When you are always plagued by geo-blocking, especially of streaming content from your favourite provider, getting a useful, sophisticated VPN is a must. But more than streaming through your preferred devices without interruption, having a VPN improves the security of your personal information, especially when you log in using public WIFI hotspot. A good VPN also secures you even when you are travelling so you can continue to enjoy reliable connectivity anywhere you are in the world.
What is a VPN, and How Does it Work?
Cisco defines a VPN, or Virtual Private Network, as an “encrypted connection over the Internet from a device to a network.” This encrypted connection allows the safe transmission of sensitive data. It prohibits “unauthorised people from eavesdropping on the traffic and allows the user to conduct work remotely.” It is a system that uses code so its users can securely access a computer anywhere in the world via the internet. That is why we mostly see VPN utilised in the corporate environment where secure connections are crucial to protect business data and transactions.
It works by extending a corporate network using these encrypted connections made over the internet. Traffic remains private as it travels because of the encryption between the device and the network. Because of secure VPN, an employee, for example, who works remotely can still connect to the corporate network through a VPN. VPN also works on mobile devices, making secure connection accessible to anyone on the go.
VPN Mentor suggests that you need to choose a VPN that has stable connections, good speeds, and no download or bandwidth limits. For non-US/UK residents, it’s best to choose a VPN provider that has servers in your country for a much-secure service. If you love streaming from US/UK sources, then you need a VPN provider that has servers in the UK or US so you can watch Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, and the like with no hassle. Choose one that has a fast, 24/7 customer support and a user-friendly interface for effortless operations.
We have gathered some of the best VPN providers today, focusing on those that work well with iOS devices:
Description: NordVPN has the most number of servers in New Zealand, including servers that allow you to torrent safely. It can bypass the Geoblocks of Netflix. It has a no-logging policy strictly followed so users can torrent, surf, and stream securely. NordVPN’s iOS app is user-friendly, organised, and has a ‘quick connect’ widget that contains at-a-glance information about the nearest available server, load percentage and the like. iPhone features now include an added Siri capability and auto-connect capacity to connect the VPN when it detects you’re using an unsecured network or Wi-Fi.
Number of servers: 5,600+ (including 19 in NZ)
Server locations: 60+
IP addresses: N/A
Maximum devices supported: 6
Unblocks: Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Showtime, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV
Supports torrenting: Yes, P2P specialty servers available
Works on these devices: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Android TV, Linux, Chrome, and Firefox. It’s also compatible with routers.
Key Features:
Description: ExpressVPN is fast and can access geo-restricted content securely. It has no bandwidth or download-restrictions for streaming and torrenting. New Zealand servers support protocols such as OpenVPN, IKEv2, IPSec, and PPTP and allow bank transactions while streaming because of its split-tunnelling system.
Number of servers: 3,000+ servers worldwide, including one in New Zealand
Server locations: 160, 94 countries
Unblocks: Netflix, Hulu, BBC, iPlayer, HBO, Amazon Prime Video, Showtime, Sling TV, DAZN
Supports torrenting: Yes, all servers support P2P activity
Works on these devices: iOS, macOS, Windows, Android, Android TV, Chrome, Firefox, Linux, routers
Key Features:
Description: IPVanish consistently delivers excellent performance, and showed improved download speeds by 15% over a long distance. Its native client supports iOS 9 or better and works equally well on iPads. It has an auto-connect feature when internet traffic is detected and gives suggestions on the fastest server available based on users’ ping time and location.
Number of servers: 1,300+
Server locations: 75+
IP addresses: 40,000+
Maximum devices supported: 10
Works on these devices: Windows 7 and higher. OSX 10.10 and higher. Android 4.0
Key Features:
Description: CyberGhost is a truly complete VPN solution known for its easy-to-use interface features, and can access geo-restricted content with seven simultaneous connections. It allows users to stream and browse without limitations, bypass geo-restrictions, closedowns, and digital censorship with their VPN service.
Number of servers: 6,000
Server locations: 90+ countries (10 in NZ)
Maximum devices supported: 7
Unblocks: Dedicated streaming profile with servers optimised for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Sky Go, Eurosport, ESPN, Comedy Central, and more
Supports torrenting: Yes. It has a dedicated profile that shows countries and number of users.
Works on these devices: Windows, Android, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire Stick, Android TV, Linux, and Chrome
Key Features:
Description: Hotspot Shield’s VPN is user-friendly and offers five simultaneous connections for maximum protection. It allows its users to access content anonymously and securely with lightning-fast speeds and military-grade encryption, guaranteeing quick, secure browsing. Users will be able to access geo-restricted content from anywhere, using any device, and is a popular choice for beginners and experienced users alike.
Number of servers: 1,300
Server locations: 75
IP addresses: 40,000+
Maximum devices supported: 5
Unblocks: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer
Supports torrenting: Yes. P2P is allowed on all servers.
Works on these devices: Windows, macOS, iOS, Chrome, Android
Key Features:
Description: PrivateVPN is a reliable VPN that gives the promise of being able to unlock anything and protect everything. It is the world’s fastest-growing VPN that allows its users to enjoy the entire internet at lightning speeds. It can open geo-restricted data from video streaming to social networks and enables users to be undetectable with its military-grade encryption shields. Users enjoy maximum speeds without buffering with its supercharged connections.
Number of servers: 100
Server locations: 60 (1 in NZ)
Maximum devices supported: 6
Unblocks: Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.
Supports torrenting: Yes, all servers support P2P activity; list of P2P-optimized servers available through the app.
Works on these devices: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, Routers
Key Features:
Description: Enjoy SurfShark anywhere you go. Protects all your family devices with just one account, and provides safe and instant access for worry-free internet that leaves no footprints. With Surfshark, location and sensitive data remain private and secure at all times.
Number of servers: 1040+
Server locations: 61+
Maximum devices supported: unlimited amount of simultaneous connections
Unblocks: Netflix, Amazon Video, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, and more
Supports torrenting: P2P-friendly. Enjoy servers optimised for best download speeds and diamond-strong encryption for privacy.
Key Features:
Description: Zen Mate is your ultimate iOS VPN that provides fast speeds from 37 different countries worldwide. Connect with unlimited bandwidth, bypass internet restrictions and experience blazing fast connection speeds. ZenMate VPN never keeps users’ records of activities with a strictly no-logging policy, 1 ZenMate subscription covers up to 5 devices simultaneously, with its military-grade encryption to protect you from cyberthreats. It can bypass restrictions imposed by strict governmental agencies and allows users to enjoy borderless internet.
Number of servers: 2,000+
Server locations: 37+
Maximum devices supported: 5
Unblocks: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, HBO Now, and more.
Works on these devices: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, OpenVPN, Chrome, Opera and Firefox
Key Features:
Description: UltraVPN gives all the benefits of a premium VPN by giving its users access with no buffering or slowing down, no-snooping feature even on public WIFI. It prides itself with virtually uncrackable encryption. ISPs will not be able to monitor their users’ online activity and browsing data with a VPN that lets them also browse without limits.
Number of servers: 100+
Server locations: 58
Maximum devices supported: 3
Unblocks: Netflix, BBC, iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO, YouTube, Spotify, ESPN
Works on these devices: –
Key Features:
Description: With Ivacy VPN, users can bid farewell to geo-restrictions and access content from anywhere, anytime. It protects five devices simultaneously
Number of servers: 1,000+
Server locations: 100+
Maximum devices supported: 5
Unblocks: Netflix, Disney Plus, Sony Live, LTV Livestream, TF1, TransTV, RTVs, RCN, and more
Supports torrenting: P2P-friendly
Works on these devices: Windows, macOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Kodi,
Key Features:
“The most important things to look for in the best VPN to use in New Zealand are access, security, and privacy,” says VPN Mentor. It pays to add extra paddings of protection to yourself and your online activities and transactions to prevent security and data breach. Hackers and cybercriminals are getting more and more intuitive and creative as cybersecurity is intensifying, so we need to be a step ahead, always. Know about the different cybersecurity threats and ways to keep your computer and online credentials safe and secure. Having a VPN is one of the types of protection you can get for you and your family. Having a VPN is not just being a step ahead of clear and present dangers on the internet, but a leap into the future of safe, speedy, and secured connectivity.
About Author:
John Ocampos is an Opera Singer by profession and a member of the Philippine Tenors. Ever since, Digital Marketing has always been his forte. He is the Founder of SEO-Guru, and the Managing Director of Tech Hacker. John is also the Strategic SEO and Influencer Marketing Manager of Softvire Australia – the leading software eCommerce company in Australia and Softvire New Zealand
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