Operations & Productivity
Best Business VPNs for Small Business Remote Teams in 2026
Remote and hybrid work are now permanent realities for many small and medium-sized businesses. While distributed teams offer flexibility and efficiency, they also create major cybersecurity challenges. Even non-remote employees are also regularly accessing company systems from home networks, public Wi-Fi, coworking spaces, hotels, and personal devices — all of which expand a company’s vulnerability online. Fortunately for our readers, we’ve just selected this year's best-in-class business VPNs to keep your digital presence secure.
A business VPN helps secure these connections by encrypting internet traffic, protecting sensitive company data, and allowing employees to securely access internal resources from anywhere in the world. The best business VPNs also include centralized administration, user management, access controls, device monitoring, and integrations with broader security infrastructure.
After reviewing the leading platforms on the market, these are the best business VPNs for small to medium enterprise operators and owners in 2026.
1. NordLayer — Best Overall Business VPN
NordLayer has become one of the strongest overall business VPN solutions for SMBs thanks to its balance of security, scalability, ease of deployment, and modern cloud-based architecture.
Built by the team behind NordVPN, NordLayer focuses specifically on business use cases rather than adapting a consumer VPN product for enterprise environments. The platform includes centralized management, dedicated gateways, zero-trust network access, identity provider integrations, and strong global infrastructure.
One of NordLayer’s biggest advantages is that it remains approachable for smaller companies while still offering features powerful enough for growing organizations.
Why we recommend it:
Excellent overall balance of usability and security
Strong zero-trust architecture
Easy deployment for remote teams
Dedicated business-focused platform
Reliable global performance
Best for:
SMBs looking for the best all-around remote access VPN solution
Potential drawbacks:
More advanced configurations may require IT familiarity
Pricing can increase with larger teams
2. Perimeter 81 — Best for Zero-Trust Network Security
Perimeter 81 is one of the most security-focused business VPN platforms available and has become especially popular among startups, SaaS companies, and security-conscious remote organizations.
The platform combines VPN functionality with broader Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and zero-trust networking capabilities. Administrators can segment network access, enforce security policies, and tightly control how employees interact with internal systems and cloud applications.
For companies with sensitive data or rapidly scaling remote workforces, Perimeter 81 offers a very compelling security-first approach.
Why we recommend it:
Excellent zero-trust controls
Strong network segmentation capabilities
Cloud-native architecture
Advanced administrative visibility
Highly scalable
Best for:
Security-focused remote organizations and fast-growing startups
Potential drawbacks:
More complex than simpler SMB VPN tools
Higher-end features may be unnecessary for very small businesses
3. Tailscale — Best Modern VPN Alternative for Technical Teams
Tailscale takes a very different approach from traditional VPNs by building secure private networks using WireGuard and identity-based access rather than centralized VPN gateways.
The result is an extremely fast, lightweight, and developer-friendly networking platform that has become very popular among engineering teams, IT professionals, and modern startups.
Tailscale excels in environments where businesses need secure access between devices, servers, cloud infrastructure, and distributed employees without the complexity of maintaining traditional VPN infrastructure.
Why we recommend it:
Extremely fast and lightweight
Excellent for technical and cloud-native teams
Very easy device-to-device connectivity
Strong performance and reliability
Modern identity-based security model
Best for:
Technical teams, developers, and cloud-native companies
Potential drawbacks:
Less familiar workflow for non-technical users
Not designed primarily as a traditional employee VPN experience
4. ExpressVPN Business — Best for Simplicity and Global Performance
ExpressVPN is best known for its consumer VPN service, but its business-focused offering remains attractive for smaller remote teams that prioritize simplicity, speed, and strong international performance.
The platform is particularly strong for globally distributed teams and employees who frequently travel internationally. Setup is straightforward, applications are polished, and performance is consistently strong across regions.
For smaller companies without dedicated IT staff, ExpressVPN’s simplicity can be a major advantage.
Why we recommend it:
Excellent global server performance
Easy setup and deployment
Strong usability for non-technical employees
Reliable international connectivity
Well-designed applications
Best for:
Small remote teams and globally distributed businesses
Potential drawbacks:
Fewer advanced administrative features
Less customizable than business-first competitors
5. Surfshark One for Teams — Best Budget-Friendly Business VPN
Surfshark One for Teams offers one of the best value propositions in the business VPN market. It combines VPN access with broader cybersecurity tools including antivirus protection, identity monitoring, and breach alerts.
For small businesses that want a lightweight “all-in-one” security bundle without enterprise-level pricing, Surfshark is an appealing option.
The platform is easy to manage and particularly attractive for smaller remote teams that need affordable baseline protection.
Why we recommend it:
Very competitive pricing
Includes additional security tools
Simple deployment
Strong user-friendly interface
Good option for smaller teams
Best for:
Budget-conscious SMBs and startups
Potential drawbacks:
Less mature enterprise feature set
Fewer advanced controls than premium competitors
Which Business VPN Is Best for Remote Teams?
For most small and medium-sized businesses, NordLayer currently offers the best overall combination of security, ease of use, scalability, and remote workforce support.
However, different businesses may benefit from different approaches, and you can't go wrong with one of these four:
Choose Perimeter 81 if advanced zero-trust security is your top priority
Choose Tailscale if you have a highly technical or developer-heavy team
Choose ExpressVPN Business if simplicity and global connectivity matter most
Choose Surfshark One for Teams if affordability is your main concern
As remote work continues to expand in 2026, securing employee connections is becoming a core business requirement rather than an optional IT upgrade. A strong business VPN helps protect company data, reduce security risks, and give distributed teams secure access to the systems they rely on every day.