Zero trust vs VPN: Which solution is right for you?

Can your team really work from anywhere, safely?

Your sales manager can log in from a hotel Wi-Fi. Your designer might push files from a café. Meanwhile, someone from finance may access the company dashboard from their personal laptop.

This is the everyday reality for most businesses currently. Remote teams, hybrid work models, and BYOD setups have become the norm. 

But don’t you agree that your company’s data is now everywhere too?

The old-school perimeter-based security, built around the idea of “trusted users inside the office network,” just can’t keep up anymore. Once someone’s in, they usually have broad access. And if a VPN credential leaks or a device is compromised? The damage can spiral fast.

That’s why businesses are rethinking their access strategy. VPNs were once the go-to. They created a private tunnel into the network. But as attack surfaces grow, Zero Trust is taking center stage with its “never trust, always verify” approach.

So, what’s better for your business—Zero Trust or VPN?
Or both?

Let’s break it down.

What is a VPN?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and a company’s internal network. Think of it as a private road that helps your team access company data while working from outside the office.

How does a VPN work?

When you connect to a business VPN, your device sends all internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a VPN server. This server then forwards your requests to the company network or the Internet. This process hides your real IP address, secures your data from eavesdropping, and makes it appear as if you’re working within the company’s trusted network (even when you’re not).

Where VPNs shine:

• Remote employees accessing on-premise servers
• Traveling teams using public Wi-Fi
• Secure browsing across unsecured networks

However, once someone connects via VPN, they often get broad access. The system trusts the user just because they’re inside the network. This old method works on the idea of “Trust but verify,” which sounds good until that trust is misused or compromised.

What is Zero Trust?

Zero Trust flips the script.
Instead of assuming someone is safe because they logged in, it asks:

Who are you? Are you really supposed to be here? And should you be doing this—right now, from this device, in this location?

The core idea? “Never trust, always verify.”

Zero Trust doesn’t rely on perimeter walls. It builds security around identity, device health, and user context. Every request is evaluated in real time, even if it’s coming from inside the network.

How Zero Trust works:

• Access is identity-based, not location-based
• Only gives users access to exactly what they need—nothing more
• Uses continuous validation, multi-factor checks, and micro-segmentation to isolate systems and reduce risk

It’s not just a security model—it’s a mindset shift.

Key differences between Zero Trust and VPN

Feature	VPN	Zero Trust
Trust model	Trust is established at login and remains static	Trust is dynamic—continuously verified
Network access	Broad access to internal network resources	Granular, least-privilege access to specific apps/data
Scalability	Can be complex to scale for large, distributed teams	Built for scale, cloud-native deployments
User experience	May require manual setup, slower performance in some cases	Seamless access with identity and policy automation
Monitoring	Basic session-level visibility	Deep insights with real-time monitoring and activity logging

VPN vs Zero Trust comparison shows a clear shift in approach.

VPNs are still valuable for securely accessing legacy systems or internal resources that aren’t cloud-ready. They offer encrypted tunnels that shield data in transit. Zero Trust, however, brings agility and tighter control to modern, cloud-centric environments, where access must be precise, flexible, and continuously validated.

For many organizations, it’s not about VPN or Zero Trust, but about layering both to create a robust, future-ready access strategy.

Challenges while implementing Zero Trust

• Complex initial setup: Requires deep visibility into users, devices, apps, and data flows.
• Integration overhead: Needs tight integration with identity providers, endpoint tools, and cloud platforms.
• User resistance: New access controls and MFA can disrupt workflows if not communicated properly.
• Legacy system limitations: Older apps may not support identity-based access or contextual policies.
• Policy management: Crafting and updating granular access rules takes continuous effort.
• Skilled workforce needed: IT teams must understand cloud, identity, automation, and security operations.

Challenges while implementing VPN

• Broad access risks: Once connected, users often get access to the full network, raising lateral movement risk.
• Performance issues: Traffic bottlenecks at VPN gateways can slow down productivity.
• Weak endpoint checks: VPNs don’t validate device health or security posture before granting access.
• Scalability concerns: Onboarding new users or devices needs added infrastructure and licenses.
• Limited visibility: Session-level logs don’t reveal in-depth user actions or security incidents.
• Not cloud-optimized: VPNs work best with on-prem systems; less efficient in cloud-native setups.

VPN use cases: Where it still makes sense

While Zero Trust is gaining momentum, VPNs remain useful in several scenarios, especially when simplicity and legacy systems are involved.

• Smaller organizations with minimal infrastructure – For businesses with a centralized network and fewer remote users, VPNs provide a simple, effective way to secure access, without needing to overhaul the access model.
• When compliance demands encrypted tunneling – Industries like healthcare (HIPAA) and finance (PCI DSS, SOX) often require secure tunneling for data in transit. VPNs meet these needs with standards-based encryption protocols.
• Temporary or short-term remote access – VPNs work well for contractors, third-party vendors, or temporary remote users who need time-bound access to internal resources, without a full identity management setup.
• Lower upfront complexity – VPNs don’t require cloud infrastructure or fine-grained policy engines. For teams looking for quick deployment with minimal overhead, VPNs still offer value.

In short: VPNs aren’t outdated—they’re just task-specific. For the right use cases, they remain a reliable solution.

Why more organizations are transitioning to Zero Trust

With IT ecosystems becoming more distributed, Zero Trust is addressing the gaps that traditional perimeter security can’t cover.

Here’s why it’s becoming the preferred strategy:

• Designed for cloud-first and hybrid environments –  Zero Trust doesn’t rely on location-based security. It aligns perfectly with cloud apps, SaaS platforms, and hybrid infrastructure, where users and data live across multiple environments.
• Adapts better to modern workforce models – With employees working from home, co-working spaces, or multiple devices, Zero Trust ensures policy-driven access based on identity, device health, and context, every time a request is made.
• Minimizes breach impact through least privilege – Users get access only to what they need—no more, no less. Micro-segmentation and just-in-time access reduce the risk of lateral movement, even if credentials are compromised.
• Stronger visibility and real-time control – Unlike VPNs, Zero Trust provides deep audit trails, access logs, and real-time threat detection—helping IT teams quickly spot and respond to anomalies.
• Built-in IAM and policy enforcement – Zero Trust tightly integrates with identity providers, MFA tools, and endpoint security, forming a unified system for access management and continuous authentication.

Put simply: Zero Trust isn’t replacing VPNs—it’s filling the gap. For organizations dealing with complexity, scale, and rising threats, Zero Trust offers a more adaptive and secure framework.

ZTA vs VPN: Choosing the right fit for your business

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to secure access. The right approach depends on your company’s size, infrastructure, and security priorities.

When VPN might be the better fit:

• If only a few employees work remotely, and access needs are limited.
• VPNs are generally easier and cheaper to deploy upfront, with fewer components to manage.
• Your infrastructure relies on legacy or on-prem systems.

When Zero Trust makes more sense:

• Zero Trust is better equipped to handle high user volume with diverse access needs across geographies and devices.
• Zero Trust allows you to define exactly who can access what, and under what conditions.
• Your business runs on cloud-native or multi-cloud platforms.
• If you’re moving toward a proactive security posture, Zero Trust offers stronger visibility, automation, and breach containment.

Tip: It doesn’t have to be Zero Trust vs VPN.
Many businesses start with VPNs and gradually introduce Zero Trust policies. A hybrid approach can give you encrypted access where needed, while also enforcing identity and context-aware controls for critical systems.

Benefits of using ZTA and VPN together

• Stronger security without disrupting workflows – VPN ensures encrypted connections for legacy systems, while Zero Trust controls access based on identity and context, reducing risk without overcomplicating access.
• Gradual modernization – You can maintain VPN access for older infrastructure while progressively rolling out Zero Trust for cloud apps and sensitive workflows, without ripping everything apart.
• Better access governance – Combining both lets you enforce broader access where necessary (via VPN) and apply tight, role-based controls for high-risk or high-value environments (via ZTA).
• Reduced attack surface – Even if a VPN credential is compromised, Zero Trust policies act as an additional gate, checking device health, location, and behavior before granting access.
• Improved audit and compliance posture – ZTA’s detailed logging and real-time monitoring, paired with VPN’s encrypted tunnels, offer full visibility into who accessed what, when, and from where, supporting audits and compliance reporting.
• Flexible access strategy for diverse teams – Remote, hybrid, and BYOD users can all be supported. VPN secures traffic; ZTA ensures it’s the right traffic from the right people on the right devices.

Steps to layer VPN + Zero Trust effectively

You don’t have to go all-in on Zero Trust from day one. A phased, layered strategy lets you balance speed, simplicity, and stronger security. Here’s how you can start:

1. Map your access needs – Identify which teams need broad access (like engineering or IT) vs. those that can work with limited, app-specific permissions. This helps define where VPN still fits and where Zero Trust policies should kick in.
2. Deploy VPN for baseline secure tunneling – Use VPN (like Veltar Business VPN) for encrypted access to legacy systems, internal servers, or tools that don’t support modern identity frameworks yet.
3. Introduce Zero Trust controls for cloud services – Layer in Scalefusion OneIdP to protect cloud apps, SaaS platforms, and dashboards—enforcing MFA, device checks, and least-privilege rules.
4. Segment access by identity and role – Instead of “all or nothing” access, assign users permissions based on their roles, departments, or projects. This limits lateral movement and reduces exposure.
5. Monitor and iterate – Use logs, access reports, and user behavior analytics to continuously tweak your policies. The goal is to get more precise, not more complex.

Zero Trust, VPN, or both? Choose smart with Scalefusion

Choosing between VPN and Zero Trust isn’t just a security decision, it’s a business decision. It depends on how your teams work, where your data lives, and how quickly you’re scaling.

That’s why Scalefusion offers both:

• OneIdP – A secure, cloud-first identity provider built for Zero Trust. It enables granular access control, multi-factor authentication, and seamless SSO—all wrapped in a Zero Trust framework. Ideal for organizations embracing cloud infrastructure and least-privilege access policies.
• Veltar – A robust enterprise-grade VPN that ensures encrypted connections, secure tunneling, and dependable remote access for your workforce. Perfect for teams needing fast, secure access to private network resources—without compromising on performance.

With Scalefusion, you can layer security smartly. Start with Veltar for encrypted access and scale into Zero Trust with OneIdP as your identity foundation.

The future isn’t Zero Trust vs VPN.
The future is Zero Trust + VPN, delivered right.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between Zero Trust and VPN?

VPN creates a secure tunnel into the company network, granting broad access once connected. Zero Trust, on the other hand, verifies every access request based on identity, device, and context. It limits access to only what’s necessary, reducing risk through continuous validation and micro-segmentation.

2. Will Zero Trust replace VPN?  

Not entirely. VPNs are still useful for accessing legacy systems and internal resources. Zero Trust complements VPNs by securing cloud apps and enforcing granular access policies. Many organizations use both VPN for secure tunneling and Zero Trust for identity-aware access control across modern, distributed environments.

3. Can VPN and Zero Trust work together?

Yes. A hybrid setup is quite common. VPN secures access to older, on-prem systems, while Zero Trust protects cloud apps with strict, identity-based controls. This approach helps businesses maintain flexibility without compromising security. Just like how Scalefusion OneIdP and Scalefusion Veltar work together to offer layered, context-aware access.

4. Is Zero Trust difficult to implement?

It requires planning, but doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start by identifying critical apps, users, and access patterns. Then, gradually introduce Zero Trust policies alongside your current systems. Tools like identity providers, endpoint checks, and access logs make the transition smoother over time.