Consumer VPNs are getting relatively popular, and the credit goes to the rising demand for using a virtual private network in different sectors of society.
Today, everyone from an individual looking for online anonymity to a bunch of people (coworkers or entrepreneurs) looking for internal data privacy can opt for a dedicated VPN client per their specific requirements. All in all, it can be said that personal and business VPNs are two types of virtual private networks based on the environment it is being used in.
But why is there a classification based on client usage? What exactly is meant by a private VPN? More importantly, how is it different from a business VPN? All these are burning questions that we will discuss in this post.
What is a Consumer VPN?
A stand-alone VPN client used by an individual to bring anonymity to the online experience is called a consumer VPN. The term “Consumer” defines the type of client used as a dedicated tool implemented for an individual using a simple subscription model.
It is the basic version of a virtual private network, designed for personal use to handle online anonymity and unlock a different side of the online world.
Every time you advise an individual to use a VPN, you are referring to a consumer VPN. Unless the discussion is about implementing a dedicated internal virtual private network for a group of people. In that case, the VPN service required differs from that of an individual. Hence it is called a business VPN.
Differences Between Consumer & Business VPNs
Opting for a virtual private network is more complex than it used to be. There are different clients available for different purposes. Consumer VPN & Business VPN are the two types of virtual private network setups that can be used based on the user requirements and the environment in which it is being used.
While the job of a VPN is to create a private network for safer internet usage, a few factors may help you differentiate between a personal VPN and a business VPN.
These factors are –
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Nature of Subscription
You might already have got an idea that a consumer VPN works on a personal subscription model, which is valid for a person or two. If you have multiple devices, it can help you secure all of them, provided you use a single user account. The nature of such a subscription is private.
On the other hand, a business VPN works on a group subscription model. This means an entire organization can opt for a single plan, ranging between 10 to 10,000+ users. When you opt for a VPN as a business, you can easily create dedicated login credentials for all your employees, which helps create user segregation.
Must Read : VPN for Businesses: Why is it Important
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Customization & Client Management
Personal VPNs hardly require any sort of customization. These are easy to use. You can choose the server you want to connect to based on region. However, most of the time, a user needs no customizations whatsoever. A single kill switch is enough to connect and disconnect the virtual private network.
Business VPNs have a significant scope of customization, they can be customized for each user. You can create credentials and dictate what type of services, applications, and websites can be accessed while connected to the VPN. You can easily define the limits, creating a focal point for your employees. You can even add/remove users as per your requirements.
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Servers & IP Address Usage
While using a Private VPN, your focus is ensuring proper online anonymity. You are more worried about getting traced by your ISP or other prying eyes. This means you are safe from factors like unnecessary surveillance and ISP throttling. Hence, what it does is it keeps your original IP address masked and gives you a spoof. This way, you get anonymous browsing. There are dedicated servers from multiple regions. These allow you to unlock geological restrictions as now you have access to servers from across the globe.
On a business VPN, you are more inclined towards creating a static IP address that helps you take the lead and monitor your employees. You have a dedicated server that is just for your business. This means there is a lower load on the server. Hence you are safe from network congestion. But then again, these servers are designed only to handle a bit of load. The only downside is that your IP and server remain constant, increasing downtime in case of a mishap.
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Cost of Use
A consumer VPN is a straightforward application, and hence it is on the affordable side of the spectrum. You can buy a monthly, quarterly, or yearly subscription based on your usage, and the cost is relatively lesser. Opting for a consumer VPN makes complete sense for someone working remotely or freelancing functionally and financially. 
When you talk about the cost of use for business VPNs, multiple factors must be considered. For instance, the number of users you add to your subscription, security measures in place, and customizations. It has been observed that a business VPN often proves to be expensive for small businesses as their use case neither justifies using a personal VPN nor can they afford a full-fledged business VPN.
While these reasons are quite evident, mainly the classification of these VPNs is based on their use case scenarios. The only reason their VPN usage is defined based on the environment it is being used in is the difference in requirements of both. While a consumer VPN requires no infrastructure on the user’s end, a business VPN needs a proper server to be dedicated to the job. The purposes are different for both; hence, the classification makes complete sense.
Must Read : Top Features to Look for in a VPN
If you are looking for a consumer VPN client that is affordable and gives you instant online anonymity, you can go for Systweak VPN. Download the tool via the link given below.
To know more about the product, make sure you read this and learn more about the same. As far as business VPNs are concerned, you need to customize a plan for yourself, figure out what you need, and only look for recommendations.
Conclusion: Which One Should You Opt for?
Whether you should go for a private or business VPN sparks a never-ending debate among online communities. Some state the perks of going solo, while others are more inclined toward business VPN plans. If you are wondering which one you should opt for, shared differences might have helped you decide.
It all boils down to your usage and, more importantly, your requirements. With that, we have reached the end of this post. If you have any doubts, please drop them in the comments section. If you are looking to understand what exactly an ideal consumer VPN would look like, make sure you download Systweak VPN.
That’s all for now. Good luck!
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