Find the best VPNs for business with dedicated plans and enterprise solutions. Evaluate features, pricing, and scalability for organizations.

Comparing VPNs for Business Plans and Enterprise Solutions

Hey there, business owners and IT managers! In today's interconnected world, securing your company's data and ensuring seamless, private communication is more critical than ever. Whether your team is working remotely, traveling frequently, or simply needs to protect sensitive information from cyber threats, a robust Virtual Private Network (VPN) is no longer a luxury – it's a necessity. But with so many VPN providers out there, how do you choose the right one for your business? It's not just about individual subscriptions; we're talking about dedicated business plans and enterprise-level solutions that offer centralized management, advanced security features, and scalability.

This article is going to dive deep into comparing VPNs specifically designed for businesses. We'll look at what makes a business VPN different from a personal one, explore key features you should prioritize, and then compare some of the top contenders in the market. We'll cover everything from pricing and scalability to ease of use and customer support, helping you make an informed decision that protects your assets and empowers your team.

Understanding Business VPN Needs What Makes Them Different

You might be thinking, 'Can't I just buy a bunch of personal VPN subscriptions for my team?' While technically possible, it's far from ideal for a business environment. Business VPNs are built with organizational needs in mind, offering features that personal VPNs simply don't. Here's a breakdown of what sets them apart:

• Centralized Management: This is a huge one. Instead of managing individual accounts, a business VPN allows an administrator to control all user accounts from a single dashboard. This means easy onboarding and offboarding of employees, managing permissions, and monitoring usage.
• Dedicated IP Addresses: Many business VPNs offer dedicated IP addresses. This can be crucial for accessing specific company resources that are whitelisted to certain IPs, or for maintaining a consistent online presence for your business.
• Enhanced Security Features: Beyond standard encryption, business VPNs often come with advanced security protocols, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and sometimes even integrated threat protection or secure DNS.
• Scalability: As your business grows, your VPN solution needs to grow with it. Business plans are designed to easily add or remove users, ensuring your security infrastructure can adapt to your evolving team size.
• Priority Support: When your business operations depend on your VPN, you need quick and reliable support. Business VPN plans typically offer dedicated or priority customer support channels.
• Site-to-Site VPN: For businesses with multiple offices, site-to-site VPNs allow secure connections between different locations, making it feel like everyone is on the same local network.
• Compliance and Auditing: Many business VPNs offer features that help with regulatory compliance and provide audit trails, which can be essential for certain industries.

Key Features to Prioritize When Choosing a Business VPN Solution

When you're evaluating different business VPN providers, keep these essential features at the top of your checklist:

Robust Security and Encryption Protocols for Business Data Protection

This is non-negotiable. Your business VPN must offer strong encryption, ideally AES-256, and support modern, secure protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPsec. Look for features like a kill switch to prevent data leaks if the VPN connection drops, and DNS leak protection to ensure your DNS requests aren't exposed. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is also a critical layer of security for all user accounts.

Centralized Management and User Control for IT Efficiency

An intuitive and powerful admin panel is key. You should be able to easily add/remove users, assign roles and permissions, monitor connection status, and manage dedicated IPs. This streamlines IT operations and ensures consistent security policies across your organization.

Scalability and Flexibility for Growing Business Needs

Your business isn't static, and neither should your VPN solution be. Choose a provider that allows you to easily scale up or down the number of users as needed. Look for flexible pricing models that accommodate growth without penalizing you for unused licenses.

Dedicated IP Addresses and Server Locations for Business Operations

If your business relies on accessing specific resources or maintaining a consistent online identity, dedicated IP addresses are a must. Also, consider the provider's server network. Do they have servers in all the regions where your employees are located or where you need to access geo-restricted services? A wide distribution of servers can also help with speed and reliability.

Reliable Performance and Speed for Business Productivity

Slow internet is a productivity killer. Your business VPN should offer fast and stable connections, even with multiple users. Look for providers that use high-performance servers and efficient protocols. Some providers offer speed tests or have publicly available performance data.

24/7 Customer Support and Technical Assistance for Business Continuity

When something goes wrong, you need help fast. Prioritize VPN providers that offer 24/7 customer support, ideally through live chat, phone, and email. Dedicated account managers or priority support for business clients are also a huge plus.

Top VPNs for Business Plans and Enterprise Solutions A Detailed Comparison

Now, let's get to the good stuff! Here's a comparison of some of the leading VPN providers offering robust business and enterprise solutions. We'll look at their specific offerings, pricing structures, and ideal use cases.

NordLayer (formerly NordVPN Teams) Comprehensive Business VPN for All Sizes

NordLayer, from the creators of NordVPN, is specifically designed for businesses of all sizes, from small teams to large enterprises. It's a fantastic option if you're looking for a comprehensive security solution beyond just a basic VPN.

• Key Features: Centralized control panel, dedicated servers, dedicated IP addresses, site-to-site VPN, multi-factor authentication, secure remote access, network access control, cloud firewall, and 24/7 priority support. They offer advanced features like smart access to segment network resources and integrate with identity providers like Okta and Azure AD.
• Security: Strong AES-256 encryption, OpenVPN and NordLynx (WireGuard-based) protocols, kill switch, DNS leak protection.
• Performance: Known for excellent speeds and a vast server network, ensuring reliable connections globally.
• Pricing: NordLayer offers tiered pricing based on features and the number of users. They have a 'Basic' plan for core VPN functionality, a 'Advanced' plan with more security features like threat protection and dedicated servers, and a 'Custom' plan for enterprise-level needs. Pricing typically starts around $7-9 per user per month for the basic plan, with discounts for annual subscriptions. For exact pricing, you'll need to contact their sales team for a custom quote based on your specific requirements.
• Ideal for: Businesses looking for a complete network security solution, not just a VPN. Great for remote teams, businesses with multiple locations, and those needing advanced access control and threat protection.

ExpressVPN for Business Reliable and High-Performance Enterprise VPN

While ExpressVPN is primarily known for its consumer VPN, they do offer business solutions, often tailored through direct contact with their sales team. They leverage their reputation for speed and reliability in their business offerings.

• Key Features: High-speed servers, strong encryption, dedicated account management, custom configurations, and global server network. They focus on providing secure and fast access to company resources from anywhere.
• Security: Industry-leading AES-256 encryption, OpenVPN, Lightway (their proprietary WireGuard-based protocol), kill switch, and DNS leak protection.
• Performance: Consistently ranks as one of the fastest VPNs, which is a huge plus for business productivity, especially for video conferencing and large file transfers.
• Pricing: ExpressVPN's business pricing is typically custom-quoted based on the number of users and specific needs. They don't publicly list standard business plans, so direct contact with their sales team is necessary for a quote. Expect it to be on the higher end, reflecting their premium service.
• Ideal for: Businesses that prioritize speed and reliability above all else. Great for teams that handle large data transfers, require seamless video conferencing, or operate in regions with strict internet censorship.

Surfshark Business (Surfshark One for Business) Cost-Effective and Feature-Rich

Surfshark, another popular consumer VPN, has also expanded into the business market with Surfshark Business (often bundled as part of Surfshark One for Business). They aim to provide a cost-effective yet feature-rich solution.

• Key Features: Centralized control panel, dedicated account manager, dedicated IP addresses, site-to-site VPN, multi-factor authentication, secure remote access, and a clean user interface. They also offer features like antivirus and secure search as part of their business bundle.
• Security: AES-256 encryption, WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec protocols, kill switch, and DNS leak protection.
• Performance: Offers good speeds and a growing server network, making it a solid choice for general business use.
• Pricing: Surfshark Business offers competitive pricing, often starting around $5-7 per user per month for their basic business VPN plan, with discounts for annual commitments. Their 'Surfshark One for Business' bundle, which includes antivirus and other security tools, will be higher. They also offer custom quotes for larger enterprises.
• Ideal for: Small to medium-sized businesses looking for a cost-effective VPN solution with a good balance of features and security. Also suitable for businesses that appreciate the added value of antivirus and other security tools in a single package.

Perimeter 81 (now part of ExpressVPN) Cloud-Based Network Security for Modern Businesses

Perimeter 81 is a cloud-based network security solution that goes beyond traditional VPNs, offering a full Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platform. It's designed for modern, distributed workforces.

• Key Features: Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Firewall as a Service (FWaaS), DNS filtering, dedicated gateways, dedicated IP addresses, site-to-site VPN, multi-factor authentication, and seamless integration with cloud services. They focus on simplifying network security for hybrid and remote teams.
• Security: Strong encryption, advanced access controls, continuous monitoring, and compliance features.
• Performance: Optimized for cloud environments, offering fast and reliable access to cloud resources and internal networks.
• Pricing: Perimeter 81's pricing is typically tiered based on features and the number of team members. Their 'Essentials' plan starts around $8-10 per user per month (billed annually) for core VPN and ZTNA features. Higher tiers ('Premium', 'Enterprise') offer more advanced features like dedicated gateways, custom DNS, and advanced integrations. They also offer custom enterprise solutions.
• Ideal for: Businesses embracing cloud infrastructure and remote work, looking for a comprehensive SASE solution rather than just a VPN. Excellent for organizations needing granular access control and a Zero Trust approach to security.

OpenVPN Access Server Self-Hosted and Highly Customizable

For businesses with specific technical requirements or those who prefer to host their own VPN solution, OpenVPN Access Server is a powerful option. It's not a managed service like the others, but rather software you deploy on your own servers.

• Key Features: Full control over your VPN server, highly customizable configurations, robust security, support for various authentication methods (including LDAP/Active Directory integration), and client software for all major platforms.
• Security: Leverages the highly secure OpenVPN protocol, allowing for strong encryption and custom security policies.
• Performance: Performance depends entirely on the server hardware and internet connection you provide.
• Pricing: OpenVPN Access Server offers a free tier for up to 2 concurrent connections, which is great for testing. Paid licenses are based on the number of concurrent connections, starting from around $150 per year for 10 connections, with significant discounts for larger license packs. This doesn't include the cost of your server infrastructure.
• Ideal for: Businesses with in-house IT expertise that require maximum control, customization, and integration with existing infrastructure. Also suitable for those with strict compliance requirements that necessitate self-hosting.

Choosing the Right Business VPN for Your Organization Practical Scenarios

Let's consider some practical scenarios to help you decide which VPN solution might be the best fit for your business:

Small Business with Remote Workers Securing Your Distributed Team

If you're a small business with a few remote employees, you need a solution that's easy to set up and manage without a dedicated IT team. Surfshark Business or NordLayer's basic plans are excellent choices here. They offer centralized management, good security, and are relatively affordable. You'll get dedicated IPs if needed and reliable performance for everyday tasks like email, cloud document access, and video calls.

Medium-Sized Business with Multiple Offices and Cloud Resources Connecting Your Ecosystem

For a medium-sized business with multiple physical locations and a reliance on cloud-based applications, you'll need more advanced features. Perimeter 81 shines here with its Zero Trust Network Access and site-to-site VPN capabilities, allowing secure connections between offices and granular control over who accesses what. NordLayer's advanced plans also offer robust solutions for this scenario, including cloud firewall and network access control.

Enterprise-Level Organization with Complex Security Needs and Compliance Requirements

Large enterprises often have stringent security policies, compliance mandates (like HIPAA, GDPR), and a need for deep integration with existing IT infrastructure. In this case, a custom enterprise solution from NordLayer or Perimeter 81 would be ideal. They can offer dedicated account managers, custom deployments, advanced auditing features, and seamless integration with identity management systems. OpenVPN Access Server could also be a strong contender if you have the internal resources to manage a self-hosted solution and require ultimate customization.

Businesses Prioritizing Speed and Performance for Specific Tasks

If your business heavily relies on tasks that demand high bandwidth and low latency, such as large file transfers, high-definition video editing, or real-time data analytics, then ExpressVPN's business offerings or NordLayer's high-performance servers would be a top consideration. Their focus on speed ensures that your team remains productive without being hampered by slow connections.

Final Thoughts on Business VPNs and Enterprise Solutions

Selecting the right VPN for your business is a strategic decision that impacts your security, productivity, and bottom line. It's not just about finding the cheapest option, but rather the one that best aligns with your operational needs, security posture, and growth trajectory. Take the time to assess your specific requirements, consider the features discussed above, and don't hesitate to reach out to providers for custom quotes and demos.

Remember, a good business VPN is an investment in your company's future, protecting your valuable data, ensuring secure communication, and empowering your team to work efficiently from anywhere in the world. Stay secure out there!