NicoNico is considered one of the famous video-sharing websites in Japan. It ranks #2 among the most visited sites in the Arts and Entertainment category and boasts 183.6 million visits, making it one of the most accessed platforms in Japanese cyberspace. However, it is hard to access NicoNico in Canada because it is geo-restricted.
To unblock its content, you need to have a Japanese IP address, and the easiest way to get one is through the best VPN for NicoNico in Canada. It will help you change your IP address to the one in your chosen region, in this case, Japan, and it can help let you access into all the blocked sites.
Using the best VPN in Canada, you can access NicoNico easily content through Japanese servers. ExpressVPN stands out as the best VPN for NicoNico due to its fast speeds, amazing streaming experience, and 30-day money-back guarantee.
This guide will explore the three VPNs that will give you the best streaming experience on NicoNico. Let’s dive in!
Quick Overview: Best VPN for NicoNico in Canada 2024
To gain a better understanding of the compatible VPN for NicoNico, I carried out tests and ended up choosing three that stood out. Below, you can find a quick overview of the best VPN for NicoNico in Canada:
Why Do You Need a VPN for NicoNico in Canada?
You need a VPN for Niconico in Canada because it’s a geo-restricted website. In recent years, it has emerged as a solid contender and may have even passed the popularity of YouTube in Japan. Some video creators are gaining traction on the website, most of whom are also aiming for fame in the global market.
To access what NicoNico has to offer, one needs to be in Japan or have a Japanese IP address in Canada as it is a geo-blocked website. If you try to access it without a VPN in Canada, you will face a geo-restriction error:
“Sorry, this video can only be viewed in the same region where it was uploaded.”
I got a geo-restriction error when trying to use NicoNico without a VPN in Canada.
Aside from changing your IP address, it also protects your privacy. In 2023, Norton reported that over 75% of targeted cyberattacks begin with an email, including phishing attempts to trick streaming service users like Niconico into revealing their credentials. Thanks to built-in tools, VPNs can often detect such tricks and help keep you safe online.
3 Best VPNs for NicoNico in Canada – [Detailed Analysis 2024]
To look for the best VPN for NicoNico, I conducted a detailed analysis of multiple vendors, among which I shortlisted the 3 best VPNs to watch NicoNico in Canada:
1. ExpressVPN – Best VPN for NicoNico in Canada
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for NicoNico in Canada, offering unmatched unblocking capabilities and super-fast streaming speeds. With a global network of thousands of servers in 105 countries, including Japan, ExpressVPN ensures viewers can seamlessly access NicoNico’s Japanese content.
During my tests, I connected to ExpressVPN’s Shibuya server, which provided immediate access to NicoNico, allowing me to stream various videos without any buffering. This demonstrates ExpressVPN’s effectiveness in bypassing geo-restrictions and managing bandwidth-intensive streaming tasks.
I was able to unblock NicoNico easily with ExpressVPN’s Japan-based servers.
In an ExpressVPN speed test in Canada, on a 100 Mbps connection, it delivered download speeds of 89.42 Mbps and upload speeds of 84.64 Mbps. These speeds are excellent for streaming NicoNico in HD quality, ensuring smooth playback and no interruptions.
This speed is enough to stream in high resolution.
Security is a key feature of ExpressVPN, which offers AES 256-bit encryption, a no-logs policy, and a Kill Switch. These security measures safeguard your online activities and protect your data from unauthorized access.
ExpressVPN’s competitive pricing includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to explore its capabilities thoroughly before committing. Additionally, there’s an ExpressVPN free trial in Canada available for new users, providing a risk-free way to test the service firsthand.
For more detailed insights into its features and benefits, visit the comprehensive ExpressVPN review in Canada.
Exclusive Deal:
Access NicoNico in Canada with ExpressVPN! CA$ 9.11/mo (US$ 6.67/mo) - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free
Pros
- Excellent option for unblocking Niconico due to excellent unblocking ability
- Unblock all Japanese streaming platforms without getting flagged
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Discounts are valid for a short time.
2. Surfshark – Budget-friendly VPN for NicoNico in Canada
Surfshark is the budget-friendly VPN for NicoNico in Canada, offering affordable and reliable access to this Japanese streaming service. It provides a global network of 3200+ servers in 100 countries, including Japan, making it easy for viewers to connect to NicoNico’s rich collection of content.
During my testing, I connected to Surfshark’s server in Tokyo and Osaka, which provided immediate access to NicoNico, allowing me to stream various Japanese videos smoothly and without interruptions. This highlights Surfshark’s capacity to bypass geo-restrictions and handle high-bandwidth streaming tasks efficiently.
I was able to unblock NicoNico easily with Surfshark’s Tokyo servers.
In a Surfshark speed test in Canada on a 100 Mbps connection, the results were impressive, with download speeds of 81.32 Mbps and upload speeds of 76.12 Mbps. These speeds are excellent for streaming NicoNico in HD quality, ensuring smooth playback and clear visuals.
I achieved blazing-fast speed results on the US servers.
Security is a key feature of Surfshark, offering AES 256-bit encryption, a no-logs policy, and an automatic kill switch. These measures safeguard your online activities and protect your data from unauthorized access.
Surfshark’s competitive pricing includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to explore its features thoroughly before committing. Additionally, the Surfshark free trial in Canada provides a risk-free way to test the service firsthand.
For more information on its features and benefits, check out the detailed Surfshark review in Canada.
Exclusive Deal:
Access NicoNico in Canada with Surfshark! CA$ 3.4/mo (US$ 2.49/mo) - Save up to 77% with exclusive 2-year plan + 30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
- OpenVPN for increased security
- 30-day refund policy
- Connect unlimited devices concurrently, makes it easy to unblock NicoNico on any device.
Cons
- Persistent issues with live chat
3. NordVPN – Largest Server Network VPN for NicoNico in Canada
NordVPN is the largest server network VPN for NicoNico in Canada, offering expansive coverage and reliable access to this Japanese streaming service. With 6000+ servers in 61 countries, including Japan, NordVPN ensures seamless access to NicoNico’s extensive content library.
During my tests, I connected to NordVPN’s server in Tokyo, which provided immediate and stable access to NicoNico, allowing me to stream various videos without buffering. This highlights NordVPN’s effectiveness in bypassing geo-restrictions and handling bandwidth-intensive tasks.
NordVPN was able to unblock NicoNico easily.
In a NordVPN speed test in Canada, on a 100 Mbps connection, the results were impressive: download speeds of 83.82 Mbps and upload speeds of 44.64 Mbps. These speeds are excellent for streaming NicoNico content in HD quality, ensuring clear visuals and uninterrupted playback.
NordVPN proved to be a true streaming VPN by delivering fast-speed results during my test.
Security is a standout feature of NordVPN, which provides military-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and a Double VPN. These measures protect your online activities and secure your data from unauthorized access.
Despite its extensive features, NordVPN remains competitively priced, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Additionally, there’s a NordVPN free trial in Canada available, allowing you to explore its capabilities without commitment.
For more comprehensive insights, check out the detailed NordVPN review in Canada.
Exclusive Deal:
Sign up for NordVPN today to access NicoNico in Canada! CA$ 5.45/mo (US$ 3.99/mo) - Save up to 63% with exclusive 2-year plan + 3 months free for a friend
Pros
- 130+ servers in Japan to access NicoNico
- Has multi-factor authentication, making it extremely safe
- Easily access Japanese Netflix
- Connect with 10 devices at once
Cons
- Using DoubleVPN on a server can slow down the speed at most times
Methodology: How to Choose the Best VPN for NicoNico in Canada
For the three VPNs I chose, I put extra effort into only opting for those that showed great results in every avenue. All of the secure and reliable VPNs to watch NicoNico in Canada went through rigorous testing according to the methodology posted below:
- Number of Servers in Japan: My first and foremost test was to determine the number of Japanese servers provided by the VPN services. They are essential when using VPN services to access streaming platforms based in Japan.
- Speed of Connection: For a VPN to truly stand out, the connection speed is extra important as it determines your streaming experience. Using a VPN to watch sports or movies online would require you to opt for a service that provides excessive connection speed
- Security Protocols: To find a compatible VPN for NicoNico, choosing only those with fool-proof security measures was necessary. With the inclusion of high-grade protocols coupled with certain features like a strict no-logs policy, the VPN I chose ensures that none of your data gets leaked.
- Bypassing Geo-Restrictions: For my purposes, a VPN’s main goal is firstly unblocking NicoNico abroad, and it is only possible when it can bypass geo-restrictions quite easily. The VPNs I chose have passed tests where their servers could not get flagged by the streaming platforms. This means that they have very strong unblocking capabilities.
- Pricing: Most VPN services are quite cheap, yet it is important to find the ones that provide the best features at a good price. Most of the leading names, including the ones I chose, provide discounted deals all year round.
- Number of Servers in Japan: My first and foremost test was to determine the number of Japanese servers provided by the VPN services. They are essential when using VPN services to access streaming platforms based in Japan.
- Speed of Connection: For a VPN to truly stand out, the connection speed is extra important as it determines your streaming experience. Using a VPN to watch sports or movies online would require you to opt for a service that provides excessive connection speed
- Security Protocols: To find a compatible VPN for NicoNico, choosing only those with fool-proof security measures was necessary. With the inclusion of high-grade protocols coupled with certain features like a strict no-logs policy, the VPN I chose ensures that none of your data gets leaked.
- Bypassing Geo-Restrictions: For my purposes, a VPN’s main goal is firstly unblocking NicoNico abroad, and it is only possible when it can bypass geo-restrictions quite easily. The VPNs I chose have passed tests where their servers could not get flagged by the streaming platforms. This means that they have very strong unblocking capabilities.
- Pricing: Most VPN services are quite cheap, yet it is important to find the ones that provide the best features at a good price. Most of the leading names, including the ones I chose, provide discounted deals all year round.
Does Niconico Allow VPN Connections in Canada?
Accessing NicoNico using a VPN is not preferred by the streaming service. Nonetheless, doing so will not suspend your account’s access to the service. In contrast, the geo-restriction will be reinstated once the platform’s server realizes you’re utilizing a VPN-supplied IP address.
This often happens when you are making use of a VPN that has poor bypassing capabilities or when you are using a free VPN that may have blacklisted IP servers that others might also be using. However, using a premium VPN like ExpressVPN to unblock NicoNico abroad might help you avoid getting caught by NicoNico.
Redditors’ Insights – VPN for NicoNico in Canada
To provide my readers with detailed insights about a topic, I frequently look at what users have to say. Here’s a summary of the Reddit discussions, with a focus on NicoNico:
- Niconico and Kakao TV: Reddit users discuss region-locked shows and ways to access them. They share solutions like downloading shows directly or using a VPN like ExpressVPN to bypass geo-restrictions. This reflects a common theme of accessing region-locked content, which applies to NicoNico.
- LINE Live Viewing: Contributors explored ways to watch Japanese shows on LINE Live Viewing. While a VPN can help, some services like NicoNico may require additional measures, such as a Japanese SIM card, to work.
- NicoNico and Japanese Streaming Services: Users discussed accessing various Japanese streaming services, including NicoNico. They share experiences and resources for streaming content, highlighting the importance of VPNs and other tools in navigating regional restrictions.
- Vivy on NicoNico: Users also shared the idea of using a VPN to bypass region locks on NicoNico’s live broadcasts. Many contributors expressed experiences purchasing tickets and streaming live content from the platform, emphasizing the utility of VPNs for accessing NicoNico.
- Niconico and Kakao TV: Reddit users discuss region-locked shows and ways to access them. They share solutions like downloading shows directly or using a VPN like ExpressVPN to bypass geo-restrictions. This reflects a common theme of accessing region-locked content, which applies to NicoNico.
- LINE Live Viewing: Contributors explored ways to watch Japanese shows on LINE Live Viewing. While a VPN can help, some services like NicoNico may require additional measures, such as a Japanese SIM card, to work.
- NicoNico and Japanese Streaming Services: Users discussed accessing various Japanese streaming services, including NicoNico. They share experiences and resources for streaming content, highlighting the importance of VPNs and other tools in navigating regional restrictions.
- Vivy on NicoNico: Users also shared the idea of using a VPN to bypass region locks on NicoNico’s live broadcasts. Many contributors expressed experiences purchasing tickets and streaming live content from the platform, emphasizing the utility of VPNs for accessing NicoNico.
These discussions illustrate the shared interest in accessing Japanese streaming content, including NicoNico, and the strategies employed to navigate regional restrictions. VPNs, direct downloads, and specific configurations significantly facilitate access to content on NicoNico and similar platforms.
VPNs to Avoid While Accessing NicoNico in Canada
While I have talked about the best VPNs for NicoNico, it’s time to mention the ones you must avoid at all costs. I have mentioned three options below, which showed subpar results on my tests and have not been able to provide security or even streaming speed:
- Hola VPN: Expect lag and connection breaks when using Hola VPN due to its weak security measures. It fails to unblock Niconico securely, risking your privacy and anonymity. Moreover, Hola VPN’s lack of encryption exposes your data to hackers and trackers. Learn more in my Hoxx VPN review in Canada
- Hoxx VPN: Hoxx VPN functions more like a proxy, lacking proper encryption protocols. This leaves your online actions vulnerable to hackers who might misuse your data. Due to its poor privacy standards, I don’t recommend using Hoxx VPN with Niconico. Learn more about this VPN in my Hoxx VPN review in Canada.
- HideMyAss: HideMyAss offers subpar encryption, making your data vulnerable. It causes buffering of videos and lacks adequate security safeguards for safe browsing. I don’t endorse HideMyAss for Niconico, as it is incompatible with the platform. Learn more in my HideMyAss review in Canada.
- Hola VPN: Expect lag and connection breaks when using Hola VPN due to its weak security measures. It fails to unblock Niconico securely, risking your privacy and anonymity. Moreover, Hola VPN’s lack of encryption exposes your data to hackers and trackers. Learn more in my Hoxx VPN review in Canada
- Hoxx VPN: Hoxx VPN functions more like a proxy, lacking proper encryption protocols. This leaves your online actions vulnerable to hackers who might misuse your data. Due to its poor privacy standards, I don’t recommend using Hoxx VPN with Niconico. Learn more about this VPN in my Hoxx VPN review in Canada.
- HideMyAss: HideMyAss offers subpar encryption, making your data vulnerable. It causes buffering of videos and lacks adequate security safeguards for safe browsing. I don’t endorse HideMyAss for Niconico, as it is incompatible with the platform. Learn more in my HideMyAss review in Canada.
FAQs – Best VPN for NicoNico in Canada
Is it legal to use a VPN to watch Niconico in Canada?
Yes, using a VPN to watch NicoNico is legal in Canada, but that could be against the rules of the site. Sites that detect VPN usage typically respond by blocking the VPN’s IP address and re-enabling geo-restriction. In case that happens, you can easily switch servers and connect again.
Which VPN works best with NicoNico in Canada?
The best VPN for Niconico in Canada offers reliable and secure connections with servers in Japan. I recommend ExpressVPN as it has a vast network of fast servers, including those in Japan, ensuring smooth streaming on Niconico. Additionally, ExpressVPN provides strong encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and features like a kill switch, which helps safeguard your online security and privacy while using Niconico.
Is it safe to watch Niconico with a VPN in Canada?
Watching NicoNico with a VPN in Canada is safe. VPNs utilize secure protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard, ensuring the safety of your internet connection. They employ strong end-to-end encryption with a 256-bit cipher to protect your online activities.
The likelihood of being the target of being at risk online is also decreased significantly when a VPN is used. VPNs will protect your online privacy while allowing you to use NicoNico without worrying about the connection dropping.
Final Thoughts!
NicoNico is one of the best video-sharing websites originating in Japan. However, to access it, you need to first subscribe to the best VPN for NicoNico in Canada. I reviewed several VPN services, which brought me to three premium options. Whether you are using a VPN to watch sports or stream a movie, you can easily do that by subscribing to a VPN.
I recommend using ExpressVPN due to its spectacular features and how it has changed the market. You can access all of the latest features, which are always updated. With limitless speed and fool-proof security, you will easily access NicoNico.