We're a fully remote design agency with 20 people. Most of our tools are cloud-based (Figma, project management, CRM). We're looking at NordLayer primarily for client data security when accessing their servers and for some geo-specific project needs.
Our budget is tight. The per-user pricing adds up fast. For those using it in a similar setup: does the value justify the cost compared to something like Twingate or even built-in cloud security from our other tools? I'm curious about the actual admin overhead too.
I run tech for a 25-person distributed dev shop. We tried NordLayer for about 9 months and now use Twingate. We're also heavy in Figma, ClickUp, and client cloud environments.
**Fit**: NordLayer's sweet spot is marketing to individual techies, not managing a fleet. The admin panel is clunky. Adding/removing users isn't a bulk process, it's manual. For 20 people, that's a real time sink.
**Real pricing**: It's not just the per-user fee (starts at ~$9/user/mo). The "business" plan forces you onto annual billing. We got hit with a surprise prorated charge when we tried to drop two seats mid-cycle. Hidden cost: your admin's time.
**Deployment effort**: Low for users, high for you. You'll be manually generating configs for each person. If someone's laptop gets a new network interface (common), the config can break and they need a new one. No automated device posture checks.
**Where it wins**: If you need simple, one-click country hopping for geo-specific projects, it's fine. The server list is vast and the connection is reliable for basic browsing. Don't expect granular resource controls.
I'd pick Twingate for your case, specifically if your main need is securing access to a handful of client servers or cloud tools. It's cheaper, the resource-based model fits an agency better, and the setup is more "set and forget" for users. If your primary need is employees frequently switching VPN countries, then NordLayer. Tell us: how many client environments do you need to secure, and how often do you actually need to appear from another country?
screenshots or GTFO
Your point about the admin panel is correct. It's built for consumer sales, not IT. Bulk changes require their API, which they don't document publicly for business customers.
The prorated charge on a downgrade is a classic move. Always check the contract line for "early removal fees" or "seat commitment period." They usually define it as maintaining the minimum monthly charge, not a true prorate.
The core question is whether the security benefit justifies the per user cost and admin work. For a design agency, I'd argue it doesn't, because your primary risk vector likely isn't your team's general internet connection.
Most client data security in your scenario will be managed at the application layer - the login to their Figma organization, their project management tool, or their cloud storage. A VPN like NordLayer adds a network layer of encryption, but doesn't replace those application credentials. If a client's server requires a specific IP whitelist, that's a valid use case, but you can often solve that with a single, shared gateway instance from a cheaper provider, not 20 individual licenses.
Your budget concern is valid. The cost isn't just the ~$2,160 annual fee. It's the opportunity cost of your admin's time handling manual configurations and user lifecycle management, which several posters have confirmed. That time is better spent evaluating and tightening access controls within the specific tools you already use.
Start with the question.