The Best Internet Providers in Canada

Whether your gaming, streaming Netflix, or checking your Facebook feed, having a strong internet connection is important. After all, there is nothing more annoying than slow and unstable internet. There are plenty of internet providers in Canada. In fact, choosing one can be difficult. That’s why we created this guide to list the best internet providers in Canada.

Region served: Not all internet providers serve every province. Some are only available in certain parts of Canada, like the Maritimes or Western Canada. Most companies have a drop-down feature that lists the provinces they serve. Some let you enter in your address to see if your area is covered. Your address can also influence the plans available to you. For example, some people no longer have access to fibre internet when they move to a new home/apartment in the same city. Always check the provider’s availability before signing up.

Prices: The prices an internet provider charges can affect several things. Cheaper plans usually have slower internet speeds, data limits, and a limited number of devices you can connect (e.g., 1-5 devices). Higher priced plans (e.g., over $100) are better in those three categories. Many providers have special deals where you get a good internet plan for an affordable price. Shaw’s Fibre+ 300 is a good example.

Length of contract: Some internet providers have contracts that lock you in for a certain period of time. Other companies have no contracts at all. Consider how long you’ll want to stay with your provider. If you’re happy with your plan, the contract length should not be an issue. But if you need to suddenly cancel your plan, you might be hit with an early cancellation fee. If you want flexibility, stick with a zero-contract internet provider.

Speeds: This refers to how fast your internet connection is. Companies will list their download (data from the internet to your computer) and upload speed (data from your computer to the internet). Internet speeds are measure in megabytes (Mbps) and gigabytes (Gbps). The general range for internet speeds is 10 Mbps – 1.5Gbps. Anything 100 Mbps and over is considered fast. Anything below 100 Mbps is considered slow. Most providers offer the full spectrum of internet speeds . People using the internet for basic tasks (e.g., reading emails) can go with slower internet speeds. If you like gaming or streaming Netflix for several hours, then you stick with a higher Mbps plan.

Data limits

Internet data limits are like talk/text minutes for mobile phone plans. They are a set amount of data you can use. Anytime you browse a website, play a video game, or stream a YouTube video, data is used. Many internet providers have data limits for their lower priced plans (e.g., 250 GB). Higher priced plans tend to have unlimited data usage. If you go over your data limit, an overage fee is charged to your account. People  frequently using the internet for several hours at a time should go with an unlimited data internet plan. If you use internet for simple tasks, you can select a plan with a data limit.

Membership benefits

Some internet providers have deals and benefits for their subscribers. They are usually called bundles. With the bundles you can receive a free smart TV, wireless earbuds, and other gadgets. Discounts on internet plans are also available. For example, you can combine your internet and mobile phone plans to receive discounts on both.

For this buying guide, we spent over eight hours researching several Canadian internet providers. We based our selections on availability, data limits, connection speeds, and customer satisfaction. We tried to select providers that were available in every Canadian province. Our team read several customer reviews to learn what people want out of a good internet provider. Lastly, we consulted various sources for further information on internet providers.

How much does internet cost in Canada?

In Canada, the cost of internet depends on the provider. The average cost for cheaper plans is $40.00-$60.00 per month. Higher priced plans range from $155.00-$175.00 per month. Most companies have discounts for the first two years of the contract. For example, Telus removes $36.00 off their PureFibre Gigabit plan for 24 months. Instead of paying $135.00 per month, you pay $99.00.

Who has the cheapest internet package in Canada?

Oxio is one of the cheapest internet providers in Canada. Their prices start at $40.00 a month for their basic plan: 25 Mbps download speed with unlimited data. Their fastest plan (1000 Mbps with unlimited data) costs $95.00 per month. In Ontario and Québec, Virgin Plus has affordable internet plans. Prices start at $70.00 per month and go up to $90.00. For the first year of your plan, you get a $40.00 or $45.00 discount. VMedia is one of the cheapest internet providers in the Maritimes. Their Internet 50 plan costs $54.95 per month, put for 12 months you get a $20.00 discount. This plan gives you 50 Mbps download speed plus unlimited data. If you want something faster, the Internet 150 plan has 150 Mbps download speed with unlimited data for 69.95 a month.

Who has the fasted internet in Canada?

According to the website Speedtest, the fastest internet provider in Canada for Q3 2022 is Rogers, with a median download speed of 223.89 Mbps. Shaw came in second place with 206.06 Mbps. Bell Canada rounded out the top three with 157.05 Mbps.

What is considered high-speed internet in Canada?

In Canada, anything over 100 Mbps is considered high-speed internet. The fastest internet speed offered by providers is usually 1.5 Gbps.

How do I switch internet providers?

Switching internet providers is a fairly simple process. Before you start, review the contract you have with your current provider. Most companies charge an early exit fee if you leave before the contract ends. If your current provider has no contracts, you don’t have to worry about this. If you have an email address with your current provider, you may not have access to it once you make the switch. if that’s the case, transfer your data to an email service like Gmail.

To start, let your current provider know of the switch. Some sites recommend letting the provider know 30 days in advance. While this isn’t legally required, it can help make the switch easier. For example, the provider can give you heads up on any outstanding payments you owe. Once you’ve selected a new provider and plan, contact them to request a service transfer. Your new internet provider will  send a notice of cancellation to your current provider. When your current provider receives the notice, they will cancel your service immediately. Your new internet provider will take care of the handover.

How do you set up home internet?

Your internet provider will give you an internet modem and the required cables. In most cases, you’ll need a coax cable and power cord. Optional items include an ethernet cable or 2-way splitter. To start, connect the coax cable to the modem, and insert the other end into the coax cable outlet. Next, attach the power cord to your modem and connect the other end to an outlet. Once the coax and power are connected, the modem should automatically start up. Some modems require you to press a button. Your modem will begin the activation process, which can take up to 15 minutes. A small light(s) will flash during the process. Activation is complete when the light(s) turn a solid colour. If the colour doesn’t change, contact your provider’s customer support team.

The WiFi network name and password will printed either on the side or top of your modem. To connect your devices, open their WiFi settings. Select the network name and enter in the password. After you’ve connected, you can customize the name and password.

Place your modem in a central location in your home. Ideally, the modem should be in the open and raised off the ground. Avoid placing it in confined spaces. Shaw recommends putting the modem away from other household appliances, metal or stainless-steel objects, and electrical equipment. This limits WiFi interference.