Small teams use business VPNs for two different jobs: securing traffic on untrusted networks, and giving staff access to private apps and servers. Zero trust access tools now handle the second job better than traditional VPNs.
Our picks include both modern zero trust platforms and team VPNs, so you can match the tool to the problem you actually have.
Our top picks
- 1
Best for private network accessTailscale8.7Editorial score 8.7 out of 10 - 2
Best zero trust platformCloudflare Zero Trust8.7Editorial score 8.7 out of 10 - 3TBest VPN replacementTwingate8.5Editorial score 8.5 out of 10
- 4
Best team VPNNordLayer8.3Editorial score 8.3 out of 10 - 5PVBest for privacy-focused teamsProton VPN for Business8.1Editorial score 8.1 out of 10
Scores are editorial assessments based on research. Prices are indicative.
Tailscale
ResearchedA simple mesh network built on WireGuard that connects devices and servers with identity-based rules.
Tailscale creates a secure mesh network (a 'tailnet') between your devices, servers and cloud resources using WireGuard. Access control lists, SSO and subnet routers make it a simple replacement for traditional VPNs, especially for technical teams.
Not for you if: Teams needing web filtering.
Pros
- Very easy setup
- Built on WireGuard
- Fine-grained ACLs
Cons
- Requires some networking knowledge for ACLs
- Not a web filter
Cloudflare Zero Trust
ResearchedAccess controls, secure web gateway and DNS filtering in one platform with a free tier for small teams.
Cloudflare Zero Trust (Cloudflare One) replaces traditional VPNs with identity-aware access to internal apps, plus DNS filtering, a secure web gateway and browser isolation. It runs on Cloudflare's global network and is free for small teams.
Not for you if: Non-technical teams without IT help.
Pros
- Generous free tier
- Global network performance
- Access, gateway and filtering in one
Cons
- Technical setup
- Dashboard can be complex
Twingate
ResearchedPer-resource access without exposing your network, with straightforward deployment.
Twingate replaces VPNs with zero-trust access to private resources. Lightweight connectors sit inside your network, users connect through a client, and access is granted per resource based on identity and device posture.
Not for you if: Teams needing web filtering.
Pros
- Easy deployment
- Per-resource access
- Device posture checks
Cons
- Costs rise with users
- Free tier is small
NordLayer
ResearchedFamiliar VPN experience with dedicated IPs, central management and a strong security feature set.
NordLayer provides managed business VPN, dedicated gateways, zero-trust access features and threat protection in a central admin panel. It is designed to be deployed quickly by small IT teams.
Not for you if: Organisations needing full SASE suites.
Pros
- Quick deployment
- Central management
- Dedicated gateways
Cons
- Dedicated servers add cost
- Feature tiers can confuse
Proton VPN for Business
ResearchedPrivacy-oriented provider with audited no-logs claims and dedicated servers on business plans.
Proton VPN for Business provides encrypted VPN access with centralised user management, dedicated servers and IP addresses, and gateways for restricting access to company resources. It comes from Swiss-based Proton.
Not for you if: Teams wanting full zero trust.
Pros
- Strong privacy credentials
- Dedicated IPs and gateways
- Easy apps
Cons
- Limited zero-trust features
- Fewer integrations
Comparison table
| Tool | Best for | Score | From (indicative) | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tailscale | Best for private network access | 8.7 | Free personal; business from around $6–18 / user / month | Yes |
| Cloudflare Zero Trust | Best zero trust platform | 8.7 | Free for up to 50 users; paid around $7 / user / month | Yes |
| TTwingate | Best VPN replacement | 8.5 | Free for small teams; paid from around $5–10 / user / month | Yes |
| NordLayer | Best team VPN | 8.3 | From around $8–10 / user / month | No |
| PVProton VPN for Business | Best for privacy-focused teams | 8.1 | From around $7–10 / user / month | No |
How we chose
- We built a longlist of business VPN and zero trust tools from vendor documentation, public pricing pages, security and trust pages, and the products small teams most often ask us about.
- Each product was scored against our published, weighted criteria (see the methodology page). The overall score is calculated from those sub-scores — it is never typed in by hand.
- We priced every product at 5, 10 and 25 seats using the publicly listed tiers, and penalised products whose essential features sit behind expensive plans.
- Products marked 'Researched' have been assessed from documentation and public information rather than hands-on testing. Prices are indicative, dated, and should be confirmed with the vendor.
Read our full scoring methodology →
Define the job
If you need staff to reach internal apps, prioritise zero trust access. If you need encrypted browsing on public Wi-Fi and fixed IPs, a team VPN fits.
Require single sign-on and MFA
Access should be tied to your identity provider so leavers lose access the moment their account is disabled.
Check device posture options
The ability to block unmanaged or out-of-date devices adds meaningful protection.
Pilot with your remote staff
Test performance and reliability from the locations and networks your team actually uses.
See every option we rank in Business VPN & Zero Trust.
Buying checklist
Before you commit, confirm each of these on the exact plan you will buy:
- Central admin console
- Dedicated IP / gateway options
- SSO and user provisioning
- Device posture checks
- Clear logging policy
Avoid these mistakes: Buying a consumer privacy VPN for business access control. Giving every user access to the entire network. Not integrating with your identity provider.
Frequently asked questions
Is a consumer VPN good enough for a business?
Usually not. Business products add central management, user provisioning, access policies and audit logs that consumer VPNs lack.
What is zero trust network access?
ZTNA grants access to specific apps based on identity and device checks, rather than placing users on the whole network as a traditional VPN does.
How much does a business VPN cost?
Pricing is usually per user per month, often with free tiers for very small teams. Confirm current pricing and minimum seat counts with the vendor.
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