Today, the discussion around VPNs often revolves around their use for bypassing blocked websites or social networks. In this article, security experts from VPNBrains want to focus on the role of VPNs as a corporate tool, particularly for creating a secure network. This can be essential, for example, when an employee is working remotely and requires safe access to company resources. Recent studies suggest that companies are increasingly turning to VPN services as a key security solution to implement in the near future. Two main strategies exist for setting up a VPN: either install a VPN gateway at the company's site or introduce a VPN client on each computer.

VPN Gateway vs. VPN Client 

Let's start with definitions. A VPN gateway is a software and hardware system that allows you to encrypt traffic from many different devices on a local network. It is usually used to build secure corporate networks when you need to combine several distant branches into a coherent infrastructure.

A VPN client is a software product that is installed directly on a device and encrypts traffic intended only for this device.

Pricing

Let's start with the most obvious factor – price. A VPN gateway costs many times more than a corporate VPN client. If you need to provide secure access to employees who are located in different geographical locations, then each user will need a separate device. The choice is obvious in this case – a VPN client for everyone. But if employees work together in an office, installing one VPN gateway for all of them is easier.

Choosing one of the solutions largely depends on how many employees will be using it and the cost difference between the VPN gateway and the VPN client. For instance, if the gateway is 15 times more expensive than the client, it becomes cost-effective to go for the gateway when you have 15 users.

Actually, a VPN gateway, despite its higher initial cost, could be a more economical choice in the long run. While VPN clients may require individual installation, updates, and troubleshooting on each device, a VPN gateway is centrally installed and managed, potentially saving additional time and resources that would otherwise be spent on maintenance. A VPN gateway also provides the advantage of protecting the entire network, which could reduce the risk of a security breach and associated costs. In contrast, VPN clients secure individual devices, and additional network security measures like firewalls or DLP might be needed. This requirement for additional tools could add to the overall cost.

Operating systems

There are several significant limitations to consider from the operating system's perspective. Not every VPN client manufacturer supports all operating systems. Some might be limited to Windows, while others may cater primarily to iOS and Android for mobile devices.

For specific operating systems, especially mobile ones, VPN client security certification may only be achievable at the lowest protection class. While upgrades are theoretically possible, they can be quite challenging in practice. Moreover, installing additional software on some devices, like IP phones, is essentially impossible. You should ensure that the chosen vendor-specific solution can cover your entire range of operating systems and device types.

Peculiarities of operation

Let's now consider the operational aspects. With VPN gateways, there is a clear point of responsibility – the port. If traffic reaches the gateway port and then something goes wrong, it is evident that the issue lies with the gateway. You can then troubleshoot the problem yourself or contact the vendor for assistance.

On the other hand, issues with VPN clients can be more complex to diagnose. If the VPN stops working, the cause is not always immediately apparent. It could be due to an updated operating system, a conflict between the antivirus and the VPN client, or an issue with some other third-party software. Since each of these aspects could fall under the responsibility of a different administrator or department, pinpointing the actual cause can be a lengthy and challenging process.

Conclusion

Let's summarize. VPN clients are well suited for small companies with a few people or mass remote work. At the same time, it is necessary to consider the list of necessary operating systems and additional security tools to increase the protection class. If we are talking about offices with a large number of various network devices, it is better to choose a VPN gateway.