5 Secure Business Apps for Remote Teams Under $20/Month

Remote work is no longer a trend—it’s how many small businesses operate by default. But with distributed teams comes a new challenge: security.

Remote employees access company data from home networks, personal devices, shared Wi-Fi, and multiple locations. Without the right tools, this creates serious risks—from data leaks and phishing attacks to unauthorized access and compliance issues.

The good news? You don’t need enterprise-grade budgets to protect your remote team. Several modern business apps offer strong security features at affordable prices, making them ideal for small businesses.

In this guide, we’ll cover 5 secure business apps for remote teams under $20 per month, explain what makes them safe, and show how they fit into a modern small-business tech stack.

Why Security Matters More for Remote Teams

Remote work expands your attack surface.

Common risks include:

• Weak passwords reused across tools

• Unsecured home or public Wi-Fi

• Lost or stolen devices

• Lack of access controls

• Phishing and social engineering attacks

Small businesses are especially vulnerable because they often lack dedicated IT or security staff.

That’s why choosing secure-by-design business apps is critical—especially for communication, collaboration, and access management.

What Makes a Business App “Secure” for Remote Teams?

Before jumping into tools, here’s what we looked for when selecting apps for this list.

Core Security Features That Matter

• Two-factor authentication (2FA)

• Role-based access controls

• Encryption (in transit and at rest)

• Admin-level visibility and controls

• Device and session management

• Regular security updates

Small Business–Friendly Criteria

• Under $20 per user per month

• Easy setup (no IT team required)

• Cloud-based and remote-ready

• Works well with other tools

These apps aren’t just affordable—they’re practical and realistic for small remote teams.

1. Google Workspace (Most Secure Foundation for Remote Teams)

Best for: Email, files, collaboration
Starting price: ~$6/user/month

Google Workspace is often underestimated as a security tool—but for remote teams, it’s one of the strongest foundations you can build on.

Why It’s Secure

• Built-in two-factor authentication

• Advanced spam and phishing protection

• Encrypted email and file storage

• Admin controls for access and sharing

• Device and session management

Why It Works for Remote Teams

• Centralized email, files, and calendars

• Easy user onboarding/offboarding

• Access control across Docs, Sheets, Drive

Google Workspace fits perfectly into a cloud-first setup, which you discuss in
Cloud vs On-Premise Software: Pros & Cons for Small Businesses

2. Bitwarden (Best Password Manager for Remote Teams)

Best for: Password security and access sharing
Starting price: ~$4–6/user/month

Weak or reused passwords are one of the biggest security risks for remote teams. Bitwarden solves this problem with a secure, business-friendly password manager.

Key Security Features

• End-to-end encryption

• Secure password sharing

• Two-factor authentication

• Access logs and vault controls

Why Bitwarden Is Ideal for Small Teams

• Affordable pricing

• Easy to roll out

• No need to share passwords over chat or email

Password management is often overlooked in startup tech stacks, but it plays a critical role alongside tools discussed in
How to Choose the Right Tech Stack for a Small Business Startup

3. Slack (Secure Communication for Distributed Teams)

Best for: Team messaging and collaboration
Starting price: ~$8–15/user/month

Slack isn’t just a chat app—it’s a secure communication hub when configured properly.

Security Features

• Data encryption

• Two-factor authentication

• Enterprise-grade access controls

• App permission management

Why Slack Is Safer Than Email for Teams

• Centralized communication

• Reduced risk of phishing via email chains

• Admin control over integrations and file sharing

Slack also integrates cleanly with automation tools featured in
10 Best Free Business Automation Tools for Small Businesses

4. NordLayer (Best VPN for Remote Business Teams)

Best for: Secure remote access and network protection
Starting price: ~$8–12/user/month

Remote teams often work on unsecured networks. A business VPN like NordLayer encrypts internet traffic and protects access to internal resources.

What NordLayer Secures

• Public Wi-Fi connections

• Remote access to internal tools

• Cloud services and dashboards

Why a Business VPN Matters

• Prevents data interception

• Adds a security layer beyond passwords

• Supports zero-trust access models

VPNs are especially important for teams accessing:

• CRMs

• Financial systems

• Admin dashboards

This ties directly into system access decisions discussed in
CRM vs ERP for Small Businesses: Which to Implement First?

5. Notion (Secure Knowledge & Operations Hub)

Best for: Documentation, workflows, internal knowledge
Starting price: ~$8–15/user/month

Notion plays a critical security role by reducing information sprawl.

Security Features

• Role-based permissions

• Page-level access control

• Secure cloud hosting

• Activity tracking

Why Notion Helps Remote Security

• Keeps SOPs, docs, and workflows centralized

• Reduces file sharing via insecure channels

• Improves operational consistency

Notion fits well into automation and operations strategies covered in your
free business automation tools for small businesses article.

Comparison Table: Secure Business Apps Under $20/mo

How These Apps Work Together as a Secure Stack

Used together, these tools form a security-first remote work stack:

• Google Workspace → identity, email, files

• Bitwarden → password hygiene

• Slack → secure communication

• NordLayer → network-level protection

• Notion → controlled documentation

This aligns with the lean, scalable stack philosophy outlined in
How to Choose the Right Tech Stack for a Small Business Startup.

Common Security Mistakes Remote Teams Make

❌ Relying Only on Antivirus Software

Security today is about identity, access, and behavior—not just malware.

❌ Sharing Passwords Over Chat or Email

This creates long-term risk even if messages are deleted.

❌ No Offboarding Process

Former employees retaining access is a major small-business risk.

❌ Using Too Many Tools Without Controls

Tool sprawl increases attack surfaces.

How to Choose the Right Secure Apps for Your Team

Ask yourself:

1. Where is sensitive data stored?

2. How do team members access it?

3. What happens when someone leaves?

4. Are passwords and access centralized?

5. Can admins see and control usage?

Security tools should reduce friction, not add it.

FAQ: Secure Business Apps for Remote Teams

Are these tools secure enough for small businesses?

Yes. When configured properly, these tools offer security levels that exceed what most small businesses can manage on their own.

Do remote teams really need a VPN?

If your team works from public or home networks and accesses sensitive systems, a VPN is strongly recommended.

Can security be affordable for small teams?

Absolutely. Strong security today is more about smart tools than expensive infrastructure.

Should small businesses choose cloud or on-premise tools for security?

For most small businesses, cloud tools are more secure when managed properly. This is explained in detail in
Cloud vs On-Premise Software: Pros & Cons for Small Businesses.

Final Thoughts

Remote work doesn’t have to mean higher risk.

With the right combination of secure, affordable business apps, small teams can protect data, reduce threats, and operate confidently—without blowing their budget.

Start with identity and access. Lock down communication. Protect networks. Centralize knowledge.

Security isn’t a single tool—it’s a stacked strategy.