🛡️ Why Your Small Business Needs a VPN
Remote work is here to stay, and your team is probably connecting from coffee shops, home networks, airports, and coworking spaces. Each of these creates security risks that can cost your business thousands (or tank client trust).
🔐 Security Benefits
- • Encrypt data on public WiFi
- • Protect client information
- • Secure remote access to company systems
- • Prevent man-in-the-middle attacks
- • Shield browsing from ISP snooping
📋 Compliance Benefits
- • Help meet HIPAA requirements
- • Support GDPR compliance
- • PCI DSS data protection
- • SOC 2 audit readiness
- • Client contract requirements
Business VPN vs Consumer VPN: What's the Difference?
| Feature | Business VPN | Consumer VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Admin dashboard | ✓ | ✗ |
| User management | ✓ | ✗ |
| Dedicated IP/servers | ✓ | Optional |
| Activity logs (optional) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Centralized billing | ✓ | ✗ |
| Priority support | ✓ | Varies |
Bottom line: If you have 5+ employees or need to manage access centrally, a business VPN is worth the extra cost. For 1-4 people, a consumer VPN with unlimited devices often works fine.
Best VPNs for Small Business
NordLayer (formerly NordVPN Teams)
Purpose-built for business with a proper admin dashboard, user management, dedicated servers, and compliance features. Scales from 5 users to enterprise. Same security pedigree as NordVPN consumer.
From $8/user/month (5 user minimum)
Surfshark
Unlimited devices on one account makes this perfect for micro-businesses. No admin dashboard, but incredibly simple to deploy. Just share the account and everyone's covered.
From $2.19/month for unlimited users
Perimeter 81
More advanced than NordLayer with Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), cloud-native architecture, and detailed analytics. Best for businesses with strict security requirements.
From $10/user/month
Mullvad
No admin features, but the most privacy-focused VPN available. Anonymous accounts, accepts cash. Good for businesses where maximum privacy matters more than management features.
€5/month flat (no discounts)
Common Small Business Use Cases
👨💻 Remote Team Security
Your team works from home, coffee shops, and airports. A VPN encrypts all their traffic so eavesdroppers can't intercept company data.
Best choice: NordLayer or Surfshark
🏥 HIPAA/Healthcare Compliance
Healthcare businesses need encrypted communications to protect patient data. A VPN adds a layer of protection when accessing medical records remotely.
Best choice: NordLayer (compliance features) or Perimeter 81
🌍 International Teams
Teams spread across countries need consistent access to company resources. A VPN provides a single secure connection point regardless of location.
Best choice: NordLayer or ExpressVPN
💳 E-Commerce/Payment Processing
PCI DSS compliance requires protecting cardholder data. VPNs help secure data in transit when your team accesses payment systems.
Best choice: NordLayer or Perimeter 81
Business VPN Pricing Comparison
| Provider | Monthly Cost | 5 Users | 10 Users | 25 Users |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordLayer | $8/user | $40/mo | $80/mo | $200/mo |
| Surfshark | $2.19 flat | $2.19/mo | $2.19/mo | $2.19/mo |
| Perimeter 81 | $10/user | $50/mo | $100/mo | $250/mo |
| Mullvad (5 accts) | €5/acct | €5/mo | €10/mo | €25/mo |
Note: Surfshark has unlimited devices on one account, but no admin features. Best for small teams under 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a business VPN or can I use consumer? ▼
Will a VPN slow down my team's work? ▼
Does a VPN make us HIPAA/GDPR compliant? ▼
What happens when an employee leaves? ▼
Should I require VPN use or make it optional? ▼
The Bottom Line
For teams of 5+, NordLayer offers the best balance of features and price. For micro-businesses under 6 people, Surfshark's unlimited devices is unbeatable value. Either way, protecting your remote team isn't optional anymore.
Both offer free trials or money-back guarantees