Headscale vs Tailscale

Struggling to choose between Headscale and Tailscale? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Headscale is a Network & Admin solution with tags like networking, encryption, privacy, remote-access.

It boasts features such as Mesh VPN using WireGuard, Centralized authentication and access controls, Web UI for management and monitoring, Auto-configuration of clients, NAT traversal support, Load balancing and failover, Access controls based on groups and users, Client apps for major platforms and pros including Open source and free, Simple to set up, Good performance, Granular access controls, Multi-platform support, Active development community.

On the other hand, Tailscale is a Network & Admin product tagged with networking, privacy, security, remote-access.

Its standout features include Zero config VPN, Creates private network between devices, servers, clouds, No need for physical infrastructure or exposed ports, Uses WireGuard for secure and fast connections, and it shines with pros like Easy to set up and use, Secure encrypted connections, Works across platforms and devices, Free for personal use.

Feature	Headscale	Tailscale
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Network & Admin	Network & Admin

Product Overview

Headscale

Description: Headscale is an open-source WireGuard based mesh VPN used to connect devices within a network. It provides a simple way to create a encrypted private network, allowing secure access to devices remotely.

Tailscale

Description: Tailscale is a zero config VPN that makes networks easy to manage. It creates a private network between devices, servers, and clouds. Tailscale requires no physical infrastructure or exposed ports. It uses WireGuard under the hood for secure and fast connections.

Key Features Comparison

Headscale Features

• Mesh VPN using WireGuard
• Centralized authentication and access controls
• Web UI for management and monitoring
• Auto-configuration of clients
• NAT traversal support
• Load balancing and failover
• Access controls based on groups and users
• Client apps for major platforms

Tailscale Features

• Zero config VPN
• Creates private network between devices, servers, clouds
• No need for physical infrastructure or exposed ports
• Uses WireGuard for secure and fast connections

Pros & Cons Analysis

Headscale

Pros

• Open source and free
• Simple to set up
• Good performance
• Granular access controls
• Multi-platform support
• Active development community

Cons

• Limited reporting capabilities
• No commercial support offered
• Less flexible than proprietary VPNs
• Immature compared to some alternatives

Tailscale

Pros

• Easy to set up and use
• Secure encrypted connections
• Works across platforms and devices
• Free for personal use

Cons

• Limited configuration options
• No browser extension
• Relies on NAT traversal which can be unreliable

Pricing Comparison

Headscale

• Open Source
• Free

Tailscale

• Freemium
• Subscription-Based