In today’s digital world, where remote work has become the norm, protecting your privacy and ensuring a secure connection is more important than ever. Using the right VPN (Virtual Private Network) can make the difference between a smooth, secure working experience and one full of cybersecurity risks. With that in mind, here’s a detailed comparison of the best VPN for remote work, analyzing their features, advantages, and disadvantages to help you make the best choice.
Whether you’re a digital nomad, a freelancer, or an employee working from home, you’ll discover which VPN best suits your specific needs. Read on to find the perfect online protection for your remote work!
What is a VPN?
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a technological tool that allows you to create a secure and encrypted connection over a less secure network, like the Internet. This tool adds an extra layer of security and privacy, enabling users to browse the web anonymously and securely. Essentially, a VPN acts as a tunnel that protects your data and online activities from potential threats and prying eyes.
The functionality of a VPN is relatively simple yet highly effective. When you connect to the Internet without a VPN, your device communicates directly with websites and online services, exposing your IP address and allowing your activity to be tracked. However, when using a VPN, your device first connects to a VPN server, which then communicates with the Internet on your behalf. This initial connection between your device and the VPN server is encrypted, meaning that any data transmitted is protected from interception. Additionally, the VPN assigns a new IP address to your traffic, masking your true location and providing an extra layer of anonymity.
The advantages of using a VPN are numerous, especially for remote workers. Firstly, privacy is significantly enhanced since a VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic, preventing third parties from tracking your online activities. Secondly, security is increased, protecting your data from hackers and malicious actors—an essential feature when using public Wi-Fi networks.
What are the benefits of having a VPN for remote work?
As we already know, having a VPN is essential to ensure the security and privacy of internet connections. Using a VPN for remote work not only protects the employee’s sensitive information but also safeguards the company’s data and assets.
Data Security
The encrypted connection provided by a VPN protects your data from hackers and other malicious actors. This is especially important when working from home or in public places, where networks may be less secure. Without a VPN, employees and companies risk data theft, which could lead to financial loss and reputational damage.
Access to Restricted Resources
Many companies have internal resources, such as databases and applications, accessible only from specific locations or internal networks. A VPN enables employees to securely access these resources no matter where they are, ensuring productivity while maintaining security.
Risks of Not Using a VPN
Failing to use a VPN while working remotely can have serious consequences for both employees and employers. Employees may expose personal and professional data, increasing the risk of identity theft and cyberattacks. For employers, the lack of a VPN can result in the loss of sensitive information, security breaches, and reputational harm, not to mention potential legal and regulatory penalties.
The 10 best VPNs for remote work
Choosing the right VPN for remote work can make the difference between a safe and efficient experience and one filled with risks and connectivity issues. We have selected the ten best VPNs for remote work based on criteria such as connection speed, security, ease of use, additional features, and value for money. These VPNs not only ensure a secure connection but also offer specific features that make them stand out in the realm of remote work.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is known for its exceptional speed and robust security. This VPN offers over 3,000 servers in 160 countries, ensuring fast and stable connections anywhere in the world.
One of the most notable features of ExpressVPN is its TrustedServer technology, which ensures that no data is ever written to a hard drive, providing an extra layer of security. Additionally, the app is extremely user-friendly, with an intuitive interface that allows for quick and hassle-free setup.
The main advantage of ExpressVPN over other options is its consistent speed and ability to unblock geo-restricted content, making it ideal for those needing access to work resources from various locations. However, one of its downsides is its price, as it is one of the most expensive VPNs on the market, with plans starting at $12.95 per month, though significant discounts are offered for annual subscriptions.
2. NordVPN
NordVPN is another standout option for remote work, known for its solid security and vast network of servers, which includes over 6,400 servers in 111 countries. Among its standout features, Meshnet is particularly interesting, allowing users to create their own encrypted private network for file sharing.
Another notable feature of NordVPN is Double VPN, which routes your traffic through two servers instead of one for enhanced security, and CyberSec, which blocks ads and protects against malicious websites. Additionally, its ability to handle up to six simultaneous connections is ideal for users with multiple devices.
NordVPN stands out for its balance between price and performance. Its most affordable plan starts at $5.39 per month with a two-year commitment, making it an accessible option without compromising quality. However, some users have reported variable speeds depending on the server location, which could be a drawback for those requiring constant, fast connections.
3. CyberGhost
CyberGhost offers an ideal combination of ease of use and advanced features, with over 11,078 servers in 100 countries. This VPN is especially popular among beginners due to its friendly interface and simple setup.
One of CyberGhost’s standout features is its focus on privacy, with a strict no-logs policy and protection against DNS and IP leaks. Additionally, it offers pre-configured profiles for different needs, such as streaming or torrenting, optimizing the user experience based on specific activities.
The main advantage of this VPN is its user-friendliness combined with its competitive pricing, with plans starting at $2.50 per month for three-year subscriptions. However, a potential drawback is its inconsistent performance in some regions, which could affect connection speed.
4. Surfshark
Surfshark has quickly earned a reputation for its excellent value, offering high-end features at an affordable cost. With over 3,200 servers in 95 countries, Surfshark provides fast and secure connections.
Among its features, the ability to have unlimited simultaneous connections stands out, making it a great benefit for families or small businesses. It also offers Camouflage Mode, which hides the use of the VPN, and MultiHop, which connects through multiple countries for an additional layer of security.
Surfshark’s outstanding advantage is its ability to offer unlimited connections at a highly competitive price, starting at $2.19 per month with a two-year commitment. Despite its many advantages, some users have reported that its interface can be less intuitive compared to more established VPNs.
5. Private Internet Access (PIA)
Private Internet Access, or PIA, is known for its robust security and transparent privacy policy. With servers in 91 countries, PIA offers one of the largest server networks available and boasts over a decade in the VPN industry.
Among its main features is its no-logs policy, ensuring that no trace of your web activity is recorded. Additionally, PIA offers a Dedicated IP VPN, which provides an exclusive IP accessible only to you, allowing access to geo-restricted content and masking online activity while maintaining a seamless browsing experience.
The main advantage of PIA is its strong focus on security and privacy, combined with its extensive server network. Its pricing is also competitive, starting at $1.98 per month for a 3-year plan with 4 extra months for free. However, some users have found its interface less user-friendly compared to other providers, which could be a drawback for less tech-savvy users.
6. Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield is known for its exceptional speed thanks to its proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol. With over 3,200 servers in 80 countries, this VPN is a solid choice for those prioritizing connection speed. According to its website, Hotspot Shield is ranked #1 in performance and speed.
Hotspot Shield’s features include military-grade encryption, malware protection, and the ability to unblock geo-restricted content. Additionally, it offers a free version with limited data, which can be useful for testing the service before committing.
Hotspot Shield’s standout advantage is its speed, one of the best in the VPN market. Its plans start at $7.99 per month for annual subscriptions, placing it in the mid-range for pricing. However, the free version may include ads and data limitations, which might not suffice for intensive users.
7. VyprVPN
VyprVPN stands out for its focus on privacy and its ownership of all its servers, enhancing security and performance. With over 700 servers in 96 countries, VyprVPN provides decent global coverage.
A notable feature of VyprVPN is its Chameleon technology, which bypasses censorship and VPN blocking, making it particularly useful in countries with Internet restrictions. It also offers a no-logs policy and strong encryption to protect user privacy.
The main advantage of VyprVPN is its ability to avoid censorship and offer a secure and private connection. Its pricing starts at $2.50 per month with a two-year commitment, making it quite affordable. However, some users may find its server network less extensive compared to other high-level VPNs.
8. ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is a robust option known for its strong focus on security and privacy. Developed by the creators of ProtonMail, this service offers over 4,815 servers in 91 countries. Among its standout features is Secure Core, which routes traffic through multiple servers to enhance anonymity.
The main advantage of ProtonVPN is its emphasis on privacy and security, along with its free plan, which allows users to try the service without commitment. Its paid plans start at $4.99 per month for a two-year commitment, reaching up to $12.99 per month for the Premium Plan. However, the free servers can be congested, affecting connection speed.
9. IPVanish
IPVanish focuses on offering a fast and secure connection with over 2,200 servers in more than 75 countries. One of its standout features is its satisfaction guarantee, promising a full refund if users are not completely satisfied with the product.
Another notable feature of IPVanish is its ability to provide encrypted cloud storage, an additional benefit for data security. It also allows unlimited simultaneous connections, ideal for users with multiple devices.
The main advantage of IPVanish is its speed and the inclusion of cloud storage as part of its service. Its plans start at $2.79 per month with a one-year commitment. However, some users have reported that the interface can be slightly less intuitive compared to other VPNs.
10. Windscribe
Windscribe is a relatively new VPN that has gained popularity for its generous free offer and privacy focus. With servers in more than 110 cities across 67 countries, Windscribe provides reasonably good global coverage.
Among its features, Windscribe offers an integrated ad blocker and the option to configure your own VPN servers. Its free plan includes 10GB of data per month, which is more generous than many other free VPNs.
As mentioned earlier, Windscribe’s standout advantage is its generous free plan and advanced privacy features. Its paid plans start at $5.75 per month with a one-year commitment. However, a potential drawback is the variable speed on the free plan, which may not be ideal for users requiring a fast, consistent connection.
Which is the best VPN for remote work?
After an exhaustive evaluation of the available options, we consider that the best VPN for remote work is ExpressVPN. This choice is based on several key factors that are essential for remote workers: speed, security, ease of use, and the ability to unblock geo-restricted content.
The constant speed of ExpressVPN is one of its main advantages, guaranteeing a smooth, uninterrupted connection, crucial for video conferences, file transfers, and other work activities that require stable bandwidth. Furthermore, its vast network of over 3,000 servers in 94 countries ensures that there is always a nearby server to provide the best possible connection.
In terms of security, ExpressVPN stands out with its AES-256-bit encryption, a no-logs policy, and TrustedServer technology, which offers additional protection by not writing data to hard drives. This robust security infrastructure is vital for protecting sensitive employee and company information, especially when working from public or unsecured networks.
Ease of use is another highlighted feature of ExpressVPN. Its intuitive and simple interface allows for quick configuration and hassle-free use, even for those who are not tech-savvy. This accessibility is fundamental to maintaining productivity without wasting time on complex setups.
Finally, the ability of ExpressVPN to unblock geo-restricted content is a significant additional benefit. This allows remote workers to access resources and services from their home country, which can be essential for certain work tasks.
