Question 1

What's the difference between Remote Access and a VPN?

Accepted Answer

Remote access is the goal: using the internet to reach a computer, files, or apps somewhere else. A VPN is one common way to do remote access by creating an encrypted tunnel from your device into a private network. Remote access can also be done with remote desktop tools or zero-trust access services that don’t require a traditional network-level VPN.

Question 2

When should I use Remote Access?

Accepted Answer

Use remote access when you need to reach private resources that aren’t safely exposed to the public internet—like file shares, internal web apps, databases, or an office desktop. It’s especially useful for remote work, IT administration, on-call support, and traveling employees. If you only need access to a public SaaS app (like email or a CRM), you usually don’t need remote access to a private network.

Question 3

How much does Remote Access cost?

Accepted Answer

Costs depend on the approach: (1) VPN services typically charge for the gateway/endpoint hours, data transfer, and sometimes per-connection or per-user licensing; (2) remote desktop/virtual desktop adds compute, storage, and licensing costs; (3) zero-trust access tools often charge per user per month. Also budget for MFA/identity provider costs, logging/monitoring, and support time.

Remote Access

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