The Best VPNs for Small Business 2026

Find out why NordVPN is the best overall VPN for small businesses, Surfshark is the most affordable, and ExpressVPN is designed for home-based businesses.
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Best for Premium Security

2026 Editors’ Choice
Best Overall VPN
5.0
Editorial Rating
Get Deal
On NordVPN's website

NordVPN
PROMOTION: Get 76% + 3 Months Free
View More

Best for Affordable Privacy

2026 Editors’ Choice
Best Value VPN
5.0
Editorial Rating
Get Deal
On Surfshark's website

Surfshark
PROMOTION: From $1.99/mo + 3 Months Free
View More

Best for Home Businesses

2026 Editors’ Choice
Best VPN for Fast Speeds
4.8
Editorial Rating
Get Deal
On ExpressVPN's website

ExpressVPN
PROMOTION: Get Your World Cup VPN for 80% OFF
View More

Small businesses have unique needs for a virtual private network (VPN). They may need to securely connect remote employees to company servers and protect company data from hacking attempts. But small businesses still need a VPN that doesn’t slow down internet speeds and rings up at an economical price.

We've tested over 50 VPNs and have determined that NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN meet a variety of needs for small businesses. NordVPN offers additional security to help protect your entire network, Surfshark is affordable without sacrificing privacy, and ExpressVPN can protect most of the devices in your home, including those used for your home office.

In this article
The best small business VPNs
Methodology
NordVPN: Best for premium security
Surfshark: Best for affordable privacy
ExpressVPN: Best for home-based businesses
Business vs. home VPNs
Bottom line: The best small business VPNs
FAQs

The best small business VPNs

5.0
2026 Editors’ Choice
Best Overall VPN
VPN
NordVPN
  • Our #1 rated VPN, which has increased download speeds by up to 36% across all regions in our testing
  • Historically unlocks Netflix libraries in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia with no errors
  • Bundles with ad blocker, data removal, and encrypted storage for a more complete privacy setup
Learn More

5.0
2026 Editors’ Choice
Best Value VPN
VPN
Surfshark
  • Budget-friendly VPN that lets you connect unlimited devices at once, which most VPNs cap at 10 or fewer
  • 4,500+ serverss with proven fast speeds, even on distant connections
  • Includes a built-in ad and tracker blocker, so you get cleaner browsing without a separate tool
Learn More

4.8
2026 Editors’ Choice
Best VPN for Fast Speeds
VPN
ExpressVPN
  • Consistently fast speeds powered by the proprietary Lightway Turbo protocol
  • Full assortment of safety features, including best-in-class encryption, no-logs policy, and tracker protection
  • Seamless connection to Aircove router to provide protection for the whole home
Learn More

Compare the best small business VPNs

VPN NordVPN logo Surfshark logo ExpressVPN logo
Best for Premium security Affordable privacy Home-based businesses
Starting price Custom pricing, but standard pricing starts at $3.09/mo for 1 user Custom pricing, but standard pricing starts at $1.99/mo for 1 user Custom pricing, but standard pricing starts at $3.99/mo for 1 user
Server count 9,300+ servers in 130+ countries 4,500+ servers in 100 countries Unlisted in 105 countries
Encryption xChaCha20 or AES-256 AES-256-GCM AES-256
Split tunneling
Single sign-on
Remote access
Learn more Get NordVPN
Read NordVPN Review
Get Surfshark
Read Surfshark Review
Get ExpressVPN
Read ExpressVPN Review

How we tested the best VPNs for small business

There are several key features and qualities we considered when reviewing VPNs for small businesses. Here is what we considered:

  • Affordability: Price is always a concern for small businesses. Unfortunately, not all VPN providers are transparent about the costs of a business VPN. We evaluated standard pricing to determine if the VPN was worth the cost and if it offered some type of bulk discount based on the number of users.
  • Scalability: Your business may grow or change, and you'll need a security plan to adapt to these changes. We chose VPNs that base their price on the number of users.
  • Remote access: If your employees need to access your company's servers, you'll need to choose a VPN that offers remote access. While not all organizations will need this feature, it may be important if you have remote workers.
  • Premium security features: All of our best VPNs for small businesses have essential security features, such as AES-256 encryption, DNS leak protection, and top-grade protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2. We also sought out more advanced security features that distinguish them from their competitors and safeguard your sensitive business data.

NordVPN: Best for premium security

#1 Rated VPN for Privacy and Security
5.0
Editorial Rating
Get Deal
On NordVPN's website
2026 Editors’ Choice
Best Overall VPN
VPN
NordVPN
PROMOTION: Get 76% + 3 Months Free
  • Our #1 rated VPN, which has increased download speeds by up to 36% across all regions in our testing
  • Historically unlocks Netflix libraries in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia with no errors
  • Bundles with ad blocker, data removal, and encrypted storage for a more complete privacy setup

What we liked

NordVPN is ideal for small businesses that require more than just a reliable VPN. Businesses can bundle NordVPN with NordLayer to gain additional security features that help protect their network and support compliance with data regulations. But as a standalone VPN provider, NordVPN is best-in-class based on proven performance.

NordVPN offers several security features that can protect a company's network and its remote workers. Some of the notable features available on all plans include:

  • Always-on VPN
  • Auto-connect
  • Single Sign-On (SSO) through the NordAccount platform
  • Threat Protection, which blocks malicious websites
  • Kill switch
  • Double VPN
  • Onion over Tor
  • Meshnet
  • 24/7 email support
  • Device posture monitoring (through NordLayer)

NordVPN dashboard

What we didn’t like

You'll need to pay an additional fee to obtain a dedicated server with a fixed IP address.

NordVPN recommends using NordLayer for small businesses because it's designed for scalability and includes more network management features. However, NordVPN can be an excellent solution for scrappy businesses that don't have a ton of employees.

NordVPN specs

Feature NordVPN logo
Starting price Custom pricing, but standard pricing starts at $3.09/mo for 1 user
Server count 9,300+ servers in 130+ countries
No-logs policy No logs
Encryption xChaCha20x
Split tunneling
Single sign-on Yes, through the NordAccount platform
Remote access
Priority customer support Yes (Advanced and Custom plans only)
Learn more Get NordVPN
Read NordVPN Review

Test results

To assess NordVPN’s performance, we conducted tests to review impact on speed, ability to unblock Netflix geo-restrictions, and protection against potential data leaks.

NordVPN passed all three tests with flying colors. It has minimal impact on our speeds, unblocked all the Netflix libraries we tested, and prevented all data leaks.

Audited no-logs policy Yes, audited by Deloitte from November-December 2025
Speed Decreased our download speeds by an average of 16%
Netflix Unblocked Netflix U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia
DNS leak Passed, no DNS leaks
WebRTC leak Passed, no WebRTC leaks
Kill switch Passed, no trace of our physical location when switching servers
Learn more Get NordVPN

Read Our NordVPN Review

Star rating summary

NordVPN has a perfect star rating of 5.0 and is our top VPN recommendation. You can expect a user-friendly experience, standard VPN features along with helpful extras, an audited no-logs policy, and intuitive apps across devices. 

Decision factor Weight Verdict
Our experience 15% 5.0
Value11% 5.0
Features30.5% 5.0
Test results20% 5.0
Privacy and security9.5% 5.0
Compatibility3% 5.0
Customer service5% 5.0

Surfshark: Best for affordable privacy

Fast & Unlimited Protection for All Your Devices
5.0
Editorial Rating
Get Deal
On Surfshark's website
2026 Editors’ Choice
Best Value VPN
VPN
Surfshark
PROMOTION: From $1.99/mo + 3 Months Free
  • Budget-friendly VPN that lets you connect unlimited devices at once, which most VPNs cap at 10 or fewer
  • 4,500+ serverss with proven fast speeds, even on distant connections
  • Includes a built-in ad and tracker blocker, so you get cleaner browsing without a separate tool

What we liked

Organizations seeking a high-quality VPN at an affordable price may find Surfshark useful. Surfshark is reliable, fast, and comes with most of the VPN features you’d expect

Surfshark has a business VPN that creates an encrypted tunnel between your employees and your online resources. It comes with features such as military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and an audited no-logs policy.

We also appreciate Surfshark’s extensive network of server locations. With its 4,500+ servers, you and your employees will find it easier to find a high-speed connection.

Surfshark is also one of the most affordable VPNs on the market, making it an ideal option for small businesses with limited budgets. Pricing for its consumer VPN service starts at about $2 a month for a two-year plan, and we expect the custom pricing for its business VPN to be similarly affordable. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can determine whether it meets your business needs.

Surfshark Antivirus setup page

If you’re looking for malware protection to keep your team members safe, check out Surfshark One. It comes with the Surfshark VPN, antivirus, and CleanWeb, a tracker and ad blocker.

What we didn’t like

Surfshark doesn't provide a clear indication of how much its business VPN costs, making it difficult to determine its affordability. However, since its standard pricing is one of the most affordable VPN options, and the base VPN includes unlimited simultaneous connections, the business VPN is likely to be cost-effective.

Feature-wise, there is no SSO option, and it also lacks priority customer support for business accounts.

Surfshark specs

Feature Surfshark logo
Starting price Custom pricing, but standard pricing starts at $1.99/mo for 1 user
Server count 4,500+ servers in 100 countries
No-logs policy No logs
Encryption AES-256-GCM
Split tunneling
Single sign-on
Remote access
Priority customer support
Learn more Get Surfshark
Read Surfshark Review

Test results

We conducted several tests on Surfshark to assess its performance: speed tests to measure impact, Netflix tests to unblock geo-restrictions, and leak tests to determine privacy protection.

Surfshark went above and beyond, causing minimal impact on our download speeds and unblocked all the Netflix libraries we tested. It also recently passed all three leak tests.

Audited no-logs policy Yes, audited by Deloitte in June 2025
Speed Decreased our download speeds by an average of 8%
Netflix Unblocked Netflix U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia
DNS leak Passed, no DNS leaks
WebRTC leak Passed, no WebRTC leaks
Kill switch Passed, no trace of our physical location when switching servers
Learn more Get Surfshark

Read Our Surfshark Review

Star rating summary

Surfshark has a perfect star rating of 5.0 because of its affordable plan pricing, allowance for unlimited simultaneous connections, a robust server network and features, and an audited no-logs policy.

Decision factor Weight Verdict
Our experience 15% 5.0
Value11% 5.0
Features30.5% 5.0
Test results20% 5.0
Privacy and security9.5% 5.0
Compatibility3% 5.0
Customer service5% 5.0

ExpressVPN: Best for home-based businesses

Extensive Server Network Provides Protection Wherever You Go
4.8
Editorial Rating
Get Deal
On ExpressVPN's website
2026 Editors’ Choice
Best VPN for Fast Speeds
VPN
ExpressVPN
PROMOTION: Get Your World Cup VPN for 80% OFF
  • Consistently fast speeds powered by the proprietary Lightway Turbo protocol
  • Full assortment of safety features, including best-in-class encryption, no-logs policy, and tracker protection
  • Seamless connection to Aircove router to provide protection for the whole home

What we liked

ExpressVPN is a great option for freelancers and small businesses based at home. The Aircove router ensures all Wi-Fi-connected devices use a VPN and remain protected.

The easiest way to ensure all devices are protected is to install a VPN on a router. But it may be a hassle to install for those who aren't tech-savvy. That's why the Aircove router is the ideal choice. It comes pre-installed with ExpressVPN and can be set up in just minutes. Then you can connect dozens of devices to ExpressVPN.

You can customize your home router to separate your work and home devices into different groups. This means your work devices can connect to the fastest local servers while allowing you to disable VPN usage for certain home devices.

If the ExpressVPN router is out of your budget, it may still be an ideal VPN solution for your home business. ExpressVPN offers apps for multiple platforms, including Linux, Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.

Alternatively, you can also request volume licensing to have ExpressVPN cover multiple users. While pricing isn’t publicly available, ExpressVPN may be more expensive than Surfshark based on standard consumer pricing.

ExpressVPN settings opened to its list of VPN protocol.

What we didn’t like

ExpressVPN is the most expensive VPN on this list, starting at $2.49/mo. Combine that with the initial cost of the Aircove router ($189 on Amazon), and it can be pricey to protect your home-based business with a VPN.

This may still be a good fit for small offices with limited security budgets. But if you are comfortable installing a VPN on a router, then you may find other VPN services that are more affordable.

ExpressVPN specs

Feature ExpressVPN logo
Starting price Custom pricing, but standard pricing starts at $2.49/mo for 1 user
Server count Unlisted in 105 countries
No-logs policy No logs
Encryption AES-256
Split tunneling
Single sign-on
Remote access
Priority customer support
Learn more Get ExpressVPN
Read ExpressVPN Review

Test results

We put ExpressVPN through three types of tests: speed tests to measure impact with different servers, Netflix tests to unblock geo-restrictions, and leak tests to determine privacy protection. 

ExpressVPN had almost no impact on our download speeds and successfully unblocked all the Netflix libraries we tested. However, ExpressVPN only partially passed the WebRTC leak test, as the BrowserLeaks site detected that something was off.

Test type
Audited no-logs policy Yes, audited by KPMG in June 2025
Speed Maintained our download speed with most servers
Netflix Unblocked Netflix U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia
DNS leak Passed, no DNS leaks
WebRTC leak Partially passed, WebRTC IP didn't match remote IP
Kill switch Passed, no trace of our physical location when switching servers
Learn more Get ExpressVPN

Read Our ExpressVPN Review

Star rating summary

ExpressVPN has a high star rating of 4.8 due to its intuitive dashboard, wide price range that suits multiple budgets, audited no-logs policy, and extensive compatibility. 

ExpressVPN received a lower score in the test results category because it failed to unblock Netflix U.K. It also was marked down in the features category because it doesn't offer multi-hop servers.

Decision factor Weight Verdict
Our experience 15% 5.0
Value11% 5.0
Features30.5% 4.8
Test results20% 4.5
Privacy and security9.5% 5.0
Compatibility3% 5.0
Customer service5% 5.0

Business vs home VPNs

There are several differences between VPN usage in a small business and at home. This is for a good reason, and you shouldn't expect to be able to use a home VPN in a business setting. Here are a few of those differences you can expect:

  • User limit: For a business VPN, it's expected that multiple users will use the VPN on various devices. In comparison, a home VPN is typically used by a single user. This means that VPNs in a small business are more likely to be set up to manage multiple user accounts.
  • Pricing: A business VPN, even one meant for a small business, will have a higher price than a home VPN. This is to support the additional security features that home VPNs often lack, such as user management and secure logins.
  • Intended use: Home VPNs are primarily intended to conceal the user's IP address or provide access to geo-blocked content. While a business VPN will still have a strong focus on data security, there's also the added factor of establishing a secure connection between devices on the same network.

Bottom line: The best small business VPNs

If you need advanced security to protect your network, consider NordVPN. It’s our top-rated VPN provider due to its proven performance and competitive price.

5.0
2026 Editors’ Choice
Best Overall VPN
VPN
NordVPN
  • Our #1 rated VPN, which has increased download speeds by up to 36% across all regions in our testing
  • Historically unlocks Netflix libraries in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia with no errors
  • Bundles with ad blocker, data removal, and encrypted storage for a more complete privacy setup
Learn More

Surfshark is a great budget solution that boasts unlimited simultaneous connections and comes bundled with antivirus and browser protection software. Home-based businesses typically don’t require enterprise-level security features, so consider an option like ExpressVPN, which offers an easy-to-set-up router to protect all connected devices.

If these VPN providers don’t match your needs, consider these other companies or explore our picks for the best VPN services.

FAQs

Is a VPN good for a small business?

A VPN is beneficial for small businesses that want to protect their data by establishing an encrypted tunnel. VPNs are a legal way to keep sensitive information private from prying eyes or hackers. Cybersecurity should be taken seriously by every organization, even if you think you are too small to become a target of a cyberattack.

How much is a VPN for a small business?

VPN costs for a small business will vary depending on the provider, the number of users, and any additional features. During our research, prices for a business VPN ranged from $2.50 to $16 per user per month. If you're a small business on a budget, consider installing a VPN on your router to secure dozens of devices. To make the setup easier, you could consider the Aircove router with ExpressVPN pre-installed.

What’s the best VPN for a startup?

The best VPN for a startup covers all of your connected devices and provides all the necessary security features to protect your network. You'll also want to prioritize a VPN that grows with you as you scale. NordVPN may be the best option for startups looking for network security.


#1 Rated VPN for Privacy and Security
5.0
Editorial Rating
Get Deal
On NordVPN's website
2026 Editors’ Choice
Best Overall VPN
VPN
NordVPN
PROMOTION: Get 76% + 3 Months Free
  • Our #1 rated VPN, which has increased download speeds by up to 36% across all regions in our testing
  • Historically unlocks Netflix libraries in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia with no errors
  • Bundles with ad blocker, data removal, and encrypted storage for a more complete privacy setup
Author Details
Sara J. Nguyen has spent more than five years covering data privacy, identity theft protection, and online safety. She approaches the beat with a public relations background that gives her a particular eye for the gap between how companies present their products and what those products actually do for users. She has authored more than 140 articles for All About Cookies and has been published in Frontier Communications, Hootsuite, Zapier, and LogRocket.