Pocket Wi-Fi for Canada: How it works and alternative internet options for your trip

How does rental pocket Wi-Fi work in Canada?

Pocket Wi-Fi is also known as portable Wi-Fi, and in Canada, it’s typically called a “mobile internet device,” “mobile internet hotspot,” “mobile hotspot,” or simply “mobile Wi-Fi” (whew). 

Whatever you want to call it, pocket Wi-Fi works the same way as your Wi-Fi router at home — except the router is small enough to carry around with you. Pocket Wi-Fi is appealing for groups of travelers (especially families with kids) or those who need an internet connection across multiple devices at the same time because you’re able to connect multiple devices to one router. When it comes to pocket Wi-Fi for Canada, you can rent a router from one of many companies online and have it shipped to your hotel or to your home address before you leave. 

Let’s take a look at some of the top portable Wi-Fi rental companies for Canada.

Best portable Wi-Fi providers in Canada and prices

When it comes to the best pocket Wi-Fi for Canada, the top rental companies listed online are MIOWIFI, Travelers Wifi, and My Webspot. Each company offers router rentals at varying pricepoints and amounts of data, including unlimited portable Wi-Fi for Canada.

Here’s a breakdown of the costs and features of three pocket Wi-Fi rental companies:

Please note that currency conversions are subject to change. 

Can you get pocket Wi-Fi for Canada at the airport?

While some online sources claim that major airports like Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ), Montreal Trudeau International Airport (YUL), and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) have kiosks selling pocket Wi-Fi rentals for Canada, the official websites of these airports don’t explicitly mention rentals for mobile internet devices at their Chatr, Fido, or Rogers kiosks. For this reason, we can’t promise that you’ll be able to pick up one of these portable Wi-Fi routers at a Canadian airport, but it’s worth visiting these kiosks to see if you can. 

Other ways to get pocket Wi-Fi for Canada

Another way to get pocket Wi-Fi for Canada is by purchasing a router instead of renting one. However, this is far from a budget-friendly option and it doesn’t make much sense if you’re only staying in Canada for a short time. Major Canadian telecom companies like Bell, Rogers, and Telus sell mobile internet devices on their websites, but the prices are sure to make you do a double take. On top of purchasing a mobile internet device at a steep rate (some as much as US$350), these companies typically require you to lock into a 24-month contract to actually use the internet. 

As such, buying a mobile internet device only makes sense if you’re planning on traveling around Canada for a very long time — we’re talking a two-year ultimate sightseeing marathon around the country. Even if you are eager enough to explore the country for years to come, purchasing a travel Wi-Fi router along with a monthly plan is not the most cost-effective way to get mobile data in Canada. 

Instead of blowing your budget on internet bills, you may want to consider cheaper and more convenient alternatives to portable Wi-Fi for Canada.

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Best alternatives to pocket Wi-Fi for Canada

The best alternatives to renting pocket Wi-Fi for Canada are purchasing an eSIM (spoiler alert, this is our top recommendation), getting a prepaid SIM card, or simply using free Wi-Fi around the country. 

The truth is, using pocket Wi-Fi isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Sure, it’s one way to avoid pesky roaming fees, and it can seem like a convenient option if you’re traveling in a group. However, keep in mind that you’ll need to stick together at all times to make sure everyone is within range of the router. In other words, if the group splits, some members will lose access to the internet. 

On top of that, renting portable Wi-Fi for Canada usually requires inconvenient logistics like ordering the router online. Like any online purchase, you always run the risk of not getting your package in time — whether you’re shipping it to your home address before your trip or to your hotel or accommodation in Canada. 

Having to physically carry around a router also means you could lose it, damage it, or have it stolen. In any of these three scenarios, you’ll probably face additional fees from the rental company. 

Because of these downsides, you may want to consider more convenient internet options. Let’s take a look at some alternatives to renting a pocket Wi-Fi device for Canada.

A prepaid SIM card for Canada

One alternative to renting portable Wi-Fi for Canada is to buy a prepaid Canadian SIM card instead. SIM cards are certainly more convenient than portable Wi-Fi routers because they’re smaller and more common (therefore easier to find). You also won’t have to worry about picking up or returning a router to a rental company. And while it’s still possible to lose, damage, or have a SIM card stolen, at least you won’t owe anyone if you unfortunately happen to do so. 

You can easily pick up a Canadian SIM card at Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) or Montreal Trudeau International Airport (YUL) from a Chatr or Fido kiosk. At Vancouver International Airport, you can head to The SIM Shop to find prepaid SIM cards from Bell and Virgin Mobile. 

But we won’t beat around the bush — Canadian SIM cards tend to be pricey. Three of the country’s major telecom companies — Bell, Rogers, and Telus — charge CA$10-15 (US$7.02-10.53) for a physical SIM card, and then you need to select a monthly prepaid plan in order to use the internet. 

Here’s a breakdown of prepaid SIM card pricing from Bell, Chatr (which is owned by Rogers), and Telus:

Please note that currency conversions are subject to change. 

Free Wi-Fi in Canada

Another alternative to renting a portable Wi-Fi router in Canada is by simply using free public Wi-Fi, which can often be found at:

• Shopping malls like the Eaton Centre in Toronto.

• Some subway stations in Toronto.

• Airports.

• Many cafes. 

• Throughout the city in Montreal and Vancouver.

Most of the time, all you need to do is enter your email to connect (which may or may not lead to annoying marketing emails (thankfully, the “unsubscribe” button exists). Of course, the appeal of these public Wi-Fi networks is that you can have unlimited internet access for free (even if the browsing speeds are far from ideal). But if accessing free Wi-Fi requires you to enter a business, is it really free? With Canada’s hefty prices, the last thing you’ll want is to pay $7 for a latte every time you want to browse Instagram. 

On top of that, a more worrisome side of using public Wi-Fi is the cybersecurity risks that come with it. Did you know that hackers can impersonate public Wi-Fi networks and subsequently spy on your browsing activity and other sensitive data? While connecting to free public Wi-Fi may seem safe, these unsecured networks can lead to a man-in-the-middle attack. While Canadians are touted for their niceness, hackers still lurk amongst them. Don’t let your guard down!  

To end on a lighter note, public Wi-Fi isn’t always available city-wide — especially in Toronto — making it one of the least convenient internet options for visiting Canada. Luckily, a safer and more convenient alternative exists for getting internet in Canada during your trip.

Best alternative: An eSIM for Canada

Instead of renting pocket Wi-Fi for Canada, we recommend opting for an eSIM. Rather than ordering a travel Wi-Fi router online or searching for one in a store, you can get access to the internet in a couple of minutes through an eSIM app. 

When you get an eSIM instead of pocket Wi-Fi, you can:

• Get mobile data on-the-go from the comfort of your phone.

• Avoid waiting for a router to come in the mail.

• Avoid losing or damaging a portable router or having it stolen.

• Save time — you won’t have to pick up or return the router. 

• Stay safer online.*

*The Saily eSIM app has recently introduced security features that increase your online privacy while using mobile data. When you use a Saily eSIM, you can enjoy an ad blocker, web protection that minimizes the likelihood of getting malware, and location privacy. 

All in all, choosing an eSIM for Canada is a cheaper, more convenient, and safer alternative to pocket Wi-Fi. 

Do you really need pocket Wi-Fi for your trip to Canada?

No, we wouldn’t say you need pocket Wi-Fi for Canada to get internet access while visiting the country. Pocket Wi-Fi may seem like a good option for groups of travelers, but the router requires all group members to be in range of the router to stay connected. Renting portable Wi-Fi isn’t the most convenient internet option either because it requires you to place an order online or look for one in-person, carry the router with you at all times, and return it. The best alternative to renting portable Wi-Fi for Canada is to download an eSIM app, where you can install a virtual SIM card and get speedy mobile data in minutes.