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Open Source Tailscale Alternatives

A curated collection of the 4 best open source alternatives to Tailscale.

The best open source alternative to Tailscale is Netbird. If that doesn't suit you, we've compiled a ranked list of other open source Tailscale alternatives to help you find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Tailscale are: Pangolin, OpenVPN, and FireZone.

Tailscale alternatives are mainly VPN & Secure Access Tools but may also be VPN & Secure Tunnels or Network Security Tools. Browse these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Tailscale.

Piotr Kulpinski's profile

Written by Piotr Kulpinski

Open source platform combining WireGuard overlay networks with Zero Trust access controls. Features SSO, MFA, device posture checks, and granular policies for secure remote connectivity.

Screenshot of Netbird website

NetBird transforms network security by combining WireGuard-based overlay networks with Zero Trust Network Access in a unified open source platform. Replace legacy VPNs with a modern, peer-to-peer solution that provides secure connectivity without complex firewall configurations.

Key Features:

  • Zero-Config Deployment: Run on any platform in minutes, eliminating firewall configs and open ports
  • Granular Access Control: Define policies to limit network access with least privilege principles
  • Seamless SSO & MFA: Integrate with Okta, Microsoft, Google, and other identity providers
  • Dynamic Posture Checks: Grant access only to devices meeting your security requirements
  • Cross-Platform Support: Works on Linux, Windows, macOS, mobile devices, Docker containers, and routers

Enterprise-Ready Security: NetBird enforces device security posture checks, contextual access policies, and detailed activity logging. Stream events to SIEM platforms in real-time while maintaining centralized network management through an intuitive interface.

Open Source Flexibility: Distributed under BSD-3 license, NetBird can be self-hosted on your infrastructure or used via NetBird Cloud. The platform integrates with popular MDM & EDR solutions and provides API automation for network configuration.

Perfect for organizations seeking to modernize their network security with a software-defined networking approach that connects resources directly and securely across clouds and on-premises environments.

Looking for open source alternatives to other popular services? Check out other posts in the alternatives series and openalternative.co, a directory of open source software with filters for tags and alternatives for easy browsing and discovery.

Deploy zero trust access to infrastructure, self-hosted apps, and SaaS tools in days. Identity-aware security with seamless user experience.

Screenshot of Pangolin website

Pangolin transforms network security with zero trust network access (ZTNA) that replaces traditional VPNs. The platform provides secure, identity-aware access to applications and infrastructure across on-premises, cloud, and edge environments.

Key features include:

  • Direct WireGuard tunnels that install on user devices for secure connections
  • Identity and context-aware rules that verify users and devices at every access point
  • Easy deployment with connectors that work behind any firewall
  • Centralized management of application-level access without complex ACL configurations
  • Seamless integration with existing identity providers

The platform checks user identity and device security continuously, reducing risk while maintaining user productivity. Unlike traditional mesh VPNs that require managing access control lists on every node, Pangolin centralizes access management for operational efficiency.

With over 1,000,000+ deployments worldwide, organizations can deploy enterprise-grade zero trust security in days rather than months, eliminating the need for lengthy professional services engagements typical of legacy security solutions.

Secure remote access VPN solutions with zero trust network access. Self-hosted and cloud-managed options for businesses of all sizes. Trusted by 20,000+ organizations.

Screenshot of OpenVPN website

Trusted by over 20,000 organizations for more than two decades, OpenVPN delivers enterprise-grade VPN solutions that protect your business data and enable secure remote access for distributed workforces.

Two flexible deployment options to meet your security needs:

Access Server - Self-hosted solution giving you complete control over your security architecture with customizable access policies and private tunneling. Deploy on IaaS providers, Docker, Linux, Hyper-V, and VMware ESXi.

CloudConnexa® - Cloud-delivered managed service that connects applications, private networks, workforce, and IoT devices without complex hardware. Features full Zero Trust controls, seamless network connectivity, and enhanced protection with content filtering.

Key benefits include:

  • Zero Trust Network Access with identity, device, and IP verification
  • Enterprise-grade security with SOC 2 Type 2, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, HIPAA and GDPR compliance
  • Flexible pricing starting at $7 per connection per month
  • 24/7 technical support and fast deployment with ready-to-use templates
  • Cross-platform compatibility with client software for all operating systems and mobile devices

Perfect for businesses looking to protect vital company data, support remote employees, meet compliance requirements, and optimize costs with a scalable VPN solution built on the industry-leading OpenVPN protocol.

Replace your VPN with zero-trust access built on WireGuard. Fast, scalable network security with simple policies and identity provider integration.

Screenshot of FireZone website

Replace your legacy VPN with a modern zero-trust solution that's 3-4x faster than OpenVPN. Built on WireGuard® technology, Firezone delivers enterprise-grade security without the complexity.

Key benefits include:

  • Simple access policies that eliminate ACL configuration nightmares
  • Automatic scaling with load balancing and failover capabilities
  • Identity provider sync for seamless user onboarding and offboarding
  • Minimal attack surface through advanced hole-punching technology
  • Cross-platform clients that work on every major operating system

Perfect for organizations needing to secure cloud resources, add two-factor authentication to WireGuard, manage SaaS app access, or protect on-premises networks. The lightweight Linux gateways deploy anywhere with just a single token configuration.

Open source transparency means you can audit the entire codebase, ensuring the solution does exactly what it claims. Trusted by hundreds of organizations for protecting their most valuable resources while maintaining the flexibility to scale with business growth.

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