Which enterprise VPN solution should you choose in 2025?

What Is an Enterprise VPN Solution?

An enterprise VPN is secure connectivity that extends private access to internal resources over the public internet. It typically includes identity controls (directory + MFA/SSO), policy engines (group-based authorisation), and a data plane delivered via client software or clientless browser access. Deployments range from self-hosted gateways and appliances to cloud points of presence managed by a third party. In many stacks, VPNs coexist with reverse proxies, app publishing, and zero-trust controls.

While classic VPNs grant network-level reachability, today’s enterprise usage is more nuanced. Teams combine VPNs with app-level access, remote desktop publishing, and segmentation to reduce lateral movement. This hybrid approach allows administrators to preserve legacy protocols and administrative workflows while tightening exposure for routine business users who only need specific apps.

Why Do Businesses Need Enterprise-Grade VPNs?

Enterprises still depend on VPNs for encrypted tunnels, deterministic routing, and a single policy plane for sensitive services. Compliance teams benefit from centralised authentication, auditable logs, and integration with SIEM tooling. When M&A activity, third-party access, or branch connectivity is involved, VPNs offer a proven control that security officers understand, and auditors recognise.

The workforce story remains central. Hybrid work and field operations demand access that functions over high-latency or unstable links. VPNs that support split tunnelling, modern ciphers, and reliable clients reduce help-desk load. Many organizations pair network-level access for administrators with application-level delivery for end users, balancing performance, security , and supportability.

What To Look for in Enterprise VPN Solutions?

Start with security and identity. Require MFA, SSO (SAML/OIDC), granular role-based policies, and modern cryptography. If device posture matters, verify native checks or integrations with your endpoint stack. Logging quality is non-negotiable; you need detailed events and long-term retention that align with your compliance framework. For user experience, prioritise clientless access when possible and ensure clients are stable across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

Operationally, assess how the solution scales and fails. Look for HA clustering, geo-redundancy, predictable upgrade paths, and clear guidance on throughput. Decide whether you need self-hosting for data sovereignty or a cloud-managed model for speed. Finally, model total cost of ownership beyond licence fees—include gateways/appliances, support, MFA/SSO add-ons, logging storage, admin time, and the soft costs of onboarding and training.

The 7 Top Enterprise VPN Solutions in 2026

TSplus Remote Access

TSplus Remote Access, The Best Value for Money Alternative

TSplus Remote Access publishes Windows desktops and applications over HTTPS through an HTML5 Web Portal, avoiding a full network tunnel. This sharply limits lateral movement and makes onboarding faster. Administrators can self-host to keep data on-prem and combine 2FA, IP filtering, and reverse-proxy patterns to harden exposure. For many business workflows, app publishing fulfills the “VPN outcome” with less complexity.

Pros

• HTML5 portal for Windows apps and desktops - no client installation needed.
• Self-hosted simplicity on Windows Server; quick rollout and low overhead.
• Strong controls: 2FA, IP filtering, per-app policies, gateway chaining.
• Excellent TCO for SMB and mid-market; predictable licensing.

Cons

• Not a site-to-site or full network tunnel; pair with network VPN for those cases.
• Device posture and EDR integrations rely on your existing stack and policies.

Pricing

• Licenses offered with perpetual and subscription options .
• Add-ons like security features are priced in USD as well.

Ratings/Reviews

• Customers often praise quick setup and good value. Many also like the browser-based access.

Cisco Secure Client (AnyConnect)

Cisco Secure Client, The Enterprise-Scale Standard

Cisco’s mature client works with ASA/FTD gateways and supports SSL/TLS and IPsec. It integrates natively with Duo for MFA and scales across large campus and data centre footprints. Enterprises standardised on Cisco networking often benefit from ecosystem cohesion.

Pros

• Broad OS coverage and stable client.
• Tight integrations with Duo, ISE, and Secure Firewall.
• Enterprise-grade logging and policy control.

Cons

• Design, HA, and geo scale often require specialist skills.
• Layered licensing and add-ons can raise TCO.

Pricing

• Pricing is quote-based through Cisco partners
• Final cost depends on licenses and support.

Ratings/Reviews

• Reviewers commonly note reliable connections.
• Some mention that policies can be complex.

Fortinet FortiClient

Fortinet pairs the FortiGate gateway with FortiClient endpoints and EMS management for an integrated stack. SSL VPN and IPsec options combine with SD-WAN and inspection features, yielding strong throughput on purpose-built hardware.

Pros

• High performance with hardware acceleration.
• Deep integration across the Fortinet Security Fabric.
• Built-in posture checks and evolving ZTNA features.

Cons

• Best value when standardized on Fortinet across sites.
• Policy/profile sprawl can increase admin overhead.

Pricing

• Solution usually sold as bundles.
• Hardware, endpoint licenses, and support affect totals.

Ratings/Reviews

• Users highlight strong performance. A learning curve across modules is sometimes reported.

Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect

Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect, The Security-First Powerhouse

GlobalProtect integrates with Palo Alto NGFWs and Prisma Access for cloud delivery. Emphasis is on consistent policy and advanced threat prevention on and off the network—appealing to security-driven enterprises.

Pros

• Rich controls with App-ID, User-ID, and content inspection.
• Cloud points of presence for distributed teams.
• Extensive logging and SIEM integrations.

Cons

• Premium pricing; advanced features require add-ons.
• Requires PAN-OS expertise and disciplined change management.

Pricing

• Pricing is provided via partners.
• Subscriptions and support influence overall cost.

Ratings/Reviews

• Reviews emphasize strong security.
• Some mention higher cost and complexity.

OpenVPN Access Server

OpenVPN Access Server, The Budget-Friendly Workhorse

A widely adopted, standards-based VPN that is straightforward to self-host on VMs or cloud instances. Admins appreciate the approachable UI and flexible deployment.

Pros

• Cost-effective with clear deployment patterns.
• Works for user VPN and site-to-site.
• Broad client support and active documentation.

Cons

• Advanced device posture needs third-party tooling.
• HA/scaling require careful IaaS design.

Pricing

• Pricing is published per concurrent connection.
• Volume discounts may apply.

Ratings/Reviews

• Users like the straightforward deployment.
• Some note that scaling needs planning.

NordLayer

NordLayer, The Quick-to-Deploy Cloud VPN Solution

NordLayer offers cloud-managed gateways, straightforward clients, and identity integrations. It’s popular with distributed SMB and mid-market teams that value quick rollout and centralised admin.

Pros

• Fast onboarding and easy client experience.
• SSO/MFA support and role-based policies.
• Solid cross-platform coverage.

Cons

• Less suitable for deep on-prem segmentation.
• Some advanced logging/posture options are tier-dependent.

Pricing

• Plans are listed per user per month.
• Optional add-ons increase the monthly total.

Ratings/Reviews

• Reviewers appreciate easy rollout.
• A few want deeper admin controls.

SonicWall SMA

SonicWall SMA, The Mid-Market Mainstay Solution

SMA appliances and the NetExtender client deliver mature SSL VPN with RBAC and reporting. It’s a natural fit for environments standardized on SonicWall firewalls.

Pros

• Solid feature set with policy granularity and reporting.
• HA options for resilience.
• Good fit for mid-market networks.

Cons

• Best efficiencies when staying within the SonicWall ecosystem.
• UX and client feel more traditional versus cloud-native entrants.

Pricing

• Pricing is typically quote-based.
• Appliances, pooled users, and support affect price.

Ratings/Reviews

• Users report steady day-to-day access.
• Some feel the interface is traditional.

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## How Do These Solutions Compare?

Software	Type	Hosting Model	Best For	Pricing	Notable Strengths	Potential Gaps	Ratings
TSplus Remote Access	App/desktop publishing over HTTPS	Self-hosted (Windows Server)	Secure app and desktop access without full tunnel	Per-server licensing; quotes	HTML5 portal, low TCO, simple rollout	Not a full site-to-site VPN	Strong satisfaction for ease and value
Cisco Secure Client (AnyConnect)	SSL/IPsec client VPN	Self-hosted gateways (ASA/FTD)	Large enterprises/campus & DC	Quote-based	Scale, Duo/ISE ecosystem	Complexity, layered costs	High for reliability; some UX friction
Fortinet FortiClient	SSL/IPsec + posture	Self-hosted (FortiGate/EMS)	Performance-focused organisations	Bundles/quotes	Fabric integration, hardware acceleration	Stack lock-in, learning curve	Strong for performance
Palo Alto GlobalProtect	SSL/IPsec + threat prevention	Self-hosted & cloud (Prisma)	Security-driven enterprises	Quote-based	Deep security & logging	Premium pricing, complexity	High for security depth
OpenVPN Access Server	SSL VPN	Self-hosted (VM/Cloud)	Cost-sensitive, flexible teams	Published per-connection	Affordable, open standards	Manual HA/scaling	Positive for value
NordLayer	Cloud VPN for teams	Cloud managed	SMB to mid-market	Per-user tiers	Easy rollout, good SSO	Limited deep on-prem	High for ease of use
SonicWall SMA	SSL VPN	Self-hosted appliance	Mid-market	Quote-based	Solid features, HA	Legacy UX vs cloud entrants	Positive and steady

Conclusion

Enterprise access in 2025 blends network-level tunnels with application-level delivery. Traditional stacks from Cisco, Fortinet, Palo Alto, and SonicWall excel at scale and policy depth but demand specialist operations and careful lifecycle management. Cloud-managed options like NordLayer speed time-to-value for distributed teams, while OpenVPN Access Server offers a pragmatic, self-hosted path with predictable costs.

If your priority is securely publishing Windows apps and desktops while minimising lateral movement and helpdesk overhead, TSplus Remote Access is a compelling alternative to full-tunnel VPNs. It pairs strong security and governance with simple operations and excellent economics—especially for SMBs and mid-market enterprises that prefer self-hosting and need fast, reliable user experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the key difference between VPN and app-level access?

A VPN provides network-level reachability to a private subnet. App-level access (like TSplus Remote Access) publishes only the required applications or desktops over HTTPS, reducing lateral movement and simplifying compliance.

How do I choose between self-hosted and cloud-managed?

Choose self-hosted if data sovereignty, deterministic performance, or existing on-prem investments are priorities. Pick cloud-managed for faster rollout across many regions and minimal infrastructure operations.

Which security features are must-haves for enterprise VPNs?

MFA, SSO, granular policies, modern ciphers, and detailed logging are essential. If device risk matters, add posture checks or integrate with your endpoint security stack.

How can I estimate true TCO in USD?

Include licenses, gateways/appliances or cloud subscriptions, MFA/SSO add-ons, logging storage, HA/DR design, administrator time, and training/onboarding. Model at least three years with realistic growth and upgrade assumptions.

When is TSplus Remote Access a better fit than a full-tunnel VPN?

When most users need only Windows apps or a full desktop rather than broad network access. TSplus delivers those resources via an HTML5 portal, streamlining onboarding and limiting lateral movement while keeping control on-prem.

Further Reading

• Remote desktop security best practices for hybrid work: https://tsplus.net/advanced-security/blog/rds-security-best-practices
• RDP vs VPN: https://tsplus.net/rdp-vs-vpn-in-depth-comparison-for-it-professionals/
• Secure Remote Access Service: https://tsplus.net/advanced-security/blog/secure-remote-access-service-protecting-remote-work-without-complexity/