In this article, we talk about Best VPNs For Small Businesses 2023, which are useful for your business
The Internet is a network of linked computers that interact with one another and exchange data.
When someone gets online, the web begins collecting data, including their location, IP address, and even personal information.
Cyber-attacks are increasing in frequency, posing a risk to critical company information.
Small and medium-sized organizations, in particular, are often targeted by hackers due to their lack of preparedness to defend against cyber-attacks.
Indeed, a Kelser Corporation analysis found that at least 65 percent of cyber-attacks target small and medium-sized firms.
Common assaults, such as ransomware, which are inexpensive and straightforward to carry out, may be disastrous to a corporation.
Anyone who has worked in the security industry knows that no layer of protection is completely impenetrable.
Unfortunately, by the time most people realize anything is wrong, the harm has already been done.
For a small business that lacks both the time and resources to cope with cyber-attack-related damages, the most efficient method to defend itself is to avoid such assaults in the first place.
Many individuals opt for a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
A VPN service enables users to browse the Internet safely and privately by routing customers’ traffic via a server.
Thus, online actions are concealed and guarded, safeguarding critical information and identity.
Encryption is very effective and critical when it comes to data security.
Although decrypting encrypted data is not impossible, the time and effort necessary to solve it act as a barrier.
This encrypted data is subsequently sent to the VPN server, which connects to the Internet.
IP addresses and locations cannot be obtained since the information was delivered to the Internet through the VPN server and not from a home or business computer.
This complicates determining who is accessing data and from which device.
Private Internet Access does not disclose the number of accessible IP addresses, but the US-based VPN does boast 3,252 servers spread over 37 regions.
Norton’s VPN is accessible on Mac, iOS, Windows, and Android and includes round-the-clock customer assistance. The firm operates 1,500 servers across 73 cities and 29 countries from 200 sites.
IPVanish is noteworthy since it allows customers to have ten simultaneous connections and is reasonably priced at $3.99 per month for an annual subscription. compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
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Why Is a VPN necessary for a small business?
Cybercrime is a threat to every firm that sends data through the Internet. It is no longer limited to government bodies and e-commerce businesses.
Regrettably, even essential email communication may expose a firm to possible risks.
VPNs remove this possibility. However, the advantages do not end there.
VPNs can assist firms in scaling safely and securely.
As organizations expand, they must develop their network of servers, computers, and devices, the majority (if not all) of which are connected to the Internet.
These connections are safe while using a VPN. VPNs may help firms that use teleworkers and sales representatives protect connectivity to data and accounts.
Public Wi-Fi networks, particularly those that do not need a password and allow auto-connect, are breeding grounds for hackers looking to compromise computers.
Many individuals are ignorant of these hidden dangers and routinely utilize public Wi-Fi.
When using public Wi-Fi, a VPN protects the connection between a device and business information, preventing data leakage.
Additionally, a VPN is a valuable tool for circumventing some regional limitations.
For instance, if you work in China, utilizing a VPN is virtually mandatory to connect to the global network since the Chinese Great Firewall prohibits access to many websites, including Google, Facebook, and, most recently, GitHub.
The majority of VPNs include several server locations.
These geographic limitations may be circumvented by connecting to a server located in a different country.
Numerous VPN providers additionally provide an extra layer of safety for their users by integrating anti-malware and anti-spyware programs into their basic VPN package.
This protects you against viruses and trojans.
What to look for when purchasing a VPN?
The VPN business has grown recently, with new service providers sprouting up every week.
As a result, identifying the best VPNs may be a daunting task.
As a general guideline, strike a fair balance between cost and usefulness.
While ease of use and customer support are less critical, they should be addressed, particularly for individuals who are not computer knowledgeable.
The following are some criteria and principles to consider while considering alternatives. –
1. Speed:
Nobody wants to wait for items to load as they did in the days of dial-up Internet.
Therefore, ensure that your VPN provider owns its physical servers. Any VPN service that utilizes third-party servers cannot guarantee excellent speeds.
Most will also impose bandwidth restrictions.
2. Simultaneous Connections Count:
It’s critical for organizations that want several connections at the same time to find a VPN service that supports this.
Many are restricted to two or three simultaneous connections, which may soon become prohibitively expensive if a significant workforce uses the VPN concurrently.
3. Server Locations:
If circumventing geographic limitations is critical, use a provider with servers in that nation.
4. Company’s location:
This is particularly critical for firms that place a premium on privacy.
For example, VPN service providers situated in the United States are not fervent privacy advocates and would readily hand over browsing data to the authorities upon request.
If privacy is a primary concern, selecting a VPN situated in a more “consumer-friendly” location, such as Panama, is preferable.
5. Integration of VPNs:
At the absolute least, the VPN should be compatible with Windows and Mac OS since these are the most often used desktop operating systems.
When accessing data through mobile devices and tablets, the VPN must also be compatible with iOS and Android.
The VPN service’s protocol is as follows:
While most VPNs provide the same protocols, ensuring that all standard protocols are included is critical.
PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, SSTP, IKEv2, and OpenVPN are all examples of this.
1. Customer service:
Customer service is critical, even more so for organizations that cannot afford downtime.
Look for a VPN that gives 24/7 help – it’s virtually a given in this market at this time, so finding one that at the very least offers 24/7 chat assistance should be easy.
Additionally, most of them have large knowledge bases that are ideal for troubleshooting and an email ticketing system.
Apart from these specific assistance services, some VPNs also provide a specialized account manager, which is beneficial for persons with technical limitations.
2. The convenience of use:
While most VPN services are relatively easy to use and connect to, some provide a variety of protocol customization choices, ideal for IT geeks and company owners who want more excellent protection.
However, this is seldom a decisive factor when choosing a VPN service.
We advocate doing due diligence and locating an intuitive and simple-to-use interface.
3. Pricing:
It’s important to remember that pricing does not always equate to quality in the world of VPNs.
And the cost varies significantly, ranging from a few dollars per month to $10-15 per month.
Fortunately, the majority of subscription services give reductions for longer-term commitments.
As a general rule, avoid any VPN provider that advertises lifetime memberships.
After all, nothing is ever certain since no one knows how long they will be in business.
11 Best VPNs For Small Businesses 2023
Here are the best VPNs for small businesses:
1. NordLayer:
NordSec, the company that created the massively successful NordVPN service, has a slew of services for small and medium-sized organizations.
Under the NordLayer brand, Nord provides commercial VPN services and multi-layer network security, and all are managed via a single dashboard.
NordLayer ticks all the boxes, enabling remote workers to access the corporate on-site network through an encrypted tunnel while offering site-to-site and dedicated IP connectivity.
Additionally, NordLayer provides administrative services at the corporate level, such as interaction with single sign-on systems, authorization management for teams, and centralized invoicing.
2. Norton Secure VPN:
Norton’s VPN is accessible on Mac, iOS, Windows, and Android and includes round-the-clock customer assistance.
The firm operates 1,500 servers across 73 cities and 29 countries from 200 sites.
For the first year, the cost is roughly $40.
Although the organization is well-known as a heritage cybersecurity supplier, it lacks many advanced capabilities offered by other VPN providers.
With a variety of subscription options, the firm provides other security solutions in addition to its VPN, making it a feasible alternative for enterprises seeking an all-in-one service.
What the VPN lacks in complexity, it more than compensates with tried and reliable capabilities that cover the essentials.
3. Private Internet Access:
Private Internet Access does not disclose the number of accessible IP addresses, but the US-based VPN does boast 3,252 servers spread over 37 regions.
It supports five concurrent connections and is available in two-year plans for $83.87 and one-year programs for roughly $71.
There are Firefox and Chrome extensions available and support for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
One of its distinguishing qualities is its capacity to support ten concurrent connections, which makes it suitable for enterprises.
4. IPVanish:
IPVanish is noteworthy since it allows customers to have ten simultaneous connections and is reasonably priced at $3.99 per month for an annual subscription.
The service, based in the United States, has more than 40,000 IP addresses and 1,300 servers in more than 60 locations.
Due to many concurrent connections, it is great for small organizations that need access to several workers, and it is compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
5. CyberGhost:
CyberGhost’s service enables customers to connect up to seven devices simultaneously and provides price options ranging from $3.69 per month for a two-year plan to $2.75 per month for a three-year program.
The firm operates 6,100 servers in 112 sites across more than 90 countries.
No matter where you are, it enables you to access Hulu and Netflix while supporting BitTorrent and P2P.
The VPN, based in Germany and Romania, has over 10 million users worldwide and is compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac.
6. SurfShark:
While SurfShark lacks the functionality of the first two VPNs on our list, it may be a better alternative for small companies and enterprises due to its unlimited device support, which lets customers connect as many devices as necessary.
The 24-month agreement offers the most outstanding value, coming in at roughly $2 per month and requiring a $48 upfront payment.
Other price choices include one-year contracts starting at $72 per month or month-to-month subscriptions starting at $12 per month.
The VPN has 1,000 servers in 60 countries, and its software includes anti-malware, ad-blocking, tracker-blocking capabilities, and app compatibility for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and routers.
It is straightforward and contains specialized help to address any problems.
SurfShark also includes industry-leading security measures in a user-friendly package.
7. NordVPN:
NordVPN offers more affordable price alternatives than ExpressVPN but has had to recover from some security concerns in the past.
In late 2019, the service made headlines when it admitted to being hacked over a year after the original incident.
While the breach was minor, the length of time between when it occurred and when they informed the public was alarming.
Despite this, the company’s three-year subscription costs roughly $125 overall, which equates to little under $3.50 per month for the service, including six concurrent connections and 5,000 servers in over 60 countries.
Additionally, the service accepts Bitcoin payments and has a high-quality 2048-bit encryption key, an automated kill switch, and proxy plugins for popular browsers such as Firefox and Chrome.
8. ExpressVPN:
ExpressVPN is primarily recognized as one of the most okay VPNs accessible for its speed and high-quality privacy features.
According to the company’s statistics, it has over 30,000 IP addresses, over 3,000 servers, and 160 server locations worldwide.
Users may connect up to five devices, and the firm offers monthly subscriptions for less than $7.
They also accept Bitcoin for payment if that’s more your pace.
Additionally, they provide 24-hour customer care and several videos to assist you with any issues you may have.
VPN software is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, BlackBerry, and a variety of routers.
9. SaferVPN (now StrongVPN):
SaferVPN, founded in Israel, provides excellent customer care, an easy and attractive desktop client, and mobile applications for iOS, Android, Windows Mobile, and Blackberry.
Although the service has a no-logging policy, it logs sufficient session data. SaferVPN has above-average speeds and supports the security protocols OpenVPN, L2TP, IKEv2, and PPTP.
SaferVPN may be a good alternative if you want to ensure that your workers have a seamless experience while working across numerous devices (desktop and mobile).
SaferVPN provides a one-day free trial followed by a 14-day money-back guarantee, giving you sufficient opportunity to make an educated choice before committing to a long-term membership.
10. PureVPN:
If cost is a significant consideration, you may want to check out PureVPN, which offers annual memberships starting at only $5 per month.
It’s a reputable Hong Kong-based firm that provides various subscription programs, including personalized subscriptions.
As a result, you may benefit from a competitive rate, a specialized administration site, and an account manager.
PureVPN offers many features, including stealth surfing, two-factor authentication, DDoS protection, online banking security, and secure FTP access.
PureVPN supports various protocols, including OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, SSTP, PPTP, and IKEv2, among others.
My beef with them has always been that they do not use Perfect Forward Secrecy, even though their AES-256 encryption, SHA-1 (HMAC) authentication, and RSA-256 handshake seem secure.
Regarding session logs, PureVPN maintains session – not activity – logs for troubleshooting reasons and monitors user clicks on certain software buttons to determine the popularity of particular features.
If you’re cool with that, a three-day free trial will give you a better sense of the user interface, speed, and performance, all of which were rather impressive in our testing.
Additionally, PureVPN offers a 7-day money-back guarantee.
11. Perimeter 81:
Israel-based Perimeter 81 combines lightning-fast performance, Zero Trust Security as a Service, and unlimited data with live chat support and apps for almost every platform.
Along with dedicated gateways in 35 different locations, Perimeter 81 enables quick user onboarding, complete admin and user activities records, and tunneling protocols IKEv2 and OpenVPN.
Additionally, small company owners may host their private VPN gateway with a static IP address on the Perimeter 81 cloud, eliminating the need to maintain and manage it themselves.
Users may build several servers in the same place or across the globe, including the United States, Toronto, Amsterdam, London, Frankfurt, Singapore, Bangalore, Paris, Sydney, and Tokyo.
Additionally, Perimeter 81 includes features like automatic Wi-Fi security, a VPN kill switch, two-factor authentication, and the option to do a speed test directly from the settings.
The VPN Kill Switch is very important for online anonymity since it immediately terminates all Internet traffic if the Perimeter 81 program crashes.
Regrettably, Perimeter 81 logs all administrator activities, including member invites, team member removals, and team permission changes.
These are regular logs that the majority of commercial VPN administrators need.
Pricing varies from $8 per user per month on an annual basis to $10 per user per month on a month-to-month basis.
Monthly fees for dedicated gateways are an extra $40. Additionally, enterprise pricing is offered, which includes bulk savings, bespoke setup, and 24-hour VIP support.
Perimeter 81 encrypts data using the OpenVPN protocol, employing the AES-256 cryptography and SHA256 hash authentication.
The control channel is encrypted using the AES-256 cypher with the RSA-2048 TLS handshake encryption and is authenticated using the SHA-256 algorithm.
It also leverages perfect forward secrecy (PFS) provided by DH-4096 Diffie-Hellman key exchange for extra security.
PFS means that the VPN changes the keys it uses to encrypt and decrypt data automatically and frequently, ensuring that only a tiny portion of the user’s sensitive data is exposed if the latest key is compromised.
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FAQs About Best VPNs For Small Businesses 2023
Will a VPN enable me to monitor what my workers say online?
No, sir. VPNs encrypt data as it travels from one location to another, preventing it from being observed. In principle, you could monitor conversations after they reach your business network, but that's far more complicated than setting up a simple VPN, and it's also somewhat slimy and immoral. Employers should not be spied on. Assess them based on their behaviour and their ability to keep their promises. They are simply stating the obvious. Don't.
Is it possible to utilize a consumer VPN for commercial purposes?
That is entirely dependent on...everything. The point is this. A decent consumer VPN should suffice if you have a small business with just a few workers. Consolidating payments will be your first concern, then allocating and cancelling accounts. However, if you run a substantial small firm, say with 1,000 people, you're going to want a far broader range of IT-level functions. We're focused on tiny businesses and folks who work from home in this post, and for such firms, a business-class VPN or even a decent consumer VPN would suffice.
Are there any factors that vary when purchasing a VPN for business?
Yes. Somewhat. Whether you're using a VPN for business or personal purposes, you want to ensure the security of your network traffic. Individuals often wish to conceal their location or mimic distant servers (sometimes to location-shift entertainment). Business customers may not need this functionality as often. However, executives on the road may object to their whereabouts being triangulated. Considerations also alter whether you are an employee assigned to use a company VPN vs management selecting a VPN for employee usage. Again, communications security takes precedence over performance in a corporate VPN, followed by administrative capabilities such as access control and pricing.
Conclusion: Best VPNs For Small Businesses 2023
Bear in mind that everyone’s demands are unique, and VPNs are complicated to manage since your performance is influenced by the location you’re in, your ISP, your connection, and even the current weather conditions.
I usually advocate selecting providers with a generous return policy (at least 30 days) and testing, testing, testing to ensure the service meets your requirements.
Additionally, keep a watch out for any outrageous renewal price and terms.
The majority of the suppliers I highlight either do not charge renewal fees after a few years or, if they do, I make you aware of them.
Additionally, I propose that you contact the different customer and technical support departments.
If you rely on these services to operate your business, determine how responsive and communicative they are.
