How to Find the Right VPN Solution for Your Small Business

^{Photo via Microsoft 365 on Unsplash}

TL;DR: Different VPN solutions for small businesses offer efficiency and productivity boosts without draining resources. Learn how. 

Starting a small business can feel like unlocking an achievement in a game. But keeping it going? That's where the real challenge begins. It's all about patience, hustle, and maybe a sprinkle of luck.

So, how do you safeguard all that hard work? Enter the business VPN.

When it comes to protecting your small business, finding the right platform and subscription could be essential. We'll lay out what you need to know and share a few VPN options tailor-made for entrepreneurs.

A Quick VPN Definition

Here's a briefer on VPNs, just in case you've heard of them but don't know what they are.

A virtual private network (VPN) is like a trusty shield for your team, defending against pesky hackers, annoying ads, and sneaky internet restrictions. Complete with safeguards and features you need for nearly all online activity, a VPN can protect you while you're working on the wild, wild web.

If you want to go deeper, feel free to explore our guide on how and why to use a VPN.

Why Small Businesses Especially Benefit From VPN Security

Small businesses might think they're off the hook when it comes to cybercrime, but in reality, they're often easy targets without proper defense in place. Security threats can range from malware and phishing attacks to data breaches and intellectual property theft.

A small business VPN, with a good mix of security and simplicity, can support all kinds of smaller teams. It can also prove especially valuable to those lacking budgets for in-house cybersecurity and IT professionals.

Installing a VPN is a smart move for entrepreneurs because of the nature of work on the go—frequently utilizing public Wi-Fi networks, needing secure remote access to company resources, navigating regulatory and compliance requirements, and fostering trust with clients or customers.

The less obvious reason to use a small business VPN? Productivity hack.

The work productivity benefits of a VPN 

Most quality small business VPN solutions will offer general protection for internet browsing, as well as higher speeds and restriction-free working.

When picking the perfect plan for your team, pay attention to how they handle browsing speed and overall quality. After all, a snappy connection means more productive teammates.

HotSpot Shield VPN Premium, for example, was named the "world's fastest VPN" for two straight years by Ookla's Speedtest. It protects users from throttling, which is one way internet providers can slow down work and research. 

Choosing the Right VPN for Your Small Business

Depending on your team size, you may be just fine with a service that covers five devices for life, like HotSpot Shield's Premium VPN plan.

If you're working with a larger network or perhaps freelancers around the world, a deal for unlimited devices, such as SurfShark's VPN Starter Plan, might be preferable, even if it has a two-year limit.

Opting for shorter-term subscriptions can also give you the chance to test out a VPN to see if it's ideal for your business. A lifetime deal, on the other hand, ensures there's a business VPN your team will always have access to. 

When hunting for the ultimate small business VPN, think beyond just the length of the subscription and the number of devices. Look for one that's tailor-made to fit your team's needs.

To make your quest easier, we're spotlighting VPNs that offer bang for your buck, top-notch security, support for larger teams and features perfect for jet-setting and remote work adventures.

Cost-Effective VPNs for Entrepreneurs Scaling Up

Just because you're sold on the value and protection a VPN could offer your small business, that doesn't necessarily leave room in your budget for a pricey subscription. 

These cost-effective small business VPN solutions each come in at just $20:

• This one-year subscription to Norton Secure VPN offers businesses a trusted brand name and an affordable no-log VPN that supports anonymous browsing, bank-grade encryption, and ad blocking. 
• An AdGuard one-year subscription makes a quality VPN solution available to small businesses for an affordable test run. Rated 4.6/5 stars on the App Store, this VPN is available to support up to ten devices simultaneously with this deal—potentially a full-team solution for many entrepreneurs. 
• RealVPN's affordable lifetime subscription provides indefinite protection for up to five of a team's devices. With high-end AES-256 encryption, an easy-to-use one-button system, and customer support, it's designed to work well for new users. 

VPNs Known for Great Security

Team leaders can stay relatively cost-effective while opting to spend a little more for heightened security.

When taking into account the potential losses that you could incur from a hack, investing in a business VPN known for its protective features might be in your best interest. 

• Unlocator VPN and Free Smart DNS uses a hybrid model. Smart DNS technology redirects traffic through safer servers, while VPN technology provides complete privacy and firewall bypassing. Two years cost only $50 (reg. $179.85).
• The Windscribe VPN Pro Plan has well-known security features like R.O.B.E.R.T., the system that blocks your choice of IPs and domains (ads) on all of your devices, and high-end encryption that uses an AES-256 cipher with SHA512 auth and a 4096-bit RSA key. Plans range from one year for $59 (reg. $69) to three years for $89 (reg. $207).
• With Deeper Connect Pico Decentralized VPN and Cybersecurity Hardware, a small business can protect valuable data with a seven-layer enterprise-grade firewall. The world's only decentralized VPN is $200. 

Multi-Device Deals for Small Businesses

In addition to its exceptional security offerings, the Windscribe VPN Pro Plan mentioned above also works for unlimited devices. This can be exceptionally valuable for small businesses, especially those with workers operating remotely and traveling for business.

These small business VPN solutions also feature multi-device connectivity and features that can benefit teams with members worldwide. 

• VPN Unlimited by KeepSolid delivers lifetime service for up to five devices for just $70 (reg. $199.99). Its high-end security and encryption methods are ideal for small businesses looking to keep operations safe. 
• The SurfShark VPN Starter Plan can also benefit small businesses with protection for unlimited devices and support for simultaneous connections. This provider promises boosted speeds, added security, and more for three years at a rate of just $84 (reg. $430). 
• Seed.4.Me VPN's lifetime subscription offers protection for unlimited devices for $120 (reg. $432). Built around a simple app, this VPN can support average computers and other devices with a built-in PPTP/L2TP client. 

Navigating VPN Protocols: What a Small Business Should Know

Every VPN uses a specific protocol to govern the ongoing data transmissions between a user's device and the servers they access via their subscription.

When finding the ideal VPN solution for your small business, consider its specific VPN protocols and how they relate to your interests. 

Examples of VPN protocols to consider

NordVPN uses the OpenVPN protocol, which is an open-source system that establishes a secure tunnel between networks. NordVPN touts it as being "well known for its security and reliability." This could be ideal for a small business that needs to minimize risks to its bottom line. 

Looking at things from a different POV, vpnMentor warns that OpenVPN can be slower than other protocols, challenging to configure and install, and not well suited for mobile devices. This might make a small business team with little IT support or multiple traveling employees consider other options.

You can check out the extremely well-reviewed NordVPN for a year for $60 (reg. $99).

Pros and cons of other popular VPN protocols:

L2TP/IPsec

Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) is an extension of point-to-point tunneling, which can transfer data types through its own layered network. It doesn't encrypt your data, which is why it's often paired with IPsec, which uses symmetric and asymmetric encryption for fast, safe data transfers.

NordLayer explains that L2TP is compatible with most devices and relatively easy to configure. However, it also points out that using L2TP can cause small businesses problems with NAT gateways and firewalls. 

This OysterVPN lifetime subscription is on sale for $40 (reg. $199.97). It lets users choose to use protocols such as L2TP/IPsec, PPTP, IKEv2, and OpenVPN. 

PPTP

According to ScienceDirect, PPTP is the oldest and most popular VPN protocol.

It essentially packs Point-to-Point Protocol frames (PPP frames) into IP packets (units of your internet data) that can encrypt data and transmit it online. Aka, it works by wrapping your info and activity in a secure format, which is then sent over the internet in a protected way that keeps it encrypted and safe.

PPTP protocols are known to be widely compatible and pre-installed on a wide range of devices. CyberGhost VPN points out that PPTP can also be vulnerable to attacks, limited by firewalls, and blocked at many locations. 

Running on PPTP protocols, this BulletVPN lifetime subscription on sale for $39 (reg. $162) also utilizes OpenVPN, IKEv1, IKEv2, and L2TP protocols. 

WiredGuard

WiredGuard uses an open-source communication protocol that leans on advanced cryptographic primitives to secure data within an encrypted tunnel. 

All About Cookies points out that "WiredGuard prioritizes speed, ease of use, and network security, but some might say, at the expense of privacy." It goes on to point out how you can find auto deletion of user IP addresses upon disconnection, and dynamic IP addresses with other protocols but not WiredGuard. 

This FastestVPN Pro lifetime subscription for 15 devices runs on a WiredGuard protocol, and it's on sale for $40 (reg. $600). 

Choosing the right VPN protocol for your business's server and applications

It's clear that while every VPN offers similar protections and freedoms, the nuances of their protocols make each stronger in some areas as opposed to others. 

What are your business objectives and needs?

For a small outfit that needs to access the internet with security being the most important thing—say your team doesn't travel much but works with valuable data—NordVPN and its OpenVPN protocol might appeal to you. Its security-forward reputation should outweigh any issues people report using it with mobile devices. 

For a sales-forward team that values easy access and fast use, WiredGuard's speedy reputation might make it a more favorable option.

When finding the right VPN for your business, take inventory of your budget and priorities, and then zero in on the ideal option from there. 

Subscribe to Your Small Business VPN Today

^{Photo via Kevin Paster on Pexels}

An unexpected hack can set your business back operationally, financially, and structurally. Small operations fighting to survive shouldn't question whether or not to secure a business VPN—it's a must! 

Now that you've been able to review some options, make sure to subscribe to the right VPN solution for your small business. 

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