NordVPN Speed Test: Is NordVPN The Fastest VPN in Canada? [Updated 2022]
Choosing NordVPN is a wise move in Canada. It is one of the top VPNs available in 2022 that offers a wide range of features that appeal to many users, that is why we are going to conduct a NordVPN Speed Test for you.
Many analytics claims that it offers fast-speed VPN connections, which are important for buffer-free streaming and fast downloading. It has a huge network server with more than 5600 servers in 59 countries including 5 server locations in Canada alone.
Earlier this year, NordVPN unveiled the NordLynx protocol. It is built on WireGuard, the industry’s fastest protocol at the moment. WireGuard is fast, but it’s not the most secure option. Therefore, NordVPN strengthened it with double routing technology.
The first thing you notice when you visit NordVPN’s website is the promise that it is the “Fastest VPN on the planet.” And as it seems, that statement is true.
This VPN service, which has its headquarters in Panama, combines excellent speeds, hack-proof encryption, and a no-logs policy. Both newcomers and pro users will find the NordVPN app easy to use, and you can have everything for only CA$5.15/mo (CA$ 5.39 /mo (US$ 3.99 /mo ) (Get 57% Off + 3 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan)).
Moreover, NordVPN is among the most popular VPN services available in Canada, which offers users unmatched speeds and performance for unblocking platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu, while gaining the ability to download torrents, without encountering any legal hassles and DMCA notices.
NordVPN Speed Test Results for Canadian Users: Quick Summary
Below is a table with a summary of the NordVPN speedtest findings from five different server locations in case you are short on time and can’t read the whole article.
| Server | Download | Upload | Ping |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | 93.71Mbps | 91.18Mbps | 71ms |
| Canada | 95.38Mbps | 92.41Mbps | 60ms |
| Australia | 89.13Mbps | 90.62Mbps | 79ms |
| Switzerland | 88.58Mbps | 87.98Mbps | 82ms |
| Netherlands | 91.22Mbps | 90.19Mbps | 59ms |
| Average | 91.60Mbps | 90.47Mbps | 70.2ms |
NordVPN Speed Test Results For Canadian Users – Detailed Analysis
For my speed testing on NordVPN for Canadian users, I used a 100Mbps connection and connected to different servers in the US, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. For each server, I conducted an analysis with the Ookla Speed Test tool for latency, download, and upload speeds.
US Server
Upon connecting to a US server with NordVPN on my 100Mbps connection, I noticed a minimal speed loss of 6.2% in downloads (93.71Mbps), and 8.8% in the uploads (91.18Mbps) with a ping time of 71ms. NordVPN delivers amazing speeds on all US servers.
Canada Server
When connecting to a Canadian server with NordVPN on my 100Mbps connection, I noticed a slight decrease in the speed loss with a 4.6% change in downloads (95.38Mbps), and 7.5% in the uploads (92.41Mbps) with a ping time of 60ms. This was the fastest speed we got from Nord!
Australia Server
Upon connecting to an Australian server on my 100Mbps connection, I noticed a bigger increase in speed loss with a 10.8% change in downloads (89.13Mbps), and 9.3% in the uploads (90.62Mbps) with a ping time of 79ms. The US and Canadian servers proved to be way faster!
Switzerland Server
When connecting to a Switzerland server with NordVPN, the speed loss further increased (but still not that bad) with a 11.4% change in downloads (88.58Mbps), and 12.2% in the uploads (87.98Mbps) with a ping time of 82ms. However, it is still below the 15% change mark!
Netherlands Server
Upon connecting to a server in the Netherlands via NordVPN, the results were quite impressive with a speed loss of 8.7% in downloads (91.22Mbps), and 9.8% in the uploads (90.19Mbps) with the lowest ping time of 59ms. The download speeds are faster than in Switzerland and Australia!
NordVPN Speed Test for Canadian Users: NordVPN Latency Tests
Latency is an important metric of speed testing. Typically, if you get high pings, you will face a load of buffering and connectivity issues in Canada. In gaming, this phenomenon is quite familiar. If your NordVPN latency is high, you will receive more lagging and freezing issues.
NordVPN, on the other hand, offered some great results. When connected to their servers, the ping time wasn’t incredibly high, as when not connected to a VPN. At the time of testing, I was receiving around 50ms on my standard internet connection.
I compared this average with the VPN latency of different servers. From the results below, you can see that the Netherlands server has the lowest latency of all, followed by the Canadian and US servers. All of them stay close to the average I receive from my ISP.
NordVPN Speed Test for Canadian Users: NordVPN Download Speed Tests
The download speed is the main factor that decides how long it will take for you to save a large file from the internet in Canada. If you have a 100Mbps connection, you should get the same bandwidth when downloading and uploading files. However, things change when you add a VPN to the menu.
VPNs change your location by cloaking your IP address and giving you a new one, then adding encryption to the connection, as to secure all incoming/outgoing traffic. With this extra encryption passing through a different protocol, your average speeds are bound to reduce a little.
To get a better idea about NordVPN’s download speeds in Canada, I conducted a test and then plotted all the results in one location. As you can see, the Canadian server gives us the highest speeds on a 100Mbps network. It manages to deliver a good 95.38Mbps, showing only a minimal speed loss of 4.6%, while the slowest speeds were from the Switzerland server.
NordVPN Speed Test for Canadian Users: NordVPN Upload Speed Tests
Following its lead in my download tests, the Canadian server once again had the best impact on upload speeds. It managed to deliver an amazing 92.41Mbps on my 100Mbps connection, showing a minimal loss of only 7.5%, which is quite remarkable the say the least.
Of course, the lowest we received was again from the Switzerland server. Therefore, it is safe to deduce that as you connect to servers far away, you may notice a higher speed loss. However, even so, a 12.2% change in the upload performance is not bad.
Average Speed of NordVPN
NordVPN speed tests reveal amazing performance with download speeds touching 91.60 Mbps on average and uploading at 90.47Mbps. The speed loss is quite less, in comparison to other providers in Canada.
After receiving the results, I plotted all the performance metrics in a table with the percentage changes on these servers, as compared to the average speeds I receive on my 100Mbps connection. Refer to the statistics below to analyze the level of speed loss to expect with NordVPN in Canada.
| VPN Server | Latency Change | Download Speed Change | Upload Speed Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | 42% | 6.2% | 8.8% |
| Canada | 20% | 4.6% | 7.5% |
| Australia | 58% | 10.8% | 9.3% |
| Switzerland | 64% | 11.4% | 12.2% |
| Netherlands | 18% | 8.7% | 9.8% |
Another outstanding feature of NordVPN is its innovation of the new WireGuard protocol knowns as NordLynx. Although the fantastic speed test results have already been mentioned above, here are some additional advantages of using WireGuard with NordVPN:
- Immediate Connections.
- Smooth-shifting between networks, like when converting from 4G to Lan to WiFi.
- Longer battery life for mobile devices.
- Increased stability and fewer lost connections.
In comparison to other well-known protocols, NordLynx is a future-generation VPN protocol that offers exceptional speeds. It is essentially a better version of WireGuard.
NordVPN Speed Test Open Source Tool
NordVPN, a supplier of virtual private network (VPN) services, has created an open-source speed-test application that enables customers to evaluate the speeds of various VPN providers in an unbiased manner.
The tool, according to the manufacturer, is intended to overcome the shortcomings of traditional VPN testing tools, such as their lack of stability, systematic approach, and transparency.
The tool, according to the provider, offers a unique, reliable speed-testing approach for accurately gauging the network bandwidth of a VPN source. To get a fair result, NordVPN recommends running a VPN performance test for three days consecutively, with at least one test every hour.
Why NordVPN is the Best Option For Lag-Free Gaming in Canada
Making sure your VPN has an extensive network is crucial if you wish to play on several regional servers or access geo-restricted games in Canada. NordVPN succeeds in this area already, and with great router software, you can avoid throttling on your Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, or any other device you want to play your game on.
Speed will be important if you plan to use your selected VPN service for online gaming in Canada, but it doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your pings and privacy.
For that purpose, NordVPN is the best VPN for gaming. Whether you are a Warzone fan or a Dota lover, or a fan of newer titles like PUBG, call of duty, there is one thing you must remember, online gaming is fun until you start experiencing lag during an intense match or a sudden geo-blocking restriction.
Prominent Features of NordVPN in Canada
| Price | CA$5.15/mo (CA$ 5.39 /mo (US$ 3.99 /mo ) (Get 57% Off + 3 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan)) |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30-Days |
| Does NordVPN keep logs? | No |
| Number of Servers | 5600 servers in 59 countries including 5 server locations in Canada |
| Number of Simultaneous Devices | 6 devices |
| Kill switch | Yes |
| Supports torrenting | Yes |
| Encryption | AES-256-GCM Bit Encrypted |
NordVPN offers each major element of security in Canada. For instance, the no-logging policy of this VPN prevents the collection of user information. Other NordVPN security features include double VPN, Obfuscation technology, Threat Protection, and AES 256-bit encryption.
NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Additionally, you can use a single account to connect up to six devices at once.
Streaming Platforms NordVPN Unblocks in Canada
NordVPN is among the best options for streaming right now in Canada. Even though NordVPN has gained more popularity for offering security and encryption methods that the majority of top-tier VPN providers do not, it hasn’t lost its edge when it comes to offering HD-quality and buffer-free access to geo-blocked streaming platforms.
Below is the list of famous streaming platforms which NordVPN unblocks in Canada:
- Netflix (US, UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, South Korea, Japan, and more).
- Hulu US
- Disney+
- BBC iPlayer
- Amazon Prime Video
- HBO Go
- Hotstar
- CBS
- Sony Liv
- NBC Live
- ESPN+
- Spotify
- FuboTV
- SlingTV
Always makes sure that your browser’s cache, cookies, and history are cleaned for a better streaming experience before attempting to access any streaming services with NordVPN.
NordVPN Security Breach Incident
Unlike many other VPN providers in Canada, NordVPN hasn’t been involved in any incidents. However, there was one that happened in 2018. The company’s Finland server was hacked.
The hacker, however, could not get off with anything because there was no data to take. Since NordVPN doesn’t store any logs and secures its user’s information.
Since then, NordVPN has made a commitment to enhancing its security, and in response, it aims to implement these changes as follows:
- To ensure that user data is never saved, all servers must be RAM-Based. So if by any chance a breach happens again, there will be no important files to steal.
- Introduced a bug bounty program and encouraged its people to find bugs as soon as possible and fix them before they might cause any harm.
- NordVPN has teamed up with security consulting firm VerSprite to focus on pen testing, intrusion response, and source code analysis.
- Tightened the server security with encrypted storage.
- Then, in 2020, the business promises to conduct a “full-scale independent third-party security audit” of every aspect of its infrastructure, including its internal practices, software, hardware, backend architecture, and source code.
Which Devices are Compatible with the NordVPN in Canada?
Almost every device under the digital streaming devices category is compatible with NordVPN in Canada. The list includes all the major brands like;
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
- Xbox
- Firestick
- Linux
- Raspberry Pi
- Chromecast
- Playstation
NordVPN Pros and Cons
- Exceptional download and upload speed
- A huge, escalating server network.
- Solid privacy with an officially certified zero-logging policy.
- Specialty servers (including P2p, obfuscated, double VPN, and Open VPN)
- User-friendly client
- Compatible with Netflix, Disney+, and other streaming platforms
- Allows P2P and torrenting
- Offers specialized IP addresses.
- 6 simultaneous device connections, including routers.
- Missing split tunneling feature.
- A little expensive for short-term plans
NordVPN Speed Test: FAQs
How fast is NordVPN?
NordVPN promises to be the fastest VPN on the planet, and that is true as NordVPN delivers an average download speed of 91.60Mbps and an average upload speed of 90.47Mbps on a 100Mbps connection.
Why is NordVPN slow in Canada?
If you are connected to a slow protocol or a server far away while in Canada, NordVPN may not be able to deliver amazing performance. The good idea is to choose the OpenVPN protocol and connect to servers near your location.
How can I Increase NordVPN Speed in Canada?
To increase the NordVPN speed in Canada, consider changing the server and shifting to a different protocol. For specific use cases like downloading torrents or unblocking streaming platforms, use NordVPN P2P or streaming servers. Last but not least, add NordVPN as an exception in your Firewall.
Will NordVPN slow down my computer in Canada?
No, NordVPN will certainly not slow down your computer in Canada. Their apps are free from any viruses/malware and tend to be incredibly lightweight, easy to use, and intuitive. Their connection time to servers is also one the fastest in the industry!
Does VPN reduce ping in games in Canada?
Using a VPN when playing online games can undoubtedly reduce your ping. In order to avoid high pings in Canada, connect to a VPN server that is closer to the game server.
Is NordVPN good for Netflix in Canada?
NordVPN is one of the best VPNs we’ve tested for streaming Netflix in Canada. It impressively unblocks 11 Netflix regions.
How can I test my VPN speed in Canada?
You can test your VPN speed on Ookla in Canada and check out the download speed, upload speed, and ping rate.
NordVPN Speed Test: Wrapping Things Up
With this, we come to an end with this NordVPN Speed Test guide. As you can see, NordVPN manages to ace all of its speed tests on different servers. You can use the VPN for streaming in Ultra HD, gaming without lag, and torrenting with maximum speeds in Canada!
