Best VPN for Remote Desktop (Remote Access VPNs) in 2024

In recent years, using a remote desktop as a method of connecting to computers and networks from a faraway distance has become increasingly popular. Remote desktops allow users to access their computers from anywhere, even if they’re on the go or on vacation in a different state or country. And in this day and age where more and more people work remotely, being able to utilize a remote desktop has become more important than ever.

But how can you protect your remote desktop connection? The answer is with a virtual private network (VPN), which can help secure your connection and ensure you have access no matter where you are in the world. With a reliable VPN service, you can access your remote desktop securely and don’t have to worry about your data being at risk, particularly any sensitive data that might be associated with your job.

Keep reading to learn more about the 5 best VPNs that we recommend for remote desktops.

How to choose the best VPN for remote desktop

When it comes to choosing the best VPN for remote desktop, there are several factors to keep in mind:

• Security and privacy. One of the top considerations for your remote desktop VPN is that it has strong security protocols and can protect your privacy. You want a VPN that can provide a secure connection, safeguard your data, and give you secure access while you work remotely.
• Server network. Look for a VPN that has a broad server network. Having a large server network gives you plenty of servers to choose from, no matter where you are. Plus, it helps to lower internet traffic so that your speeds won’t be affected.
• Speeds. It is very important to choose a VPN with fast speeds so that you won’t have to worry about lag time or buffering issues.
• User-friendly. Choose a VPN that is user-friendly with easy-to-use apps so that you don’t have to deal with the frustrations of complex systems during your work day.
• Customer service. Look for a VPN that has good customer service so that if you do have issues, you have a venue to reach out to. Look for VPN providers that offer live chats, emails, guides, etc.

5 best VPNs for remote desktop

1. ExpressVPN 

ExpressVPN is our top choice for the best remote access VPN, especially if you have remote employees working in countries where VPN services are banned. It has 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, so you’re sure to find a server that works for you.

Features: ExpressVPN allows its users up to eight simultaneous connections on devices and offers unlimited bandwidth. It also has obfuscated servers to hide your VPN use and has a Media Streamer so that you can stream on devices that don’t normally support VPNs.

Speed: This VPN has extra fast speeds that rival most of its competitors thanks to its proprietary Lightway tunneling protocol.

Security: ExpressVPN has robust security features that include military-grade AES-256 encryption, no logs policy, DNS leak protection, and split tunneling. It also features a Threat Manager to protect you from infected websites.

Streaming: This VPN is very adept at bypassing geographical restrictions and can unblock streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+.

Compatibility: ExpressVPN has apps compatible with most devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, and Linux. It can also be installed on routers and gaming devices and has a browser extension.

Pricing: ExpressVPN is the most expensive option on our list, with prices starting at $6.67 per month, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

2. NordVPN

NordVPN is a strong and reliable VPN provider that has 5,800 servers located across 60+ countries.

Features: NordVPN lets its users connect to up to six simultaneous connections and have unlimited bandwidth. It also lets you link up to 60 devices to a virtual local area network (LAN) with its Meshnet feature. Additionally, it offers dedicated IP addresses you can use.

Speed: With its version of WireGaurd, called NordLynx, this VPN has very fast speeds to ensure your internet connection doesn’t suffer from lag time or connection issues.

Security: NordVPN has great privacy and security measures that include robust encryption, a strict no-logs policy, a kill switch, a double VPN feature, RAM-only servers, and split tunneling.

Streaming: NordVPN has no problem unblocking many different kinds of sites, including streaming platforms such as Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.

Compatibility: NordVPN is compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and Smart TVs. It can also be installed on routers and has a browser extension.

Pricing: Prices for NordVPN start at $2.99 per month and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

3. Surfshark

If you’re looking for a VPN that is rich in features but comes at a bargain price, then Surfshark is the best VPN for you. It has 3,200 servers in nearly 100 countries, giving you plenty to choose from.

Features: Surfshark stands out by offering unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can use as many devices as you want under one account, which is ideal for small businesses and teams. It also has a CleanWeb feature that is a strong malware and ad blocker.

Speed: While not as fast as ExpressVPN, Surfshark still has some of the fastest speeds compared to some of its competitors on the market and is more than suitable for remote working.

Security: Surfshark includes all of the basic security features that the others have, including strong encryption, no logs policy, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. It also has a Camoflouge mode to mask your internet connection and multi-hop servers to route your traffic through two servers for extra protection.

Streaming: Surfshark can bypass geo-blocks and unblock OTTs such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Disney+.

Compatibility: Surfshark is compatible with most devices including Mac, Android, Windows, iOS, and Linux, and even offers a visual app for Linux.

Pricing: This is the most affordable VPN on our list, with prices starting at $1.99 per month, and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has a massive server network of more than 10,000 servers in more than 90 countries, so your remote employees are sure to find one that works for them.

Features: CyberGhost has special servers that can be used for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. It also offers Always-On protection for those who may forget to activate their VPN security measures and has seven dedicated IP addresses.

Speed: CyberGhost is slower than some of its competitors but still has fairly decent speeds with its WireGaurd protocol and use of OpenVPN.

Security: This VPN has all the standard security features that include AES 256–bit encryption, a strict zero–log policy, DNS leak protection, malware protection, and a kill switch.

Streaming: CyberGhost can help you access libraries on streaming sites all around the world, including Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video.

Compatibility: This VPN is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android phones, iOS, Linux, Smart TVs, and more.

Pricing: Prices for CyberGhost start at $2.19 a month, and offers its customers an impressive 45-day money-back guarantee.

5. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) has a network of 29,000+ servers located in over 77 countries. While it doesn’t quite live up to the quality of some others on the list, it’s still a great VPN for remote desktop users.

Features: Private Internet Access offers its users unlimited bandwidth, can be used for up to 10 simultaneous connections, and has dedicated IPs at a very affordable price in six countries.

Speed: PIA’s speeds are largely affected by its location. While its US speeds are very fast, some of the speeds in other countries leave a lot to be desired, which could be an issue if you have global remote employees.

Security: PIA has strong security features with OpenVPN encryption, DNS leak protection, port forwarding, obfuscation, split tunneling, and a no–logging policy. It also has a feature called MACE that prevents users from landing on sites laden with malware.

Streaming: This VPN can be used to access popular streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and more.

Compatibility: PIA is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Pricing: Prices for PIA start at $2.19 per month and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

What is a VPN for remote desktop?

A VPN for remote desktops is a virtual private network that helps employees in a remote location connect their desktops to a company’s network. This way, your remote desktop connections can be done securely while you share resources with your employees and clients. A good remote access VPN can give you data protection and secure connections.

Why you need a VPN for remote desktop

If you’re working from home or working on public Wi-Fi that’s not secure, it’s crucial to use a VPN that can protect your data and company network. A remote access VPN can provide you with a VPN server that has robust encryption to protect your personal privacy and company data.

A VPN for a remote desktop is particularly important if you’re working for a company in a different country or location than the one you reside in so that you can access everything securely without blocks.

Can I use a free VPN for a remote desktop?

While it is understandably tempting to use a free VPN provider instead of paid VPNs that you subscribe to, it is not something that we recommend. Free VPNs tend to lack the security features that subscription services offer and can leave you vulnerable to cyber threats and malware problems. There is also an added risk with some companies who might offer you free services but make their money by selling your data to third-party users. This means your company’s network is not secure, and your data is at risk.

Additionally, free VPNs tend to have smaller server networks that lead to a lot of internet traffic, leading to slow speeds. This can affect your ability to access your desktop remotely, cause lag time during important work, and ultimately slow down your work day. We recommend sticking to a paid, secure VPN service like ExpressVPN.

Site to site vs remote access VPNs

Site-to-site VPNs are slightly different than remote access VPNs but also very similar.

Site-to-site VPNs allow customers to create encrypted connections with one another. A site-to-site VPN can secure your connections while working from home in the US, even if you are connected to an in-home internet connection.

Remote access VPNs allow their users to create an encrypted connection with any remote network in the US. By using this, employees working from home can use the available resources on that network just like they use resources in their offices, and access it with their home Wi-Fi connection.

Most companies prefer to use a remote access VPN for their employees because it allows employees to connect to a single secure private network to keep things secure and more in-house.

FAQs

Conclusion

In this day and age, where more and more companies are employing individuals who work remotely, remote desktops are being used all over the world. The best way to secure those remote desktop connections is with a VPN provider.

There are plenty of things to consider when choosing the best VPN for remote desktop users, and you want a product with great security and privacy features that can best protect your company data, as well as your private information.

You now have the tools to decide the best remote access VPN for you, whether you value speed, server network side, or price, and can decide which VPN technology best suits your needs.