The top 6 enterprise VPN solutions to use in 2023

1. Cisco AnyConnect: Best for easy setup

Cisco AnyConnect is my current VPN client for my job. It uses multi-factor authentication and establishes a 24-hour usage window after which my connection drops and I am required to log in again. Fortunately, the client notifies me when the time window is nearly up as well as when it has expired so I’m not confused, wondering why I suddenly can’t access company systems.

AnyConnect has many security options. It performs a system check on authentication to determine whether the workstation meets certain requirements like anti-malware software or corporate domain membership before it permits access to the company network. This ensures only company-managed systems are allowed on the VPN. AnyConnect can block access to untrusted servers, display security products installed, and run diagnostics to gather information for analysis and troubleshooting. It disables split tunneling, meaning when you’re connected to the VPN you can only access corporate resources and nothing on your local home network or the internet.

Features

• Allows access to the enterprise network, from any device, at any time, in any location.
• Provides visibility and insight into endpoint behavior.
• Offers multi-factor authentication.
• Offers always-on support.

Pros

• It is easy to download and install.
• It can be used on multiple devices.
• Provides great customer support.

Cons

• There is no free trial.
• Lacks kill switch capability.

Pricing

• Check the vendor for pricing.

2. Checkpoint Secure Remote Access: Best for web-based client support

The Checkpoint Secure Remote Access VPN was my previous VPN option (utilizing IPsec) and we did not terminate usage of it due to any dissatisfaction or problems with it; a merger required shifting to a whole new set of software.

We could create custom install packages pre-configured with the target IP address(es) for clients to authenticate to. Like AnyConnect, it was secured by multi-factor authentication (in this case either hard tokens or soft tokens, which operated as an app on mobile devices).

Like AnyConnect, split tunneling was disabled, and for hackers to get to the internet clients they would have to configure the company proxy server settings, which only permitted access to pubic-facing internet sites for business usage (social media sites were blocked, for instance). Group memberships determined who could connect where, and as we also used Checkpoint firewalls as the management interface for both the VPN and the firewall settings was a “single pane of glass” offering.

We also used Checkpoint Site-to-Site VPNs to link two remote areas together so traffic could reach networks on either side.

Features

• The VPN offers a central management platform.
• IPsec and SSL VPN support.
• Secure hotspot registration.
• It offers VPN auto-connect.
• Multi-factor authentication support.

Pros

• SSL support provides web-based access without the need to install a VPN client.
• Compliance scanning support.
• Runs on multiple devices, including Windows, Mac and Mobiles.
• Offers threat prevention capability.

Cons

• It does not support threat prevention on iOS, Android and Linux users.
• Incident analysis is only available for Windows users.

Pricing

• Contact the vendor for pricing details.

3. SonicWall Global VPN Client: Best lightweight enterprise VPN

I have fond memories of the SonicWall Global VPN Client since back in the mid 2000s. It was the first “real” VPN solution that enabled me to access my office from my home, a 40-minute drive away. I had previously used a different product, better left undiscussed.

SonicWall offers a fast and efficient product that provides RADIUS/certificate/Smart Card/USB authentication, VPN session reliability to redirect clients to other VPN gateways if problems occur, 168-bit key 3DES (Data Encryption Standard) and AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) security, specific subnet access and command-line options for installation, making it easy to deploy through automated software mechanisms.

Features

• It can be configured either as an IPsec or SSL end-point agent.
• Supports multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Offers easy setup and configuration.
• Detailed logs and reporting for network administrators.

Pros

• Offers strong encryption and authentication to protect against cyber threats.
• It is easy to download and configure.
• Compatible with a wide range of platforms and devices.
• Offers logs and reporting features to monitor VPN usage.

Cons

• There is no free trial or demo.
• No web-based version.

Pricing

• Contact sales for pricing details.

4. Fortinet Forticlient: Best for offering wider VPN security options

Fortinet Forticlient relies on certificates for integration and deployment and offers access to web filtering and firewall rule. Endpoint protection security, which uses automated behavior analysis, is included. A “single pane of glass” approach similar to Checkpoint provides one-stop-shopping to manage configuration, deployment and management as well as check client status and engage in vulnerability scanning and patching.

The solution also offers two different types of VPN solutions, IPSec and SSL, and is designed to be integrated into an organization’s overall endpoint security strategy, providing a reliable VPN security option for companies that have employees working remotely.

Features

• Fortinet supports multifactor authentication.
• Supports SSL or IPSec tunneling protocols.
• Offers malware protection and anti-exploit support.
• Offers multiple tunneling protocols, including Point-to-Point, Layer 2 and Secure Socket tunneling protocols.

Pros

• There is a free trial option.
• Fully customizable authentication settings.

Cons

• Integration with anti-virus and threat-detection tools makes it a little bit clunky.

Pricing

• Reach out to the vendor for pricing options.

5. Palo Alto GlobalProtect – Best for implementing security policies

Palo Alto GlobalProtect offers similar features to prior products listed, such as multi-factor authentication, high security (cookie or certificate-based authentication are two strong features), web filtering and threat protection. It relies on Zero Trust principles.

GlobalProtect displays significant capability in identifying what devices are connecting to the VPN and whether they are managed (company-owned or operated) or unmanaged (employee-owned), and providing access accordingly (devices deemed suspicious or unauthorized can be blocked entirely). It can determine certificates present on devices, operating system and patch levels, anti-malware versions and status, running software and whether disks are encrypted and data is being backed up by a product.

Features

• Provides least-privilege access support for remote employees.
• Supports multi-factor authentication.
• The software supports threat prevention.
• Offers full visibility across all applications, ports and protocols.

Pros

• There is a demo option to check out the product.
• Offers analytics and visibility for network traffic,
• There is an always-on, secure connection support.

Cons

• Deployment may be difficult for first-time users.

Pricing

• Reach out to the vendor for a quote.

6. ZScaler Private Access: Best for zero trust network access

ZScaler Private Access is a different product from the previous offerings in this article. Rather than being a traditional end-user VPN client, it’s a cloud service that provides access to applications in cloud environments or on-premises systems via a distributed architecture. The twist here is that the applications connect to authorized users via secure encryption rather than vice versa, so users never actually access the remote networks involved.

It uses standard policy-based access depending on users and applications. ZScaler touts the ease with which mergers and acquisitions can be facilitated due to the reduced infrastructure setup times and lack of need for additional networking equipment.

Features

• Multiple device support.
• Provides multifactor authentication.
• AI-powered network segmentation.
• Supports different types of segmentations, including user-to-app, user-to-device and workload-to-workload segmentation.

Pros

• There is an option for a demo.
• Applies the principles of least privilege to give users a secure connection.
• There is security compliance support.

Cons

Pricing

• ZScaler Private Access offers multiple plans, but no price quote is attached.