CryptoStorm is an open-source VPN service that follows an innovative token-based approach in New Zealand. Apart from this, the brand has heavily invested in providing various anonymous payment methods to its subscribers in New Zealand.
In this CryptoStorm review in New Zealand, I found its various attributes like pricing, server network, logging, security, and refund policy not encouraging at all in New Zealand.
Above all, the service has not described the exact number of server locations as compared to other VPNs such as ExpressVPN that explain an actual number of servers on their official site in New Zealand.
If you wish to discover VPNs other than CryptoStorm in New Zealand, read our VPN reviews 2023 guide.
CryptoStorm Review in New Zealand – Rating Criteria
I have tested CryptoStorm according to my 8-step criteria which include:
- Pricing – How much is CryptoStorm in New Zealand?
- Security – Protocols & Encryption
- Jurisdiction – Where is CryptoStorm located?
- Speed – Not on the Lower Side
- Streaming – Does it Assist Netflix & Torrenting in New Zealand?
- Leaks – IP, DNS, WebRTC & Virus Tests
- Trustworthiness – Logging Policy, DMCA Policy & Customer Support
- Compatibility – How much compatible CryptoStorm is?
Pricing – How much is CryptoStorm in New Zealand?
CryptoStorm follows a relatively expensive pricing tactic in general in New Zealand.
The provider delivers four types of pricing plans including free VPN to its users in New Zealand. You can consider these packages in the form of :
- CryptoFree (Free Plan)
- PayPal (NZ$3.08 for 7 Days) (NZ$86.06 for year)
- CCBill (NZ$9.93 )
- BitCoin (NZ$9.93)
- Altcoin (NZ$9.93)
You can subscribe to PayPal at the cost of NZ$3.08 in New Zealand. However, you can use the said account for 7 days only.
On the other hand, you can avail of this plan after paying NZ$86.06 on yearly basis in New Zealand. This way, you may obtain an exclusive multi-login feature too.
You will have to pay NZ$9.93 upfront if you want to subscribe to the CCBill package. The same goes for the Bitcoin package as you can get the said plan at the cost of NZ$9.93 in New Zealand.
You can pay NZ$26.48 to avail of the subscription to the Altcoin plan valid for two months in New Zealand. In this case, you may secure your two different devices instantly.
Similarly, you can pay your dues with PayPal, Credit Card, and Bitcoin too. If you want to use an anonymous payment method, you are free to avail yourself of numerous coin payment options in New Zealand.
These are Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ether, Classic, Smart Cash, Beam, Blackcoin, and so on. Likewise, if you review the refund policy of CryptoStorm thoroughly, you would realize that their policy is not conducive to users in New Zealand.
In case you have not used your token’s duration of more than 50%, you are eligible to get a refund. To attain the refund, you will need to send an email to support@cryptostorm.is.
Cryptostorm is quite expensive, considering all its packages. For affordable alternatives and awesome discounts, check out our specially curated list of VPN deals right now!
Security – Protocols & Encryption
At present, the service only offers a handful of tunneling protocols to its subscribers in New Zealand.
Yes, you read that correctly. They are only providing OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols. Luckily, an OpenVPN protocol uses 256-bit military-grade encryption by default in New Zealand.
It also supports WireGuard protocol along with ChaCha20 encryption, with Poly1305 authentication.
On the privacy front, CryptoStorm has to take further steps to sustain its users’ anonymity in New Zealand.
Jurisdiction – Where is CryptoStorm located?
CryptoStorm mainly hails from safe jurisdiction in New Zealand. The said concept is clearly a make-or-break situation for any VPN service in New Zealand.
At times, users usually prefer to subscribe to VPN services that do not belong to any five eyes, nine eyes, and fourteen eyes countries.
When I reviewed this VPN in detail, I found that its headquarter is based in Iceland. The country is regarded as one of the international leaders in promoting the concept of free speech.
Servers Offered
The Iceland-based service discusses bare-metal servers on its official website. These bare metal servers are embedded with great security that offers next-level protection. However, it does not specify the exact number of physical servers.
If you don’t know about bare metal servers, let me explain to you briefly. The physical servers are also known as bare-metal servers. In addition, the service has not disclosed any information about virtual server locations. Therefore, you have every right to differentiate between these types of servers in detail. In order to clear the concept regarding physical and virtual servers, read our VPN server locations guide here.
Speed – On the Lower Side
CryptoStorm does not offer decent connection speeds to its users in New Zealand. I connected to its Denmark server while using a 30 Mbps internet connection and obtained the following result:
The above screenshot suggests that there is a decline of 56% in speed.
Streaming – Does it Assist Netflix & Torrenting in New Zealand?
Unfortunately, you cannot use CryptoStorm VPN to access the US Netflix media library in New Zealand. For that reason, you will have to choose some other VPNs that unblock Netflix in no time in New Zealand.
On the other hand, you may use the service to secure your torrenting activities in New Zealand.
However, a catch may spoil your fun. To be honest, they do not tell you the exact number of servers and that is really a major drawback for them.
Leaks – IP, DNS, WebRTC & Virus Tests
CryptoStorm is secure and safe to use in New Zealand since it will not reveal your IP address, DNS, or WebRTC information in New Zealand. Here are the screenshots:
IP Leak:
DNS Leak:
WebRTC Leak:
Virus Test
I ran through its Windows setup file through Virustotal to see if it exposed any virus or malware.
To my surprise, it passed the virus detection test with excellence.
Trustworthiness – Logging Policy & Customer Support
This Iceland-based VPN provider keeps a record of its users’ online activities.
As per their official site, they are not interested in logging their users’ data in New Zealand.
Still, they say categorically that they monitor server activities 24/7 every day. Likewise, they can modify the OpenVPN source code to change the actual IP addresses of their users.
This way, they can view the online activities of connected users at their will. Thus, you must comprehend the logging policies of different VPNs on your own terms.
Customer Support
CryptoStorm offers numerous support options. You may use its Webchat option to solve your queries instantly in New Zealand. Similarly, you can post your problems on its forum as well.
By doing so, you can get the solutions timely. You can approach them on Twitter too. Last but not least, you can overcome your technical issues if you contact them on Github.
Compatibility – How Compatible CryptoStorm is?
In terms of compatibility, CryptoStorm VPN has ticked all the boxes correctly in New Zealand. The provider supports multiple platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. It is also compatible with routers too.
Comparison between ExpressVPN and CryptoStorm in New Zealand
I have described the salient benefits of these VPNs under one roof. Hence, you can decide regarding your anonymity appropriately in New Zealand.
| Features | ExpressVPN | CrytoStorm |
|---|---|---|
| Price | NZ$11.25/mo (US$ 6.67/mo) - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free | NZ$7.17/mo |
| Servers | 3000+ in 94 Countries | Unknown |
| Compatibility | All Devices | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Jurisdiction | The British Virgin Islands | Iceland |
| Logging Policy | Zero Logs | Keep Logs |
| Customer Support | Live Chat & Email Support | Email, WebChat, Contact Channels & Hidden Service |
| Trust Pilot Score | 4.6 | N/A |
| Website | ExpressVPN | CryptoStorm |
Alternatives to CryptoStorm in New Zealand
In case you wish to use a VPN other than CryptoStorm, read the below-mentioned VPN reviews thoroughly.
- Surfshark
- Windscribe VPN
- Ivacy VPN
- TunnelBear
- SurfEasy Free VPN Review in New Zealand
- Hotspot Shield Free VPN Review in New Zealand
- ProtonVPN
- TigerVPN
- Buffered VPN
- VPNArea
- Astrill VPN
- CactusVPN
Do I Recommend CryptoStorm in New Zealand?
No, I do not recommend CryptoStorm in New Zealand.
I have to conclude this CryptoStorm review in New Zealand here. During the analysis, I found its various feature quite interesting and above my expectations.
They offer several anonymous payment options to their users in New Zealand. That said, its official site looks a bit confusing. If you are a novice in the domain of online privacy, you may face issues while understanding the jargon.
Conversely, the pricing factor is on the higher side in New Zealand. In addition, the service is not an ideal choice for Netflix unblocking too. I can safely say that CryptoStorm will take ample time to make a mark in the online privacy industry.
Based on the above review in New Zealand, I would give CryptoStorm a 2.7/5.0 rating overall.
