Ever feel like someone’s watching your every move online? You’re not alone!
With growing concerns about online privacy, tools like NordVPN and Tailscale are becoming increasingly popular.
But which one actually keeps your information safer?
Both services offer unique online privacy and security approaches, but they cater to different needs and priorities.
In this article, we’ll explain the key differences between NordVPN vs Tailscale, helping you decide which best meets your privacy needs.
Overview
To give you the most accurate comparison, we’ve rigorously tested NordVPN and Tailscale, examining their features, performance, security measures, and ease of use.
This hands-on experience lets us provide an informed perspective on the best solution for you.
NordVPN has over 5,700 servers in 60 countries and boasts an average download speed of 360 Mbps!
Pricing: 30-day money-back guarantee. Plan Starts at $3.39/month
Key Features:
- Military-grade encryption
- Threat Protection
- Dark Web Monitor
Want a simpler, more secure way to connect your devices? Tailscale is easy to set up!
Pricing: Free plan is available. Plan Starts at $5/month
Key Features:
- WireGuard protocol,
- mesh networking,
- access controls.
What is NordVPN?
You’ve probably heard of NordVPN. They’re one of the biggest names in the VPN world.
And for good reason! They offer a ton of features and have a really easy-to-use app.
Whether you are a beginner or a tech pro, you can easily set it up and get protected.
They have servers worldwide so that you can access content from almost anywhere.
Plus, they take your privacy seriously with their no-logs policy.
Also, explore our favorite NordVPN alternatives…
Our Take
NordVPN gets a 9/10 because it offers a fantastic combination of security, features, and ease of use. The massive server network and strong security features make it an excellent choice for most users
Key Benefits
- Massive server network: Boasts over 5,500 servers in 60 countries.
- Strong security: Uses AES-256 encryption and a variety of security protocols.
- Specialty servers: Offers dedicated servers for streaming, torrenting, and extra security.
- Strict no-logs policy: They don’t track your online activity.
- 30-day money-back guarantee: Plenty of time to try it risk-free.
Pricing
- Basic: $3.39/month – 1GB of free eSim Data, Secure, high-speed VPN.
- Plus: $4.39/month – 5GB of free eSim Data, Secure, high-speed VPN.
- Complete: $5.39/month – 10GB of free eSim Data, Secure, high-speed VPN.
Pros
Cons
What is Tailscale?
Tailscale is a bit different from your typical VPN. Think of it as a modern approach to network security.
It creates a secure network between your devices, like your phone, laptop, and smart home gadgets.
It’s super easy to set up. No complicated configurations are needed.
You basically install it, and it just works.
It’s perfect for people who want to access their devices remotely or share files securely with family or friends.
Also, explore our favorite Tailscale alternatives…
Our Take
Streamline your network access and enhance security with Tailscale. Begin a free trial today and explore the seamless connectivity and advanced features that Tailscale provides.
Key Benefits
- Simple setup: Get started in minutes; no complex configurations needed.
- Strong security: Uses the WireGuard protocol for robust encryption.
- Mesh networking: Devices connect directly to each other for faster speeds.
- Access controls: Control who has access to what is on your network.
- Works everywhere: Connect devices across different networks and locations.
Pricing
- Personal: $0/month
- Personal Plus: $5/month
- Starter: $6/month
- Premium: $18/month
- Enterprise: Custom Pricing
Pros
Cons
Feature Comparison
Let’s dive deeper and compare NordVPN and Tailscale head-to-head across key features.
This will help you see how they stack up against each other and make an informed decision.
1. Security
- NordVPN: Employs AES-256-bit encryption, the industry standard for data protection. It also offers advanced security features like Double VPN (routing your traffic through two servers for extra encryption) and a kill switch to prevent data leaks if the VPN connection drops.
- Tailscale: Uses WireGuard, a modern and highly secure VPN protocol known for its speed and efficiency. It also implements a “zero trust” security model, meaning every device and user is authenticated before accessing the network.
2. Privacy
- NordVPN: Has a strict no-logs policy, meaning they don’t track your online activity or store any data about your browsing history. They are based in Panama, a country with favorable privacy laws.
- Tailscale: Minimizes data collection and focuses on providing a private network for your devices. They don’t log your browsing activity or traffic content.
3. Network and Servers
- NordVPN: Boasts a vast network of 5700+ servers in 60 countries. This gives you plenty of options for bypassing geo-restrictions and finding fast connections.
- Tailscale: Focuses on creating a mesh network between your devices, allowing them to connect directly to each other. This results in faster speeds and improved reliability, especially for local network access.
4. Speed and Performance
- NordVPN: Generally offers fast speeds suitable for streaming and downloading. However, speeds can vary depending on the server location and your internet connection.
- Tailscale: Excels at providing fast and reliable connections between devices on your private network. Since it uses mesh networking, devices can communicate directly without relying on a central server.
5. Ease of Use
- NordVPN: Provides user-friendly apps for all major platforms. It’s easy to install and use, even for beginners. You can connect to a server with just a few clicks.
- Tailscale: Is known for its incredibly simple setup. You can often connect devices to your private network by simply scanning a QR code. It requires minimal configuration and works seamlessly across different devices.
6. Pricing
- NordVPN: Offers various subscription plans starting at $3.49/month. They also provide a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Tailscale offers a free plan for personal use that allows you to connect up to 20 devices. Paid plans with advanced features start at $10/user/month.
7. Customer Support
- NordVPN provides 24/7 customer support through live chat and email. It also has a comprehensive knowledge base with helpful articles and tutorials.
- Tailscale Offers support through email and a community forum. It also has extensive documentation and a helpful blog with articles and guides.
What to Look for When Choosing a Secure Networking Solution?
When you’re trying to find the right vpn provider, you need to consider a few things.
It’s more than just picking a name you recognize from a nordvpn review.
You have to think about how you plan to use it and what you want to protect.
- Privacy and Security: Look for a service with a strict no-logs policy that has been verified. Also, check the vpn protocols it supports. Features like encrypted cloud storage or protection for the tor network are big pluses.
- Performance: A good VPN should have plenty of vpn servers so you don’t get a slow connection. A lot of nordvpn servers are specifically optimized for speed.
- Accessibility: Is the service easy to use? The nordvpn app is known for being very user-friendly. Can you install tailscale and get it running on your own devices quickly?
- Functionality: Do you need a service for general internet privacy or for a specific use case, like remote access to your home network? For that, services that use subnet router and exit nodes like Tailscale are a great option.
- User Management: For a business or a large family, look at how the service handles new and other clients. The tailscale app makes it easy to add new users and manage access.
Final Verdict
So, which one comes out on top? For most people, we recommend NordVPN.
It’s a reliable and versatile VPN that’s great for everyday use. NordVPN encrypts your internet traffic and helps you stay anonymous online.
It’s easy to use, has many servers worldwide, and works with popular streaming services like Netflix.
Plus, it offers extra features like Threat Protection to block those annoying ads and malware.
However, Tailscale is a fantastic choice to create a secure private network between your devices.
It’s like having your own little internet where you can easily share files and access your devices anywhere.
Imagine accessing your home computer’s files from your mobile phone without worrying about security! That’s what Tailscale offers.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and use case.
We’ve tested both extensively so that you can trust our recommendation!
More of NordVPN
We’ve looked at NordVPN alternatives, so how does NordVPN stack up directly against them?
Here’s a quick comparison:
- NordVPN vs PureVPN: PureVPN can be more affordable, but NordVPN is generally seen as more reliable with a larger server network and better streaming capabilities.
- NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Both are top-tier, but NordVPN often comes out slightly ahead with more features and sometimes better speeds for the price.
- NordVPN vs SurfsharkVPN: Surfshark allows unlimited connections and is often cheaper for long-term plans, while NordVPN boasts a larger server count and sometimes faster speeds.
- NordVPN vs ProtonVPN: ProtonVPN focuses strongly on privacy and even offers a free plan, but NordVPN tends to have more features, better speeds, and wider server availability.
- NordVPN vs PrivadoVPN: PrivadoVPN is a newer option that’s often budget-friendly, but NordVPN has a more established reputation, larger server network, and more advanced features.
- NordVPN vs AdGuard VPN: AdGuard VPN integrates with an ad blocker, which is unique. NordVPN is a more comprehensive VPN with a wider range of servers and features.
- NordVPN vs Virtual Shield: Virtual Shield aims for simplicity. NordVPN offers more advanced features and customization options.
- NordVPN vs StrongVPN: StrongVPN is known for strong encryption. NordVPN offers a larger server network and a broader feature set.
- NordVPN vs FastestVPN: FastestVPN is budget-friendly. NordVPN is generally faster and has more features.
- NordVPN vs AuraVPN: AuraVPN includes identity theft protection. NordVPN focuses on VPN features and often has better performance.
- NordVPN vs CyberGhost: CyberGhost is user-friendly with specialized servers. NordVPN often has better speeds and more advanced features.
- NordVPN vs McAfee VPN: McAfee VPN is bundled with security software. NordVPN is a dedicated VPN service with more extensive features and better performance.
- NordVPN vs Private Internet Access: PIA is known for privacy and customization. NordVPN often has a more user-friendly interface and better streaming capabilities.
- NordVPN vs Mysterium: Mysterium is a decentralized VPN. NordVPN uses a traditional server network known for its speed and reliability.
More of Tailscale
We’ve explored alternatives to Tailscale, so how does Tailscale stack up directly against them?
- Tailscale vs NordVPN: Tailscale creates a zero-trust private network, while NordVPN provides general online privacy and security.
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tailscale a VPN?
While it functions similarly to a VPN, Tailscale is technically a zero-trust mesh network. It creates a secure private network between your devices using the WireGuard protocol. Unlike traditional VPNs, it doesn’t route all your traffic through an exit node.
Can I use Tailscale with NordVPN?
Yes, you can use Tailscale and NordVPN together. They serve different purposes. NordVPN encrypts your internet traffic and masks your IP address, while Tailscale allows you to access devices on your private network securely.
How does Tailscale compare to ZeroTier?
Both Tailscale and ZeroTier are open-source tools for creating virtual private networks. Tailscale is generally more user-friendly, while ZeroTier offers more advanced customization options.
Does Tailscale keep logs?
Tailscale has a transparent privacy policy and minimizes data collection. They may keep some logs for operational purposes, such as debugging and service improvement, but they don’t log your browsing activity or traffic content.
How do I update Tailscale?
Tailscale automatically updates itself in the background, ensuring you always have the latest version with the newest features and security enhancements. You can also manually check for updates within the Tailscale interface.
