Whether you want online privacy or secure remote access to your company's network, using VPN is a reliable solution.
However, there are key differences between a personal vs business VPN. Both use the same technology but serve distinct purposes.
We'll explain below each tool's main use cases and compare them based on security, scalability, cost, and more.
A personal VPN protects the online privacy of the user, while a business VPN is used to connect workers to the company's network.
For instance, suppose you are an individual who often uses public WiFi networks in coffee shops, airports, or libraries.
In that case, a personal VPN can help you secure your internet traffic, making it difficult for malicious actors to access your data.
On the other hand, if you own a startup with several remote employees who require access to the organization's data and resources, you’ll benefit from a business VPN.
It will help you create a secure, encrypted connection between your business's network and your employees' devices.
Companies also use it to connect workers from different office buildings to the same network, allowing for secure communication and access to resources.
Ultimately, it helps workers protect the company’s data against potential security risks from using public or personal WiFi networks.
So while both business and personal VPNs hide IPs and encrypt data, they serve entirely different purposes.
Below are the main differences between the two explained.
One of the main differences between personal VPNs and business VPNs lies in their scalability.
Personal VPNs are typically designed for a single user with multiple devices, whereas Business VPNs are intended to support multiple users from the same company.
This means personal VPNs are not viable if your goal is to connect multiple users to your network.
While personal VPN services support many different users, one individual subscription is limited and won’t allow efficient remote access to work files and applications.
On the other hand, business VPNs are designed with scalability in mind.
Business VPN providers offer different plans depending on the number of users and most of them give you the possibility to expand your VPN network later on, as needed.
When it comes to security, both offer the same level of protection.
They usually come with the same basic VPN security features, such as 256-AES encryption and IP masking.
VPNs use encryption to convert text into unreadable code only authorized users can decode.
This ensures that data transmissions between the user's device and the VPN server are secure and private.
At the same time, IP masking prevents tracking, making it impossible for anyone who traces the VPN’s IP to know what network you’re actually using and where from.
Overall, these features ensure that business and personal online activity and information are kept private and secure from hackers or malicious entities.
However, one difference between personal VPNs and business VPNs is that the latter often have extra security features.
These additional features include multi-factor authentication, intrusion detection, and user session management.
They’re meant to fully protect the company’s data and help prevent unauthorized access to the network if any user’s details are exposed to fraudsters.
When you use a personal VPN, its primary goal is to let you browse the internet anonymously or hide your online activity.
To achieve that, the VPN service provides multiple servers in different countries to randomize your internet activities.
It will assign you a random IP address every time you connect, and you will share it with other users.
Unfortunately, one drawback of this approach is the high possibility of server overload. This can cause slow connection speeds if too many users connect to the same server simultaneously.
Additionally, IP sharing makes it easier for anyone doing traffic analysis to put two and two together and realize you use VPN.
This can be a problem if you try to access restricted sites or apps that use anti-VPN technology.
On the other hand, business VPNs provide a dedicated IP address and a private server to ensure better performance and security.
Each device connected to the VPN has a static IP address assigned to it, and public internet IP addresses are shared only among users within the company.
Furthermore, a business VPN ensures that your server remains secure and protected against potential breaches by providing top-notch security features.
No user outside your company will connect to the same server or use an IP address belonging to it.
Nevertheless, we must also mention that some personal VPNs do offer dedicated IPs, but for an extra cost.
Generally, personal VPNs are easy to use and require minimal upkeep.
You don't need extensive manuals or technical expertise to operate them. To ensure optimal performance, you only need to update your VPN app on a regular basis.
Most VPN service providers notify users of available updates and provide security patches and other configurations as needed.
However, managing a business VPN can be more challenging. You may need custom VPN solutions depending on your company's unique requirements.
This may require close collaboration with your service provider and solution consultants to ensure your VPN meets your business needs.
Therefore, it's essential to carefully consider the maintenance requirements before choosing a business VPN.
Generally, personal VPNs tend to be more affordable compared to business VPNs.
The main reason is that business VPNs offer more advanced functions and features.
They include user credential management, an admin console, and support for a larger user base, making them more expensive to develop and maintain.
Although you can always find freemium personal VPNs, they offer limited services when compared to the paid version.
And at the moment, there are no available freemium business VPNs. However, it's worth noting that not all of them are not necessarily costly.
So, you can always find one that fits your budget and the expenses usually depend on the size of your company.
If you have different office locations and remote workers, your business absolutely needs VPN.
For businesses that handle sensitive data or have employees who work remotely, a VPN can provide an extra layer of security and protect against cyber threats.
Encrypting data transmissions and masking IP addresses can help ensure that your business's data and online activities remain private and secure.
Conversely, businesses that have few employees or don't have remote employees may not need a VPN.
In these cases, the added cost and complexity of implementing and managing a VPN may not be justified.
Furthermore, the need for a VPN may be minimal if your business primarily operates within a single location or region.
Ultimately, before deciding to implement a VPN for your business, you should carefully evaluate its benefits and drawbacks and determine if it aligns with your business's goals and objectives.
However, using one personally to protect your data and maintain online privacy is always a good idea.
The good news is most reliable VPN services offer great price deals and discounts on a regular basis.
VPNs can provide an additional layer of security for all internet users, and many affordable best VPN options are available on the market today.
Overall, when you compare personal vs business VPNs you realize they share some common features but are designed for different purposes and capabilities.
One primarily grants employees secure access to a company's data, while the other protects privacy online.
Nevertheless, with the right VPN, individuals and businesses can enjoy greater security and privacy online.
