Enterprise VPNs And Network Access

The Top 11 Enterprise VPN Solutions

Discover the top best business VPNs. Explore features such as device compatibility, encryption, scalability, central management and activity management.

The Top 11 Enterprise VPN Solutions Include:

Enterprise VPNs (virtual private networks) enable users to send and receive information across a public network as securely as if they were directly connected to a private network.

The Challenge: When users surf the internet on an unsecured Wi-Fi network, anyone else using the same network can tap into what they’re doing and access their browsing habits and private information. 

How Enterprise VPNs Work: VPNs create a private network across a public internet connection. They give users anonymity and privacy by hiding their IP address and securing their connections with encryption. They also enable admins to set up granular access controls that restrict users from accessing areas of the network that they don’t need to. 

Think of the VPN as a secret tunnel between a user’s device and the internet; nobody can see what the user doing inside the tunnel except themselves and the person that they’re sending data to—not even the internet service provider. 

In this article, we’ll highlight:

  • The best enterprise VPN solutions designed to protect corporate web connections
  • Standout features of each solution
  • Who they are best suited for
Twingate Logo

Twingate’s cloud-based platform provides secure, remote access to corporate resources for distributed workforces. It enables IT teams to establish a software-defined perimeter and centrally manage user access to company applications on-prem and in the cloud.

Who it’s for: Twingate is a user-friendly solution for SMBs and mid-sized enterprises looking to provision their remote users with fast, secure access to corporate resources with ease.

What we like: This platform makes security easy; with Twingate, end users can connect to a corporate resource via its FQDN or IP address without any interaction needed.

  • Resource-level access policy customization enables you to enforce the principles of least privilege and zero trust security by limiting network access for potential hackers, even if they manage to compromise a user’s connection.
  • Split tunnelling and intelligent routing reduce the burden on the network and eliminate backhauling.
  • Twingate automatically handles authorization and routing decisions.
  • You can gain app-level visibility into user access.
  • You can seamlessly integrate Twingate with leading IDPs (inc. Okta and OneLogin) to support single sign-on across all user accounts.

The bottom line: Twingate provides comprehensive, zero trust network access while still being easy for both admins and end users to use.

  • Twingate was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in Redwood City, California.
Check Point Logo

Check Point SASE is a leading ZTNA provider that combines Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Firewall as a Service (FWaaS), and a Secure Web Gateway (SWG), to enable organizations to secure on-prem and remote access to their cloud environments.

Who it’s for: We recommend Check Point SASE for any sized organization looking to secure remote access to their corporate network, without the hardware or complexity of deploying a traditional VPN.

What we like: This cloud-based ZTNA platform provides private internet access without needing any dedicated hardware for all managed and unmanaged devices. The platform is very easy to deploy, monitor, and manage.

  • Check Point SASE supports a variety of VPN protocols including IPSec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard, and you can deploy multiple protocols at the same time for different resources and users.
  • You can configure granular permissions for users, devices, and groups – including unmanaged devices.
  • You can access activity audits and reports to monitor logins, gateway deployments, and app connections.
  • DNS filtering blocks users from accessing specific sites through a web browser.

The bottom line: Check Point SASE is a reliable, fast, easy-to-deploy, cloud-based, ZTNA platform. It’s compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and Chromebook devices, and all major cloud providers.

  • Check Point was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel. The company acquired leading cloud-based network security provider Perimeter 81 in September 2023. 
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NordLayer logo

NordLayer is a cloud-based solution that helps businesses to secure remote access to their corporate network, in line with zero trust principles.

Who it’s for: This is a strong solution for organizations of any size looking for user-friendly security and a quick set-up.

What we like: This solution is great at balancing security with usability. It offers lots of in-built security features and configurations, yet is still accessible for end users.

  • End users connect to the VPN with their existing business credentials, but NordLayer also supports third-party MFA with Azure AD, Google Workspace, Okta, and OneLogin, as well as single sign-on to ensure maximum security without creating friction within the user’s login experience.
  • “One click” security protects all data traffic with AES 256-bit encryption as soon as the user clicks on a gateway, and the auto-connect feature provides a constant and immediate network connection.
  • You can set device posture policies and activate alerts to ensure non-compliant devices are barred from access. Plus, the Kill Switch feature automatically cuts off all internet traffic from the device if the connection to the server breaks.
  • NordLayer’s cloud firewall performs stateful network traffic analysis, packet inspection, intrusion deterrence, and threat intelligence.

The bottom line: NordLayer is a robust enterprise VPN with lots of built-in security features. This makes it suitable for large enterprises, but its reliable support (via live chat and email) and ease of use also make it accessible for SMBs.

  • Nord Security was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Vilnius, Lithuania.
OpenVPN

OpenVPN’s Access Server is a self-hosted VPN server software that enables secure remote access to private networks in the cloud or on-premises. 

Who it’s for: Its granular authentication policies, high availability, and scalability equip Access Server to support large enterprises with ease. However, thanks to its intuitive interface, ease of deployment, and strong support offering, this is also a good choice for SMBs. 

What we like: This solution is incredibly easy to set up and manage. Deployment takes only a few minutes, it’s available on all major IaaS provider’s marketplaces, popular Linux distributions, and as a virtual appliance for Hyper-V and VMware ESXi, and all of its security features can be managed via a single web-based interface. 

  • The user portal allows end users to download the OpenVPN Connect application with the connection profile needed to connect to Access Server. The OpenVPN Connect application is free and available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
  • From the web-based admin interface, you can managed Access Server, see all connected users, and configure role, group, and user-based  access policies to enforce least privilege access to applications. 
  • You can use your preferred authentication method to ensure only authorized users can access the network. Supported methods include local auth, PAM, LDAP, RADIUS, SAML (SSO), and MFA (time-based OTPs), and you can use multiple methods simultaneously.
  • You can create custom authentication using scripts and use the provided plugins to add functionality like device identity verification.
  • You can increase availability and load capacity by clustering your servers. This can improve the VPN’s reliability and allows it to scale to handle high volumes of connections.

The bottom line: Access Server enables you to implement zero trust remote access with granular control over which users can access which applications on your network. Despite its comprehensive feature set, the platform is quick to deploy and easy to manage, even for smaller teams. Businesses can try it risk free with its two included VPN connections and purchase subscriptions for more connections.

  • The OpenVPN project was started in 2001, and launched the first open-source version of OpenVPN in 2002. Today, OpenVPN is headquartered in Pleasanton, California, and serves SMBs and Fortune 500 enterprises globally with its self-hosted Access Server and cloud-delivered CloudConnexa VPN solutions.
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Cisco Logo

Cisco AnyConnect is a policy-driven VPN tool designed to secure remote workers’ network access across wired, wireless, and VPN connections. The solution provides secure access to the network from any device, at any time, and from any location.

Who it’s for: Cisco AnyConnect is a strong, scalable VPN solution for all large enterprises, but particularly those that have already invested in cybersecurity products from Cisco.

What we like: AnyConnect integrates well with other Cisco solutions, so organizations can use it as a stand-alone product or as a part of a wider security stack. 

  • The platform uses IKEv2 and SSL protocols to ensure a highly secure internet connection, and integrates with Duo MFA to ensure only authorized users are granted access to the network.
  • You have complete visibility across the extended enterprise—including mobile devices—into who is accessing the network and from which device.
  • In terms of device security, Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) prevents non-compliant devices from accessing the network and the AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client provides complete protection for Android and iOS devices until the device is turned off.
  • Your application managers can access 24/7 technical support.

The bottom line: Cisco AnyConnect is a secure, reliable VPN for business. The solution is highly scalable, and integrates easily with other security tools to provide comprehensive network access protection.

  • Cisco was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in San Jose, California.

 

Citrix logo

Citrix Secure Private Access is a cloud-delivered zero trust network access (ZTNA) solution with a VPN-less enterprise browser.

Who it’s for: We recommend Citrix Secure Private Access for larger enterprises with a remote or hybrid workforce. It’s also well-suited to securing connections from BYOD devices.

What we like: This solution secures access to all IT-sanctioned apps—web, SaaS, and client-server—whether they’re deployed on-prem or in the cloud.

  • Citrix assigns end user devices a risk score based on user identity, geolocation, and the device-posture assessment, which you can use to define access and authorization controls.
  • Integrated remote browser isolation redirects user sessions from a local browser to a hosted Secure Browser Service, enabling you to secure access from unmanaged or BYOD devices.
  • You can prevent users from screenshotting applications accessed through the Workspace app, reducing the risk of credential theft.
  • You can gain end-to-end visibility of all traffic with reports into top risky domains and data download volume.

The bottom line: Citrix Secure Private Access is a strong ZTNA solution that offers the flexibility to secure on-prem, remote, and hybrid access to on-prem and cloud apps, from a range of device types.

Citrix was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Citrix acquired network traffic specialist NetScaler in 2005.

Fortinet logo

Fortinet FortiClient is a remote access solution that can be deployed as a standalone VPN or combined with other Fortinet solutions to provide comprehensive threat protection and vulnerability management.

Who it’s for: Though it works well as a standalone product, we recommend FortiClient as a particularly strong solution for enterprises looking to invest in a VPN as part of a wider security stack (thanks to its FortiSandbox and FortiGuard integrations).

What we like: Despite its robust feature set, this solution is lightweight and easy to deploy. It’s also intuitive for the end user; once they’ve signed in to the VPN, the client minimizes so as to cause as little disruption to the user as possible.

  • You can provide users with secure network access from any remote location, thanks to FortiClient’s autoconnect and always-on SSL and IPSec VPN.
  • The platform reduces latency by using split tunnelling, which enables users to access the internet without their traffic having to pass through the corporate VPN headend.
  • From the Enterprise Management Server, you can centrally configure VPN settings, monitor the attack surface, manage vulnerabilities, enforce compliance, and track changes.
  • The platform can detect operating system and third-party application vulnerabilities in real time.

The bottom line: FortiClient is a strong enterprise VPN that enables secure yet speedy remote access. Its lightweight architecture, fast connections, and intuitive interface enable it to provide strong levels of security without disrupting end users’ productivity.

  • Fortinet was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.
Google Cloud logo

Google Cloud offers a Classic VPN and a High Availability (HA) VPN, both of which offer a fast, secure IPsec connection between remote users and their organization’s wider network.

Who it’s for: The Google Cloud VPNs are particularly well-suited to organizations already using Google Workspace, but they’re a strong option for any organization looking for a VPN that’s simple to configure and easy to manage post-deployment.

What we like about the Classic VPN:  

  • This VPN is easy to manage via its single interface, single external IP address, and support tunnels that use static routing (policy-based or route-based).
  • You can configure dynamic routing (BGP), but only for tunnels that connect to third-party VPN gateway software running on Google Cloud VM instances.

What we like about the HA VPN:

  • The HA VPN supports IPv6.
  • You can connect the HA VPN to AWS and Azure, which means you don’t have to be using Google Workspace for it to work effectively.
  • This VPN uses multiple IP addresses and gateways.

The bottom line: Google Cloud offers two solid enterprise VPNs. They both come with excellent support options; the Google Cloud support team is available to assist with any issues, plus users can access a dedicated Slack community and Stack Overflow page.

It should be noted that, while both VPNs use external IP addresses to protect the user’s identity and location when browsing, an admin must create those external IPs if running the Classic VPN; the HA VPN chooses IP addresses from a pool.

  • Google was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Mountain View, California. The Google Cloud Platform was launched in 2008.
Palo Alto logo

Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect is a ZTNA solution that delivers the capabilities of PANW’s Prisma Access and Next-Generation Firewalls to remote workers and mobile devices.

Who it’s for: Because GlobalProtect is available as an app, organizations can also use it to secure mobile devices such as Android and iOS systems. This makes it particularly useful for those whose employees regularly access the network from mobile devices, e.g., to maintain contact with clients and partners. That said, GlobalProtect is a strong solution for any organization looking for extensive security across remote devices that they can set up quickly.

What we like: GlobalProtect integrates seamlessly with Palo Alto’s Next-Generation Firewall, which means that it is also able to secure devices against a number of targeted cyberattacks, evasive application traffic, and malicious websites.

  • The platform sets up app-level SSL or IPsec VPN connections and distributes requests across multiple network portals and gateways to support heavy traffic.
  • For added security, you can configure user and device identification (including unmanaged devices) and step-up multi-factor authentication.
  • The advanced firewall shows you who is using the solution to connect to the network and applications, and what devices they’re using to connect.

The bottom line: GlobalProtect is a robust ZTNA solution that offers lots of added security functionality, including ib-built authentication tools and an integrated firewall. But this doesn’t detract from its core VPN capabilities; it can create secure, reliable connections even for heavy traffic.

  • Palo Alto Networks was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California.
SonicWall Logo

SonicWall Global VPN Client (GVC) is one of SonicWall’s four VPN services. With this solution, organizations can allow managed devices to securely access their data centers with a familiar remote VPN experience.

Who it’s for: SonicWall’s Global VPN Client is a strong solution for any enterprise. However, thanks to its seamless integrations with other SonicWall solutions, we particularly recommend this VPN for existing SonicWall customers looking to secure their remote employees.

What we like: This solution is very easy to use. It provides an easy-to-follow Installation Wizard, a Configuration Wizard with point-and-click activation of VPN connections, and streamlined management tools that minimize support requirement.

  • SonicWall’s VPN is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, ChromeOS, Linux, and Amazon Kindle Fire.
  • The solutions offers lots of automation: you can set up an automatic redirect in case of a SonicWall VPN gateway failure, and SonicWall automatically launches a program on VPN connection, with optional arguments when successful VPN connections are established.
  • For added security, the solution supports smart card and USB token authentication, and third-party certificates. You can also manage user group access to individual applications via granular access policies.
  • VPN configuration data is automatically downloaded from the SonicWall VPN gateway via a secure IPsec tunnel, removing the burden from the remote user of provisioning VPN connections.

The bottom line: SonicWall’s Global VPN Client is a strong business VPN that offers lots of in-built security features, whilst still being easy for admins to deploy and configure.

  • SonicWall was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in San Jose, California.
SonicWall Logo
Zscaler logo

Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) is a cloud-based solution that provides a seamless, secure connection between remote devices and private applications running on the public cloud or within a data center.

Who it’s for: We recommend Zscaler Private Access for enterprises looking for seamless remote access that scales easily and offers more advanced security features than a legacy VPN.

What we like: Unlike a traditional VPN, ZPA offers zero trust connectivity and mitigates lateral threat movement by enabling admins to segment their network and configure AI-powered, context-aware policies.

  • ZPA supports both managed and unmanaged devices and secures the connection to any private application—not just web apps, hiding IP addresses to prevent DDoS attacks.
  • Workload-to-workload segmentation secures cloud workload communications across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
  • You can create and define policy names, select the applications that each policy is associated with, and configure permissions for users and user groups at an individual application level. The platform’s ML model automatically recommends the most effective app segments and policies to help prevent lateral threat movement.
  • In addition to securing connections, ZPA makes them more efficient; it detects and resolves app, network, and device issues to help optimize performance.

The bottom line: Zscaler Private Access is a full-featured zero trust network access solution. It offers scalable, reliable, and secure remote access, and is packed with additional security features to further protect network resources from unwanted access. You can read more about Zscaler’s zero trust approach to security in our interview with their Global CISO and Head of Security Research & Operations, Deepen Desai.

  • Zscaler was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in San Jose, California.
The Top 11 Enterprise VPN Solutions