NordLayer is the safer default choice for most remote-first small and mid-sized teams because it is easier to deploy, simpler to manage, and strong enough for common business security needs. Perimeter 81, now part of Check Point’s Harmony SASE portfolio, is better suited to companies that need deeper network segmentation, broader SASE controls, and more advanced policy design.
TLDR: Choose NordLayer if your main goal is to protect remote employees quickly with business VPN, MFA, dedicated gateways, device posture checks, and simple admin controls. Choose Perimeter 81 if you have a larger IT team and need more granular Zero Trust access, firewall rules, branch connectivity, and cloud security controls. For example, a 50-person SaaS company with employees in five countries could roll out NordLayer in a day, while a 500-person firm with hybrid offices may get more value from Perimeter 81’s policy depth. If you want less setup pain, NordLayer wins; if you want more enterprise control, Perimeter 81 is stronger.
Quick verdict: which VPN is best for remote employees?
For most remote employees, NordLayer offers the better balance of security, speed, and usability. It gives businesses the controls they actually use every day: encrypted access, fixed IPs, user permissions, single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, DNS filtering, and activity monitoring.
Perimeter 81 is more than a VPN. It sits closer to a full Secure Access Service Edge platform. That can be a big win for regulated companies, multi-site organizations, and IT teams that need strict traffic control. The catch is that setup and policy planning can feel heavier. Expect to spend more time mapping users, apps, networks, and rules.
NordLayer vs Perimeter 81 at a glance
| Category | NordLayer | Perimeter 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Small and mid-sized remote teams | Mid-market and enterprise security teams |
| Ease of setup | Very strong | Moderate, more planning needed |
| Core strength | Business VPN and secure remote access | SASE, Zero Trust, network security |
| Admin experience | Clean and simple | Powerful but more complex |
| Best buyer | Lean IT teams | Security teams with advanced needs |
Security features that matter most
A business VPN for remote staff must do more than hide an IP address. It needs to control access, verify users, protect company resources, and reduce risk from unmanaged networks. Coffee shop Wi-Fi and home routers are still weak points. Attackers know this.
NordLayer covers the essentials well:
- Dedicated servers and fixed IPs for safer access to internal tools.
- Multi-factor authentication to reduce account takeover risk.
- Single sign-on with providers such as Google Workspace, Okta, and Azure AD.
- ThreatBlock for blocking malicious websites and risky domains.
- Device posture checks to help confirm that devices meet company rules.
- Network segmentation so teams only access what they need.
Perimeter 81 goes deeper in several areas:
- Zero Trust Network Access for app-level access control.
- Firewall as a Service for cloud-managed traffic rules.
- Secure web gateway features for web traffic inspection.
- Site-to-site connectivity for offices, cloud networks, and data centers.
- Advanced policy rules based on users, groups, locations, and resources.
If your team uses a few SaaS apps and one or two internal systems, NordLayer is usually enough. If your company runs private cloud workloads, branch offices, contractors, and strict compliance workflows, Perimeter 81 becomes more attractive.
Ease of use for remote employees
This is where NordLayer stands out. Remote employees do not want another security tool slowing them down. They want to click connect, open their apps, and get to work.
NordLayer’s apps are clean. The connection process is simple. Admins can invite users, assign gateways, and set access rules without needing a long training cycle. Honestly, it feels like many enterprise security tools punish smaller teams with extra menus. NordLayer avoids most of that.
Perimeter 81 is polished, but it asks more from the administrator. That is not always bad. More control means more settings. Still, it can slow early deployment. In some environments, a rule change that takes a few minutes in NordLayer may require more checks in Perimeter 81 because access logic is more detailed.
Performance and reliability
Both platforms offer strong global infrastructure. For remote users, performance depends on distance to the gateway, local internet quality, routing, and whether traffic is sent through inspection layers.
NordLayer tends to feel lighter for daily VPN use. Teams that mainly need secure access to SaaS tools, admin panels, CRMs, and internal dashboards should see stable performance. Its dedicated IP and server options help reduce login friction with tools that restrict access by location.
Perimeter 81 can also perform well, especially when configured properly. Yet advanced security inspection may add small delays. That tradeoff can be worth it for companies that need deeper protection. It is less ideal if the business only wants a simple secure tunnel for 30 remote employees.
Compliance and audit needs
Both services can support compliance programs, but neither makes a company compliant by itself. Policies, logging, training, endpoint security, and access reviews still matter.
NordLayer is a strong fit for companies working toward security basics such as access control, MFA adoption, fixed IP allowlisting, and audit-friendly user management. It is useful for companies preparing for SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA-related controls, or client security reviews.
Perimeter 81 is stronger when compliance requires strict segmentation, detailed network controls, and more complete visibility into user access patterns. Regulated sectors such as finance, healthcare, and larger technology firms may prefer this depth.
Pricing and value
NordLayer usually wins on value for smaller teams. Its plans are easier to understand, and the feature set matches what many businesses need from a secure remote access tool. You pay for practical controls without buying a full security architecture project.
Perimeter 81 can cost more once advanced features, larger deployments, and enterprise requirements enter the picture. That price may be justified. But if your company has fewer than 100 users and no complex network structure, you may not use enough of the platform to justify the spend.
Best use cases
Choose NordLayer if:
- Your team has 10 to 250 remote or hybrid employees.
- You need quick rollout with low admin overhead.
- You want fixed IPs for SaaS allowlisting.
- You need MFA, SSO, DNS filtering, and simple segmentation.
- Your IT team is small and busy.
Choose Perimeter 81 if:
- You need advanced Zero Trust access policies.
- You manage cloud networks, branch offices, and private apps.
- You need firewall and secure web gateway features.
- You have a mature security team.
- You expect to expand into broader SASE controls.
Final recommendation
NordLayer is the best VPN choice for most remote employees because it is fast to deploy, easy to manage, and focused on real business security needs. It gives smaller teams a serious upgrade from consumer VPN tools without forcing them into an enterprise security redesign.
Perimeter 81 is the better pick for larger or more complex organizations. Its strength is not basic VPN access. Its value comes from broader Zero Trust and SASE features that help security teams control access across offices, clouds, users, and applications.
If you want a practical business VPN that your team can adopt quickly, start with NordLayer. If your company needs advanced policy control and has the staff to manage it well, Perimeter 81 is a stronger long-term security platform.
