NetBird vs. Enclave Comparison: Open Source or Managed ZTNA?

NetBird and Enclave are both modern alternatives to traditional VPNs – but they follow different approaches. NetBird focuses on open source and complete self-hosting, while Enclave offers a proprietary Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) platform with a focus on microsegmentation.

In this comparison, we show how they differ and which solution is better suited for which requirements.

Table of Contents

• Overview: NetBird and Enclave
• Similarities
• Technology and Architecture
  • NetBird: WireGuard-based and Open Source
  • Enclave: Proprietary ZTNA Platform
• Security and Access Control
• Self-Hosting and Data Sovereignty
• Cost Comparison
• Comparison Table
• When to Choose NetBird or Enclave?
• Conclusion
• Our Services

Overview: NetBird and Enclave

Screenshot from NetBird's cloud offering – the displayed user limitation only applies to the cloud version. Self-hosting has no limitations.

Both solutions aim to replace traditional VPNs – with different emphases on openness, control, and security features.

Similarities

Despite different philosophies, NetBird and Enclave share important fundamental principles:

• Overlay/Mesh Network: Both enable direct peer-to-peer connections without a central VPN gateway as bottleneck
• Zero Trust Principle: Access only after authentication, not automatically to the entire network
• Platform Independence: Clients/agents run on workstations, servers, cloud VMs, containers, and more
• No Firewall Changes Required: Connections are established from inside out, no incoming ports required
• Ideal for Distributed Infrastructure: Hybrid cloud, multi-cloud, on-prem + cloud, remote work, IoT

Technology and Architecture

NetBird: WireGuard-based and Open Source

NetBird uses WireGuard as its cryptographic foundation – the most modern VPN protocol with excellent performance:

• Kernel Integration: On Linux, WireGuard runs directly in the kernel for maximum speed
• Modern Crypto Stack: ChaCha20, Curve25519, BLAKE2s
• Minimal Code: ~4,000 lines vs. ~100,000 for OpenVPN – smaller attack surface
• Fast Connection Setup: Handshake in milliseconds

Particularly important: NetBird is fully open source under the BSD-3-Clause license. The entire code – client, server, and management plane – is available on GitHub and can be self-hosted.

Enclave: Proprietary ZTNA Platform

Enclave describes itself as a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) platform:

• Agent-based Architecture: Each device requires an Enclave agent
• "Dark" Systems: All systems are invisible from outside, no open ports
• Central Policy Engine: Management and access control via Enclave platform
• Proprietary Protocol: Not WireGuard, but proprietary encryption

Security and Access Control

NetBird: Identity-Based Access Control

NetBird offers a Zero Trust approach with identity-based access:

• SSO/MFA Integration: Google, Azure AD, Okta, Keycloak
• Granular ACLs: Detailed rules for devices and users
• Posture Checks: Access only when security requirements are met
• Device Approval: Explicit approval of new devices
• Audit Logging: Complete logging

Enclave: Microsegmentation

Enclave strongly emphasizes microsegmentation:

• Fine-grained Access Control: Which device can access which resource
• "Need-to-know" Principle: No automatic access to the entire network
• Dynamic Policies: Access based on conditions and roles
• Zero-Trust-First: Devices are unreachable by default

Security Conclusion: Enclave offers more options for very fine-grained access control and microsegmentation. NetBird provides solid Zero Trust security with simpler management – more than sufficient for most businesses.

Self-Hosting and Data Sovereignty

This is the fundamental difference between both solutions:

NetBird: Complete Self-Hosting

NetBird can be completely operated on your own infrastructure:

• Management Server
• Signal Server (for NAT traversal)
• TURN Server (for relay connections)
• Dashboard UI

After installation, there is no connection to NetBird servers – full data sovereignty. The entire code is open source and auditable.

Enclave: Managed Platform

With Enclave, self-hosting is not officially supported:

• Agents run locally on devices
• Policy engine and management are hosted by Enclave
• Dependency on Enclave infrastructure

Conclusion: For companies with compliance requirements (GDPR, ISO27001, healthcare, financial sector, government), NetBird has a clear advantage through complete self-hosting.

Cost Comparison

NetBird: Self-Hosted = Free

Self-hosted NetBird is completely free – no license fees, no per-user fees, no hidden costs.

• Self-Hosted: Free, unlimited users and devices
• Only operating costs of your own infrastructure
• All enterprise features included

Enclave: Commercial License Model

Enclave works with a subscription model:

• Ongoing license costs
• Costs scale with number of devices/users
• Managed service and support included

Cost Conclusion: For companies with many devices or long-term needs, NetBird self-hosted is economically unbeatable. Enclave can make sense if you want to avoid self-hosting effort and need commercial support.

Comparison Table

When to Choose NetBird or Enclave?

Choose NetBird if you:

• ✅ Need complete control over your infrastructure (self-hosting)
• ✅ Value data protection and compliance (GDPR, ISO27001)
• ✅ Want no vendor dependency
• ✅ Prioritize open source and auditability
• ✅ Want a modern web UI for easy management
• ✅ Want no ongoing license costs
• ✅ Are looking for a cost-effective solution for many devices
• ✅ Manage multiple customers or teams (MSP)

Choose Enclave if you:

• ✅ Need very fine-grained microsegmentation as a core feature
• ✅ Have highest security requirements with "need-to-know" network structure
• ✅ Prefer a fully managed platform without self-hosting effort
• ✅ Need commercial support and SLAs
• ✅ Want to centrally manage complex heterogeneous infrastructure (cloud, multi-cloud, IoT/OT, legacy)
• ✅ Accept ongoing costs and vendor dependency

Conclusion

The comparison clearly shows: NetBird and Enclave address similar problems, but follow different philosophies.

NetBird excels with:

• Complete openness (100% open source)
• Self-hosting without compromises
• WireGuard performance
• Free operation without per-user fees
• Full control over data and infrastructure
• No vendor lock-in

Enclave scores with:

• Very fine-grained microsegmentation
• Zero-Trust-First architecture
• Managed platform without self-hosting effort
• Commercial support

For most SMBs, service providers, and IT consultants – especially those focused on cost control, flexibility, and control over their own infrastructure – NetBird is the better choice. The combination of WireGuard performance, Zero Trust security, complete self-hosting, and free usage is hard to beat.

Enclave can make sense for companies with very high security requirements and complex microsegmentation needs – if you're willing to accept ongoing costs and vendor dependency.

Our Services

As an experienced IT service provider, we support you with evaluation, implementation, and operation of NetBird:

Consulting and Conception

• Analysis of your network requirements
• Zero Trust strategy development

Installation and Setup

• Self-hosted NetBird deployment (Docker, Kubernetes, bare-metal)
• Integration with existing identity providers (Azure AD, Okta, Keycloak)
• Access control configuration and policy design
• Migration from traditional VPNs

Managed Service

• Operation of NetBird infrastructure
• Monitoring and alerting
• Security updates and patches
• Support and troubleshooting

Contact

Looking for a modern VPN alternative with full control? We're happy to advise you – no obligation, with expertise.

Schedule a Consultation →

Further Reading and Sources

• NetBird Documentation
• NetBird GitHub Repository
• NetBird vs. Traditional VPN
• Enclave Documentation
• Enclave - How it works
• WireGuard Whitepaper