Best VPN Services for Active Directory

OpenVPN Access Server is a self-hosted Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution you deploy into your own environment — on-prem or your AWS, Azure, or GCP account — so tunnel traffic and configuration never touch a third-party network. Access is enforced by application, not IP or subnet: each user reaches only the app they're entitled to, identified by domain name, with no visibility into anything else. That structurally blocks lateral movement — there's no connectivity path for a breach to exploit. With Access Server Link, deployment is a guided setup (hostname, cloud, region, password) with SSL certificates auto-provisioned and renewed, removing manual cert management as an attack surface. Entitlements tie to hostname, so they survive IP changes and autoscaling without rework. Your instance stays fully under your control, preserving the data ownership and audit posture required for HIPAA, SOC 2, and GDPR — full sovereignty over the control plane, with SaaS-level simplicity. The admin portal replaces SSH-based management: users, certificates, and access policies are configured through a browser, so shell access isn't required, shrinking your attack surface. The Zero Trust App Broker mediates every connection through a placeholder IP scoped to one authorized application — users never learn the real destination, so a compromised credential can't be used to probe or discover other systems. This enforces least privilege by design, not just by policy that can drift or be misconfigured. Client apps span Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux, so identity- and application-based controls apply consistently across devices. Deployment runs through preconfigured templates on AWS, Azure, and GCP, giving security teams repeatable, auditable rollouts.

Establishing a secure network among your servers, computers, and cloud instances is vital, and Tailscale simplifies this process, functioning seamlessly even when systems are divided by firewalls or subnets. Instead of grappling with a convoluted and fragile setup of firewalls, regulations, and vulnerabilities while questioning the adequacy of your network's security, you can enjoy direct device connections from any location or networking setup. This is achieved without compromising your firewall's integrity. Devices are only allowed to connect once they authenticate through your current identity provider, facilitating easy implementation of multi-factor authentication, revoking access for former employees, and much more. You can also establish role-based access controls to limit access to sensitive servers or permit contractors to view only what is necessary. Furthermore, every connection is meticulously logged from both ends, and this information can be accessed via a user-friendly dashboard and logging API, ensuring transparency and accountability in your network operations. Ultimately, Tailscale empowers you to maintain a robust security posture while simplifying network management.

AWS Client VPN is a comprehensive remote access VPN solution that enables remote employees to securely connect to resources in both AWS and on-premises environments. This service offers full elasticity, meaning it can automatically adjust its capacity according to the current demand. Users experience a seamless transition when migrating applications to AWS, maintaining the same access methods before, during, and after the transition. Supporting the OpenVPN protocol, AWS Client VPN, along with its software client, caters to the diverse authentication needs of organizations, including multi-factor and federated authentication. In contrast to traditional on-premises VPN services, which are constrained by their hardware capabilities, AWS Client VPN is a flexible pay-as-you-go cloud service that dynamically scales based on user demand. This innovative solution stands out by allowing users to connect to AWS networks through a single VPN connection, simplifying the remote access experience. Overall, AWS Client VPN provides a robust and adaptable solution for organizations looking to secure their remote access needs effectively.

AWS VPN facilitates secure links between on-premises networks and AWS Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs) via IPsec VPN tunnels, ensuring a robust connection. Each VPN connection is designed with dual tunnels to enhance availability, terminating in distinct availability zones for added resilience. This service accommodates both static and dynamic routing through BGP, while also providing customizable options for tunnel configurations, such as inside tunnel IP addresses, pre-shared keys, and BGP Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs). The Accelerated Site-to-Site VPN option utilizes AWS Global Accelerator, optimizing traffic routing through the closest AWS edge location to decrease latency and jitter for an improved user experience. Additionally, AWS Client VPN is a fully managed and elastic VPN service, enabling users to securely connect to AWS and on-premises resources from anywhere using an OpenVPN-based client. This service supports various authentication methods, including Active Directory, mutual certificate authentication, and SAML-based federated authentication, ensuring flexibility and security for users. Ultimately, AWS's diverse VPN offerings cater to various connectivity needs while prioritizing security and performance.