The 6 Best VPNs for Secure Remote Work and Business

Working remotely has become the new normal for many, offering flexibility and convenience. However, this shift also brings significant cybersecurity challenges. Businesses, from small startups to large enterprises, need robust solutions to protect sensitive data, ensure secure access to company resources, and maintain employee privacy. This is where Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) come in. A good VPN for business isn't just about encrypting traffic; it's about providing a secure, reliable, and scalable infrastructure that supports a distributed workforce.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the top 6 VPNs that are perfectly suited for secure remote work and business operations. We'll delve into their features, discuss their pricing, and highlight specific use cases to help you make an informed decision. Our focus will be on robust encryption, secure access, ease of management, and scalability, all crucial for a productive and protected remote environment.

Understanding Business VPN Needs for Remote Teams

Before diving into specific recommendations, let's clarify what businesses truly need from a VPN in a remote work setting. It's more than just a consumer-grade VPN. Key considerations include:

• Centralized Management: The ability to manage multiple user accounts, assign permissions, and monitor usage from a single dashboard.
• Dedicated IP Addresses: Often required for accessing specific company resources or maintaining a consistent online identity.
• Advanced Security Features: Beyond basic encryption, look for features like multi-factor authentication (MFA), kill switches, DNS leak protection, and obfuscated servers.
• Scalability: The VPN solution should be able to grow with your business, accommodating more users and locations without performance degradation.
• Reliable Performance: Fast and stable connections are essential for productivity, especially for video conferencing, large file transfers, and cloud-based applications.
• Compliance: Adherence to industry-specific regulations (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR) is critical for many businesses.
• 24/7 Support: Quick and effective technical support is vital when issues arise, minimizing downtime.

Top 6 VPNs for Business and Remote Work Security

Here are our top picks, evaluated based on the criteria above, offering a range of solutions for different business sizes and needs.

1. Perimeter 81 Business VPN Solution for Enterprise Security

Perimeter 81 stands out as a comprehensive cybersecurity solution designed specifically for businesses, moving beyond traditional VPNs to offer a full Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platform. It's ideal for organizations looking for a modern, cloud-based approach to network security.

Key Features and Benefits for Business VPN Users:

• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Replaces traditional VPNs by granting access based on user identity and device posture, not just network location. This significantly enhances security.
• Cloud-Based Management: Easy deployment and management of user access, policies, and network resources from a centralized cloud dashboard.
• Dedicated Gateways and IP Addresses: Provides dedicated IP addresses for your team, ensuring consistent access to internal resources and reducing the risk of being blacklisted.
• Secure Web Gateway (SWG): Protects users from web-based threats and enforces internet usage policies.
• Firewall as a Service (FWaaS): Integrates firewall capabilities into the cloud, securing all network traffic.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adds an extra layer of security for user logins.
• Integration with Identity Providers: Seamlessly integrates with Okta, Azure AD, Google Workspace, and more for streamlined user management.
• Global Server Network: Extensive network of servers ensures fast and reliable connections worldwide.

Use Cases for Perimeter 81:

• Large Enterprises: Organizations with complex network infrastructures and a need for advanced security features and compliance.
• Hybrid Workforces: Businesses with a mix of remote and in-office employees requiring seamless and secure access to resources.
• Cloud-First Companies: Those heavily reliant on cloud applications and infrastructure.

Pricing for Perimeter 81 Business VPN:

Perimeter 81 offers tiered pricing plans based on the number of team members and features required. Plans typically start around $8 per user per month for basic features, scaling up for more advanced functionalities like ZTNA, dedicated gateways, and higher bandwidth. They often provide custom quotes for larger enterprises. A free demo is usually available to explore the platform.

2. NordLayer (formerly NordVPN Teams) Secure Business VPN

NordLayer is the business-focused solution from the creators of NordVPN, offering a robust and user-friendly VPN service tailored for organizations. It's an excellent choice for businesses seeking a balance of strong security, ease of use, and competitive pricing.

Key Features and Benefits for Business VPN Users:

• Centralized Control Panel: Manage user accounts, permissions, and server access from a single, intuitive dashboard.
• Dedicated Servers and IP Addresses: Option to get dedicated servers and static IP addresses for your business, enhancing security and access control.
• Advanced Encryption: Utilizes AES 256-bit encryption, along with OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and NordLynx (WireGuard-based) protocols for strong security and speed.
• Site-to-Site VPN: Connects multiple office locations securely, creating a unified network.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enhances login security for all team members.
• Threat Protection: Includes features like ad blocking, malware protection, and DNS filtering to safeguard against common online threats.
• Activity Monitoring: Provides insights into team member VPN usage and connection status.
• 24/7 Priority Support: Dedicated support team for business clients.

Use Cases for NordLayer:

• Small to Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs): Offers a scalable solution that grows with your team without overcomplicating management.
• Remote-First Companies: Ideal for businesses with a fully remote workforce needing secure access to internal resources.
• Companies with Sensitive Data: Provides the necessary encryption and security features to protect confidential information.

Pricing for NordLayer Business VPN:

NordLayer offers several plans, typically starting around $7-9 per user per month for their 'Basic' plan, which includes core VPN features. Their 'Advanced' and 'Custom' plans offer more features like dedicated servers, site-to-site VPN, and advanced threat protection, with pricing increasing accordingly. Discounts are often available for annual subscriptions. They also offer a free trial to test the service.

3. ExpressVPN for Teams Reliable and Fast Business VPN

While ExpressVPN doesn't offer a dedicated 'business' product in the same vein as NordLayer or Perimeter 81, its consumer VPN is so robust and reliable that it's often adopted by smaller teams and individuals within larger organizations. Its focus on speed and ease of use makes it a strong contender for businesses prioritizing individual user experience and performance.

Key Features and Benefits for Business VPN Users:

• Industry-Leading Speed: Renowned for its fast and consistent speeds, crucial for productivity in remote work.
• Strong Encryption: Uses AES 256-bit encryption with OpenVPN, IKEv2, and its proprietary Lightway protocol for optimal security and performance.
• Vast Server Network: Thousands of servers in 94 countries, ensuring reliable connections and the ability to access geo-restricted content if needed.
• No-Logs Policy: Independently audited no-logs policy ensures that your team's online activities are not recorded.
• Easy-to-Use Apps: Intuitive applications for all major platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers), making it simple for employees to connect.
• TrustedServer Technology: All servers run on RAM, wiping all data with every reboot, enhancing security.
• Up to 8 Simultaneous Connections: Allows individual users to protect multiple devices concurrently.

Use Cases for ExpressVPN:

• Small Teams and Startups: Where centralized management isn't the top priority, but individual security and performance are paramount.
• Freelancers and Consultants: Individuals who need a highly reliable and secure VPN for their professional work.
• Teams Prioritizing Speed: For businesses heavily reliant on video conferencing, large file transfers, or other bandwidth-intensive tasks.

Pricing for ExpressVPN:

ExpressVPN offers standard consumer pricing, which can be purchased for individual team members. Plans typically start around $12.95 per month, with significant discounts for 6-month and 12-month subscriptions (e.g., often around $6.67 per month for a 12-month plan). While there isn't a 'team' discount per se, the per-user cost can be competitive for smaller groups, especially given its premium features. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

4. Twingate Zero Trust Network Access for Modern Businesses

Twingate is another excellent example of a modern ZTNA solution, moving away from the traditional VPN model. It's designed for businesses that need granular access control and a highly secure way to connect remote users to internal resources without exposing their entire network.

Key Features and Benefits for Business VPN Users:

• Zero Trust Principles: Grants access only to specific resources, not the entire network, significantly reducing the attack surface.
• Granular Access Control: Define precise access policies based on user identity, device, and resource.
• Easy Deployment: Simple to set up and manage, even for businesses without extensive IT resources.
• Performance and Speed: Routes traffic directly to resources, avoiding the latency often associated with traditional VPNs.
• Device Posture Checks: Ensures devices meet security requirements before granting access.
• Integration with Identity Providers: Supports Okta, Azure AD, Google Workspace, and more for seamless user authentication.
• Audit Logs: Provides detailed logs of user access for compliance and security monitoring.
• No Public IP Exposure: Internal resources are never exposed to the public internet.

Use Cases for Twingate:

• Tech Companies and Startups: Businesses that prioritize modern security architectures and agile deployment.
• Companies with Sensitive Data: Ideal for protecting intellectual property, customer data, and other critical assets.
• Organizations with Complex Access Needs: Where different teams or individuals require access to specific, isolated resources.

Pricing for Twingate:

Twingate offers a free tier for up to 5 users and 2 devices, which is great for very small teams or testing. Paid plans typically start around $5-10 per user per month, scaling up based on features like advanced integrations, dedicated support, and higher resource limits. They also offer enterprise-level custom pricing. The free tier makes it very accessible for evaluation.

5. Surfshark Business VPN Affordable and Feature-Rich

Surfshark, known for its consumer-friendly VPN, also offers a dedicated business solution that provides excellent value, especially for growing teams. It combines strong security with an intuitive interface and competitive pricing.

Key Features and Benefits for Business VPN Users:

• Centralized Dashboard: Manage team members, assign roles, and monitor usage from a single control panel.
• Dedicated IP Addresses: Option to purchase dedicated IP addresses for your business.
• Strong Encryption: Uses AES 256-bit encryption with OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols.
• Unlimited Devices: Unlike many consumer VPNs, Surfshark Business often allows unlimited simultaneous connections per user, making it highly flexible.
• Site-to-Site VPN: Connects different office locations securely.
• CleanWeb Feature: Blocks ads, trackers, and malware for a cleaner and safer browsing experience.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enhances account security.
• 24/7 Support: Responsive customer support for business clients.

Use Cases for Surfshark Business:

• Budget-Conscious Businesses: Offers a feature-rich solution at a very competitive price point.
• Growing Startups: Scalable and easy to manage, suitable for teams that are expanding rapidly.
• Teams Needing Unlimited Devices: Ideal for businesses where employees use multiple devices (laptops, phones, tablets) and need them all protected.

Pricing for Surfshark Business VPN:

Surfshark Business plans are typically very affordable, often starting around $5-7 per user per month, with discounts for longer subscriptions. The pricing structure is usually clear, with different tiers offering additional features like dedicated IPs and more advanced management tools. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

6. OpenVPN Access Server Customizable and Self-Hosted Business VPN

OpenVPN Access Server is a powerful, self-hosted VPN solution based on the open-source OpenVPN protocol. It's perfect for businesses that require maximum control over their VPN infrastructure, have specific customization needs, and possess the technical expertise to manage their own servers.

Key Features and Benefits for Business VPN Users:

• Full Control: You host and manage the VPN server, giving you complete control over security, configurations, and data.
• Highly Customizable: Extensive configuration options to tailor the VPN to your exact business requirements.
• Strong Security: Leverages the robust and audited OpenVPN protocol, known for its strong encryption and security features.
• Scalability: Can be scaled to accommodate a large number of users and connections, depending on your server infrastructure.
• Integration Capabilities: Integrates with various authentication systems, including LDAP, RADIUS, and SAML.
• Granular Access Control: Define user and group-based access policies to specific network resources.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Client software available for all major operating systems.

Use Cases for OpenVPN Access Server:

• Businesses with In-House IT Teams: Organizations with the technical staff to deploy and maintain their own VPN server.
• Companies with Strict Compliance Needs: Where data residency and full control over the VPN infrastructure are paramount.
• Organizations with Unique Network Topologies: Those requiring highly customized VPN configurations that off-the-shelf solutions might not offer.

Pricing for OpenVPN Access Server:

OpenVPN Access Server offers a free tier for up to 2 concurrent VPN connections, which is excellent for testing or very small teams. For more users, pricing is based on the number of concurrent connections, typically starting around $150 per year for 10 connections, scaling up significantly for more. This is a software license cost; you'll also need to factor in the cost of your server infrastructure (cloud or on-premise) and IT management.

Comparing Business VPN Solutions Key Considerations

Choosing the right business VPN involves weighing several factors. Here's a quick comparison to help you decide:

Cloud-Based vs Self-Hosted Business VPN Options

• Cloud-Based (Perimeter 81, NordLayer, Twingate, Surfshark Business): Easier to deploy and manage, less IT overhead, often more scalable. Ideal for businesses that prefer managed services and don't want to deal with server maintenance.
• Self-Hosted (OpenVPN Access Server): Offers maximum control and customization, but requires significant technical expertise and resources for deployment and maintenance. Best for businesses with specific compliance needs or complex network architectures.

Traditional VPN vs Zero Trust Network Access ZTNA for Remote Work

• Traditional VPN (ExpressVPN, NordLayer, Surfshark Business): Connects users to the entire network, then grants access to resources. Simpler to understand and implement for basic needs.
• ZTNA (Perimeter 81, Twingate): Grants access only to specific applications or resources, based on identity and device posture. More secure, reduces attack surface, and is considered the future of secure remote access.

Pricing Models and Value for Business VPN Services

• Per-User Per-Month: Common for cloud-based solutions (Perimeter 81, NordLayer, Twingate, Surfshark Business). Offers predictable costs and scalability.
• Subscription-Based (ExpressVPN): Consumer model, where individual subscriptions are purchased. Can be cost-effective for very small teams but lacks centralized management.
• License-Based (OpenVPN Access Server): One-time or annual license fee for a certain number of concurrent connections, plus infrastructure costs.

Implementing a Business VPN Best Practices for Remote Teams

Once you've chosen a VPN, proper implementation is key to maximizing its benefits and ensuring security:

• Educate Your Team: Provide clear instructions and training on how to use the VPN, why it's important, and what to do if issues arise.
• Enforce Strong Passwords and MFA: Mandate strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for all VPN accounts.
• Regularly Update Software: Ensure all VPN client software and server components (if self-hosted) are kept up-to-date to patch vulnerabilities.
• Implement Granular Access Policies: Grant users only the minimum necessary access to resources. Follow the principle of least privilege.
• Monitor VPN Usage: Keep an eye on connection logs and activity to detect any unusual or suspicious behavior.
• Conduct Regular Security Audits: Periodically review your VPN configuration and security policies to ensure they remain effective.
• Have a Disaster Recovery Plan: Know what to do if your VPN service experiences an outage or security breach.

The Future of Secure Remote Access Beyond Traditional VPNs

While traditional VPNs still play a vital role, the landscape of secure remote access is evolving rapidly. Solutions like Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) are gaining traction because they offer more granular control, better performance, and enhanced security posture compared to legacy VPNs. These modern approaches are designed to meet the demands of cloud-first, mobile-first workforces, providing secure access to applications and data regardless of where they reside or where the user is located.

For businesses, this means evaluating not just current needs but also future growth and technological trends. Investing in a solution that can adapt and scale, potentially transitioning from a traditional VPN to a more advanced ZTNA or SASE framework, will be crucial for long-term security and productivity.

Ultimately, the best VPN for your business will depend on your specific requirements, budget, and technical capabilities. Whether you opt for a comprehensive SASE platform like Perimeter 81, a user-friendly business VPN like NordLayer or Surfshark Business, the individual reliability of ExpressVPN, the granular control of Twingate, or the self-hosted power of OpenVPN Access Server, prioritizing security, reliability, and ease of use will ensure your remote workforce remains productive and protected.