and easy to navigate. For instance, the ‘Countries’ tab not only allows you to find a server, but it’s where you’ll also enable or disable security features like kill switches, NetShield, and so on. 

Proton VPN provides an expanded view, which gives you more information and features from a single window, including a world map you can use to easily connect to a server. We also love the scrolling session statistic in this mode that allows you to track the quality of the connection.

Regardless of the device or operating system you’re using to browse the web, Proton VPN will have a dedicated app to suit your needs. They support Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, Chromebook, and Android TV, along with nifty browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. 

Proton VPN advanced features

Canadians will truly appreciate Proton VPN’s rigorous no-logs policy, capable servers, and unblocking capabilities. However, the company takes it a notch further with a wide array of specialty servers and advanced security enhancements.

Specialty servers

• Double VPN (Secure Core): Connection is routed through Secure Core servers in different countries before going through another server.
• P2P: Optimized connections for file-sharing activities. The port forwarding feature also makes Proton VPN one of the best VPNs for torrenting.
• Tor over VPN: Directs internet traffic through a chain of Tor servers without using the Tor browser. This is useful for accessing the Dark Web.

See all Proton VPN features here >

Security Enhancements

Proton VPN also shines in terms of security enhancements that add an extra line of defense for your online journey. These include:

• NetShield, a VPN ad blocker that keeps you safe against malware, trackers, and ads. 
• Advanced VPN protocols like industry-standard WireGuard and OpenVPN with iOS and macOS apps also supporting IKEv2. 
• 3-state kill switch works like a regular VPN kill switch in the sense that it blocks your internet traffic when your connection fails. However, Proton VPN adds the option of a permanent kill switch that stops your device from connecting to the internet without first going through a VPN. 
• DNS leak protection encrypts your DNS queries and sends them to a private system no one can access.

Streaming and torrenting with Proton VPN in Canada

Besides making your online identity private, apps like Proton VPN are perfect for entertainment enthusiasts and torrenting aficionados. Many streaming platforms aggressively block VPNs, but Proton VPN effectively circumvents blocks in most regions while also providing secure torrenting through its many P2P servers.

Streaming capabilities

By leveraging the magic of Proton VPN for Canada, users can unblock streaming platforms, access region-exclusive content, and watch free shows on the UK-only streaming platform BBC iPlayer. While slower than other VPNs, connection speeds are enough for buffering-free streaming. 

Torrenting capabilities

Torrenting could land you in hot water, which is why it’s best to use a torrent-friendly app like Proton VPN to keep your identity and location safe. 

When running Proton VPN for torrenting purposes, look for servers with a P2P icon next to them. 

Because it implements port forwarding, the provider supplies great download speeds when file sharing, making it one of the top VPNs for torrenting.

Proton VPN pricing and subscription plans for Canada

Canadians have two premium plans to choose from that will likely fit different requirements and budgets. 

Subscription plans

Whether you’re playing the long game or looking for a short-term commitment, you’ll find something to like about these two subscription plans:

• Proton VPN Plus ($9.99/month for one year or $4.99 for two years) – Full-featured VPN service with no speed restrictions, support for 10 simultaneous devices, and all the advanced security features. The plus part refers to free access to things such as ProtonMail, Proton Drive, Proton Pass, and other secure services. 
• Proton Unlimited ($12.99/month for one year or €7.99/month for two years) – Bundle that provides all Proton VPN features together with premium access to ProtonMail Plus, Proton Drive, Plus, and Proton Calendar. 

You can get Proton VPN for two years at just $3.59/mo by using the following coupon:

Money-back guarantee

Trying Proton VPN is 100% risk-free because you can always rely on the 30-day money-back guarantee on both subscription plans. If you change your mind within that time window, you can simply request a refund and you’ll get it. 

Privacy and security for Canadians

There is no shortage of reasons why Proton VPN is an ideal solution for Canada, most notably due to its no-logs policy and advanced privacy features. 

No-logs policy

Proton VPN adheres to a strict no-logs policy that ensures no data about your online activities is stored. This covers browsing history, DNS queries, and IP address. Thus, government agencies, VPN providers themselves, and ISPs won’t be able to track anything you do. 

Moreover, Proton VPN infrastructure and the status of their apps went through multiple independent audits, including one conducted by Securitum. The auditors confirmed that Proton VPN doesn’t keep logs of user activities or metadata logs. As you can see in our rundown of best no-logs VPNs, Proton VPN is one of the rare VPNs that successfully proved their no-logs legitimacy.

As a plus, Proton VPN is headquartered in Switzerland, a country known for its strong privacy laws. Not only is Switzerland outside of US and EU jurisdiction, but it’s also not a member of the 14 Eyes alliance.

Encryption and security protocols

Proton VPN supports different security protocols. Yet, it all depends on the app you’re using. For example, the Windows client, Linux, and Android app support both OpenVPN and WireGuard (good news!), while iOS and Macs have IKEv2 and Wireguard. 

All network traffic is encrypted with ChaCha20 or AES-256 encryption – the strongest encryption protocol around. On top of that, add Proton VPN’s DNS leak protection to the mix and all your online activities will be completely hidden from even the most persistent third parties. 

Proton VPN alternatives for Canada

Proton VPN is packed with robust features and will serve you well in all your digital endeavors. Nevertheless, to confirm that you’re making the right choice, you should check out what other providers have to offer. The best alternatives at the moment are the big three (of course) – NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN.

NordVPN comparison

NordVPN is the best VPN on the market. With its 480 fast and secure Canadian servers that easily outperform all their competitors, military-grade security features, and advanced functionalities like split tunneling, Onion over VPN, and malware protections, Canadians have a lot to dig their teeth into. 

Considering NordVPN is miles ahead of Proton VPN in terms of speed (oh, and it’s also cheaper), it’s tough to ignore. 

Learn more in our direct Proton VPN vs NordVPN comparison. 

Surfshark comparison

If savings are your priority, you should consider Surfshark. However, this cheap VPN doesn’t sacrifice quality. It’s chock-full of features, offering servers in 100+ countries, support for unlimited simultaneous connections, and speeds that almost match NordVPN – read about our conclusions in the Surfshark for Canada overview.

There’s one small problem, though. It’s based in the Netherlands, a country that is a proud member of the 9-Eyes alliance. 

Still, if you can turn a blind eye to this fact (pun intended), Surfshark is an amazing little VPN for Canada. 

Get the full picture in our dedicated Surfshark review.

ExpressVPN comparison

ExpressVPN has been in the industry since 2009, and it’s always been considered one of the best VPNs around. Due to its RAM-only servers, reliable proprietary Lightway protocol, and perks such as router support, it’s a fine Canada-friendly VPN.

While it’s slightly faster than Proton VPN, it’s almost double the price, which may not be enough to win over most users.

For a full list of perks, sift through our detailed ExpressVPN review.

Summary: A sleeper VPN with tons of value

Despite its status as the underdog, Proton VPN is one of the top VPNs for Canada. In addition to strong privacy features, a no-logs policy, and a reasonable price, Proton VPN also delivers positively surprising performance, making it a worthy opponent to more established competitors. 

It’s super versatile, unblocks popular streaming platforms, and can be used for gaming, torrenting, and plain old browsing. 

So, if you’re looking for a VPN service with amazing privacy and security but don’t want to go for the usual choices, Proton VPN is the way to go. Feel free to try it, and if you don’t like it, you can always get your money back – a win-win situation. 

Other Canada VPN guides:

• Best VPN for Canada
• NordVPN for Canada
• Surfshark for Canada
• ExpressVPN for Canada
• Top 5 Cheapest VPNs for Canada
• How to get a Canadian IP Address
• Best VPNs for Toronto
• Best VPNs for Vancouver
• Best VPNs for Montreal

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Proton VPN keep logs of my online activities?

No. Proton VPN adheres to a strict no-logs policy that was audited by independent third parties. This means none of your online activity data is stored or monitored.

Can Proton VPN unblock popular streaming services in Canada?

Yes. Proton VPN is effective in unblocking various streaming services in Canada, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Max.

What security features does Proton VPN offer?

Proton VPN offers powerful security features such as military-grade AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and support for the WireGuard protocol.

How does Proton VPN compare with other VPN services in Canada?

Proton VPN is a trustworthy option in Canada not only due to its features but also because of its reliability and value, matching some of its more established competitors.

This article on using Proton VPN for Canada was last updated on July 31, 2024.