If your small business handles sensitive data — customer info, financial records, or intellectual property — you need more than just a password. You need a VPN.
In this guide, we tested the best VPN for small business in 2026. Below you’ll find the top 7 options that balance security, speed, and price — so you can protect your team without slowing them down.
Why Small Businesses Need a VPN
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your internet connection, protecting your data from hackers, ISPs, and anyone else trying to intercept it. For small businesses, a VPN solves four problems:
- Remote work security — Employees working from coffee shops or airports stay protected.
- Data encryption — Sensitive files and communications are scrambled in transit.
- IP masking — Your business location stays private.
- Compliance — Many industries (healthcare, finance, legal) require encrypted connections.
The best VPN for small business solves all four — usually for a few dollars per user per month.
How We Chose the Best VPN for Small Business
We evaluated each VPN based on:
- Security — Encryption standard, no-logs policy, kill switch.
- Speed — Does it slow your connection noticeably?
- Business features — Centralized admin, user management, dedicated IPs.
- Server network — How many countries and servers?
- Pricing — Cost per user, per month.
1. NordVPN — Best Overall for Small Business
NordVPN is our top pick for small businesses. It offers 6,000+ servers in 60+ countries, industry-leading speeds, and military-grade AES-256 encryption. The business plan includes centralized admin, user management, and SSO.
Its “Threat Protection” feature blocks malware, trackers, and phishing sites at the DNS level — an extra layer of security for your team.
Pros:
- Fastest VPN we tested
- Excellent security features
- Easy admin dashboard
Cons:
- Business plan costs more than individual
- Based in Panama (some prefer US/EU)
Best for: Small businesses that want the best all-around VPN.
Pricing: Starting at $7.99/user/month (Business plan).
2. ExpressVPN — Best for Speed
ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN for most users. It has 3,000+ servers in 94 countries and uses its proprietary Lightway protocol for speed.
The business plan adds team management, centralized billing, and 24/7 support. It’s more expensive than NordVPN, but if speed is your top priority, ExpressVPN is worth it.
Pros:
- Blazing-fast speeds
- Easy to use
- Great customer support
Cons:
- More expensive
- Fewer servers than NordVPN
Best for: Businesses that prioritize speed.
Pricing: Starting at $9.99/user/month (Business plan).
3. Surfshark — Best Value for Small Business
Surfshark is the best value VPN for small business. Unlike most competitors, it allows unlimited devices per user — no per-device limits. It has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries and strong security features.
If you have a small team with multiple devices per person, Surfshark saves you money.
Pros:
- Unlimited devices per user
- Affordable pricing
- Good security features
Cons:
- Speeds slightly slower than NordVPN
- Fewer advanced features
Best for: Small teams with multiple devices per user.
Pricing: Starting at $3.99/user/month (Business plan).
4. Proton VPN — Best for Privacy
Proton VPN comes from the makers of Proton Mail — a Swiss company known for privacy. It has a strict no-logs policy, strong encryption, and is based in Switzerland (outside US/EU surveillance alliances).
For businesses that handle highly sensitive data (legal, healthcare, finance), Proton VPN is one of the safest choices.
Pros:
- Strong privacy focus
- Swiss jurisdiction
- Good speeds
Cons:
- Smaller server network
- Business plan limited features
Best for: Privacy-conscious businesses.
Pricing: Starting at $9.99/user/month (Business plan).
5. Perimeter 81 — Best Zero-Trust Solution
Perimeter 81 (now part of Check Point) isn’t a traditional VPN — it’s a “zero-trust network access” solution. For growing businesses, it combines VPN, firewall, and identity management into one platform.
More complex to set up than consumer VPNs, but far more powerful for enterprise-grade security.
Pros:
- Enterprise-grade security
- Zero-trust architecture
- Scalable for growing teams
Cons:
- Expensive
- Steeper learning curve
Best for: Growing businesses that need enterprise security.
Pricing: Custom pricing (typically $8+/user/month).
6. TunnelBear — Best for Beginners
TunnelBear is the simplest VPN to use — perfect for teams that aren’t technical. Its cute bear-themed interface makes VPN use genuinely friendly.
It’s not the fastest or most feature-rich, but for small teams that just need basic VPN protection, it’s an excellent choice.
Pros:
- Extremely easy to use
- Friendly interface
- Affordable
Cons:
- Limited server network
- Fewer advanced features
Best for: Non-technical teams.
Pricing: Starting at $3.33/user/month (Teams plan).
7. Windscribe — Best Free Plan
Windscribe offers the most generous free VPN plan — 10 GB per month. The paid plans are also affordable, and the business plan adds centralized management.
If you want to test VPN before committing to a paid plan, Windscribe’s free tier is the best starting point.
Pros:
- Generous free plan
- Affordable paid plans
- Good security
Cons:
- Speeds slower than premium VPNs
- Fewer servers
Best for: Businesses testing VPN for the first time.
Pricing: Free (10 GB/month); paid from $4.08/user/month.
Comparison Table: Best VPN for Small Business
| VPN | Best For | Free Plan | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Overall best | No (trial) | $7.99/user/month |
| ExpressVPN | Speed | No (trial) | $9.99/user/month |
| Surfshark | Value for money | Yes (unlimited devices) | $3.99/user/month |
| Proton VPN | Privacy | Yes (limited) | $9.99/user/month |
| Perimeter 81 | Enterprise | No | Custom pricing |
| TunnelBear | Beginners | Yes (2 GB) | $3.33/user/month |
| Windscribe | Free tier | Yes (10 GB/month) | $4.08/user/month |
Which VPN Should Your Small Business Choose?
Here’s our quick recommendation:
- Overall best for small business? → NordVPN.
- Fastest connection? → ExpressVPN.
- Best value? → Surfshark.
- Privacy is priority? → Proton VPN.
- Enterprise-grade security? → Perimeter 81.
- Non-technical team? → TunnelBear.
- Free plan to test? → Windscribe.
If you’re also evaluating other business software, check out our guides to the best CRM software for small business and the best password managers for teams.
Final Thoughts on VPN for Small Business
The best VPN for small business is the one your team will actually use daily. NordVPN and Surfshark are excellent starting points for most teams. If you handle highly sensitive data, Proton VPN or Perimeter 81 offer extra protection.
Whatever you choose, don’t skip this step. Cyberattacks on small businesses are up 400% in the last three years — and a VPN is one of the cheapest ways to protect yourself.
Which VPN does your business use? Let us know in the comments. For more software reviews, check out our blog.