How to Choose the Best VPN for Your Small Business. While VPNs remain essential in 2025, the long-term trend is shifting toward Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and identity-based security. Many of the best small business VPN providers, like NordLayer and Perimeter 81, are already building in these capabilities.
For now, though, the best small business VPNs still deliver reliable, affordable, and easy-to-use protection, helping small and mid-sized businesses stay secure in a world of increasingly evolving cyber threats.
1. NordLayer – Best Overall VPN for Small Businesses
- Why it stands out:
NordLayer takes everything small businesses need in a VPN and packages it into one easy-to-manage platform. With centralized user management, you can control who has access to company resources from one dashboard. It integrates seamlessly with identity providers like Okta, Azure AD, and Google Workspace, making onboarding and offboarding employees painless. Security is rock-solid, thanks to AES-256 encryption, kill-switch functionality, and dedicated IP addresses that ensure consistent access for business-critical apps. Unlike many consumer VPNs, NordLayer was built for businesses, meaning you get role-based access control, team-wide settings, and compliance-friendly logs.
2. Perimeter 81 – Best Zero Trust & Cloud VPN
- Why it stands out:
Perimeter 81 isn’t just a VPN, it’s a stepping stone to Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). Instead of relying solely on tunneling traffic, it lets you segment your network, apply least-privilege rules, and grant employees secure access only to the resources they need. Its cloud-native architecture makes it ideal for SMBs that live in AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, and it comes with integrations for SSO, MFA, and endpoint posture checks. For distributed or remote-first teams, the automatic Wi-Fi security feature instantly encrypts data when employees connect to unsecured networks, reducing the risk of credential theft or man-in-the-middle attacks.
3. ExpressVPN for Teams – Best for Speed and Simplicity
- Why it stands out:
ExpressVPN is famous for its blazing-fast servers and user-friendly apps, and its business solution brings the same reliability to small teams. The TrustedServer technology, which runs entirely on RAM, ensures that no data is ever written to a hard drive, reducing the risk of exposure if servers are seized or hacked. With servers in over 90 countries, small businesses with international clients or contractors benefit from global coverage. The setup process is simple, with intuitive apps for desktop and mobile that even non-technical employees can use without IT support. ExpressVPN also has a strong reputation for 24/7 live support, which is invaluable for small businesses without in-house IT.
4. Surfshark for Business – Best Budget VPN for Small Businesses
- Why it stands out:
Surfshark has quickly become one of the most cost-effective VPNs for SMBs while still packing in enterprise-level features. Unlike many providers that limit device connections, Surfshark allows unlimited devices per account, which is a game-changer for small businesses with contractors or hybrid workforces. Its CleanWeb feature automatically blocks ads, trackers, and malware domains, helping reduce phishing risks. The MultiHop (double VPN) option routes traffic through two servers for added security, while its split tunneling feature lets employees decide which apps use the VPN and which don’t. For SMBs operating internationally, Surfshark also provides IP rotation and GPS spoofing, useful for testing apps or accessing region-locked resources.
5. Proton VPN for Business – Best for Privacy & Compliance
- Why it stands out:
Proton VPN is built by the team behind ProtonMail, long respected for its privacy-first approach. For SMBs in regulated industries like finance, healthcare, or legal, Proton VPN is a standout choice because of its independent SOC 2 Type II audit in 2025, proving its commitment to compliance. It offers a strict no-logs policy, open-source apps that have been independently reviewed, and is headquartered in privacy-friendly Switzerland, outside of EU/US surveillance alliances. The Secure Core network routes traffic through hardened servers in safe jurisdictions before exiting to the internet, providing added protection against network-level attacks. Proton VPN also supports NetShield DNS filtering, which blocks ads, trackers, and malicious domains—boosting security without extra software.
6. Windscribe – Best Flexible VPN for Growing Teams
- Why it stands out:
Windscribe is all about flexibility and transparency, which makes it great for SMBs that don’t want rigid pricing or restrictive policies. Its “Build-a-Plan” option lets businesses pay only for the server locations they need, keeping costs efficient. Every plan comes with ROBERT, a customizable firewall and malware/ad blocker that lets you create custom allow/deny lists—an underrated feature for reducing employee exposure to phishing sites. Windscribe also supports unlimited simultaneous connections, so you don’t have to worry about counting devices across employees and contractors. With apps on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android, plus browser extensions, it fits easily into diverse SMB tech stacks.
Honorable Mentions
Cisco AnyConnect – Best Enterprise-Grade VPN for Small Businesses Planning to Scale
- Why it stands out:
Cisco AnyConnect is a heavyweight in the VPN space, designed for enterprise environments but still used by many mid-sized and scaling small businesses. It offers integrated endpoint security, advanced threat defense, and seamless connection options whether employees are on Wi-Fi, wired, or mobile networks. Because it’s part of the larger Cisco ecosystem, it can tie into existing Cisco firewalls, routers, and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions, making it an attractive choice if your SMB already uses Cisco hardware. While setup and management are more complex than cloud-native options like Perimeter 81 or NordLayer, Cisco AnyConnect is extremely reliable for SMBs that expect rapid growth or already require VPN security at enterprise standards.
TunnelBear – Best Simple and User-Friendly VPN for Very Small Teams
- Why it stands out:
TunnelBear is one of the most approachable VPNs on the market, famous for its fun design and straightforward apps. While not as feature-packed as NordLayer or Perimeter 81, TunnelBear provides strong AES-256 encryption, intuitive apps across desktop and mobile, and team account options that make it easy to roll out to employees with little to no training. Its pricing—typically around $5–6 per user/month—is budget-friendly for micro-businesses, freelancers, and very small teams that don’t need advanced features like Zero Trust or cloud integrations. The biggest strength of TunnelBear is its simplicity and ease of adoption, making it one of the best small business VPNs for teams without an IT department.
Stay Ahead with Black Swamp InfoSec
Choosing the best VPN for your small business in 2025 is just one step toward building a stronger cybersecurity posture. Threats are evolving, and SMBs are often the most targeted because attackers assume smaller teams have weaker defenses.
At Black Swamp InfoSec, we break down cybersecurity in plain language for small and midsize business owners, IT leaders, and entrepreneurs. From VPNs and compliance to incident response and threat intelligence, we cover the tools and strategies that help SMBs stay secure without breaking the budget.
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