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.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Tailscale

Tailscale

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.

Categories:
networking privacy security remote-access

Tailscale Features

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

Pricing

  • Freemium
  • Subscription-Based

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

Headscale

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.

Categories:
networking encryption privacy remote-access

Headscale Features

  1. Mesh VPN using WireGuard
  2. Centralized authentication and access controls
  3. Web UI for management and monitoring
  4. Auto-configuration of clients
  5. NAT traversal support
  6. Load balancing and failover
  7. Access controls based on groups and users
  8. Client apps for major platforms

Pricing

  • Open Source
  • Free

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