Running a small business in 2025 means juggling hybrid work, contractors, and apps spread across SaaS and on-prem. A good VPN—or a modern VPN alternative like Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)—keeps that mess fast, safe, and sane. This guide breaks down the 10 best options for small teams, what they’re best at, and how to compare speed, security, and pricing without getting lost in jargon.
A 2-minute buyer checklist
- Speed first: Prefer modern protocols (WireGuard or vendor equivalents) and avoid routing all traffic through a single office if you don’t need to. Split tunneling and local breakout save latency.
- Identity at the center: SSO with your IdP (Microsoft Entra ID/Azure AD, Google Workspace, Okta) plus enforced MFA and role-based policies.
- Network model: Decide if you actually need a traditional VPN (full network access, site-to-site links) or a ZTNA product that only grants access to specific apps/ports.
- Static egress IP: If banks, payroll, or databases require an allowlisted IP, make sure the plan offers dedicated gateways or fixed egress.
- Device posture: Check for rules like “only allow patched OS, disk encryption on, EDR present.”
- Audit & compliance: Logging, admin change history, data regions, and independent audits (SOC 2/ISO) matter when you grow or work with regulated clients.
- Predictable pricing: Look for clear per-user pricing and, if applicable, transparent gateway or connection fees.
Quick look: who’s great for what?
- NordLayer — Balanced business VPN with polished apps; easy static IPs for allowlists.
- Perimeter 81 (Harmony SASE) — All-in-one ZTNA/SASE stack for teams that want a security platform.
- Proton VPN for Business — Privacy-forward, open-source clients, strong speed/security mix.
- OpenVPN (Access Server / CloudConnexa) — The standard; great if you want self-hosted control or classic compatibility.
- Twingate — Zero-trust “VPN replacement” with resource-level access and solid posture controls.
- Cloudflare Zero Trust — Generous free tier, huge global network, strong ZTNA + secure web gateway (SWG).
- Tailscale — WireGuard mesh that devs love; absurdly simple and fast for small teams.
- ZeroTier — SD-WAN-style mesh networking; excellent for multi-site and IoT fleets.
- GoodAccess — SMB-friendly business VPN with fixed egress IPs and per-gateway pricing.
- TunnelBear Teams — “It just works” simplicity for non-technical users.
The top 10, compared
1) NordLayer
Why small businesses pick it: You get consumer-grade speed with business-grade controls. The admin console is straightforward, rollout is smooth, and you can add dedicated gateways/static IPs for SaaS or bank allowlists.
Speed & protocol: WireGuard-based transport (NordLynx) delivers quick handshakes and high throughput, especially on commodity laptops.
Security: SSO/MFA, DNS filtering, threat blocklists, device posture checks on higher tiers.
Pricing vibe: Clear per-user plans with add-on costs for private gateways—easy to forecast.
Best for: Teams that want a classic VPN experience plus modern identity controls and static egress.
2) Perimeter 81 (Check Point Harmony SASE)
Why small businesses pick it: You’re buying more than a VPN—ZTNA, SWG, FWaaS, and granular policies under a single vendor. Great for leaders who want one stack rather than piecing tools together.
Speed & protocol: Agent-based access with software gateways close to users; split tunneling where appropriate.
Security: Strong policy engine, DLP/SWG options, identity integration, posture checks, and Check Point’s threat intel.
Pricing vibe: Per-user tiers plus per-gateway or feature-based add-ons; plan ahead if you’ll need several gateways.
Best for: Growing SMBs that want a security platform, not just a VPN.
3) Proton VPN for Business
Why small businesses pick it: Auditor-friendly posture, open-source clients, and a reputation for privacy. Admin panels are clean; performance is competitive thanks to WireGuard support.
Speed & protocol: WireGuard and IKEv2/OpenVPN options; multi-hop “Secure Core” available if you want layered egress.
Security: Kill switch, strict no-logs design, modern ciphers, MFA/SSO on business tiers.
Pricing vibe: Per-user plans with discounts on longer terms; bundles exist if you also want Proton Mail/Drive.
Best for: Privacy-sensitive teams (journalism, research, NGOs) that still need business features.
4) OpenVPN (Access Server / CloudConnexa)
Why small businesses pick it: The compatibility king. If you have devices, appliances, or vendors who insist on OpenVPN, this will “just work.” Two deployment modes: self-host (Access Server) or managed cloud overlay (CloudConnexa).
Speed & protocol: OpenVPN isn’t as snappy as WireGuard but remains stable and battle-tested.
Security: Mature TLS-based protocol, SAML/LDAP support, MFA, plus cloud marketplace images for quick spin-ups.
Pricing vibe: Often per-connection (not per-user). Access Server typically includes a couple of free connections—handy for pilots.
Best for: Shops that want maximum compatibility or prefer self-hosting.
5) Twingate
Why small businesses pick it: It feels like the future—no more “giant flat network.” You define resources (apps, ports) and grant least-privilege access. Users connect quickly, without dragging all traffic through one tunnel.
Speed & protocol: Connection brokering avoids hairpinning; lightning-quick access to only what’s needed.
Security: SSO, fine-grained policies, device posture (OS version, disk encryption, EDR), just-in-time access patterns.
Pricing vibe: Per-user tiers; very startup-friendly and scales well.
Best for: Teams retiring a legacy VPN and embracing Zero Trust with minimal friction.
6) Cloudflare Zero Trust (Access + Gateway)
Why small businesses pick it: A massive global network that cuts latency to apps and a forever-free entry tier to pilot ZTNA and DNS filtering.
Speed & protocol: Client and clientless options; tunnels using lightweight connectors (cloudflared).
Security: SSO, device posture, identity-aware policies, SWG (DNS/HTTP), CASB/DLP add-ons when you need them.
Pricing vibe: Per-user pricing with a free tier; you can layer features as you grow.
Best for: Teams that want fast ZTNA + web security with the easiest possible pilot.
7) Tailscale
Why small businesses pick it: It’s a peer-to-peer WireGuard mesh—that means fewer bottlenecks, easier NAT traversal, and a setup so simple that non-networking folks can deploy it.
Speed & protocol: WireGuard end-to-end; relays only when necessary. MagicDNS and tailnet coordination make it feel instant.
Security: Human-readable ACLs, ephemeral SSH keys, device keys tied to your IdP, strong defaults.
Pricing vibe: Per-active-user tiers; add devices cheaply.
Best for: Dev-heavy teams, MSPs, and startups that want speed, simplicity, and minimal admin overhead.
8) ZeroTier
Why small businesses pick it: A programmable virtual L2/L3 network that behaves like SD-WAN for everyone. Great for linking sites, containers, and IoT fleets in one overlay.
Speed & protocol: Efficient encrypted overlay with direct paths where possible; good for persistent site-to-site links.
Security: Controller-based membership, rule engine for micro-segmentation; pairs nicely with your IdP for auth.
Pricing vibe: Mix of device-count and usage-based options; budget devices/gateways explicitly.
Best for: Multi-site meshes, lab environments, or embedded/IoT where a classic VPN is awkward.
9) GoodAccess
Why small businesses pick it: Crystal-clear static egress IPs and SMB-friendly plans make allowlists painless. Admin UX is straightforward; support is approachable.
Speed & protocol: Cloud gateways near users and split tunneling to keep SaaS quick.
Security: SSO, policy-based access, IP whitelisting, and basic threat controls.
Pricing vibe: Per-user pricing plus per-gateway fee—easy to model and explain to finance.
Best for: Teams that must present a fixed IP to partners, banks, or legacy services.
10) TunnelBear Teams
Why small businesses pick it: The friendliest UX in the category. If your team groans at “VPN,” this one turns grumbles into a single click.
Speed & protocol: WireGuard/OpenVPN/IKEv2 choices; performance is solid for day-to-day office tasks.
Security: Kill switch (“VigilantBear”), obfuscation option for hostile networks, sane defaults.
Pricing vibe: Simple annual, per-seat pricing with a small minimum seat count.
Best for: Non-technical teams who need set-and-forget secure access.
Speed, the practical way
1) Protocol choice: WireGuard and its vendor variants (e.g., NordLynx) generally outperform legacy OpenVPN on the same hardware—faster handshakes, higher throughput, lower CPU burn. If you have older endpoints, it matters even more.
2) Don’t hairpin unnecessarily: If users don’t need full-tunnel internet through HQ, don’t force it. ZTNA tools broker only the traffic you specify, which feels faster in practice.
3) Put gateways close to users: If you need static egress, choose a provider that lets you deploy a private/dedicated gateway in a nearby region. Less jitter = fewer helpdesk pings.
4) Mesh for engineering teams: Mesh VPNs (Tailscale, ZeroTier) avoid hub bottlenecks for dev/test environments and multi-site peer links.
Security features you shouldn’t skip
- SSO + enforced MFA: Make your IdP the gatekeeper. Turn on conditional access and don’t allow local passwords for admins.
- Device posture policies: Minimum OS version, disk encryption on, approved EDR running, screen lock. Block access if not compliant.
- Least-privilege by design: Give access to resources (specific apps, ports, or groups) instead of a giant flat network.
- Logging and alerts: Turn on audit logs. Pipe them to your SIEM or at least review admin changes weekly.
- DNS/HTTP filtering: If available, enable secure web gateway (SWG) to block malware domains and risky downloads.
- Backup auth paths: Ensure break-glass accounts and recovery tokens exist—but store them safely offline.
Pricing notes (and how not to overpay)
- Per-user vs per-connection: Some vendors bill per user (easy to reason about), others per simultaneous connection or per gateway. If contractors connect intermittently, per-connection can be cheaper; if everyone is always on, per-user is simpler.
- Gateways are real costs: When you need multiple dedicated gateways (for static IPs in different regions), factor those monthly fees into the total.
- Annual terms save money: Most providers discount annual commitments. Pilot on monthly, then switch to annual once you’re confident.
- Hidden costs to watch: Minimum seats, device count caps, logging retention limits, premium support tiers, or compliance add-ons (DLP/CASB).
- Stage your rollout: Start with the group that will feel the most benefit (remote eng, finance requiring IP allowlists) to validate user experience before buying org-wide.
Quick scenarios & recommendations
- “We just need fast remote access with minimal admin.”
Try NordLayer or Tailscale. Both are quick to deploy and noticeably snappy on everyday laptops. - “We want to retire legacy VPN and go Zero Trust.”
Look at Twingate or Cloudflare Zero Trust. Define app-level access, apply posture checks, and stop hairpinning all traffic. - “Our partners require a whitelisted IP.”
GoodAccess or NordLayer with dedicated gateways make this painless and predictable. - “We prefer self-host control.”
OpenVPN Access Server remains the easiest route; ZeroTier is excellent if you want a programmable mesh. - “Our team is non-technical—please make it foolproof.”
TunnelBear Teams. Simple, friendly, and reliable.
How to run a painless rollout (in a week)
Day 1—Inventory & policy sketch: List resources (internal apps, ports, databases), who needs what, and what posture you’ll enforce. Decide ZTNA vs classic VPN.
Day 2—Pilot setup: Stand up the provider in a sandbox. Integrate SSO. Create two access groups (e.g., Engineering, Finance).
Day 3—Device posture & gateways: Turn on posture checks. If you need static IPs, deploy a dedicated gateway in your nearest region and test allowlists.
Day 4—Documentation & training: Write a one-pager with install steps, MFA, and support contact. Keep it screenshot-heavy.
Day 5—Roll to a champion group: Onboard 5–10 power users. Gather feedback on speed and app access, fix gaps.
Day 6—Company-wide rollout: Stagger by department. Monitor logs and support tickets.
Day 7—Tune & lock: Tighten policies (least privilege), set alerting thresholds, and review logs for anomalies.
Final word
In 2025, “the best VPN” for a small business is really the best access strategy for your apps and people. If you mostly need access to a few internal services, a ZTNA product (Twingate, Cloudflare Zero Trust, NordLayer’s higher tiers) will feel faster, be easier to audit, and reduce blast radius. If you require static IPs, site-to-site links, or deep compatibility, business VPNs like GoodAccess, OpenVPN, Tailscale, and ZeroTier shine. Match the tool to your access pattern, enforce posture and MFA on day one, and you’ll win back speed, security, and sanity.