Tailscale AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Virtual LAN Software

The best Virtual LAN alternative to Tailscale is WireGuard, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to Tailscale and 15 are Virtual LAN Software so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Virtual LAN Software alternatives to Tailscale are ZeroTier, Headscale, SoftEther VPN and NetBird.

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Alternatives list

  1. WireGuard icon

    WireGuard

     257 likes

    Implements modern cryptographic standards, maintains a small codebase for security auditing, ensures fast cross-platform VPN performance, supports embedded and enterprise environments, offers easy deployment, IPv4/IPv6, secure key exchange, and mobile app support.

    55 WireGuard alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • FreeBSD
    • OpenWrt
    • Termux
    WireGuard screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Comments about WireGuard as an Alternative to Tailscale
    ikaz
    2

    Tailscale is built on top of WireGuard.

    dess
    Negative
    4

    Tailscale is a VPN-based mesh SDN (which relies on Wireguard as VPN tech), while Wireguard is just VPN and nothing more.

    WireGuard icon
    WireGuard icon

    • Some users think WireGuard is a great Tailscale alternative, some don't.

    • WireGuard is Free and Open SourceTailscale is Freemium and Proprietary
    • WireGuard is LightweightTailscale is not according to our users
  2. ZeroTier icon

    ZeroTier

     95 likes

    Enables encrypted peer-to-peer virtual Ethernet networks across platforms for remote device access, secure virtual LANs, gaming, private or public network creation, and seamless setup without port forwarding or complex configuration, suitable for personal or business use.

    55 ZeroTier alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Docker
    • Docker Hub
    ZeroTier screenshot 1
     
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    1
    7
    Comments about ZeroTier as an Alternative to Tailscale
    markopaasila
    Positive
    1

    Creates a secure and private (or public if you choose to) mesh network - extremely easily. It is of high quality, and is free and open source.

    ZeroTier icon
    ZeroTier icon

    • Almost everyone thinks ZeroTier is a great Tailscale alternative.

    • ZeroTier is Freemium and ProprietaryTailscale is also Freemium and Proprietary
  4. Headscale icon

    Headscale

     21 likes

    An open source, self-hosted implementation of the Tailscale control server. HeadScale-ui is a complementary project to have a Web UI for this.

    20 Headscale alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • Docker
    • Docker Hub
    • OpenBSD
    • BSD
    • Nix Package Manager
    • Fedora
     
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    1
    9
    Comments about Headscale as an Alternative to Tailscale
    Guest
    Positive
    3

    Headscale is basically open source server implementation of Tailscale

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Headscale icon
    Headscale icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Headscale is a great Tailscale alternative.

    • Headscale is Free and Open SourceTailscale is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Headscale is Security-focusedTailscale is not according to our users
  5. SoftEther VPN icon

    SoftEther VPN

     121 likes

    SoftEther VPN ("SoftEther" means "Software Ethernet") is one of the world's most powerful and easy-to-use multi-protocol VPN software. It runs on Windows, Linux, Mac, FreeBSD and Solaris.

    52 SoftEther VPN alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    SoftEther VPN screenshot 1
     
  6. NetBird icon

    NetBird

     27 likes

    NetBird is an open-source Zero Trust networking platform that makes it easy for engineers to create fast, secure, and private networks with simple, decentralized management.

    30 NetBird alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Docker
    • Homebrew
    • Docker Hub
    List of connected machines (peers)
     
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    1
    Comments about NetBird as an Alternative to Tailscale
    mzs_47
    Positive
    0

    Completely FLOSS project, and has the whole shebang - server, UI and clients. Mobile clients are on the roadmap.

    NetBird icon
    NetBird icon
    • NetBird is Freemium and Open SourceTailscale is Freemium and Proprietary
    • NetBird is LightweightTailscale is not according to our users
  7. LogMeIn Hamachi icon

    LogMeIn Hamachi

     209 likes

    A hosted VPN service that provides secure connections, extending LAN-like network connectivity to mobile users and teams. Create secure virtual networks on demand across public and private networks. Manage and maintain from anywhere on the web, with free options for up to five devices.

    34 LogMeIn Hamachi alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Register client
     
  9. Tinc VPN icon

    Tinc VPN

     26 likes

    tinc is a Virtual Private Network (VPN) daemon that uses tunnelling and encryption to create a secure private network between hosts on the Internet.

    44 Tinc VPN alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
     
  10. Nebula by Slack icon

    Nebula by Slack

     3 likes

    Nebula is a scalable overlay networking tool with a focus on performance, simplicity and security. It lets you seamlessly connect computers anywhere in the world. Nebula runs on Linux, OSX, and Windows. Mobile is in active development.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Nebula by Slack screenshot 1
     
  11. Husarnet icon

    Husarnet

     1 like

    Husarnet is a Peer-to-Peer VPN to connect your laptops, servers and microcontrollers over the Internet with zero configuration.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Docker
    • Docker Hub
    List of all Husarnet networks associated with user account.
     

  12. iroh-lan

     1 like

    The iroh-lan is designed for zero-friction, ephemeral networking: no accounts, no central servers, no device lists. Name a network, choose a password, and you’re on a private L3 LAN with anyone who does the same, created out of thin air and gone when you leave.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
    network login
     
  13. zrok icon

    zrok

     3 likes

    Offers an open source sharing solution built on OpenZiti for secure app tunneling. Available as SaaS or self-hosting, it supports decentralized content sharing, is scalable for large and small deployments, allows private, secure communication, and operates on Raspberry Pi.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    zrok screenshot 1
     
  14. TunnlTo icon

    TunnlTo

     2 likes

    TunnlTo is a Windows WireGuard VPN client built for split tunnelling.

    46 TunnlTo alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    TunnlTo screenshot 1
     
12 of 15 Tailscale alternatives