In the world we’re living today, one thing’s for sure — we are all streaming lovers. You can picture, for example, a gathering with friends, and most likely, one of the many topics addressed will be the latest TV show or movie in the streaming service of the moment.
None of us wants to miss out, and it seems nothing’s more effective for this than having access to an all-powerful streaming service like Crave TV. Undoubtedly, Crave offers one of the most extensive options in the streaming market, so it all comes down to a simple formula: being at the forefront is to watch Crave TV freely.
But, there’s one problem! If you’re outside Canada, geo-restrictions will forbid you from accessing Crave’s content.
Yet, that’s not an issue either! Buckle up as we unveil a step-by-step guide for you to circumvent Crave’s restrictions and open up to a full-of-entertainment world.
Watching Crave TV outside Canada – A quick guide
Are you in a rush? If you want to check how to get Crave TV in the USA or anywhere outside Canada, here’s a quick guide with the main steps you should follow.
- Subscribe to a trustable VPN service: You need a top-notch VPN service like ExpressVPN. Not only does this VPN has an outstanding reputation in the market, but it also has the best features and quality overall. With ExpressVPN, you’ll ensure straightforward access to Crave TV.
- Download and install the VPN app on your device: You already have the best VPN option; now it’s time to download and install the VPN app. According to your device and VPN provider, read/follow their installation instructions to complete the process.
- Log in to your VPN: Once you’ve installed the VPN app and have checked it’s operating on your device, log in to your account.
- Find and select a Canadian server: Proceed now to look for a stable and reliable Canadian server and connect to its network.
- Log in to Crave TV and start streaming: Once your connection is showing the Canadian info from your VPN, it’s time to log in to Crave TV and start streaming your favorite show.
What is CraveTV?
Crave TV is an on-demand entertainment service available only in Canada; having a membership here is to be confident of a one-of-a-kind experience. The different genres make the content from Crave a sensation. It’s all about a powerful combination of their own creations and the claims of the back archives of Hulu, Discovery+, HBO, and Showtime.
In short, on just one platform, you can watch every episode of Seinfeld, The Handmaid’s Tale, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Star Trek altogether, which with no hesitations, is a difficult thing to outperform. The service is among the top streaming sites worldwide given the number of people that visit it daily. But the problem is, you’ll need a Canadian IP address to access all that content if you are not in Canada.
Top 3 VPNs for streaming Crave TV outside Canada (quick overview)
If you’re looking for the best VPNs to unblock Crave TV outside Canada, we have gathered the top 3 most efficient VPNs for the Crave TV app.
- ExpressVPN: This provider’s enormous server database, lightning-fast connections, and robust encryption mechanism put it at the top of our list. As if that wasn’t enough, ExpressVPN offers three months of subscription for free when subscribing to the yearly plan.
- Private Internet Access (PIA): This VPN offers unbreakable security and unfettered internet access thanks to its extensive global server network and military-grade encryption. Private Internet Access is potent VPN when it comes to unblocking geo-restrictions.
- NordVPN: Fast streaming and browsing are guaranteed with NordVPN’s top-notch encryption, dual VPN, and strict no-logs policy, all while preserving users’ online identities. If you want to stream Crave TV outside Canada, NordVPN is an exceptional choice.
Why is a VPN necessary to access Crave TV outside of Canada?
Crave TV is a streaming service from Canada that’s only available for Canadian users. Therefore, since the platform applies geo-restrictions, people outside this region won’t be able to access the content.
The most popular way for these restrictions to take effect is by obtaining the information provided by the Internet Service Provider. In short, when a user visits a website, the site receives metadata from the IP, i.e., the IP address, location, the device used, etc.
Once the platform identifies these data, it decides whether or not the user has permission to access the content. Thus, the only way for a user outside Canada to use Crave TV is to bypass the security inspection of the website.
A Virtual Private Network is a service that allows the user to connect to a virtual server in a specific location; take, for instance, Canada. While connected to the VPN, the website obtains metadata from the virtual server, which means the IP address and location of the user will be the one they desire. Additionally, when you use a VPN, you enjoy a robust layer of privacy while using the internet. So is a warranty of a safe and confidential experience.
In summary, to get Crave TV in the US, UK, or anywhere else outside Canada, you need to use a VPN service, as this is the safest way to circumvent geo-restrictions and protect your privacy online.
3 best VPNs to unblock Crave TV – An in-depth summary
Before detailing each VPN in our list, we’ve gathered the top three VPNs for Crave TV in a comparison matrix with the most noteworthy characteristics. Subsequently, there is a detailed summary for a more in-depth evaluation of each VPN service, starting with our top pick, ExpressVPN.
| Criteria | ExpressVPN | Private Internet Access | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Available servers | More than 3,000 servers across 94+ countries | Astonishing 35,000 servers in 84 countries around the globe | Over 5500 blazing-fast servers in 60+ locations |
| Streaming speed | Fastest average speed in the market with 475 Mbps | A decent yet powerful speed of 117 Mbps. | One of the most substantial speeds with 369 Mbps. |
| Cost | The yearly plan starts at $8.32 per month. | The most affordable option with $3.33 per month in a yearly-billed plan | The Standard option starts at $3.29 a month. |
| Device compatibility | Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, routers, and more. | Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, routers, and more. | Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, routers, and more. |
| Current promos | Three months for free on the yearly plan | Three months for free on the 3-yearly plan | 60% off discount on the 2-yearly plan |
1. ExpressVPN
A reliable solution that has consistently proven to be a reliable service for watching Crave TV where it is restricted.
Reliable network of over 3,000 fast VPN servers scattered more than 90 different countries
TrustedServer technology (RAM-based servers)
Protects connection with reliable AES-256 data encryption
Does not keep log of user traffic usage
A split tunneling feature that works as claimed
Has Network Lock (kill switch) feature
Supports Tor over VPN
Peer to peer connection allowed on most servers
There are five simultaneous connections allowed per account
30-day tested pay-back policy
Pros
- Does not take users’ privacy for granted
- Boasts top-notch security and robust encryption
- Features such as an automatic stop switch and split tunneling
Cons
- Effective but has expensive subscription plans
ExpressVPN is the clear victor in our comparison; this exclusive service offers several features that give customers access to swift, secure, and private internet connections. ExpressVPN has 4+ servers spread around Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.
Furthermore impressive is ExpressVPN’s performance in terms of speed, which ranks among the fastest VPN speeds available to consumers. The service is quick and features like Smart Location let customers choose the closest and least latency-intensive server.
The kill switch feature that automatically activates if the VPN connection is lost is one of ExpressVPN’s unique characteristics. The same applies to its split tunneling feature, an excellent option to separate programs based on whether they require a virtual server.
It also has 256-bit encryption, which guarantees the security of your internet traffic at all times.
While not the most affordable VPN service, ExpressVPN has a 49% discount on a 12-month package. Furthermore, the service’s first-rate features provide an unrivaled combination of performance and dependability, and you can test it out risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Private Internet Access (PIA)
One of the most effective VPN services at bypassing streaming sites’ VPN bans. It provides reliable connections to all major streaming platforms, including Crave TV.
A large network of over 34,000 VPN servers present in 80+ countries
Peer to Peer connection supportive servers
Secure connection with reliable encryption; AES 128-bits and 256-bits
Robust protection against malware and adware with in-built MACE
Enforces a policy of zero logs
Runs on RAM-only VPN servers (benefits privacy)
The split tunneling feature works as expected
Boasts a feature-rich kill switch
Each account allows connection to ten simultaneous devices
30 days no-questions-asked money-back guarantee
Pros
- Exceptional value for money with multi-device protection
- Boasts uncompromising privacy policy with no logs kept
- Has built-in ad-blocking and malware protection
Cons
- Distant servers may have speed issues
Privacy and security are PIA’s top priorities. Private Internet Access is the VPN service with the largest server network, boasting over 35,000 servers across 84 countries. With 4 VPN server locations across Canada in Toronto, Ontario, Vancouver, and Montreal, PIA is a fantastic option for consumers that want access to region-locked media.
It offers consumers blazing-fast and dependable connections in terms of speed. Its average streaming speed is sufficient for most internet activities, even though it might vary based on the user’s location and the server they connect to.
One of PIA’s unique features is its built-in virus and ad-blocking tools, which are a bonus. This way, what they provide goes beyond powerful VPN functionality; by including antimalware and ad-blocking services. Moreover, Private Internet Access has an automated kill switch that helps safeguard customers’ privacy in the event of unexpected disconnections.
PIA supports several operating systems, including Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Linux, routers, and even certain Smart TVs.
3. NordVPN
Another impressive VPN network that can help you watch CraveTV outside Canada anytime. It has multiple servers in Canada to unblock all geo-restricted content from this country anywhere.
A vast network of over 5,400 secure VPN servers present in over 60 countries
Threat protection feature (malware, tracking, and ad blockers)
Government standard, most robust encryption available: AES-256
Features a kill switch that’s easy to use
Split tunneling feature with high functionality
Offers multi-hop VPN for double encryption
Provides seamless Onion over VPN functionality
No user data is stored
Each account allows users to connect up to six devices simultaneously
No-questions-asked 30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
- Apps with user-friendly designs and intuitive navigation
- Works well with most streaming platforms
- Boasts a responsive customer support
Cons
- Some options are confusing for new users
With a fantastic average speed of 369 Mbps, NordVPN immediately stands out as one of the fastest VPNs on the market. With NordVPN, you can watch, browse, and download without experiencing latency, buffering, or slowdowns because of the ultra-fast connection.
NordVPN has over 5500 servers globally, 480 of which distribute around Canada. Users enjoy a variety of server options thanks to this vast server network. Additionally, the VPN guarantees consumers enough bandwidth and low-latency connections to stream without issue.
Three yearly subscriptions are available from NordVPN, with the regular plan starting at $4.49, making it one of the most economical choices. Users also receive a 30-day money-back guarantee so they may test the service risk-free.
Canny customers who wish to safeguard their privacy can utilize NordVPN’s security and privacy function, which offers Double VPN encryption. Moreover, it has an automated kill switch to protect customers from data leakage if their VPN connection breaks.
Selecting the best VPNs for Crave TV
To watch Crave TV outside Canada with a VPN is incredibly easy if you have the right provider at your service; otherwise, it can be a real headache. When selecting the best VPN provider for your needs, be mindful of taking into consideration the following criteria.
1. Server network
Generally speaking, the main thing to consider when choosing a VPN provider is the number of servers available, especially in the region you want to stream from. In essence, while more servers you have, the better your experience unlocking geographic restrictions. A VPN with a vast range of servers like ExpressVPN will help you to stream freely Crave Canada.
2. Speed
It’s crucial to choose a VPN provider keeping your final goal in mind. You want to use a VPN service to stream content from Crave, so you have to guarantee the speed is adequate to accomplish this purpose.
Broadly, a sufficient streaming speed for a VPN would be above 100 Mbps. VPN services like ExpressVPN with a more lavish average speed ensure an experience free of latency, buffering, or slowdowns.
3. Security and privacy features
The perfect VPN for your needs not only will help you bypass geo-restrictions but also will offer you a set of functions to amour your privacy and security while being online.
Top-notch VPN services like ExpressVPN give you exceptional features like a kill switch to protect you from sudden disconnections, split tunneling to decide which apps need a virtual connection, and a military-grade 256 encryption system.
4. Price and promotions
A no-brainer when it comes to selecting not only a VPN but a service in general. You want the best set of features at the most affordable price. In other words, the best quality-price ratio. ExpressVPN offers the best quality-price relationship on the market.
5. Customer service
Another vital criterion to consider when selecting the best VPN is customer service. Whether for technical issues, billing errors, or simply to get assistance, you need a VPN that has 5-stars customer support 24/7.
Having problems accessing Crave TV even with a VPN?
Is your Crave TV Canada not working? Sometimes even after connecting to a VPN, you may experience difficulties streaming Crave’s content. If that is your case, you can apply the following troubleshooting solutions.
- Clear your cookies and cache memory: Every time you visit a website, your browser sends text snippets that work as a label of your visit. Like this, the website remembers your info. Similarly, the cache is a memory unit that stores data and temporary files.
Sometimes websites like Crave TV can recognize your information due to your cookies and cache; clearing these elements may resolve your issues streaming Crave’s content outside Canada.
- Activate IP leak protection on your VPN: Cutting-edge VPN providers like ExpressVPN have functionalities to evade your real IP from leaking while connected to a virtual server.
Ensure your IP address does not leak by running the DNS leak test at www.dnsleaktest.com.
- Assure to connect to a Canadian server: Sometimes, the problem might simply be you mistakenly connected to the wrong server. To avoid this, double check the server you chose is in Canada.
- Change to another Canadian server: You can also try to connect to a different Canadian server. For instance, if you initially connected to a server located in Toronto, Canada, you may choose a Montreal server instead to stream Crave’s content.
- Use a different browser: Certain browsers might be aggressive when retaining information from previous tabs. In this case, you should use a different browser (such as a secure browser) than the habitual as this may resolve the issue.
- Contact customer support: If none of the previous solutions work, you can always contact the customer support of your VPN provider to get dedicated guidance from VPN experts.
Do free VPNs work with Crave TV?
If you want to enjoy a remarkable experience while streaming content from Crave TV, using a free VPN service is not the best choice. While some free VPNs may allow you to get around Crave’s geo-restrictions, in most cases, these providers are incapable of bypassing the regulations.
Nonetheless, even if you can access Crave’s or any other platform like CTV Canada‘s content with a free VPN, the likelihood of having a poor streaming experience because of latency and buffering is genuinely high. Free VPNs usually offer 10 Mbps, and the number of servers is insignificant.
On top of this, privacy is always at stake using free VPN services. Free providers don’t count on encryption systems or any other security features.
Does Crave TV offer subscriptions outside of Canada?
Unfortunately no! Crave TV is a streaming service that works only in Canada. However, if you live outside this region, the only thing you need to do is to get a premium VPN service like ExpressVPN, connect to a Canadian server, and complete the registration process on crave.ca.
It’s worth to mention you will also need a Canadian payment method to subscribe to one of Crave’s subscription plans successfully.
Payment methods for Crave TV outside Canada
Another security protocol Crave implements is to restrict payment options. Crave’s platform receives only cards valid in Canada. On top of this, your billing address should be Canadian as well. If you have a Canadian credit or debit card, this will be no issue, but if you don’t, you may need to use the following alternatives.
1. Buying a Crave gift card
To buy a Crave gift card you need to go to https://www.crave.ca/en/gift, choose a gift card value, and complete the payment process. Once you have your gift card code in your email, you can use it to subscribe to any of the subscription plans available.
2. Using your iTunes account
With this method, you will only need to change your country/region in the settings, select Canada from the list, and accept the terms and conditions. After doing this, go to your VPN, connect to a Canadian server, install the Crave TV app on your device, and complete the registration process.
Your payment method will be the one linked to your Apple ID by default.
Crave Canada subscription plans
Crave TV offers three subscription plans. The first one is the Crave Total plan, which users can get for CAD 9.99 a month. This plan allows up to 4 simultaneous streams, and the option to cast and download content.
The second plan is the Crave Mobile plan. Users can subscribe to this plan for CAD 5.99/month; this plan allows only one user on the web or the mobile version, and it doesn’t have the option to cast or download content.
Additionally, Crave offers a Starz add-on for CAD 12.62 per month.
Supported devices on Crave TV
Crave TV supports a range of devices. Take a look a the following matrix to see some of them.
| Plug-in devices | Smart TVs | Game Consoles | Computers, phones, and tablers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Different cable devices are compatible with Crave. Some of these are Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, Bell Fibe HD, Amazon Fire TV, etc. | A range of Smart TV brands is compatible with Crave TV, including Samsung, LG, Sony, RCA, Roku, and Westinghouse among others. | Crave TV is compatible with Playstation (PS4 & PS5). | Windows computers above 8.1, macOS above 10.11, Browsers: Mozilla, Chrome, Safari, Android above 7.0, iPad, iPod, and iPhone above version 11. |
Downloading the Crave TV app outside of Canada
Depending on the device you want to install Crave TV on, the installation process may differ a little bit. However, the overall process follows the next structure.
- Get a potent VPN: First, find a VPN provider that offers top-notch capabilities such as lightning-fast speed, powerful encryption systems, a large range of servers, and additional features to protect your privacy. We highly recommend ExpressVPN as it is the best option in the market, not only offers the fastest speed with 475 Mbps, but it also has one of the biggest ranges of servers, and remarkable features like a Kill switch, Split tunneling, and more.
- Connect to a Canadian server: Look for a Canadian server and connect to it. There are a few Canadian servers on ExpressVPN, you can connect to servers in Montreal, Toronto, Quebec, Vancouver, and more.
- Download Crave TV from the app store of your device: Depending on the device, the installation process may differ. Nevertheless, usually, you just need to go to the app store look for the Crave app and download it. For some operating systems like Android, you may need to change your country or region first to Canada.
- Install Crave on your device: Once the application has been installed on your device, open it, sign up or log in according to your case, and start streaming the best content.
Available channels on Crave TV outside of Canada
One of the most relevant attributes of Crave TV is the extensive list of channels available on the app. Some of the channels you can access with a Crave TV subscription are:
- HBO
- Warner Bros
- Discovery+
- Paramount
- Comedy Central
- MTV
- Showtime
- Starz
Few movies and TV shows worth watching on Crave TV
These are some of the best movie and TV show titles available on Crave TV in 2024.
| Movies | TV Shows |
|---|---|
| Jurassic World Dominion, John Wick, John Wick 2, and John Wick 3, The Harry Potter saga, The Woman King, Respect, Barbarian, Black Adam | Succession. Yellowjackets, RuPaul’s Drag Race, The Voice, Party Down, The Last of Us, Euphoria, Star Trek |
Crave TV’s latest releases
Some of the newest Crave releases are
- Real Time With Bill Maher (HBO)
- Last of the giants
- Evolving Vegan (Crave original)
- Disobey (Crave original)
- Rain Dogs (HBO)
- Perry Mason (HBO)
- The Circus (Showtime)
- Your honor (Showtime)
Conclusion
Crave TV is a one-of-a-kind streaming service with multiple channels to choose from; there’s no wonder why is one of the preferred options among users. However, the only disadvantage of this service is that it applies geo-blocks for foreigners.
While geo-restrictions impede people outside Canada from accessing the content, there are always safe ways to circumvent Crave TV’s regulations. If you’ve been wondering how to stream Crave TV outside Canada, the answer is quite simple, using a robust VPN service like ExpressVPN.
A VPN will block your IP address and other significant data that the Crave platform might use to lock the content. Like this, you would be able to stream Crave with no hassle.
Having the best speed performance on the market, with ExpressVPN you will enjoy a free-of-latency and buffering streaming experience. On top of this, your privacy will be guaranteed thanks to its 256-bit encryption and additional capabilities like its kill switch button.
Subscribing to a Crave Plan is quite easy, once your VPN is set and ready to be used, you can sign up and complete the payment process using a credit card (valid in Canada), a gift card, or by using your iTunes account.
After completing the payment, you will be ready to access the immensity of movies and TV shows that this remarkable streaming platform has to offer.
FAQs
A “video cannot be played” error on Crave TV may be due to poor streaming quality, compatibility issues, or technical challenges.
Unfortunately no. Crave TV is primarily designed for use in Canada only. Thus, users cannot watch Crave outside Canada.
For sure! Crave works with a VPN as long as it is a rugged service with ultra-fast speed, military-grade encryption, and top-notch security protocols like ExpressVPN, one of the best VPN providers on the market.
Yes, you can stream in HD with no hassle while using a potent VPN with ultra-fast speed and a vast range of servers like ExpressVPN.
Your VPN could not be working for several reasons, such as,
1. Your DNS is leaking your IP address. To solve this, you need to activate the DNS leak protection of your VPN service.
2. You have metadata stored in your cache memory, or the website remembers your info because of the cookies. Ideally, you must always clear your cache and cookies before connecting to the VPN.
3. You have connected to the wrong server in your VPN. So, ensure to connect to a Canadian server or change to a different server in the same region.
4. Your browser remembers your information. Hence, if clearing cookies and cache doesn’t help, try using a different browser.
5. You’re experiencing technical difficulties. You need to contact the customer support of your VPN.
Although Crave’s content is not available outside Canada, you can stream Crave TV using a top-notch VPN like ExpressVPN. In this sense, you would need to consider both the fees of Crave and the VPN you select. Crave prices start a CAD 5.99 (USD 4.43), and ExpressVPN at USD 6.67 (on offer). So using this combo, you’ll have an average price of USD 11.10.
Some free VPNs can bypass Crave’s geo-restrictions. Nonetheless, the overall streaming experience won’t be the best. You will likely experience latency and buffering issues due to the slow speed. Additionally, your privacy is at stake with free VPN services.
Yes, Crave offers a 30-day free trial for Canadian users. But if you want to access its free trial outside Canada, you need to connect to a Canadian VPN server, sign in as a new user, and claim the 30-day Crave TV free trial.
Most content available on Crave is from the United States. However, for this content to appear on the platform, it requires licenses. These licenses are for Canada only, which means Crave has not the right to broadcast this content outside Canada.
Yes, you can watch Crave TV without cable outside Canada by subscribing to their online streaming service. But since their content is geo-blocked, you will need to use a potent VPN provider to access it.
No, Crave TV doesn’t include Amazon Prime in its subscription package.
Some of the best Crave TV alternatives include Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.
While Crave TV works outside Canada, the streaming quality will depend on the speed of your VPN provider. Similarly, you need to ensure you have a range of Canadian servers to choose from.
The main reason why people aren’t able to watch anything on Crave is that their location is outside Canada. If this is your case, you need to use a Virtual Private Network to circumvent Crave’s geo-restriction and stream with no hassle.
