Start with the type of access
Decide whether the need is to protect browsing, connect people to internal systems or cover both. That distinction changes architecture, management and support.
Record devices, operating systems and locations before comparing providers.
Look at management and experience
Administration controls, authentication, logs and ease of use matter as much as speed. A tool that is difficult to use tends to be ignored.
For teams, prioritize simple deployment, clear policies and predictable onboarding and offboarding.
A VPN does not work alone
Updates, strong passwords, multifactor authentication and well-defined permissions remain essential. A VPN complements these practices rather than replacing them.