The Best Secure Remote Access Solutions in 2026

If you’re reviewing secure access tools in 2026, you’re probably juggling a familiar mix of challenges: remote and hybrid employees, cloud apps everywhere, a shrinking perimeter, and a small team that’s already stretched thin.

You need people to connect from anywhere, on any device. However, you’ll need to minimize unnecessary risk without turning your virtual private network (VPN) into an ongoing, extensive maintenance project.

That’s where the best secure remote access solutions come in. Modern platforms go beyond “old-school VPN” by combining encrypted tunnels with identity-aware policies, device checks, and simple user experiences.

The goal is straightforward: give every employee the access they need to work and nothing more, with as little day-to-day friction as possible.

In this guide, we’ll compare leading options and show how they differ in security, performance, administration, scalability, and cost. In other words, this guide will help you choose a solution that fits your environment today and grows with your business tomorrow.

Evaluation criteria: choosing the best secure remote access solution

Before you compare, it helps to know what “good” looks like. Here’s a checklist for evaluating secure remote access tools in a practical way.

1. Security

• Zero Trust capabilities, like per-app access, least-privilege, and device posture checks.
• Identity provider and multi-factor authentication (MFA) integrations for strong authentication.
• Traffic inspection and policy controls, like Domain Name System (DNS), web filtering, and segmentation.

2. Performance and user experience

• Stable connection speeds for remote and hybrid users.
• Simple, low-friction experience for end users.
• Reliable cross-platform support, such as Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux.

3. Administration

• Fast setup and deployment with clear onboarding.
• Centralized policy management tied to users and groups.
• Built-in monitoring, logging, and reporting for access activity.

4. Scalability

• Cloud-ready design that supports private apps and software as a service (SaaS).
• Ability to serve global teams with distributed gateways and points of presence (PoPs).
• Clear fit for small and midsize businesses (SMB), mid-market, or enterprise environments.

5. Cost

• Transparent licensing model, such as per user, per gateway, or hybrid.
• Features that match what you’re paying for, with no surprise add-ons.
• Reasonable total cost of ownership, including admin time and support.
  

8 best secure remote access solutions to choose from

1. OpenVPN (CloudConnexa + Access Server)

OpenVPN combines two deployment options built on the trusted OpenVPN protocol: CloudConnexa® for cloud-delivered access and Access Server for self-hosted control.

Together, they give SMB and mid-market teams a secure remote access solution that can match almost any network design without forcing a full rebuild.

You get secure remote access, site-to-site connectivity, and Zero Trust-style controls in one ecosystem. You can also choose whether you prefer to keep infrastructure on your own servers or move management to the cloud.

Key capabilities and best fit

• CloudConnexa (Cloud-Delivered): Managed cloud VPN with global regions, private networking, device posture checks, and policy-based access to apps and resources.
• Access Server (Self-Hosted): Run your own VPN server on-premises or in the cloud with fine-grained routing, static IPs, and deep control over authentication and networking.
• Built on the OpenVPN protocol: Uses widely trusted, open-source VPN technology at its core, hardened by years of community and enterprise use.
• Zero Trust-style policies: Per-user and per-group access rules, device controls, and the ability to phase in tighter restrictions over time.
• Hybrid support: Connect users to private data centers, virtual private clouds (VPCs), and SaaS apps through one consistent access layer.

Best for: OpenVPN is best for SMB and mid-market organizations that need cost-effective, dependable, secure remote access with strong administrative control. It’s also best for organizations that want the freedom to choose between cloud-hosted, self-hosted, or hybrid deployments over time.

OpenVPN is a strong fit if you:

• Need secure remote access for employees, contractors, or partners.
• Want to choose between both cloud and self-hosted options, or expect to move between them over time.
• Rely on static IPs, site-to-site tunnels, or mixed environments, like cloud and on-premises.
• Prefer practical administration over complex, “all-or-nothing” Zero Trust rearchitecture.

OpenVPN benefits

• Highly Configurable Architecture: You can mirror your current network design instead of starting from scratch.
• Cost-Effective for SMB and Mid-Market: Transparent pricing and flexible deployment help control the total cost of ownership.
• Mature VPN Technology: Built on a tested protocol, with evolving policies that support Zero Trust approaches as your security program matures.
• Strong Admin Control: Role-based access, logging, and routing options give IT teams meaningful control without extra tools.

2. NordLayer

NordLayer is a business-focused secure access platform from Nord Security. It’s built to provide companies with a managed VPN service with Zero Trust-style controls, identity integration, and dedicated gateways rather than consumer-style accounts.

Key capabilities and best fit

• Business VPN with centralized management and team-based controls.
• Single sign-on (SSO) and system for cross-domain identity management (SCIM) support for common identity providers (IdPs), like Google Workspace, Azure AD, and Okta.
• Dedicated gateways and static IPs for IP allowlisting and compliance needs.
• Threat blocking, DNS filtering, and device posture checks on supported platforms.

Best for: Large companies that want an easy-to-manage VPN service for business with strong identity integration, dedicated IP options, and modern security features, without running their own infrastructure.

Benefits and limitations

Benefits

• Admins get a web-based console for managing teams, gateways, and policies.
• SSO and SCIM support reduce manual user management.
• Reviewers on G2 frequently note quick deployment and responsive support.
• Balance of security features and simplicity for distributed teams.

Possible limitations

• No self-hosted deployment for organizations that need full control over infrastructure.
• Advanced routing and site-to-site setups are more constrained than with OpenVPN.
• Some users report issues and performance gaps on Linux clients.
• May not provide the deep network customization that larger or more complex environments expect.

3. Check Point SASE (formerly Perimeter 81)

Check Point SASE (which includes the former Perimeter 81 platform) delivers cloud-based secure remote access, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and secure web access as part of a broader secure access service edge (SASE) portfolio for businesses that want to consolidate edge security.

Key capabilities and best fit

• Cloud-delivered VPN, ZTNA, and secure web gateway in a single platform.
• Central policy engine for app, user, and network access controls.
• Identity provider integrations for role-based access.
• Branch and office connectivity through cloud edges.

Best for: SMB and mid-market companies that want remote access, ZTNA, and web security managed from one console and are comfortable paying for that breadth of coverage. (You can see how it compares to OpenVPN in this Perimeter 81 comparison.)

Benefits and limitations

Benefits

• Centralized management across VPN, private app access, and web traffic.
• Strong fit for organizations that prefer a single vendor for SASE-style services.
• Identity and policy integration.
• Reviewers on Capterra often highlight a friendly user interface (UI) and straightforward user onboarding.

Possible limitations

• Pricing and bundles can be higher than simpler VPN-focused options for small teams.
• More features than some SMBs need, which can add complexity to rollout and administration.
• Heavier reliance on the vendor’s cloud fabric, with fewer options for self-hosted control.
• May require time and training for admins to use the full SASE feature set effectively.

4. Tailscale

Tailscale is a mesh VPN built on WireGuard that connects devices directly to each other using Zero Trust principles. It’s aimed at teams that want secure connectivity without traditional VPN appliances or complex network configuration.

Key capabilities and best fit

• Device-to-device mesh overlay network using WireGuard.
• Access control lists tied to user and device identity.
• SSO integration with common identity providers.
• Network access translation (NAT) traversal, so devices can connect without port forwarding or VPN gateways.

Best for: Engineering teams and distributed organizations that need secure, private connectivity to services and dev environments but don’t want to manage VPN gateways or complex routing.

Benefits and limitations

Benefits

• Fast setup; admins can bring devices into the mesh quickly.
• Developer-friendly approach that works well with modern, service-based architectures.
• Lightweight client footprint.
• Policy model that ties access to users and devices rather than IPs.

Possible limitations

• Less traditional “hub-and-spoke” network control compared with classic VPNs.
• Not designed for deep enterprise reporting, compliance workflows, or complex network segmentation.
• Larger organizations may find policy management harder as the number of nodes and services grows.
• Some teams still need separate solutions for web security and traffic inspection.

5. Twingate

Twingate is a Zero Trust Network Access platform designed to replace legacy VPNs entirely. It focuses on application-level access rather than network-level connectivity.

Key capabilities and best fit

• Identity-based access to specific apps and services instead of full network access.
• Strong integration with SSO providers and device posture checks.
• Distributed connectors that sit close to resources rather than a single VPN gateway.
• Granular segmentation, so admins can restrict access per app, group, or user.

Best for: Organizations that want to move fully to a ZTNA model, minimize exposure of private networks, and avoid running traditional VPN gateways.

Benefits and limitations

Benefits

• Reduces lateral movement by connecting users only to specific apps.
• Clean user experience; clients generally connect in the background once configured.
• Works well for cloud and hybrid environments with many app endpoints.
• G2 reviewers often highlight quick deployment and easy day-to-day use for end users.

Possible limitations

• No classic full-tunnel VPN option, which some workflows and tools still expect.
• Site-to-site and complex routing scenarios are more limited than with VPN-centric solutions.
• Admins may face additional complexity when mapping many legacy resources into app-level policies.
• Can require rethinking network design to fully benefit from Zero Trust segmentation.

6. Zscaler Private Access (ZPA)

Zscaler Private Access is Zscaler’s enterprise-grade ZTNA service, part of the broader Zero Trust Exchange. It connects users to private apps without placing them on the network.

Key capabilities and best fit

• Application-based access governed by identity and context.
• Global cloud infrastructure that brokers connections between users and apps.
• Deep policy controls and integrations with security information and event management (SIEM), endpoint detection and response (EDR), and other security tools.
• Support for complex hybrid and multi-cloud environments.

Best for: Large or security-mature enterprises that need high-capacity Zero Trust access for global teams, tight integration with broader security stacks, and detailed policy control.

Benefits and limitations

Benefits

• Strong least privilege enforcement; users reach apps, not networks.
• Good fit for enterprises standardizing on a full Zero Trust and SASE strategy.
• Extensive integrations and reporting for security and compliance teams.
• Designed to support large, distributed environments and many applications.

Possible limitations

• Pricing and complexity often exceed what small businesses need or can justify.
• Initial deployment and policy design require significant planning and security expertise.
• Heavier dependence on the vendor’s cloud edge compared with more traditional VPNs.
• Overkill for organizations that primarily need straightforward remote VPN access.

7. Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access

Prisma Access is Palo Alto Networks’ cloud-delivered SASE and secure remote access platform, combining ZTNA, a secure web gateway, and advanced threat prevention built on the company’s firewall and security ecosystem.

Key capabilities and best fit

• Remote access, ZTNA, and web security on a managed global infrastructure.
• Deep inspection using Palo Alto’s threat intelligence and next-generation firewall (NGFW) capabilities.
• Support for hybrid and multicloud environments with policy-based access.
• Central management for users, apps, and traffic controls.

Best for: Security-mature organizations that want remote access integrated into a broader SASE and threat prevention strategy, often alongside existing Palo Alto firewalls and security tools.

Benefits and limitations

Benefits

• Rich security stack that goes beyond connectivity, including an intrusion prevention system (IPS), URL filtering, and malware analysis.
• Strong fit for organizations already invested in Palo Alto’s ecosystem.
• Coverage for hybrid environments spanning data centers, branches, and cloud.
• Enterprise-grade reporting and policy management for security teams.

Possible limitations

• Licensing and configuration can be complex for smaller or less specialized IT teams.
• Higher total cost of ownership than simpler VPN-led solutions.
• Requires familiarity with Palo Alto’s tools and concepts for effective deployment.
• May be more than what smaller organizations need if they primarily want secure VPN access.

8. Cisco Secure Client and Cisco Secure Access

Cisco Secure Client (formerly AnyConnect) and Cisco Secure Access bring together traditional VPN, device posture checks, and modern secure access capabilities for organizations that rely on Cisco networking and security.

Key capabilities and best fit

• Remote access VPN capabilities integrated with Cisco ASA/FTD and related appliances.
• Zero Trust-style checks, such as device posture and conditional access, in newer offerings.
• Ties into Cisco’s broader security stack, like Duo and Umbrella, for layered controls.
• Support for many platforms and use cases, including corporate laptops and bring your own device (BYOD).

Best for: Enterprises that already use Cisco network and security products or that want a globally supported secure access client tightly aligned with their Cisco infrastructure.

Benefits and limitations

Benefits

• Familiar choice for many enterprises, with wide deployment experience.
• Strong device posture and endpoint controls when used with Cisco’s ecosystem.
• Flexible enough to cover both classic VPN use cases and more modern secure access needs.
• Many reviewers note solid reliability once clients and gateways are correctly configured.

Possible limitations

• Setup and maintenance can be complex, especially in mixed or non-Cisco environments.
• Licensing and required hardware and software combinations can be difficult to navigate.
• Some organizations may have user experience (UX) friction from client updates and legacy components.
• May feel heavy compared with newer, cloud-first remote access tools focused solely on ZTNA.

Get the nest SMB secure remote access solution today

Keeping people connected shouldn’t mean trading ease of use for security or overloading a small IT team.

If you’re juggling remote staff, contractors, and cloud apps, you need secure remote access that fits how your business actually works. You’ll need more than a tool that just forces you into rigid network designs or surprise costs.

OpenVPN gives you that balance. CloudConnexa provides fully managed, cloud-delivered access and Access Server gives you self-hosted control. Combined, you can protect critical systems, segment access, and grow at your own pace, without rebuilding everything when your needs change.

If you’re ready to give your teams secure, reliable access while keeping costs and complexity in check, OpenVPN is built for you. Sign up for OpenVPN today.