Features

TorGuard Business VPN offers a limited set of features tailored to business users. One of its standout features is AES-256 encryption, combined with support for multiple VPN protocols, such as OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPSec, and WireGuard. This ensures a high level of security for businesses that need to protect sensitive data across different devices and networks. Additionally, business users can get dedicated IP addresses (very limited by the pricing plan) and access to over 3,000 servers in over 50 countries, ensuring fast and reliable connections regardless of location.

TorGuard supports unlimited bandwidth and unlimited speeds, making it suitable for businesses with heavy data usage, such as those involved in media production or data analytics.

Another significant feature is Stealth VPN, which helps bypass VPN blocks and firewalls, making it ideal for businesses operating in countries with strict internet regulations or for accessing region-restricted content. The service also supports split tunneling, allowing businesses to route specific traffic through the VPN while letting other data access the internet directly. TorGuard offers two types of kill switches for enhanced security.

The primary kill switch shuts down all internet traffic on your device if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly, ensuring a complete lockdown so no data leaks occur. This feature effectively prevents your real IP address and online activities from being exposed. You can easily activate it in the Network settings, and from our testing, it responds quickly and reliably.

During one instance where TorGuard disconnected, the kill switch immediately kicked in, blocking all traffic to maintain privacy. The second option is the App Kill which targets specific apps or processes that you define if you don’t want to kill the entire connection.

The Tor in the name stands for Torrenting, which explains the heavy reliance and great features surrounding P2P. You have the flexibility to torrent directly through the TorGuard app or by using a SOCKS5 proxy. This provides an extra layer of security and flexibility, ensuring your data remains protected.

Pricing & Plans

TorGuard pricing is the biggest hurdle in our opinion, despite offering four distinct plans. The Starter plan costs $32 a month and covers a “5-user package” which includes 5 e-mail accounts and only 1 dedicated IP address. The next plan, Small, covers 10 users adds 3 dedicated IP addresses, and costs $69 a month. The Medium plan at $110 a month covers 15 users and 5 dedicated IP addresses, and finally, the Large plan covers 20 users and 10 dedicated IPs and costs $169 a month.

While the pricing may look transparent and easy to follow, we prefer the pricing per user strategy that encompasses much more functionality. At the moment, it is difficult to justify the high pricing of TorGuard let alone justify its use for a serious business that aims to scale its services while relying on an extensive remote workforce.

Once you go to the purchase page of the Business VPN, TorGuard will offer upselling options such as a custom VPN router with varying hardware configuration and prices. You can add additional users to your plan for an extra fee, however, the “slide to add” function on their website is clunky and one of the worst experiences we had in trying to add additional costs to a plan.

Performance

In terms of performance, TorGuard delivers consistently high speeds across its global server network, making it suitable for bandwidth-heavy activities like video conferencing, large file transfers, and streaming. The VPN’s unlimited bandwidth ensures that your team’s activities are not hindered by data caps, and its low-latency servers provide smooth, reliable connections for remote workers.

However, during peak hours, speeds can vary, especially when connected to servers in heavily congested regions. Despite this, TorGuard's performance remains above average compared to other business VPNs. The fact that you can choose your protocol and tweak it to a very granular level lets you squeeze out even more performance if you know what you’re doing of course.

Privacy & Security

Security is solid, and its AES-256 encryption combined with multiple VPN protocols ensures data is protected at all times. The service offers DNS and IPv6 leak protection, preventing any data from accidentally leaking outside the VPN tunnel. For added safety, TorGuard provides a kill switch feature that automatically disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops, preventing any unprotected data transfer.

For multi-factor authentication, TorGuard integrates seamlessly with Google Authenticator, adding an extra layer of security for account access. This is a great feature for the admin console through which you can tweak the security and privacy settings for your workforce. The privacy policy of TorGuard states that they do “not collect or log any data from its Virtual Private Network (VPN) or Proxy services.” However, they do collect data for analyzing and improving their website through their own platform, live chat and emails they receive from users.

Alternatives

NordLayer is miles ahead of TorGuard when it comes to the business environment. First of all pricing per user makes it a more affordable solution and gives you easy scaling options and unparalleled flexibility. Its stand-out features such as DNS filtering, network segmentation, dedicated IP, browser extension, smart remote access, a dedicated account manager, Cloud Firewall, Smart Remote Access, and Threat Block come together to offer a comprehensive business solution. If you’re shopping for a VPN or Zero Trust Network (ZTN) you can not go wrong with NordLayer.

ProtonVPN Business is another great alternative to TorGuard as it also has great P2P features. Pricing is a bit steeper than TorGuard but the sheer number of features it offers easily justifies the price difference. Its Secure Core and NetShield features offer protection for even the most paranoid among us, while protocols such as WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN (TCP or UDP), and Stealth offer enough flexibility for all the tweaks you will need. Over 5,000 companies trust their business to this Swiss-based VPN provider, and if you’re in the market for one, it is a much better alternative compared to TorGuard.

Final Verdict

While TorGuard Business VPN is declared to be a business VPN solution, it is hard to justify its usage in an enterprise setting that relies on remote work. It does provide great performance for its core offering, VPN connection, but there are a few additional “goodies” that businesses rely on when looking to set up a ZTN environment. The niche business market that relies heavily on P2P or just needs protection for a handful of its workers can extract benefits from using TorGuard, but a business looking to stay protected and scale easily will be best served to look elsewhere.

Overall, TorGuard seems easier to recommend to individual users who are looking for a reliable and fast VPN solution, and less so for business users.

• We've listed the best business VPNs and best VPNs with antivirus

Features

For businesses, Proton VPN offers dedicated IP addresses and dedicated servers, which ensures better performance and security for employees accessing corporate networks. This is especially valuable for organizations that need consistent access to resources or want to ensure secure remote work. The VPN also integrates seamlessly with a variety of third-party tools and applications, providing flexibility in how you manage your team's connectivity; which can assist in obtaining security certifications such as ISO 27001, SOC2, etc. There is no need for specialized hardware, so deployment is fast, and for business users there is dedicated 24/7 support.

Its Secure Core architecture adds an extra layer of protection by routing traffic through multiple servers in privacy-friendly countries, safeguarding your data even if a VPN endpoint is compromised. When you connect through Proton VPN's Secure Core servers, your VPN connection takes two hops for added security. It first routes from your device to the Secure Core servers and then proceeds to the VPN server you've selected. Proton VPN emphasizes that its Secure Core servers are located in countries with strong privacy laws and are directly owned by Proton. These servers are housed in secure, high-security facilities, such as old military bases, ensuring that your data is protected from potential threats and unauthorized access. This of course is not the fastest way to surf the web, but is potentially one of the safest options. The auto re-connection option comes as standard across all pricing plans, which is a nice to have feature in a modern VPN solution.

Another noteworthy feature is NetShield, an advanced ad blocker that protects against malware, trackers, and ads. In short, it checks DNS requests more thoroughly and relies on a list of blocked sites and domains to avoid phishing and malware. Similarly, it blocks trackers and most of the ads you see on websites. While watching YouTube though, you will get ads served inside of videos unless you have YouTube Premium. Finally, the number of blocked ads and trackers we could not verify, but since we did not see ads that were otherwise served to us, we have to say that it works.

Pricing & Plans

If you’re looking to test drive Proton as a single user, we recommend you do so using the free version. It is understandably very limited in its functionality and does not offer the real taste of features that you will need as a business user. For business users of Proton Business VPN, there are three pricing plans, VPN Essentials, VPN Professional, and VPN Enterprise. If you’re looking for monthly payments, then the plans cost €8.99 per user and €11.99 per user, respectively. For the Enterprise plan, you need to get in touch with the sales team.

Additionally, if you’re looking to save some money, opting for 1-year pricing, you get a 22% and 17% discount, respectively. And for 2-year pricing, the discounts rise to 33% and 25% for the initial two plans. A dedicated server and IP will cost you an additional €35.99/month.

Performance

All VPNs will inevitably slow down the speed of your internet since you’re routing traffic through a server. This is also true for Proton VPN, however, the speed loss is negligible (depending on which server you’re using). You’re given the choice of using WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN (TCP or UDP), and Stealth tunneling protocols to establish your connection. Thanks to its large network of international servers (over 4800 across 110 countries), you will have ample choices to protect your connection or avoid geo-restrictions.

If you’re using Chromium-based browsers or Firefox-based ones, you can use Proton’s browser extension which lets you browse or stream securely. The best part is that the extensions are available even for the free plan. We did not notice slowdowns in browsers (Chrome and Firefox) nor was there an additional slowdown in speeds when using the extensions. As with all Proton VPN products, the browser extension is open source, allowing anyone to inspect and verify its code for transparency and security. This extension makes it even easier for users to experience the benefits of Proton VPN’s no-logs policy, which is backed by Switzerland’s strong privacy laws.

Last but not least, if you plan on using Secure Core services for browsing, be ready to suffer a hefty speed penalty, since multi-hop connections do eat into speed; but for the most paranoid amongst us, speed is usually not priority number one.

Privacy & Security

Proton VPN’s privacy policy clearly states that it does not log any user activity or IP addresses, maintaining a strict no-logs policy. In the past, Proton VPN used to store timestamps of the last login, but this practice has since been discontinued. The fact that the VPN is based in Switzerland - a country with one of the strongest privacy laws in the world - will ensure that you are protected from government surveillance and third-party requests. In addition, a separate third-party audit confirmed that the provider has no significant flaws in their privacy policy.

Thanks to the DNS leak protection and kill switch features, your connection will remain secure even if the VPN drops for any reason. Furthermore, AES-265 encryption, coupled with multi-factor authentication, adds an extra layer of security. As a business user, you’re given the option to configure your gateways, segment your network, and isolate devices or resources easily.

Proton VPN apps include built-in defenses against man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, particularly when operating over unsecured or potentially hostile networks. If such an attack attempt is detected, the app alerts the user and blocks connections to any suspicious servers, providing an added layer of security against malicious threats.

Alternatives

NordLayer jumps out as a strong alternative to Proton VPN, of course, it also commands premium pricing but does stand out when it comes to speed. Similar to Proton, NordLayer offers a rich feature set, with complex security features that complement any business looking to stay on the safer side of the internet. Browser extensions and mobile apps are easy to use, offer granular configuration, and thanks to its Firewall as a service option, it ticks all of the checkboxes for a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution.

Twingate is another alternative that, like Proton, offers fast, scalable, and seamless deployment of services. Additionally, it offers flexible access policy configurations and comprehensive activity logging, focusing on businesses in regulated industries. Like NordLayer the focus was placed on the UX and UI part of the apps they offer, which are top-notch and very intuitive. In terms of pricing it beats out both Proton and NordLayer, but does come with different sets of features and options. Therefore, the best option is to initially figure out your needs, compare the offerings and then look at pricing to get the best feel for which VPN solution is right for your business.

Final Verdict

Proton Business VPN is a powerful business VPN solution that places a strong emphasis on being open source, highly regulated, and Swiss-based to ensure the highest level of privacy and security for its users. Over 5,000 business users trust Proton with their data, which is not a number to sneeze at.

Complex security features that extend from encryption, and log-in protection all the way to man-in-the-middle attack prevention speak to the level of detail Proton placed on security. Thanks to its Secure Core and NetShield features, businesses can ensure that phishing and malware are reduced to a minimum. Of course, there are some drawbacks in terms of speed if you simply decide to turn all of the advanced features on. However, if you focus on dedicated IP addresses and dedicated servers, and reserve the advanced features for remote workers coming from higher security risk areas, Proton can be an ideal companion. All in all, Proton makes a strong case for being one of the best solutions in the business VPN market.

• We've also listed the best VPNs and the best VPN with antivirus

Features

Built on a zero-trust architecture, it ensures secure access by requiring authentication at each step, minimizing the attack surface. The platform is cloud-native, making it highly scalable and adaptable to modern business needs, which means it's not just a VPN client but a comprehensive security package aimed at businesses and organizations.

Twingate supports device authentication and integrates with single sign-on (SSO) providers like Okta and Azure AD, which simplifies identity management across distributed teams. Besides this, Twingate offers a range of integrations with mobile device management and endpoint protection vendors. You can find the list of their extensive integrations on their site.

Unlike traditional VPNs that rely on a single point of failure, Twingate separates identity, control, and data planes, ensuring higher resilience and security. All user connections are encrypted end-to-end, while user access is granted (or denied) in real-time based on contextual information such as user identity, device security status, time of login, and the user's or device's geolocation. This data is used in conjunction with admin-defined access policies to ensure secure and tailored access control policies.

Speaking of defining policies, all of this is done through the admin console, which is intuitive and features a modern UI. From this web-based management console, admins can get granular, viewing reports and resource usage, and add or remove users. The granularity extends to configuration on a per-use, per-device, and per-resource basis. This allows administrators to enforce strict access controls by applying the principle of least privilege, reducing the risk of unauthorized account access. It also ensures compliance with regulations that mandate higher levels of security for sensitive or privileged accounts.

Twingate tracks all network activity, logging each user's access attempts and providing detailed insights into which resources were targeted. For reporting and logging purposes you can also integrate with logging platforms like DataDog, Elastic, and Splunk for enhanced reporting capabilities. Yet, the platform itself has enough capability for reporting without a need for integrations, unless you have specific needs and requirements.

Pricing & Plans

Twingate offers flexible pricing plans with the entry-level Starter plan costing nothing and allowing up to 5 users and 10 remote networks, making it ideal for small teams or those wanting to explore the platform without a financial commitment. For growing teams, the Teams plan is priced at $5 per user per month, supporting up to 100 users and 20 networks, along with a 14-day free trial and a money-back guarantee.

For larger organizations, the Business plan is priced at $10 per user per month, offering support for up to 500 users and 100 networks. It includes more advanced features such as enhanced integrations and management options, making it suitable for companies with more complex security needs. This plan also ensures scalability, with options to expand as the organization grows.

Finally, the Enterprise plan offers tailored pricing and features based on specific business requirements. Companies interested in this plan will need to contact Twingate’s sales team to create a customized package. The Enterprise plan is designed for businesses with extensive remote access needs, offering the highest level of flexibility, support, and integration capabilities.

Note that if you opt to try out Twingate via the free plan, you will be limited in terms of integrations and DNS capabilities, but all of this is covered in paid plans.

Performance

Due to its design, Twingate offers faster average speeds compared to traditional business VPNs. The maximum and minimum speeds users experience primarily depend on their internet connection. Factors influencing performance include the type of traffic generated, with Twingate using split tunneling to route only business-related data through its network, encryption protocols, and overall network conditions. This ensures efficient data flow and minimizes latency for business activities.

Furthermore, the cloud-based admin console worked to perfection during our test, without any hiccups. We did not experience any slowdowns or crashes.

Privacy & Security

Twingate uses AES-256 encryption and SSL/TLS protocols to secure data transmissions, safeguarding business information from cyber threats. Additionally, it integrates multi-factor authentication (MFA) and single sign-on (SSO) capabilities. The aforementioned split tunneling feature routes business traffic through encrypted “tunnels” while keeping non-essential data flowing through the VPN. Moreover, the fact that Twingate utilizes the Zero Trust approach, means that strict verification protocols require verification of every user and device before granting access, ensuring that only verified entities can interact with sensitive resources.

What’s more, it enables companies to implement the necessary security controls to comply with various regulatory standards such as CPRA, GDPR, PCI DSS, and SOC 2.

Support

Twingate provides support through a ticketing system, messaging, and email. While assistance might not always be immediately available, their comprehensive guides and FAQs are particularly useful for addressing common issues. These resources offer detailed instructions, making it easier to troubleshoot independently. Overall, the written materials and support options can be helpful, but availability may vary depending on your needs and the timing of your request for assistance.

Alternatives

An equally attractive offering can be found with NordLayer Business VPN, which also offers a complete security package, complex security protocols, and a ZTNA approach. We enjoy the UI of NordLayer a bit more, but that is more of a personal preference. However, there are no free plans and you will have to pay a bit more per user. With that, you do get a bit more compared to Twingate though. Its proprietary VPN protocol is quick and secure and you can count on speeds of up to 1Gbs regardless of the pricing plan you go for. It is important to point out that additional features like auto-connect, ThreatBlock, and the Cloud Firewall do set a high bar for the competition, which is why you should consider it if you need more complex security.

Another potential alternative is the Check Point VPN Solution, which is geared more toward larger enterprises that are not afraid to break the bank to get premium solutions. Of course, to be fully covered here, we would recommend going with the hardware + software combo offered by Check Point, since this will ensure you get a ZTNA approach and have access to all of the bells and whistles. The admin console is powerful, with granularity extending from the setup into reporting and across all touch points. While it is powerful, for newer entrants into the field it can be a daunting task to set up the entire system. Pricing is not publicly available, as it depends on the size of your company and the specific needs that you have. But be sure it is not the cheapest solution in the market, but with the offering it has, it cannot be.

Final Verdict

With all that has been said, we can conclude that Twingate is an effective and efficient zero-trust network access solution. If you’re an organization or business looking to secure corporate resources, yet you want to have a remote workforce easily and securely access your resources without causing too much user friction, then Twingate may be the right tool for you.

High granularity, will surely expedite and secure work for organizations in highly regulated industries, which is one area that the company is aiming at. Another benefit is that this complexity doesn’t translate into a complex and clunky UI but an easy-to-use and highly intuitive cloud environment.

Sure, it is not the best option in the market, but it does tick most of the boxes while offering easy scaling which will not break the bank. What’s equally important, you can have your IT department spin up the free version, test out the performance, and see whether it is the right fit for you before deciding to scale up.

Features

NordLayer offers a massive list of features including DNS filtering, network segmentation, dedicated IP, browser extension, smart remote access, and a dedicated account manager - making it one of the most comprehensive business VPN solutions. This multi-layered security approach plays nicely with AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure if you’re looking to integrate it into one of these cloud services.

NordLayer's control panel is highly intuitive, featuring sections for organizing teams, managing servers and gateways, remote access settings, downloads, activity tracking, and device security alerts, making it one of the most beginner-friendly business VPN solutions. From this panel, you can also set permissions and allow network segmentation which is important if you’re looking to restrict access to sensitive data. Network segmentation divides the network into subsections for improved security and performance.

Its Cloud Firewall (FWaaS) offering, brings an additional layer of security, functioning as a cloud security service edge element. Unlike a traditional firewall, the maintenance requirements are low, while its scalability and adaptiveness allow you more flexibility in managing your company’s resources.

If you have a remote workforce, NordLayer has got you covered with a site-to-site networking connection, which basically functions like a secure VPN tunnel between two or multiple networks. There is also Smart Remote Access for the creation of a virtual LAN if you need to grant access to devices on an internal network. An additional interesting feature is the browser extension, which functions as a secure web gateway that allows access to resources exclusively via the browser that has the extension installed and enabled. Moreover, there are desktop and mobile, with both apps designed to be simple and intuitive.

Upon opening, the app presents a list of available servers, allowing you to connect with a single click (though more servers would be a welcome addition). Users can choose between OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols, and customize features like the kill switch, auto-connect, and ThreatBlock based on their preferences. You can also set up a list of trusted Wi-Fi networks that don't require a VPN. The mobile app offers similar functionality, with the added convenience of automatic server connection. The app’s user-friendly layout and customization options make it adaptable for different preferences and needs, ensuring a smooth experience across both desktop and mobile platforms.

Activity Monitoring reports allow you to get granular with user-level connections that pass through gateways giving you details such as names of the members, devices, and source IP addresses, with activity history and date and time of a particular connection. Device Posture Monitoring further enhances security, where administrators can predefine security rules, and all non-compliant devices are then flagged and removed.

ThreatBlock provides an essential layer of protection by automatically blocking access to malicious websites and ads, shielding employees from phishing attempts and malware. It also filters out intrusive pop-ups and autoplay ads, creating a safer and more productive browsing experience for users.

To round out the feature list, Auto-connect is another feature we found useful. It allows you to set up the VPN to automatically activate as soon as an internet connection is activated. This is often found in personal VPNs, but often rare in business environments, but it can reduce the hassle and worry of employees forgetting to use a VPN.

Pricing & Plans

While not the cheapest option in the market, NordLayer does offer reasonable pricing for the amount of functionality and security you end up getting. The pricing plans are based on a per-user model, with the lowest tier Lite going for $8 per user (yearly subscription option), with a minimum requirement of 5 users which is standard across all plans except the Enterprise offer plan. All pricing plans come with a 14-day money-back guarantee which is great if you’re on the fence and just want to test the product.

The next plan, Core, is $11 per user and comes with a dedicated server with a fixed IP, but also a $40 a month surcharge for this service. The next tier is Premium at $14 per user and also the same offer for the server. Finally, the Enterprise plan starts from $7 per user, but you will have to reach out to NordLayer to get your custom offer, as it depends on your organization’s needs. Core seems to be the best buy plan covering advanced security such as Biometrics, 2MFA, SSO, and enough bandwidth for small to medium organizations.

Performance

NordLynx tunneling protocol allows NordLayer to deliver fast and stable speeds across their VPN service. In terms of VPN protocols, it supports IKEv2, OpenVPN (both UDP and TCP), and the aforementioned NordLynx which is a fork of the open-source Wireguard protocol. Note that all pricing plans offer up to 1Gbs server performance, which of course will vary depending on the server country you’re using. While mostly equal, there can be some drops in Asian countries, at least during our demo test.

Privacy & Security

The logging policy is right up the alley of any corporate VPN, which means that it does not log visited websites but does log each employee's email address, IP address bandwidth usage, and connection timestamps. The platform complies with GDPR and other major privacy regulations, ensuring data security for businesses operating in sensitive industries.

NordLayer secures internet traffic with modern encryption, offers 2FA via SMS or TOTP, and provides SSO options like Azure AD, Google, JumpCloud, Okta, and OneLogin for employee access, enhancing data breach prevention. In terms of encryption, it uses AES 256-bit and ChaCha20 encryption ciphers, which are fairly robust protocols. Most of the protocol settings are set up as default and we would recommend leaving them as is unless you’re an advanced administrator who wishes to set up a more granular policy. Furthermore, there is a kill switch, which acts as a fail-safe mechanism that prevents data leakage in instances where a VPN disconnects.

Support

NordLayer offers 24/7 customer support through both email and live chat on their website. For self-service, users can access a comprehensive knowledge base that includes guides for setup and troubleshooting. These resources are particularly helpful for first-time configurations. Subscribers to the Custom plan with 30 or more active licenses also benefit from a dedicated account manager, providing personalized assistance tailored to their specific needs. This support structure ensures that users have ample help, whether through self-guided resources or direct communication with NordLayer experts.

Alternatives

Twingate is a competitively priced business VPN solution that, like NordLayer, goes beyond basic VPN functionality to include advanced security features. Although its setup process is slightly more complex, Twingate compensates with a free plan for up to 5 users and 1 admin, making it an ideal choice for small teams wanting to test its capabilities before committing to a paid plan.

Perimeter 81, with its Secure Network as a Service model, offers a cloud-based alternative to traditional hardware firewalls and VPNs. It provides robust security features, including network segmentation and zero-trust access, at a comparable price point. This makes it a compelling choice for businesses seeking flexible, scalable security solutions without the need for on-premise hardware.

Final Verdict

NordLayer is quickly becoming a top choice for businesses with remote and hybrid workforces due to its comprehensive security features. The platform offers military-grade encryption, a robust firewall, and a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) model to minimize risks from malicious actors. We also admire its clean, user-friendly interface, making setup and management intuitive. While it’s not the most budget-friendly option—especially when compared to competitors offering free plans—NordLayer’s pricing is competitive given the advanced security it provides. It's an ideal solution for businesses looking for reliable, scalable protection in a remote-work era, with a robust and secure VPN.

As a premium VPN solution, it supports a variety of clients covering Windows, MacOS, and mobile platforms ensuring easy access for remote workforces across all of their devices. Additionally, we should note here that the VPN is tightly integrated with Check Point’s security management platform, tied to other advanced threat detection and prevention tools that the company offers. In simpler terms, the best comprehensive solution can be gained if the entire Check Point package is chosen, since you can get hardware security solutions from Check Point and can easily integrate them into their powerful SmartConsole, an admin dashboard solution.

Features like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Single Sign-On (SSO), and Identity Awareness improve security and ease of use. Furthermore, the Always-ON VPN feature ensures constant security by keeping users connected securely to corporate networks at all times. If you have a need to create temporary users who will be able to access your VPN for a set period of time, you can do so as well. This is ideal for customers visiting your site and needing access to some resources for a few hours or days.

Check Point offers a variety of remote access VPN solutions tailored to different business needs. These include Harmony Endpoint for comprehensive endpoint protection, Endpoint Security VPN for IPsec-based connectivity, and Mobile Access Web Portal for clientless SSL VPN access. Additional options include Check Point Mobile for Windows, SecuRemote, and Capsule VPN for iOS and Android, each designed to provide secure connectivity for remote users.

Pricing & Plans

Though we’re used to enterprise solutions hiding their pricing behind a “must-attend demo session” or directly contacting sales for company pricing, we’re really not fond of this practice. Depending on the number of users you have, you will probably have to choose between one of the mobile access blade tiers. The MOB-U is an unlimited access for unlimited users. The other license levels are MOB-50 and MOB-200 for 50 or 200 concurrent users respectively. The licenses do not stack, complicating the choice.

Recently, the company introduced a cloud comprehensive solution named Harmony Endpoint which among other things, under Access Control offers VPN. The advantage here is that you will not have to worry about licensing or the number of users, and could potentially present a better solution if you need comprehensive security and not just a VPN solution.

Configuration

If you have a Check Point appliance in your company as part of the package, such as the 1530 Appliance, then the configuration of the VPN can be done using the SmartConsole for users accessing resources through the company network. On the left side menu, you will need to navigate to the VPN tab and then, under Blade Control, enable Remote Control and enable SSL VPN. Before you can actually access SSL VPN services you will have to configure them under the SSL Bookmarks section and then add and define the users. Here you can define permanent or temporary users, with the process being manual and time-intensive if you have numerous users to add, as you have to define the user names and passwords yourself.

For PC client configuration, there is a wizard once the package has been downloaded that leads you through the setup. You will have to make sure you know all of the details of your network as there is no auto-filling option, even if the PC is in the business network, which unnecessarily complicates the installation process.

All in all, we would have liked the setup to be more in line with the modern standards set by commercial clients targeting wider audiences; though we do understand that this is a more complex solution that requires comprehensive networking knowledge and experts who are used to setting up corporate networks and protecting resources.

Performance

Quantum VPN excels in speed and stability, ensuring uninterrupted access to business resources thanks to the powerful hardware in the background. The more powerful the gateway hardware, the better it handles increased remote access users. But that’s not the whole story. Both AMD and Intel have added AES encryption features directly into their CPUs, which helps boost VPN performance.

This technology, known as AES New Instructions (AES-NI), allows hardware to handle many encryption tasks more efficiently, reducing the load on software and significantly improving speed and security. This means businesses can support more users with better performance, thanks to these built-in capabilities. Check Point promises AES-NI compatibility (AES-128, AES-256) to be supported by default, ensuring the highest possible performance gains without any hick-ups.

Despite all of this, users should note to optimize the interface affinity by enabling multi-queuing, and check that you have no or low fragmented packet rate to ensure the best performance. Finally, despite the powerful hardware and protocols you still need to ensure that you utilize configuration best practices to guarantee the best performance. With all of that being said, Check Point ranks in the top five enterprise VPNs when it comes to performance.

Privacy & Security

One of the standout features is the IPsec suite. It provides robust security by encrypting data, ensuring that sensitive information is shielded from man-in-the-middle attacks or unauthorized decryption. By leveraging advanced mathematical algorithms and end-to-end encryption, IPsec effectively blocks hacking attempts, keeping data transmissions secure from start to finish.

This powerful combination of security protocols makes it an essential tool for protecting business communications and maintaining privacy in enterprise environments. For the mobile app, this feature is available only on Check Point Capsule VPN for Android or Check Point Capsule Connect for iOS.

Overall, it offers industry-leading encryption, compliance with GDPR, and no-logging policies. Advanced encryption methods protect sensitive data, and integration with Check Point’s broader security suite enhances overall business security.

Check Point actively monitors and addresses emerging VPN threats. In a recent advisory, they urged users to review VPN configurations, highlighting an increase in attacks using weak, password-only authentication. The company swiftly mobilized teams to investigate incidents where outdated login methods were targeted. To enhance security, Check Point recommends disabling unnecessary local accounts and implementing stronger multi-factor authentication methods. They also released a solution to automatically prevent unauthorized access through weak authentication, ensuring customers’ VPNs are better protected against evolving threats.

Alternatives

If you’re shopping for an enterprise-wide solution but are not ready to pay the top dollar, then the first alternative could be Fortinet. FortiClient functions as both a firewall and a secure solution for connecting your devices to a VPN. It allows you to link your entire office on a secure VPN, enabling easy and safe data sharing. With FortiClient, you can access office archives and files remotely, providing flexibility for on-the-go work. It’s a fast and reliable network with minimal maintenance needs, making it a great choice for businesses looking to streamline their remote access and security.

An additional alternative is Cisco’s AnyConnect; which offers end-to-end encryption, ensuring that your data stays protected, while its adaptive security policies help guard against threats. With support for multiple devices and platforms, AnyConnect makes it easy to connect teams and manage remote access securely. Its user-friendly interface and seamless integration with other Cisco security tools make it a versatile alternative thanks to a more streamlined setup process and a clearer pricing structure.

Final Verdict

Check Point Quantum VPN is a high-end solution for enterprises that are best utilized as the entire package combining hardware and software to provide comprehensive, company-wide security. With that being said, you will have to pay much more for such an approach, but you can then be sure you have one of the best solutions on the market. Set up is a bit more complex, but the client-side software (mobile apps) have clean UI’s and are logically laid out and easy to use overall. Moreover, if you’re in charge of backend maintenance through the admin console, you will also be greeted by a modern UI that seamlessly transitions between tabs and provides single-click solutions for most of the configurations.

While it may be overkill for small businesses, it’s a worthy investment for large-scale operations prioritizing security, knowing that you have a reliable partner for company cyber security that stays abreast of new threat development. If you’re on a tighter budget then one of the suggested alternatives could be a solid choice as they provide solid features for less money.

When you need to convert between video file formats, you require software that is fast, efficient, accurate and robust. And there are plenty of options out there, such as XMedia Recode.

We’ve tested the best free video converters, but how does XMedia Recode in the field? We took the software for a test run to find out.

XMedia Recode: Pricing & plans

• You can’t argue with free, so we won’t. Instead, we’ll lament the fact this software is Windows only

Good news, especially if you’re on a tight budget: XMedia Recode is free. You won’t be charged to use it, nor will you be charged on a regular basis to rent it. It’s free to download, and free to use.

The bad news is that it’s Windows only, preventing conversion possibilities for those who prefer a different type of operating system (if you’re looking for similar software that’s more multi-platform-friendly, take a look at Handbrake).

You can download XMedia Recode by clicking here.

• Score: 4.5/5

XMedia Recode: How it works

• XMedia Recode is essentially a one-trick pony: it’s designed to convert video files to other formats. This may sound quite limiting, but there are so many formats out there, it’s great that some software has been created to tackle this task

XMedia Recode supports hardware acceleration using various Nvidia and AMD cards, and is capable of handling a myriad of different file formats, including unprotected DVDs and Blu-rays. It can take chapter markers directly from a DVD or Blu-ray, or allows you to import chapter files, just like it can import subtitle tracks. You’re able to edit the ID3 tag as well as adding album covers, and to finish off, it’s designed for batch processing.

That’s quite an arsenal, so let’s head over to the XMedia Recode page to download the latest version. Make sure you ignore the overwhelming number of ads on the page that entice you to download whatever it is they’re selling - those are not what you’re looking for. Instead, mouse over the ‘Download’ menu at the top of the page, to choose the version that best suits your PC.

• Score: 4.5/5

XMedia Recode: Interface

• This is definitely XMedia Recode’s weakest point: the interface is sparse, not immediately clear, and doesn’t have the aesthetic you'd expect from modern apps. Still, it does what it does well, so is it really that important that it’s not much to look at?

If you get something that’s open source or free, chances are the interface won’t be high on the list of priorities, and the best thing we could say about XMedia Recode is that it’s functional but not that much to look at.

You’ll find a handful of icons at the top of the software’s window designed to initiate the most common functions, such as opening a disk, a converted disk now available as a file on your hard drive) or any other kind of compatible video files. You can also add what you want to the batch processor, start the encoding process, check for updates and access the community for help, among others.

Beneath that would be a menu giving you access to various parameters, broken down by specific categories, such as format, video, audio, filters, tags, and so on.

Everything is very utilitarian. It does the job, but even finding your way around at first can be a tad tricky. For instance there is no ‘Start’ button. It didn’t take long to realise we needed to add our file to the queue and then click on the Encode button to get the process started, which tells us this software is designed more for those who wish to convert many files in one go, than those more casual users who just need the odd one done now and then. Still, once you know the intricacies of the software and understand how it likes to do things, it becomes a simple matter to use it to its full potential.

• Score: 3.5/5

XMedia Recode: Tools

• The number of parameters you can change is impressive, letting you customize settings without having to learn the intricacies of file format management and customization

XMedia Recode’s main purpose is to convert video files between formats, and it certainly does not disappoint. The list of available formats that you can access via the ‘Format’ drop down menu, located in the ‘Format’ tab, is impressively long. There are dozens there which are bound to meet your requirements. Heck, there were some on that list we hadn’t even heard of, and others we hadn’t seen in a very long time.

In order to check the process we tried it on some footage taken from an old camcorder, as well as a personal DVD (XMedia Recode cannot read protected discs, which are the overwhelming majority of commercial media, so you’ll either have to find a way to strip those discs of their protection, or just restrict your conversion process to discs you burnt yourself). XMedia Recode will happily read off of a disc or of the relevant folder, saved to a hard drive. Either way, the process is the same, if a little tricky to get started (we’re back to issues with the overly spartan and utilitarian interface).

The ability to add subtitles and chapter markers is most useful (or rip them if they are already present in the video file you’re converting), but we’re not too sure about the usefulness of being able to apply filters to the output. Still, it’s there if you want it, although we suspect not many will.

Once you get used to working with XMedia Recode you’ll find you can whizz through the formatting process. We found the results, even using the default settings, to be fast, and of great quality. In addition, a huge advantage is the ability to save custom settings, enabling you to set the exact format, bit rate, size, frame rate, etc. for each and every file you put it through. To quote a scruffy looking nerf herder we know, “she may not look like much, but she’s got it where it counts”.

• Score: 4/5

Should I buy?

Buy it if...

You want a program that's free, fast, and can convert to and from loads of formats.

Don't buy it if...

You need a modern, intuitively designed interface to navigate your preferred software.

We tested the best photo editing PCs and the best laptops for photo editing and these are the machines we recommend.

Wondershare’s UniConverter is a bit of a misnomer. Yes of course, you can convert video formats into others, but UniConverter can do a lot more than that. Here, you can download videos, compress files, edit projects, record your screen, and more. Is it a jack-of-all-trades, or a master of none? Let’s find out.

Wondershare UniConverter: Pricing & plans

• With subscription plans, a perpetual licence, and a free trial - Wondershare offers you many choices to try out their wares and buy them as you prefer

As you might expect in today’s market, you’ll find subscription options, with a one-year plan for $50, and a two-year plan for $70.

But those of us who prefer to own what we work with haven’t been forgotten for once, and a perpetual licence is also available for $80. On top of that, if you’d rather try before you buy, Wondershare lets you download a free version, which you’ll be able to explore for 7 days. For more like that, we’ve also reviewed the best free video converters.

Not all features are unlocked for free, though. The most glaring restriction is the fact that UniConverter limits your conversion to a third of the original video’s length; for instance, you can only record up to a minute of video, and you’ll have no GPU acceleration. On the plus side, you’re offered 50 AI credits to explore UniConverter’s more advanced features.

As you’d expect, all those limitations are removed when you start paying. The subscription model offers you 600 AI credits, and the perpetual licence comes with 1,000.

So if you’re curious about UniConverter, you can get it for Windows and Mac by clicking here.

• Pricing & plans: 4.5/5

Wondershare UniConverter: Interface

• A simple, well-designed interface, giving you various options to navigate through all available tools, and select the one you’re interested in

The interface is well managed, with a small sidebar on the left giving you access to any files you’ve worked on or imported, and all available tools. However, the Home menu is by far the best place to start. From there, you’ll see tools divided into categories such as ‘Converter’, ‘Downloader’, and ‘Compressor’.

Beneath these, are a series of commonly used tools: Video Editor, Screen Recorder, DVD Burner, Player and Image Converter. Clicking on ‘More Tools’ is the same as clicking on ‘Tools’ in the sidebar.

And finally there’s the ‘AI Lab’, highlighting 12 popular ones split into three menus: Hot, Video and Image. Clicking on any one of the non-AI options changes the sidebar to showcase the same tools displayed in ‘Home’, only this time, as a list. It’s all very straightforward and well managed, making it pretty much impossible to get lost, and very easy to get back to the Home page should you do.

• Score: 4.5/5

Wondershare UniConverter: Tools

• A good list of tools that are easy to use, and allow you to perform many different actions that go far beyond simply converting file formats - so long as you don’t expect too much from the ‘Video Editing’ side

Most tools offer a similar looking interface: any file you might wish to ‘Convert’, ’Compress’, ‘Burn’ or ‘Merge’ for instance, can simply be dragged onto the window from your computer’s file system.

‘Downloader’ obviously needs the URL of the file you wish to download. You can even add multiple URLs in one go (as long as you’ve paid Wondershare), and UniConverter will get on with the job, once you’ve set some simple resolution parameters.

Some tools have to be different, like ’Screen Recorder’. As with any of the best screen recorders, you’ll have to grant UniConverter permission to access your webcam, microphone, and the right to record your screen, but the necessarily tedious process, is very easy to get through, with the software automatically opening the right settings on your machine to grant the right permissions. It’s then a simple matter of choosing which part of the screen to record, whether to activate your webcam or not, which mic to turn on, and you’re set.

Technically speaking, the recording was flawless, however, everything is burned into the video. You can’t for instance edit the recording to remove the webcam footage, or make it fade in or out as needed. It’s where you put it when you were recording and that’s it. Great if you’re a one-shot wonder, and don’t expect too much.

Speaking of editing, there are video editing capabilities… but calling it a ‘video editor’ is a bit of a stretch, especially if you’re an experienced editor yourself. The best video editing software, this is not. Selecting ‘Video Editor’ brings up seven tools, to crop, trim, add a watermark, effects, subtitles, work on the audio or alter the speed… and that’s it.

Trim and Crop are self-explanatory, the Effects are pretty basic and are essentially just some basic colour correction tools along with a range of simple Instagram-like filters. But we did appreciate the ability to work with most tools at once, as once you’ve opened a clip, they’re available through a menu at the top of the window (aside from Trim). It definitely won’t blow the competition out of the water, but if you’re looking to make some simple changes to a recording, you can do it all without leaving UniConverter.

• Score: 4/5

Wondershare UniConverter: AI tools

• A great assortment of tools designed to improve your videos. But there’s one glaring flaw: you have to spend AI Credits to use them, yet there’s no way to buy more when you run out

We’ve tested quite a few of the best AI tools, and here, we were pleased to see the AI selection surprisingly broad. You’ll have many that can be seen to fit within the workflow of the previously explored tools, such as enhancing video, auto-generating subtitles, stabilize footage, etc. Those actually comprise the bulk of what’s available. But you also get AI options that go beyond what’s expected, such as using ChatGPT 4.0 to generate a script for you.

We tried a few tools, such as the Auto Subtitle, and were very impressed by the results. Even a recording that wasn’t designed to be shared, so we didn’t pay particular attention to diction, was flawlessly subtitled. But even if there were mistakes, you can edit the results, both the text and the timecode. Finally, you have the ability to save the file as a new video, extract the subtitle as an SRT file to use elsewhere (such as YouTube for instance), save it as a work in progress, or all three in one go.

The only drawback to these intriguing tools is your allowance. Subscribing or getting a perpetual licence isn’t enough: you’re given an allotment of credits to use on those AI tools, and once they’re gone, they’re gone! As of this writing, not only do your credits not renew when you renew your subscription, but you can’t even purchase additional ones. Wondershare tell us they’re planning on “launching an AI Credits Plan soon”, but as of right now, be sure to use them sparingly, no matter how cool they might work.

• Score: 2.5/5

Should I buy?

Buy it if...

You want to perform a lot of changes and improvements to your video files, and are looking to do it all in one place.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t like the idea of software that can do so many different things, and you’re not a fan of AI tools, especially those based on credits that you can’t replenish.

We tested the best photo editing PCs and the best laptops for photo editing and these are the machines we recommend.

Digital photography means we don’t have to restrain our itchy trigger finger, and we’re able to take hundreds, even thousands of photos per assignment, project, trip or event. However, that also means we need the best photo editor software to organize and edit these shots. Most computers come bundled with these apps, but is it worth paying a little extra to access even more tools for editing and managing photos?

CyberLink PhotoDirector is one such tool, expanding photo editing capabilities for professionals and beginners alike. We’ve long been fans of the company’s content creation suite, and when we last reviewed the software, we praised it for providing one of the best Photoshop alternatives and best alternatives to Lightroom. So, how does CyberLink’s latest version compare to the competition? We put PhotoDirector to the test.

CyberLink PhotoDirector: Pricing & plans

• The price alone makes PhotoDirector extremely competitive, compared to Lightroom, and the fact you can opt for subscription or perpetual license is the icing on the cake

CyberLink is a rare beast: in a world increasingly dominated by subscription packages, this company still offers you the choice of purchasing a perpetual license. The version known as Ultra can be yours for $100, which is less than one year of renting Adobe Lightroom. A subscription is also available of course - for those who enjoy not owning their software - and the price here is also very competitive: it usually costs $60 a year to get PhotoDirector 365, but as of this writing, you can get it for $40.

The main advantage of subscribing to any software is the constant regular updates you get, and CyberLink releases fixes, new features, and new media each and every month.

If you’re curious about this software, you’re encouraged to download the free trial by clicking here.

• Pricing & plans: 5/5

CyberLink PhotoDirector: Launcher

• The Launcher is where you choose which tool to use - and which interface to open. This way of working isn’t as intuitive as having everything in one window, but it doesn’t take long to get used to it

Launch PhotoDirector and you’ll be faced with a simple launcher, prominently featuring an animated advert at the top for some of its latest features. Beneath this distracting 40% of the interface are the main icons in yellow. Some open a floating window onto which you’ll drop an image to perform the required action, while others open up a whole new interface. The various icons that do this present you with a different yet similar interface, offering unique tools for the job at hand. It can get a little confusing navigating through this way of working, but the more we used PhotoDirector, the more we got used to it.

Further down the launcher window are more icons. These offer quick links to regularly used tools, and this section is customisable, letting you choose which of these icons to display or hide. There’s also a link to CyberLink’s tutorial page, which offers over a hundred how-tos to help you understand the software better.

• Score: 3.5/5

CyberLink PhotoDirector: Library & Adjust

• Library and Adjust lets you organize your shots and alter them to look their best. The ability to switch between Guided, Manual, Presets and Expert modes gives you a lot of flexibility, depending on your skill level

The ‘Library and Adjust’ module is likely the one most get PhotoDirector for: a place to organize your shots, and use various tools to improve the quality of your photographs. When selected, you’re confronted with a very traditional interface, with a sidebar on the left containing various categories for the ‘Library’ section, or tools while in ‘Adjust’ mode.

In either case, most of the interface on the right is taken over by your selected photo, while thumbnails at the bottom help you see other shots in the same category.

Using the available tools is as easy as any image editing app you’ve likely used before, with a generous number of sliders to make the necessary alterations. Be aware though that if you’re using the free version, the vast majority of these tools are premium only. You can use them, but if and when you do, the image will be prominently watermarked, until you undo the change, or pay for the proper version.

You’ll find Manual and Preset options, and to the right is a drop down menu offering you Guided and Expert interfaces. As its title implies, Guided is a simplified version, whereas Expert opens up a multi-layered interface, giving you more free reign over your modifications. There’s also a third option in that menu, the Generative AI Studio, but we’ll be exploring that part of the software a little later on.

As for the library section, it’s pretty standard actually. You can organize your shots into albums, with tags, by faces, there’s also a calendar view, and you can set up various smart collections to atomically organize your photos based on set criteria. There’s nothing drastically new here that we haven’t seen many times before. Still, it works, and works well.

There is however a third section: Create. This is where you get to transform your stills into something potentially more interesting, such as a slideshow, or an animated GIF. You have the ability to create panoramas, perform digital witchcraft with ‘Face Swap’, merge photos with different exposures to get the best out of them, and there’s even a section turning video clips into photos. Interesting though all of this is, these tools are only available to paying customers.

• Score: 4/5

CyberLink PhotoDirector: Editing

• PhotoDirector has extensive edit features which go well beyond image editing, and comfortably enter the image compositing. The list of tools is vast, and are incredibly easy to use

The Edit module takes more of a leaf from Photoshop, expanding from the ‘Create’ section we looked at just before, and allowing you to create complete image composites. With it you’re able to add multiple text layers, perform some basic actions like cropping, resizing and rotating, you’ll find some animation effects, you’ll be able to apply lens effects, modify the shape of faces, remove backgrounds, add stickers, frames, and overlays, the versatility is quite extensive, and oh so easy to use; you’ll find it’s pretty effortless to just dabble and experiment until you reach the look you’re after.

Regretfully, as with the premium alteration we explored in ‘Library and Adjust’ you cannot save any changes you’ve made which contain premium effects. We understand the watermarking and the restriction when exporting, but being unable to save changes does restrict the amount of experimentation you can perform without getting a plan or a perpetual license (and that’s likely the reason).

• Editing: 4/5

CyberLink PhotoDirector: AI tools

• The AI tools can be found throughout the PhotoDirector interface, and they work as you would expect them to - although you’re given as set number of credits each month with your subscription

There’s no escaping artificial intelligence - we’ve even reviewed the best AI tools, and PhotoDirector has a wealth of them that can be accessed from various parts of the interface. By now you should know how this works: you type in a description of what you’re after, select an aspect ratio, style, and away you go. But here PhotoDirector goes beyond that: you can import a photo and transform it based on specific criteria, such as changing the clothing someone wears or the background they’re shot in front of, or replacing an object with another, expanding an image beyond its borders, do a spot of interior redesigning of an existing shot, turn a photo into an anime drawing, and much more.

This all sounds great, but there’s a catch, which is the same for other software offering such services: PhotoDirector’s generative AI feature works on a credit system, which you spend each time you create a new AI image. You get 100 credits a month with a basic subscription. If you need more you need to pay for those separately, from 50 to 500 credits a pop, and the more you buy in one go, the cheaper each credit becomes (from $6 for 50 to $35 for 500).

Should I buy?

Buy it if...

You need an app that’s a mixture of a photo organizer and a powerful image compositor, with an increasing number of AI tools thrown in for good measure, and you appreciate having a choice between subscribing to the service or buying the software outright.

Don't buy it if...

Your needs are more modest, you might be better off sticking to the photo organizing software that’s bundled with your computer, or you’re not a fan of the extensive AI tools here.

We tested out the best photo editing PCs and the best laptops for photo editing and these are our top picks.

Most of the backup software we review are paid products – at best, they offer a free version with fewer features – but that’s not the case with UrBackup.

UrBackup is free backup software, open-source and with a client/server backup system, that works in the background while your PC is motoring through other tasks, so you won’t even notice it.

It has a very minimal footprint on your PC because much of the management is handled by a web interface, and it works on a host of alternative platforms too.

We've also highlighted the best disk cloning software right now.

Urbackup: Plans and pricing

Urbackup is open source, meaning that it’s functionally free as long as you adhere to its terms and conditions in both personal and commercial settings, so it could be a viable option if you want basic small business backup without having to pay.

It’s not just for Windows, either. The client application works on MacOS and a variety of Linux systems, and on the server side, it supports Windows, Debian, Ubuntu, RedHat, several other Linux versions and systems like FreeNAS, QNAP NAS and other NAS systems.

Features

UrBackup uses image and file backups to deliver fast, unintrusive, complete file preservation in the background while your system runs. It also keeps a continuous watch on folders and systems to ensure faster incremental backups, so you don’t have to make a fresh start each time you want to preserve files or folders.

File backup, management, and restoration are possible through the web interface, and backups can be configured, started, restored and logged using the small client installed on your home system.

Because this app largely uses a web interface, it’s mostly designed for web and NAS-based backups rather than local backups.

Restoration is also possible if you download a version of UrBackup that can be used to create a bootable USB stick – handy if you need to restore a system that has encountered technical difficulties and so won’t boot.

Backups can be made to the standard Microsoft VHD format or as a file-by-file replication, and the same files on different computers are only saved once – a handy move to preserve space.

The app’s logging and reporting options are extensive, and you can send backups anywhere, from local destinations and external hard disks to network and NAS-connected locations.

It’s certainly ideal if you want a simple and lightweight app to send backups to network and NAS locations, and UrBackup’s open-source status is a boon for people on a budget or those who want to use Linux distributions.

Delve into the options in the web interface and plenty of customisation is available. You can restrict the maximum number of backups and how much bandwidth is used, tweak permissions, back up mail servers, view extensive logs and monitor the status of your various backup locations.

This free app is missing many features compared to commercial backup apps, though. You’ll find more encryption and scheduling options elsewhere and a more comprehensive range of cloud options on many other tools. Many other backup apps also have additional modules for verifying backups, cleaning up and wiping files and other sundry computing tasks.

Interface and use

UrBackup is a free and focused app with a narrow remit, which is fine if you just need core backup functionality without an intrusive app.

It’s pretty quick to get started, too. Download the Server app, configure the network location where your backup will be stored, specify what you want to back up and let the app work.

Anyone who uses this tool, though, does need to have plenty of computing experience to get the most out of it. The tiny downloadable client is easily navigable for experienced users, but it makes nothing easy for beginners and is quite basic.

The web interface is similarly complicated, but it is packed with options – dozens, if not hundreds, that allow you to tweak virtually every aspect of your backup regime.

As before, though, you’ll need to be a pretty experienced PC or Linux user to get the most out of this app, even if there’s loads of potential here for creating unintrusive and personalised backup schedules and regimes.

UrBackup is certainly not the only app out there with this level of customization, and if you opt for systems from Macrium or EaseUS, or enterprise systems from Veeam or Acronis, you’ll find those options crammed into a far more accessible and understandable interface.

And because UrBackup is primarily an online tool, its performance will largely depend on your internet connection.

It took just over ten minutes to preserve our document and Excel folders and nearly twenty to handle our media and mixed file folders. Those are results that put it into the mid-table in our latest selection of backup tools, which is undoubtedly a decent result for a free piece of software.

Support

You won’t get the support system here that you will with commercial apps that have dedicated teams.

The best option for support with UrBackup is to head to the forums – UrBackup has an active and helpful community that can help with most issues. It’s also worth checking out the developer blog to see if extra features or fixes are coming in future updates to the app.

Elsewhere, there’s an issue tracker, FAQ, online manuals, and server support, but that’s all.

Competition

Any of the big commercial options will outmatch UrBackup in te, so we’d advise you to look to faster tools from big names like Acronis Cyber Protect, EaseUS Todo Backup, and Macrium if you need any level of backup.

If you want a free product, then Uranium, FBackup, Hasleo and Cobian tools do the job without asking you to spend a penny. And if you don’t like those, even more free versions are available elsewhere.

Be aware, though, that many of those free versions – while more accessible and competent – include adverts that try to upsell you to paid products. You won’t find that in UrBackup.

Verdict

This free, open-source app is a very niche and particular bit of software – an ideal backup option for anyone experienced with networks, interfaces and navigating tricky apps or anyone who wants to support open-source software or backup on Linux.

Beyond that, though, it’s tricky to recommend this tool unless you really know what you’re doing and have security measures incorporated into your systems elsewhere. Other apps are easier to use, faster, or have more support options. There’s also no encryption built-in to UrBackup, which is a huge risk to any home or business user.

UrBackup is an admirably open-source option that will sate some people who want a low-key, low-resource “send and forget” backup tool, but it’s hard to recommend for most people beyond those technically-minded few who will be comfortable with this kind of software.