Perimeter 81 Review — Enterprise VPN & Zero-Trust Network Security

Perimeter 81 Review — Enterprise VPN & Zero-Trust Network Security for Remote Teams

Perimeter 81 Review

This Perimeter 81 review shows how the platform delivers an enterprise VPN + Zero Trust network security stack for distributed teams. It combines ZTNA, Secure Web Gateway, Firewall-as-a-Service, and modern VPN clients to protect employees on any network without slowing them down. The focus here is practical: onboarding, admin control, device coverage, performance, and real pricing so you can judge total cost of ownership.

4.8 / 5 enterprise-focused evaluation

Quick Snapshot

A skimmable look at capabilities. Each point is expanded below with examples from real-world remote work and hybrid office setups.

Overall

4.8 / 5

Unified SASE: ZTNA, SWG, FWaaS + modern VPN clients and centralized admin.

Security

Zero Trust

App-level access, device posture, identity integration, DNS/URL filtering, and policy-based controls.

Speed

Consistent

Global PoPs with stable throughput; fast handshakes and reliable roaming between networks.

Management

Admin-first

Visual network builder, identity providers, SSO, user groups, logging, and audit trails.

Use Cases

Remote & Hybrid

Secure developers, sales, and contractors; publish apps privately; protect SaaS and on-prem.

Support

Business-tier

Documentation, deployment guides, and SLA-backed plans for larger teams.

Why Perimeter 81 Stands Out

Many “business VPNs” are a thin client plus a few admin toggles. Perimeter 81 goes further with a unified SASE approach: Zero Trust Network Access for private apps, Secure Web Gateway for outbound protection, and Firewall-as-a-Service to enforce policy in the cloud—no legacy hardware cycles. Admins model access around users, devices, and apps rather than IPs and subnets.

The visual network builder, quick site-to-site tunnels, and identity provider integrations (SSO/MFA) help security teams move fast. Granular rules allow just-enough access (least privilege) with simple rollbacks when audits demand changes.

  • Zero Trust by default: segment access per app and user group.
  • Cloud-delivered security: SWG + FWaaS block risky domains, categories, and threats.
  • Global backbone: PoPs designed for remote work—fast handshakes and stable throughput.
  • Fast deployment: plug into AWS/Azure/GCP and on-prem firewalls; publish internal apps privately.
  • Auditability: robust logging and reporting for compliance and investigations.

New to the concepts? Read Zero-trust security and the WireGuard protocol intros for background.

Performance: Speed and Stability

In daily use, the client connects quickly and stays connected while roaming between home Wi-Fi, office Ethernet, and mobile hotspots. Latency remains predictable when you choose nearby gateways, and long-haul sessions are stable enough for screen shares and SSH. Developers pulling containers and repos won’t feel throttled by policy enforcement when rules are tuned sensibly.

For hybrid environments, site-to-site tunnels keep on-prem resources reachable without exposing entire subnets. Browser-based app portals reduce “full tunnel” use, improving throughput on SaaS while keeping private apps gated behind device + identity checks.

Privacy and Security

Policies are enforced in the cloud, with per-app ZTNA, URL/DNS filtering, TLS inspection options (per policy), and a kill-switch behavior at the OS level. Device posture and group-based policies ensure that unmanaged or non-compliant machines can’t reach sensitive apps. Logs stream to SIEMs for long-term retention and correlation.

The security model favors least privilege. Instead of “VPN to the whole office,” admins define which users can reach which apps over which ports, and pair those rules with MFA and conditional checks. Result: smaller blast radius and clearer audits.

Streaming and Access

Perimeter 81 isn’t built for entertainment unblocking, and consumer streaming behavior isn’t a design target. Some services may work, but the value proposition is securing business traffic and private resources at scale. If unblocking media is your goal, compare a consumer-focused provider instead.

Devices and Ease of Use

Clients are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux (via standard configs). Staff see a simple connect button and a short list of recommended gateways or app tiles. Admins can silently deploy and pre-configure profiles using MDM tooling.

  • Desktop: Windows, macOS, Linux
  • Mobile: iOS & Android with auto-connect and biometrics
  • Identity: SSO/MFA (Okta, Azure AD, Google Workspace, etc.)
  • Integrations: SIEM logging, API, and webhooks for automation

Docs: Perimeter 81 Knowledge Base • Agent install guide: Download & Certificates

Perimeter 81 Plans & Pricing

Publicly listed plan tiers commonly start at $8 per user/month with a minimum user count and a per-gateway monthly fee. The snapshot below reflects typical public pricing seen across reviews and vendor listings; confirm current offers on the official site.

Essentials

$8 / user / mo

Minimum users apply • Core ZTNA + VPN • Typical add-on: ~$40 / gateway / mo.

See Pricing
Premium

$12 / user / mo

More app connectors • SSO • enhanced policies • typical gateway add-on ~$40 / mo.

Get This Plan
Premium Plus

$16 / user / mo

Advanced policies • more posture profiles • higher reporting limits • gateway add-on ~$40 / mo.

Choose Plan

Pricing varies by region, user minimums, and options (e.g., dedicated gateways). For exact quotes and enterprise tiers, contact sales on the official site.

Support and Overall Value

The documentation and onboarding flows are designed for real IT constraints—short setup windows, distributed teams, and changing app maps. Because policy lives in the cloud, updates roll out fast without touching legacy appliances. For organizations maturing from “one big VPN,” Perimeter 81 offers a clear step into Zero Trust with measurable wins in visibility and control.

If your needs are consumer streaming or hobby VPN use, you’re overbuying. But if you must reduce attack surface, gate private apps, and keep contractors segmented, this platform justifies the spend—and the admin hours you’ll save.

Final Verdict

Perimeter 81 is a strong fit for companies embracing remote and hybrid work. It delivers the pieces modern teams need—ZTNA, SWG, FWaaS, performant VPN clients, and clean admin workflows—without dragging you back to box-based network design. As a result, security improves while the user experience stays smooth.

Perimeter 81 Alternatives & Comparisons

Compare with similar business platforms and high-end consumer VPNs:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Perimeter 81 the same as Check Point SASE now?
The platform is part of Check Point’s SASE offering. You’ll see Business VPN pages on the Check Point domain while the core product stack remains aligned with Perimeter 81’s features and approach.
What are typical Perimeter 81 prices?
Public listings commonly start at $8/user/month for Essentials, around $12 for Premium, and about $16 for Premium Plus, with a typical $40/month per dedicated gateway. Minimum users apply; verify current quotes on the official pricing page.
Does it replace traditional VPNs and firewalls?
For many orgs: yes. ZTNA replaces broad network access with app-level access, while SWG/FWaaS enforce outbound and inbound policy in the cloud. Legacy appliances can be phased out or used only where needed.
Will it slow down remote work?
With nearby PoPs and per-app access, most workflows feel normal. SaaS access often gets faster because you avoid hair-pinning all traffic through a single on-prem box.