What is the main difference between Netbird and Tailscale?

Netbird and Tailscale are both vpn & secure access tools but differ in their approach, features, and target audience. Compare their GitHub stats, technology stack, and community adoption to make the best choice.

Which is better: Netbird or Tailscale?

The choice between Netbird and Tailscale depends on your specific needs, technical requirements, and team preferences. Both are quality open source solutions with active communities.

Can I migrate from Netbird to Tailscale?

Migration between Netbird and Tailscale is possible but requires careful planning. Consider data export/import capabilities, feature parity, and potential workflow changes.

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Netbird vs Tailscale

Learn how Netbird and Tailscale differ in their key features, development activity, technology stack and community adoption, so you can decide which of these vpn & secure access tools is best for you.

Netbird

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.

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30,779stars+943(+3.2%)

Last 30 days

Last commit
1 day ago
Repository age
6 years
Version
v0.82.0
Self-hosted
Yes
Repository
netbirdio/netbird

Tailscale

Deploy a modern WireGuard-based VPN with zero configuration. Connect devices securely across clouds, VPCs, and on-premises networks without firewall rules.

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38,782stars+1,463(+3.9%)

Last 30 days

Last commit
20 hours ago
Repository age
7 years
Version
v1.104.5
License
BSD-3-Clause
Repository
tailscale/tailscale

Detailed Comparison

Tailscale appears to have several advantages over Netbird, particularly in growth, maturity and licensing. Consider your specific needs regarding popularity, growth, activity, technology, maturity, licensing and features when making your decision.

Comparable

Community & Popularity

Both tools have similar popularity levels, with Netbird having 30,779 stars and Tailscale having 38,782 stars on GitHub. In terms of developer contributions, Tailscale has 3,439 forks, indicating strong developer engagement.

Tailscale wins

Growth Momentum

Tailscale is growing faster, adding 1,463 stars in the last 30 days (+3.9%) against adding 943 stars for Netbird (+3.2%). Tailscale is both larger and pulling further ahead.

Comparable

Development Activity

Both projects show recent activity, with Netbird last updated 1 day ago and Tailscale 20 hours ago.

Comparable

Technology Stack

Both tools share common technology foundations, being built with JavaScript, CSS, Bash, Typescript, JSX, Golang. However, they differ in their additional technology choices: Tailscale leverages C, Objective-C, Swift, Lua.

Tailscale wins

Project Maturity

Tailscale has been in development longer, starting 7 years ago, compared to Netbird which began 6 years ago. This 1.2-year head start suggests Tailscale may have more mature features and established processes.

Tailscale wins

Licensing

Tailscale is licensed under BSD-3-Clause, while Netbird's license terms are not publicly specified.

Comparable

Use Cases & Features

Both tools serve similar use cases in VPN & Secure Access.

Netbird wins

Hosting & Deployment

Netbird provides self-hosting options for complete data control and customization, while Tailscale may be primarily cloud-based or require different deployment approaches.

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