By Andrew Armstrong 
VPN (Virtual Private Network) technology has evolved significantly and choosing the right solution for your business in 2026 depends on your size, budget and security requirements. This guide covers the main VPN options for small and medium businesses — from self-hosted solutions to cloud-managed services.
Why Businesses Need a VPN
- Secure remote access for employees working from home or travelling
- Encrypt traffic on public WiFi networks
- Connect remote offices to the central network (site-to-site VPN)
- Comply with data protection regulations that require encrypted data transmission
- Access internal resources like file shares and intranet sites remotely
Option 1 — Windows Server with RRAS (Self-Hosted)
Windows Server includes Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) which can be configured as a VPN server supporting SSTP, L2TP/IPsec and IKEv2 protocols. It is free as part of Windows Server licensing and integrates with Active Directory for authentication.
- Cost: Free (requires Windows Server licence)
- Best for: Organisations already running Windows Server
- Protocols: SSTP, L2TP/IPsec, IKEv2, PPTP (avoid)
- Authentication: Active Directory, RADIUS, certificates
Option 2 — Azure VPN Gateway
Azure VPN Gateway provides point-to-site and site-to-site VPN connectivity managed entirely in Azure. It is ideal for organisations with Azure infrastructure who want to avoid managing VPN server hardware or virtual machines.
- Cost: From approximately £25/month for Basic tier
- Best for: Organisations with Azure workloads
- Protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2, SSTP
- Scales to: Up to 10,000 concurrent connections on highest tier
Option 3 — OpenVPN (Self-Hosted)
OpenVPN is the most widely deployed open source VPN solution. It can be self-hosted on Windows, Linux or a cloud VM and supports a wide range of platforms. The OpenVPN Access Server adds a web-based admin interface.
- Cost: Free (self-hosted) or from £10/month (Access Server cloud)
- Best for: Technical teams who want full control
- Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android
- Free tier: 2 concurrent connections
Option 4 — WireGuard
WireGuard is a modern VPN protocol that is significantly faster and simpler than OpenVPN or IPsec. It is now built into the Linux kernel and has clients for all major platforms. It requires more technical knowledge to set up than commercial solutions but offers excellent performance.
- Cost: Free — open source
- Best for: Technical teams prioritising performance
- Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android
- Performance: Significantly faster than OpenVPN
Option 5 — Commercial Business VPN (NordLayer, Perimeter 81)
Commercial business VPN solutions like NordLayer (from NordVPN) and Perimeter 81 offer managed VPN with a web admin console, no server management required and per-user pricing. They are ideal for non-technical teams who want a simple managed solution.
- Cost: From £7-10 per user per month
- Best for: Non-technical teams, quick deployment
- Features: Web admin console, SSO integration, device management
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a VPN still necessary if we use Microsoft 365?
Yes — Microsoft 365 data is encrypted in transit by default, but a VPN is still needed for accessing on-premises resources like file shares, intranet sites, internal databases and any legacy systems that are not cloud-hosted. For fully cloud-based organisations, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solutions are increasingly replacing traditional VPNs.
What VPN protocol should I use in 2026?
IKEv2 and WireGuard are the recommended protocols in 2026 — both are fast, secure and work well on mobile devices. SSTP is a good choice for Windows-only environments as it works through firewalls that block other protocols. Avoid PPTP — it has serious security vulnerabilities and should not be used in any new deployment.
What is the difference between site-to-site and point-to-site VPN?
Site-to-site VPN connects two networks — for example your main office and a branch office — permanently and transparently. All traffic between the sites flows through the encrypted tunnel without users needing to connect manually. Point-to-site VPN allows individual users to connect their device to the corporate network on demand when working remotely.
Does using a VPN slow down internet speed?
Yes — a VPN adds some overhead due to encryption and routing through an additional server. Modern protocols like WireGuard have minimal impact — typically 5-15% reduction in speed. Older protocols like OpenVPN can reduce speeds by 20-40%. The impact is usually acceptable for business use, though large file transfers and video calls may be affected on slower connections.
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