Best ZTNA / Business VPN · 2026

NordLayer logoNordLayer vs Twingate logoTwingate

NordLayer vs Twingate: on our data-weighted scoring, Twingate edges ahead (8.7 vs 7.4/10). NordLayer starts at $8/user/mo and is best for smbs wanting an easy business vpn evolving toward zero-trust network access; Twingate starts at $5/user/mo and is best for teams retiring legacy vpn that want fast, connector-based ztna with a free tier. Choose Twingate for the stronger overall track record; consider NordLayer if its pricing model or fit matches your environment better. Side-by-side table below.

NordLayer

8.2/10
MSP Compared score
Starting price
$8/user/mo
Reviews
4.3/5 (G2)
Free trial
Deployment
Cloud
Best for
SMBs wanting an easy business VPN evolving toward zero-trust network access
Visit NordLayer →
Our pick

Twingate

8.6/10
MSP Compared score
Starting price
$5/user/mo
Reviews
4.7/5 (~69 G2 reviews)
Free trial
Free tier + 14 days
Deployment
Cloud + self-host
Best for
Teams retiring legacy VPN that want fast, connector-based ZTNA with a free tier
Visit Twingate →

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Strengths at a glance

Six criteria, each scored 0–10 on the same scale from real review data, public pricing and feature coverage. See our methodology →

EditorialUser reviewsAdoptionAffordabilityFeature breadthEase of trial
NordLayerTwingate
CriterionNordLayerTwingate
Editorial 7.4 8.7
User reviews 8.6 9.4
Adoption 0.0 4.9
Affordability 4.3 9.5
Feature breadth 6.0 8.0
Ease of trial 3.0 10.0

NordLayer vs Twingate: head-to-head

NordLayer vs Twingate — specs and pricing
NordLayerTwingate
Starting price $8/user/mo $5/user/mo
Pricing model per user per user
Free trial / tier Free tier + 14 days
Best for SMBs wanting an easy business VPN evolving toward zero-trust network access Teams retiring legacy VPN that want fast, connector-based ZTNA with a free tier
Deployment Cloud Cloud + self-host
G2 rating 4.3/5 4.7/5 (69)
Capterra rating
Our score 7.4 8.7

Choose NordLayer if…

You need smbs wanting an easy business vpn evolving toward zero-trust network access.

Pros

  • Easy to deploy + manage
  • Nord Security brand backing
  • 14-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • No free tier (5-user minimum)
  • Dedicated IP/gateway costs extra
  • Less ZTNA depth than Zscaler/Cato

NordLayer pricing · review

Choose Twingate if…

You need teams retiring legacy vpn that want fast, connector-based ztna with a free tier.

Pros

  • Very easy setup vs legacy VPN
  • Real free Starter tier
  • Strong resource invisibility

Cons

  • Entra ID integration needs Business tier
  • Smaller scale than Zscaler/Cato
  • Per-user cost grows with team

Twingate pricing · review

In depth

Pricing: Twingate vs NordLayer

Twingate bills on a per user model from $5/user/mo (free tier available), while NordLayer uses a per user model from $8/user/mo. Because the models differ, the cheaper option flips depending on your fleet size — model both at your seat/endpoint count.

Features & deployment

Twingate ships 8 headline capabilities (Connector-based ZTNA (resource masking), Free tier up to 5 users, Split tunneling + least-privilege access, IdP integrations (Google) and deploys Cloud + self-host. NordLayer ships 6 (Cloud business VPN + ZTNA, Network segmentation, Dedicated servers + static IP, Device posture security), deploying Cloud.

Ratings & verdict

Twingate holds 4.7/5 (~69 G2 reviews); NordLayer holds 4.3/5 (G2). On our data-weighted score, Twingate edges ahead (8.7 vs 7.4/10). Pick NordLayer instead when smbs wanting an easy business vpn evolving toward zero-trust network access. See Twingate alternatives or NordLayer alternatives.

Frequently asked questions

NordLayer vs Twingate: which is better?
NordLayer vs Twingate: on our data-weighted scoring, Twingate edges ahead (8.7 vs 7.4/10). NordLayer starts at $8/user/mo and is best for smbs wanting an easy business vpn evolving toward zero-trust network access; Twingate starts at $5/user/mo and is best for teams retiring legacy vpn that want fast, connector-based ztna with a free tier.
Is NordLayer cheaper than Twingate?
NordLayer starts at $8/user/mo and Twingate starts at $5/user/mo (see the pricing rows for models and limits).
Data as of June 16, 2026. Sources: nordlayer.com, twingate.com. Figures are pulled from public vendor and security data and refreshed automatically.