The best VPNs for businesses and teams: Expert tested
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Digitizing your services is great, but it also brings cybercriminals to your doorstep. If you don't take the necessary steps to bolster security, hackers can steal sensitive business data, leading to loss of reputation and, of course, finances.
Encrypting every aspect of your online and offline operations, including cloud spaces, communication channels, and private networks, is necessary. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) does just that, but you need to choose the right one tailored to your business' or team's needs.
Also: The best VPN services: Expert tested and reviewed
What's the best VPN for businesses and teams right now?
Our top pick for businesses and teams is NordLayer. It appeals to small and large organizations alike, offering easy-to-use multinetwork and cloud protection features alongside native apps for teams to install on their devices, including smartphones, and use on the go. NordLayer's advanced suite includes a threat and malware filter to block malicious phishing links targeted at your business.
The best VPNs for businesses and teams of 2025
If the name NordLayer sounds familiar, that's because it's offered by NordVPN, one of the best encryption providers in the game. That also means a lot of effort and infrastructure is dedicated to ensuring NordLayer meets high security and privacy standards for business use. AES 256-bit encryption offers safe end-to-end cryptography, while the in-house NordLynx protocol provides secure and fast connections over traditional protocols like OpenVPN.
NordLayer offers seamless site-to-site integration, which is beneficial if you run multiple branches that communicate and share resources via cloud spaces. It works with access management services like Google Workspace, Okta, AWS, and OneLogin. You can also install the NordLayer app on standalone devices such as those running Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, or iOS (including browsers) and secure your team's connections outside the private network.
Review: NordVPN
There are advanced settings to customize protection on NordLayer. Split tunneling, for example, allows you to exclude some devices, programs, or devices from routing on the VPN and use direct internet connections instead. NordLayer's ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access) tools also help to verify and authorize devices connecting to your network. You can set access permissions for confidential documents and resources in your organization, while features like multifactor authentication (MFA), single sign-on (SSO), and always-on VPN also increase access security.
Hybrid workers can greatly benefit from NordLayer's Smart Remote Access feature. It facilitates secure access to office files even if your employees aren't within the premises. However, the server presence in only 33 countries can be a limitation for remote workers in locations that aren't covered. NordLayer is reasonably priced, starting at $8 per month (minimum of five users required). You can request a demo trial or use the service's 14-day money-back guarantee to test if it's useful for your organization.
NordLayer features: Cloud VPN: Yes | Remote access VPN: Yes | Site-to-site VPN: Yes | SSO: Yes | Dedicated IP: Yes | Firewall: yes | Always-on VPN: Yes | Servers: 1,100 servers in 33 countries | Customer support: Yes
Surfshark is a great choice for teams if you're looking for an app-based (remote access) VPN. There's even an antivirus on the Surfshark One plan for teams, at only $6.90 per month per user (on the yearly plan). It provides real-time protection, scanning your organization's devices regularly to remove potential threats, including hidden spyware that can use webcams without permission. Another tool that I find useful is Alert. It sends timely warnings if sensitive data associated with your business emails, including financial information, has leaked on the web.
Review: Surfshark VPN
Surfshark's AES 256-bit-GCM and ChaCha20 encryptions provide solid protection for your team's communications, including against man-in-the-middle (MITM). The server coverage in 100 countries is useful for cross-border team collaborations with low latency. In fact, Surfshark is a good option for business travelers because of features like NoBorders Mode. The latter helps you bypass firewalls that restrict VPN usage in places like China. Your teams can safely access online services and messaging apps anywhere without issues.
The VPN comes with a centralized admin panel for managing team accounts. You can easily send invites, remove users, and monitor all devices under VPN protection. What makes Surfshark even better for multiple users is that the regular subscriptions allow unlimited connections, so you can secure group or family devices with just one subscription.
Surfshark for Teams features: Cloud VPN: No | Remote access VPN: Yes | Site-to-site VPN: No | SSO: Yes | Dedicated IP: No | Firewall: No | Always-on VPN: No | Servers: 3,200 servers in 100 countries | Customer support: Yes
Perimeter 81 VPN is a solution included in Check Point's SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) business tools and provides robust AES 256-bit encryption with perfect forward secrecy (PFS). The service's strong focus on cloud-based protection makes it ideal for developers and IT teams seeking safe gateways for accessing shared resources and granular controls for network segmentation with single sign-on (SSO) authentication. You can create unlimited encrypted tunnels through which internal devices connect securely.
Notably, Perimeter 81 and NordLayer have close similarities, both offering ZTNA tools, web malware protection, and a centralized control panel with access to event logs. One major advantage of Perimeter 81 is that all the subscriptions come with a dedicated static IP address. NordLayer charges separately for this. Perimeter 81's basic plan, Essential, costs $8 per month per user (minimum 10 users required), around the same as NordLayer.
Perimeter offers slightly better coverage, operating servers in 40 countries. It's ideal for large organizations handling sensitive client data because the infrastructure meets international compliance standards like ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, and many more. On top of all that, it has an always-on VPN feature that ensures a high level of confidentiality is maintained across all your business communications.
It's important to note that Check Point Software bought Perimeter 81 in 2023, so Perimeter 81's website will take you to Check Point, but it's still the same VPN solution.
Perimeter 81 features: Cloud VPN: Yes | Remote access VPN: Yes | Site-to-site VPN: Yes | SSO: Yes | Dedicated IP: Yes | Firewall: Yes | Always-on VPN: Yes | Servers: 40 countries (80 locations) | Customer support: Yes
HMA thrives where NordLayer and Perimeter fall short, offering servers in over 210 countries and more than 290 locations. That's an impressive network for teams and employees working remotely around the world. They can easily find local servers to access the virtual workplace securely and fast. HMA servers are optimized to support bandwidths of up to 20Gbps, which is helpful when sending or sharing heavy files within your organization.
The business plans are flexible, and you can choose subscriptions with 10 to 30 simultaneous connections at prices ranging from $155 ($12.99 per month) to $395.88 ($32.99 per month) per year. You can also bulk-order accounts with unlimited connections and add or remove users via the centralized accounts management portal.
HMA's military-grade encryption and IPv4/IPv6 leak protection ensure safe traffic routing for all your devices without leaving traces of data that can be used to monitor your business activities. The jurisdiction in the UK might not be good for privacy, but the VPN operates on a no-logs policy. Unique features like automatic IP Shuffle add a layer of privacy and come in handy for R&D departments, for example, when testing developer features or doing market research using web scraping techniques.
HMA Business features: Cloud VPN: No | Remote access VPN: Yes | Site-to-site VPN: No | SSO: No | Dedicated IP: No | Firewall: No | Always-on VPN: No | Servers: Over 1,100 servers in more than 210 countries (over 290 locations) | Customer support: Yes
Proton VPN doesn't impose minimum user requirements for its plans like most services on this list. You can pay for as few as two or three users if your team is small, starting at $6.99 per user per month, and scale up as your business grows. There are also options to bundle your VPN subscription with other end-to-end encrypted services, like ProtonMail, ProtonPass (password manager), and Proton Drive (cloud storage).
Review: Proton VPN
You can lease dedicated IPs and servers and create private gateways, tightening security around your business and allowing for role-based access control (RBAC). Proton VPN offers easy integration with mobile device management (MDM) platforms like Google Workspace, Samsung Knox, and Microsoft Intune, making it simple to deploy and manage on company devices like Windows PCs and Android devices. The premium Business Suite comes with a dedicated account manager to assist with setting up and managing your business VPN.
Like HMA, Proton VPN has good server coverage for remote working, spanning 117 countries. The monitor panel allows you to easily manage servers, switch networks, create private gateways, and check all the connected devices.
Proton VPN Business features: Cloud VPN: Yes | Remote access VPN: Yes | Site-to-site VPN: Yes | SSO: Yes | Dedicated IP: Yes | Firewall: Yes | Always-on VPN: Yes | Servers: Over 10,000 servers in 117 countries | Customer support: Yes
If you're a small business on a cost-cutting mission, then Twingate might just be what you need. The starter plan allows up to five users for free, with the option to upgrade later on when your organization expands. It's also relatively cheap if you're ready to upgrade; the Teams and Business plans cost $5 and $10 per user per month.
Twingate is a sophisticated modern proxy-based solution that provides the benefits of VPNs. It uses peer-to-peer connections instead of traditional VPN-based protocols, which makes speeds much faster. Like NordLayer and Perimeter 81, Twingate supports site-to-site implementations with SSO, remote access, and privilege access controls. It secures traffic between clients and connectors using SHA-256 encryption, which is as robust as the AES-256 bit used by its counterparts.
One useful feature provided on Twingate's free tier is split tunneling. You can control services and devices that use encryption while others connect directly. Installing Twingate is as straightforward as with a normal VPN. You can set it up using an app on Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android devices.
Twingate features: Cloud VPN: Yes | Remote access VPN: Yes | Site-to-site VPN: Yes | SSO: Yes | Dedicated IP: No | Firewall: Yes | Always-on VPN: Yes | Servers: None (peer-to-peer) | Customer support: Yes
What is the best VPN for businesses and teams?
Feature | NordLayer | Surfshark | Perimeter 81 | HMA | Proton VPN | Twingate |
Site-to-site VPN | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Remote access VPN (with apps) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Cloud networking | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Servers | 1,100 in 33 countries | Over 3,200 in 100 countries | 80 POPs in 40 countries | Over 1,100 in over 210 countries | Over 10,000 in 117 countries | Peer-to-peer |
Dedicated IP option | Yes | Not on Teams plan | Yes | No | Yes | No |
SSO | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
ZTNA | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Firewall | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Which VPN for businesses and teams is right for you?
If you're weighing which VPN will best serve your needs, here's a quick highlight of where each thrives.
Choose this VPN... | If you want… |
NordLayer | Easy site-to-site VPN deployment and robust VPN infrastructure |
Surfshark | A reliable client VPN to use with on-site devices and portable devices for teams |
Perimeter 81 | Cloud computing, IoT, and remote-networking tools for IT teams and large organizations |
HMA | Global server reach that's convenient for remote working teams and employees around the world |
Proton VPN | A business VPN to pay on a per user basis and without mandatory minimum user caps |
Twingate | A free starter pack to protect site-to-site business networks |
What to consider when choosing the right VPN for businesses and teams
The basic and essential features to look for in a business and team VPN include but aren't limited to:
- Security and encryption. The service or app should have ample protection and data confidentiality, and safe network access tools. The encryption cipher should be no less than AES 256-bit, which is currently the best cryptography standard. Also, consider the availability of robust protocols (like WireGuard and OpenVPN), a kill switch, split tunneling, and advanced capabilities like zero-trust network access (ZTNA), single sign-on (SSO), and multifactor authentication (MFA) to prevent outsider and insider threat intrusion.
- Dedicated business/team tools. Features like site-to-site integration make it easy to deploy the VPN across organization networks and shared resources. Always-on VPN also helps to ensure that every connection across the private network is using VPN protection. There should be a round-the-clock customer support service to contact if technical issues come up unexpectedly.
- Server network and performance. A rich global server network facilitates secure and smooth connectivity for services and teams working remotely in different parts of the world. Consider the speed impact too, choosing providers with minimal lag and low latency connections. Check whether the service is optimized for cloud and SaaS platforms linked to your business operations, such as AWS, Google Workspace, Azure, etc.
- Multidevice support and simultaneous connections. The service should be usable on a wide range of BYOD (bring your own device) platforms and also support concurrent connections for group devices. This is especially important if you're opting for remote access VPN where you'll be installing the VPN on individual devices.
- Centralized management and scalability. Straightforward admin features are necessary for monitoring activities and devices connected to the virtual private network. You can segment the network, create private and secure tunneling gateways, and manage users at the click of a button.
- Cost and pricing model. Besides being affordable, the VPN's pricing scheme should be flexible, supporting a per-user subscription basis as well as custom enterprise pricing convenient for large businesses with unique needs. There should be a free demo to test how well the service merges with your organization's operations.
- Solid privacy measures. The service should have a transparent and trustworthy no-logs policy to ensure your business activity data isn't collected for sharing purposes. Data handling and storage practices should also meet regulatory standards like GDPR and SOC 2 to ensure your business complies with global data security benchmarks.
How we test VPNs for businesses and teams
ZDNET's rigorous VPN testing guidelines for business and team VPNs slightly differ from consumer VPN guidelines. We primarily focus on large-scale deployment, which means selecting only providers with a dedicated business or team VPN. We shortlisted dozens of VPNs that meet this first criterion before requesting individual demo packages to test the services. Our in-house team, including remote workers, simulated real-life business use scenarios and were able to determine where each VPN excels the most.
We evaluated individual VPN performance across different operating systems and workloads during remote collaboration and communications. We checked for connection stability, uptime consistency, and response times to gauge efficiency. Security was another area of focus. We tracked whether the VPN traffic encryption remained intact at all levels, did leak tests, and even assessed features like multifactor authentication and zero-trust policies. These, among other checks, enabled us to find the best providers.
FAQs on VPNs for businesses
How do you set up a VPN?
After choosing a reliable VPN provider, you'll typically follow these steps to set up the VPN:
-Sign up. Choose a suitable business, team, or enterprise plan, depending on the size and needs of your organization.
-Install the VPN software. Follow the provider's instructions for installing the VPN on cloud servers or local devices.
-Set control panel. Sign in and access the main dashboard to manage the VPN and connections.
-Add users and permissions. Create accounts and register employees using their company emails or work devices and allow permissions to connect.
-Configure built-in security settings. Navigate to the settings sections and configure or enable advanced protection features provided by your VPN service, like static IP servers, kill switch, always-on VPN, split tunneling, MFA, and access controls.
-Deploy to network and devices. Set up site-to-site tunnels and gateways, and route traffic accordingly. You can now send installation links or use mobile device management (MDM) tools to install the VPN on company devices. Employees can also download the provider's app directly on their devices, especially if it's a remote access VPN.
What is a business VPN and why is it important to use one?
A business VPN is a virtual private network with custom and tailor-made features for business (small or large) and professional use. It enhances security and privacy by encrypting data and the day-to-day operations of your business, including internal communications, financial transactions, and handling confidential customer or business information. Essentially, the VPN protects your business from privacy intrusion and cyber threats like hacks; data loss and breaches; phishing attempts; malware; and other risks online.
VPNs also provide secure remote access to internal resources. By setting up a private network with a secure IP, your employees can safely access files and resources over virtual local area networks (VLANs) and remotely. A business VPN also enables you to monitor all devices on your network and set access control permissions for sensitive files on local storage or cloud spaces.
Is ExpressVPN good for business?
ExpressVPN has fast connections and strong security tools for business use. However, it can be useful only for a small business with five employees or less, not medium-size or large organizations. It doesn't offer a custom service for businesses, and you can connect a maximum of only eight devices simultaneously. You will require multiple accounts if you have many devices, which might end up being expensive. Another option would be to install the VPN on a router (it has a native app for routers) and connect all devices on the network for secure routing.
Does a VPN work with Microsoft Teams?
Yes, you can use a VPN with Microsoft Teams, though it might also cause problems. You can experience lag and connectivity issues when routing Teams traffic on VPN. Microsoft advises that VPN users should give MS 365 applications direct (unencrypted) access via split tunneling to avoid problems with programs like Teams.
How much does a VPN for a small business cost?
A site-to-site VPN costs anywhere between $5 to $10 per user per month on average but might be higher depending on the service. Remote access VPNs with multiuser support are a lot cheaper. If you're keen on cutting costs for your small business, you can try providers like Surfshark, Private Internet Access, and IPVanish. They have economical long-term bundles with unlimited device connection allowance. Make sure to read their maximum device usage policies to avoid unintended violations.