Best VPNs for Small Business 2026: NordLayer vs Perimeter 81 vs Cloudflare Zero Trust
BizShield Editorial Team
Updated June 14, 2026
Quick Answer
The best business VPN for small teams (2–25 people) is NordLayer at $7/user/month. It has the best balance of security, speed, and ease of setup. For larger teams (25+) needing Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Cloudflare Zero Trust is the best choice — and it's free for up to 50 users. Perimeter 81 is best for businesses that need site-to-site VPN connections between offices.
Business VPNs are not the same as consumer VPNs. Here's what to look for — and which one fits your team size and budget.
Why Small Business Cybersecurity Matters More Than Ever
Cyberattacks on small businesses have increased by 300% since 2020. The average cost of a data breach for a business with fewer than 500 employees is $120,000 — enough to close most small companies.
The good news: most attacks are preventable. The bad news: most small businesses skip the basics because they don't know where to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do small businesses need a VPN?
Yes, especially if employees work remotely or use public Wi-Fi. A business VPN encrypts all internet traffic, hides your IP address, and creates a secure tunnel to your company network. It also prevents competitors or attackers from intercepting sensitive business communications. With remote work now standard, a VPN is considered essential security infrastructure.
What is the difference between a business VPN and a consumer VPN?
Consumer VPNs (NordVPN, ExpressVPN) are designed for individual use — streaming, privacy, bypassing geo-blocks. Business VPNs provide dedicated servers, admin controls to manage employee access, audit logs, SAML/SSO integration, and the ability to enforce security policies across your team. Business VPNs also offer site-to-site connections and static IP addresses.
What is Zero Trust Network Access and do I need it?
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a security model where no user or device is trusted by default — even inside your network. Instead of granting VPN access to the entire network, ZTNA grants access only to specific applications. Cloudflare Zero Trust offers ZTNA free for up to 50 users. For most small businesses under 20 people, a traditional VPN like NordLayer is simpler and sufficient.
How do I set up a VPN for my small business?
With NordLayer: (1) Create a business account and connect it to your identity provider (Google, Okta). (2) Add your team members by email. (3) Create 'gateways' (virtual locations for your network). (4) Employees install the app and connect. Setup takes 30–60 minutes for a 10-person team. No hardware required — it's fully cloud-based.
How much should a small business pay for a VPN?
Budget $5–15 per user per month for a business VPN. NordLayer starts at $7/user/month (annual billing, 6 users minimum). Perimeter 81 starts at $8/user/month. Cloudflare Zero Trust is free for up to 50 users (paid plans start at $7/user/month for advanced features). Avoid sharing personal VPN subscriptions across your team — they lack the management controls you need.
Can I use a consumer VPN instead of a business VPN to save money?
It's tempting but risky. Consumer VPNs (NordVPN, ExpressVPN) lack the multi-user admin dashboard, audit logs, compliance certifications, and dedicated IP features that businesses need. Most consumer VPN terms of service also prohibit commercial use. The price difference is small — NordLayer business plans start at $7/user/month vs $3–5 for consumer plans — but the capability gap is significant. One missing audit log during a compliance review or breach investigation costs far more than the savings.