Tailscale Alternatives 2026: 5 Options Compared
Find the right ztna (zero trust network access) solution for your team
Tailscale costs Free to $18 per user/month as of September 2026, with 4 plans available including a free tier. Plans: Personal (free), Standard at $8/user/month, and Premium at $18/user/month. Custom pricing is available on request. Pricing depends on your chosen tier, contract length, and negotiated discounts.
Use the interactive pricing calculator to estimate your exact cost based on team size and requirements.
- Free tier: Yes
Tailscale offers 4 pricing tiers: Personal, Standard, Premium, Enterprise. A free plan is available. Paid plans include Standard at $8/user/month, Premium at $18/user/month.
Top Tailscale alternatives as of September 2026 include Akamai Enterprise Application Access, Appgate SDP, Zscaler Private Access. Tailscale costs $0-$18/user/month. Pricing verified from 1 sources by CostBench.
Top Tailscale Alternatives
Akamai Enterprise Application Access
Medium EffortAlternative to Tailscale in the same category
Appgate SDP
Medium EffortAlternative to Tailscale in the same category
Zscaler Private Access
Medium EffortAlternative to Tailscale in the same category
Aryaka SmartSecure ZTNA
Medium EffortAlternative to Tailscale in the same category
Cato Networks ZTNA
Medium EffortAlternative to Tailscale in the same category
When to Stay with Tailscale
Tailscale is the right choice for teams that prioritize a zero-config mesh VPN with a generous free tier and straightforward per-user pricing that scales without complex licensing overhead.
- You've invested heavily in customizations and integrations
- Your team is highly trained and productive on Tailscale
- You need features that alternatives don't offer
- Migration costs would exceed multi-year savings
Price Comparison
| Product | Price Range | Migration |
|---|---|---|
| Current Tailscale | Free-$18/user/month | - |
| Akamai Enterprise Application Access | Custom pricing | medium |
| Appgate SDP | Custom pricing | medium |
| Zscaler Private Access | Custom pricing | medium |
| Aryaka SmartSecure ZTNA | Custom pricing | medium |
| Cato Networks ZTNA | Custom pricing | medium |
Frequently Asked Questions
01 What are the best Tailscale alternatives?
The top Tailscale alternatives include Akamai Enterprise Application Access, Appgate SDP, Zscaler Private Access, Aryaka SmartSecure ZTNA, Cato Networks ZTNA. Each offers different strengths: Akamai Enterprise Application Access is large enterprises requiring high-performance, globally distributed ztna with predictable enterprise licensing based on concurrent users, while Appgate SDP is organizations rolling out zero trust network access with a focus on network segmentation and identity-based perimeter security.
02 Is it hard to switch from Tailscale to an alternative?
Migration difficulty varies by alternative. Among Tailscale alternatives, some options offer easy migration paths with import tools. More complex migrations may require data cleanup and workflow reconfiguration.
03 How much can I save by switching from Tailscale?
Depending on the alternative you choose, you could save anywhere from 20% to 70% on per-user costs. Tailscale's pricing is competitive, so cost savings depend on your specific feature requirements. Factor in migration costs and productivity dip during transition.
04 Should I stay with Tailscale or switch?
Tailscale is the right choice for teams that prioritize a zero-config mesh VPN with a generous free tier and straightforward per-user pricing that scales without complex licensing overhead. However, if your needs have evolved or you're not using Tailscale's advanced features, exploring alternatives could save you money and complexity.