The 6 Greatest VPN Options for Small Companies in 2024

In Could 2024, the Inside Income Service urged entrepreneurs and small companies within the U.S. to be cautious of cybercriminals and implement measures in opposition to cyberattacks. Phishing was a spotlight concern, particularly as menace actors get higher at social engineering scams to steal firm information.

With this, one straightforward method to strengthen your enterprise’ safety is thru the usage of a digital personal community. VPNs are in a position to masks IP addresses and make accessing inside assets safer and protected.

On this article, we check out six small enterprise VPNs for you and your enterprise.

Prime small enterprise VPN software program comparability

As a disclaimer, this record merges each enterprise and client VPNs. Since small companies can range in each dimension and construction, we needed to supply options that may accommodate all varieties of SMBs.

Our ranking (out of 5) Beginning value Encryption Server areas Standout options
NordLayer N/A $8 per person per 30 days AES-256 and ChaCha20 30+ international locations (gateway areas) Scalability because the enterprise grows
Surfshark VPN 4.6 $3.99 per per 30 days (Surfshark One) AES-256 100 international locations Limitless simultaneous machine connections
Mullvad VPN 3.7 $5.46 per 30 days AES-256 45 international locations Nameless accounts and fee strategies
Windscribe VPN 3.5 $5.75 per 30 days AES-256 69 international locations Centralized billing through ScribeForce
Proton VPN 4.0 $4.99 per 30 days AES-256 and ChaCha20 100 international locations Free model with limitless information
Perimeter 81 3.9 $8 per person per 30 days AES-256 33 international locations (gateways) Zero belief community entry

NordLayer: Greatest total small enterprise VPN

Picture: NordLayer

NordLayer is my suggestion as the very best total small enterprise VPN. It allows small companies to simply arrange safe entry to their firm community with out compromising productiveness or safety from threats.

SEE: How you can Run a Cybersecurity Threat Evaluation in 5 Steps (TechRepublic Premium)

As cyberattacks proceed to evolve, I discover NordLayer’s emphasis on the safety service edge framework to be crucial. This presents a holistic strategy in defending a small enterprise’ IT infrastructure. Other than this, NordLayer contains safety capabilities resembling cut up tunneling, an always-on VPN, lively monitoring experiences and site-to-site connections.

Why I selected NordLayer

I picked NordLayer for the highest spot for its scalability as a enterprise VPN. As small companies develop, shrink or evolve, NordLayer is ready to regulate to the corporate’s wants and guarantee continued safety. I particularly like how SMBs can go for its NordLayer Lite subscription and transfer as much as its extra premium plans when the necessity arises.

Pricing

NordLayer has 4 subscription tiers that cater to totally different enterprise sizes, particularly NordLayer Lite, Core Premium and Enterprise. All 4 tiers have a month-to-month and a yearly subscription possibility.

Beneath is an summary of every tier’s annual pricing and their corresponding function inclusions:

  • Lite: $8 per person per 30 days; 5 customers minimal, web entry safety and fundamental menace prevention.
  • Core: $11 per person per 30 days; 5 customers minimal, superior web entry safety and fundamental community entry management.
  • Premium: $14 per person per 30 days; 5 customers minimal, community entry management plus granular community segmentation.
  • Enterprise: $7 per person per 30 days; 50 customers minimal, custom-fit community safety with versatile and curated pricing.

Options

  • Exercise monitoring.
  • Website-to-site or multi-site connections.
  • Community entry management.
  • Break up tunneling and AES 256 site visitors encryption.
NordLayer’s important desktop interface. Picture: NordLayer

Execs and cons

Execs Cons
  • Extremely scalable answer.
  • 14-day money-back assure.
  • Adopts SSE framework.
  • Simple to arrange and configure.
  • Efficiency may be inconsistent.
  • Buyer help might be improved.

In the meanwhile, we’ve but to provide NordLayer a full, particular person evaluation. Nevertheless, I’ll make sure you replace this text as soon as we give it a full star ranking.

Surfshark VPN: Greatest for small groups

Picture: Surfshark

Surfshark VPN is my selection for SMBs with small groups. Whereas it’s a client VPN, I strongly really feel that Surfshark is a good decide for budget-conscious companies that need most worth out of a VPN service. It’s because Surfshark VPN supplies top-tier speeds and safety, with help for limitless units. With one Surfshark subscription, a small workforce can join a number of units on the identical time.

SEE: AVG Safe VPN vs Surfshark (2024): Which VPN Is Higher? (TechRepublic)

That is alongside its massive 100-country server community, safe AES-256 encryption and independently audited no-logs coverage.

Why I selected Surfshark VPN

I picked Surfshark VPN for its limitless simultaneous machine connections, which I really feel may be particularly helpful to smaller groups. With Surfshark’s limitless connections, small companies made up of 5–20 members received’t have to purchase a further subscription to attach a number of units on the identical time.

Pricing

Surfshark has three subscription tiers, every with a month-to-month, an annual and a two-year subscription possibility. Plans are divided into Starter, Surfshark One and Surfshark One+.

To me, the very best worth comes with Surfshark One, because it contains the principle VPN service with further safety capabilities like electronic mail breach alerts and private information safety experiences.

Beneath is the pricing for Surfshark’s One subscription tier:

  • Surfshark One 1 month: $15.95 per 30 days.
  • Surfshark One 1 12 months: $3.99 per 30 days.
  • Surfshark One 2 years: $2.69 per 30 days.

Options

  • Limitless machine connections.
  • RAM-only servers.
  • WireGuard, IKEv2 and OpenVPN protocols.
  • 3,200 servers in 100 international locations.
Surfshark VPN’s Home windows interface. Picture: Luis Millares

Execs and cons

Execs Cons
  • Can join an infinite variety of units.
  • Intuitive and well-designed desktop app.
  • Inexpensive long run plans.
  • Some options could also be buggy upon preliminary setup.

If you wish to be taught extra, try our full Surfshark VPN evaluation.

Mullvad VPN: Greatest for privacy-focused customers

Picture: Mullvad VPN

A favourite amongst privateness lovers, I like to recommend Mullvad VPN for people who prioritize anonymity above all different options. It brings two key privateness options: a random account numbering system and nameless fee strategies. In comparison with different VPNs that require customers to create a username or present an electronic mail tackle, Mullvad VPN mechanically generates a random account quantity that helps preserve your on-line id confidential.

SEE: The 5 Greatest VPNs With Free Trials in 2024 (TechRepublic)

Potential Mullvad VPN customers can even pay for a subscription through nameless fee strategies like money, cryptocurrencies and purchasable vouchers — providing a further layer of privateness to their VPN expertise. That is on high of providing industry-standard AES-256 encryption, an reasonably priced month-to-month subscription and constant third-party audits of its VPN.

Why I selected Mullvad VPN

I picked Mullvad VPN for its concrete measures in upholding its prospects’ anonymity. With its random account numbering system, choices for money and crypto funds and constant unbiased testing, it walks the speak on the subject of prioritizing person privateness.

Pricing

Mullvad VPN presents a single value for all its contract choices, which I respect because it simplifies the shopping for course of. Whereas this provides particular person customers an reasonably priced month-to-month plan, I do want they supplied a decrease month-to-month value for longer contracts sooner or later.

  • 1 month: $5.46 per 30 days.
  • 1 12 months: $5.46 per 30 days.
  • 1 decade: $5.46 per 30 days.

Options

  • Nameless account numbers.
  • Lockdown mode.
  • DNS content material blockers.
  • OpenVPN and WireGuard VPN protocols.
A longtime Mullvad VPN connection. Picture: Luis Millares

Execs and cons

Execs Cons
  • Doesn’t require username or electronic mail tackle to make use of.
  • Nameless fee strategies.
  • Flat fee for all contract lengths.
  • Independently audited VPN.
  • Small server community for a client VPN.
  • No free trial.
  • Solely helps a most of 5 simultaneous machine connections.

If you wish to be taught extra, try our full Mullvad VPN evaluation.

Windscribe VPN: Greatest for centralized billing

Picture: Windscribe

One other stable small enterprise VPN is Windscribe VPN. Windscribe VPN presents a devoted free model with free 10GB of month-to-month information, limitless simultaneous machine connections and a novel Construct-A-Plan subscription that lets companies choose which particular server areas they need of their plan. It has VPN apps for Home windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android and equal functions for Chrome, Firefox and Edge browsers.

SEE: 4 Greatest Free VPNs for 2024 (TechRepublic)

Personally, I believe its most noteworthy function is its ScribeForce subscription. ScribeForce is Windscribe VPN’s personal model of workforce accounts, permitting for centralized billing and workforce administration capabilities in a single subscription. That is perfect for small companies that need a straightforward method to handle person accounts with out having to cope with complicated procedures typically present in technical enterprise VPNs.

Why I selected Windscribe VPN

I selected Windscribe VPN for its ScribeForce workforce accounts that permit for centralized billing and workforce administration in a single subscription. This makes Windscribe a wise possibility for small companies that need a user-friendly VPN and the flexibility to handle a workforce from a single, centralized management panel.

Pricing

Windscribe VPN has 4 plan choices: a month-to-month, yearly, customizable and Group accounts plan. Beneath is pricing for every:

  • Month-to-month: $9.00 per 30 days.
  • 1 12 months: $5.75 per 30 days.
  • Customizable Construct A Plan: $1.00 per location per 30 days.
  • ScribeForce: $3.00 per seat per 30 days.

Options

  • OpenVPN, IKEv2 and WireGuard VPN protocols.
  • Advert, tracker and malware blocker.
  • Has a free model.
  • Centralized billing and workforce administration.
Windscribe’s ScribeForce Group accounts providing. Picture: Windscribe VPN

Execs and cons

Execs Cons
  • Limitless simultaneous machine connections.
  • Has a customizable VPN subscription.
  • Free model with 10GB of month-to-month information.
  • Extra reasonably priced Group accounts possibility through ScribeForce subscription.
  • Lack of printed unbiased audit outcomes.

If you wish to be taught extra, try our full Windscribe VPN evaluation.

Proton VPN: Greatest free VPN possibility

Picture: Proton VPN

For my greatest free VPN decide, I select Proton VPN. This can be a VPN answer that has gained reputation for its Swiss-based operations and deal with high quality safety. It’s an independently audited answer that has the additional advantage of being primarily based in Switzerland, a rustic with a number of the strongest privateness legal guidelines on the planet. With this, I discover Proton VPN a good selection for small companies and particular person customers who’re particularly cautious of presidency surveillance.

SEE: ProtonVPN vs AtlasVPN (2024): Which VPN Ought to You Use? (TechRepublic)

Nevertheless, my favourite half about Proton VPN is its free model. Proton VPN free supplies zero information limits for its free service — a pleasant change in comparison with different free variations that implement a month-to-month information cap for his or her free plans. To me, this makes Proton VPN one of many extra viable free VPN providers that may truly be used long run.

Why I selected Proton VPN

I chosen Proton VPN for its beneficiant free model that offers customers entry to VPN servers in 5 international locations with no information cap or bandwidth restrictions. This may be helpful for small companies that merely need a cost-effective method to change their IP tackle each from time to time with out worrying about exceeding a month-to-month information restrict.

Pricing

Proton VPN has two paid subscription tiers: Proton VPN Plus and Limitless. It additionally has a devoted free model known as Proton VPN Free.

Looking at its paid plans, Proton VPN’s Plus subscription contains its full VPN server suite and its quickest pace, whereas Limitless bundles all Plus options with different Proton encrypted providers. For me, Proton VPN Plus is the higher worth of the 2.

Beneath is a abstract of pricing for Proton VPN’s Plus subscription tier:

  • Plus Month-to-month: $9.99 per 30 days.
  • Plus 1-year: $4.99 per 30 days.
  • Plus 2 years: $4.49 per 30 days.

Options

  • OpenVPN, WireGuard and Stealth VPN protocols.
  • 6,400+ servers in 100 international locations.
  • 10 simultaneous machine connections.
  • Helps Home windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android and iOS.
Proton VPN’s desktop utility. Picture: Luis Millares

Execs and cons

Execs Cons
  • Based mostly in privacy-friendly Switzerland.
  • Independently audited and open-source VPN.
  • Has a free model with limitless information.
  • Desktop app might be extra intuitive.

If you wish to be taught extra, try our full Proton VPN evaluation.

Perimeter 81: Greatest for unified safety suite

Picture: Perimeter 81

Whereas it stands extra as an enterprise-facing possibility, I really feel Perimeter 81 can nonetheless be a viable small enterprise VPN possibility — particularly for SMBs which might be bigger. It presents an in depth safe entry service edge answer that brings zero belief community entry, safe net gateways and safe person administration to companies.

SEE: Free VPN vs Paid VPN: Which One Is Proper for You? (TechRepublic)

On high of its always-on VPN that helps preserve workers on the safe community, Perimeter 81 additionally has cloud firewall coverage capabilities, cut up tunneling and a cloud-based administration platform. Whereas not all SMBs may have such instruments, Perimeter 81 presents numerous subscriptions that cater to totally different wants and necessities.

Why I selected Perimeter 81

I’ve Perimeter 81 on this record as a primary possibility for bigger SMBs which will need a complete safety answer that covers extra bases. I like the way it’s particularly designed for hybrid workforces, accommodating distant employees with out skimping on community safety and effectivity.

Pricing

Perimeter 81 has 4 subscription tiers: Necessities, Premium, Premium Plus and Enterprise. All plans embrace a nifty 30-day money-back assure that lets companies refund their buy in the event that they discover it isn’t the best match.

Beneath is a abstract of pricing and options for every subscription:

  • Necessities: $8 per person per 30 days; 10 customers minimal, fundamental safe community entry and administration.
  • Premium: $12 per person per 30 days; 10 customers minimal, superior community safety administration and always-on VPN.
  • Premium Plus: $16 per person, per 30 days; 20 customers minimal, layered safety and community capabilities for giant organizations.
  • Enterprise: Contact gross sales for pricing; 50 customers minimal, enterprise-features like limitless person configuration profiles and SIEM integration.

Options

  • At all times-on VPN.
  • Net and DNS filtering.
  • WireGuard VPN protocol.
  • Malware safety.
Perimeter 81’s monitoring dashboard. Picture: Perimeter 81

Execs and cons

Execs Cons
  • ZTNA and SASE answer.
  • Intensive safety suite.
  • 30-day money-back assure for all subscription choices.
  • Simple-to-understand person interface.
  • Standout security measures out there on extra premium plans.

If you wish to be taught extra, try our full Perimeter 81 evaluation.

How do I select the very best VPN for my small enterprise?

When selecting the very best small enterprise VPN, it’s vital to have in mind your enterprise dimension, deliberate workflow with the VPN and first safety necessities.

For small companies that solely really want a VPN for content material unblocking and additional safety, client VPNs like Surfshark VPN, Proton VPN or Windscribe VPN could also be higher choices. I envision these VPNs to be completely suited to small companies with small groups or people working their very own small enterprise.

On the flip facet, small companies which might be bigger or have stricter safety necessities could need to have a look at enterprise or enterprise VPN options like NordLayer or Perimeter 81. These VPNs are particularly designed to maintain entry to firm assets safe and are in a position to scale up or down, relying on your enterprise’ wants.

Happily, there are a number of VPN suppliers out there that may accommodate several types of small companies and safety calls for.

Ideally, a high quality VPN must also provide an excellent mixture of security measures, VPN efficiency and price. This entails issues like having top-tier encryption algorithms, rigorous third-party testing and affordable subscription charges.

Methodology

My rundown of the very best small enterprise VPNs concerned an in depth evaluation of standard VPN options catering to SMBs and their explicit wants. In my analysis, I appeared into every supplier’s official product documentation, function inclusions and marketed use instances.

My suggestions additionally thought of how effectively every small enterprise VPN balanced core VPN options like VPN protocols, encryption, server networks and value, amongst others. I additionally took under consideration actual person suggestions and our workforce’s hands-on testing of the talked about VPNs to spherical out my last evaluation.

Lastly, I additionally considered which small companies would profit greatest from every explicit VPN. My aim right here is to offer the very best VPN for every kind of SMB or enterprise proprietor.

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