Site-to-Site vs Remote Access VPNs

Site-to-Site VPN: Connecting Whole Networks

[ Office A Network ] <--- encrypted tunnel ---> [ Office B Network ]
   (many devices)                                    (many devices)

A site-to-site VPN connects two entire networks together - for example, two office branches - through a permanent encrypted tunnel typically established between each location's router or firewall. Every device on either network can then communicate as if both offices shared one single local network, with no individual VPN setup required on each employee's device.

Remote Access VPN: Connecting One Device at a Time

[ Remote Laptop ] <--- encrypted tunnel ---> [ Company Network ]

A remote access VPN connects a single individual device - like an employee's laptop working from home - into a company's internal network. Each user runs VPN client software on their own device and connects individually, rather than the connection existing permanently between two fixed locations.

Key Differences at a Glance

Why Organizations Often Use Both at Once

A company might use a permanent site-to-site VPN linking its main office and a branch office together, while separately offering a remote access VPN so individual employees can securely connect in from home - two different problems, each solved by the VPN type actually suited to it.