Third-party reviews: Tailscale alternatives and competitors

With the rise in cyber-attacks, choosing the right tool to protect your organization is crucial. The best tool for you depends on the features you need, your IT team's capabilities, budget, and other factors. Tailscale is one option offering Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) features. This article reviews Tailscale's competitors and alternatives, comparing secure network access solutions and VPNs with other popular options.

Overview of Tailscale

Tailscale focuses on securely connecting users, services, and devices for remote access. It uses WireGuard, an open-source protocol, to create secure VPN connections. Due to its high-speed cryptography and integration within the Linux kernel, WireGuard is faster than older protocols like IPsec and OpenVPN.

While some users see Tailscale's B2C offering as just a more user-friendly version of WireGuard, its offering for organizations includes additional features. Tailscale's Zero Trust features and VPN support remote work and protect segmented networks.

Most mentioned product strengths

Tailscale has several notable features that make it popular for remote access and network security:

1. WireGuard protocol which ensures fast and secure connections
2. Multi-factor authentication makes systems more secure
3. End-to-end encryption protects network traffic 
4. Device sharing feature helps in troubleshooting

Most mentioned overall product benefits of Tailscale

Here’s what users enjoy about the software:

1. Easy to set up
2. User-friendly
3. Fast because it uses WireGuard
4. Offers a free trial

Tailscale's limitations

Tailscale's limitations, according to the review platforms, are:

1. Limited security and compliance features for enterprise needs
2. Payment by invoice is only available for the Enterprise plan
3. Requires opening ports on corporate firewalls

Let’s look now at Tailscale alternatives.

Disclaimer: This product review is based on information provided on VPN review sites and forum social networks such as G2 and Reddit and assessed customer feedback shared on these platforms, accessed on August 5, 2024.

NordLayer

Overview of NordLayer

NordLayer is a network protection solution that provides secure access to company resources from anywhere. It boosts network security, supports remote work, and helps achieve compliance. NordLayer is a multi-layered network protection tool from Nord Security, the creators of NordVPN, a widely used VPN service. 

NordLayer helps organizations adopt Firewall as a Service (FWaaS), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and Secure Web Gateway (SWG) principles, focusing on the Secure Service Edge (SSE). It provides SaaS security features for internet, resource, and network access control. 

NordLayer is flexible and scalable, making it a good fit for businesses of all sizes. 

Product strengths

The solution enhances network security with several capabilities:

1. ZTNA features, such as Cloud Firewall, Device Posture Security, Virtual Private Gateways, etc., allow only authorized users and devices to access the network
2. Encryption and a set of SWG features for safe browsing, like DNS filtering and ThreatBlock, make internet access more secure
3. Establishes a reliable remote connection to hybrid networks and remote devices, enabling secure remote work 
4. Offers strong identity and access management solutions that include Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Single Sign-On (SSO), and user provisioning

Product benefits of NordLayer

The solution's strengths include:

1. Easy integration with the existing infrastructure
2. Fast setup (only 10 minutes)
3. User-friendly Control Panel
4. Requires no hardware and is easy to maintain
5. Offers 14-day money-back guarantee

Unique offering of NordLayer

NordLayer provides unique advantages that differentiate it from its competitors.

1. High-performance 24/7 support available with all plans
2. Proactive help during onboarding, troubleshooting, and scaling
3. Browser Extension for better performance and extended secure device perimeter
4. ThreatBlock, protecting against malicious sites
5. Quarterly follow-ups for better product usage and adoption
6. Customer-centric product development with client feedback shaping the roadmap
7. NordLynx protocol, built around the WireGuard® protocol. It uses a double Network Address Translation system, allowing secure connections to VPN servers without storing any identifiable data

NordLayer's limitations

NordLayer has some limitations:

1. It can be expensive for smaller businesses
2. Requires a minimum of 5 seats
3. Specialized providers may be more affordable for customers needing only one function

NordLayer reviews

For an objective product evaluation, we will consult major VPN review sites such as Gartner, Capterra, and Cybernews and analyze client feedback from these sources.

Here’s what users appreciate about NordLayer: 

For details on NordLayer's secure network access features and plans, check our pricing.

GoodAccess

Overview of GoodAccess

GoodAccess positions itself as 'Zero Trust Architecture as a Service' for small and medium enterprises. The tool offers a software-defined perimeter, business VPN, secure web gateway, Zero Trust Network Access, remote access VPN, and security compliance.

Most mentioned product strengths

Here’s what users mentioned most in their positive reviews:

1. VPN
2. Static IP addresses
3. Cloud-based platform
4. Secure access from any physical location

Most mentioned overall product benefits of GoodAccess

GoodAccess provides several benefits:

1. Ease of use
2. Simple implementation
3. Strong customer support
4. Reliable

GoodAccess's limitations

Users also weren’t happy about these things:

1. High price
2. Only one mobile device and one tablet/PC can use the connection at a time
3. Limited features
4. Lacking reporting capabilities
5. High scaling costs when adding extra gateways
6. Viewing credentials in the account management portal resets the user’s password

Disclaimer: This product review is based on information provided on VPN review sites such as Gartner, Capterra and G2 and assessed customer feedback shared on these platforms, accessed on August 5, 2024.

Twingate

Overview of Twingate

Twingate uses Zero Trust to improve remote access security, offering a safer alternative to traditional VPNs. It is easy to set up and manage. Twingate supports remote teams and offers responsive customer support to meet secure access needs.

Most mentioned product strengths

Twingate offers several capabilities to enhance network security:

1. Provides Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) features and Secure Web Gateway (SWG)
2. Granular control of access and visibility into who accesses the network
3. Detailed Access Control Lists control permissions

Most mentioned overall product benefits of Twingate

Twingate offers several benefits:

1. Easy to implement, use, and manage; no networking knowledge required
2. Transparent routing and access for end users

Twingate's limitations

Twingate has some weaknesses:

1. Sometimes causes disruptions for users; stability needs improvement
2. No Linux VPN client, only supports MacOS
3. Admin interface needs better UX design

Disclaimer: This product review is based on information provided on VPN review sites such as Gartner, Reddit and G2 and assessed customer feedback shared on these platforms, accessed on August 5, 2024.

OpenVPN

Overview of OpenVPN

OpenVPN is a popular open-source VPN solution known for its flexibility and security. Widely used by businesses, it helps to secure remote access by encrypting network traffic and protecting privacy. It allows employees to access main office systems remotely.

Most mentioned product strengths

OpenVPN offers several capabilities:

1. Secure remote access
2. Strong encryption 
3. Additional features, like connection stats and connecting via URL

Most mentioned overall product benefits of OpenVPN

OpenVPN provides several benefits.

1. Trusted by many businesses
2. Well-written documentation

OpenVPN's limitations

OpenVPN has some weaknesses.

1. Slower than the WireGuard protocol
2. Confusing admin GUI
3. High cost for advanced features
4. Difficult to reset multi-factor authentication for users who lose their phone
5. Lacks additional ZTNA features, making it less comprehensive for businesses needing advanced solutions

Disclaimer: This product review is based on information provided on VPN review sites such as G2 and Capterra and assessed customer feedback shared on these platforms, accessed on August 5, 2024.

Choosing the right solution for securing local networks and protecting your team can be challenging. Decision-makers often struggle with where to begin.

NordLayer offers a Decision Maker’s Kit, a free resource designed to help you build a strategy for selecting the most suitable solution for your organization. This kit provides step-by-step guidance from start to finish, ensuring you make an informed decision.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for informational purposes only, is based on publicly available third-party reviews, user feedback, and online sources accessed on August 5, 2024, and should not be considered definitive or permanent. While we strive for accuracy and completeness, Nord Security Inc. and its affiliates make no guarantees regarding the information's accuracy, completeness, or suitability. We do not undertake, warrant or represent that any product, or its feature, is or will remain publicly regarded as better or worse than other options, serve any purpose, has mentioned features, benefits, strengths, and limitations for any period of time. Product features, pricing, and other details may change, and we advise readers to verify these directly with vendors. We disclaim liability for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on this information. The inclusion of competitor products does not imply affiliation, or endorsement, and all trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Readers should conduct their own research and seek independent advice before making purchasing decisions.