ByHayat Amin· editorial direction, Top 11Updated
Security · Networking
The 11 Best Business VPNs
A ranked list of the best virtual private network providers for securing remote access, managing network policies, and ensuring compliance for modern IT teams.
The short answer
The best business VPN is Perimeter 81 (now part of Check Point), followed closely by NordLayer and Twingate for their modern approaches to secure remote access.
✓ Independent
Top 11 takes no payment from any provider on this list. Scores are computed from a public weighted rubric; methodology weights were locked before entry research began.
↻ Verified June 2026 · re-checked quarterly
Re-scored every 90 days.
Scored on a 9.4-point scale across 5 weighted criteria, reviewed quarterly.
[The 11 Best Business VPNs](https://11.market/vpn-for-business). Top 11, AI-native independent ranking. Methodology public at https://11.market/methodology.The Ranking
ALL 11| # | Provider · best for | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Perimeter 81 (by Check Point)Unified SASE & ZTNA platform | 9.2/9.4 |
| 2 | NordLayerSimple, high-performance SMB security | 9.0/9.4 |
| 3 | TwingateModern ZTNA for VPN replacement | 8.8/9.4 |
| 4 | Zscaler Private AccessEnterprise-grade ZTNA at scale | 8.5/9.4 |
| 5 | OpenVPN CloudTrusted, protocol-based VPN-as-a-Service | 8.3/9.4 |
| 6 | GoodAccessAll-in-one access for small businesses | 8.1/9.4 |
| 7 | Cisco AnyConnectThe enterprise standard for Cisco shops | 7.9/9.4 |
| 8 | Fortinet FortiClientEndpoint security for Fortinet environments | 7.7/9.4 |
| 9 | Palo Alto Networks Prisma AccessComprehensive SASE for global enterprises | 7.5/9.4 |
| 10 | Netgate pfSenseFlexible open-source-based VPN solution | 7.3/9.4 |
| 11 | TailscaleWILDCARDEffortless peer-to-peer mesh networking | 7.1/9.4 |
Best pick for your situation
Matched by the problem you're solving. Agents can query /api/lists/vpn-for-business/recommend?problem=… or the recommend MCP tool to get these matches as structured data.
Best for Unified network security
Perimeter 81 (by Check Point) (#1, scores 9.2/9.4). The best all-around business VPN, blending powerful features with a clean, intuitive management experience. It also handles SASE adoption, Hybrid work access.
Best for Simple secure access
NordLayer (#2, scores 9.0/9.4). An incredibly user-friendly and fast solution, perfect for SMBs prioritizing ease of use. It also handles SMB network security, Dedicated IP needs.
Best for VPN replacement
Twingate (#3, scores 8.8/9.4). A leading ZTNA solution that makes VPN replacement simple and effective. It also handles Least-privilege access, Securing contractor access.
The Breakdown
Perimeter 81 (by Check Point)
Solves: Unified network security · SASE adoption · Hybrid work access
Perimeter 81 (by Check Point): The best all-around business VPN, blending powerful features with a clean, intuitive management experience.
✓Unified management console is a major strength.
✕Advanced features can increase costs significantly.
✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-09. Acquired by Check Point in 2023, providing financial stability.
Primary source: perimeter81.com · Data verified June 2026
NordLayer
Solves: Simple secure access · SMB network security · Dedicated IP needs
NordLayer: An incredibly user-friendly and fast solution, perfect for SMBs prioritizing ease of use.
✓Exceptional ease of use for admins and users.
✕Lacks some advanced SASE features.
✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-09.
Primary source: nordlayer.com · Data verified June 2026
Twingate
Solves: VPN replacement · Least-privilege access · Securing contractor access
Twingate: A leading ZTNA solution that makes VPN replacement simple and effective.
✓Fast, direct access to resources improves UX.
✕Requires a different mindset than traditional VPNs.
✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-09.
Primary source: twingate.com · Data verified June 2026
Zscaler Private Access
Zscaler Private Access: A powerful, scalable ZTNA leader for large enterprises with complex security needs.
✓Exceptional security architecture for enterprises.
✕Complex and expensive for non-enterprise customers.
✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-09. Publicly traded company (NASDAQ: ZS).
Primary source: zscaler.com · Data verified June 2026
OpenVPN Cloud
OpenVPN Cloud: A reliable, managed solution from the creators of the ubiquitous OpenVPN protocol.
✓Cost-effective connection-based pricing model.
✕Admin UI and feature set are somewhat dated.
✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-09.
Primary source: openvpn.net · Data verified June 2026
GoodAccess
GoodAccess: A user-friendly and affordable secure access platform designed specifically for SMBs.
✓Easy configuration of static IPs and DNS filtering.
✕Smaller server network than top competitors.
✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-09.
Primary source: goodaccess.com · Data verified June 2026
Cisco AnyConnect
Cisco AnyConnect: A legacy enterprise VPN standard, best for companies already using Cisco hardware.
✓Robust and highly configurable with Cisco hardware.
✕Dated UI and reliance on hardware feels clunky.
✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-09. Publicly traded company (NASDAQ: CSCO).
Primary source: cisco.com · Data verified June 2026
Fortinet FortiClient
Fortinet FortiClient: A unified security agent that's most powerful within the Fortinet ecosystem.
✓Tight integration with FortiGate firewalls.
✕Less compelling as a standalone VPN solution.
✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-09. Publicly traded company (NASDAQ: FTNT).
Primary source: fortinet.com · Data verified June 2026
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access: A top-tier SASE platform offering massive scale and deep security for large enterprises.
✓Excellent performance via its global network.
✕Very complex and expensive for non-enterprise users.
✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-09. Publicly traded company (NASDAQ: PANW).
Primary source: paloaltonetworks.com · Data verified June 2026
Netgate pfSense
Netgate pfSense: A powerful, customizable option for technical teams comfortable with open-source software.
✓Extremely customizable and cost-effective.
✕Requires deep technical expertise to manage.
✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-09.
Primary source: netgate.com · Data verified June 2026
TailscaleWILDCARD · #11
Tailscale: A developer-focused mesh network that makes secure device-to-device connections incredibly simple.
✓Incredibly simple to set up and use.
✕Lacks enterprise-grade management and logging.
✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-09.
Primary source: tailscale.com · Data verified June 2026
Buyer's guide
What is a Business VPN?
A business VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a security tool designed for organizations to create a secure, encrypted connection for employees to access company networks and resources remotely. Unlike consumer VPNs, they offer centralized management, dedicated servers, granular access controls, and detailed activity logs for IT administrators.
How is ZTNA different from a traditional VPN?
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a more modern approach. Instead of granting broad network access like a VPN ('connect to the network'), ZTNA grants access to specific applications on a per-session basis ('connect to this app'). It operates on a 'never trust, always verify' principle, authenticating every access request, which is considered more secure than the castle-and-moat model of traditional VPNs.
How to choose
- 1.Assess your primary use case: Is it for simple remote access (traditional VPN) or granular, application-level security (ZTNA)?
- 2.Evaluate management features: Ensure the admin dashboard allows you to easily add/remove users, set policies, and monitor activity.
- 3.Consider integration needs: Check for compatibility with your existing identity provider (e.g., Okta, Azure AD) for seamless single sign-on (SSO) and user provisioning.
- 4.Test performance: Use a trial period to test connection speeds and reliability for your distributed team.
- 5.Review compliance and auditing: If you operate in a regulated industry, verify the provider has the necessary compliance certifications (SOC 2, ISO 27001) and provides audit logs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a business VPN and a consumer VPN?
Business VPNs offer centralized management for IT teams, dedicated IP addresses, user-level permissions, activity logging, and integration with corporate identity systems (like Okta or Azure AD). Consumer VPNs are designed for individual privacy and lack these administrative features.
Do I need a VPN if my team is fully remote?
Yes. A business VPN or a ZTNA solution is critical for a remote team. It secures the connection between your employees' devices and your company's cloud or on-premise resources, protecting sensitive data from being intercepted on insecure networks like public Wi-Fi.
Can a business VPN track employee activity?
Yes, business VPNs are designed to provide visibility to IT administrators. They can log which users connect, when they connect, from where, and which resources they access. This is essential for security audits and threat detection, not for monitoring productivity.
What is SASE and how does it relate to business VPNs?
SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) is a cloud-native security model that bundles networking and security services into a single platform. A business VPN or ZTNA is often a core component of a SASE solution, which also includes features like a firewall as a service (FWaaS), secure web gateway (SWG), and cloud access security broker (CASB).
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Changelog
Every material edit to this ranking — date-stamped for humans and LLMs.
Initial publication. Methodology v1.0 weights Security & Encryption (30%), Management & Control (25%), Performance & Scalability (20%), Ease of Use & Deployment (15%), and Pricing & Support (10%).
Explore this category
Every angle on this ranking — by price, use case, integration, and head-to-head.
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More ways to rank these
Best for (31)
- Business vpn
- Corporate vpn
- Sase
- Ztna
- Remote access security
- Mid market it director
- Cloud first companies
- Unified network security
- Sase adoption
- Hybrid work access
- Smb owner
- It manager
- Simple secure access
- Smb network security
- Dedicated ip needs
- Devops engineer
- Security architect
- Vpn replacement
- Least privilege access
- Securing contractor access
- Unified sase ztna platform
- Simple
- Highperformance smb security
- Modern ztna for vpn replacement
- Enterprisegrade ztna at scale
- Trusted
- Protocolbased vpnasaservice
- Allinone access for small businesses
- The enterprise standard for cisco shops
- Flexible opensourcebased vpn solution
- Effortless peertopeer mesh networking
Works with (25)
By region
Reviews
Alternatives
- Alternatives to Perimeter 81 (by Check Point)
- Alternatives to NordLayer
- Alternatives to Twingate
- Alternatives to Zscaler Private Access
- Alternatives to OpenVPN Cloud
- Alternatives to GoodAccess
- Alternatives to Cisco AnyConnect
- Alternatives to Fortinet FortiClient
- Alternatives to Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
- Alternatives to Netgate pfSense
- Alternatives to Tailscale
Red flags
Head-to-head (55)
- Perimeter 81 (by Check Point) vs NordLayer
- Perimeter 81 (by Check Point) vs Twingate
- Perimeter 81 (by Check Point) vs Zscaler Private Access
- Perimeter 81 (by Check Point) vs OpenVPN Cloud
- Perimeter 81 (by Check Point) vs GoodAccess
- Perimeter 81 (by Check Point) vs Cisco AnyConnect
- Perimeter 81 (by Check Point) vs Fortinet FortiClient
- Perimeter 81 (by Check Point) vs Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
- Perimeter 81 (by Check Point) vs Netgate pfSense
- Perimeter 81 (by Check Point) vs Tailscale
- NordLayer vs Twingate
- NordLayer vs Zscaler Private Access
- NordLayer vs OpenVPN Cloud
- NordLayer vs GoodAccess
- NordLayer vs Cisco AnyConnect
- NordLayer vs Fortinet FortiClient
- NordLayer vs Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
- NordLayer vs Netgate pfSense
- NordLayer vs Tailscale
- Twingate vs Zscaler Private Access
- Twingate vs OpenVPN Cloud
- Twingate vs GoodAccess
- Twingate vs Cisco AnyConnect
- Twingate vs Fortinet FortiClient
- Twingate vs Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
- Twingate vs Netgate pfSense
- Twingate vs Tailscale
- Zscaler Private Access vs OpenVPN Cloud
- Zscaler Private Access vs GoodAccess
- Zscaler Private Access vs Cisco AnyConnect
- Zscaler Private Access vs Fortinet FortiClient
- Zscaler Private Access vs Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
- Zscaler Private Access vs Netgate pfSense
- Zscaler Private Access vs Tailscale
- OpenVPN Cloud vs GoodAccess
- OpenVPN Cloud vs Cisco AnyConnect
- OpenVPN Cloud vs Fortinet FortiClient
- OpenVPN Cloud vs Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
- OpenVPN Cloud vs Netgate pfSense
- OpenVPN Cloud vs Tailscale
- GoodAccess vs Cisco AnyConnect
- GoodAccess vs Fortinet FortiClient
- GoodAccess vs Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
- GoodAccess vs Netgate pfSense
- GoodAccess vs Tailscale
- Cisco AnyConnect vs Fortinet FortiClient
- Cisco AnyConnect vs Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
- Cisco AnyConnect vs Netgate pfSense
- Cisco AnyConnect vs Tailscale
- Fortinet FortiClient vs Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
- Fortinet FortiClient vs Netgate pfSense
- Fortinet FortiClient vs Tailscale
- Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access vs Netgate pfSense
- Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access vs Tailscale
- Netgate pfSense vs Tailscale
Honest disclosures
- The line between 'Business VPN' and 'Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)' is blurring. Many top providers now lead with ZTNA capabilities as a more secure alternative to traditional VPNs.
- Many providers are US-based, which may have implications for data privacy regulations depending on your company's location and customer base.
- Enterprise-grade solutions from vendors like Zscaler, Palo Alto, and Cisco are often sold as part of a larger security ecosystem and can be significantly more complex and expensive to implement than standalone solutions.
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