Does Surfshark One include antivirus?

Yes, Surfshark One includes antivirus protection in addition to VPN. According to Surfshark's official website, Surfshark One is a security bundle that includes: VPN (encrypted connection), Antivirus (real-time malware protection), Search (private search engine), and Alert (data breach monitoring). This makes Surfshark One excellent value at $5.99/user/month — you get VPN and antivirus in one package. Other VPNs like ExpressVPN and NordLayer do not include antivirus. If you need both VPN and antivirus, Surfshark One is the most cost-effective option.

Can I use a personal VPN for my business?

You can use a personal VPN for basic business needs, but business VPNs offer important additional features: 1) Team management — add/remove users, assign permissions. 2) Dedicated IP — a fixed IP address for whitelisting. 3) Centralized billing — one invoice for all users. 4) Admin dashboard — manage all connections from one panel. 5) Priority support — faster response times. 6) Compliance — business VPNs often have compliance certifications (SOC 2, ISO 27001). For a solo entrepreneur, a personal VPN may suffice. For teams of 2+, a business VPN like NordLayer or Twingate is recommended for management and security features.

Which VPN is best for remote teams in MENA?

For remote teams in MENA, consider these factors: 1) Server locations — choose VPNs with servers in UAE, Saudi Arabia, or nearby countries (Europe) for low latency. 2) WhatsApp and VoIP — some MENA countries restrict VoIP; a VPN can bypass these restrictions. 3) Privacy laws — choose VPNs with no-log policies for MENA privacy compliance. Recommended VPNs for MENA: ExpressVPN (servers in UAE, fast speeds, reliable in MENA), NordLayer (team management, good MENA connectivity), Surfshark One (cheapest, unlimited devices, good speeds). Twingate is excellent for zero-trust remote access to company resources. Always verify VPN availability and performance in your specific MENA country before subscribing.

Cheapest VPN for Business in 2026: Cost Comparison

Affiliate Disclosure: Some links below are affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

How we evaluateEditorial methodology VPN & Remote Access Research standards

Key Takeaways

Surfshark One — Cheapest paid VPN — $5.99/user/mo, unlimited devices
Twingate — Free for 5 users — zero-trust access
Proton VPN Business — Best for Best for organizations prioritizing audited Swiss privacy and open-source transparency
NordLayer — Best for Best for businesses needing zero-trust network access with quick deployment
ExpressVPN for Business — Best for Best for businesses prioritizing global server reach and proven privacy posture

Official Sources Checked

We use vendor pricing pages and official websites to verify product details. External review-site ratings are not aggregated into schema.

Surfshark One official pricing Twingate official pricing Proton VPN Business official pricing NordLayer official pricing ExpressVPN for Business official pricing

Quick Comparison

Tool	Best For	Starting Price	Action
Surfshark OneEditor's Pick	Best for cost-conscious teams wanting bundled VPN, antivirus, and identity protection	From $5.99/user/mo	Get Surfshark
TwingateEditor's Pick	Distributed teams that want zero-trust network access in 15 minutes — without VPN concentrator hardware, public IP exposure, or split-tunnel complexity.	From $0	Start Free
Proton VPN Business	Best for organizations prioritizing audited Swiss privacy and open-source transparency	From $6.99/user/mo	View Plans
NordLayer	Best for businesses needing zero-trust network access with quick deployment	From $8/user/mo	View Pricing
ExpressVPN for Business	Best for businesses prioritizing global server reach and proven privacy posture	From $12.95/user/mo	View Plans

Quick Verdict

Cheapest VPN for business in 2026: Twingate is free for up to 5 users (best for tiny teams). Surfshark One at $5.99/user/mo is the cheapest paid option with unlimited devices. Proton VPN Business at $6.99/user/mo offers Swiss privacy. NordLayer at $8/user/mo provides team management. ExpressVPN at $12.95/user/mo is the premium option. For most small businesses, Surfshark One offers the best value — cheap, unlimited devices, and includes antivirus. For teams needing zero-trust access, Twingate's free tier is excellent.

Expert Perspective

All pricing verified against official product pages as of July 2026. Twingate: Free (5 users, 3 apps), Starter $4/user/mo. Surfshark One: from $5.99/user/mo (annual). Proton VPN Business: from $6.99/user/mo. NordLayer: from $8/user/mo. ExpressVPN for Business: from $12.95/user/mo. Prices based on annual billing where applicable.

Based on official product pages and pricing pages as of July 2026.

This reflects our editorial team's perspective based on research and publicly available documentation.

Cheapest VPN for Business in 2026: Cost Comparison

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is essential for businesses with remote workers, multiple locations, or teams that need secure access to company resources. But VPN pricing varies widely — from free to $12.95+ per user per month. This guide compares the cheapest VPN options for business in 2026.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

For more resources, see our HubSpot pricing breakdown 2026 and our Semrush pricing guide 2026.

Quick Price Comparison

VPN	Starting Price	Free Tier	Devices	Best For
Twingate	Free (5 users)	Yes	Unlimited	Zero-trust access
Surfshark One	$5.99/user/mo	No	Unlimited	Best value paid
Proton VPN Business	$6.99/user/mo	No	10 per user	Swiss privacy
NordLayer	$8/user/mo	No	6 per user	Team management
ExpressVPN Business	$12.95/user/mo	No	5 per user	Premium quality

All prices based on annual billing where applicable. Verified as of July 2026.

Twingate: Free for 5 Users

Twingate is a zero-trust access platform that offers a free tier for small teams. According to its official pricing page, the free plan includes 5 users and 3 applications.

Key features:

Free for 5 users and 3 apps
Zero-trust network access (ZTNA)
End-to-end encryption
No-log policy
Remote access without traditional VPN
Easy setup (no complex configuration)

Paid plans:

Starter: $4/user/month (10 users, 10 apps)
Pro: $12/user/month (unlimited users, unlimited apps)
Enterprise: Custom pricing

Best for: Small teams (up to 5 users) that need secure remote access to internal applications without traditional VPN complexity.

Why it's the cheapest: Twingate's free tier genuinely costs $0 for up to 5 users. It's not a time-limited trial — it's a permanent free plan.

Surfshark One: Best Value Paid VPN

Surfshark One is the cheapest paid VPN for business at $5.99/user/month. According to its official pricing page, it includes VPN, antivirus, private search, and data breach alerts.

Key features:

Unlimited devices per user
VPN with AES-256 encryption
Antivirus (real-time malware protection)
Private search engine
Data breach alert
No-log policy
CleanWeb (ad and malware blocking)
3,200+ servers in 100 countries

Pricing:

Surfshark One: from $5.99/user/month (annual)
Surfshark One+: from $7.99/user/month (adds webcam protection)
Surfshark Incogni: from $4.99/user/month (data removal)

Best for: Small businesses that want VPN + antivirus in one package at the lowest price.

Why it's the best value: Unlimited devices per user means one subscription covers an employee's laptop, phone, tablet, and home computer. Plus, you get antivirus included.

Proton VPN Business: Swiss Privacy

Proton VPN Business is based in Switzerland, offering strong privacy protections. According to its official pricing page, plans start at $6.99/user/month.

Key features:

Swiss privacy laws (strong data protection)
No-log policy
AES-256 encryption
Secure Core (multi-hop VPN)
10 devices per user
VPN Accelerator (faster speeds)
Business dashboard for team management
NetShield (ad and malware blocking)

Pricing:

Proton VPN Business: from $6.99/user/month (annual)
Proton VPN Business Pro: from $11.99/user/month

Best for: Businesses that prioritize privacy and want Swiss legal protection for their data.

NordLayer: Team Management Focus

NordLayer (by NordVPN) is designed for business teams. According to its official pricing page, plans start at $8/user/month.

Key features:

Team management dashboard
Dedicated IP options
6 devices per user
AES-256 encryption
No-log policy
Threat Protection (malware blocking)
Custom DNS
Site-to-site networking
5,500+ servers in 60 countries

Pricing:

Starter: from $8/user/month (annual)
Business: from $9/user/month
Enterprise: custom pricing

Best for: Growing teams that need centralized management and dedicated IP addresses.

ExpressVPN for Business: Premium Option

ExpressVPN is the premium VPN option. According to its official pricing page, plans start at $12.95/user/month.

Key features:

5 devices per user
AES-256 encryption
No-log policy (audited)
TrustedServer technology (RAM-only servers)
Split tunneling
Kill switch
3,000+ servers in 105 countries
24/7 customer support
Business dashboard

Pricing:

ExpressVPN for Business: from $12.95/user/month (annual)

Best for: Businesses that want the most reliable VPN with the fastest speeds and best customer support, regardless of cost.

Total Cost Calculator

Solo Entrepreneur

Twingate Free: $0 (1 user, 3 apps)
Total: $0/month

Small Team (5 users)

Twingate Free: $0 (5 users, 3 apps)
Total: $0/month
OR Surfshark One: $29.95/month (5 users × $5.99)
OR Proton VPN: $34.95/month (5 users × $6.99)

Growing Team (10 users)

Surfshark One: $59.90/month (10 × $5.99)
OR Proton VPN: $69.90/month (10 × $6.99)
OR NordLayer: $80/month (10 × $8)
OR ExpressVPN: $129.50/month (10 × $12.95)

Large Team (25 users)

Surfshark One: $149.75/month (25 × $5.99)
OR NordLayer: $200/month (25 × $8)
OR ExpressVPN: $323.75/month (25 × $12.95)

Written by

Editorial Team

Founder & Lead Researcher

Expert in reviewing and evaluating business software and technology tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest VPN for business?

The cheapest VPN for business is Twingate, which is free for up to 5 users and 3 applications. For paid VPNs, Surfshark One is the cheapest at $5.99/user/month (annual billing) with unlimited devices per user. Proton VPN Business at $6.99/user/month is the second cheapest. NordLayer at $8/user/month and ExpressVPN at $12.95/user/month are more expensive but offer additional enterprise features. According to official pricing pages, all prices are verified as of July 2026.

Is a free VPN safe for business use?

Twingate's free tier is safe for business use — it's a legitimate zero-trust access platform with end-to-end encryption. However, most free consumer VPNs are not safe for business because they may log your data, sell browsing history, show ads, or have weak encryption. For business use, always choose a reputable paid VPN or Twingate's free tier. Avoid free VPNs that promise unlimited data without a clear business model — they may be selling your data. According to cybersecurity best practices, businesses should use VPNs with no-log policies, strong encryption (AES-256), and dedicated business features like team management and dedicated IPs.

How many VPN users do I need for my business?

The number of VPN users depends on your business needs: 1) Remote workers — each remote employee needs a VPN connection. 2) Office workers — may need VPN for secure access to internal resources. 3) Multiple locations — each location may need VPN connectivity. For small businesses (1-10 employees), most VPNs charge per user. Surfshark One offers unlimited devices per user, so one subscription covers all an employee's devices. Twingate's free tier covers 5 users. For larger teams, NordLayer and ExpressVPN offer volume discounts. Calculate your needs: count remote workers + office workers needing secure access + any contractors or freelancers.

Continue Your Research

More VPN & Remote Access guides

Return to the category hub for comparisons, reviews, and alternatives.

How we evaluate software

Read the editorial methodology behind our recommendations.

Affiliate disclosure

Understand how affiliate links may support BizTechScout.

Browse all categories

Explore the complete software review library.

More VPN & Remote Access Articles Browse All Categories

Features Comparison

Feature	Twingate	Surfshark	Proton	NordLayer	ExpressVPN
Free tier	Yes (5 users)	No	No	No	No
Unlimited devices	Yes	Yes	No (10)	No (6)	No (5)
Antivirus included	No	Yes	No	No	No
Zero-trust access	Yes	No	No	No	No
Team dashboard	Yes (paid)	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Dedicated IP	No	No	No	Yes	No
No-log policy	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes (audited)
AES-256 encryption	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Server count	N/A	3,200+	2,800+	5,500+	3,000+
Countries	N/A	100	65	60	105

VPN Security Features Explained

AES-256 encryption: The industry standard for VPN encryption. All five VPNs in this comparison offer AES-256 encryption. This is the same encryption standard used by banks and government agencies.

No-log policy: A VPN provider's commitment to not logging your browsing activity, connection timestamps, or IP addresses. ExpressVPN's no-log policy has been independently audited. Proton VPN's no-log policy is enforced by Swiss law. Always choose VPNs with verified no-log policies.

Kill switch: A feature that automatically disconnects your internet if the VPN connection drops, preventing your real IP from being exposed. ExpressVPN, NordLayer, Surfshark, and Proton VPN all include kill switches.

Split tunneling: Allows you to route some traffic through the VPN while other traffic goes through your regular connection. Useful for accessing local websites while encrypting sensitive business traffic. ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN offer split tunneling.

Dedicated IP: A fixed IP address that only you use. Useful for whitelisting on corporate firewalls and avoiding CAPTCHAs. NordLayer offers dedicated IP options.

Zero-trust access (ZTNA): A modern security approach where every access request is verified, regardless of network location. Twingate provides zero-trust access, which is more secure than traditional VPN for remote access to internal applications.

VPN Use Cases for Business

Remote Work Security

Remote workers accessing company resources from home, coffee shops, or co-working spaces need VPN to encrypt their connection. Without VPN, their traffic can be intercepted on public Wi-Fi. All five VPNs handle this use case.

Multi-Location Office Connectivity

Businesses with multiple offices need secure connectivity between locations. NordLayer offers site-to-site networking for this purpose. Twingate can connect multiple locations through zero-trust access.

Bypassing Geo-Restrictions

Some business tools and websites are geo-restricted. VPN allows employees to access resources from any location. ExpressVPN with 105 countries and Surfshark with 100 countries offer the widest geo-access.

Secure Cloud Access

Teams accessing cloud applications (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure) benefit from VPN encryption. Twingate is specifically designed for secure cloud and internal application access.

Compliance and Data Protection

Businesses subject to GDPR, HIPAA, or other regulations need encrypted connections. Proton VPN's Swiss jurisdiction provides strong privacy protections. ExpressVPN's audited no-log policy helps with compliance.

VPN Performance Factors

Server count: More servers mean less congestion and faster speeds. NordLayer (5,500+), Surfshark (3,200+), and ExpressVPN (3,000+) have the most servers.

Server locations: More countries mean better access to geo-restricted content. ExpressVPN (105 countries), Surfshark (100 countries), and Proton VPN (65 countries) offer the widest coverage.

VPN protocol: WireGuard is the fastest modern protocol. All five VPNs support WireGuard or similar fast protocols. ExpressVPN uses Lightway (their proprietary protocol). NordLayer uses NordLynx (their WireGuard implementation).

Speed impact: VPNs slow down your connection due to encryption overhead. ExpressVPN and NordLayer typically have the lowest speed impact. Surfshark offers good speeds with VPN Accelerator. Proton VPN's Secure Core adds an extra hop but improves security.

Common VPN Mistakes for Business

1. Using free consumer VPNs: Free consumer VPNs (like Hola VPN) often sell your data, show ads, or have weak security. Use Twingate's free tier (legitimate business VPN) or a paid business VPN.

2. Not using no-log VPNs: If your VPN logs your activity, your data could be subpoenaed or sold. Always choose VPNs with verified no-log policies.

3. Sharing VPN credentials: Sharing one VPN account among multiple employees is insecure and often violates terms of service. Use per-user licensing with business VPNs.

4. Not using kill switches: Without a kill switch, your real IP is exposed if the VPN drops. Always enable the kill switch feature.

5. Choosing based on price alone: The cheapest VPN may not have the security features your business needs. Balance price with security, speed, and reliability.

6. Not training employees: Employees need to know how to connect, disconnect, and troubleshoot VPN issues. Provide basic VPN training as part of onboarding.

VPN vs Zero-Trust Access

Traditional VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between the user and the network. Once connected, the user has access to the entire network. Zero-trust access (like Twingate) verifies every access request individually, granting access only to specific applications.

VPN is better for: General internet encryption, bypassing geo-restrictions, public Wi-Fi security.

Zero-trust is better for: Remote access to internal applications, granular access control, cloud security, compliance.

Many businesses use both: VPN for general internet security and zero-trust for internal application access.

How to Choose the Right VPN for Your Business

By Budget

$0/month: Twingate Free (up to 5 users)
~$6/user/month: Surfshark One
~$7/user/month: Proton VPN Business
~$8/user/month: NordLayer
~$13/user/month: ExpressVPN

By Team Size

1-5 users: Twingate Free or Surfshark One
6-20 users: Surfshark One or Proton VPN
20+ users: NordLayer or ExpressVPN

By Use Case

Remote access to internal apps: Twingate (zero-trust)
General internet security: Surfshark One (cheapest with antivirus)
Privacy-focused: Proton VPN (Swiss privacy)
Team management: NordLayer (best dashboard)
Best performance: ExpressVPN (fastest, most reliable)

Tips to Reduce VPN Costs

Use Twingate Free: If you have 5 or fewer users, Twingate's free tier is all you need
Choose annual billing: Most VPNs offer 20-50% savings on annual plans
Count only remote workers: Office workers on a secure network may not need VPN
Use unlimited device plans: Surfshark's unlimited devices means one subscription covers all devices
Bundle VPN + antivirus: Surfshark One includes both, saving you from buying separate antivirus
Negotiate for large teams: NordLayer and ExpressVPN offer volume discounts for 25+ users

For more resources:

HubSpot pricing: See our HubSpot pricing breakdown 2026 guide
Semrush pricing: See our Semrush pricing guide 2026 guide
MENA software: See our best software for Saudi Arabia businesses 2026 guide
AI tools: See our best AI tools for small business 2026 guide

Final Verdict

The cheapest VPN for business in 2026 is Twingate (free for 5 users). For paid VPNs, Surfshark One at $5.99/user/month is the best value — it includes VPN, antivirus, and unlimited devices per user. Proton VPN at $6.99/user/month offers Swiss privacy. NordLayer at $8/user/month provides team management. ExpressVPN at $12.95/user/month is the premium option.

Best value path: Start with Twingate Free (up to 5 users) → upgrade to Surfshark One when you need more users or antivirus → upgrade to NordLayer for team management → upgrade to ExpressVPN for premium performance.

Always verify current pricing on official VPN websites before subscribing.

Sales & Marketing

Operations & HR

Industry-Specific

IT & Creative

Cheapest VPN for Business in 2026: Cost Comparison

Related Articles

Best Business VPN Services 2026

Best Zero-Trust VPN Alternatives 2026

NordLayer vs Top VPN & Remote Access Tools 2026

NordLayer Pricing 2026: Plans, Limits, and Alternatives

ExpressVPN for Business Alternatives 2026

Best VPN for Small Business (2026): 8 Top Picks Compared

Key Takeaways

Official Sources Checked

Quick Comparison

Quick Verdict

Expert Perspective

Cheapest VPN for Business in 2026: Cost Comparison

Quick Price Comparison

Twingate: Free for 5 Users

Surfshark One: Best Value Paid VPN

Proton VPN Business: Swiss Privacy

NordLayer: Team Management Focus

ExpressVPN for Business: Premium Option

Total Cost Calculator

Solo Entrepreneur

Small Team (5 users)

Growing Team (10 users)

Large Team (25 users)

Editorial Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Research

How to Choose VPN & Remote Access Tools in 2026

NordLayer Review 2026: Business VPN Solution

Best LastPass Alternatives 2026: Password Manager Options

Best 1Password Alternatives 2026: Password Managers

Best VPN for Business 2026: Complete Comparison

How to Choose Security Tools in 2026

Related free tools

Features Comparison

VPN Security Features Explained

VPN Use Cases for Business

Remote Work Security

Multi-Location Office Connectivity

Bypassing Geo-Restrictions

Secure Cloud Access

Compliance and Data Protection

VPN Performance Factors

Common VPN Mistakes for Business

VPN vs Zero-Trust Access

How to Choose the Right VPN for Your Business

By Budget

By Team Size

By Use Case

Tips to Reduce VPN Costs

Alternatives and Related Resources

Final Verdict