Crave is a popular streaming service available only in Canada. To stream Crave in the US, you’ll need to use a reliable VPN and connect to a server in Canada to bypass geo-restrictions. Based on my tests, NordVPN is the best VPN to watch Crave in the US thanks to its network of 2,000+ US servers and fast HD and 4K streaming speeds.
Crave is a Canadian streaming service offering exclusive access to content from networks like HBO, but you can only access it in Canada. Strict geo-blocks prevent you from watching in the US and other countries. Thankfully, you can watch Crave in the US by changing your IP address with a VPN. Choose a reliable streaming VPN, install the app, and connect to a Canadian VPN server to unblock Crave.
However, Crave detects and blocks VPN connections, which means you need a truly reliable VPN with anti-detection features. Based on my tests and experience, NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN are the best VPNs for Crave thanks to powerful unblocking functionality, vast server networks, fast streaming speeds, and anti-detection measures.
Below, I’ve explained how you can watch Crave from the US without detection, giving you access to Canada’s streaming service outside the country.
Our recommended VPN for Crave
NordVPN is the best VPN to watch Crave, and Android users can activate a 3-day free trial through the Google Play Store, making it a risk-free way to see how it works.
Why do I need a VPN to watch Crave in the US?
Crave is only available for use within Canada. This is due to broadcasting and licensing restrictions that limit where the content can be shown. While you can download content before traveling to the US for offline viewing, if you try to access Crave from the US, you’ll typically see an error message: “We’re sorry, this content is only available for viewing in Canada”.
If you want to access Crave in the United States, you will have to use a VPN with servers in Canada. By connecting to a VPN server, you’ll get a Canadian IP address and trick the platform into thinking that you’re physically located in Canada. This unblocks the platform and lets you stream content without restrictions.
Note that you’ll need to choose a secure VPN that has servers in Canada so it can bypass the restrictions used by Crave. This includes anti-VPN measures that can detect poor-quality VPNs and block them. Luckily, there are some solid streaming VPNs on the market that can unblock Crave while avoiding detection, including NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN.
How to watch Crave in the US with a VPN
- Choose a reliable VPN. In our testing, NordVPN’s cheapest plan (Standard) worked perfectly for streaming Crave TV. You can try it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Install the VPN software on your streaming device.
- Connect to a VPN server in Canada to change your IP address.
- Log in to or create an account on Crave.
- Enjoy watching Crave in the US or other restricted countries without blocks!
Using a VPN is perfectly legal, but streaming platforms often discourage VPN access in their user policies. Crave may limit your account if it detects VPN usage, so it’s smart to review Crave’s official Terms and Conditions.
Best VPNs for Crave in 2026
A reliable Crave VPN needs to have enough servers located in Canada to unblock the platform while avoiding server congestion. It also needs high-speed connections that support HD and 4K streaming, low latency, and anti-detection security measures that disguise your VPN connection to avoid being blocked. After in-house tests, NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN stood out as the best Crave VPNs, thanks to their fast speeds, strong security, and reliable access from outside Canada.
| VPN for Crave | Rating | Works with Crave? | Servers in Canada | Speed | Price | Free version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. NordVPN | 9.8 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Yes | 300+ servers across 3 cities | Extremely fast | $ 3.49/month | ✅ Yes, on Android |
| 2. Surfshark | 9.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Yes | 170+ servers across 3 cities | Extremely fast | $ 2.49/month | ✅ Yes, on mobile |
| 3. Proton VPN | 8.6 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Yes | 500+ servers across 3 cities | Very fast | $ 2.99/month | ✅ Yes, free version |
Based on my research, a reliable Crave VPN needs to meet certain criteria to be considered as one of the best VPNs for Crave:
- Can the VPN bypass Crave blocks? Many VPNs fail to bypass geo-blocking software, so I tested each provider to ensure it could reliably avoid detection while unblocking the site. This included trying multiple Canadian server IPs, clearing cache/cookies between tests, and checking consistency over several days to rule out temporary success.
- Does your VPN have servers in Canada? To use Crave in the USA (or outside Canada), you need a VPN with plenty of Canadian servers. More servers give you more IP options, reduce the chance of blocks, and help avoid congestion during peak hours. I checked both the number of distinct Canadian locations offered and how often switching servers restored access when one was blocked.
- Is your VPN fast enough for streaming? To support lag-free HD and 4K streaming, your VPN needs to offer high-speed connections with minimal throttling. I conducted speed tests on multiple Canadian endpoints to confirm each VPN maintained download speeds strong enough for smooth playback, as well as low latency for quick load times.
- Does the VPN prevent DNS/IP leaks? Even a Canadian IP won’t help if your real location leaks. I performed DNS and IP leak tests while connected to Canadian servers to verify that true location data was hidden, ensuring Crave couldn’t detect and block users based on DNS or WebRTC leaks.
1. NordVPN – overall best VPN for Crave in the US
- Rating: 9.8 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Servers in Canada: 300+ servers across 3 cities
- Price: $ 3.49/month, now 75% off
NordVPN is the best VPN for Crave, as it offers the fastest streaming servers, which include obfuscated and streaming-specific servers. This means it can easily bypass Crave’s anti-VPN measures and remain undetected.
NordVPN’s server network comprises 9300+ worldwide servers, with around 300+ servers in Canada alone. This means you can find a server that unblocks Crave while avoiding the risk of server congestion that can cause slowdowns.
I tested NordVPN on the Montreal – #1619 server and could stream Crave in the USA without being blocked or detected for using a VPN. My speeds peaked at around 900 Mbps, but even when averaged across 10 international servers, I saw an average of around 750 Mbps.
Additionally, NordVPN offers the most robust security of any streaming VPN, including web protection to block trackers and frustrating adverts, and AES-256 encryption. It also features double VPN servers that allow you to route your data through 2 VPN servers, enhancing anonymity and privacy.
As the best VPN for Crave, NordVPN is currently 70% off and offers a 3-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free. If you decide to continue, you can get a long-term subscription starting from just $ 3.49/month.
Pros
- Unblocks Crave in the US without detection
- Fastest HD and 4K streaming speeds
- Obfuscated servers to disguise VPN traffic
Cons
- Limited to 10 max connections
BEST VPN TO WATCH CRAVE IN USA: NordVPN is the best Crave VPN. With more than 300 Canadian servers, NordVPN lets you easily unblock Crave and enjoy smooth HD streaming with no buffering. You’ll also get powerful security tools, hiding your real IP address to avoid VPN detection. Try NordVPN completely risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark – affordable Crave VPN with unlimited connections
- Rating: 9.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Servers in Canada: 170+ servers across 3 cities
- Price: From $ 2.49/month, now 85% off + 3 months free
Surfshark is the best-value VPN for Crave at just $ 2.49/month, which can unblock the streaming platform reliably and affordably. It’s the most budget-friendly solution I tested while offering great value for money with support for unlimited connections.
Surfshark offers a total of 4500+ VPN servers, including 170+ connections in Canada to avoid server congestion. All of Surfshark’s servers in Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto that I tried easily allowed me to stream, but I mostly used Vancouver connections as these gave the best performance. As a result, I successfully unblocked Crave with speeds of up to 890 Mbps, which averaged around 730 Mbps when benchmarked on 10 global servers.
I also tested Surfshark Everlink across multiple Canadian servers, and it consistently stayed connected without interruptions. Even when I switched servers, the kill switch and leak protection kept my real location hidden, and Crave remained unblocked. Check the full Surfshark VPN review for more details.
Surfshark is an affordable VPN for Crave that’s available from just $ 2.49/month with a special Surfshark coupon code. You can get started with a 7-day free trial on mobile and a 30-day money-back guarantee on all platforms to try the service out for free, too.
Pros
- Easily bypasses geo-blocks on Crave
- Affordable subscriptions
- Fast HD and 4K streaming speeds
Cons
- Some advanced features charged separately
BEST VALUE: Surfshark is the cheapest VPN for Crave. Starting at just $ 2.49/month, Surfshark is a budget-friendly way to watch Crave in the US. It offers premium features, fast speeds, consistent unblocking, and unlimited device connections, which is perfect for streaming on multiple screens at once. Even with its low price, Surfshark includes advanced privacy tools and a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it a great choice for affordable Crave access.
3. Proton VPN – secure VPN for Crave with 500+ Canadian servers
- Rating: 8.6 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Servers in Canada: 500+ servers across 3 cities
- Price: From $ 2.99/month, now 70% off
Proton VPN is the best VPN for Crave if you value the best privacy features and a free version to try the service out first. While you need Premium to effectively unblock Crave, you also get access to a vast server network and the fastest speeds for streaming.
In total, Proton VPN offers 20400+ servers in 127+ countries, which includes over 500 servers in Canada for unblocking Crave. During my tests, I benchmarked Proton VPN’s speeds at around 738 Mbps, peaking at 880 Mbps. Proton VPN’s 10Gbps Toronto #9 server gave me the most streaming consistency. That said, all Proton VPN’s server locations, including Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto, offered lag-free HD and 4K streams on Crave, while strong privacy and security features ensured that I wasn’t detected for using a VPN.
When I tested Proton VPN on Crave, I noticed it offers multi-hop connections that route my data through Swiss connection points. Since Switzerland is a privacy-friendly country with no mandatory data retention laws, it gives me strong confidence in its zero-data-logging privacy. I also found that all of Proton VPN’s servers include leak protection and AES-256 encryption for extra security.
Proton VPN is the best freemium VPN for Crave with a strong privacy focus, available at $ 2.99/month with a special discount code. There’s no free trial, as you can use the Free tier to test Proton VPN, but new subscribers get a 30-day money-back guarantee to try the service out risk-free.
Pros
- Privacy-first Swiss jurisdiction
- Vast network of 20400+ servers
- 500+ Canada VPN servers to unblock Crave
Cons
- Free version not suitable for Crave
PRIVACY FOCUSED: Proton VPN keeps you secure while streaming Crave in the USA. Its AES-256 encryption, strict no-logs policy, and Secure Core servers keep your online activity private and secure while bypassing geo-restrictions. It also offers high-speed servers optimized for streaming, so you can watch Crave without buffering. Plus, you can start with its free unlimited-data plan and upgrade risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
How to get Crave in the US: a detailed guide
To watch Crave in the US, you need to choose a reliable VPN for streaming and connect to a Canadian VPN server. Use my guide to watching Crave in the US below to get access in minutes.
Step 1. Choose a reliable streaming VPN
The only way to access Crave in the US is to change your IP to a Canadian one using a reliable VPN. First, choose a reliable VPN for Crave that has plenty of high-speed servers in Canada. I tested more than 20 premium VPNs to see which could effectively unblock Crave while avoiding detection. Crave doesn’t approve of VPN usage and will block you if it thinks you’re using a VPN.
Based on my tests, NordVPN is the best VPN for Crave – it offers the fastest speeds, excellent Canadian server coverage, and advanced features like obfuscated servers to remain undetected while streaming.
Step 2. Download and install the VPN app
Next, download and install the VPN software. Premium VPNs tend to support Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and a range of streaming devices, such as Fire TV Stick and Android TVs. However, look out for free trials, as NordVPN, for example, has a 3-day free trial that can only be accessed in the Google Play Store. Follow the on-screen prompts to install your software.
Step 3. Connect to a VPN server in Canada
Crave is legally available only in Canada. Once you launch your VPN, connect to a Canadian server using a reliable VPN service. During my tests, I used Montreal with NordVPN, Vancouver with Surfshark, and Toronto with Proton VPN.
Step 4. Enjoy watching Crave without restrictions
As long as your VPN remains active, you should now be able to access Crave without being blocked. If you’re having trouble getting around the blocks, try another VPN server, and make sure you’re using a premium VPN like NordVPN that’s tried and tested, and can easily bypass Crave restrictions.
Crave not working with a VPN? Here’s how to fix
If Crave isn’t working while you’re connected to a VPN, it’s usually because the streaming service has detected and blocked the VPN IP address you’re using. This is a common issue when unblocking streaming services, and while it can indicate a poor-quality VPN, this isn’t always the case. Here are some fixes you can try:
- Try a different VPN server. Crave can detect a VPN server and blacklist it based on the server’s IP address, and this can affect any VPN. This is why it’s important to choose a VPN with a large number of servers in Canada. Close your browser session, then try another server to see if it resolves the issue.
- Clear your browser cache and cookies. Cached location data and cookies can give away your real location, even when you’re connected to a VPN. Clearing your cache forces Crave to re-check your connection and location, which may help.
- Use an obfuscated or streaming-optimized server. Premium VPNs, such as NordVPN, offer obfuscated, stealth, or streaming-optimized servers that can be more effective at bypassing VPN detection by disguising your traffic to look like regular internet traffic.
- Contact VPN support. If Crave repeatedly blocks your connection, your VPN may not reliably unblock the service. Consider switching to a service I’ve tried and tested, above, or contact your VPN’s customer support team.
Is there a free VPN for Crave?
Instead of relying on a free VPN for Crave, I recommend using NordVPN’s 3-day free trial or a 30-day money-back guarantee, as there’s no free VPN that will effectively and safely unblock Crave. While Proton VPN offers a Free tier, it’s not as fast as the Premium tier for streaming without lag.
I’ve tested other free VPNs with Crave, but they were too slow, logged user data, or were easily detected and blocked. Some so-called free VPNs also engage in questionable activities like selling user data or even running malware in the background.
Final thoughts
Crave is blocked outside of Canada, so if you want to watch Crave in the US, you’ll need to change your IP address with a VPN. Not every VPN will do, though, as Crave actively detects and blocks VPN connections. You need to select a reliable VPN provider that uses anti-detection measures while still offering high-speed streaming connections that won’t lag over distances.
Based on my tests, NordVPN is the best Crave VPN that produced speeds of up to 900 Mbps during my tests and was never detected once. Simply connect to a Canadian VPN server, then go to the Crave website to create or log in to an account. Right now, you can get up to 75% off NordVPN on top of the free trial and money-back guarantee!
Related articles:
- How to watch Shoresy Season 5 on Crave
- How to watch The Traitors UK Season 4
- How to watch American TV abroad
- How to watch CBC Gem in the US
- How to watch Fox Sports with a VPN
FAQ
No, Crave TV is not officially available in the US. It is a Canadian streaming service available only in Canada. For US users and those outside Canada, the best workaround is using a strong VPN like NordVPN. NordVPN can easily bypass the platform’s geo-restrictions and let you watch Crave from anywhere, undetected.
You can only watch Crave in Canada due to the platform’s geographical restrictions. If you want to watch Crave in the USA or another country, you’ll need to use a VPN to change your IP address. Based on my tests, I recommend NordVPN, which has 300+ Canadian VPN servers and the fastest streaming speeds.
Yes, you can watch Crave in the US by using a VPN to connect to a server in Canada change your IP address. Since Crave is a Canadian-only streaming service, you’ll need to connect to a VPN server in Canada to access it from outside of the country. Based on my tests, I recommend NordVPN, which has 360+ Canadian servers and the fastest streaming speeds.
To watch Crave TV in the USA, download a reliable streaming VPN, connect to a VPN server in Canada, and you’ll be able to start streaming. I tested this with more than 20 VPNs and found that NordVPN is the best VPN to stream Crave TV in the USA or elsewhere. It offers the fastest HD and 4K streaming speeds, and you can access 300+ servers in Canada.
No, you can’t subscribe to Crave in the USA due to geographical restrictions that limit access to Canadian IP addresses. However, you can access the platform by using a VPN to change your IP address when connecting to a Canadian VPN server. You’ll still need a Canadian payment method or a gift card to subscribe to the service.
Yes, you can use a VPN to watch Crave, but because the platform detects and blocks VPNs, you need to choose a VPN that has reliable anti-detection features. I tested 20+ VPNs with Crave to identify the best providers at protecting your privacy, and NordVPN excelled in the areas of unblocking, streaming speeds, and being able to avoid detection.
Yes, Crave actively blocks VPN connections if it detects them because it is only licensed to show content to users who reside in Canada. However, many users manage to bypass Crave blocks and remain undetected by choosing premium VPNs with powerful security features. Based on my tests, NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN are all solid choices if you want to watch Crave in the US or elsewhere without being detected and blocked.
