10 Best VPN Services in 2026: The Small Business Security Checklist

Here’s a hard truth I’ve learned watching small businesses grow: The moment you leave your office, your vulnerability skyrockets.

You’re hustling. Maybe you’re pitching a client from a hotel in another state, or perhaps your remote team is connecting to the central server from a dozen different home Wi-Fi networks. Every time you connect outside your secured walls, you are sending proprietary data over an open highway. That’s a massive risk.

I’ve seen first hand how a cheap, unreliable Virtual Private Network (VPN) can turn into a massive security incident. A VPN isn’t a luxury item anymore; it is the fundamental encrypted tunnel that protects your business data wherever you or your team may be.

For the small business owner, the criteria for choosing a VPN are simple: It must be rock-solid, fast, and easy to manage. I’ve cut through the noise to give you my list of the 10 Best VPN Services in 2026, focusing on enterprise-grade features that fit a small business budget.

Top 10 VPN Services in 2026 (For Small Business)

1. Proton VPN (Best for Privacy and Transparency)

If your business handles extremely sensitive data (legal documents, financial portfolios, or healthcare records), you need maximum protection. Proton VPN is based in Switzerland and their applications are open-source, which is the highest form of transparency a security product can offer.

Expert Insight: Their commitment to transparency and routine audits means you can truly trust their No-Logs Policy. This is a premium choice for high-stakes privacy.

Key Feature: Secure Core (routes traffic through ultra-secure servers in privacy-friendly countries).

2. Mullvad VPN (Best for Absolute Anonymity)

Mullvad is for the ultra-privacy conscious user. You don’t even need an email address to sign up; they give you an account number and let you pay with cash or crypto. While this might be overkill for a general small business, it’s perfect if your work involves high-stakes research or sensitive political issues.

Expert Insight: Their philosophy is simple: collect zero data. That’s a principle every cybersecurity professional can fully endorse.

Key Feature: Payment by cash option and a simple, fixed monthly price.

3. NordVPN (Best All-Rounder for Speed & Security)

NordVPN is a perennial favorite because it consistently delivers. I personally rely on it whenever I’m troubleshooting remote issues and need a stable, trustworthy connection. Their implementation of the NordLynx protocol (based on WireGuard) is ridiculously fast—meaning no more excuses about a slow connection slowing down productivity.

Expert Insight: They offer NordLayer, a powerful business-focused solution with centralized billing and team management. That’s essential when you need to quickly onboard and manage access for multiple employees.

Key Feature: Double VPN (routes your traffic through two servers for double encryption).

4. ExpressVPN (Best for Seamless, Simple Use)

When recommending a VPN to a colleague who isn’t a dedicated tech head, I often suggest ExpressVPN. The experience is buttery smooth. For employees who are constantly traveling or who aren’t super technical, the simple interface drastically reduces the chance of human error (which, trust me, causes most security issues).

Expert Insight: The TrustedServer Technology (RAM-only servers) is a huge win for privacy. It means there’s virtually no data to seize or compromise on their end.

Key Feature: Excellent device compatibility—it works flawlessly on everything from routers to mobile devices.

5. Surfshark (Best Value for Unlimited Devices)

This one is fantastic for the budget-conscious business owner, especially those embracing a Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) policy. A single subscription covers an unlimited number of devices. If you’re a startup with a small team but a lot of gadgets, the unlimited connections make this an unbeatable deal.

Expert Insight: If you’re trying to cover laptops, work phones, and tablets without multiple subscriptions, this service offers the best value.

Key Feature: CleanWeb (blocks ads, trackers, and malware).

6. Perimeter 81 (Best for True Business/Zero-Trust Solutions)

This is a step up from a consumer VPN into a full-blown security platform. Perimeter 81 focuses on Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). If your small business is scaling, hiring remote developers, or dealing with strict compliance (like HIPAA), this dedicated platform is worth the investment for its centralized team access management.

Expert Insight: ZTNA is the future of corporate security. This service makes managing who can access which resource incredibly precise and secure.

Key Feature: Centralized dashboard and dedicated IPs for secure, specific access.

7. CyberGhost (Best for Server Volume and Variety)

If your business needs a vast array of global server locations—perhaps for application testing or geo-specific marketing campaigns—CyberGhost is a powerhouse. They have thousands of servers worldwide.

Expert Insight: Their 45-day money-back guarantee is one of the longest in the industry. Use it to thoroughly test their stability across all your team’s devices.

Key Feature: Dedicated servers optimized for specific tasks like streaming or high-speed data transfer.

8. Private Internet Access (PIA) (Best for Customizable Settings)

PIA is for the user who likes to tinker and optimize. If you or your internal IT person wants granular control over encryption settings and connection protocols, PIA gives you the tools to customize your defense.

Expert Insight: The apps are open-source and their no-logs claim has been proven in court. They are a transparent and reliable choice for the user who wants maximum technical control.

Key Feature: Advanced split tunneling (lets you choose which apps go through the VPN and which don’t).

9. NordLayer (Dedicated Business Solution)

NordLayer layers on everything a business needs: Single Sign-On (SSO) support, centralized user management, and dedicated IP addresses. If you have 5+ remote employees, skip the consumer plans and go straight for this platform.

Expert Insight: This is about more than just privacy; it’s about access control. It lets you define who can access specific resources, a vital feature for protecting internal company documents.

Key Feature: Dedicated VPN Gateway for secure, private access to internal business tools.

10. TunnelBear (Best for Simplicity and Beginners)

For a business owner who is completely new to VPNs and just wants something simple, friendly, and independently audited, TunnelBear is a solid starting point. They have a cute, approachable interface that takes the intimidation factor out of basic network security.

Expert Insight: They publish annual security audits—a non-negotiable sign of a trustworthy provider. For very small teams (1-3 people) with simple needs, this is a great, user-friendly option.

Key Feature: VigilantBear (their kill switch) stops all traffic if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly.

A Few Final Words of Advice

Before you sign on the dotted line, remember these three rules:

• Don’t Settle for “Free”: Free consumer VPNs often make money by logging and selling your data. For a business, this is a fatal flaw.
• Look for AES-256 Encryption: This is the industry gold standard and should be non-negotiable for all business-related data.
• Check the Jurisdiction: Ensure your provider is based in a privacy-friendly country (e.g., Panama, Switzerland) that doesn’t belong to the 5/9/14 Eyes surveillance alliances.

Stay vigilant and stay secure.

Read Also:

• What is VPN? A Beginner’s Guide for VPN Users
• Top Reasons to Abandon Google in Favour of Private Search Engines
• Top 50 Small Business Tools 2026 For Online Startups

About the Author: Riley Jenson is a recognized expert in Advanced Cybersecurity and Cryptography, specializing in building resilient, forward-thinking digital defenses. As a Security Architect and Ethical Hacker, Riley focuses on proactive threat modelling and implementing Zero-Trust Networks. Their mission is to help small businesses use enterprise-grade tools to protect their assets from the ever-evolving threat landscape.