ToolScoutWhy Traditional VPNs Are Not Enough for Modern Businesses
The old model of business VPN security assumed everyone worked from the same office and connected to a centralized server room. You installed a VPN client, connected through a gateway, and accessed company resources through a secure tunnel. That model breaks down in a world of remote teams, cloud-hosted applications, and employees using personal devices.
Modern business network security has shifted toward zero-trust architecture, where every access request is verified regardless of where the user connects from. Instead of granting broad network access to anyone with VPN credentials, zero-trust solutions authenticate each user and device, then grant access only to the specific resources they need.
In this roundup, we compare five business network security solutions that represent different approaches: NordLayer for traditional VPN with modern features, Perimeter 81 for cloud-based network security, Twingate for zero-trust resource access, Tailscale for developer-friendly mesh networking, and Cloudflare Access for application-level zero-trust security.
NordLayer
NordLayer is the business-focused offering from the team behind NordVPN, one of the most recognized consumer VPN brands. NordLayer brings enterprise network security features to small and mid-size businesses with a familiar VPN experience and a manageable learning curve.
Key Features
NordLayer provides encrypted tunneling to protect data in transit, which is the core function of any business VPN. What sets it apart is the layer of access management built on top. Administrators can create network segments, assign users to groups, and define which resources each group can access. This segmentation prevents a single compromised account from accessing the entire network.
The platform supports dedicated IP addresses, which are essential for businesses that need to whitelist specific IPs for accessing cloud services, databases, or partner systems. Site-to-site VPN connects multiple office locations through encrypted tunnels. Device posture checks verify that connecting devices meet security requirements before granting access.
NordLayer integrates with identity providers including Okta, Azure AD, Google Workspace, and OneLogin for single sign-on authentication. The admin panel provides visibility into connected users, bandwidth usage, and access logs.
The client apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, with a user experience that mirrors the consumer NordVPN app. This familiarity reduces the training burden when rolling out to non-technical teams.
Where NordLayer Falls Short
NordLayer sits between a traditional VPN and a full zero-trust solution. While it offers network segmentation and device checks, it does not provide the granular per-resource access controls that Twingate or Cloudflare Access offer. Businesses with advanced zero-trust requirements may find it insufficient.
Performance can vary depending on server location and load. Some users report occasional connection drops and slower speeds compared to direct internet access, particularly when routing through distant server locations. Enterprise features like SIEM integration and advanced threat protection require higher-tier plans.
Pricing
NordLayer Lite starts at $8 per user per month. Core costs $11 per user per month, Premium is $14 per user per month, and Enterprise offers custom pricing. All plans require a minimum of 5 users.
Perimeter 81
Perimeter 81 provides a cloud-native network security platform that replaces traditional VPN hardware with a software-defined solution. The platform is designed for businesses that have moved their infrastructure to the cloud and need a security model that matches.
Key Features
Perimeter 81 offers secure remote access, site-to-site connectivity, and cloud network security through a unified platform. The zero-trust architecture verifies every connection request based on user identity, device posture, and context before granting access.
The platform provides private gateways deployed in major cloud regions, giving businesses dedicated, high-performance connection points. Network segmentation creates isolated environments for different teams, departments, or security levels. DNS filtering blocks access to malicious websites and enforces acceptable use policies.
Perimeter 81’s Firewall as a Service protects cloud resources without requiring physical hardware. The platform supports split tunneling, allowing businesses to route only business traffic through the secure network while personal traffic goes directly to the internet.
Integration with identity providers supports SAML-based single sign-on, and the admin console provides detailed activity logs, compliance reports, and network topology visualization.
Where Perimeter 81 Falls Short
Perimeter 81’s pricing is on the higher end for small businesses, and the platform’s full capabilities only unlock on premium tiers. The setup process, while simpler than hardware VPN deployment, still requires network architecture decisions that may need IT expertise.
Some users report that the admin interface has a learning curve, particularly when configuring complex network rules and segmentation policies. Customer support responsiveness has received mixed reviews, with some businesses noting slow response times for non-critical issues.
Pricing
Perimeter 81 Essentials starts at $8 per user per month with a minimum of 10 users. Premium is $12 per user per month, Premium Plus is $16 per user per month, and Enterprise offers custom pricing.
Twingate
Twingate takes a fundamentally different approach from traditional VPNs. Instead of creating an encrypted tunnel to an entire network, Twingate provides access to specific resources on a per-user, per-device basis. This zero-trust model minimizes the attack surface and eliminates the lateral movement risk that plagues traditional VPN architectures.
Key Features
Twingate replaces the VPN gateway with a distributed architecture of connectors deployed alongside your resources, whether they live in AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, on-premises data centers, or a combination. Users connect to resources directly through Twingate’s client, with the connection authenticated and authorized at every step.
The resource-level access model means an engineer can access the development server without being able to reach the production database, and a marketing team member can access the CMS without visibility into engineering infrastructure. This granularity is the foundation of zero-trust security.
Twingate runs invisibly in the background after initial setup. Users do not need to connect or disconnect a VPN client. When they access an authorized resource, Twingate handles authentication and routing automatically. This invisible operation eliminates the friction that causes employees to bypass traditional VPNs.
The platform supports integration with identity providers for SSO, device trust verification, and network-level logging for security audits. Deployment requires no changes to existing network infrastructure or DNS.
Where Twingate Falls Short
Twingate requires deploying connectors in every environment where you have resources. For businesses with many resource locations, this adds management overhead. The per-resource access model also requires more detailed access planning than a traditional VPN, where granting network access is a single action.
Twingate does not provide site-to-site VPN functionality. Businesses that need to connect office networks or data centers will need a supplementary solution. The platform also does not offer built-in threat protection, DNS filtering, or firewall capabilities that solutions like Perimeter 81 include.
Pricing
Twingate Free supports up to 5 users and 10 remote networks. The Starter plan costs $5 per user per month, Business is $10 per user per month, and Enterprise offers custom pricing.
Tailscale
Tailscale builds a mesh VPN network using the WireGuard protocol, creating secure connections directly between devices without routing traffic through a central gateway. This approach appeals strongly to developer teams and technically-oriented organizations that value simplicity, performance, and open-source principles.
Key Features
Tailscale creates a private network that connects all your devices and servers as if they were on the same local network. Every device gets a stable IP address, and connections between devices are encrypted end-to-end using WireGuard. Traffic flows directly between devices through NAT traversal, without passing through Tailscale’s servers.
Setup is remarkably simple. Install the Tailscale client on a device, authenticate with your identity provider, and the device joins your network automatically. There are no gateways to configure, no ports to open, and no certificates to manage. The mesh topology means connections are fast because traffic takes the shortest path between devices.
Access Control Lists (ACLs) define which devices can communicate with each other. These rules are written in a human-readable JSON format and version-controlled alongside your infrastructure code. SSH access management, HTTPS certificate provisioning, and subnet routing extend the platform’s capabilities.
Tailscale supports exit nodes that let you route all traffic through a specific device, functioning as a traditional VPN when needed. The platform integrates with major identity providers and supports multi-factor authentication.
Where Tailscale Falls Short
Tailscale’s peer-to-peer architecture and developer-oriented approach may not suit every organization. The ACL configuration, while powerful, requires comfort with JSON syntax and network concepts. Non-technical teams may struggle with setup and management without IT support.
The platform does not provide a traditional admin dashboard with the visual network management that solutions like NordLayer or Perimeter 81 offer. Compliance reporting and audit logging are available but not as comprehensive as enterprise-focused alternatives.
Pricing
Tailscale Personal is free for up to 3 users and 100 devices. The Starter plan costs $5 per user per month, Business is $18 per user per month, and Enterprise offers custom pricing.
Cloudflare Access
Cloudflare Access is part of Cloudflare’s Zero Trust platform and provides application-level access control without a traditional VPN. Instead of securing network connections, Cloudflare Access secures individual applications, making it ideal for businesses whose resources are primarily web-based.
Key Features
Cloudflare Access sits in front of your web applications and verifies every request against your access policies. Users authenticate through your identity provider, and Cloudflare checks device posture, location, and other context signals before granting access to each application. No VPN client is required for web applications, as protection is delivered through Cloudflare’s global network.
The platform supports both self-hosted and SaaS applications. For self-hosted apps, you install a lightweight connector (Cloudflare Tunnel) that creates an outbound-only connection to Cloudflare’s network, eliminating the need to expose any ports to the internet. For SaaS apps, Cloudflare acts as an authentication proxy.
Cloudflare’s global network means access is fast regardless of user location. With data centers in over 300 cities, the performance impact of routing through Cloudflare is minimal. The platform also includes browser isolation, which renders web applications in a remote browser and streams only pixels to the user’s device, preventing data exfiltration.
Gateway DNS filtering, data loss prevention, and CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker) capabilities round out the security suite.
Where Cloudflare Access Falls Short
Cloudflare Access is designed for web-based applications and does not natively support non-web protocols like RDP, SSH (beyond its SSH proxy), or custom TCP/UDP applications without additional configuration through Cloudflare Tunnel. Businesses with significant non-web infrastructure may need supplementary solutions.
The platform’s capabilities extend far beyond basic VPN replacement, which means the configuration can be complex. Smaller businesses may find the full Zero Trust platform more than they need, and the pricing model based on users and feature tiers requires careful evaluation.
Pricing
Cloudflare Access Free supports up to 50 users with basic access policies. The Pay-as-you-go plan costs $7 per user per month, and Contract plans offer custom pricing with SLA commitments and premium support.
How to Choose the Right Solution
Assess Your Infrastructure
Businesses with primarily cloud-hosted, web-based resources should evaluate Cloudflare Access or Twingate. Businesses with on-premises infrastructure and multiple office locations should consider NordLayer or Perimeter 81. Developer teams with mixed infrastructure should look at Tailscale.
Evaluate Your Security Requirements
Organizations subject to compliance requirements like HIPAA, SOC 2, or GDPR should prioritize solutions with comprehensive audit logging, compliance reports, and data residency controls. Twingate, Cloudflare Access, and Perimeter 81 offer the strongest compliance features.
Consider Your Team’s Technical Capability
Non-technical teams will find NordLayer the most accessible thanks to its consumer VPN-like experience. Technical teams will appreciate Tailscale’s simplicity and Twingate’s invisible operation. IT teams should evaluate the full feature sets of Perimeter 81 and Cloudflare Access.
Our Verdict
Choose NordLayer if you want a familiar VPN experience with modern security features and a low learning curve for non-technical teams.
Choose Perimeter 81 if you need a comprehensive cloud-native network security platform with firewall, DNS filtering, and network segmentation.
Choose Twingate if you want zero-trust resource access with invisible operation and minimal user friction.
Choose Tailscale if your team is technically oriented and you want a fast, simple mesh VPN built on WireGuard with developer-friendly configuration.
Choose Cloudflare Access if your resources are primarily web-based and you want application-level zero-trust security powered by a global network.
For managing passwords alongside your network security, see our best password managers for business roundup. For broader security tool recommendations, check out our collaboration tools for remote teams.