6 Best VPNs for your Small Business

Small businesses are increasingly targeted by cyber threats such as phishing, man-in-the-middle attacks, and unsecured Wi-Fi exploitation. A reliable VPN acts as a first line of defense, encrypting all online traffic- often with AES-256 encryption – to protect financial data, customer records, and internal communications from interception.

With remote teams and branch offices becoming the norm, security needs to extend beyond the traditional office firewall. The right business VPN enables secure remote access and site-to-site connections, allowing employees to safely work with files, tools, and printers from any location while keeping data traffic private.

Beyond protection, business-grade VPNs provide centralized user management, access controls, detailed activity logs, and multi-factor authentication. These tools not only safeguard operations but also help meet compliance requirements for regulations like GDPR, SOC 2, and HIPAA, reducing both legal and reputational risks.

What Makes a Business VPN Ideal? (Plus Criteria to Compare)

When choosing, ensure your VPN meets these standards:

• Robust Security — Look for strong AES-256 encryption, a strict no-logs policy, DNS leak protection, and kill switch functionality.
• Scalability & Administration — Centralized user management, role-based access, device onboarding, and effective dashboards—so you can grow without chaos.
• User-Friendly Setup — Single-click install across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android; some VPNs even auto-configure network security.
• Reliable Support — 24/7 business-level support, fast response times, and configuration help.
• Clear Pricing & Value — Transparent plans (per user or per team), negotiations for long-term subscriptions, and money-back guarantees.

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Top VPN Picks for Small Businesses (Expanded Profiles)

1. NordLayer (Previously NordVPN Teams)

Why it works: Tailored for small businesses, NordLayer sits at the intersection of enterprise-grade security and ease of use. You get centralized team control, secure gateway setup, and team-wide access protection.

Features & Performance:
It offers trusted encryption, device posture checks, and 2FA. For regulatory needs, you can add dedicated servers or fixed IPs (ideal for IP-based whitelisting). The console simplifies user provisioning and visibility.

Pricing & Fit:
Starts at approximately $8/user/month, with long-term discounts available. The SaaS-style pricing and risk-free guarantee let you pilot the solution first.

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2. Surfshark Business

Why it works: Value-oriented businesses love Surfshark for its security and affordability. It brings unlimited devices, stealth tools, and malware blocking in one low-cost bundle.

Features & Performance:
Offers CleanWeb (ad/malware filtering), GPS spoofing, and multi-hop routing. Supports a range of protocols—WireGuard for speed, OpenVPN for compatibility. The business tier adds team-wide management features.

Pricing & Fit:
Plans run around $2–3/user/month for multi-year commitments, one of the most affordable in 2025. The 30-day refund provides a quick exit if it doesn’t meet your needs.

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3. Proton VPN for Business

Why it works: Businesses with high compliance needs (e.g., health, finance) will appreciate Proton VPN’s Swiss-rooted privacy and audit certifications.

Features & Performance:
Packed with security: Secure Core, Stealth protocol, no-log policy independently audited, open source apps, and advanced authentication options. Ideal for companies aiming for strong data control.

Pricing & Fit:
Pricing is enterprise-custom, but the structured tools come with strong security and audit-readiness baked in. A great long-term investment if privacy and compliance matter.

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4. ExpressVPN

Why it works: This is the fast-track VPN for small teams that need setup speed. Minimalist and intuitive, ExpressVPN is perfect for non-technical staff and safe to roll out company-wide quickly.

Features & Performance:
Exceptional speeds with Lightway protocol and reliable connection across 105+ countries. Includes split tunneling, kill switch, and audited no-logs policy.

Pricing & Fit:
Starts around $4.99–5/month. The layout is simple, so you can onboard users quickly—great for rapid deployment.

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5. Private Internet Access (PIA)

Why it works: PIA combines depth of control with value. It’s excellent for technically savvy teams that want custom routing and encryption levels.

Features & Performance:
Supports Shadowsocks, multi-hop, and fine-grained encryption choices. Known for its open-source apps and a vast global server network.

Pricing & Fit:
Very budget-friendly, with long-term plans under $3/month. The setup requires more tech awareness but offers unmatched customization.

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6. Hotspot Shield Business

Why it works: Focused on performance, this is the VPN to choose if speed is a top priority—like handling large cloud apps or frequent file transfers.

Features & Performance:
Uses its own Hydra protocol for lightning-fast connections. Comes with 256-bit encryption, kill switch, and cross-platform compatibility.

Pricing & Fit:
On the higher side with fewer servers, but value lies in performance when latency could hamper business productivity.

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Summary Table: At-a-Glance Overview

VPN	Best For	Top Advantages	Starting Price*
NordLayer	Managed enterprise-grade security	Central control, dedicated IP, compliance tools	~$8/user/mo
Surfshark Business	Startups & tight budgets	Low cost, unlimited devices, stealth tools	$2–3/user/mo
Proton VPN (Business)	Audits & regulated environments	Stealth, Secure Core, audited privacy tools	Custom pricing
ExpressVPN	Speed & simplicity	One-click setup, fast, extensive server coverage	~$5/mo
PIA	Advanced control & customization	Tunable encryption, vast network, open-source	Low-cost long-term
Hotspot Shield Biz	High-performance use cases	Fastest speeds, quick data access	Premium cost

*Pricing is subject to change—always check current promotions and refund policies.

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Quick Setup & Adoption Guide

1. Clarify Your Priorities
   • Need managed access and security? → NordLayer or Proton Business
   • Need low-cost and flexible options? → Surfshark Business or PIA
   • Need speed and easy deployment? → ExpressVPN
   • Need speed plus scale? → Hotspot Shield Business
2. Pilot the VPN
   • Use free trials or refunds to test during daily workflow—without disrupting operations.
3. Roll Out Gradually
   • Start with key users, document install steps, enforce MFA.
4. Train & Support Users
   • Create simple onboarding guides and show how to connect or troubleshoot.
5. Review & Secure
   • Check logs, monitor usage patterns, and review annually for changes in team size or compliance needs.

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Final Recommendation

• Choose NordLayer for managed control and scaling.
• Choose Surfshark Business for budget-conscious flexibility.
• Choose Proton VPN Business for audit-ready security.
• Choose ExpressVPN when you need fast deployment.
• Choose PIA when customization matters most.
• Choose Hotspot Shield when performance is the top priority.