A site-to-site VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a secure connection between two or more entire networks, making them act like one private network — even if they’re thousands of miles apart.
It encrypts the communication between those networks, for example, between a company’s headquarters and its branch offices.
Businesses commonly use site-to-site VPNs to:
- Link corporate offices located in different regions;
- Establish secure connections between on-site infrastructure and off-site data centers;
- Enable safe communication between partner companies, like suppliers and distributors.
How does a site-to-site VPN work?
A site-to-site VPN establishes a secure, encrypted connection between two or more networks in different locations over the internet. Think of it as a tunnel — a private pathway that keeps data protected as it travels between sites.
Here’s how site-to-site VPNs work step-by-step:
VPN gateways are set up in each location
Each location has a device — often a router or firewall with VPN capabilities — that acts as the network’s front door. The VPN gateway handles the job of encrypting, sending, and receiving data through the VPN.
A secure tunnel is established
Once the gateways connect, they form an encrypted tunnel between them (like a locked corridor).
Most site-to-site VPNs use an IPSec protocol suite to establish and secure the tunnel between gateways. This protocol suite not only encrypts the data but also verifies its integrity and source.
Communication is encrypted and decrypted
Before any data leaves one network, an IPSec protocol suite scrambles it into unreadable code. Only when it reaches the other gateway is it decrypted back into its original form. This means even if the data is intercepted, it’s useless to anyone without the right keys.
Let’s take a real-world example.
Think of a tech company with offices in Paris and Chicago. Every day, teams on both sides of the Atlantic need to share files, run applications, and update the same codebase — without worrying about who might be snooping on the data in transit.
Here’s how they make it work with a site-to-site VPN:
- VPN gateways in each office act like secure front doors to their local networks.
- A VPN tunnel connects those gateways, creating a private, encrypted route that runs quietly in the background.
- When a developer in Paris opens a project stored on a server in Chicago, the request first reaches the local VPN gateway, where it’s encrypted and sent through the tunnel. Once it arrives at the Chicago gateway, it’s decrypted and passed on to the server — and the same process happens in reverse for the response.
To the teams, it feels like working on one shared network. Behind the scenes, their data is traveling thousands of kilometers through a locked, private corridor that no outsider can enter.
Benefits of a site-to-site VPN
If your business has multiple locations or works closely with partners, a site-to-site VPN can make your life a lot easier:
Cost-effectiveness
With a site-to-site VPN, you don’t have to invest in expensive dedicated lines between offices. Instead, it uses the public internet to create secure connections.
Security
All data traveling between locations is encrypted. This keeps sensitive information safe from prying eyes.
This is critically important for businesses handling confidential information, like a law firm sending case files between offices.
Scalability
If your business is growing, a site-to-site VPN can easily expand to include new locations. Whether you’re adding a branch office in another city, a warehouse in another country, or connecting a partner’s network, you can integrate them into the VPN without rebuilding your entire setup.
In a nutshell, a site-to-site VPN is a budget-friendly, secure, and flexible way to keep your networks and business connected.
Types of VPNs
People often search for “types of site-to-site VPNs.”
Strictly speaking, there aren’t really “types” of site-to-site VPNs — the technology is standardized. What people often mean instead is the different ways VPNs are used.
Broadly, VPNs fall into three categories:
- Remote-access VPNs – connect individual users securely to a private network (e.g., employees working from home);
- Site-to-site (S2S) VPNs – connect entire networks across different locations (e.g., headquarters linked with branch offices);
- Commercial/consumer VPNs – route traffic through a provider for privacy, online safety, or secure remote browsing.
It’s important to note that these serve very different purposes. Which one is right for you really depends on what you’re trying to achieve.
Site-to-site VPN vs. remote access VPN
Both types of VPNs create secure connections, but they work in different ways and are meant for different situations:
Site-to-site VPN connects entire networks, such as a company’s headquarters and branch offices. Everyone on those networks is automatically part of the connection, without having to log in individually.
This setup is ideal for organizations that need continuous, location-to-location communication and data sharing.
A remote access VPN gives individual users a secure way to log in to a company’s network from anywhere. It establishes a secure tunnel between a single device (such as a laptop, phone, or tablet) and the corporate network.
Usually, people use it while working from home or during trips. It’s a flexible solution for remote work and mobile teams, but doesn’t link entire networks together like a site-to-site VPN.
Which VPN type fits your needs?
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Feature
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Site-to-site VPNs
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Remote access VPNs
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Purpose
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Connects entire networks (e.g., HQ to branch offices)
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Connects individual devices to a network
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Access
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Everyone on the connected networks automatically has access
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Each user connects individually
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Setup
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More complex, requires network configuration and a VPN gateway for each site
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Easier, typically requires only client software
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Network layout
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Two or more company networks linked together as one
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Individual devices connect to a central company network
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Best for
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Businesses with multiple locations or partner networks
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Remote workers, travelers, or mobile teams
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Use cases for site-to-site VPNs
A site-to-site VPN connection is essential for many real-world business setups, and you’ve likely seen some of them in action:
- Businesses with multiple offices – e.g., a retail chain linking its headquarters with stores nationwide to share sales data;
- Organizations working with external partners – e.g., a manufacturer securely connecting its network to a supplier’s system;
- International companies – e.g., a financial firm encrypting communications between branches in London, New York, and Tokyo.
Site-to-site VPNs are a go-to for companies with several offices, partner networks, or international branches. They make it easy to share data securely and protect communication.
Challenges of site-to-site VPNs
While site-to-site VPNs are great tools for keeping networks connected, they do come with a few trade-offs. Here are some common challenges you should be aware of:
Complex setup
Getting a site-to-site VPN running isn’t as simple as clicking “connect.” You’ll need to configure VPN gateways, set up tunnels, and make sure both ends of the connection agree on the same settings.
That’s why configuring VPN gateways and IPsec tunnels usually requires technical expertise and regular maintenance.
Performance limitations
Since site-to-site VPNs rely on the public internet, you can’t fully control latency or bandwidth between sites.
On top of that, the encryption process itself adds some delay. For most tasks, this isn’t noticeable, but for latency-sensitive traffic — like voice or video — it can become an issue.
Potential scalability issues
It’s relatively easy to connect two offices. But try linking five, ten, or more — especially if they’re scattered across different countries with totally different network setups — and things get tricky fast.
Every new location means extra configurations, more testing, and sometimes even reworking parts of the setup you thought were done. And as the scope expands, you’ll likely need a more powerful (and more expensive) VPN gateway to handle the increased traffic.
Security vulnerabilities
The encryption itself is strong, but the weakest link is often the configuration. A single misstep — like using outdated encryption protocols or forgetting to update firewall rules — can leave a crack in the system. That said, regular audits and updates are critical to reducing these risks.
Alternatives to site-to-site VPNs
A site-to-site VPN isn’t the only way to have a secure connection. Besides, depending on your needs, it might not even be the most practical choice.
Here’s what else you can pick:
Remote access VPNs
Best for smaller businesses or teams where individuals need secure access to company resources from anywhere. Each user connects through their own encrypted tunnel, making it simpler and cheaper than linking entire networks.
Commercial VPNs
Ideal for individuals or small teams that just need encryption and online privacy without complex setup.
Tools like Surfshark protect data in transit, secure public Wi-Fi use, and keep browsing private.
Unlike site-to-site or remote access VPNs, these services aren’t meant to connect you to company resources — their focus is on protecting your identity online and keeping your internet activity safe.
If your goal is personal security and privacy rather than linking entire networks, this option can provide you with the same core security benefits but less complexity.
Do you really need a site-to-site VPN?
No, you don’t necessarily need a site-to-site VPN connection unless you work in a large organization with multiple offices or branches in different countries. But for most people and smaller businesses, that’s probably overkill.
If all you need is to keep your data safe, secure public Wi-Fi, or give a few people remote access, a regular VPN will likely do the job just fine.
Services like Surfshark give you strong encryption and flexibility without all the setup headaches — and you can be up and running in minutes.
All the security you need — with none of the hassle
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What is a site-to-site VPN?
A site-to-site VPN is a secure connection that links two or more entire networks (such as a company’s headquarters and branch offices) over the internet. It encrypts all data traveling between them, so teams in different locations can share files and access resources as if they were on the same local network.
What is the difference between a site-to-site VPN and a remote (point-to-site) VPN?
A site-to-site VPN connects entire networks, so everyone on each network can communicate securely without logging in individually.
A remote (or, alternatively, a point-to-site) VPN connects a single device (like a laptop) to a network. It is typically used by remote workers who need secure access to company resources from anywhere.
How do you configure a site-to-site VPN?
To configure a site-to-site VPN, you’ll typically need to set up VPN gateways at each location, choose a protocol suite like IPsec, and create matching security settings on both ends.
Because the process can be technical, many businesses rely on IT specialists or managed service providers to handle the setup and ongoing maintenance.
Can I put a site-to-site VPN on my router?
Yes, usually, you can put a site-to-site VPN on your router (if your router supports VPN functionality). Many business-grade routers and some advanced consumer models can be configured for site-to-site VPNs using protocols like IPsec or OpenVPN. You’ll need to check your router’s specifications.
What is the best site-to-site VPN?
There’s no such thing as the “best site-to-site VPN” — the technology itself follows common internet security standards, and all vendors use the same core encryption methods to implement it. In other words, the tunnel and protection work the same way, no matter whose logo is on the box.
What actually differs is the software each vendor provides, along with the extra features, scalability, and support they offer.
For individuals or smaller teams that don’t need full network-to-network connections, a simpler VPN service like Surfshark delivers strong encryption, quick setup, and none of the maintenance headaches of a traditional site-to-site VPN.
