NordLayer

NordLayer is a cloud-based network security platform from Nord Security that combines business VPN, zero-trust network access control, and DNS filtering into one unified solution for managing secure remote access and threat prevention. The platform protects over 15,000 businesses globally and supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android clients, plus a browser extension for secure browsing sessions. Each user account permits up to 6 simultaneous connected devices, which suits teams working from multiple locations or on multiple devices. NordLayer includes DNS filtering with over 50 content categories and AI-powered threat detection to block malicious sites at the network level, preventing access to phishing, malware, and ransomware-hosting domains. It provides zero-trust verification for every access request with device posture checking to ensure only compliant devices access company resources. The platform also offers dark web monitoring to alert administrators when employee credentials appear in breach databases, a built-in password manager for team credential sharing, and activity monitoring dashboards for compliance and incident investigation. The service uses AES 256-bit encryption and supports split tunneling for selective traffic routing. The platform integrates with major identity providers including Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, Google Workspace, and JumpCloud, plus cloud platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, and IBM Cloud. Deployment is entirely cloud-based through a centralized management dashboard with support for both dedicated and shared gateway options across 40+ global locations. Setup takes approximately 10 minutes from account creation to first connection. NordLayer is priced from $8 per user per month for the Lite plan (basic threat prevention), $11 per user per month for the Core plan (DNS filtering and ZTNA), and $14 per user per month for the Premium plan (advanced network segmentation). Annual billing offers up to 22% savings compared to monthly billing (checked September 2026). The platform requires a minimum of 5 users, offers a 14-day money-back guarantee, provides 24/7 technical support, and maintains SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS compliance certifications. MSPs should verify that the 5-user minimum fits their typical deployment size and confirm all required integrations with their existing toolchain before committing.

NordLayer positions itself as a ZTNA and DNS filtering alternative to traditional perimeter-focused VPNs, so it suits MSPs migrating from older remote access solutions or building zero-trust deployments. It works best for distributed teams requiring endpoint verification on every connection. The platform emphasizes rapid deployment: 10-minute setup and straightforward onboarding. The starting price of $8 per user per month makes it competitive against regional VPN and DNS filtering tools, though the minimum 5-user commitment and per-user billing model means total cost grows with team size. Compare against Cisco Umbrella, Cloudflare Gateway, and Zscaler for DNS filtering, or against TeamViewer and ScreenConnect for remote access capabilities. Confirm support hours match your region since 24/7 is advertised but location-specific response times matter for outages.