In Might 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 simple approach to strengthen your online business’ safety is thru using a digital personal community. VPNs are in a position to masks IP addresses and make accessing inside sources safer and protected.
On this article, we check out six small enterprise VPNs for you and your online business.
Semperis
Staff per Firm Dimension
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Giant (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)
Giant (1,000-4,999 Staff), Enterprise (5,000+ Staff)
Giant, Enterprise
Options
Superior Assaults Detection, Superior Automation, Anyplace Restoration, and extra
ESET PROTECT Superior
Staff per Firm Dimension
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Giant (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)
Any Firm Dimension
Any Firm Dimension
Options
Superior Risk Protection, Full Disk Encryption , Trendy Endpoint Safety, and extra
Prime small enterprise VPN software program comparability
As a disclaimer, this checklist merges each enterprise and client VPNs. Since small companies can range in each measurement and construction, we wished to supply options that may accommodate all sorts of SMBs.
| Our score (out of 5) | Beginning value | Encryption | Server places | Standout options | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordLayer | N/A | $8 per person monthly | AES-256 and ChaCha20 | 30+ nations (gateway places) | Scalability because the enterprise grows |
| Surfshark VPN | 4.6 | $3.99 per monthly (Surfshark One) | AES-256 | 100 nations | Limitless simultaneous system connections |
| Mullvad VPN | 3.7 | $5.46 monthly | AES-256 | 45 nations | Nameless accounts and cost strategies |
| Windscribe VPN | 3.5 | $5.75 monthly | AES-256 | 69 nations | Centralized billing through ScribeForce |
| Proton VPN | 4.0 | $4.99 monthly | AES-256 and ChaCha20 | 100 nations | Free model with limitless information |
| Perimeter 81 | 3.9 | $8 per person monthly | AES-256 | 33 nations (gateways) | Zero belief community entry |
NordLayer: Greatest general small enterprise VPN
NordLayer is my advice as the very best general 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: Learn how to Run a Cybersecurity Danger 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 gives a holistic strategy in defending a small enterprise’ IT infrastructure. Other than this, NordLayer consists of safety capabilities corresponding to break up tunneling, an always-on VPN, lively monitoring studies 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 alter 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, specifically NordLayer Lite, Core Premium and Enterprise. All 4 tiers have a month-to-month and a yearly subscription possibility.
Beneath is an outline of every tier’s annual pricing and their corresponding characteristic inclusions:
- Lite: $8 per person monthly; 5 customers minimal, web entry safety and primary menace prevention.
- Core: $11 per person monthly; 5 customers minimal, superior web entry safety and primary community entry management.
- Premium: $14 per person monthly; 5 customers minimal, community entry management plus granular community segmentation.
- Enterprise: $7 per person monthly; 50 customers minimal, custom-fit community safety with versatile and curated pricing.
Options
- Exercise monitoring.
- Web site-to-site or multi-site connections.
- Community entry management.
- Cut up tunneling and AES 256 site visitors encryption.
Professionals and cons
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In the mean time, we’ve but to provide NordLayer a full, particular person assessment. Nevertheless, I’ll you should definitely replace this text as soon as we give it a full star score.
Surfshark VPN: Greatest for small groups
Surfshark VPN is my alternative for SMBs with small groups. Whereas it’s a client VPN, I strongly really feel that Surfshark is a superb 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 crew can join a number of units on the similar 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 system connections, which I really feel might be particularly helpful to smaller groups. With Surfshark’s limitless connections, small companies made up of 5–20 members received’t have to purchase an extra subscription to attach a number of units on the similar 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 consists of the principle VPN service with further safety capabilities like e mail breach alerts and private information safety studies.
Beneath is the pricing for Surfshark’s One subscription tier:
- Surfshark One 1 month: $15.95 monthly.
- Surfshark One 1 12 months: $3.99 monthly.
- Surfshark One 2 years: $2.69 monthly.
Options
- Limitless system connections.
- RAM-only servers.
- WireGuard, IKEv2 and OpenVPN protocols.
- 3,200 servers in 100 nations.
Professionals and cons
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If you wish to be taught extra, take a look at our full Surfshark VPN assessment.
Mullvad VPN: Greatest for privacy-focused customers
A favourite amongst privateness fans, 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 cost strategies. In comparison with different VPNs that require customers to create a username or present an e mail deal with, Mullvad VPN mechanically generates a random account quantity that helps maintain your on-line identification confidential.
SEE: The 5 Greatest VPNs With Free Trials in 2024 (TechRepublic)
Potential Mullvad VPN customers also can pay for a subscription through nameless cost strategies like money, cryptocurrencies and purchasable vouchers — providing an extra 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 relating to prioritizing person privateness.
Pricing
Mullvad VPN gives 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 monthly.
- 1 12 months: $5.46 monthly.
- 1 decade: $5.46 monthly.
Options
- Nameless account numbers.
- Lockdown mode.
- DNS content material blockers.
- OpenVPN and WireGuard VPN protocols.
Professionals and cons
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If you wish to be taught extra, take a look at our full Mullvad VPN assessment.
Windscribe VPN: Greatest for centralized billing
One other stable small enterprise VPN is Windscribe VPN. Windscribe VPN gives a devoted free model with free 10GB of month-to-month information, limitless simultaneous system connections and a novel Construct-A-Plan subscription that lets companies choose which particular server places 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 characteristic is its ScribeForce subscription. ScribeForce is Windscribe VPN’s personal model of crew accounts, permitting for centralized billing and crew administration capabilities in a single subscription. That is very best for small companies that need a simple approach to handle person accounts with out having to take care of complicated procedures usually present in technical enterprise VPNs.
Why I selected Windscribe VPN
I selected Windscribe VPN for its ScribeForce crew accounts that permit for centralized billing and crew administration in a single subscription. This makes Windscribe a wise possibility for small companies that desire a user-friendly VPN and the power to handle a crew from a single, centralized management panel.
Pricing
Windscribe VPN has 4 plan choices: a month-to-month, yearly, customizable and Crew accounts plan. Beneath is pricing for every:
- Month-to-month: $9.00 monthly.
- 1 12 months: $5.75 monthly.
- Customizable Construct A Plan: $1.00 per location monthly.
- ScribeForce: $3.00 per seat monthly.
Options
- OpenVPN, IKEv2 and WireGuard VPN protocols.
- Advert, tracker and malware blocker.
- Has a free model.
- Centralized billing and crew administration.
Professionals and cons
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If you wish to be taught extra, take a look at our full Windscribe VPN assessment.
Proton VPN: Greatest free VPN possibility
For my greatest free VPN decide, I select Proton VPN. It is a VPN answer that has gained reputation for its Swiss-based operations and give attention to high quality safety. It’s an independently audited answer that has the additional benefit of being primarily based in Switzerland, a rustic with a number of the strongest privateness legal guidelines on this 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 provides customers entry to VPN servers in 5 nations with no information cap or bandwidth restrictions. This may be helpful for small companies that merely desire a cost-effective approach to change their IP deal with each on occasion 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 referred to as Proton VPN Free.
Having a look at its paid plans, Proton VPN’s Plus subscription consists of 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 monthly.
- Plus 1-year: $4.99 monthly.
- Plus 2 years: $4.49 monthly.
Options
- OpenVPN, WireGuard and Stealth VPN protocols.
- 6,400+ servers in 100 nations.
- 10 simultaneous system connections.
- Helps Home windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android and iOS.
Professionals and cons
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If you wish to be taught extra, take a look at our full Proton VPN assessment.
Perimeter 81: Greatest for unified safety suite
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 gives an intensive 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 maintain staff on the safe community, Perimeter 81 additionally has cloud firewall coverage capabilities, break up tunneling and a cloud-based administration platform. Whereas not all SMBs may have such instruments, Perimeter 81 gives numerous subscriptions that cater to totally different wants and necessities.
Why I selected Perimeter 81
I’ve Perimeter 81 on this checklist as a primary possibility for bigger SMBs which will desire a complete safety answer that covers extra bases. I like the way it’s particularly designed for hybrid workforces, accommodating distant staff with out skimping on community safety and effectivity.
Pricing
Perimeter 81 has 4 subscription tiers: Necessities, Premium, Premium Plus and Enterprise. All plans embody 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 monthly; 10 customers minimal, primary safe community entry and administration.
- Premium: $12 per person monthly; 10 customers minimal, superior community safety administration and always-on VPN.
- Premium Plus: $16 per person, monthly; 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.
- Internet and DNS filtering.
- WireGuard VPN protocol.
- Malware safety.
Professionals and cons
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If you wish to be taught extra, take a look at our full Perimeter 81 assessment.
How do I select the very best VPN for my small enterprise?
When selecting the very best small enterprise VPN, it’s necessary to bear in mind your online business measurement, 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 operating their very own small enterprise.
On the flip facet, small companies which might be bigger or have stricter safety necessities could need to take a look at enterprise or enterprise VPN options like NordLayer or Perimeter 81. These VPNs are particularly designed to maintain entry to firm sources safe and are in a position to scale up or down, relying on your online business’ wants.
Luckily, there are a selection of VPN suppliers out there that may accommodate various kinds of small companies and safety calls for.
Ideally, a top quality VPN must also supply a great mixture of safety features, VPN efficiency and value. This entails issues like having top-tier encryption algorithms, rigorous third-party testing and cheap 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 seemed into every supplier’s official product documentation, characteristic inclusions and marketed use instances.
My suggestions additionally thought of how nicely every small enterprise VPN balanced core VPN options like VPN protocols, encryption, server networks and value, amongst others. I additionally took into consideration actual person suggestions and our crew’s hands-on testing of the talked about VPNs to spherical out my closing evaluation.
Lastly, I additionally thought of which small companies would profit greatest from every explicit VPN. My objective right here is to supply the very best VPN for every kind of SMB or enterprise proprietor.