Best Tailscale alternatives in 2026

Looking for an alternative to Tailscale? Whether you've outgrown it, find the pricing steep, or just want to weigh your options, these are the strongest vpn alternatives in 2026 — ranked on pricing, features, and who each one fits best. Tailscale itself has a free tier, so we've flagged where each option is cheaper, simpler, or more specialized.

1
Twingate
Best for: startups
Modern zero trust replacement for VPN A popular vpn alternative to Tailscale with a genuinely usable free tier — free – $10/user/mo. Particularly strong for startups.
4.7Free – $10/user/moVisit
2
Perimeter 81
Best for: smb
If Tailscale feels like overkill or over-budget, Perimeter 81 is a leaner option. Cloud VPN and zero trust network access Pricing: from $8/user/mo.
4.6From $8/user/moVisit
3
NordLayer
Best for: smb
NordLayer goes head-to-head with Tailscale on features. Business VPN and network access security Best suited to smb. From $8/user/mo.
4.5From $8/user/moVisit
4
NordVPN
Best for: privacy-conscious
A well-rated vpn pick. Fast, security-focused VPN. NordVPN starts at from $3.49/mo, making it a credible Tailscale replacement.
4.4From $3.49/moVisit
5
Proton VPN
Best for: privacy-conscious
Secure VPN with a genuinely free tier. A popular vpn alternative to Tailscale with a genuinely usable free tier — free – $9.99/mo. Particularly strong for privacy-conscious.
4.6Free – $9.99/moVisit
6
Mullvad VPN
Best for: privacy-conscious
If Tailscale feels like overkill or over-budget, Mullvad VPN is a leaner option. Privacy-first VPN with flat pricing. Pricing: from $5.50/mo.
4.6From $5.50/moVisit
7
ExpressVPN
Best for: travelers
ExpressVPN goes head-to-head with Tailscale on features. Fast, reliable VPN with wide server coverage. Best suited to travelers. From $6.70/mo.
4.5From $6.70/moVisit
8
Surfshark
Best for: budget-conscious
A well-rated vpn pick. Affordable VPN with unlimited devices. Surfshark starts at from $2.50/mo, making it a credible Tailscale replacement.
4.4From $2.50/moVisit

Still considering Tailscale itself? Read our Tailscale review →

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Tailscale alternative?

Twingate is our top-rated Tailscale alternative for 2026. Modern zero trust replacement for VPN Free – $10/user/mo.

Is there a free Tailscale alternative?

Yes — Twingate, Proton VPN all offer a free tier you can start on without a credit card.

Why switch from Tailscale?

Common reasons are price, a simpler feature set, better fit for a specific use case, or platform support. Each tool above notes where it has an edge over Tailscale.