IT & Cybersecurity Software for Small Businesses
Your business runs on technology, whether or not you have a dedicated IT department to manage it. From cybersecurity and password management to remote access and device protection, the right IT apps let small businesses stay secure and running smoothly — without needing an in-house tech team. Below you’ll find our honest reviews, setup guides, and practical tips for the IT tools that keep small businesses protected and productive.
Most small businesses don’t think about this category until something goes wrong: a password shared over text, a login used on unsecured public Wi-Fi, a departing employee whose access was never fully revoked. The tools on this page cover two of the most common starting points for closing those gaps — encrypting your team’s internet connection wherever they’re working from, and keeping shared logins out of a spreadsheet or group chat. Neither requires technical expertise to set up, and both address risks that scale with your business whether you notice them growing or not.
Below you’ll find our honest reviews, setup guides, and practical tips for the IT tools that keep small businesses protected and productive.
Featured Apps:
SurfShark.com
Recent Reviews:
Best IT & Cybersecurity Software for Small Businesses
Small businesses tend to underinvest in this category until something goes wrong — a leaked password, an unsecured public Wi-Fi connection, a compliance requirement that shows up suddenly. The tools here cover two of the most common starting points: encrypting your team’s internet connection, and keeping shared passwords and credentials out of a spreadsheet.
Our Top Picks
| Software | Best For | Standout Strength | Full Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Overall VPN speed and server network size | One of the largest server networks with consistently strong speed test results | Read the review |
| ExpressVPN | Simplicity and cross-platform reliability | Consistently rated among the easiest VPNs to set up and trust | Read the review |
| Surfshark | Budget-conscious teams with multiple devices | Unlimited simultaneous device connections on a single plan | Read the review |
| Proton VPN | Privacy-first teams wanting an independently audited provider | Built by the team behind Proton Mail, with a strong privacy-first reputation | Read the review |
| Keeper Security | Team password and credential management | Strong admin controls for securely sharing credentials across a team | Read the review |
Best VPNs for Small Business Teams
All four VPNs on this page will meaningfully improve on an unencrypted connection, so the real decision comes down to what your team prioritizes. NordVPN is the strongest all-around pick on raw performance — a large server network and consistently competitive speeds, useful for a distributed team regularly working from different locations or networks. ExpressVPN trades a small amount of NordVPN’s server-count advantage for what’s generally considered the simplest, most reliable setup across different devices and operating systems — a reasonable priority for a small team without dedicated IT support. Surfshark is the value pick, notably allowing unlimited simultaneous devices on a single subscription rather than charging per device or per user, which matters for a small business equipping a whole team without a per-seat VPN budget. Proton VPN is the choice for a team that weighs an independently audited, privacy-first reputation above marginal speed differences — from the same company behind Proton Mail. Full reviews: NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN.
Best Password & Credential Management
Keeper Security addresses a different, arguably more urgent risk than any VPN on this page: shared passwords living in a spreadsheet, a sticky note, or a group chat. It provides encrypted password storage with admin controls for securely sharing credentials across a team, revoking access when someone leaves, and enforcing stronger password practices without relying on individual willpower. For a small business with any shared logins at all — social media accounts, software subscriptions, vendor portals — this is often a more immediately impactful purchase than a VPN. Read the full Keeper Security review.
What to Look for in IT & Cybersecurity Software
What risk you’re actually addressing. A VPN protects your connection on untrusted networks; it does nothing for weak or shared passwords. A password manager solves the opposite problem. Most small businesses eventually need both, but they solve different risks and shouldn’t be treated as interchangeable.
Number of devices and users covered. Per-device VPN pricing can get expensive fast for a team; confirm whether a plan covers your actual device count (including phones and personal devices used for work) before comparing sticker prices.
No-logs policies and independent audits. For a VPN specifically, claims about not logging user activity are only as good as whether they’ve been independently verified. Providers that publish third-party audit results are making a more credible claim than those that don’t.
Admin controls and offboarding, for password management specifically. The ability to instantly revoke a departing employee’s access to shared credentials is often the single most important feature in this category — more important day-to-day than encryption strength, which is table stakes across reputable providers.
How We Evaluate IT & Cybersecurity Software
This category page and its linked reviews are research-based, drawing on official documentation and pricing, independent speed and security testing where publicly available, and user feedback. We weigh core security and performance for the tool’s specific job, pricing at realistic team sizes, ease of setup and management for a non-technical team, and — for VPNs specifically — publicly available audit and no-logs verification.
All IT & Cybersecurity Software Reviews
- NordVPN Review — large server network with strong speed performance.
- ExpressVPN Review — simple, reliable setup across devices.
- Surfshark Review — unlimited devices on a single budget-friendly plan.
- Proton VPN Review — privacy-first VPN from the makers of Proton Mail.
- Keeper Security Review — team password and credential management with strong admin controls.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need IT software if I don’t have an IT department?
Yes — arguably more than a business with dedicated IT staff. Tools like password managers, VPNs, and antivirus software automate protections that an IT team would otherwise handle manually, closing real security gaps without requiring technical expertise.
What’s the difference between IT software and cybersecurity software?
IT software covers the broader category — device management, networking, backups, support tools — while cybersecurity software specifically protects against threats like hacking, malware, and data breaches. Many small business tools blend both.
How much should a small business spend on IT tools?
Most essential tools — password managers, VPNs, basic antivirus — cost $5–$15 per user per month, or less on annual plans. A modest monthly investment here is usually far cheaper than recovering from a security incident.
Is a VPN enough to keep my business secure?
No single tool is. A VPN protects your internet connection, but a solid security setup also includes strong password practices, two-factor authentication, and regular software updates. Think of each tool as one layer, not a complete solution.
Can I manage business IT myself, or do I need to hire someone?
Many small businesses run entirely on self-service IT tools until they reach a certain size or complexity. As you grow — more employees, more devices, more sensitive data — it may make sense to bring in outside IT support or a managed service provider.
How do I know if an IT tool is actually protecting my business?
Look for independent audits, transparent security policies, and clear documentation of what the tool does and doesn’t cover. Reputable providers are upfront about their limitations — treat vague marketing claims as a red flag.