Unlike traditional client-server VPNs that route traffic through a central server, a mesh VPN connects each device directly to the others, allowing for faster, more efficient data transmission. This decentralized approach ensures that every team member can securely access the network without relying on a single point of failure.
Mesh VPNs can provide high flexibility and security in certain situations, but they are not always the best solution for every network.
Mesh VPN vs Traditional VPN
It will be easy to understand the difference between these two networks if you are familiar. How VPN works And Basic Network Terms. Let’s look at both in detail.
A traditional VPN (aka: client-server VPN or central VPN) runs on a central server that acts as the central gateway for all data. This is known as a hub and spoke model, where all your data traffic—including files, emails, and VoIP calls from one team member to another—is routed through a primary intersection point before reaching its destination. .
The problem with this is that if the main server goes down, everyone loses access to the network. Likewise, if a cyber attacker gains access to the system, all user data is vulnerable.
Another major complaint regarding traditional VPN technology is its unreliability. In particular, since every data packet must pass through a central hub, sudden spikes in traffic can create bottlenecks that degrade performance. If this happens during peak hours, for example, users may be struggling for bandwidth and frustrated with network latency as a result.
Of course, you can sometimes restore network performance by turning off your VPN, but then you leave your network open to external threats.
See: Learn. How to check if your VPN is working.
Oh Mesh VPN is decentralized. Each device acts as both a client and a server, enabling direct communication with other devices in the network. Thus, it spreads network access throughout the system by connecting multiple devices, each acting as a point in the network.
Originally developed for military use, mesh technology was created to solve the problem of spotty connectivity in the field, keeping team communications secure and seamless in any location. Classified as a peer-to-peer (P2P) model, the power of a mesh VPN lies in its ability to route information between multiple routes—much more efficiently than routing through a central management server.
See: Learn more about Differences between client-server and P2P networks.
On a mesh VPN, each node has its own access point, which ensures continuous Internet access for all users even if connectivity is lost. Instead of routing information along a single path from a central server to each user, data travels from node to node along the fastest path available at any given moment, supporting high-speed service even with multiple users on the network.
With a traditional hub and spoke VPN, your central server gateway sits in a specific location. The farther you get from this central hub, the slower and weaker your connection will be – especially when more family or team members come onto the network. The solution offered by a mesh VPN implements more hubs and/or nodes, creating a stronger connection over a wider area.
Smart devices such as phones and watches can act as nodes — and so can routers, desktop computers, gaming consoles and additional servers. Together, these can help create a simple wireless network that can provide reliable coverage throughout a home, office building, or remote work location.
Mesh VPNs still use at least one central server, called a control plane, to handle system-wide configuration and updates. From there, administrators can customize various network settings, implement security measures, and adjust which nodes can communicate with each other. Keep in mind that you don’t have to manage the system yourself. Best Enterprise VPN Providers Offers cloud-hosted options, so you don’t have to manage it yourself.
Full Mesh vs Partial Mesh VPN
In one Full Mesh VPN, Each device or node is directly connected to every other device in the network. This means that data can be transferred between any two nodes without the need to pass through a central point. This design offers redundancy and flexibility, as multiple communication paths are available between devices. However, it also requires more careful management of the connections and resources of each node.
Oh Partial mesh network Connects only specific nodes, coordinating which devices can communicate with each other based on network requirements or roles. This approach can reduce complexity and resource usage, as fewer direct connections are required. Each node in a partial mesh can be programmed individually, making it an ideal setup for testing new software, security features, or configurations on a small scale.
Disadvantages of Mesh Networks
Despite how mesh VPNs solve many of the problems associated with traditional hub-and-spoke networks, there are some notable trade-offs:
- High delay: Because data passes through multiple devices before reaching its destination, the network can experience high latency, especially with large networks.
- Scalability Challenges: While mesh networks scale well, the number of connections grows exponentially as more devices are added, potentially leading to performance issues or management difficulties.
- Security Risks: More devices directly connected to each other increases the attack surface, requiring stronger security measures to mitigate risks.
- Resource Usage: Mesh VPNs use more system resources due to the need for each device to handle its own traffic and data management, potentially affect performance.
Let’s talk about some of these downsides, as they may surprise readers.
With security, for example, we’ve talked about how mesh VPNs have advantages in decentralization—but also come with new vulnerabilities. Network security threats. With more devices directly connected, the attack surface increases—every device connected to a mesh VPN becomes a potential entry point for malicious actors.
Network latency Can also be a problem, especially in partial mesh networks where data is forced to a specific path. On really large networks, this can be a big problem.
These deficiencies can certainly be addressed. To ensure low latency for employees relying on a mesh VPN, for example, administrators can optimize routing paths to prioritize direct, low-latency paths between devices. They use network monitoring tools to quickly identify problems, prevent congestion, and maintain smooth data flow.
When to use Mesh VPN
The introduction of mesh VPNs provided a useful stopgap solution for the growing number of businesses moving towards a hybrid work model. By setting up remote VPN access, team members can work from anywhere using their home or local area network (LAN) and access all shared private network resources. Today, many organizations still rely on this P2P model—which works really well for large teams working from different locations.
Mesh VPN can also be configured to support existing hub-and-spoke systems, offloading some of the data load to streamline the user experience. In fact, a hybrid system known as Dynamic Multipoint VPN (DMVPN) combines both traditional and mesh methods. All intra-network communication takes place over a P2P network, with a central server acting as the primary gateway for incoming traffic.
Nevertheless, large companies with large IT budgets are eventually moving to more secure alternatives to VPN technology—and growing concerns over intra-network vulnerabilities have led to options such as Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) And Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN).
While mesh VPNs focus on eliminating external threats, both ZTNA and SD-WAN technologies implement security measures within the network as well. This approach also presents authorized users as potential threats, only allowing access to files and paths based on specific roles.
Check out my full post at: When to use SD-WAN or VPN.
That said, mesh VPNs remain a relatively cost-effective solution for companies that need to share a reliable network and aren’t particularly concerned about storing highly sensitive data. At the end of the day, the complexity of a mesh system—while higher than a traditional VPN—is much more manageable and easily scalable than ZTNA and SD-WAN.
So, while these alternatives are designed directly to address latency and cybersecurity issues, they’re likely better suited for businesses with tight IT budgets, high-risk privacy concerns, and lots of users.
See: Learn. Network security architecture best practices And how to apply them.
Four Signs You Shouldn’t be Using a Mesh VPN
1. It is illegal in your country.
VPNs are legal in the US and many other countries. Around the world, however, there are a few nations that ban or restrict their use—such as China, Iraq, Russia, and North Korea. Be sure to double-check the regulations in your specific work areas before implementing this system.
2. Your team is small and centrally located.
For home-based businesses and teams working in a small office space of around 5,000 square feet, a mesh VPN can be overkill. A centralized server may work just fine for your needs. gave The best VPN solution for small businesses The offering is fully hosted, which means you have nothing to set up and zero maintenance to get going—employees will just sign in to the service.
3. There are too many untrusted devices on your network.
When you have a large number of untrusted devices on the network, such as contractors, or third-party vendors, using a mesh VPN can be dangerous. Any untrusted device can potentially compromise the security of the entire network. This makes it difficult to enforce strict access controls and monitor user behavior, increasing the risk of unauthorized access or insider threats.
4. Your IT resources are limited.
Configuring and maintaining a mesh VPN requires significant IT knowledge, especially when configuring multiple access points and managing the control plane. If your team lacks the skills or time to properly manage these tasks, the complexity of a mesh VPN can cause more challenges than benefits. In such cases, a simpler solution may be more appropriate to avoid ongoing maintenance issues.