Business VPN UK: Costs, Providers & Secure Remote Access Quick answer:
A business VPN creates an encrypted connection between employees, offices or devices and business systems and can be used to:
protect remote connections
give employees secure access to company systems
connect business locations
encrypt traffic over public internet connections
restrict access to internal applications
provide dedicated business IP addresses
protect users on public Wi-Fi
However, a VPN is no longer automatically the best option for every business.
Modern alternatives such as Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and SASE can provide more granular access controls and are increasingly used instead of traditional remote-access VPNs.
As a rough 2026 guide:
Requirement Best option to compare
Small remote team
Business VPN
Employees accessing one private network
Remote-access VPN
Two offices connected securely
Site-to-site VPN
Many offices
SD-WAN / Managed WAN
Users accessing cloud applications
ZTNA / SASE
Need identity-based access
ZTNA
Need networking + security
SASE
Need a simple low-cost VPN
Cloud business VPN
Need central admin and dedicated IP
Managed business VPN
Business VPN services commonly start from around £5-£15 per user per month , although dedicated gateways, private servers, advanced security and managed support can increase the cost.
Compare SD-WAN, Managed WAN, MPLS, leased lines, multi-site connectivity, SASE and backup broadband in one place.
Our main Business Network Solutions guide explains the differences, typical costs and which options are best for different business types.
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Authored by: Ally Cox (Business Technology & B2B Services Specialist 10+ Years’ Experience)
Reviewed by: James Ward (Telecoms Specialist, 12+ Years Experience)
Last Updated: August 2026
Contents:
✔️What is a VPN?
✔️How does a business VPN work?
✔️Business VPN costs UK
✔️How Does a VPN Work?
✔️Types of VPN
✔️Business VPN security features to compare
✔️ Our Verdicts on VPNs
Key Takeaways
A VPN protects your business by encrypting all online activity
Essential for remote teams and GDPR compliance
Affordable alternative to leased lines
Not a complete security solution—should be paired with antivirus and MFA
Best providers for UK businesses: NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark
What is a business VPN? A business VPN is a Virtual Private Network designed for company use, creating an encrypted connection between:
employees
company devices
branch offices
private applications
company servers
cloud environments
A business VPN normally includes central administration which allows an IT administrator to:
add employees
remove employees
control access
enforce security settings
assign dedicated IP addresses
monitor connections
integrate MFA or SSO
configure gateways
The main purpose is not watching overseas streaming services.
It is controlling and protecting business access .
Business VPN vs consumer VPN
Business VPN Consumer VPN
Built for organisations
Built mainly for individuals
Central admin
Individual accounts
User management
Limited team control
Dedicated gateways
Shared VPN locations
SSO/MFA integrations
Basic authentication
Access policies
Limited
Dedicated business IP options
Sometimes
Site-to-site capability
Rare
Business support
Consumer support
Internal resource access
Mainly internet privacy
How does a business VPN work? When an employee connects to a VPN:
Their device authenticates with the VPN service.
An encrypted tunnel is created.
Traffic travels through that secure tunnel.
The user can access approved business systems.
The VPN gateway controls where the connection goes.
For example:
Employee at home → encrypted VPN tunnel → company network → internal CRM
Without the VPN, that CRM may not be exposed to the public internet at all.
What does VPN encryption actually protect? A VPN can protect data while it is travelling across the network – and this can reduce the risk of somebody intercepting traffic on:
public Wi-Fi
hotel networks
shared broadband
untrusted internet connections
But a VPN does not automatically protect:
infected laptops
stolen passwords
phishing
malware
weak application permissions
compromised user accounts
Business VPN costs UK Business VPN pricing is usually charged per user per month.
A broad guide is:
Business VPN service Typical cost
Basic business VPN
£5-£10/user/month
Managed business VPN
£8-£15/user/month
VPN + dedicated gateway
£10-£20+/user/month
ZTNA / secure access platform
£5-£20+/user/month
Enterprise VPN/SASE
Bespoke
Site-to-site VPN
£20-£200+/site/month plus connectivity
Pricing varies according to:
number of users
number of gateways
dedicated IP
dedicated servers
MFA
SSO
device controls
site-to-site networking
traffic filtering
firewall services
monitoring
support
contract length
Types of VPNs Remote-access VPN
A remote-access VPN allows an individual employee to securely connect to business systems from outside the office and common users include:
remote employees
hybrid workers
travelling staff
contractors
IT administrators
This type is particularly useful for accessing:
internal applications
file servers
private databases
intranet systems
administration tools
Site-to-site VPN A site-to-site VPN connects entire business networks – for example:
London office ↔ Manchester office
Rather than every employee connecting individually, the network equipment at each office creates the encrypted link.
Site-to-site VPNs are often used by:
multi-site SMEs
offices
warehouses
branches
retail groups
For larger or more complex networks, you should also compare:
SD-WAN
MPLS
Managed WAN
SASE
Remote-access VPN vs site-to-site VPN
Remote-access VPN
Site-to-site VPN
Connects individual users
Connects whole networks
Good for home workers
Good for branch offices
User installs software
Router/firewall usually creates tunnel
Per-user management
Per-site configuration
Remote working focus
Multi-site connectivity focus
You can use both.
Cloud VPN Cloud VPN services host the VPN gateway in cloud infrastructure rather than relying entirely on hardware in the office and this can be useful because of:
easier scaling
faster deployment
remote-user support
fewer on-premises appliances
global access
Cloud business VPN platforms increasingly overlap with:
VPN vs ZTNA Zero Trust Network Access is increasingly replacing traditional VPN access for some organisations.
A traditional VPN often gives the user access to a network whereas having ZTNA tries to give the user access only to the specific application they are authorised to use.
For example:
VPN
Employee connects and gains access to: company network
ZTNA
Employee connects and gains access only to: finance.example.internal i.e. – t he employee may never have broad network access.
VPN vs Zero Trust comparison
Feature
VPN
ZTNA
Main model
Network access
Application access
Trust
Often after connection
Continuously evaluated
Access scope
Can be broad
Granular
Remote users
Yes
Yes
Device checks
Sometimes
Common
Identity focus
Moderate
Strong
Legacy apps
Strong
Depends on platform
Cloud apps
Good
Often better
Setup
Familiar
More modern architecture
VPNs remain useful but ZTNA is simply a better fit for some modern environments.
When is ZTNA better than a VPN? ZTNA is worth comparing where:
employees work remotely
apps are spread across cloud services
contractors need limited access
users should not access the entire network
identity is central to security
device compliance matters
the business is adopting Zero Trust
VPN vs SASE SASE goes further than remote access and can combine:
SD-WAN
ZTNA
secure web gateway
cloud firewall
CASB
DNS security
threat protection
VPN SASE
Secure tunnel
Wider security architecture
Remote access
Users + sites + cloud
VPN gateway
Cloud-delivered controls
Primarily connectivity
Connectivity + security
Simple
More comprehensive
VPN vs SD-WAN These technologies solve different problems.
VPN
Primarily provides:
secure encrypted access
remote connectivity
site-to-site tunnels
SD-WAN
Primarily provides:
intelligent traffic routing
WAN control
failover
application prioritisation
multiple-link management
SD-WAN can itself use encrypted tunnels, so for multi-site networks, see: SD-WAN UK
VPN vs MPLS MPLS provides private WAN connectivity through a telecoms provider whereas VPNs typically use internet connectivity.
VPN MPLS
Uses internet
Private provider network
Lower cost
Higher cost
Encrypted
Private routing
Flexible
Predictable
Easy remote access
Strong site-to-site networking
Performance internet-dependent
Managed QoS possible
For large multi-site environments, the better comparison today is often MPLS vs SD-WAN, rather than MPLS vs VPN.
VPN vs leased line A VPN and leased line are not alternatives, one provides an internet connection (ll) and the other provides securirty over the network connection. You can therefore use: leased line + VPN at the same time.
Business VPN security features to compare Look for:
AES or modern encryption
modern VPN protocols
MFA
SSO
dedicated gateways
dedicated IP
device posture checks
IP allowlisting
DNS filtering
firewall controls
automatic connection
administrator portal
user provisioning
session controls
logs
access policies
VPN protocols Common protocols include:
WireGuard
OpenVPN
IKEv2/IPsec
proprietary WireGuard-based protocols
The protocol affects:
security
performance
compatibility
battery use
connection speed
For most businesses, provider quality and security configuration matter more than choosing a product solely because it advertises one protocol.
IPsec VPN IPsec is commonly used for:
site-to-site VPN
router-to-router connections
enterprise remote access
It operates at the IP network layer and can securely connect different networks.
SSL VPN SSL VPNs can allow remote users to connect through web-based or application-based access and they have historically been common for remote employees accessing internal company systems.
WireGuard WireGuard is a modern VPN protocol designed to be simpler and more efficient than some older VPN protocols and so many commercial VPN providers now use WireGuard or protocols based on it.
Often, these benefits include:
good speed
efficient encryption
lightweight code
Does a VPN make your business GDPR compliant? No .
A VPN can support data security by encrypting network traffic.
That can form part of an organisation’s technical security measures.
But GDPR compliance also involves:
lawful processing
data minimisation
access control
retention
staff processes
breach management
privacy notices
supplier management
A VPN is a security tool – it isn’t a GDPR compliance certificate.
Can a VPN stop cyberattacks? Not by itself.
A VPN can help protect traffic but will not automatically stop:
phishing
malware
ransomware
credential theft
malicious insiders
vulnerable applications
So you should also consider:
MFA
endpoint protection
firewalls
email security
patching
backups
user training
access controls
What should you ask a business VPN provider? Ask:
Is the service designed for business use?
What does it cost per user?
Is there a minimum number of users?
Is annual pricing cheaper?
Is MFA included?
Is SSO included?
Which identity providers are supported?
Can we have a dedicated IP?
Is a dedicated gateway included?
Which countries host gateways?
Is UK hosting available?
How many devices can each user connect?
Is always-on VPN available?
Can access be limited by user?
Can access be limited by device?
Is device posture supported?
Are site-to-site connections available?
What logs are available?
What support hours apply?
Is onboarding included?
How quickly can users be removed?
Can the service integrate with Entra ID?
What happens if we leave?
Which VPN option is best by business type?
Business Option to compare
Sole trader
Consumer/business VPN
5-20 employee business
Cloud business VPN
Remote professional services firm
Managed VPN or ZTNA
Two-office SME
Site-to-site VPN
5+ offices
SD-WAN / Managed WAN
Cloud-first company
ZTNA
Large hybrid workforce
SASE
Contractor-heavy business
ZTNA
Business with legacy servers
Remote-access VPN
Highly distributed company
SASE / Zero Trust
Our Verdict: Is a VPN Right for Your Business?
✔️ Yes- If your business has remote workers, handles sensitive data, or needs to protect its online activity.
✔️ Yes – If you need to bypass geo-restrictions & access global resources.
✔️ No- If your business requires a more comprehensive cybersecurity solution beyond just encryption.
⚖️ Our overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
FAQs: business VPNs UK
What is a business VPN?
A business VPN creates an encrypted connection that allows employees or locations to securely access company systems over the internet.
How much does a business VPN cost?
Business VPNs commonly cost around £5-£15 per user per month, although advanced plans with dedicated gateways, security controls and managed support can cost more.
What is the difference between a business VPN and consumer VPN?
Business VPNs generally provide central administration, user management, dedicated gateways, SSO, MFA and access controls. Consumer VPNs are mainly designed for individual privacy.
Do small businesses need a VPN?
Some do. A VPN is useful where remote employees need secure access to private company systems. Businesses using only cloud SaaS applications may get more value from identity and Zero Trust security.
Is a VPN required for GDPR?
No. A VPN can support secure data transmission, but GDPR compliance involves many wider technical and organisational requirements.
Does a VPN prevent hacking?
No. It protects network traffic but does not automatically prevent phishing, malware, stolen passwords or vulnerable applications.
Does a VPN stop ransomware?
No. Businesses also need controls such as endpoint protection, patching, MFA and backups.
Is a VPN secure on public Wi-Fi?
A VPN can encrypt traffic when using untrusted Wi-Fi and can therefore provide an additional layer of protection.
What is remote-access VPN?
Remote-access VPN allows an individual employee to connect securely to company systems from another location.
What is site-to-site VPN?
Site-to-site VPN connects two or more networks, such as separate business offices.
Can a VPN connect two offices?
Yes. A site-to-site VPN can securely connect office networks over internet connections.
Is VPN the same as SD-WAN?
No. VPN primarily provides encrypted connectivity. SD-WAN manages traffic across multiple WAN connections and can include encrypted tunnels.
Is VPN the same as MPLS?
No. MPLS is private carrier networking, while VPN typically creates encrypted connections over internet networks.
Is VPN an alternative to a leased line?
No. A leased line provides dedicated connectivity. A VPN provides secure network access and can run over a leased line.
What is ZTNA?
Zero Trust Network Access provides controlled access to specific applications rather than giving a user broad network access.
Is ZTNA replacing VPN?
In some organisations, yes. ZTNA can provide more granular access for cloud-first and remote workforces, although traditional VPN remains useful for many legacy and network-level use cases.
What is SASE?
SASE combines network and security capabilities such as SD-WAN, ZTNA, secure web gateways and cloud firewalls.
Which is better, VPN or SASE?
VPN is simpler and can suit smaller or legacy environments. SASE is broader and can be more appropriate for distributed organisations with many users, locations and cloud applications.
Can VPN slow internet speed?
Yes. Encryption and routing through a VPN gateway can add some overhead, although modern VPN platforms can still provide strong performance.
Can a VPN improve internet speed?
Generally no. A VPN cannot improve the physical capacity of your broadband or leased line.
Should businesses use a dedicated IP VPN?
A dedicated IP can be useful if applications or partners allow access only from approved IP addresses.
Should VPN use MFA?
Yes. MFA adds an important layer of security if an employee’s password is compromised.
Can VPN integrate with Microsoft Entra ID?
Many business VPN and Zero Trust services integrate with Microsoft Entra ID for SSO and identity-based access.
What is the best VPN for remote workers?
For business use, compare centrally managed platforms with MFA, SSO, user controls and suitable business support rather than choosing solely on consumer VPN reviews.
How do I choose a business VPN provider?
Compare cost, central administration, MFA, SSO, dedicated IP, gateways, device controls, site-to-site capability, support and whether VPN or ZTNA is the better architecture.
Compare Secure Business Connectivity Tell us:
how many users you have
whether staff work remotely
how many business locations you operate
which systems users need to access
whether you need dedicated IP addresses
whether you need site-to-site networking
your security requirements
whether VPN, ZTNA or a wider managed network may be more suitable
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Hi, I’m Ally Cox , a senior copywriter and blogger at CompareYourBusinessCosts.co.uk, the UK’s trusted platform for comparing business services.over a decade of experience in the B2B sector, I specialise in simplifying complex topics like leased lines, VoIP, business energy, HR and payroll solutions, accounting software, and EPOS systems .HR, copywriting, and business operations- from clocking-in systems to card machines and office technology .informed, confident decisions when choosing products and services that improve efficiency and save money.
