Today, travelling with a digital device has become essential, whether it’s a laptop, a phone, or a tablet. We are constantly connected to the web, and the amount of personal information we store on these devices is immense, often without even realizing it. Think of all the passwords, bank accounts, and credit cards that are on your phone!
For these reasons, a VPN (virtual private network) is highly recommended for travellers. It allows you to connect securely to Wi-Fi anywhere in the world while protecting your personal data from prying eyes.
A VPN secures your online data by encrypting it with specialized protocols. These ensure fast and secure transmission of information.
The encrypted data is then redirected through a secure server, protecting it from any interception. A VPN also masks your location and allows you to connect to servers in other countries.
When travelling, we frequently connect to public Wi-Fi networks, for example, in hotels, airports, or cafes. However, these networks are extremely vulnerable as they are much less secure than private networks.
Therefore, avoid connecting to your bank account on a public network: your credentials and passwords could be easily intercepted. Fortunately, a VPN allows you to encrypt your data and browse safely on these public networks.
A VPN also allows you to bypass geographical restrictions. For example, if you are working remotely from abroad, you may need to connect to servers as if you were in Canada.
Moreover, streaming services such as Netflix or Prime Video offer different content depending on the country. With a VPN, you can make these sites believe you are in Canada and watch your favourite series as if you were at home.
To choose a good VPN, here are the elements to consider:
In the competitive VPN market, three providers stand out for their popularity:
Let’s analyze each of them and compare their features.
VPN service subscriptions are often billed in US dollars: to save 2.5% on your purchase, use a no foreign transaction fee card!
NordVPN is the most popular VPN provider on the market. It uses its own encryption protocol, NordLynx, a faster and more efficient version of WireGuard.
With over 6,000 servers in 111 countries, NordVPN offers maximum security, bypasses geographical restrictions, and provides high-speed streaming.
NordVPN offers monthly, annual, and two-year subscriptions, as well as four subscription levels: Basic, Advanced, Premium, and Ultra.
Prices start at $12.99 USD + taxes per month. Annual and bi-annual subscriptions are more affordable. For all prices and current promotions, check this link.
Surfshark, a popular VPN, offers enhanced security with military-grade encryption and advanced features for additional protections. It also uses the WireGuard protocol to ensure a fast and secure connection.
With over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, Surfshark allows you to bypass geographical restrictions. Unlike many competitors, Surfshark offers unlimited connections for all your devices.
Subscriptions are available for 1 month, 1 year, or 2 years, with the following three plans: Starter, One, and One+. The subscription costs 14.90 USD + taxes per month, with discounts for longer-term plans.
To discover current prices and offers, click on the following link.
CyberGhost is a VPN known for its ease of use and its extensive network of over 9,400 servers in 100 countries, which is significantly more servers than other providers. It allows simultaneous connections on 7 devices and offers 500 GB of free cloud storage.
Subscriptions are available in three plans: monthly (12.99 USD per month + taxes), 6 months, or two years. The prices are better for long-term commitments. There is no plan available for a one-year period.
For current rates and ongoing promotions, follow this link.
The Milesopedia team has personally tested NordVPN and Surfshark. Marie-Ève uses Surfshark during her long stays abroad, while Jean-Maximilien uses NordVPN from Canada and France.
Ultimately, the main VPN providers offer similar products. If you want to connect more than 10 devices at once, Surfshark is your best option, as it allows unlimited connections. Additionally, it is the cheapest provider during promotional periods.
If you perform speed-demanding tasks, such as video calls, photo or video downloads, NordVPN is the provider that slows down your connection the least. It is also the most comprehensive in terms of features and customer service.
For streaming enthusiasts (streaming), Cyberghost stands out with its dedicated options. Additionally, the encryption is military-grade for enhanced protection. Finally, access to 500 GB of cloud storage is offered with the subscription, which is convenient for saving numerous travel photos.
The most reliable VPNs include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost, all offering strong encryption and a no-logs policy. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are fast, while Surfshark is affordable and CyberGhost ideal for streaming.
ExpressVPN and NordVPN are often considered the most powerful VPNs due to their AES-256 bit encryption, enhanced security, and no-logs policy.
The best VPNs for Canada are NordVPN, CyberGhost, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN. All offer a money-back guarantee.
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