NetBird vs. Tailscale Comparison: Self-Hosted or Cloud?
NetBird and Tailscale are both modern mesh VPNs based on WireGuard – but they follow fundamentally different philosophies. Tailscale focuses on maximum convenience with a proprietary cloud solution, while NetBird offers complete control through open source and self-hosting.
In this comparison, we show how they differ and which solution fits which requirements best.
Table of Contents
- Overview: NetBird and Tailscale
- Technology and Architecture
- Security and Access Control
- Usability and Administration
- Cost Comparison
- Comparison Table
- When to Choose NetBird or Tailscale?
- Conclusion
- Our Services
Overview: NetBird and Tailscale
Screenshot from NetBird's cloud offering – the displayed user limitation only applies to the cloud version. Self-hosting has no limitations.
| Solution | Focus |
|---|---|
| NetBird | Open-source mesh VPN based on WireGuard with self-hostable control plane, Zero Trust approach, identity-based access control, and web admin interface |
| Tailscale | Mesh VPN based on WireGuard with centrally hosted control plane, very easy setup, and focus on plug-and-play remote access |
Both offer modern VPN/mesh functionality – yet there are clear differences in areas like hosting, control, usability, and costs.
Technology and Architecture
Similarities
Both solutions share important technical foundations:
- WireGuard as the basis: Modern VPN protocol standard with high performance, security, and efficiency
- Mesh network / Peer-to-Peer: Devices connect directly instead of through central gateways – reduces latency and improves performance
- Broad platform support: Servers, desktops, mobile, cloud, containers – both are flexible regarding OS and environment
- NAT Traversal: Automatic connection even through firewalls and NAT
Differences
The fundamental difference lies in the control plane:
| Aspect | NetBird | Tailscale |
|---|---|---|
| Control Plane | Open source, self-hostable | Proprietary, cloud-hosted |
| Client | Open Source | Open Source |
| Self-Hosting | Fully possible | Not officially supported |
| Data Sovereignty | 100% possible | Limited (cloud) |
| Management | Web UI, identity-based | Simple, but JSON policies |
NetBird: Both the client and the control/coordination server can be self-hosted. You retain complete control over infrastructure and data.
Tailscale: The control plane is proprietary and hosted exclusively by Tailscale. Self-hosting is not officially supported – only possible through alternative community projects like Headscale, which are not officially supported.
Security and Access Control
Tailscale
- WireGuard encryption: Secure, private connections between devices
- Automatic NAT traversal: Peer discovery and mesh networks even through firewalls
- Zero Trust possible: However, complex ACL policies are technically structured (JSON policy file)
- MagicDNS: Automatic DNS resolution for devices in the network
NetBird
- WireGuard + Zero Trust: Encrypted peer-to-peer tunnels with comparable security level
- Identity-based access control: Management via web UI without JSON files
- Posture Checks: Access only when devices meet security requirements
- IdP Integration: SSO with Google, Azure AD, Okta, Keycloak
- Self-Hosting: All data stays in your own environment – important for data protection and compliance
| Feature | NetBird | Tailscale |
|---|---|---|
| WireGuard Encryption | Yes | Yes |
| Zero Trust ACLs | Yes, Web UI | Yes, JSON policies |
| Posture Checks | Yes | Yes (Device Posture) |
| IdP Integration | Comprehensive | Comprehensive |
| Self-Hosted Possible | Yes | No (only Headscale) |
| Data in Own Environment | Yes | No |
Security Conclusion: Both are secure and modern. The big advantage of NetBird lies in management and governance with self-hosting – ideal for companies that prioritize control and compliance.
Usability and Administration
Tailscale: Quick and Easy
Tailscale excels with minimal setup effort:
- Install client, login – done
- Very convenient for simple networks and remote access
- Ideal for small teams, homelabs, or quick setups
- Features like Taildrop (file transfer) and Funnel (public access)
Disadvantages:
- ACL and subnet routing configuration can get complex
- Those with many devices, multiple subnets, or complex access rules must deal with JSON policies
- No self-hosting option – dependency on Tailscale infrastructure
NetBird: More Comfort with Complexity
NetBird offers more governance features:
- Web UI for management, access control, group management
- Even non-network admins can work with it
- Self-hosting or cloud-based – depending on needs
- Ideal for enterprises, DevOps teams, or MSP environments
| Aspect | NetBird | Tailscale |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Easy | Very easy |
| Web UI | Yes, comprehensive | Basic (Dashboard) |
| ACL Management | Web UI | JSON policies |
| Multi-Tenant | Yes | Limited |
| Self-Hosting | Yes | No |
| Taildrop/Funnel | No | Yes |
Usability Conclusion: For simple setups and quick remote connections, Tailscale is often sufficient. For companies with multiple users, devices, or compliance requirements, NetBird is more comfortable and secure to operate through its web management and self-hosting option.
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
Tailscale: Cloud Dependency with Costs
Tailscale works with a freemium model:
- Personal (Free): 3 users, 100 devices
- Starter: $6/user/month
- Business: $18/user/month
- Control plane is proprietary and cloud-hosted
| Aspect | NetBird Self-Hosted | Tailscale |
|---|---|---|
| License Costs | None | Paid from 3+ users |
| Per-User Fees | None | $6-18/user/month |
| Unlimited Devices | Yes | Only in Free tier (100) |
| Enterprise Features | Included | Paid |
| Infrastructure Control | Complete | None |
Cost Conclusion: For companies with many devices or long-term needs, NetBird self-hosted is economically unbeatable. Tailscale can be attractive for very small teams with the free tier, but costs rise quickly with user count.
Comparison Table
| Feature | NetBird | Tailscale |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol | WireGuard | WireGuard |
| Fully Open Source | ✅ | ❌ (client only) |
| Self-Hosting | ✅ Complete | ❌ (only Headscale) |
| Web UI (Self-Hosted) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Zero Trust ACLs | ✅ Web UI | ✅ JSON policies |
| Posture Checks | ✅ | ✅ |
| IdP Integration | ✅ Comprehensive | ✅ Comprehensive |
| Taildrop/Funnel | ❌ | ✅ |
| MagicDNS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Performance | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| User-Friendliness | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Self-Hosted Cost | Free | Not possible |
| Data Sovereignty | 100% | Limited |
When to Choose NetBird or Tailscale?
Choose NetBird if you:
- ✅ Need complete control over your infrastructure (self-hosting)
- ✅ Value data protection and compliance (GDPR, own servers)
- ✅ Want to minimize external dependencies
- ✅ Prioritize open source and auditability
- ✅ Want a web UI for easy management
- ✅ Want no ongoing license costs
- ✅ Manage multiple customers or teams (MSP)
- ✅ Operate cloud + on-prem hybrid environments
Choose Tailscale if you:
- ✅ Want the quickest start without own hosting
- ✅ Have a small team (≤3 users) that fits the free tier
- ✅ Need features like Taildrop and Funnel
- ✅ Prefer minimal administration
- ✅ Accept cloud dependency and ongoing costs
- ✅ Need simple remote connections for homelab or prototyping
Conclusion
The comparison clearly shows: NetBird and Tailscale are both strong WireGuard-based mesh VPNs, but they follow different philosophies.
NetBird excels with:
- Complete openness (100% open source)
- Self-hosting without compromises
- Web-based management for teams
- Free operation without per-user fees
- Full control over data and infrastructure
Tailscale scores with:
- Extremely easy onboarding
- Practical features (Taildrop, Funnel)
- Convenience without own infrastructure
- Good free tier for private users
For companies focused on security, data protection, costs, and control, NetBird is the better choice. The combination of WireGuard performance, Zero Trust security, complete self-hosting, and free usage is hard to beat.
Tailscale remains interesting for quick setups, prototyping, or small teams – if you're willing to accept cloud dependency and potentially rising costs.
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 Tailscale or traditional VPNs
Managed Service
- Operation of NetBird infrastructure
- Monitoring and alerting
- Security updates and patches
- Support and troubleshooting
Contact
Want to switch from Tailscale to a self-hosted solution? We're happy to advise you – no obligation, with expertise.
Further Reading and Sources
Let's Talk About Your Idea
Whether a specific IT challenge or just an idea – we look forward to the exchange. In a brief conversation, we'll evaluate together if and how your project fits with WZ-IT.
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Timo Wevelsiep & Robin Zins
CEOs of WZ-IT