You might be using an unsupported or outdated browser. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website.

We independently select all products and services. If you click through links we provide, we may earn a commission. Learn More.
Advertiser Disclosure

10 Best Business VPNs Of 2025

Audited & Verified: Aug 29, 2025, 11:31am
Written By
Staff Writer
Reviewed
Staff Editor
& 1 other
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

The worst thing the owner of an SMB can do is say โ€œthat wonโ€™t happen to me,โ€ especially regarding ransomware, distributed denial of service (DDoS) and swatting attacks. Disgruntled customers and bad actors looking to cause harm or make a buck arenโ€™t afraid to target any company, big or small. The good news is that you can dramatically increase your chances of avoiding such attacks by using a Business VPN to create secure network connections.

The Forbes Advisor data team and I spent countless hours poring over the features of 15 VPN providers and ranking them using our proprietary rubric to discover the 10 best business VPNs. I then spent many more hours testing the top 10 to see just how secure, user-friendly and fast each VPN was in real-world settings. While this mainly saw me connect to work services, I may have had a cheeky gaming session here or there, you know, for research purposes. Regardless, just know that the testing performed will help you make the right VPN decision.

Read more

Compare the Best Business VPNs of 2025

4.8
On NordVPN's Website
Best For
Best for most SMBs
Starting Monthly Price
$10 per user (five-user minimum)
4.5
On PureVPN's Website
Best For
Best for all-around online protection
Starting Monthly Price
$9 per user (three-user minimum)
4.4
On Surfshark's Website
Best For
Best for mobile users
Starting Monthly Price
$5.90 per user (five-user minimum with one-year plan)
4.3
Read Forbes' Review
Best For
Best for Windows PC users
Starting Monthly Price
$4.75 per account (10-user minimum)
4.2
On Privateinternetaccess.com's Website
Best For
Best open-source software
Starting Monthly Price
$9.95 (three-user minimum)
4.0
On ProtonVPN's Website
Best For
Best for SMBs on a budget
Starting Monthly Price
$8.99 (two-user minimum)
3.7
Read Forbes' Review
Best For
Best for team management
Starting Monthly Price
$3 per user (five-user minimum)
3.7
Read Forbes' Review
Best For
Best for total anonymity
Starting Monthly Price
$5.85 a month (5 euros a month)
Best For
Best for international travelers
Starting Monthly Price
$9 per user (10-user minimum)
3.6
Read Forbes' Review
Best For
Best for new VPN users
Starting Monthly Price
$5.75 per user (two-user minimum)

10 Best Business VPNs of 2025

Picking a business VPN is challenging at the best of times. Stick with one of the providers below, and youโ€™ll be happy with the performance and value you receive.


Best for Most SMBs

NordVPN

NordVPN
4.8
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Monthly Starting Price

$10 per user

(five user minimum)

Free Plan

No, 14-day trial with money-back guarantee

Jurisdiction

Panama

NordVPN
Learn More Arrow

On NordVPN's Website

$10 per user

(five user minimum)

No, 14-day trial with money-back guarantee

Panama

Expert Take

NordVPN routinely tops our roundup of the best VPNs due to its reliable connections and its more than 7,000 servers. Speeds on local servers (U.S.) averaged 456 Mbps with pings as low as 16ms on a 1GB connection. European servers are fast too, with speeds averaging 304 Mbps.

No matter what business youโ€™re conducting, whether local or international, with NordLayer (NordVPNโ€™s business product), you wonโ€™t have to worry about dropped connections or speeds. NordVPNโ€™s no-logs policy has also been audited, which is another huge plus.

A screenshot of NordVPN on macOS.

NordVPNโ€™s interface is a little cluttered but more than serviceable.

NordVPN supports split tunneling (you can route specific traffic through the VPN). It has a kill switch. Double VPN lets you connect to multiple VPN servers, and dedicated IPs can remove the hassle of captchas. Itโ€™s located outside of surveillance jurisdictions (Five, Nine and 14 Eyes) and passed encryption and domain name server leak (DNS) tests. Unfortunately, NordVPN is canceling Meshnet, which allows you to create a private network; however, NordLayer will keep you secure, especially with its zero trust network access (ZTNA) user verification feature.

Learn more: Read our full NordVPN review.

Consumer Sentiment Index
5.3

5.3/10Consumer Score
The Consumer Sentiment Index from Forbes Advisor uses a proprietary weighting system designed by our subject matter experts. It evaluates thousands of consumer insights and reviews from leading online forums to determine customer satisfaction at scale.
Consumer Sentiment Index
18,247

How do we calculate

We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5

Insights Analyzed
  • #10

    Ease of Use and Setup

    Ranked 10 out of 10
    For Ease of Use and Setup
    • 62% of people had positive sentiments
    • 18% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 20% of people had negative sentiments
    62%
    18%
    20%
    Ranked 10 out of 10
    For Ease of Use and Setup
    • 62% of people had positive sentiments
    • 18% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 20% of people had negative sentiments
  • #5

    Security Features

    Ranked 5 out of 10
    For Security Features
    • 77% of people had positive sentiments
    • 10% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 13% of people had negative sentiments
    77%
    10%
    13%
    Ranked 5 out of 10
    For Security Features
    • 77% of people had positive sentiments
    • 10% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 13% of people had negative sentiments
  • #10

    Speed and Performance

    Ranked 10 out of 10
    For Speed and Performance
    • 50% of people had positive sentiments
    • 18% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 32% of people had negative sentiments
    50%
    18%
    32%
    Ranked 10 out of 10
    For Speed and Performance
    • 50% of people had positive sentiments
    • 18% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 32% of people had negative sentiments
  • #7

    Server Locations

    Ranked 7 out of 10
    For Server Locations
    • 73% of people had positive sentiments
    • 15% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 12% of people had negative sentiments
    73%
    15%
    12%
    Ranked 7 out of 10
    For Server Locations
    • 73% of people had positive sentiments
    • 15% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 12% of people had negative sentiments
  • #7

    Privacy Policy and Logging Practices

    Ranked 7 out of 10
    For Privacy Policy and Logging Practices
    • 41% of people had positive sentiments
    • 13% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 46% of people had negative sentiments
    41%
    13%
    46%
    Ranked 7 out of 10
    For Privacy Policy and Logging Practices
    • 41% of people had positive sentiments
    • 13% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 46% of people had negative sentiments

Numerous NordVPN users love the platformโ€™s security, speeds, reliability and how easy it is to access region-blocked content. However, some users complain about billing practices and low levels of customer service. There are also complaints about how affordable plans become costly upon renewal. With NordVPN, pay attention to the small print and youโ€™ll be fine.

Pros & Cons
  • Fast, reliable connections
  • Audited no logs policy
  • Plenty of security and privacy features
  • Meshnet is being removed
  • Interface is a little cluttered
  • Only a 14-day money-back guarantee
Specs
Specification Details
Devices Per License
6 devices
Platform Support
Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, tvOS router installation
Encryption
AES-256-bit encryption
Supported Protocols
OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, NordWhisper, WireGuard (NordLynx)
Number of Servers
Over 7,000 in 118 countries

Best for All-Around Online Protection

PureVPN

PureVPN
4.5
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Monthly Starting Price

$9 per user

(three-user minimum)

Free Plan

No, 31-day trial and money-back guarantee

Jurisdiction

British Virgin Islands

PureVPN
Learn More Arrow

On PureVPN's Website

$9 per user

(three-user minimum)

No, 31-day trial and money-back guarantee

British Virgin Islands

Expert Take

PureVPN is one of the most user-friendly business VPNs, thanks to a dedicated admin panel. Itโ€™s also a VPN that offers excellent all-around protection. Thereโ€™s a suite of privacy tools, which include a dark web monitor, a password manager and a data removal tool. Located in the British Virgin Islands (a safe jurisdiction), PureVPN has over 6,000 servers, which provide secure, stable connections and decent speeds. My connection to local servers averaged 165 Mbps. PureVPNโ€™s no-log policy is verified, and it uses secure VPN protocols, including WireGuard.

A screenshot of PureVPN on macOS.
PureVPN is very user-friendly.

Youโ€™ll find all the usual VPN tools here, including a kill switch, split tunneling, port forwarding (for an extra $1.49 per month) and multiple dedicated IPs. Youโ€™ll also find a dedicated team server for total control over your IP address, which many SMBs will appreciate. With PureVPN, you can connect 10 devices simultaneously with one subscription. But while $9 per user per month isnโ€™t terrible, the add-ons that make PureVPN really pop can make the price skyrocket, which no business wants.

Learn more: Read our full PureVPN review.

Consumer Sentiment Index
6.4

6.4/10Consumer Score
The Consumer Sentiment Index from Forbes Advisor uses a proprietary weighting system designed by our subject matter experts. It evaluates thousands of consumer insights and reviews from leading online forums to determine customer satisfaction at scale.
Consumer Sentiment Index
8,285

How do we calculate

We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5

Insights Analyzed
  • #6

    Ease of Use and Setup

    Ranked 6 out of 10
    For Ease of Use and Setup
    • 63% of people had positive sentiments
    • 8% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 29% of people had negative sentiments
    63%
    8%
    29%
    Ranked 6 out of 10
    For Ease of Use and Setup
    • 63% of people had positive sentiments
    • 8% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 29% of people had negative sentiments
  • #9

    Security Features

    Ranked 9 out of 10
    For Security Features
    • 59% of people had positive sentiments
    • 6% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 35% of people had negative sentiments
    59%
    6%
    35%
    Ranked 9 out of 10
    For Security Features
    • 59% of people had positive sentiments
    • 6% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 35% of people had negative sentiments
  • #4

    Speed and Performance

    Ranked 4 out of 10
    For Speed and Performance
    • 48% of people had positive sentiments
    • 6% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 46% of people had negative sentiments
    48%
    6%
    46%
    Ranked 4 out of 10
    For Speed and Performance
    • 48% of people had positive sentiments
    • 6% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 46% of people had negative sentiments
  • #9

    Server Locations

    Ranked 9 out of 10
    For Server Locations
    • 35% of people had positive sentiments
    • 12% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 53% of people had negative sentiments
    35%
    12%
    53%
    Ranked 9 out of 10
    For Server Locations
    • 35% of people had positive sentiments
    • 12% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 53% of people had negative sentiments
  • #

    Privacy Policy and Logging Practices

    Ranked 9 out of 10
    For Privacy Policy and Logging Practices
    • 17% of people had positive sentiments
    • 5% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 78% of people had negative sentiments
    17%
    5%
    78%
    Ranked 9 out of 10
    For Privacy Policy and Logging Practices
    • 17% of people had positive sentiments
    • 5% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 78% of people had negative sentiments

Weโ€™ve found that PureVPN user reviews are mixed. Customers are pretty happy with the service and the features, its customer support and user-friendliness. However, there are some who arenโ€™t happy with billing practices, specifically regarding auto-renewals. Another area of contention includes its inability to stream content from some providers. Iโ€™ve not experienced issues in this area, though your mileage may vary.

Pros & Cons
  • Robust all-around online protection
  • Verified no-logs, safe jurisdiction
  • User-friendly interface
  • Minimum of three users
  • Too many costly addons
  • Connection speeds are slower than competitors
Specs
Specification Details
Member Support
Up to 1,000 members
Platform Support
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, router installation
Encryption
AES-256-bit encryption
Supported Protocols
WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec
Number of Servers
Over 6,000 in more than 65 countries

Best for Mobile Users

Surfshark

Surfshark
4.4
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Monthly Starting Price

$5.90 per user

(five-user minimum with one-year plan)

Lowest Paid Plan Price

$2.19 per user per month for 24 months

(plus three months free)

Free Plan

The Netherlands

(Five Eyes member)

Surfshark
Learn More Arrow

On Surfshark's Website

$5.90 per user

(five-user minimum with one-year plan)

$2.19 per user per month for 24 months

(plus three months free)

The Netherlands

(Five Eyes member)

Expert Take

If you conduct a lot of business while on the road, Surfshark, with its well-designed mobile applications for iOS and Android, could be for you. Selecting from the more than 3,200 servers is a breeze, as is configuring multihop, split tunneling (Bypasser on iOS) and the kill switch. Surfsharkโ€™s desktop clients are easy to configure, too. Unfortunately, Surfshark is located in the Netherlands, a member of Nine Eyes, but its audited no-logs policy and RAM-only servers, which erase data when your session ends, should help put your mind at ease.

Two screenshots of Surfsharkโ€™s iOS interface.

Surfsharkโ€™s iOS application is well-designed and easy to navigate.

Surfshark offers an antivirus tool and a dark web monitor. However, the anti-virus tool made my M3 Mac slow to a crawl. Surfsharkโ€™s speeds are fast. U.S. servers averaged speeds of 840 Mbps with pings around 21 ms. Servers in other continents were also speedy. Surfshark also passed DNS leak tests and encryption tests easily. Plus, itโ€™s affordable for teams, with plans starting at $5.90 per user per month, but there is a five-user minimum.

Learn more: Read our full Surfshark VPN review.

Consumer Sentiment Index
6.1

6.1/10Consumer Score
The Consumer Sentiment Index from Forbes Advisor uses a proprietary weighting system designed by our subject matter experts. It evaluates thousands of consumer insights and reviews from leading online forums to determine customer satisfaction at scale.
Consumer Sentiment Index
4,029

How do we calculate

We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5

Insights Analyzed
  • #5

    Ease of Use and Setup

    Ranked 5 out of 10
    For Ease of Use and Setup
    • 51% of people had positive sentiments
    • 27% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 22% of people had negative sentiments
    51%
    27%
    22%
    Ranked 5 out of 10
    For Ease of Use and Setup
    • 51% of people had positive sentiments
    • 27% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 22% of people had negative sentiments
  • #8

    Security Features

    Ranked 8 out of 10
    For Security Features
    • 36% of people had positive sentiments
    • 18% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 46% of people had negative sentiments
    36%
    18%
    46%
    Ranked 8 out of 10
    For Security Features
    • 36% of people had positive sentiments
    • 18% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 46% of people had negative sentiments
  • #8

    Speed and Performance

    Ranked 8 out of 10
    For Speed and Performance
    • 43% of people had positive sentiments
    • 18% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 39% of people had negative sentiments
    43%
    18%
    39%
    Ranked 8 out of 10
    For Speed and Performance
    • 43% of people had positive sentiments
    • 18% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 39% of people had negative sentiments
  • #8

    Server Locations

    Ranked 8 out of 10
    For Server Locations
    • 35% of people had positive sentiments
    • 31% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 34% of people had negative sentiments
    35%
    31%
    34%
    Ranked 8 out of 10
    For Server Locations
    • 35% of people had positive sentiments
    • 31% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 34% of people had negative sentiments
  • #8

    Privacy Policy and Logging Practices

    Ranked 8 out of 10
    For Privacy Policy and Logging Practices
    • 14% of people had positive sentiments
    • 20% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 66% of people had negative sentiments
    14%
    20%
    66%
    Ranked 8 out of 10
    For Privacy Policy and Logging Practices
    • 14% of people had positive sentiments
    • 20% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 66% of people had negative sentiments

Surfshark customers appreciate the affordable plans, excellent customer service and software functionality. However, some users claim Surfshark lies about its unlimited device claims. This is not something I have experienced. There are also a few complaints regarding the companyโ€™s refund policies. Regarding speeds, itโ€™s mixed, with some customers being happy and others stating connections are too slow.

Pros & Cons
  • Excellent mobile and desktop applications
  • Very fast connection, verified no-logs policy
  • Unlimited connections
  • Five members minimum
  • Located in the Netherlands (a Nine Eyes member)
  • Antivirus tool is a resource hog
Specs
Specification Details
Simultaneous Connections
Unlimited simultaneous connections
Platform Support
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Fire TV, Apple TV, router installation
Encryption
AES-256-bit, ChaCha20
Supported Protocols
WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN
Number of Servers
Over 3,200 servers in more than 100 countries

Best for Windows PC Users

Hide.me

Hide.me
4.3
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Monthly Starting Price

$4.75 per account

(min of 10 required)

Free Plan

Yes, offers unlimited data but restricted speeds

Jurisdiction

Malaysia

Hide.me
Learn More Arrow

Read Forbes' Review

$4.75 per account

(min of 10 required)

Yes, offers unlimited data but restricted speeds

Malaysia

Expert Take

Windows has been known to impact the performance of VPNs due to auto tuning. To combat this, Hide.me has developed a proprietary tool called โ€œBolt,โ€ which configures your Windows PC to route VPN traffic through an optimized transmission control protocol (TCP). Those using macOS or mobile apps will hit high speeds on the more than 2,600 servers with ease. Hide.meโ€™s speeds averaged 298 Mbps while using the WireGuard protocol, which is plenty fast enough for all business use cases, and is fast enough to earn Surfshark a place in our roundup of the best Windows VPNs.

A screenshot showing Hide.meโ€™s settings page.

Hide.meโ€™s interface is clean but on the small side and cannot be resized.

Hide.meโ€™s no-logs policy has been verified, and the provider is in Malaysia, which is outside of known surveillance networks. The usual features of a kill switch, split tunneling and multihop are present, as are ad and tracker blockers. Hide.meโ€™s business plan provides a self-managed dedicated VPN server, a dedicated support manager, access to Hide.meโ€™s SDK and API and credentials for every user. Hide.meโ€™s business pricing works on a sliding scale. The more users, the bigger the discount. The lowest price is $4.75 per user monthly for a minimum of 10 users.

Learn more: Read our full Hide.me review.

Consumer Sentiment Index
8.3

8.3/10Consumer Score
The Consumer Sentiment Index from Forbes Advisor uses a proprietary weighting system designed by our subject matter experts. It evaluates thousands of consumer insights and reviews from leading online forums to determine customer satisfaction at scale.
Consumer Sentiment Index
765

How do we calculate

We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5

Insights Analyzed
  • #7

    Ease of Use and Setup

    Ranked 7 out of 10
    For Ease of Use and Setup
    • 88% of people had positive sentiments
    • 4% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 8% of people had negative sentiments
    88%
    4%
    8%
    Ranked 7 out of 10
    For Ease of Use and Setup
    • 88% of people had positive sentiments
    • 4% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 8% of people had negative sentiments
  • #2

    Security Features

    Ranked 2 out of 10
    For Security Features
    • 79% of people had positive sentiments
    • 12% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 9% of people had negative sentiments
    79%
    12%
    9%
    Ranked 2 out of 10
    For Security Features
    • 79% of people had positive sentiments
    • 12% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 9% of people had negative sentiments
  • #1

    Speed and Performance

    Ranked 1 out of 10
    For Speed and Performance
    • 81% of people had positive sentiments
    • 10% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 9% of people had negative sentiments
    81%
    10%
    9%
    Ranked 1 out of 10
    For Speed and Performance
    • 81% of people had positive sentiments
    • 10% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 9% of people had negative sentiments
  • #2

    Server Locations

    Ranked 2 out of 10
    For Server Locations
    • 90% of people had positive sentiments
    • 10% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 0% of people had negative sentiments
    90%
    10%
    Ranked 2 out of 10
    For Server Locations
    • 90% of people had positive sentiments
    • 10% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 0% of people had negative sentiments
  • #3

    Privacy Policy and Logging Practices

    Ranked 3 out of 10
    For Privacy Policy and Logging Practices
    • 64% of people had positive sentiments
    • 10% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 26% of people had negative sentiments
    64%
    10%
    26%
    Ranked 3 out of 10
    For Privacy Policy and Logging Practices
    • 64% of people had positive sentiments
    • 10% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 26% of people had negative sentiments

Hide.meโ€™s customers love the connection speeds, reliability and the security of the service. They appreciate the easy-to-use software, the customer service team and the robust free plan. However, some users have reported connectivity issues, which is something I experienced during testing. However, Hide.meโ€™s reputation is great overall.

Pros & Cons
  • Verified no-logs policy
  • Outside of surveillance jurisdictions
  • Dedicated business VPN servers
  • User interface needs some work
  • Smaller server network than competitors
  • 10-user minimum
Specs
Specification Details
Minimum Users
10 users
Platform Support
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, router installation
Encryption
AES-256-bit encryption
Supported Protocols
WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec
Number of Servers
Over 2,600 in more than 91 countries

Best Open Source Software

Private Internet Access (PIA)

Private Internet Access (PIA)
4.2
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Monthly Starting Price

$9.95

(three-user minimum)

Free Plan

No, 30-day trial with money-back guarantee

Jurisdiction

U.S.

(Five Eyes member)

Private Internet Access (PIA)
Learn More Arrow

On Privateinternetaccess.com's Website

$9.95

(three-user minimum)

No, 30-day trial with money-back guarantee

U.S.

(Five Eyes member)

Expert Take

Despite being located in the U.S., a member of the Five Eyes surveillance network, I have no hesitation in recommending Private Internet Access (PIA). PIA is open source, meaning its source code is available for scrutinizing on GitHub. This leads to faster bug updates. PIAโ€™s no-logs policy has been audited and passed, and its RAM-only servers fill me with confidence, as do its VPN protocols, which include WireGuard and OpenVPN. I found performance snappy, with connections to local servers averaging speeds of 254 Mbps and pings of roughly 23 ms.

A screenshot of Private Internet Accessโ€™s settings page.

Changing PIAโ€™s settings is straightforward.

PIA has a solid feature set that includes dedicated IPs, support for router installation, a kill switch, split tunneling and multihop. While there is no option for a dedicated business server or an admin panel, and even though its desktop interface is messy, PIA is a robust VPN that SMBs should look at. It passed my DNA leak and encryption tests, and I never experienced a dropped connection. PIA does not offer a business plan, but it does allow anyone to bulk purchase accounts (three minimum) at a discounted rate of $9.95 per user per month instead of $11.95.

Learn more: Read our full Private Internet Access review.

Consumer Sentiment Index
6.4

6.4/10Consumer Score
The Consumer Sentiment Index from Forbes Advisor uses a proprietary weighting system designed by our subject matter experts. It evaluates thousands of consumer insights and reviews from leading online forums to determine customer satisfaction at scale.
Consumer Sentiment Index
7,145

How do we calculate

We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5

Insights Analyzed
  • #2

    Ease of Use and Setup

    Ranked 2 out of 10
    For Ease of Use and Setup
    • 61% of people had positive sentiments
    • 20% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 19% of people had negative sentiments
    61%
    20%
    19%
    Ranked 2 out of 10
    For Ease of Use and Setup
    • 61% of people had positive sentiments
    • 20% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 19% of people had negative sentiments
  • #6

    Security Features

    Ranked 6 out of 10
    For Security Features
    • 54% of people had positive sentiments
    • 20% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 26% of people had negative sentiments
    54%
    20%
    26%
    Ranked 6 out of 10
    For Security Features
    • 54% of people had positive sentiments
    • 20% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 26% of people had negative sentiments
  • #5

    Speed and Performance

    Ranked 5 out of 10
    For Speed and Performance
    • 60% of people had positive sentiments
    • 13% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 27% of people had negative sentiments
    60%
    13%
    27%
    Ranked 5 out of 10
    For Speed and Performance
    • 60% of people had positive sentiments
    • 13% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 27% of people had negative sentiments
  • #4

    Server Locations

    Ranked 4 out of 10
    For Server Locations
    • 52% of people had positive sentiments
    • 26% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 22% of people had negative sentiments
    52%
    26%
    22%
    Ranked 4 out of 10
    For Server Locations
    • 52% of people had positive sentiments
    • 26% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 22% of people had negative sentiments
  • #4

    Privacy Policy and Logging Practices

    Ranked 4 out of 10
    For Privacy Policy and Logging Practices
    • 42% of people had positive sentiments
    • 15% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 43% of people had negative sentiments
    42%
    15%
    43%
    Ranked 4 out of 10
    For Privacy Policy and Logging Practices
    • 42% of people had positive sentiments
    • 15% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 43% of people had negative sentiments

Many users are happy with PIAโ€™s competitive prices, performance and ease of use. Customers also praise the companyโ€™s no-logs policy. However, several complaints discuss connectivity issues, slow customer service response times and issues when streaming. I have not experienced issues with connectivity or streaming, but I do agree about the slow customer service. Still, it seems that most PIA customers are happy with the service.

Pros & Cons
  • Open source software, verified no-logs policy
  • Stable connections across the board
  • Discounted rates for bulk accounts
  • Located in the U.S., a member of Five Eyes
  • Desktop user interface is messy
  • No dedicated business servers
Specs
Specification Details
Simultaneous Connections
Unlimited
Platform Support
Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, multiple routers, smart TVs, Chrome, Firefox, Apple TV, Android TV
Encryption
AES-128-bit and AES-256-bit, ChaCha20
Supported Protocols
WireGuard, IPsec, IKEv2
Number of Servers
Total server count not available

Best for SMBs On a Budget

Proton VPN

Proton VPN
4.0
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Monthly Starting Price

$8.99

(two-user minimum)

Free Plan

No, offers a 14-day trial

Jurisdiction

Switzerland

Proton VPN
Learn More Arrow

On ProtonVPN's Website

$8.99

(two-user minimum)

No, offers a 14-day trial

Switzerland

Expert Take

Proton VPN is the platform I have used to secure my personal network for years, and I have always been impressed with its performance. When you add business-centric features, it becomes a powerful business software solution. Such features include advanced security and access controls such as multifactor authentication, single sign-on support, audited SOC Type II security measures and SCIM support for user provisioning. Proton VPNโ€™s more than 13,000 servers ensure fast speeds. I averaged download speeds of 380 Mbps with pings as low as 15 ms.

A screenshot of Proton VPNโ€™s interface on macOS.

You can switch between light and dark mode in Proton VPNโ€™s desktop app.

Iโ€™ve had no issues bypassing geoblocks (region locks), setting up split tunneling (on non-iOS and macOS devices), configuring multihop or activating the kill switch. The desktop apps, browser extensions and mobile apps are all user-friendly, too. Proton VPNโ€™s no-logs policy is watertight, and being in Switzerland is a plus, since Switzerland is home to some of the worldโ€™s strictest privacy laws (for now at least). Proton VPNโ€™s business plan does not offer a free variant, but at $8.99 per user per month, with a two-user minimum, it is affordable.

Learn more: Read our full Proton VPN review.

Consumer Sentiment Index
6.2

6.2/10Consumer Score
The Consumer Sentiment Index from Forbes Advisor uses a proprietary weighting system designed by our subject matter experts. It evaluates thousands of consumer insights and reviews from leading online forums to determine customer satisfaction at scale.
Consumer Sentiment Index
7,132

How do we calculate

We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5

Insights Analyzed
  • #8

    Ease of Use and Setup

    Ranked 8 out of 10
    For Ease of Use and Setup
    • 45% of people had positive sentiments
    • 31% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 24% of people had negative sentiments
    45%
    31%
    24%
    Ranked 8 out of 10
    For Ease of Use and Setup
    • 45% of people had positive sentiments
    • 31% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 24% of people had negative sentiments
  • #4

    Security Features

    Ranked 4 out of 10
    For Security Features
    • 54% of people had positive sentiments
    • 23% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 23% of people had negative sentiments
    54%
    23%
    23%
    Ranked 4 out of 10
    For Security Features
    • 54% of people had positive sentiments
    • 23% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 23% of people had negative sentiments
  • #6

    Speed and Performance

    Ranked 6 out of 10
    For Speed and Performance
    • 50% of people had positive sentiments
    • 18% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 32% of people had negative sentiments
    50%
    18%
    32%
    Ranked 6 out of 10
    For Speed and Performance
    • 50% of people had positive sentiments
    • 18% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 32% of people had negative sentiments
  • #3

    Server Locations

    Ranked 3 out of 10
    For Server Locations
    • 40% of people had positive sentiments
    • 34% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 26% of people had negative sentiments
    40%
    34%
    26%
    Ranked 3 out of 10
    For Server Locations
    • 40% of people had positive sentiments
    • 34% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 26% of people had negative sentiments
  • #2

    Privacy Policy and Logging Practices

    Ranked 2 out of 10
    For Privacy Policy and Logging Practices
    • 52% of people had positive sentiments
    • 17% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 31% of people had negative sentiments
    52%
    17%
    31%
    Ranked 2 out of 10
    For Privacy Policy and Logging Practices
    • 52% of people had positive sentiments
    • 17% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 31% of people had negative sentiments

ProtonVPN customers appreciate the providerโ€™s free plan, which offers unlimited data. However, there are many who experience slow connection speeds, technical difficulties and issues when streaming content. I have used Proton VPN for many years and have not experienced the same when using ProtonVPN, but your mileage may vary.Some customers wish the service was cheaper, but overall, the platform is well-received.

Pros & Cons
  • Excellent reliability, fast speeds
  • Verified no-logs policy, located in Switzerland
  • Very affordable business plans
  • Uncertainty surrounding future jurisdiction due to potential law changes
  • No free plan for business users, only personal
  • No split tunneling on iOS or macOS
Specs
Specification Details
Simultaneous Connections
Up to 10 devices per business account
Supported Protocols
OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2
Encryption
AES-256-Bit or ChaCha20
Number of Countries with Servers
Over 110
Number of Servers
Over 13,000

Best for Team Management

Windscribe

Windscribe
3.7
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Monthly Starting Price

$3

(fiver-user minimum)

Free Plan

Yes, for individuals, 10GB monthly data, 10 servers, all features

Jurisdiction

Canada

(Five Eyes member)

Windscribe
Learn More Arrow

Read Forbes' Review

$3

(fiver-user minimum)

Yes, for individuals, 10GB monthly data, 10 servers, all features

Canada

(Five Eyes member)

Expert Take

Winscribeโ€™s business plan, which is called ScribeForce, is essentially the same product as Windscribe Pro with the added benefits of being able to manage all your team members from a handy admin panel, centralized billing, shared static IP addresses and being cheaper at $3 per user per month instead of $9 per user per month. Windscribe Pro is already a robust plan, and offers unlimited data, double hop, port forwarding, split tunneling and multiple VPN protocols. Thereโ€™s also Windscribeโ€™s own take on a kill switch, which they call a firewall.

A screenshot of Windscribe on macOS.

Windscribeโ€™s interface is easy to navigate; I just wish it could be resized.

The good news is that Windscribeโ€™s no-logs policy has been audited and verified, and they publish real-time transparency reports. The bad news is that despite Canada being amazing for maple syrup, itโ€™s bad for VPNs, as itโ€™s a member of Five Eyes. Windscribe also doesnโ€™t disclose its server count. Performance-wise, Iโ€™ve not had great luck. Speeds are erratic on local servers, ranging from 72 Mbps to 300 Mbps, and thereโ€™s no rhyme or reason for it. Windscribe is affordable, but be warned, you might just get what you pay for.

Learn more: Read our full Windscribe review.

Consumer Sentiment Index
7.5

7.5/10Consumer Score
The Consumer Sentiment Index from Forbes Advisor uses a proprietary weighting system designed by our subject matter experts. It evaluates thousands of consumer insights and reviews from leading online forums to determine customer satisfaction at scale.
Consumer Sentiment Index
16,651

How do we calculate

We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5

Insights Analyzed
  • #4

    Ease of Use and Setup

    Ranked 4 out of 10
    For Ease of Use and Setup
    • 62% of people had positive sentiments
    • 7% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 31% of people had negative sentiments
    62%
    7%
    31%
    Ranked 4 out of 10
    For Ease of Use and Setup
    • 62% of people had positive sentiments
    • 7% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 31% of people had negative sentiments
  • #7

    Security Features

    Ranked 7 out of 10
    For Security Features
    • 70% of people had positive sentiments
    • 5% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 25% of people had negative sentiments
    70%
    5%
    25%
    Ranked 7 out of 10
    For Security Features
    • 70% of people had positive sentiments
    • 5% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 25% of people had negative sentiments
  • #2

    Speed and Performance

    Ranked 2 out of 10
    For Speed and Performance
    • 58% of people had positive sentiments
    • 9% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 33% of people had negative sentiments
    58%
    9%
    33%
    Ranked 2 out of 10
    For Speed and Performance
    • 58% of people had positive sentiments
    • 9% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 33% of people had negative sentiments
  • #5

    Server Locations

    Ranked 5 out of 10
    For Server Locations
    • 59% of people had positive sentiments
    • 17% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 24% of people had negative sentiments
    59%
    17%
    24%
    Ranked 5 out of 10
    For Server Locations
    • 59% of people had positive sentiments
    • 17% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 24% of people had negative sentiments
  • #6

    Privacy Policy and Logging Practices

    Ranked 6 out of 10
    For Privacy Policy and Logging Practices
    • 42% of people had positive sentiments
    • 7% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 51% of people had negative sentiments
    42%
    7%
    51%
    Ranked 6 out of 10
    For Privacy Policy and Logging Practices
    • 42% of people had positive sentiments
    • 7% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 51% of people had negative sentiments

Windscribeโ€™s users love the VPNโ€™s ease of use, performance and the robust free plan. Windscribeโ€™s speed and ability to bypass geo-restrictions are also praised repeatedly. However, some dislike the free planโ€™s data limitations, and a few customers have complained about slow customer service and connection issues. Still, most users have positive things to say.

Pros & Cons
  • Team management and centralized billing
  • Unlimited data
  • Shared static IP addresses
  • Unreliable performance
  • Undisclosed server count
  • Located in Canada (a Five Eyes nation)
Specs
Specification Details
Simultaneous Connections
Unlimited on free and paid plans
Platform Support
Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Apple TV, Fire TV, Android TV
Encryption
AES-256-bit
Supported Protocols
OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2.
Number of Countries with Servers
69 countries

Best for Total Anonymity

Mullvad VPN

Mullvad VPN
3.7
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Monthly Starting Price

5 euros

($5.85 at time of publication)

Free Plan

No, 14-day money-back guarantee

Jurisdiction

Sweden

(14 Eyes member)

Mullvad VPN
Learn More Arrow

Read Forbes' Review

5 euros

($5.85 at time of publication)

No, 14-day money-back guarantee

Sweden

(14 Eyes member)

Expert Take

Mullvad VPN doesnโ€™t offer a business plan, dark web monitoring tools, password managers or anti-virus features. It even keeps things basic regarding applications, with offerings only for macOS, Linux, Windows, iOS and Android. However, it offers what are perhaps the best features for anonymity. Youโ€™ll find the two best encryption protocols (WireGuard and OpenVPN), quantum tunnels that can weather the harshest attacks, multihop, a kill switch and a verified no-logs policy, which is a win, as Mullvad is in a 14 Eyes country (Sweden).

Screenshots showing Mullvad VPN on iOS and ipleak.net results.

Mullvad VPN passed DNS leak tests on ipleak.net with flying colors.

Mullvadโ€™s 700-plus server network delivers good performance. Local servers averaged 350 Mbps with pings averaging 25 ms. European servers hover around 280 Mbps and pings around 120 ms. Mullvad passed encryption and DNS leak tests, too. The best thing, though, is the price and payment options. One month costs 5 euros ($5.85 at the time of writing), and you can pay with cash, cryptocurrency or card. You donโ€™t even need to share personal information (name, email or phone number) to create an account. You can remain completely anonymous.

Learn more: Read our full Mullvad VPN review.

Consumer Sentiment Index
7.3

7.3/10Consumer Score
The Consumer Sentiment Index from Forbes Advisor uses a proprietary weighting system designed by our subject matter experts. It evaluates thousands of consumer insights and reviews from leading online forums to determine customer satisfaction at scale.
Consumer Sentiment Index
3,141

How do we calculate

We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5

Insights Analyzed
  • #3

    Ease of Use and Setup

    Ranked 3 out of 10
    For Ease of Use and Setup
    • 68% of people had positive sentiments
    • 21% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 11% of people had negative sentiments
    68%
    21%
    11%
    Ranked 3 out of 10
    For Ease of Use and Setup
    • 68% of people had positive sentiments
    • 21% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 11% of people had negative sentiments
  • #3

    Security Features

    Ranked 3 out of 10
    For Security Features
    • 58% of people had positive sentiments
    • 23% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 19% of people had negative sentiments
    58%
    23%
    19%
    Ranked 3 out of 10
    For Security Features
    • 58% of people had positive sentiments
    • 23% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 19% of people had negative sentiments
  • #7

    Speed and Performance

    Ranked 7 out of 10
    For Speed and Performance
    • 65% of people had positive sentiments
    • 16% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 19% of people had negative sentiments
    65%
    16%
    19%
    Ranked 7 out of 10
    For Speed and Performance
    • 65% of people had positive sentiments
    • 16% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 19% of people had negative sentiments
  • #6

    Server Locations

    Ranked 6 out of 10
    For Server Locations
    • 44% of people had positive sentiments
    • 30% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 26% of people had negative sentiments
    44%
    30%
    26%
    Ranked 6 out of 10
    For Server Locations
    • 44% of people had positive sentiments
    • 30% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 26% of people had negative sentiments
  • #1

    Privacy Policy and Logging Practices

    Ranked 1 out of 10
    For Privacy Policy and Logging Practices
    • 77% of people had positive sentiments
    • 12% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 11% of people had negative sentiments
    77%
    12%
    11%
    Ranked 1 out of 10
    For Privacy Policy and Logging Practices
    • 77% of people had positive sentiments
    • 12% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 11% of people had negative sentiments

Mullvadโ€™s simple pricing structure, acceptance of cryptocurrency and cash as payment and strong focus on security and privacy, have found favor with its customer base. However, some users report issues when streaming content and dislike the removal of port forwarding. Overall, receives high praise.

Pros & Cons
  • Hyperfocus on anonymity
  • Good performance across servers
  • No personal info needed to create an account
  • Small server network
  • Doesnโ€™t support as many platforms as competitors
  • Located in Sweden (a 14 Eyes member)
Specs
Specification Details
Simultaneous Connections
Five simultaneous connections
Platform Support
Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android
Encryption
ChaCha20-Poly 1305, AES-256-GCM
Supported Protocols
OpenVPN, WireGuard
Number of Servers
Over 700

Best for International Travelers

Astrill VPN

Astrill VPN
3.7
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Monthly Starting Price

$9 per account

(10-user minimum)

Free Plan

No free plan and no refunds available

Jurisdiction

Liechtenstein

Astrill VPN

$9 per account

(10-user minimum)

No free plan and no refunds available

Liechtenstein

Expert Take

If you travel internationally, Astril VPN should be considered due to its proprietary Stealth protocol, which is one of the best for bypassing government restrictions in countries where a free internet doesnโ€™t exist (Russia, China, Iran, Vietnam, to name a few). However, this recommendation comes with a warning. While Astril can be frustrating to use, I appreciate its jurisdiction and features, which include a kill switch, split tunneling and multihop. However, its no-logs policy has not been independently audited, which is concerning.

A screenshot showing Astril kept all data encrypted while using Wireshark.

Astril passed encryption and DNS leak tests.

Astrilโ€™s business plan is decent. It offers a control panel to manage and provision users, 100GB of data on VIP servers, apps for major platforms and 24/7 support. I have interacted with Astrilโ€™s reps and have always found them helpful. Astril VPN offers good speeds, despite its small server network. Local servers hit 380 Mbps on average with pings in the low 20 ms. Distant servers averaged 100 Mbps and pings averaged 125 ms. The VPN also passed encryption and DNS leak tests. Astril costs $9 per account and has a 10-user minimum for business accounts.

Consumer Sentiment Index
4.9

4.9/10Consumer Score
The Consumer Sentiment Index from Forbes Advisor uses a proprietary weighting system designed by our subject matter experts. It evaluates thousands of consumer insights and reviews from leading online forums to determine customer satisfaction at scale.
Consumer Sentiment Index
2,848

How do we calculate

We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5

Insights Analyzed
  • #9

    Ease of Use and Setup

    Ranked 9 out of 10
    For Ease of Use and Setup
    • 24% of people had positive sentiments
    • 13% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 63% of people had negative sentiments
    24%
    13%
    63%
    Ranked 9 out of 10
    For Ease of Use and Setup
    • 24% of people had positive sentiments
    • 13% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 63% of people had negative sentiments
  • #10

    Security Features

    Ranked 10 out of 10
    For Security Features
    • 56% of people had positive sentiments
    • 11% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 33% of people had negative sentiments
    56%
    11%
    33%
    Ranked 10 out of 10
    For Security Features
    • 56% of people had positive sentiments
    • 11% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 33% of people had negative sentiments
  • #3

    Speed and Performance

    Ranked 3 out of 10
    For Speed and Performance
    • 45% of people had positive sentiments
    • 11% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 44% of people had negative sentiments
    45%
    11%
    44%
    Ranked 3 out of 10
    For Speed and Performance
    • 45% of people had positive sentiments
    • 11% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 44% of people had negative sentiments
  • #10

    Server Locations

    Ranked 10 out of 10
    For Server Locations
    • 36% of people had positive sentiments
    • 19% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 45% of people had negative sentiments
    36%
    19%
    45%
    Ranked 10 out of 10
    For Server Locations
    • 36% of people had positive sentiments
    • 19% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 45% of people had negative sentiments
  • #10

    Privacy Policy and Logging Practices

    Ranked 10 out of 10
    For Privacy Policy and Logging Practices
    • 13% of people had positive sentiments
    • 7% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 80% of people had negative sentiments
    13%
    7%
    80%
    Ranked 10 out of 10
    For Privacy Policy and Logging Practices
    • 13% of people had positive sentiments
    • 7% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 80% of people had negative sentiments

Astril VPN doesnโ€™t have the best user reviews. Many complain about the price, instability and the user interface. I agree that Astril VPN is costly and that the interface needs updating. However, users love the platformโ€™s ability to work in countries, such as China, which is Astril VPNโ€™s ace up the sleeve. If you need to beat the Great Firewall, thereโ€™s no better VPN. Still, the overall sentiment is that if you donโ€™t need that ability, you might want to look elsewhere.

Pros & Cons
  • Can easily bypass government internet restrictions
  • Good performance across the server network
  • Control panel for user administration
  • No-logs policy has not been verified
  • Terrible user interface
  • Very small server network
Specs
Specification Details
Simultaneous Connections
Five simultaneous connections
Platform Support
Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, router support
Encryption
AES-256-bit
Supported Protocols
OpenWeb, StealthVPN, WireGuard, OpenVPN
Number of Servers
Over 300 servers in 56 countries

Best for New VPN Users

TunnelBear

TunnelBear
3.6
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Monthly Starting Price

$5.75

(two-user minimum)

Free Plan

Yes, supports 2GB of monthly data

Jurisdiction

Canada

(Five Eyes member)

TunnelBear
Learn More Arrow

Read Forbes' Review

$5.75

(two-user minimum)

Yes, supports 2GB of monthly data

Canada

(Five Eyes member)

Expert Take

If youโ€™ve never used a VPN before and have no clue where to start, I highly recommend TunnelBear. The beautiful user interface simplifies what can be a treacherous process of configuring a VPN. Menus are well-designed; features are clearly labeled and described, and selecting servers and various options is straightforward. TunnelBear is also fast, with local servers hitting 360 Mbps on average. TunnelBear for Teams also simplifies user management, billing and offers a credit feature that gives prorated refunds should an employee leave.

A screenshot showing TunnelBearโ€™s user interface.

TunnelBearโ€™s welcoming interface makes it ideal for VPN first-timers.

Unfortunately, TunnelBear is located in Canada (a Five Eyes member), but its no-logs policy has at least been audited and verified. TunnelBear offers a robust feature set that includes the usual suspects (kill switch, split-tunneling, WireGuard and other strong protocols), support for unlimited devices, priority support and over 8,000 servers. However, it does not support multihop or router installation. Like all others, TunnelBear easily passed encryption and DNS leak tests. TunnelBear is also affordable, with the Team plan starting at $5.75 per user per month with a two-user minimum.

Learn more: Read our full TunnelBear review.

Consumer Sentiment Index
6.5

6.5/10Consumer Score
The Consumer Sentiment Index from Forbes Advisor uses a proprietary weighting system designed by our subject matter experts. It evaluates thousands of consumer insights and reviews from leading online forums to determine customer satisfaction at scale.
Consumer Sentiment Index
3,407

How do we calculate

We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5

Insights Analyzed
  • #1

    Ease of Use and Setup

    Ranked 1 out of 10
    For Ease of Use and Setup
    • 81% of people had positive sentiments
    • 11% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 8% of people had negative sentiments
    81%
    11%
    8%
    Ranked 1 out of 10
    For Ease of Use and Setup
    • 81% of people had positive sentiments
    • 11% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 8% of people had negative sentiments
  • #1

    Security Features

    Ranked 1 out of 10
    For Security Features
    • 80% of people had positive sentiments
    • 14% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 6% of people had negative sentiments
    80%
    14%
    6%
    Ranked 1 out of 10
    For Security Features
    • 80% of people had positive sentiments
    • 14% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 6% of people had negative sentiments
  • #9

    Speed and Performance

    Ranked 9 out of 10
    For Speed and Performance
    • 38% of people had positive sentiments
    • 24% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 38% of people had negative sentiments
    38%
    24%
    38%
    Ranked 9 out of 10
    For Speed and Performance
    • 38% of people had positive sentiments
    • 24% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 38% of people had negative sentiments
  • #1

    Server Locations

    Ranked 1 out of 10
    For Server Locations
    • 55% of people had positive sentiments
    • 23% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 22% of people had negative sentiments
    55%
    23%
    22%
    Ranked 1 out of 10
    For Server Locations
    • 55% of people had positive sentiments
    • 23% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 22% of people had negative sentiments
  • #5

    Privacy Policy and Logging Practices

    Ranked 5 out of 10
    For Privacy Policy and Logging Practices
    • 39% of people had positive sentiments
    • 12% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 49% of people had negative sentiments
    39%
    12%
    49%
    Ranked 5 out of 10
    For Privacy Policy and Logging Practices
    • 39% of people had positive sentiments
    • 12% of people had neutral sentiments
    • 49% of people had negative sentiments

TunnelBearโ€™s friendly user interface is praised often in consumer reviews. The VPN is seen as the ideal starting point for VPN beginners. However, some have stated that TunnelBearโ€™s speeds can be slower than other VPNs and that it offers fewer advanced features than most, which has made users look elsewhere. TunnelBear being owned by McAfee is also a sore point for many. Still, most users seem to be satisfied with the service overall.

Pros & Cons
  • Beautiful, user-friendly interface
  • Consistent speeds and pings
  • Team management tools
  • Located in Canada (a Five Eyes member)
  • Does not support multihop (double VPN)
  • Cannot be installed on routers
Specs
Specification Details
Simultaneous Connections
Unlimited simultaneous connections
Platform Support
Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Encryption
AES-256-Bit Encryption
Supported Protocols
WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2
Number of Servers
Over 8,000 physical servers in 45 countries

Methodology

I used our proprietary rubric to help rank multiple VPN features. For the best Business VPN software, 15 platforms were chosen, and 52 features across eight categories were analyzed. I then tested the top 10 platforms. Each VPN was then awarded a final score.

Decision Factor Scoring Weight Description
Consumer Sentiment
32%
We take into account the thoughts and opinions of real-world VPN users from review websites such as Capterra, G2 and Trustpilot so we can better understand how the general population feels about each service.
Security
26%
During testing, we evaluate VPN protocols on offer, encryption methods, split tunneling, double or multihop tools, kill switches, IPv6 leak protection, simultaneous connections, malware protection, Tor Over VPN, automatic Wi-Fi protection features, P2P encryption, static and dedicated IPs and perfect forward secrecy tools. I also test each provider with Wireshark and ipleak.net to ensure data is encrypted and that there are no DNS leaks.
Privacy
11.50%
We evaluate each provider's policies regarding no logs, third-party audits, warrant canaries, payment anonymity, email protection, ad and cookie blocking, and whether RAM-only servers are in use.
Value
11%
We evaluate the value of every plan offered by each VPN provider. We look at monthly and yearly costs compared to the features and tools offered. We also take into account the number of ways users can pay for subscriptions.
Servers and Jurisdiction
7.50%
We take into account the number of servers each VPN provides and the number of server locations offered. We also check where the provider is located and whether they fall under the Five, Nine and 14 Eyes alliances.
Service and Support
6%
We interact with each provider's customer service team to see how quickly they respond to questions and concerns and how knowledgeable the support staff is.
Product Differentiators
4%
We look at each VPN to see if they offer services that make them stand out from the crowd, such as dark web monitoring tools, ad blockers and password managers.
Compatibility
2%
We take into account how many platforms the VPN is compatible with.

Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Small Business

The Forbes Advisor Small Business team is committed to providing unbiased rankings and information with full editorial independence. We use product data, strategic methodologies and expert insights to inform all of our content to guide you in making the best decisions for your business journey.

Learn More: How We Evaluate VPNs

  • 15 Companies Evaluated
  • 52 Decision Factors Considered
  • Four Levels of Fact-Checking
  • Hands-On Testing


What Are Five, Nine and 14 Eyes Surveillance Alliances?

Five Eyes, Nine Eyes and 14 Eyes are government intelligence gathering and sharing communities. While it is generally illegal for countries to spy on their citizens, itโ€™s not always the case for the governments of other countries. For example, the U.S. can ask Australia to monitor U.S. citizens using a VPN, and Australia will share the collected data.

Picking a VPN located in one of the 14 countries is fine as long as your VPN has a no-logs policy that has been confirmed via external audits. The 14 countries in the alliance include:

  • Australia
  • Belgium
  • Canada
  • Denmark
  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • UK
  • U.S.

I only recommend using VPNs with no-logs and zero-logs policies because if a VPN doesnโ€™t collect user data, it has nothing to share when subpoenaed by government agencies.


How To Choose the Best Business VPN

To prevent cybersecurity attacks and protect your company data and bottom line, you should do your very best to make sure the VPN youโ€™re interested in offers enough privacy and security tools, is easy to use and offers plenty of value. Below, Iโ€™ll cover each of these in more detail so that you can make the right VPN choice for your SMB.

Essential Business VPN Features

Before opening the company coffers for a business VPN, ensure that the following features are available:

  • No-logs policy. A zero or no-logs policy is nonnegotiable. When a VPN says it has a zero-logs policy, it means it does not collect any data about you and what youโ€™re doing.
  • Verifiable third-party audits. Any VPN that refuses to be audited by a third party or refuses to share independent audits is one you should question. Any VPN worth investing in will have nothing to hide.
  • Kill switch. A kill switch is a must-have VPN feature. Kill switches immediately break your internet connection if the VPN fails, meaning no matter what youโ€™re doing online, your ISP and anyone else who is watching will not find out.
  • Multiple VPN protocols. Check that your VPN of choice offers multiple protocols so that you can protect yourself in different ways while online.
  • Multiple server locations. The more server locations, the better. More servers mean faster speeds, lower latencies and the ability to break more geoblocks.
  • Dedicated servers. Many VPNs offer dedicated servers that allow you the best connection for your activity. For example, dedicated servers can enhance connections for streaming, gaming and peer-to-peer networks.

Value

When shopping for a business VPN, there are a few things you should keep in mind regarding VPN costs. If you need a VPN for a short period, choose a monthly plan. However, remember that you will pay significantly more if you choose this option.

If you have been to any VPN provider website, youโ€™ll know that you can get outrageously good deals for yearly and multiyear plans. However, watch out for renewal fees, as you can pay double, sometimes triple, what you paid up front. My advice is, if you sign up for a long plan, turn off autorenewal immediately so you donโ€™t get stuck with a big bill down the road. Shop around, and before you buy, ensure the plan you can afford offers all the features you need.

Ease of Use

A VPN can offer all the features imaginable, but if itโ€™s challenging to use, it wonโ€™t do anyone any good. I strongly suggest using free trials and money-back guarantees so you can try the VPN and its features before you make any commitment. Turn on multihop, make sure the kill switch works and test the performance of multiple servers. If you have difficulty using any features, whether due to poor connectivity or hard-to-navigate apps, pick a different VPN. I also recommend reading our guide on how to set up a VPN.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How does a business VPN differ from a personal VPN?

A business VPN creates a secure connection between a businessโ€™s network and the devices its employees use, as well as creates secure tunnels that send encrypted data to websites.

What are the benefits of using a VPN for small businesses?

The benefits of using a VPN in a small business include securing business networks and the devices used to access them, data encryption and mitigating the risk of cyberattacks, such as distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks.

How do I choose the right VPN for my business?

To choose the right VPN for your business, you should research all prospective providers to ensure they offer the features you need. Also, you should take into consideration cost and ease of use. Make use of providersโ€™ money-back guarantees so you can try before you commit to a long-term plan.

Are there any security risks associated with business VPNs?

Yes, business software, VPNs included, is not 100% safe. While a VPN can protect your business data and keep employees safe online, thereโ€™s always a chance that a bad actor could infiltrate your network, especially if you have lax security and privacy training.

Can a VPN improve my business's online security?

Yes, a VPN can improve a businessโ€™s online security, provided it is configured correctly and that employees donโ€™t do anything that could compromise the network, such as falling for phishing attacks or giving out personal information.


Next Up In VPN


Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the authorโ€™s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
The Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Advisor site. This compensation comes from two main sources. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisersโ€™ offers appear on the site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. Second, we also include links to advertisersโ€™ offers in some of our articles; these โ€œaffiliate linksโ€ may generate income for our site when you click on them. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Advisor. While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Advisor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. Here is a list of our partners who offer products that we have affiliate links for.
lorem
Are you sure you want to rest your choices?