The Best VPN for businesses and some to avoid

When selecting a business VPN, it’s crucial to choose one that not only safeguards your data but also caters to the unique needs of your organization. In this article, we have meticulously evaluated and compiled a list of the best VPNs for business, focusing on features like robust security, user management, and reliable support. Whether you’re a small startup or a large corporation, our recommendations will help you find a VPN solution that aligns perfectly with your business objectives.

We get into plenty of detail on each of the providers below, but below is a summary of the best VPNs for business.

Best Business VPNs:

1. Perimeter 81 EDITOR’S CHOICE Our #1 choice VPN for business. Combines connection security with access rights management to create a Zero Trust environment. Available add-ons include DNS filtering and a secure Web gateway. Access a demo.
2. Twingate Business VPN which caters to remote teams with SSO support, split tunneling, zero-trust access, and private gateways.
3. NordLayer  Specialist business VPN popular with small and medium sized organizations.
4. Windscribe Budget business VPN option with top security features, easy to use apps and centralized billing option. Good documentation but lacks 24/7 support.
5. CyberGhost Great value service with secure apps that are easy to install and get started. Some of the fastest servers we have tested.
6. IPVanish Fast servers with secure and reliable connections. User friendly apps. Would prefer 24hr support.
7. ExpressVPN Extensive network of fast servers. High-grade encryption and even works great in China and the UAE. Not the cheapest option on this list.

Best VPN for Business: Comparison Table

Business VPN: Selection Criteria

In order to decide on the best VPNs for the widest possible range of organizations, we used the following criteria to benchmark the services:

• Centralized User Management: Ability to manage user access and permissions centrally for better control and security.
• Dedicated IP Addresses: Offering dedicated IPs for enhanced security and easier whitelisting on business networks.
• Advanced Security Protocols: Incorporating strong encryption methods and security protocols tailored for business data protection.
• Corporate Firewall Compatibility: Compatibility with existing corporate firewalls and security systems.
• Scalability: VPN solutions that can easily scale with the growth of the business, accommodating more users or higher data usage.
• Split Tunneling Options: Allowing users to split traffic between the VPN and local network, optimizing speed and access.
• Audit Trails and Reporting: Features for monitoring and reporting user activity to comply with company policies and regulations.
• Multi-Device Support: Supporting a wide range of devices and platforms used within the business environment.
• Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Guaranteeing uptime and support responsiveness suited for business operations.
• Priority Customer Support: Providing dedicated support channels for business clients for faster resolution of issues.
• VPN Server Network: Extensive server network for global business operations, ensuring reliable connections anywhere.

Best VPN for Business: Detailed Reviews

1. Perimeter 81

Dec 2024

Perimeter 81 is a specialist business VPN. It allows businesses to deploy private VPN servers that staff can securely connect to from anywhere in the world. You can easily manage network activity for your entire staff without an IT degree from an online dashboard. This will allow employees to securely access files, apps, and other resources securely from remote locations.

Key Features:

• Virtual network options: Can implement SASE and SD-WAN strategies
• Zero Trust Access: Guards access to applications and resources
• Access app: Users get a single app for system and application access
• Identity and Access Management: Access rights management is integrated into the tool
• Single sign-on: Allow the app sign-in to flow through to application access authorization

Why do we recommend it?

Perimeter 81 provides a package of security tools that includes a site-to-site VPN and a remote access VPN service. The Perimeter 81 server acts as a hub between your users and the applications that you authorize them to use. Those applications can be on your servers or hosted on cloud platforms.

Perimeter 81 caters to businesses with unique security features like network segmentation to isolate sensitive data from breaches. If your business has offices in different locations, you can set up site to site VPNs to connect the two networks. Cloud VPNs allow remote access and can easily be scaled up as needed.

All data is encrypted with 256-bit AES. If you don’t deploy your own VPN, you can choose from 700 public servers in 36 locations around the world. Businesses can monitor access to the VPN by logging and inspecting all traffic that passes through it.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Chrome.

Who is it recommended for?

This service is suitable for any size of business but it is particularly relevant for companies that have many external, home-based, or roaming employees and use cloud-based applications as well as on-premises software. The VPN app that grants users access to the network also lists a menu of allowed applications.

Best VPN for Business:Reliable and easy to install. The ‘Advanced Cloud VPN’ is a dedicated feature custom-built for business use. A large network of fast servers that are extremely customizable. Suitable for most business purposes and allows 5 simultaneous connections. Includes a 30-day money back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.

2. Twingate

Twingate is a new VPN business with some interesting features that set it apart from others in this list. Twingate is a cloud-based service that differentiates itself from traditional VPN solutions thanks to zero-trust access control and making gateways invisible to the internet. Twingate can be deployed without changing network infrastructure and is easily scaled.

Key Features:

• Zero Trust Access: A number of choices on how to implement access controls
• Integrations: Can work with your mobile device management and endpoint protection systems
• User apps: Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS, iOS, and Android

Why do we recommend it?

Twingate is a close rival to NordLayer and Perimeter 81. It provides a way to combine connection security with access rights management. Users can’t get onto the company network without a login – that network includes a VPN connection. The administrator sets up a list of permitted applications per user and a single sign-on mechanism converts the access app login into access to those systems.

Twingate supports single sign on (SSO) so that staff can only access the resources that IT admins give them. That includes on-cloud and on-premises apps and remote networks. Split tunneling allows traffic to pass through the network only if necessary, while more bandwidth-intensive activities like video calls go through a direct connection.

Who is it recommended for?

Small businesses will like the Free edition of Twingate, which will manage access for a team of up to five members. Paid plans with more features are available for larger businesses. All plans provide the basic building blocks of the Twingate system, which are site-to-site and remote access VPNs.

EASY DEPLOYMENT:Twingate is a trustless solution for remote teams that use SSO. A 14-day free trial is on offer at time of writing.

Read our full Twingate review.

3. NordLayer

NordLayer is NordVPN’s business-focused service for small to medium-sized businesses. You can easily set up secure remote access to both the office network and to the internet. Every user account can be managed from a single, centralized control panel. You can tunnel connections from work devices through 33 different countries. Adding users is easy and won’t complicate billing.

Key Features:

• Virtual network: Connect remote workers, sites, and cloud platforms
• Connection security: Get privacy and security on internet connections
• Zero Trust Access: Includes application access controls

Why do we recommend it?

NordLayer is a similar system to Perimeter81. The user app for the tool is like a VPN client. Users log in and that sign-on is rippled through for access to permitted applications. Users don’t even see the applications for which they do not have authorization. All internet connections are secured by VPNs.

Third-party authentication works with GSuite, OneLogin, Okta, And Azure. Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Strong encryption and a kill switch ensure your organization’s data is protected at all times. NordLayer promises to assist businesses that need support in less than three hours.

Who is it recommended for?

This tool is particularly suitable for companies that operate virtual offices. This is because it can create a private company network over the internet with a single point of access through the NordLayer server, which acts as a firewall. Users have no way of accessing resources for which they do not have permission.

A Team Favourite:Trusted VPN Provider. A real leader in all categories, has strong security features, fast speeds, and simple billing for businesses.

Here’s our full review of NordVPN (note this review is of the consumer version).

4. Windscribe

Windscribe has an offering tailored specifically for teams and businesses, named ScribeForce. This is a low-cost service, ideal for business-owners on a budget. The plan gives you all features of a Windscribe Pro plan which includes access to over 600 servers in more than 50 countries. You also get centralized billing and a panel from you can configure and manage your entire team.

Key Features:

• A group account for a VPN service: Per user pricing and consolidated billing
• Central controls: An administrator account controls which users get access to the service
• User apps: Available for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android

Why do we recommend it?

Windscribe is a standard VPN service that has some useful cybersecurity add-ons, such as ad-blocking and URL scanning. A standard subscription for private individuals allows each account to connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously but account sharing is forbidden. The ScribeForce plan for businesses enables central administration of all the accounts held by a company.

Windscribe offers fast speeds and top-notch security. It uses 256-bit encryption with perfect forward secrecy, a kill switch, and DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection. A new feature blocks ads and malware on all devices. The service doesn’t log any information that can identify you.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. Currently, an unlimited number of devices can be connected under each plan.

Who is it recommended for?

ScribeForce is priced per user and there is no minimum purchase requirement, although you would need to be at least two people to be classed as a team. The service provides protection for connections from desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets and is a great solution for protecting home-based or roaming employees.

BEST BUDGET BUSINESS VPN:Windscribe hits good speeds. Solid for business use. Stores no logs and uses tunneling techniques for good security and privacy. Lacks true 24/7 support. 3-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our full review of Windscribe.

5. CyberGhost

There’s no dedicated business VPN option available at Romania-headquartered CyberGhost. But it makes the best business VPN for list due to its affordability and number of simultaneous connections in paid accounts.

Key Features:

• Fun interface: The ghost theme appeals to non-technical users
• User apps: Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android
• Device apps: Available for set top boxes, games consoles, and smart TVs

Why do we recommend it?

CyberGhost is one of the leading VPNs for personal use, however, the company does not allow account sharing. The tool is very easy to use and its funky ghost theme and graphics appeal to non-technical users. There isn’t a team account option with CyberGhost, so you would just buy multiple accounts for your users.

This provider has been adding new servers at a frenetic pace. Currently, there are more than 9,000 servers spread across 91 countries but we expect this to keep going up in the medium term. The additional benefit for businesses is that it has an internal policy of not storing any data logs so the content of communications should remain hidden, even from system administrators at the company. There are apps for both Android and iOS as well as desktop support for Windows, MacOS, and Linux. A single account allows for seven simultaneous connections.

This VPN service uses 256-bit AES encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default along with 2,048-bit RSA keys and MD5 HMAC authentication. There’s also an internet kill switch which means web traffic will be halted if the connection drops unexpectedly.

Seven devices can connect at the same time with one account.

Who is it recommended for?

CyberGhost is a great option for individuals but its lack of a team account with a central administrator console makes it a little problematic for businesses. The VPN works on mobile devices as well as desktops and it has strong encryption. This tool would be particularly suitable for independent consultants.

BEGINNERS' CHOICE:CyberGhost is easy to use. Great privacy with zero logs and DNS leak protection. Unblocks popular streaming platforms and restricted services. 45-day money back guarantee.

Here’s our full review of CyberGhost.

6. IPVanish

IPVanish continues in the vein of having a zero-logs policy. It combines that with rigid encryption protocols and a focus on quick speeds to deliver a robust product overall.

Key Features:

• Fast connections: IPVanish can actually speed up your connections
• User apps: Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Chrome OS
• Unlimited simultaneous connections: Each account holder can have the service turned on for many devices all at once

Why do we recommend it?

IPVanish is another VPN service that does very well in the market that serves private individuals. Its unlimited simultaneous connection allowance is attractive. While many VPNs claim to be the fastest in the world, IPVanish usually wins any speed test comparison. Unfortunately, the service doesn’t have a business plan.

At the moment there are more than 2,000 servers spread across the world with a decent selection in each continent. Encryption standards are similarly impressive. IPVanish uses 256-bit encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default, SHA512 authentication, and a DHE-RSA 2,048-bit key exchange with perfect forward secrecy. An internet kill switch is available in all clients.

There are apps for both iOS and Android as well as desktop programs for Windows and MacOS. There is no limit to the number of devices you can connect to the service simultaneously with one account.

Who is it recommended for?

Like CyberGhost, IPVanish has decided not to compete in the business market. It does not offer a team plan. So if a company wanted a VPN, it would just buy multiple VPN accounts from IPVanish and would not have any way to revoke membership and reallocate an account if an employee leaves.

FAST AND RELIABLE:IPVanish has a large network of servers. Uncongested network achieves good speeds. Strong security and privacy features. Could do with having live customer support. 30-day money back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

7. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has thousands of servers spread across 94 countries, which means it’s a pretty good choice for employees that might have to travel frequently or work remotely. The largest selection is in Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific with a smaller number in Africa and the Middle East.

Key Features:

• Strong encryption: Protect connections with 256-bit AES encryption
• Works in China: Evades the controls of the Great Firewall of China
• User apps: Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android

Why do we recommend it?

ExpressVPN is the number one VPN service in the world. The tool is able to evade VPN blocks by systems such as NetFlix and countries such as China and the allowance of eight simultaneous connections is a big draw. This system provides strong encryption and strict procedures to guarantee privacy.

The VPN service is a firm favorite with users as it offers fast speeds coupled with military-grade encryption. Privacy-conscious users will be happy that ExpressVPN does not store any traffic logs. The only tiny bit of metadata retention pertains to the date (not time) of connection, choice of server location, and total bandwidth used.

It helps that ExpressVPN’s headquarters are in the British Virgin Islands and it therefore doesn’t have to comply with any mandatory data retention laws. This means it’s also out of the jurisdiction of western government agencies.

Encryption standards are stringent. The provider utilizes 256-bit AES-CBC as its default encryption protocol as well as both HMAC authentication and perfect forward secrecy. There’s an internet kill switch included, which the company refers to as a ‘network lock’.

It’s not very generous when it comes to simultaneous connections, however, with a maximum of five devices allowed on a single plan.

Apps are available for both iOS and Android as well as desktop software for Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

Who is it recommended for?

The company does very well in the market for private individuals but hasn’t made any moves in the business VPN market. The tool is able to protect mobile devices as well as desktops and it is very easy to load the VPN on to most home WiFi routers. However, there is no team account available.

GREAT ALL-ROUNDER:ExpressVPN holds its own. A fast and reliable choice which confidently unblocks most restricted sites. Great privacy features and keeps no logs. One of the few VPNs to work in China and the UAE. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our in-depth review of ExpressVPN.

Business VPNs: Our Testing Methodology

There may be a lot of VPNs on the market, but many simply aren’t suitable for small and medium-sized businesses. Our methodology for finding the best VPNs for a business involved looking for those that provide the following:

• Business-oriented: Most VPNs on the market cater to individuals rather than businesses. We searched for those that offer services specifically for businesses. For example, we understand that you may need to host resources that staff can securely access remotely.
• Speed: Time is money and this makes a VPN’s speed all the more important. By testing each business VPN for ourselves, we’re able to determine its level of performance. We look for the fastest VPNs, all of which should include unlimited bandwidth. This allows for faster file transfers and connections to remote company servers.
• Unblocking: Unfortunately, there are a lot of geographic restrictions on the web. This includes popular news websites and online banking services. If you want your team to be able to access all of the same information, you need a VPN with strong unblocking ability for bypassing these restrictions.
• Security: Hacks, viruses, and data breaches are just some of the security threats your business faces on a daily basis. We look for each VPN we recommend to offer high-end encryption and leak protection at a minimum. However, many of the best VPNs for businesses offer far more than this.
• Privacy: The VPN you use should operate a no-logs policy. This means that it doesn’t keep any identifying logs of users, protecting the privacy not only of your business but the entire staff using it. Not every VPN can be trusted, however. That’s why we’ve looked at over 140 VPN logging policies to find the best.
• Ease of use: From setting up the VPN for the first time to adding or removing users, the experience should be straightforward. The best VPNs for businesses provide beginner-friendly apps and 24-hour support via live chat and email. Furthermore, there’s no shortage of setup and troubleshooting guides should you need them.
• Value for money: The good news is that the best VPNs for businesses provide a variety of options to suit all budgets. Your business can save even more when you use one of the VPN discount coupons we’ve provided in this post. Better still, you can try the VPN risk-free because each one includes a money-back guarantee.

Best Business VPNs FAQ