Can SD-WAN replace Internet VPN?

Harry Yelland31 October 2025Updated 16 February 20262 min read

SD-WAN joins multiple branch office WAN networks into a single interface, replacing the need for traditional internet VPN solutions.

SD-WAN is a good option to replace a basic internet VPN service. In many ways, SD-WAN is an evolution of the standard IPSec VPN service, which is still used today to meet specific or simple requirements. IPSec remains a popular encryption security option for site-to-site or user-to-user requirements where there is no breakout to the public internet. For example, when an IPSec VPN is configured as "VPN-only," all unauthenticated traffic is dropped, resulting in a secure tunnel between endpoints.

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IPSec VPNs were widely adopted by enterprise businesses before the introduction of smartphones and public cloud applications. As a result, Enterprise VPN architecture requirements were much simpler, often resulting in a single breakout to the internet from a designated data centre or branch office location.

However, in today's world, users require constant access to public cloud resources through phones, tablets, and laptops. This transition to a cloud-based world has resulted in increasingly sophisticated threats to data from hacking. SD WAN is designed to meet these demands head-on by implementing highly secure feature sets that are consistently updated via the cloud.

Internet VPN vs SD-WAN Comparison

Site-to-Site Communication

Internet VPN: Basic site-to-site communication.

SD-WAN: Feature rich with dynamic tunnel setup and the ability to steer traffic over any Internet circuit.

Cost and Implementation

Internet VPN: Low cost and easy to implement from almost any device or application.

SD-WAN: The vendor or service provider market is competitive and can be difficult to understand the landscape.

IoT and Hardware Deployment

Internet VPN: Good for IoT where hardware simply needs to communicate with a server, i.e. to request more stock.

SD-WAN: SD-WAN can be used across hardware, virtualised instances and applications with a fully featured Enterprise hardened configuration.

Security and Internet Access

Internet VPN: VPN only configuration.

SD-WAN: Where requirements involve both secure communications and access to the Internet, SD-WAN with SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) and SSE (Security Service Edge) offers significant benefits.

Robert Sturt

Managing Director

Robert Sturt is a leading expert in SD-WAN and enterprise network solutions with extensive experience in telecommunications and network infrastructure. As a Forbes Business Council member and contributor to TechTarget, he provides strategic insights on network transformation and digital connectivity solutions. His expertise spans SD-WAN implementation, network security, and enterprise digital transformation initiatives.

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Fact-checked by: Harry Yelland - Cybersecurity Writer, Netify