Tailscale
Tailscale is a zero-config VPN for connecting devices and users across a network. It uses WireGuard to create low-latency peer-to-peer connections and says the connections are end-to-end encrypted, so it cannot read users’ traffic. Administrators can set access control lists to specify which users can connect to which devices. Users can authenticate through supported identity providers, and SCIM supports user and group provisioning. Monitoring options include configuration audit logs, network flow logs, webhooks, and log streaming to SIEM partners. Device posture attributes and integrations such as CrowdStrike can inform rules that restrict access for devices that do not meet security requirements. Taildrop transfers files between devices, while node sharing lets users share a device with another Tailscale user without exposing it publicly. Tailscale supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. Its Personal plan is free for non-commercial use and supports up to six users; Standard costs 8.00 USD per user per month, and Premium costs 18.00 USD per user per month.
Who it is for
Tailscale suits individuals using a home VPN or homelab, as well as teams managing access among coworkers and company resources. The Personal plan is limited to non-commercial use.
What is good
- WireGuard-based, end-to-end encrypted connections.
- Access control lists govern user-to-device connections.
- File transfer and node sharing are included.
- Supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows.
- Personal plan is free for non-commercial use.
What to know first
- Personal plan is limited to six users.
- Personal use is non-commercial only.
- Additional tagged resources cost 1.00 USD per month each.
Verdict
Tailscale combines encrypted device connections with access rules, identity provisioning, monitoring, and sharing features. Personal is free for non-commercial use; paid Standard starts at 8.00 USD per user per month.
Tailscale plans and pricing
All plansCompared on business VPN software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- $8/user/mo
Best Tailscale alternatives
See all 12
$7/mo8.4 OpenVPN Access Server Free plan AndroidiOSLinuxMacself-hosted 
$7/mo8.3 NetBird Free plan AndroidiOSLinuxMacself-hosted 
€6/mo8.2 Cloudflare Access Free plan AndroidapiiOSLinuxMac 
$7/mo8.2 GoodAccess Free plan AndroidiOSLinuxMacWeb 
$9/mo8.2 Twingate Free plan AndroidiOSLinuxMacWeb 
$5/mo7.8