Top 5 Best VPN for Small Business Security and Data Protection Solutions

I learned about VPNs the hard way, after a client’s confidential information was accessed through an unsecured Wi-Fi connection at a coffee shop. It was a wake-up call, and I spent weeks researching and testing different services. I wish I’d known then what I know now about choosing a VPN for a small business. It’s not just about protecting your data; it’s about protecting your reputation and your business’s future. Here are my honest thoughts on the top VPNs I’ve used.

NordVPN for Teams (NordLayer)

Verdict: Excellent for businesses with multiple employees and a need for centralized control. A bit more complex to set up than personal VPNs, but worth it for the added features.

I started with the personal NordVPN subscription, which was fine for me, but when I hired my first virtual assistant, I quickly realized I needed something more. NordLayer (formerly NordVPN Teams) offers centralized billing, user management, and dedicated gateways. This means I can control who has access, what servers they use, and even set up specific IP addresses for sensitive tasks. For example, I have a dedicated IP for accessing our accounting software, adding an extra layer of security. The threat protection feature, which blocks malware and trackers, is also a huge plus, especially when employees are working from various locations.

Pricing: The Basic plan starts at $9/user/month (billed annually). The Advanced plan, which adds dedicated servers and a site-to-site VPN, is $11/user/month. For most small businesses, the Basic plan is more than enough to get started, especially if you just need secure access for remote workers. I’m on the Basic plan with three users and it’s perfect.

Comparison: NordLayer is a step up from a simple personal VPN in terms of manageability. It’s more expensive than just buying individual subscriptions for everyone, but the ability to manage users and policies from one dashboard saves a lot of headaches. It’s not as feature-rich as enterprise-level solutions, but for a small business, it hits the sweet spot between security and ease of use.

ExpressVPN

Verdict: Fast, reliable, and incredibly easy to use. Great for individual business owners or very small teams who prioritize simplicity and speed.

I used ExpressVPN for years before scaling up to NordLayer. For a solopreneur, it was my go-to. The desktop and mobile apps are intuitive, connecting with a single click. Their servers are consistently fast, which is crucial when you’re uploading large files or conducting video calls. I never experienced a drop in speed that impacted my work. The split tunneling feature is also handy; I could route my browser traffic through the VPN for secure browsing while keeping my local network access for my printer, which avoids annoying connection issues.

Pricing: There isn’t a specific “business” plan, so you’d buy individual subscriptions. A 12-month plan currently costs around $8.32/month (billed annually). If you have a team, you’d buy multiple subscriptions, which can get cumbersome to manage. For a single user, or maybe two, it’s a strong contender.

Comparison: ExpressVPN focuses on user experience and speed. It doesn’t offer the centralized management or dedicated IPs that NordLayer does, which is why I eventually moved on. However, if your primary concern is simply securing your internet connection on the go and you don’t need to manage a team, it’s hard to beat for its simplicity and performance.

Surfshark One

Verdict: Excellent value for money, especially if you’re looking for an all-in-one security bundle beyond just a VPN. Unlimited simultaneous connections are a huge bonus for small teams.

I tested Surfshark extensively when I was looking for an alternative to ExpressVPN that offered more features without breaking the bank. What sold me on Surfshark One was the inclusion of antivirus, ad blocker (CleanWeb), and a secure search engine, all under one subscription. This is incredibly useful for small businesses that might not have separate subscriptions for these tools. The unlimited simultaneous connections mean I could install it on my laptop, phone, tablet, and my assistant’s devices without worrying about licensing limits. The NoBorders mode is also great for working in restrictive regions or bypassing local network blocks.

Pricing: The Surfshark One plan, which includes VPN, Antivirus, and Alert, is usually around $4.29/month on a 24-month plan (billed upfront). This makes it one of the most cost-effective options, especially with unlimited connections. They also offer a “Surfshark One+” plan with personal data removal service for a bit more.

Comparison: Surfshark stands out for its value and the bundled security features. While its speeds are generally good, they can sometimes be slightly less consistent than ExpressVPN’s. For a small business owner looking to consolidate multiple security services into one affordable package, Surfshark One is an incredibly compelling option. The lack of specific business management features is its main drawback compared to NordLayer, but the unlimited connections mitigate this for smaller teams.

Proton VPN for Business

Verdict: Strong privacy focus with a commitment to security. Good for businesses that handle extremely sensitive data and prioritize transparency.

Proton VPN is known for its strong privacy stance and open-source code, which gives me confidence in its security. I considered it for a project where data privacy was paramount. Their “Secure Core” servers, which route traffic through multiple secure locations before exiting, offer an extra layer of protection against sophisticated attacks. For a small business, this level of security might be overkill unless you’re in a highly regulated industry. They also offer dedicated IPs, which is a key feature for business use cases.

Pricing: Proton VPN offers a dedicated Business plan. The Basic plan starts at $8/user/month (billed annually) for up to 10 users, including dedicated IPs and Secure Core. The Plus plan offers more features for $10/user/month. They also have a free personal plan, but it’s too limited for consistent business use.

Comparison: Proton VPN’s strengths are its robust security features and transparent privacy policy. While it might not be as user-friendly or as widely available on all platforms as ExpressVPN, its focus on privacy and security is unmatched. It’s a premium option for businesses where data protection isn’t just a concern, but a core requirement. For general small business use, it might be more than you strictly need, but for certain niches, it’s ideal.

CyberGhost VPN

Verdict: User-friendly and affordable, with specialized servers for streaming and torrenting. Good for general business use where advanced features aren’t a priority.

CyberGhost was one of the first VPNs I ever tried, and it remains a solid choice for its ease of use. The interface is clean, and it’s straightforward to find and connect to servers. They have specialized servers for streaming services and torrenting, which isn’t directly relevant for most business security, but it shows their commitment to specific use cases. For general browsing and securing Wi-Fi connections, it performs well. I found their speeds to be consistently good, though not always as blazing fast as ExpressVPN.

Pricing: CyberGhost doesn’t offer a specific business plan. You’d buy individual subscriptions. A 2-year plan is currently around $2.19/month (billed upfront). They allow up to 7 simultaneous connections, which is decent for a single user with multiple devices, or a very small team.

Comparison: CyberGhost is an excellent budget-friendly option, especially for individuals or small teams who need a reliable VPN without the bells and whistles of business-specific features. It offers a good balance of features and performance for the price. However, if you need centralized management, dedicated IPs, or highly specialized security features, you’d be better off with NordLayer or Proton VPN.

If I had to sign up for one VPN today for a growing small business, I would go with NordLayer (NordVPN for Teams). The centralized management, dedicated IPs, and robust security features make it the best all-around choice for protecting your team and your data as you scale. Start with the Basic plan and upgrade if you need more features down the line.

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