With remote work now permanent for most companies, securing network access is no longer optional. Traditional VPNs route all traffic through a central server, but modern zero trust solutions verify every connection individually. We compared six business VPN and network security solutions to help you protect your team without killing productivity.
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1. NordLayer (by NordVPN)
NordLayer Best Overall
NordLayer brings NordVPN's consumer-grade simplicity to business security. The admin panel lets IT teams manage user access, create network segments, and monitor connections across the organization. With dedicated servers in 30+ countries and the NordLynx protocol for speed, it balances security with usability better than any competitor.
- Key strength: Easiest deployment - most teams are secured within one hour
- Zero trust: Device posture checks, biometric authentication, and always-on VPN
- Speed: NordLynx protocol delivers minimal latency even on international connections
- Pricing: Lite at $8/user/mo; Core at $11/user/mo; Premium at $14/user/mo
2. Twingate
Twingate Best Zero Trust
Twingate replaces traditional VPNs entirely with a zero trust architecture. Instead of routing all traffic through a VPN tunnel, Twingate creates direct, encrypted connections only to the specific resources each user is authorized to access. The result is faster performance and better security - users never see resources they should not access.
- Key strength: True zero trust - no network-level access, only resource-level access
- Performance: Split tunneling by default means personal traffic stays fast
- Identity: Integrates with Okta, Azure AD, Google Workspace, and OneLogin
- Pricing: Free for 5 users; Teams at $5/user/mo; Business at $10/user/mo
3. Tailscale
Tailscale Best for Developers
Tailscale builds a mesh network using WireGuard, creating encrypted point-to-point connections between all your devices. There is no central server to bottleneck traffic - every device connects directly to every other device. For engineering teams that need to access development servers, databases, and internal tools, Tailscale is the fastest and simplest option.
- Key strength: Mesh networking with no central bottleneck - peer-to-peer WireGuard
- Setup: Install the app, sign in, done - no server configuration needed
- MagicDNS: Automatic DNS for all devices on your network - access by hostname
- Pricing: Free for 3 users; Starter at $5/user/mo; Business at $15/user/mo
4. Perimeter 81
Perimeter 81 Best for Compliance
Perimeter 81 targets mid-market companies that need both network security and compliance reporting. Its cloud firewall, DNS filtering, and activity monitoring create a comprehensive security layer. For companies in regulated industries - healthcare, finance, legal - the built-in compliance reporting for SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR is a significant time saver.
- Key strength: Built-in compliance reporting for SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, and ISO 27001
- Firewall: Cloud-based firewall with DNS filtering and malware blocking
- Monitoring: Real-time activity logs with anomaly detection and alerting
- Pricing: Essentials at $8/user/mo; Premium at $12/user/mo; Enterprise custom
5. Cisco AnyConnect
Cisco AnyConnect Enterprise Standard
Cisco AnyConnect is the enterprise default for companies with existing Cisco infrastructure. It integrates deeply with Cisco firewalls, Cisco ISE, and Cisco Umbrella to create a unified security posture. While more complex to deploy and manage than modern alternatives, it provides the deepest network security controls available.
- Key strength: Deepest integration with Cisco security ecosystem and enterprise firewalls
- Endpoint security: Posture assessment checks device compliance before granting access
- Scale: Proven at 100,000+ concurrent connections with enterprise SLAs
- Pricing: Per-appliance licensing; typically $3-8/user/mo through Cisco EA agreements
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | NordLayer | Twingate | Tailscale | Perimeter 81 | Cisco |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | VPN + ZTNA | Zero Trust | Mesh/P2P | SASE | Traditional VPN |
| Free Tier | No | 5 users | 3 users | No | No |
| Starting Price | $8/user | $5/user | $5/user | $8/user | $3+/user |
| Setup Time | 1 hour | 30 min | 10 min | 2 hours | Days |
| Compliance | Basic | Good | Basic | Best | Strong |
| Speed Impact | Low | Minimal | Minimal | Low | Moderate |
| Best For | SMBs | Cloud-first | Dev teams | Regulated | Enterprise |
How to Choose
Small to mid-size businesses should start with NordLayer. It is the fastest to deploy and easiest to manage while providing genuine zero trust security features.
Engineering teams that need to access internal dev infrastructure should evaluate Tailscale. Its mesh networking and zero-config setup make it the developer favorite.
Regulated industries (healthcare, finance, legal) should choose Perimeter 81 for its built-in compliance reporting and audit trail.
Final Verdict
The traditional VPN is being replaced by zero trust architectures, and for good reason - they are faster, more secure, and easier to manage. For most businesses, NordLayer offers the best balance of security and simplicity. Developer-heavy organizations should evaluate Tailscale for its elegant mesh networking. Companies in regulated industries should prioritize Perimeter 81 for compliance. And enterprises with existing Cisco infrastructure should continue leveraging AnyConnect within their security stack.
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