Best Business VPN for Small Teams 2026
Small businesses require business vpn that are easy to deploy and manage without dedicated IT staff. With teams typically ranging from 5 to 50 employees, small businesses need solutions that offer straightforward setup, intuitive interfaces, and transparent pricing. The ideal platform should provide professional-grade features while remaining accessible to non-technical users.
What makes a solution ideal for small businesses includes transparent per-user pricing under $30/month, setup that takes minutes instead of days, and management interfaces that don't require technical training. The platform should offer reliable customer support without forcing you into premium support tiers, and should scale naturally as your team grows without requiring complex migrations or rearchitecture.
For small teams, Tailscale is the best choice at $6/user/month with free tier for 3 users, offering WireGuard-based simplicity and zero-config setup. Twingate ($5/user/month) is ideal for teams needing more granular access controls, while NordLayer ($8/user/month) suits teams wanting familiar VPN simplicity with business features.
Our Rankings
Tailscale
Tailscale wins for small teams with its incredibly simple setup using WireGuard protocol. Free for up to 3 users, then $6/user/month makes it the most cost-effective option. Zero-config networking means no IT expertise needed, and team members can connect in under 5 minutes. Perfect for startups and small remote teams.
- Free tier available
- Most comprehensive feature set
- Strong customer support
- Higher learning curve than alternatives
Twingate
Twingate offers the best balance of simplicity and security for growing small teams. Starting at $5/user/month with a free tier for up to 5 users, it provides enterprise-grade zero trust without complexity. The intuitive admin dashboard and quick resource access setup make it ideal for teams scaling from 10-50 employees.
- Free tier available
- Excellent balance of features and price
- Intuitive user interface
- Some advanced features require higher tiers
NordLayer
NordLayer brings consumer VPN simplicity to business use. At $8/user/month, it's slightly pricier but offers familiar Nord security with business features like centralized billing and team management. Best for small teams who want straightforward VPN without learning new networking concepts.
- Affordable pricing starting at $8/user/month
- Strong integration ecosystem
- Reliable performance
- Mid-tier pricing may be steep for small teams
OpenVPN Access Server
OpenVPN Access Server works for technical small teams comfortable with self-hosting. Free for 2 concurrent connections, then $15/connection makes it economical for very small teams. Requires more setup expertise but offers complete control and can run on your own infrastructure.
- Free tier available
- Specialized capabilities for specific use cases
- May lack some features of top competitors
- Smaller community compared to leaders
Perimeter 81
Perimeter 81 is feature-rich but overpowered for most small teams. Starting around $8/user/month, it offers enterprise capabilities that small teams don't need yet. Better suited for teams planning rapid growth or those with specific compliance requirements from day one.
- Affordable pricing starting at $8/user/month
- Specialized capabilities for specific use cases
- May lack some features of top competitors
- Smaller community compared to leaders
Evaluation Criteria
- Ease of setup and deployment without dedicated IT staff
- Transparent per user pricing under $10/month
- Simple management interface for non technical administrators
- Quick onboarding for new team members
- Reliable customer support for small teams
- Mobile app quality for remote workers
How We Picked These
We evaluated 5 products (last researched 2026-01-30).
Monthly cost per user and total team cost
Intuitiveness for non-technical users
Time to deploy without IT support
Responsiveness and helpfulness of support team
Essential features for small business workflows
Frequently Asked Questions
01 What's the cheapest business VPN for a small team?
Tailscale offers the most affordable option with a free tier for up to 3 users, then $6/user/month. Twingate also has a free tier for 5 users and starts at $5/user/month for paid plans. For very small technical teams, OpenVPN Access Server is free for 2 concurrent connections.
02 Do small teams need a business VPN or is a consumer VPN enough?
Small teams should use business VPNs for centralized management, team billing, user provisioning, and access controls. Consumer VPNs lack admin dashboards, user management, and the ability to control which resources team members can access. Business VPNs also provide better audit logs and compliance features.
03 Can I set up a business VPN without an IT person?
Yes. Tailscale and Twingate are specifically designed for easy setup without IT expertise. Both offer guided onboarding, and most small teams can deploy them in under an hour. NordLayer is also very straightforward. OpenVPN Access Server and Perimeter 81 may require more technical knowledge.
04 How much does a business VPN cost for a 10-person team?
For 10 users: Twingate costs around $50/month ($5/user), Tailscale costs $60/month ($6/user), NordLayer costs $80/month ($8/user), and Perimeter 81 costs approximately $80-100/month depending on features. Most providers offer annual discounts of 15-20%.
05 How do I choose the best business vpn for my needs?
Start by listing your must-have features versus nice-to-haves. Compare pricing across your expected usage, not just base tiers. Test free trials with real workloads. Check customer reviews for your industry or use case. Consider integration requirements with existing tools.
06 What hidden costs should I expect with business vpn?
Beyond monthly subscription fees, budget for implementation costs, training time, API overage charges, premium support, additional user licenses beyond initial estimate, data storage fees, and premium features not included in base tiers. Always ask vendors for complete pricing before committing.
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