With the diverse landscape of digital threats, Internet user’s options for secure and private communication have expanded over the years.
Different types of VPN solutions and other security technologies have become available for individual users and businesses worldwide. Two of the most common are Site-to-Site VPN and Remote Access VPN tools.
Since the different purposes and abilities of VPN types make them challenging to tell apart, we aim to explain the Differences Between Site To Site VPN Vs Remote Access VPN and help you choose which one you need.
Site-to-site VPNs and remote access VPNs might look the same at first glance because they are used for similar goals but differ. Let’s jump into the article to see what those differences are.
Site To Site VPN
Site-to-site VPNs are a type of VPN solution that connects multiple endpoints and allows them to share information. These endpoints could be remote users of a business or simply other networks of some remote offices.
The main point is that this VPN tool aims to connect remote endpoints and overcome geographical restrictions that block secure communication between parties.
The most important quality of this VPN solution is its encryption capabilities when data is sent to one endpoint. This ensures the integrity and privacy of the information until it is securely transmitted.
You can click here to learn more about how they work and the steps to this connection.
Site-to-site VPNs have two main components that activate this function: the VPN client and the VPN server.
The server component is usually located in a physical location, such as a company’s headquarters. The VPN server handles the encryption configurations and other tools needed to initiate a connection.
The second important component is the VPN client, which is located at other endpoints, such as a remote worker’s device.
End users connect to this private tunnel using the VPN client, and this connection secures all the information shared between the parties. But again, site-to-site VPNs can be used to connect more than two networks or users.
A great part of site-to-site connections is allowing users to access the resources on the other side of the tunnel.
If there are five endpoints within a site-to-site VPN, every endpoint can use the resources from the remaining ones. This makes it significantly useful for companies with remote offices or work-from-home team members.
Remote access VPN
Remote access VPN is a tool that allows remote users to access a private network by connecting to it from a remote location. This type of VPN is usually preferred by work-from-home employees and has become even more popular since 2020.
To access the private tunnel, the end-users utilize software installed on their devices. After authentication, the private tunnel is initiated, and the user can now work as if they are actually in the office.
A significant advantage of remote access VPN is its ease of use. All the configuration is already done on the VPN server, and users only need to open their client software and connect.
In addition to encrypting the connection, this software also verifies the users through advanced methods, preferably MFA.
Remote access VPNs do not require companies to invest in additional hardware or other equipment, saving them money and potentially office space.
Since remote workers mostly use this VPN, it also allows companies to benefit from the perks of the work-from-home model.
In short, a VPN is a security solution designed to meet an organization’s remote access needs and help it access resources from anywhere in the world.
It provides improved security, flexibility, and cost savings, making it an attractive option for businesses.
Site To Site VPN Vs Remote Access VPN
Security
One of the primary differences between these two types of VPNs is the security levels they offer. Site-to-site VPNs need to have a better security level since they usually connect more than two networks.
In this type of connection, it is common for all the endpoints to store protected information, which requires a higher level of security.
On the other hand, remote access VPNs are mostly used to allow individual users to securely access remote resources.
This type of VPN is more suitable for organizations that want to provide access to partners or remote employees.
Since it has a smaller scope than site-to-site VPNs, they do not provide the same level of security.
Cost Savings
Another significant difference between these two types of VPN is the cost savings they can provide. Site-to-site VPNs require dedicated hardware and software to create and manage the VPN connection.
This hardware might be expensive for some organizations. Site-to-site VPNs also require a high-speed internet connection to stay reliable and stable.
In contrast, remote access VPNs are much more affordable since they don’t require dedicated hardware located in an office or data center. They just require standard VPN software installed on the end user’s device.
This option is great for companies with limited budgets and remote employees. However, it is important to note that site-to-site VPNs come with added benefits, as we mentioned, along with a higher price.
Performance
The performance these VPNs offer will be a significant factor when you choose one. In general, it is accepted that Site-to-site VPNs offer greater performance than remote-access VPNs.
This type of VPN is specifically configured to handle large amounts of traffic without any issues, so they have a better threshold before failing in performance.
However, remote access VPNs may experience performance problems if too many users simultaneously connect to the tunnel. Since this VPN tool uses the user’s internet connection, it is usually inferior to and poorer than the dedicated connection of site-to-site VPNs.
Therefore, remote access VPNs are more suitable for smaller organizations with remote users who need a secure remote connection to company resources.
Site-to-site VPNs are the better choice for bigger organizations that need higher performance and low latency connections between remote networks.
Conclusion: Site To Site VPN Vs Remote Access VPN
Site-to-site VPNs and remote access VPNs are often confused and thought of as the same thing. However, their designs and features are drastically different.
In this article, we tried to explain and list their differences to help you make the best decision for your organization. We hope one of these great tools will improve your business security status and let you connect with your team members.
