Enter your number of users to compare the indicative cost of the business VPN and zero-trust products we review.
How it works
Monthly cost = price per user × users (plus any base fee)Free tiers are shown separately — many zero-trust products have generous free plans for small teams
Defaults are illustrative examples, not benchmarks. Replace them with your own numbers. Prices from our reviews are indicative and dated.
VPN or zero trust?
A traditional business VPN connects remote staff to the office network or gives them a fixed IP address. Zero-trust network access (ZTNA) products instead check each user and device before granting access to specific apps. For most small teams with cloud apps and a few internal resources, zero-trust tools are simpler and more secure — and several offer free plans for small teams.
Cost factors
- Per-user pricing is standard; some vendors also charge for dedicated servers or static IPs.
- Free tiers often cap users or devices — check the limit against your headcount and growth.
- Identity provider integration (Google, Microsoft) may require a higher tier.
- Device posture checks and logging usually sit on business or enterprise plans.
Free tiers worth knowing
Several zero-trust products have free plans: Cloudflare Zero Trust is free for up to 50 users, and Tailscale and Twingate offer free tiers for small teams. For many small businesses, the free tier covers secure access to a handful of internal apps; paid plans add device posture checks, longer log retention and admin features.
Choosing between options
- Need a static IP for allow-listed apps → a business VPN such as NordLayer
- Need secure access to internal web apps → Cloudflare Zero Trust or Twingate
- Need engineers to reach servers and databases → Tailscale
- Need web filtering for staff browsing → Cloudflare's secure web gateway
Rolling out secure remote access
- List the internal apps, servers and networks staff need to reach.
- Connect your identity provider so access follows Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 accounts.
- Pilot with a small group and confirm every app works.
- Move remaining users, then retire any old VPN gateway and close its firewall ports.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a VPN if all my apps are in the cloud?
Often not for access, but you may still want one for a static IP (some apps allow-list IPs) or for protecting staff on public Wi-Fi. Zero-trust tools can cover both.
Are these prices exact?
No — they are indicative list prices dated on each review.
Is a zero-trust tool cheaper than a VPN?
Often, especially for small teams that fit within free tiers. Compare per-user prices at your headcount.
Can I use more than one?
Yes. Some businesses use one tool for app access and another for infrastructure access.