The best alternatives to Tailscale
Tailscale’s control plane runs on US-based AWS servers, which means your device metadata, user identities, and connection logs are subject to the CLOUD Act. For EU teams that can’t risk third-country access, that single fact closes the door—regardless of features or price. The alternatives below keep the WireGuard mesh you already rely on, but move the coordination layer to EU-owned infrastructure so you stay in control of who can see your network topology.
European alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Why switch from Tailscale to a European alternative?
The main trigger is data residency: Tailscale’s coordination server runs on AWS in the US, so metadata about your devices and connections is stored under US jurisdiction. EU-based organizations often need to avoid this to comply with GDPR or internal policies. Some teams also switch to avoid vendor lock-in or to find a more cost-effective pricing model for larger deployments.
Can I migrate my existing Tailscale configuration?
Most European alternatives use the same WireGuard protocol, so the underlying network mesh remains compatible. However, the coordination layer (ACLs, user management, key distribution) differs between tools. Some alternatives offer migration guides or scripts to help transfer basic network rules, but you’ll typically need to recreate more complex policies manually.
Are these alternatives truly GDPR-compliant?
Compliance depends on where the control plane is hosted and how data is processed. The alternatives listed here run their coordination servers in the EU (or let you self-host within the EU), which addresses the main GDPR concern with Tailscale. However, you should still review each provider’s data processing agreements and hosting locations to confirm they meet your specific requirements.
How do the pricing models compare to Tailscale?
Tailscale charges per user, with pricing tiers that can become expensive for larger teams. European alternatives often use different models: some charge per device, others offer flat-rate plans for unlimited users, and a few provide free tiers for small teams. The entry cost is often lower, but you should check whether the model scales better for your specific use case.
Which European alternative is best for enterprise use?
For enterprise needs, look for tools that offer commercial support, multi-tenancy, and granular access controls. Some alternatives focus on device management (MDM) rather than pure networking, which may be useful if you need to manage both connectivity and device policies. Check whether the tool supports your required integrations (e.g., Active Directory, SAML) and whether it offers SLAs or dedicated support.
Do these alternatives support the same features as Tailscale?
All listed alternatives use WireGuard, so the core networking functionality is comparable. However, features like user interfaces, policy management, and integrations vary. Some tools focus on simplicity and may lack advanced features like interactive topology maps or fine-grained ACLs. Others add capabilities like device management (MDM) that Tailscale doesn’t offer. Review each tool’s documentation to confirm it supports your specific needs.