Tailscale Alternatives for Business VPN & Zero Trust

If you need a business VPN and zero trust access solution but want alternatives to Tailscale, the main options are Cloudflare Zero Trust, OpenZiti, NetBird, Twingate, and traditional VPNs like WireGuard-based or IPsec solutions. These tools let employees securely access internal apps and networks without exposing the whole network, using identity-based policies and encrypted connections. Below, we compare them on architecture, ease of use, cost, and security so you can pick the right fit for your team.

What Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) Means

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a security model that requires every connection to be authenticated, authorized, and encrypted before granting access to a resource. Unlike a traditional VPN that puts a user on the internal network, ZTNA connects users to specific applications or services, not the whole network. This reduces the attack surface because there is no broad network access that can be exploited if a device is compromised.

Key principles of ZTNA:

• Verify every user and device before each session.
• Grant least-privilege access only to what is needed.
• Segment access by application, not by IP address.
• Log and monitor all traffic for anomalies.

Why Look Beyond Tailscale

Tailscale is popular for its ease of use and WireGuard-based mesh VPN. However, businesses may need alternatives for several reasons:

• Cost: Tailscale’s free tier is limited to 3 users; paid plans start at a per-user monthly fee that can add up.
• Compliance: Some industries require on-premises or self-hosted solutions that Tailscale’s cloud coordination server does not offer.
• Advanced policy: You may need more granular access controls, like per-device posture checks or integration with your existing identity provider (IdP).
• Support: You might prefer a vendor with 24/7 phone support or a longer track record in enterprise environments.

Top Alternatives Compared

Cloudflare Zero Trust

Cloudflare Zero Trust (formerly Access and Gateway) is a cloud-based ZTNA solution that works with their global network. It uses a client (WARP) or browser-based access to connect users to internal apps. It integrates with major IdPs (Okta, Azure AD, Google Workspace) and offers device posture checks. It is free for up to 50 users, which is generous for small teams. However, it requires a Cloudflare account and may be more complex to set up than Tailscale.

OpenZiti

OpenZiti is an open-source, self-hostable ZTNA platform that uses a zero-trust overlay network. It supports client SDKs for embedding secure access directly into applications, which is a unique feature. It can be deployed on your own infrastructure, giving you full control over data and compliance. The downside is a steeper learning curve and more operational overhead.

NetBird

NetBird is a WireGuard-based mesh VPN similar to Tailscale but with a focus on simplicity and security. It offers a free tier for up to 10 users, and paid plans add features like SSO, device posture checks, and activity logs. It is open-source and can be self-hosted. NetBird’s UI is clean, and setup is quick, making it a strong alternative for small to medium teams.

Twingate

Twingate is a ZTNA solution that does not require a VPN client on the user’s device for web apps—it uses a lightweight connector that runs in your network. It supports both web and TCP/UDP applications. Twingate offers a free tier for up to 5 users, and paid plans include advanced security features. It is known for its easy deployment and clear documentation.

Traditional VPNs (WireGuard, IPsec, OpenVPN)

For businesses that need a classic VPN, you can deploy WireGuard or IPsec on your own servers. This gives you full control and no per-user fees, but you must manage certificates, user accounts, and high availability. OpenVPN is another option, but it is slower than WireGuard. These are not zero trust by default—they grant network access, so you need to add firewalling and segmentation.

How to Choose the Right Solution

Your choice depends on your team size, technical expertise, compliance needs, and budget. Consider these steps:

1. List the applications your users need to access. If they are all web-based, a browser-based ZTNA like Cloudflare or Twingate may suffice. If you have legacy TCP/UDP apps, you need a client-based solution.
2. Assess your identity provider. Ensure the solution integrates with your existing SSO (Okta, Azure AD, Google Workspace).
3. Decide on hosting: cloud-managed (Tailscale, Cloudflare, Twingate) vs. self-hosted (OpenZiti, NetBird). Self-hosting gives control but requires maintenance.
4. Check compliance requirements. If you must keep traffic within your region or on-premises, choose a self-hosted option.
5. Estimate total cost: per-user fees, hardware, and admin time. Free tiers are great for testing but may lack features like audit logs.

Common Problems and Pitfalls

When deploying ZTNA, teams often run into these issues:

• Misconfigured DNS: If your internal DNS isn’t set up, users can’t resolve app names. Ensure your solution handles DNS or you configure split DNS.
• Port conflicts: Some solutions require specific outbound ports (e.g., 443, 3478). Make sure your firewall allows them.
• User onboarding: If you don’t integrate with your IdP, you’ll have to manually create accounts. Use SCIM or SAML to automate.
• Performance: Overhead from encryption or routing through a cloud can slow down connections. Test latency and choose a solution with edge nodes near your users.
• Policy complexity: Start with simple allow/deny rules, then add device posture checks gradually to avoid blocking legitimate users.

Cost Comparison

Pricing varies widely. Tailscale’s paid plans start at a per-user monthly fee (with a free tier for 3 users). Cloudflare Zero Trust is free for up to 50 users, then per-user monthly. Twingate has a free tier for 5 users, with paid plans per user. NetBird offers a free tier for 10 users, and paid plans add features. OpenZiti is open-source, so you pay only for your own infrastructure and support. Traditional VPNs have no per-user cost but require hardware and admin time. Always check the latest pricing on the vendor’s site, as they change.

Security Considerations

All these solutions use strong encryption (WireGuard or TLS). However, security also depends on your configuration:

• Use MFA (multi-factor authentication) for all users—most solutions integrate with your IdP.
• Enable device posture checks if available, to block devices that are out of date or jailbroken.
• Regularly audit access logs to spot unusual activity.
• Keep client software updated to patch vulnerabilities.
• For self-hosted solutions, harden your servers and apply security patches promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tailscale free for business?

Tailscale has a free tier for up to 3 users, but for business features like SSO, device posture checks, and audit logs, you need a paid plan. The free tier is fine for personal use or small tests, but not for a growing company.

Can I self-host a Tailscale alternative?

Yes. OpenZiti and NetBird can be self-hosted. You can also deploy WireGuard or OpenVPN on your own servers. Self-hosting gives you full control over data and compliance, but you must manage updates, scaling, and security.

What is the difference between VPN and ZTNA?

A traditional VPN grants access to the entire network, while ZTNA grants access to specific applications or services. ZTNA is more secure because it reduces the attack surface and enforces least-privilege access. Many modern solutions, like Tailscale and NetBird, are actually ZTNA, not just VPNs.

Do I need to replace my existing VPN?

Not necessarily. You can run ZTNA alongside a traditional VPN for legacy apps that can’t be accessed via ZTNA. However, for most modern use cases, ZTNA is more secure and easier to manage. Many businesses gradually migrate to ZTNA.

Which alternative is easiest to set up?

NetBird and Twingate are known for their simple setup—often you just install a client and sign in via SSO. Cloudflare Zero Trust is also straightforward if you already use Cloudflare. OpenZiti has a steeper learning curve but offers more flexibility.

Can I use these alternatives for remote access to on-premises servers?

Yes. All the alternatives mentioned support remote access to on-premises resources. You run a connector or agent inside your network, and users connect to it via the client. This works for web apps, SSH, RDP, and custom TCP/UDP services.

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