There are many differences between a business VPN and a personal VPN. A business VPN can enhance a company’s network security, while a personal VPN is more geared towards protecting individuals on the web.
The differences between the two types of VPN mean that business VPNs are often designed differently in order to cater to large companies. This means, any good company, should have a dedicated business VPN in place.
This article outlines the difference between a business VPN and a personal VPN, as well as explains why you need a business VPN. Considering that a business VPN is a significant investment, it is important to take the time to choose the right one for you. With that in mind, we’ve also compiled a list of the best business VPN services.
Even though business VPNs and personal VPNs have similar features, there are some major differences between the two.
Business VPNs (also known as corporate VPNs) are specially designed to protect an entire company network. They also provide security protection against third-party attacks thanks to perimeter controls or by implementing a zero-trust architecture. Moreover, business VPNs allow employees secure remote access to the network.
Unlike a personal VPN, business VPNs are built for many people and are often scalable. Most business VPNs will have an account manager, that can add and remove employees to the VPN network, and adjust control settings for each employee.
Business VPNs also differ from personal VPNs in the sense that they will often operate on dedicated servers and have dedicated IP addresses. This means that the business VPN servers are only used by employees, and means the business does not need to use shared IP addresses with third parties.
The only drawback of a business VPN is that it doesn’t provide as much freedom as a personal VPN. Since it is designed for business purposes, you’ll be unlikely to use it to change your location to anywhere in the world and unblock geo-restricted content.
Personal VPNs are typically used by individual users for personal internet use. This means users employ a personal VPN to hide their internet activity from third parties like Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and trackers. Many people use personal VPNs to change their geo-location and access geo-restricted content on streaming sites like Netflix, or social media platforms like Tumblr.
A personal VPN is usually designed for one person, although there are some family packages on the market. Most personal VPNs offer around 5 or 6 simultaneous device connections, meaning that one user can protect several of their devices at once.
With a personal VPN, a user will have access to thousands of shared IP addresses. This means that they could be using the same IP address as another VPN user, which ensures no VPN activity can be directly linked back to them. Personal VPNs are a great way for individuals to stay more anonymous online.
Some businesses opt to use personal VPNs by installing the VPN software on their company routers. While this is a possible option, it has downsides. Personal VPNs lack specific business-focused features that are designed to protect companies from modern-day cyber attacks. For this reason, we recommend businesses use dedicated business VPNs.
Business security is more important than ever, especially with the growing rise of cyber-attacks and network data breaches and business VPNs provide you with a way to keep your entire network safe.
With a business VPN, you can monitor and control the content that your mobile workforce has access to when they connect remotely to your company network. Moreover, many businesses have a zero-trust approach, meaning employees and third parties will need to authenticate their identity to gain access at any level of the network. Given the risk of network attacks, this is an essential tool.
A VPN is the cheapest and simplest way to improve your business’s network security without implementing an entirely new security infrastructure. Many business VPNs, such as NordLayer, can be easily set up to work alongside your existing security solutions.
Even if you own a small business you can benefit from a business VPN. Small businesses are known to be the most hard-hit regarding cyberattacks, meaning they can benefit from the additional security protection a VPN provides.
However, if you’re a sole trader, you may only require a personal VPN. Business VPNs offer features to protect multiple employees and make it easy to oversee an entire network. As a sole trader, you only need to protect yourself and a smaller number of documents, meaning a personal VPN will suffice.
Every organization will have different needs when it comes to business VPNs. However, some features and tools will be useful no matter what type of business you have.
Firstly, a good business VPN needs to offer a high standard of encryption and strong tunneling protocols. This will ensure that your entire network and remote connections are secured.
Many businesses will require a dedicated static IP address on a specific server instead of sharing common IP addresses offered by personal VPNs. Static IP addresses are helpful as you can keep track of the activity through a centralized software system and enable access to restricted business files.
Having access to a large network of remote access business VPN server locations is a bonus. It will ensure your employees never have an issue finding a reliable connection, no matter their location. An extensive server network also ensures higher speeds and reliable performance, which is necessary for uploading or downloading large files or taking part in video conference calls.
Finally, a business VPN should offer flexibility and be scalable so it can adjust to the needs of your business. This will allow you to easily add and remove new employees to the network, adjust access controls, and assign dedicated IPs.
If you’re a large or small business owner, you need a VPN to protect your company’s network and provide secure remote access for employees working remotely. We’ve put together a list of the top business VPNs below.
NordLayer is the business alternative to its popular consumer plan. The VPN utilizes advanced 2048-bit double encryption to ensure an extremely secure internet connection and advanced network security. This is far more than any of its competitors offer, despite the fact it may not be vital.
The high level of encryption means that no matter what happens to your private files or data, no one will be able to interpret or read it. This extra security feature means that if you are hacked by cybercriminals, your sensitive business data on your company’s internal network will remain secure and private.
There is also a reliable kill switch to cut the transfer of unencrypted data if the VPN connection drops so that your private business files, internet traffic, or your IP address, location, and address do not become exposed.
There is a strict no-logging policy, too, which ensures that NordLayer does not store or misuse any confidential data, which keeps you and your employees even safer online.
When choosing a business VPN solution, a provider that offers static IP addresses is key. With NordLayer, you will gain the use of a dedicated VPN server network for internal business use and secure access to the network, as well as a dedicated IP address that will be assigned to every employee account. This is great for remote workers who may need to work from home or in another physical location outside of the office.
However, NordLayer’s pricing is completed on a quote basis only. This means that you will have to fill out a request form. The company offers a variety of options for between 5 and over 51 employees, and can be scaled up for rapid deployment.
Perimeter 81 is arguably the best VPN on the market in 2024 for both small and medium-sized businesses. It is beneficial if you want an alternative to typical hardware-based security solutions.
The provider provides support for a minimum of 5 team members, so there may be better options for you if you are self-employed. However, if you have a larger team, the security service offers secure remote access to a cloud-based solution. This means that you can optimize the system to suit your requirements without increasing hardware costs significantly.
All of Perimeter 81’s features are available on an excellent security client that enables you to manage and monitor your team and network settings from a single place. Various devices and operating systems are compatible, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Linux 64, and Chromebook.
When it comes to security, the service utilizes OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 security protocols. There is automatic Wi-Fi protection and a zero-trust network too. This enhances your productivity, security, and privacy while preventing data loss and reducing the overall cost for internet security, thanks to its single, centralized platform.
Perimeter 81 provides an SDP or software-defined perimeter to reduce network access with manageable system control. By utilizing its own SDP system, you will have simple cloud migration and secure IaaS and PaaS environments. There is a secure 2-factor authentication process that functions no matter where the employee is working from, even on a mobile device using a public Wi-Fi network.
When you sign up to Perimeter 81, you will have access to excellent 24/7 live chat customer support, and you are covered by a risk-free 30-day refund policy to allow you to test the product before committing to the plan.
Despite that Perimeter 81 is a great business VPN, it comes at an extremely affordable price. There are three different subscription plans available to suit your business and the number of employees you have. Prices start at just $8 per employee per month.
Encrypt.me is an excellent dedicated business VPN provider that offers generous protection for an unlimited number of devices on a single subscription plan. This means that you could use the VPN on hundreds of devices on the same VPN plan, something that is rarely seen among its competitors.
The VPN is also compatible with various devices and operating systems, including macOS, Windows, Amazon, iOS, and Android. It is quick and easy to set up no matter what device you are using.
In terms of security, Encrypt.me offers complete DNS protection, an auto-secure feature, and private endpoints for a secure connection so that remote employees can get secure access to the office network remotely. There is the option to activate content filtering, enabling you to control internet traffic on your employee’s network connection and ensure no sensitive data is accidentally exposed.
Encrypt.me offers relatively good value for money, especially considering its offer of unlimited device connections. Subscription prices start at about $16 a month, and there is a two-user minimum requirement making this is a good option for smaller businesses.
One of the downsides of this service is that its Windows client is somewhat out of data, and there is a limited amount of data logging. If you are still not convinced, there is a 2-week trial available which is worth trying.
TorGuard offers an extensive network of over 3,000 servers, meaning that you will never have an issue choosing a secure connection. Its server speeds are average, although sufficient for the average user.
The provider’s business plan comes with a 24/7 dedicated account manager and secure access to a specialized VPN management portal. The product operates on standard security protocols and military-grade 256-bit encryption to ensure you and your employees are safe and anonymous online. There is also a “Stealth VPN” mode which prevents deep packet inspection by hiding your VPN usage from third parties.
There are three different subscription plans as well as a customer private network option. All business VPN accounts comes with unlimited support and access, but the number of users, IP addresses, and email addresses covered vary.
Although IPVanish is not a dedicated business VPN provider, it is still a great option for small businesses or sole traders that need a VPN but do not require static IP addresses or centralized billing. With prices starting at just $3.33 per month, if you are happy to commit to the yearly plan, it is one of the cheapest VPN services on the market.
IPVanish is targeted at the consumer level, but it does come with unlimited simultaneous connections so it is possible to protect all of your company’s devices on a single subscription plan. However, it is necessary to note that one account is not supposed to be shared with multiple users.
The provider boasts powerful VPN clients that work with multiple devices, including macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. Thanks to its extensive server network, you will be able to find a connection quickly, no matter where you are located. There is also 24/7 live chat support available too in case any problems arise while using the service.
If you are looking for a reliable and secure VPN for a small company, IPVanish is a great option. However, if you have a large business, you will likely miss out on features such as static IP addresses and centralized payments for multiple accounts. In this case, it may be necessary to pay a higher subscription price for a dedicated business VPN to gain access to the additional features you require.
In our opinion, ExpressVPN is the best option if you are looking for a business VPN that is suitable for small businesses, sole traders, and individuals. Although the provider does not offer a dedicated business plan, its consumer VPN comes with extensive server coverage, fast and reliable speeds, and first-rate security features.
ExpressVPN offers well-designed and reliable apps that are compatible with most devices and operating systems. You can use the VPN client on iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, Linux, Kindle, Chromebook, Firefox, Chrome, Nook, and more. Its apps and clients are simple to install and easy to use, even for beginner VPN users.
You can use this VPN on routers too, which makes it a good choice for businesses. By connecting it to the router, you can protect every device on a shared network, making it a good choice for companies.
In terms of user security, encryption levels are excellent. There is access to dedicated DNS servers, a split tunneling feature, and a transparent no-logging policy to ensure the provider stores no sensitive information. Also, there is 24/7 instant chat support if you run into issues while connecting to one of the business VPN service locations.
ExpressVPN is slightly more expensive than some other consumer VPN solutions on the market. However, it does work out significantly more cost-effective than other business VPNs if you are a small company. Compared to the price of the best business VPNs, ExpressVPN is extremely affordable. ExpressVPN may be a cheaper option to protect your small company if you do not require static IP addresses or centralized payments.
Prices start at $8.32 per month if you are happy to commit to the 12-month subscription plan. There is a 30-day refund policy to allow you to test the product. If you are not completely satisfied with the service, or you realize that the provider doesn’t offer all of the features that you require in a business VPN, you can request a full refund, no questions asked.
Hi, I'm Cliff. I'm based in Cleveland, Ohio, with my wife and two kids.
I have a keen interest in cybersecurity and have been writing about it for around a decade now. Due to my background in computer science, I am familiar ...
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