Remote Access VPN vs Site-to-Site VPN — Full Guide 2026

Whether you’re new to VPNs or an experienced user, understanding the different types of VPNs available for business use can be daunting.

Businesses first used VPNs to extend private networks over the public internet, allowing remote workers to connect to a company’s LAN (local area network).

Initially, two basic VPN types were used to achieve this networking solution: remote access VPNs and site-to-site VPNs. In this article, I break down the VPN types and show you how to pick the right one for your needs.

What Is a Remote Access VPN and How Does It Work?

Remote access VPNs (also known as client-to-site VPNs) let off-site employees connect to their organization's network (LAN) or a remote server using personal devices. These VPNs enable you to access secure resources on your company's LAN as if you were physically connected to it.

These VPNs are more closely related to consumer VPNs, which are used to protect your online identity and activity, like ExpressVPN. Their main aim, like all VPNs, is to secure your data. In this setup, the remote user's device handles data encryption and decryption that’s either sent or received.

A remote access VPN relies on a network access server (NAS), or VPN gateway to function, which authenticates any device attempting to connect. It’s the NAS that you, as a teleworker, interface with when using a remote access VPN.

With this configuration, the client software must also be installed on the off-site worker’s device. This software communicates with the VPN gateway, which authenticates you as a remote user and creates a secured "virtual” tunnel between the LAN and the gateway.

Once the tunnel is created, any data sent from an off-premise employee’s device is encapsulated and encrypted by the remote access VPN. It’s then transmitted to the VPN gateway that sits just outside the remote LAN. Upon receipt, the VPN gateway decrypts the traffic and relays it to the LAN.

All traffic, whether sent or received through the virtual tunnel, is secured as it travels. The VPN gateway encrypts the incoming traffic (to you), which is then received by your VPN client.

Today, remote access VPNs are not only tools for connecting employees to company networks; they’re also used by individuals to secure their online activities and traffic, thanks to various VPN providers.

What Is a Site-To-Site VPN and How Does It Work?

Whereas remote access VPNs safely connect individual devices to a remote LAN, site-to-site VPNs securely link two or more LANs in different physical locations. They use the public internet to extend your company’s network across multiple office locations.

There are two common types of site-to-site VPNs: intranet-based and extranet-based. The best choice depends on your organization's specific operational needs. Intranet-based site-to-site VPNs combine the LANs of multiple office locations into one single private network, creating a WAN (Wide Area Network).

Extranet-based site-to-site VPNs, on the other hand, allow your company to use the public internet to connect its LAN with those of other companies, customers, or communities. This allows your company to share information with its partners, while still securing its LAN (intranet).

With a site-to-site VPN, the VPN gateway of one remote LAN communicates with the gateway of another LAN (or HQ network) to create a secure tunnel. Unlike remote access VPNs, the remote devices don’t need a VPN client, but rather send normal traffic through the VPN gateways.

In the absence of VPN clients, the VPN gateways are in charge of authentication of the user and the network, encryption, and data integrity. The gateway receives the encrypted data, decrypts it, and then sends the data to the target device in the network.

The tunnel created by the site-to-site VPN allows your company to share its network and resources between its main and remote branches – no matter the distance. Devices on one LAN can communicate with devices on the other LAN as though they are part of the same network.

There are two main methods for creating a site-to-site VPN: Internet-based VPN and MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) VPN. Below, I’ll briefly walk you through the basics of these two VPN techniques.

Internet-Based VPN

The internet VPN method combines the company’s existing network with public internet infrastructure. As described above, a VPN gateway (a router, switch, VPN-enabled firewall, or VPN concentrator) is required at both LAN locations attempting to establish a secure site-to-site tunnel.

Most internet-based site-to-site VPNs use IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) to secure traffic across the WAN. If both LANs are already connected to the internet, why not use this connection? Well, IPSec leverages the preexisting internet as the backbone of its encrypted communication.

IPSec secures IP packets one at a time. In doing so, it reliably provides WAN traffic with confidentiality (all bits are encrypted), integrity (no bits were tampered with during transmission), and authentication.

Because IPSec encrypts packets at the outgoing router, the final addresses of packets remain hidden until the receiving router decrypts it.

Additionally, because the packets are encrypted during travel over the internet, the data would appear as illegible ciphertext in the event that it was captured.

MPLS-Based VPN

With MPLS, the VPN connection is created using a service-provided MPLS cloud rather than public internet infrastructure.

Unlike internet-based site-to-site VPNs where a company uses its own infrastructure, MPLS VPN uses proprietary infrastructure owned by the VPN. This MPLS network, including its cloud, functions as the tunnel by which a company creates virtual connections between office sites.

MPLS VPNs stand out in regards to the quality of service and ease of set-up. Using labels for data forwarding prevents the need for extra header info that most VPNs use for encryption. This results in peak network performance, ideal for delay-sensitive applications like VoIP (Voice over IP).

MPLS providers will guarantee that the security and performance demands of your business are met. Furthermore, MPLS offers interface independence, meaning that each of your sites can have different connections (i.e. T1, Fiber Optic, DSL) to the MPLS infrastructure.

The downside of an MPLS VPN is the price. These VPNs, like other private WAN technologies, are very costly — particularly if your WAN has hundreds of locations or international connections.

Remote Access VPN vs Site-To-Site VPN: Pros and Cons

Benefits of a Remote Access VPN

Remote access VPNs offer a powerful toolkit for both businesses and individuals seeking secure and flexible connections. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Enhanced Security. A VPN encrypts data traveling between a remote device and the company network, creating a secure tunnel. This safeguards sensitive information from interception by hackers or prying eyes, especially on public WiFi connections.
• Simple setup and management. Compared to site-to-site VPNs, remote access VPNs typically require less complex configuration and ongoing management, thanks to user-friendly apps that automate the setup.
• Business continuity. Maintains business operations by supporting constant access to necessary resources, which is critical during unexpected disruptions like natural disasters.
• Cost-effective. Remote access VPNs offer a cost-effective alternative to establishing dedicated leased lines for remote access.
• Mobility and flexibility. Employees can securely access their work network from anywhere with an internet connection. This allows for true remote work, giving them the flexibility to work from home, while traveling, or anywhere else that suits them.

Drawbacks of a Remote Access VPN

While remote access VPNs offer a wealth of benefits, there are also some limitations to consider:

• Limited control for businesses. Compared to site-to-site VPNs, remote access VPNs offer less granular control over user access to specific resources within the network. This might be a concern for businesses with highly sensitive data.
• Reliance on the public internet. Since VPNs rely on the public internet, performance can be unpredictable due to factors like latency, jitter, and packet loss. Internet outages can also disrupt remote access.
• Potential performance impact. Remote access VPNs encrypt your data, which might slow down your internet. However, selecting a provider with fast servers can help prevent noticeable speed decreases.
• Performance and scalability Issues. Remote access VPNs were not designed for continuous, large-scale use. As more users connect, VPN servers can become overloaded, leading to performance degradation and scalability challenges.
• Require extra software components. This can create compatibility issues, increase management overhead for IT, and introduce potential security risks if the client software is not kept updated

Benefits of a Site-To-Site VPN

Site-to-site VPNs are favored by many organizations for securely linking different office locations. Here's why they're so valuable:

• Secure data transmission. The core advantage of site-to-site VPNs is their ability to encrypt traffic between multiple sites. This protects sensitive data from snoops and hackers during transmission.
• Scalability. As your business grows, so does your site-to-site VPN, allowing you to add new office locations to the network without major changes or disruptions.
• Organized network. Imagine dividing your network into secure sections. Site-to-site VPNs can do this, giving specific departments or offices access only to what they need. This keeps things organized and strengthens security.
• Seamless collaboration. Site-to-site VPNs allow for effortless collaboration and file sharing, no matter how far apart your teams are. Working on a project together feels like everyone's in the same room, even if they're in different cities or countries.
• Simplified access and network control. These VPNs treat all network users as internal, making it easy to manage who can access specific resources. It's like having a VIP pass for your company network. You can even control settings and access rights from one central location for all your connected offices, saving time and effort.
• No extra apps. Employees don't have to install any special software on their devices. They just connect to the office network, and the VPN takes care of the rest.
• Backup connections. Site-to-site VPNs can act as backups. They can keep your offices connected even if there's a problem with one connection to keep communication flowing.

Drawbacks of a Site-To-Site VPN

Site-to-site VPNs also come with some challenges:

• Not Ideal for remote workers. This type of VPN secures traffic within a company's network, and they don’t extend that protection to employees working remotely. If your business has a significant remote workforce, a remote access VPN is a better choice.
• Complex configuration and management. Each office pair needs its own VPN setup. If your business has many locations, keeping an eye on these connections can also become complex and challenging. This is especially true for smaller companies with limited IT support.
• Limited security features. The main function of this VPN is to encrypt data between offices. It doesn't include more advanced security features, which means you might need extra security tools for full protection.
• Internal network vulnerabilities. While they protect data moving between different office networks, site-to-site VPNs don’t secure the data or devices within each network from internal security risks.

An Example of a Company That Can Use a Remote Access VPN

Think about a Boston-based food truck business that expands to Los Angeles and New York. While each truck will have a handful of employees, and each city will have a few trucks, only one device per truck needs secure access to HQ's LAN to record transactions, orders, etc.

Whereas a site-to-site VPN would be overkill, and no VPN at all would be unwise, a remote access VPN would be a cost-effective and ideal solution for this company’s needs. Any compromises in speed and performance will largely go unnoticed.

An Example of a Company That Needs a Site-to-Site VPN

How about a Shanghai-based pharmaceutical company that chooses to open labs in Tel Aviv and Austin? The number of employees at each lab could range from the tens to the hundreds, and each worker will need access to shared servers on the main network.

Site-to-site VPNs allow multiple users’ traffic to flow through each VPN tunnel. Remote access VPNs also support multiple users' traffic through each tunnel, but they are optimized for individual user connections.

Thus, it’ll be easier and more efficient for both the company and its employees to use a site-to-site VPN. While a dedicated connection could be used for each lab, the network demands (i.e. fast upstream speeds) of each lab don’t necessarily justify the very high cost of operating these connections. Rather, the company can use existing internet connections to set up an internet-based site-to-site VPN that connects the labs.

Despite the VPN’s substantial set-up and maintenance costs, it will save the company hundreds of thousands of dollars per year when compared to the cost of dedicated connections for all locations.

The Differences Between a Remote Access VPN and Site-To-Site VPN

Choosing between a remote access VPN and a site-to-site VPN hinges on your needs. For example, consider whether you need to support individual users or connect networks securely across the internet. The table below outlines the key differences between remote-access VPNs and site-to-site VPNs to help you make informed decisions:

We recommend consulting a technology expert for guidance, especially for site-to-site VPN setups for optimal configuration. Most companies that use site-to-site VPNs have the service set up and maintained by an IT security company like Cisco, Bynet, or Checkpoint. Perimeter 81 offers both remote access VPN and site-to-site VPN options, allowing you to test them and see which works best for you.

FAQs on Remote Access VPNs vs Site-To-Site VPNs

What protocol to use for remote access VPN vs site-to-site VPN?

Remote access VPNs and site-to-site VPNs use different security protocols, and the choice to use one depends on your organization's needs. Well-known VPN security protocols include OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPsec.

There are several protocols that play critical roles in securing data transmissions. Some providers are even offering in-house protocols. If you prefer these, we advise caution and recommend giving more preference to the open-source options, as they are constantly checked for vulnerabilities by experts.

What is the difference between a VPN, remote access VPN, and a site-to-site VPN?

A remote access VPN lets individual users securely connect to a central network, such as a company's, from anywhere. A site-to-site VPN securely connects entire office networks, enabling seamless collaboration across locations. Each type has pros and cons to consider before making a purchase.

What key aspects should organizations analyze to determine the most suitable VPN solution for them?

Deciding between remote access and site-to-site VPNs involves multiple factors. First, you need to assess your business needs and then understand the difference between these two options to choose the most appropriate one. This comprehension will help you determine whether to prioritize accessibility for individual users or connections between entire networks. You should also assess if the current network setup will work with various VPN models.

Conclusion

Remote access VPNs and site-to-site VPNs offer unique benefits for securing business networks. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific requirements.

Remote access VPNs empower teleworkers and enable them to connect confidently to a central network. Their user-friendliness and scalability make them ideal for today's geographically distributed teams.

On the other hand, site-to-site VPNs excel at creating secure bridges between geographically separated offices, allowing effortless collaboration and resource sharing across locations. By understanding the strengths and limitations of each, you can choose the VPN solution for your organization's security and connectivity needs.