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VPN HubAlternative to Tailscale / Twingate / ZeroTier (B2B)
Many business VPN/Zero-Trust tools start cheap – until teams grow and per-seat / per-device fees explode. In this hub you'll find our comparisons (NetBird vs. Tailscale, Twingate, ZeroTier, Enclave) incl. pricing, SSO/policies, rollout and EU/DE hosting.
Quick Comparison
| NetBird | Tailscale | Twingate | ZeroTier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Flat / Self-Host | Per-Seat | Per-Seat | Freemium |
| Self-Hosted Option | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| SSO / Policies | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Limited |
| EU/DE Hosting Option | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Parallel Operation / Migration | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Comparison Articles
Glossary
FAQ
Is NetBird a real alternative to Tailscale for enterprises?
Yes. NetBird offers the same WireGuard mesh features as Tailscale but can be fully self-hosted. This eliminates per-seat license costs and ensures data never leaves your own infrastructure.
What is a WireGuard Mesh VPN?
A mesh VPN connects all devices directly to each other (peer-to-peer) instead of through a central server. WireGuard is the modern protocol behind it – faster than OpenVPN, easier to configure than IPsec.
How does migration work without downtime?
NetBird can run in parallel with your existing VPN. Clients are migrated gradually, so no big-bang switch is required and no downtime occurs.
Do I need open ports or static IPs?
In most cases, no. NetBird works behind firewalls typically without port forwarding or static IPs. For restrictive networks, a relay server is automatically used as fallback.
What's the difference to classic OpenVPN/IPsec?
WireGuard is very compact (per the WireGuard whitepaper <4,000 lines, excluding crypto primitives). This makes it easier to audit, faster to connect, and requires no complex PKI infrastructure. Mobile clients benefit from better battery life.
Which identity providers are supported?
NetBird supports Azure AD, Okta, Google Workspace, Keycloak, and any OIDC/SAML-compatible provider. Without an existing IdP, Zitadel can be used as an open-source alternative.
All VPN Articles
Tailscale Alternative for Enterprises: When Does Switching Make Sense?
When your VPN costs grow with every new employee or device, switching typically makes sense from about 9 seats (at $18/seat) toward a flatrate model....
NetBird vs. Twingate Comparison: Self-Hosted or Cloud ZTNA?
NetBird and Twingate are both modern Zero-Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solutions aiming to replace traditional VPNs. But while Twingate relies on a proprietary cloud solution...
VPN Cost per User/Device: When Per-Seat Pricing Gets Expensive
Many modern business VPN and ZTNA tools feel cheap at first: quick setup, SSO/policies, "easy" remote access. The problem: The bill scales linearly with your...
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...
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...
NetBird vs. ZeroTier Comparison: Which Mesh VPN is the Better Choice?
Traditional VPNs with central gateways are reaching their limits in modern IT environments. Mesh VPNs like NetBird and ZeroTier offer a contemporary approach: direct peer-to-peer...
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