Tailscale Review: VPN Service For Secure Networks in 2025?

Tired of complicated VPN setups and confusing network configurations?

Tailscale offers a refreshingly simple approach to secure network access.

Imagine accessing your work computer or home server from anywhere with just a few clicks.

That’s the power of Tailscale.

In this Tailscale review, we’ll dive deep into its features, pricing, & overall user experience to help you decide if it’s the right solution for you.

What is Tailscale?

Tailscale is like a magic tunnel for your computers and phones.

It lets them connect securely over the internet, even in different places.

This is super helpful for remote access, like when you need to grab a file from your home computer at a coffee shop.

Instead of messing with complicated settings, Tailscale makes secure networking easy.

It’s like a modern VPN but way more straightforward.

You install Tailscale on your devices, and they can instantly see and talk to each other.

This is great for sharing files, playing games with friends, or working from anywhere.

Tailscale also boosts your network security.

It’s like having a secret handshake that only your devices know. This keeps your data safe from snoopers and hackers.

Who Created Tailscale?

Tailscale was dreamt up in 2019 by a group of engineers, including Avery Pennarun, who used to work at Google.

They knew how tricky it could be to connect computers securely, mainly when they used different operating systems, such as Windows and macOS.

So, they created Tailscale to make things easier.

Their vision was to build a simple and secure way for anyone to connect their devices without needing to be a computer expert.

They wanted to create a world where network traffic worked, no matter where you were or what device you used.

It all starts by installing the Tailscale app.

Top Benefits of Tailscale

• Easy Setup: Forget complex configurations! New users can have Tailscale up and running in minutes. The Tailscale client is simple to install and intuitive, making secure networking accessible to everyone.
• Strong Security: Tailscale encrypts all your network traffic, protecting your data from prying eyes. It’s like having a private network, even when using public Wi-Fi.
• Seamless Connectivity: Access other devices like they’re on your local network, no matter where you are. You could easily share files, printers, & other resources with colleagues or family members.
• Works Everywhere: Tailscale works across various operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android) so you can connect all your devices.
• Mesh Networking: Tailscale creates a mesh network where every device can talk directly to other clients, eliminating single points of failure & improving network performance.
• Flexible Network Control: Features like subnet routers and exit nodes give you granular control over your network’s operation. You can even route traffic through a specific device, like your home server or a Google Cloud instance.
• Great for Teams: Tailscale is perfect for teams of all sizes, with features like access controls and centralized administration. File bugs and collaborate on projects seamlessly, no matter where your team members are located.
• Free Plan Available: Free users get access to many of Tailscale’s core features, making it an excellent option for individuals and small teams. You can explore the power of Tailscale without any upfront cost.
• Multiple Exit Nodes: Route your internet traffic through different exit nodes to optimize performance or bypass geo-restrictions. This gives you more control over your online experience.

Best Features of Tailscale

Tailscale isn’t just a simple VPN; it’s packed with incredible features that make it super powerful and flexible.

Let’s take a look at some of the things that make Tailscale stand out:

1. Remote Access

Remember that “magic tunnel” we talked about?

That’s Tailscale’s remote access in action. It’s like having a super long cable that connects your devices, even if they’re miles apart.

Need to grab a file from your work computer while you’re on vacation?

No problem! Tailscale lets you access it securely, just like you were sitting right in front of it.

2. Site-to-Site Networking

Imagine you have two offices in different cities.

With Tailscale, you can connect their networks, making it feel like everyone’s in the same building.

This site-to-site networking is super helpful for sharing resources and collaborating between locations. It’s like having one giant network, no matter where your offices are.

3. Multi-Cloud Networking

Do you use different cloud providers like Amazon or Google?

Tailscale can connect your devices across these different clouds, making managing and accessing your resources easy.

Multi-cloud networking with Tailscale is like having a universal remote for all your cloud stuff.

4. Kubernetes

If you’re into more advanced stuff like Kubernetes (a tool for managing apps), Tailscale plays nicely with that, too!

It can help you connect your Kubernetes clusters and make them more secure.

Think of it as a secret handshake for your apps, ensuring only the right ones can talk to each other.

5. Edge & IoT Deployments

Tailscale even works with smart devices in your home, like your thermostat or security cameras. This is called edge and IoT deployments.

It’s like giving your smart home a secure way to talk to your phone, even when you’re not home.

You can control your lights or check your security cameras from anywhere, knowing everything is safe and sound.

Pricing

Plan	Price	Key Features
Personal	$0/month	3
Personal Plus	$5/month	6
Starter	$6/month	Unlimited
Premium	$18/month	Unlimited
Enterprise	Custom Pricing	Unlimited

Pros and Cons

Before making any decisions, weighing the positives and negatives is always a good idea.

Let’s take a balanced look at what makes Tailscale shine and where it might fall a bit short.

Alternatives to Tailscale

Here are some alternatives to Tailscale you might consider:

• NordVPN: Offers its Meshnet feature, allowing secure connections between devices in a private network, similar to Tailscale.
• ExpressVPN: Provides a MediaStreamer feature for accessing content on devices that don’t support VPNs, enabling a form of device-to-device connection.
• PureVPN: Offers port forwarding, which can facilitate direct connections between devices for specific applications.
• SurfsharkVPN: Includes a Nexus feature that aims to enhance network stability and may offer future device linking capabilities.
• ProtonVPN: Allows for multiple simultaneous connections and secure connections to servers, which can indirectly facilitate device-to-device access through their network.
• PrivadoVPN focuses on secure and private connections, which can be used to establish links between devices.
• AdGuard VPN: This service is primarily for privacy and ad blocking, but also secures connections between devices and their servers.
• Virtual Shield: Offers secure VPN connections that can be used to link your devices through their network.
• StrongVPN: Provides secure and reliable connections, which can be used to create a private network between your devices.
• FastestVPN: Offers secure connections across multiple devices, enabling a form of private network.
• AuraVPN: Includes VPN services as part of a broader security suite, securing connections between your devices.
• CyberGhost: Allows multiple simultaneous connections and secure access to their servers, which can indirectly link your devices.
• McAfee VPN: Secures your internet connection on multiple devices within its network.
• Private Internet Access: Offers secure connections and port forwarding, enabling direct links between your devices.
• Mysterium: This operates as a decentralized VPN, connecting you through other users’ devices and offering a different approach to device linking.

Tailscale Compared

We’ve explored alternatives to Tailscale, so how does Tailscale stack up directly against them?

• Tailscale vs NordVPN: NordVPN’s Meshnet offers a similar secure device-to-device connection within a private network, while Tailscale is primarily focused on this functionality.
• Tailscale vs ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer provides some device linking for content access, but Tailscale offers a more comprehensive private network solution.
• Tailscale vs PureVPN: PureVPN’s port forwarding can enable direct device connections for specific uses, whereas Tailscale creates a seamless private network.
• Tailscale vs SurfsharkVPN: Surfshark’s Nexus aims to enhance the network, but Tailscale is specifically designed to create a private network between devices easily.
• Tailscale vs ProtonVPN: ProtonVPN allows secure server connections, but Tailscale directly links your devices in a private network.
• Tailscale vs PrivadoVPN: PrivadoVPN secures connections, but Tailscale’s core function is to create a simple, private network between your devices.
• Tailscale vs AdGuard VPN: AdGuard VPN focuses on privacy and ad blocking, while Tailscale’s strength is in creating direct, secure device-to-device networks.
• Tailscale vs Virtual Shield: Virtual Shield offers secure VPN connections, but Tailscale is built to create a cohesive private network.
• Tailscale vs StrongVPN: StrongVPN provides secure connections, but Tailscale simplifies creating a private network between devices.
• Tailscale vs FastestVPN: FastestVPN secures connections, while Tailscale’s focus is on creating an easy-to-manage private network.
• Tailscale vs AuraVPN: AuraVPN offers a security suite including VPN, while Tailscale specializes in creating secure, private device networks.
• Tailscale vs CyberGhost: CyberGhost allows multiple secure connections to its servers, while Tailscale creates a direct private network between your devices.
• Tailscale vs McAfee VPN: McAfee VPN secures your devices’ internet connection, while Tailscale creates a private network for direct device linking.
• Tailscale vs Private Internet Access: PIA offers secure connections and port forwarding, while Tailscale provides a more streamlined approach to creating a private device network.
• Tailscale vs Mysterium: Mysterium is a decentralized VPN that connects through other users, while Tailscale creates a private network directly between your trusted devices.

Personal Experience with Tailscale

My team was scattered all over the country. We needed a way to share files and work together easily, like we were in the same office.

That’s when we found Tailscale. It was surprisingly easy to set up.

We just installed the app on our computers, and boom! We were instantly connected, like magic.

Tailscale felt like we had our own little private internet. We could access each other’s files and even use our office printer from home.

It was super secure too, so we didn’t have to worry about anyone snooping on our work.

Here’s what we loved about Tailscale:

• Simple setup: It took just a few minutes to get everyone connected.
• Remote access: We could access our work computers from anywhere.
• Secure connection: Our files and data were always protected.
• Easy file sharing: Sharing project files was a breeze.
• Improved collaboration: We felt more connected as a team, even though we were miles apart.

Tailscale really helped us work together more efficiently.

It was like we were all in the same room, even though we were spread out across the country.

If you’re looking for a simple and secure way to connect your team, I highly recommend giving Tailscale a try.

Final Thoughts

Tailscale offers a refreshingly simple approach to secure networking.

It’s perfect for individuals and teams who need easy remote access, seamless file sharing, and robust security.

With its user-friendly interface, cross-platform compatibility, and affordable pricing, Tailscale makes it easy to connect all your devices and collaborate from anywhere.

While the free plan provides a great starting point, consider upgrading to a paid plan for advanced features and increased control.

If you’re looking for a reliable and secure way to enhance your network, give Tailscale a try.

Visit their website today to explore their plans & start your free trial!

Frequently Asked Questions