Hardware VPN vs. Software VPN: How To Decide

Written By:

Elizabeth Thorn

Reviewed By:

Elizabeth Thorn

Key Takeaways:

• When you use a VPN, a secure connection between your device and the internet is established. A VPN unlinks your usage from your location and other identifying data and hides your IP address.
• As the name implies, a hardware VPN is a physical device. A software VPN is an application or program that enables users to secure and encrypt their connections directly from an individual device.
• When choosing a software VPN, look for a no-logging policy, an advanced encryption standard, and high-speed, high-performance service.

When it comes to privacy online, having options is a blessing and a curse. On the upside, you have a range of options depending on your price point, individual needs, use cases, and preferences. On the downside, it can be difficult to differentiate between clever marketing and genuinely useful features.

It can seem like the more you search and read, the more muddled this line becomes. We’re here to make your life easier, starting with choosing the right VPN.

The first choice you’ll need to make is between a hardware VPN and a software VPN, so let’s talk it through.

What Is a VPN and How Does It Work?

Whether or not you’re deep into cybersecurity or simply have a passing interest in protecting your data, you’ve heard the term VPN before. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network.

When you connect to the internet at home, or especially a public Wi-Fi networks, the internet provider instantly gets access to identifying data. Namely, your location. This is connected to your IP address.

As you use the internet, there are dozens of other ways that this type of identifying, personal data accumulates. Individual websites track how long you spend on a given webpage. Social media logs your activity to see what you engage with. Malicious third parties like hackers and fraudsters try to access your account data and passwords.

Much of this data is tied to your IP address. When you use a VPN, a secure connection between your device and the internet is established. Using a VPN unlinks your usage from your location and other identifying data and hides your IP address.

Why Use a VPN?

VPNs are standard in many professional situations. If your work has a portal you use to access company files, data, and messaging services, that portal likely uses a VPN. It’s a way of protecting private or proprietary data from being accessed in ways the company doesn’t approve of.

If you work remotely and find yourself working from coffee shops, hotel lobbies, or even co-working spaces, a VPN is also important for protecting your personal information. Public Wi-Fi networks don’t always have a high degree of security — anyone can access them, which leaves you vulnerable.

For this reason, VPNs are beneficial for personal use, too. You might think nothing of logging in to check your bank account balance while connected to a store’s Wi-Fi before making a big purchase. But now, your account information has been shared through an unsecured connection, leaving you vulnerable.

Essentially, if you care about who has your data and private information, you should be using a VPN. It’s the best way to ensure that even simple, everyday device usage doesn’t leave you vulnerable.

What Is a Hardware VPN?

As the name implies, a hardware VPN is a physical device. Like all VPNs, these networks protect your online safety and privacy. Often, hardware VPNs are intended to give you secure access to a private network remotely, like your company’s website, software, or file system.

What Are the Advantages of Hardware VPNs?

There are many advantages to using a hardware VPN over a software VPN.

• High levels of security. Because hardware VPNs are independent of an individual user’s device, they’re the safer choice. This type of external VPN means your users are less vulnerable to malware and user error, minimizing the risk of even unintended meddling with sensitive data by less-than-tech-savvy users.

• Scalability. Hardware VPNs are great for handling high levels of traffic; it’s why they’re the go-to choice for large organizations that need a lot of coverage. Because they’re designed to handle high traffic, they’re more easily scalable. You can grow much faster without sacrificing performance.

• Centralization. This goes hand-in-hand with security, but hardware VPNs are completely centralized to your setup. This means they’re easier to monitor and upgrade when needed, and they offer much greater control in terms of security.

• Easier for users. The actual setup of a hardware VPN is likely going to be more complex than using a software VPN. That’s fine, because it’s in your hands or the hands of your IT team. When it comes to difficulty for the individual user, hardware VPNs are much more user-friendly and harder to get wrong or forget about than software VPNs.

• More compatible with regulations. If your company deals with serious private information or has to adhere to strict compliance standards, a hardware VPN is the superior option. Hardware VPNs offer greater control over your network and allow you to keep a closer eye on how your employees or users are operating within your system.

• Specialized hardware. Yes, it’s in the name. Yes, we’re still putting it on this list. Having dedicated hardware solutions for your VPN means that it’s all customizable, reliable, and optimized for your specific needs.

What Is a Software VPN?

Your other VPN option is a software VPN. Rather than being a dedicated, hardwired setup, a software VPN is an application or program that enables users to secure and encrypt their connections directly from an individual device.

A hardware VPN does all the encryption, authentication, and decryption on an external device. Software VPNs do all this using software on each user’s individual device.

What Are the Advantages of Software VPNs?

While hardware VPNs offer a significant leg up for bigger, more high-demand projects or workspaces, software VPNs offer many similar features with some noteworthy advantages.

• Less need for technical knowledge. While a hardware VPN requires a decent amount of technological know-how to set up, software VPNs are easy for those with little or no expertise to manage and use.

• Faster to implement. Hardware VPNs may provide some advantages when it comes to scaling quickly. But if you need your virtual private network up and running tomorrow, a software VPN is the answer. Many VPNs can be downloaded in a few simple clicks and require nothing more than the ability to read the instructions and maybe toggle some settings to use.

• More flexible. Hardware VPNs can be customized and configured to work with your specific operating system. This is an advantage in terms of security, but it can put you at a disadvantage if you’re working with a range of freelancers, contractors, or clients who use their own devices to access your private network or data. Software VPNs are generally supported by every operating system.

• Cheaper to use. Software VPNs are much more affordable than hardware options. While there’s a range in terms of the level of security you need or any specific features you’re interested in, you can generally get a basic software VPN for the price of an iPhone app subscription.

• Easier to update and operate. If you’re an individual who wants a solid VPN for personal use or a smaller company without the benefit of its own IT department, software VPNs are the way. Because they’re external, it’s not on you to upgrade and update your VPN, and you don’t need to schedule a lengthy hardware upgrade with possible downtime to do so.

• Simple to use. If you’re looking for a VPN that your grandmother could use, software VPNs have the clear advantage. They’re easy to install, set up, and essentially forget about.

Which Type of VPN Is Best for You?

Choosing the right type of VPN for your needs depends on a range of considerations. We’ve covered some of the most obvious pros for each type, but let’s narrow it down even further.

Who Are Software VPNs Best For?

Software VPNs are generally best for individual or private use. If you’re looking for a way to protect your data or privacy online, a software VPN is a simple way to achieve that without needing extensive infrastructure.

Software VPNs are also ideal if you’re looking to protect yourself on devices other than your computer. It can be as simple as installing an app or downloading a browser extension.

What Are Hardware VPNs Best For?

Hardware VPNs are most often used by large companies to offer employees secure access to private networks. Think remote employees, sprawling organizations with many offices, or professions that necessitate a lot of travel.

It’s a way to ensure that everyone within your organization has access to what they need wherever they are. Obviously, it’s a much safer solution than allowing employees to download private or proprietary material onto their individual devices.

How Do I Choose the Best VPN?

If you’re considering a hardware VPN for your business, the answer to this is simple: you need to speak to hardware VPN companies about your specific needs and get an idea of what specs are on offer and the pricing in your area.

Because hardware VPNs are so specific to the individual situation, it’s difficult to evaluate which will be best on a non-individual basis.

If you’re considering a software VPN, there are a few key features you should look for.

• A no-logging policy. Ironically, some VPNs can endanger your privacy by shielding your IP address from third parties but keeping track of your activity on their servers. Look for a VPN with a strict no-logging policy.
• An advanced encryption standard. Because the efficacy of your VPN depends on encryption, you want something with advanced encryption standards. Our VPN uses IKEV2 to ensure data confidentiality and integrity.
• High speed, high performance service. Some software VPNs can slow you down when you’re using them. Look for an option with a more streamlined architecture that guarantees solid, fast performance, especially if you’re using a VPN on a mobile device. Nothing worse than waiting five minutes for a webpage to load.

FAQs

Is it better to have two VPNs?

Running two VPNs simultaneously can provide extra protection by layering encryption and further obscuring your online activity. However, this approach may slow down your internet speed considerably and is often unnecessary for most business purposes, where a single, reliable VPN usually provides adequate security.

Are VPNs worth it?

Yes! If you want to keep your browsing activity hidden from your internet service provider or other data snoops, a VPN is worth it. If your ISP is throttling your internet connection, then a VPN is worth it.

Is it okay to use a VPN all the time?

Yes, you should keep your VPN on whenever you're online. It keeps your sensitive information away from prying eyes and ensures a private, secure connection to the internet.

The VIP of VPNs

There are many ways to protect your privacy online. A VPN is one of the best. It encrypts your data and activity to prevent third parties from taking advantage of it.

Paired with our phone number app, which allows you to create additional phone numbers to limit who has your contact information and how they can use it, you’re on your way to true online privacy.