Site-to-Site vs Client VPNs

VPNs come in two main flavors based on what they connect. A site-to-site VPN links whole networks together, while a client (remote-access) VPN connects a single user device to a network.

Both build encrypted tunnels, but they serve different needs: joining offices versus giving individual workers secure access from anywhere.

A site-to-site VPN connects two entire networks, like a head office and a branch, over the internet. The tunnel is built between the two sites routers or firewalls, called VPN gateways.

Once established, devices at each site communicate as if on one network, with no software needed on individual machines. The gateways handle all the encryption transparently.