Network Guard
Network Guard is a consumer cybersecurity company that develops VPN and privacy software for individual users in 180+ countries, operating under Kape Technologies alongside brands such as ExpressVPN and CyberGhost.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersHong Kong, Hong Kong SAR China
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Network Guard does
Network Guard is a consumer cybersecurity company that develops VPN and internet privacy/security software for individual users on computers and phones. The company is headquartered in Hong Kong with primary operations in Singapore and a globally distributed footprint that includes London, Tokyo, Toronto, Taiwan, Poznań, and Romania, supporting more than 800 employees. Network Guard serves users in 180+ countries and operates within the portfolio of publicly listed parent Kape Technologies, which collectively reports 6.5 million paying users and over 100 million readers globally across its brands (ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, Intego, and Network Guard). The precise founding date is inconsistent across sources (2009 in firmographics, 2014 elsewhere) and the company self-reports more than a decade in operation.
The core product is a consumer VPN platform underpinned by two proprietary technical assets. Lightway is an in-house, open-source VPN protocol engineered for speed, security, and reliability. TrustedServer is a custom in-house Linux operating system compiled from bare-metal and designed around an ephemeral, no-logging architecture that wipes data on every reboot — a privacy and security positioning the company uses as a differentiator. The technology stack is built on Linux with custom protocols, and the engineering organization emphasizes code quality and flexible technology selection over a fixed stack.
Network Guard generates revenue primarily through recurring B2C subscription fees for its VPN service, sold direct-to-consumer via the company website, and through OEM partnerships that bundle the software with millions of devices sold by top computer manufacturers. Marketing is driven by SEO, PPC/AdWords, A/B testing, and email marketing, with content marketing and media outreach extending reach. The company describes itself as profitable and growing, with active hiring across product, engineering, data, marketing, and program management functions. No specific pricing tiers, revenue figures, or funding rounds are disclosed in available sources, and Network Guard does not publicly list management, awards, patents, or formal third-party partnerships beyond OEM bundling and its Kape parent relationship.
Network Guard firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Network Guard
- Legal name
- Network Guard Limited
- Website
- https://networkguard.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Network Guard is a consumer cybersecurity company that develops VPN and privacy software for individual users in 180+ countries, operating under Kape Technologies alongside brands such as ExpressVPN and CyberGhost.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Network Guard industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Consumer VPN Software
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- VPN & Remote Access Gateways (HDADABAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Network Security Services (Firewall/VPN/ZTNA/SASE Integration) (BPAEAEAG), Confidential Computing & Hardware-backed Protection (TEE/HSM) (HDADAFAJ)
Keywords
Where Network Guard is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hong Kong
- HQ country
- Hong Kong SAR China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices8 records
Markets served
Network Guard business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Consumer VPN Subscription: Subscription-based SaaS model providing internet privacy and security products to millions of consumers worldwide. Customers pay recurring fees for access to VPN and security services across multiple devices.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Network Guard product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Network Guard develops and sells consumer cybersecurity software, with its core offering being a VPN platform that provides internet privacy and security on computers and phones. The product is distributed directly to consumers via website subscriptions and is also pre-installed on millions of devices sold by top computer manufacturers through OEM partnerships. The platform is built on proprietary technology including the Lightway VPN protocol and TrustedServer custom Linux operating system with no-logging architecture.
Product overview
Network Guard is a cybersecurity SaaS company that provides privacy and security software for consumers. The core product is the Core VPN platform, which offers internet privacy and security services to millions of users worldwide. The product portfolio includes proprietary technologies: Lightway (their open-source VPN protocol) and TrustedServer (custom Linux OS). The software is available for computers and phones, and is bundled with devices from top computer manufacturers. The company has been in operation for over a decade and serves users in over 180 countries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Core VPN
Quantifiable outcome
- Serving users in 180+ countries
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Network Guard
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Network Guard technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Network Guard partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Network Guard competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Surfshark: Surfshark is a major consumer VPN competitor offering subscription-based privacy and security services globally. It competes directly with Network Guard on features, pricing, and market positioning.
- ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is a sister brand within the Kape Technologies portfolio (same parent company as Network Guard). It offers the same Lightway protocol and TrustedServer technology, making it a direct peer and intra-group comparison.
- NordVPN (Nord Security): NordVPN is one of the largest direct competitors in the consumer VPN market, offering similar subscription-based VPN and privacy services to millions of users worldwide. It competes head-to-head with Network Guard on price, features, and global server coverage.
- Private Internet Access (PIA): PIA is a Kape Technologies-owned consumer VPN brand with a long history in the privacy market. It serves the same target customer as Network Guard with similar subscription-based offerings.
- ProtonVPN (Proton AG): ProtonVPN is a privacy-focused consumer VPN from Proton AG, with strong emphasis on no-logging policies and secure architecture. It targets the same security-conscious consumer segment as Network Guard.
- CyberGhost VPN: CyberGhost is another Kape Technologies brand offering consumer VPN subscriptions. It is a direct peer within the same parent group, targeting the same market with overlapping technology and marketing.
Emerging players
- Mullvad VPN: Mullvad is a privacy-focused, smaller European VPN provider known for strong anonymity practices and no-account model. It competes for the privacy-conscious segment of Network Guard's market.
- TunnelBear: TunnelBear is a consumer-friendly VPN service now owned by McAfee. It targets casual consumers seeking simple VPN protection, overlapping with Network Guard's mainstream consumer base.
Broad incumbents
- Cloudflare (WARP): Cloudflare's WARP product offers consumer VPN-like privacy services as part of a broader networking and security platform. It represents a major incumbent potentially expanding into Network Guard's core consumer privacy market.
- Cisco (Secure Access / AnyConnect): Cisco's AnyConnect/Secure Access is an enterprise-focused VPN and zero-trust platform. While primarily B2B, it represents a broader incumbent that could expand into the consumer privacy space and adjacent markets relevant to Network Guard.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Network Guard financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Network Guard leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Network Guard funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Network Guard M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Network Guard
What does Network Guard do?
Network Guard develops and sells consumer cybersecurity software, with its core offering being a VPN platform that provides internet privacy and security on computers and phones. The product is distributed directly to consumers via website subscriptions and is also pre-installed on millions of devices sold by top computer manufacturers through OEM partnerships. The platform is built on proprietary technology including the Lightway VPN protocol and TrustedServer custom Linux operating system with no-logging architecture.
Is Network Guard a public or private company?
Network Guard is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Network Guard founded?
Network Guard was founded in 2014. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Network Guard based?
Network Guard is headquartered in Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR China, in the Asia region.
How does Network Guard make money?
One revenue line is on record: consumer VPN Subscription.
Who are Network Guard's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Surfshark, ExpressVPN, NordVPN (Nord Security), Private Internet Access (PIA), ProtonVPN (Proton AG) and CyberGhost VPN. Emerging players are Mullvad VPN and TunnelBear. Broad incumbents are Cloudflare (WARP) and Cisco (Secure Access / AnyConnect).
Does Network Guard have an API?
No public API is recorded for Network Guard.
What industry is Network Guard in?
Network Guard's product category is Consumer VPN Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDADABAD, VPN & Remote Access Gateways, with a secondary code of BPAEAEAG, Network Security Services (Firewall/VPN/ZTNA/SASE Integration). Its NAICS code is 5182 and its SIC code is 7373.