We tested the top business VPNs over four weeks, evaluating each on security, speed, team management, ease of deployment, and value. Whether your team works remotely, uses public WiFi, or needs to secure POS systems (see our POS security guide), this guide will help you find the right fit.
Quick Comparison
| VPN | Rating | Starting Price | Best For | Simultaneous Connections |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordLayer | 4.7 | $7/user/mo | Best overall business VPN | Per user |
| Tailscale | 4.5 | $5/user/mo | Best for remote teams | Unlimited devices |
| Perimeter 81 | 4.3 | $8/user/mo | Best for compliance | Per user |
| PureVPN | 4.1 | $2.99/mo | Best value | Unlimited |
| NordVPN | 4.0 | $3.99/mo | Best consumer VPN | 10 devices |
NordLayer is built specifically for businesses, not consumers. It offers centralized user management, dedicated servers, single sign-on (SSO) integration, and detailed activity logs. The admin dashboard makes it easy to onboard employees, enforce security policies, and monitor usage. It's the most complete business VPN solution we tested.
Pros
- Purpose-built for business teams
- Centralized admin dashboard
- SSO integration (Google, Azure AD, Okta)
- Dedicated IP addresses available
- Kill switch on all platforms
- 24/7 live chat support
Cons
- Per-user pricing adds up for large teams
- No free plan (30-day trial)
- Fewer server locations than consumer VPNs
Tailscale
Tailscale takes a different approach — it creates a mesh network where your devices connect directly to each other, rather than routing through a central server. This means faster connections and simpler setup. It's built on WireGuard and is incredibly easy to deploy. For remote teams that need to access internal resources securely, Tailscale is hard to beat.
Pros
- Zero-configuration setup
- Mesh networking (faster than traditional VPN)
- Free for personal use (up to 3 users)
- Works behind NATs and firewalls
- ACLs for fine-grained access control
Cons
- Not a traditional VPN (doesn't hide IP for browsing)
- Limited admin controls on free plan
- Requires some technical understanding
Perimeter 81
Perimeter 81 positions itself as a Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platform, combining VPN with firewall, web filtering, and network monitoring. It's the most feature-rich option we tested, but that complexity comes with a steeper learning curve. Best for businesses that need compliance documentation and advanced network controls.
Pros
- Full SASE platform (VPN + firewall + filtering)
- Excellent compliance documentation
- Auto WiFi security
- Split tunneling
- API for automation
Cons
- Most expensive option
- Complex setup for small teams
- Overkill for basic VPN needs
PureVPN offers the best price-to-feature ratio for small businesses. One subscription covers unlimited devices, which is perfect for businesses with lots of devices but a limited budget. It has 6,500+ servers in 70+ countries, decent speeds, and supports port forwarding. The main downside is that it's more of a consumer VPN adapted for business rather than purpose-built.
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- 6,500+ servers worldwide
- Very affordable
- Port forwarding support
- Dedicated IP available
Cons
- Consumer-focused, fewer business features
- No centralized team management dashboard
- Limited SSO integration
NordVPN
NordVPN is one of the most recognized names in consumer VPN, and for good reason. It offers excellent speeds, a massive server network (6,000+ servers in 60+ countries), and strong security features including Threat Protection (blocks ads, trackers, and malware). While it's primarily a consumer product, its Meshnet feature allows secure device-to-device connections that small businesses can leverage. For businesses that don't need centralized admin controls, NordVPN offers great value.
Pros
- Excellent value on long-term plans
- 6,000+ servers in 60+ countries
- Threat Protection (ad/malware blocking)
- Meshnet for secure device connections
- 10 simultaneous connections
Cons
- No centralized business admin dashboard
- No SSO integration
- Best pricing requires 2-year commitment
How We Tested
We evaluated each business VPN across five categories:
- Security (30%): Encryption standards, no-logs policy, independent audits, kill switch, leak protection
- Speed (20%): Download/upload speeds across multiple server locations, latency impact
- Business Features (25%): Admin dashboard, user management, SSO, activity logs, dedicated IPs
- Ease of Use (15%): Setup complexity, client quality, documentation
- Value (10%): Price relative to features, scalability, free trial quality
Which Business VPN Should You Choose?
Choose NordLayer if: You want the best all-around business VPN with centralized management, SSO, and dedicated support. Ideal for teams of 5-50.
Choose Tailscale if: Your remote team needs to access internal resources (servers, databases, NAS) securely. Best for tech-savvy teams.
Choose Perimeter 81 if: You need compliance documentation, advanced network controls, and a full SASE platform. Best for regulated industries.
Choose PureVPN if: Budget is your primary concern and you need to cover many devices. Good for very small businesses.
Choose NordVPN if: You want a well-known consumer VPN with great value, Threat Protection, and Meshnet for secure device connections. Good for very small teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a business VPN if my team works from home?
Yes. Home networks are often shared with family members, smart devices, and guests. A VPN encrypts all traffic between your employee's device and your business resources, protecting sensitive data even on compromised home networks.
Will a VPN slow down my team's internet?
Modern VPNs typically reduce speeds by 5-15%. In our tests, NordLayer and ExpressVPN had the smallest impact. For most business tasks (email, web, cloud apps), the difference is unnoticeable. Only large file transfers or video calls might be affected.
Can I use a consumer VPN for my business?
You can, but you shouldn't. Consumer VPNs lack centralized management, activity logging, SSO integration, and the ability to enforce security policies across your team. Business VPNs are designed for exactly this purpose.
About Our Security Experts
The Small Business Security Guide editorial team is composed of independent cybersecurity analysts, risk assessment consultants, and technology writers. We focus exclusively on making enterprise-level security simple and accessible for small businesses. Our recommendations are entirely independent and based on rigorous, real-world testing of tools and security practices.
How We Review Products
Small Business Security Guide is fully independent. We evaluate security software over a 4-week testing protocol on dedicated business systems, measuring protection capability, system speed impact, setup complexity, and overall cost-per-device value. We may earn a commission if you sign up through our links, but commercial partnerships never influence our editorial scoring.
Protect Your Team's Internet Connection
NordLayer offers a 30-day free trial — the best business VPN for most small teams.
Start Your Free Trial →Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a VPN for a small business with remote workers?
Yes, if you have employees working remotely or accessing business resources from public networks, a VPN is essential. Even fully remote teams benefit from VPN protection when using coffee shop Wi-Fi, airports, or home networks that may be shared with family members or compromised by IoT devices. A business VPN encrypts all traffic between your employee's device and your business resources, protecting sensitive data from interception.
What's the difference between a consumer VPN and a business VPN?
Consumer VPNs are designed for personal privacy and streaming, while business VPNs are built for teams. Key differences include: (1) Centralized management dashboards for administrators to onboard employees and enforce policies, (2) SSO integration with Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or Okta, (3) Activity logs and audit trails for compliance, (4) Dedicated IP addresses and split tunneling for specific use cases, (5) Business-focused support with SLA guarantees. Consumer VPNs lack these enterprise features.
How many employees can a business VPN support?
Most business VPN providers offer scalable plans that accommodate anywhere from 5 to 500+ users. NordLayer, for example, has per-user pricing starting at $7/month for teams of 5-50 people. For larger organizations, volume discounts typically apply. When choosing a VPN, consider your projected team size, growth plans, and whether you need unlimited users or per-device licensing.
Will a VPN slow down my team's internet?
Modern business VPNs typically reduce speeds by 5-15%, which is negligible for most business tasks like email, web browsing, and cloud applications. In our testing, NordLayer and ExpressVPN had the smallest performance impact. Only large file transfers or video conferencing might experience noticeable slowdowns. If speed is critical, choose a VPN with WireGuard protocol support, which offers faster connections than traditional OpenVPN.
Can I use a VPN on all devices including mobile?
Yes, all major business VPNs provide iOS and Android apps. Configure once and devices stay protected everywhere you go. For POS systems in restaurants or retail, consider a VPN router that secures all connected devices automatically. Mobile device management (MDM) solutions can also help enforce VPN connections on company phones and tablets.