4 VPN Alternatives In 2024 (2024)

FAQs

What is replacing VPNs? ›

Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN)

SD-WAN is a cloud-delivered service that provides a high-performance alternative to a VPN. Businesses can use an SD-WAN to route and and encrypt traffic as it travels between SD-WAN-enabled applications across a wide area network (WAN).

Two of the most common choices are software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE). SD-WAN is designed to be a more efficient alternative to the VPN. Instead of implementing point-to-point connectivity, SD-WAN provides optimal routing of encrypted traffic between a network of SD-WAN appliances.

ZTNA has many advantages over VPN including more extensive checks of both user and device, more granular access granted, and ongoing checks. These measures make it more difficult for bad actors to gain and maintain access to resources.

VPNs first arrived in the '90s, but like most 1990s tech, they're not equipped to protect against modern threats. It doesn't integrate well with other systems, and its best feature — private access to corporate systems — is now better accomplished with zero-trust architecture.

A VPN will hide the contents of your web traffic from some observers and can make it harder for you to be tracked online. But a VPN can, at best, provide only limited protection against the threats you're most likely to encounter on the web: malware, social engineering scams, and phishing sites.

Slower connection

The encryption process and routing your traffic through remote servers can slow down your internet connection. However, premium VPN services usually have fast protocols and a powerful infrastructure that make the speed drop barely noticeable.

Generally, VPNs are more user-friendly and deliver faster internet speeds when compared with Tor, while Tor makes communications tough to trace back to their source at the expense of speed.

Potential Drawbacks of ZTNA

Complexity: Implementing a ZTNA solution can be complex, as it requires significant changes to an organization's network architecture and access control policies. This can make it more challenging to implement compared to traditional network security solutions.

Will Zero Trust replace VPN? ›

Replace your VPN with our massive global network

Cloudflare Zero Trust enables identity-aware, least privilege access to any corporate resource for any user, regardless of device or location.

The Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) service enables organizations to provide access to internal applications and services while ensuring the security of their networks. ZPA is an easier to deploy, more cost-effective, and more secure alternative to VPNs.

NordVPN tops our VPN rankings by offering an unmatched blend of features, speed, unblocking, and value for money. Not only is it half the price of ExpressVPN, it also has more features compared to Surfshark. They're its two nearest rivals, making Nord a no-brainer for most people.

Rather than maintaining separate security rules for mobile users connected via VPN and office users behind the SD-WAN device, SASE establishes a single set of security policies for all users and resources. SASE improves remote access to company resources by combining the capabilities of many security models.

Since your VPN is your best form of protection against hackers and helps keep your information private, it's best to leave your VPN on whenever you're on the internet.

Update the VPN app: Ensure that your VPN application is updated to the latest version, as outdated apps may lead to connectivity problems. Try a different network: If you're on Wi-Fi, try switching to cellular data, or vice versa, to see if the issue is related to a specific network.

VPNs are black boxes: they lack the dynamic controls needed to manage access for remote workers, contractors, supply chain partners and more. Cloudflare Access delivers better flexibility with application-specific controls and easy-to-use rules.