Tailscale vs Headscale

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

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

It boasts features such as 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 pros including Easy to set up and use, Secure encrypted connections, Works across platforms and devices, Free for personal use.

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

Its standout features include 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 it shines with pros like Open source and free, Simple to set up, Good performance, Granular access controls, Multi-platform support, Active development community.

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

Product Overview

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.

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.

Key Features Comparison

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

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

Pros & Cons Analysis

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

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

Pricing Comparison

Tailscale

• Freemium
• Subscription-Based

Headscale

• Open Source
• Free