VPN Pricing for Small Business: Top 5 Tips

Imagine this: a team of five, hustling from cafes, co-working spaces, or remote home offices, suddenly gets hit by a data breach. Customer information, IP, internal communication—leaked. Most solopreneurs and small teams assume cyberattacks are for big enterprises. They’re not. Small businesses are prime targets, and one overlooked tool—VPNs (Virtual Private Networks)—can be your frontline of defense. But with so many price points and features, how do you know what you’re really paying for? This article uncovers how VPN pricing for small business works, which features are worth the cost, how to save money, and who the best providers are for 2024. Let’s make sense of the numbers—with your time, security, and budget in mind.

Table of Contents

Why VPNs Matter for Small Business Security

Cybersecurity can feel like a luxury when you’re juggling payroll, growth strategies, and customer satisfaction daily. But for small businesses, especially with remote or hybrid teams, a VPN isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential.

What Exactly Does a VPN Do?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates an encrypted tunnel between a user’s device and the internet. In plain words: it protects your data from prying eyes—whether it’s a hacker, ISP, or even an unsecured public network.

Real-World Vulnerabilities Without a VPN

Without a VPN, your remote employees accessing customer data on hotel Wi-Fi could expose your entire CRM system.
Your agency’s cloud-based client work might be vulnerable if a single team member’s laptop gets breached via unsecured networks.
Freelancers dealing with high-ticket clients could unknowingly leak sensitive communication through open connections.

The Business Risk You Can’t Ignore

Small businesses are victims of 43% of cyberattacks, according to Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report. Why? Hackers know many small companies lack proper infrastructure.

VPN as Your Affordable Security Partner

Unlike enterprise-level systems that require full-time IT support, VPNs offer an agile, cloud-ready solution. They’re scalable, simple to deploy, and far more affordable now than ever—especially when you understand how VPN pricing for small business works.

Think of a VPN as your business’s digital seatbelt. You hope you never need it in a crash—but you’d never drive without it.

Breaking Down VPN Pricing Models

VPN pricing for small business isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s shaped by several factors: number of users, feature sets, deployment models, and length of commitment.

1. Per User/Per Month Plans

This is the most common model offered by business VPN providers. You pay a fixed fee (usually between $3–$15/month) per user. Ideal for small teams, solopreneurs, and startups needing flexibility.

Pros: Scalable, predictable costs, easy onboarding.
Cons: Can become expensive as your team grows.

2. Tiered Business Plans

Some VPNs offer predefined tiers like Small Team (up to 10 users), Business Pro (25+ users), or Enterprise (100+ users). These come with advanced features like centralized admin control, SSO (Single Sign-On), and dedicated IPs.

3. Subscription Length Discounts

You can typically save 20–50% by committing to annual or multi-year contracts rather than paying monthly. Most VPNs offer 1, 2, or 3-year prepay discounts.

4. Freemium vs. Paid Models

While free VPNs might seem attractive, they’re not suitable for business use. Many free services lack enterprise-level encryption, keep logs, or come with usage limits—violating security best practices.

Understanding True ROI

Don’t just look at price tags. Evaluate the cost relative to potential loss from a breach, downtime, or compliance failure. Smart VPN pricing for small business should align with what your business can’t afford to risk.

Key Features That Justify the Cost

When analyzing VPN pricing for small business, it’s tempting to choose the cheapest plan and call it a day. But a few specific features often justify higher pricing—especially when security, scalability, and performance are on the line.

1. Dedicated IP Addresses

Unlike shared IPs that rotate between random users, a dedicated IP offers consistency. This enhances security, especially if you restrict access to tools, CRMs, or websites by IP range. It also reduces the chance of being flagged or blacklisted.

2. Centralized Admin Dashboard

Managing VPN connections across a team should be efficient. Admin dashboards let you:

Onboard new users in seconds.
Revoke access if devices are lost or if a contractor leaves.
Set permissions and monitor suspicious activity.

3. Kill Switch and DNS Leak Protection

Even if your connection drops, your data remains protected. VPNs that include these tools ensure there’s no accidental data exposure.

4. Multi-Device Support

Your team likely uses multiple devices—laptops, phones, tablets. Choose providers that allow 5–10 devices per user without extra fees.

5. Zero-Log Policy

This means the VPN provider doesn’t store any of your online activity. Especially important for businesses managing sensitive data or operating in regulated industries.

The value of VPN pricing for small business lies in these details. Spending a little more for premium features can dramatically reduce operational headaches—and the risk of breaches.

Cost-Saving Strategies for Growing Teams

As your small business scales, so can your software expenses. But VPN pricing for small business doesn’t have to balloon out of control. Here are pragmatic ways to reduce costs without compromising security.

1. Choose a Provider with Built-In Scalability

Look for VPN providers that let you start small and expand on demand. Avoid those that require large upfront user commitments or complex contracts. Growth shouldn’t mean friction.

2. Annual Billing is Your Ally

Opt for yearly plans. Many providers offer 30–50% discounts for committing annually. If your team is stable, this strategy yields significant savings.

3. Take Advantage of Business Bundles

Some VPN services bundle with other tools like password managers, antivirus or cloud storage. Example: NordLayer (business arm of NordVPN) integrates with user management tools and often runs bundled promos.

4. Use Seat-Sharing Strategically (But Ethically)

In cases where employees work in shifts (e.g., offshore support, part-time contractors), you may not need one VPN seat per person. Just make sure this doesn’t violate the provider’s terms. Reach out to clarify acceptable use.

5. Audit Usage Regularly

Use VPN analytics to see who’s active. Cancel or reallocate unused licenses to avoid waste. Many admin dashboards provide this visibility upfront.

6. Leverage Startup & SMB Discounts

VPN providers will often negotiate discounted rates for early-stage startups or small businesses. Don’t be afraid to contact their sales teams directly—especially if you have under 50 users.

VPN pricing for small business is flexible—if you know where and how to negotiate. With smart planning, what might seem like a premium security expense can become a cost-effective long-term investment.

Top VPN Providers for Small Businesses in 2024

Choosing a VPN is more than a checkbox—it’s a commitment to security, privacy, and team productivity. Here are five top-rated VPN providers tailored to businesses like yours in 2024, with a keen eye on VPN pricing for small business.

1. NordLayer

Best for: Growing startups and remote teams.
Key features: Centralized dashboard, dedicated servers, employee access management, integrations with GSuite & Azure AD.
Pricing: Starts around $7/user/month with volume and annual discounts.

2. Perimeter 81

Best for: Consulting agencies and SMBs needing secure infrastructure access.
Key features: Cloud firewall, Zero Trust architecture, network segmentation, easy scaling.
Pricing: From $8/user/month depending on features and commitment.

3. Surfshark One for Business

Best for: Teams needing device-level flexibility and bundled security tools.
Key features: Unlimited device connections, antivirus, breach monitoring.
Pricing: ~$6.50/user/month with annual plans.

4. Twingate

Best for: Businesses seeking Zero Trust over traditional VPNs.
Key features: Identity-based access, latency-free experience, integrates well with Okta and Google Workspace.
Pricing: Custom quotes depending on usage tiers—but competitive for small business use.

5. ExpressVPN for Teams (Coming Q2 2024)

Best for: Freelancers and solopreneurs with global clients.
Key features: Simple setup, blazing speed, trusted no-log policy.
Pricing: Anticipated $8–$10/user/month, with bundles for 5, 10, 20 users.

Choosing the right VPN provider depends on your team size, growth trajectory, and needed features. But great news: VPN pricing for small business is more competitive—without sacrificing security—than ever before.

Conclusion

As digital threats rise, the most resourceful small businesses will be the ones that see VPNs not as a cost—but as a strategic shield. Understanding VPN pricing for small business helps you make smarter investments that protect data, empower remote teams, and scale with your growth. From recognizing critical features to leveraging provider discounts and choosing scalable tools like NordLayer or Perimeter 81, you’re now equipped to make informed decisions that balance security and budget.

In business, every decision either hardens your foundation or exposes your gaps. VPNs? They’re security you can silently rely on—until the day you’re glad you had them.