Tailscale Primer¶
WireGuard-based mesh VPN. Every device gets a stable IP (100.x.x.x) and can reach every other device directly, regardless of NAT/firewall.
Costs¶
| Plan | Price | Devices | Users |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal | Free | 100 | 1 | | Personal Plus | $48/yr | 100 | 1 | | Enterprise | $$$ | Unlimited | Teams |
Free tier is generous for personal use.
Benefits¶
- Zero config - install, login, done
- Mesh topology - devices connect directly (not through a server)
- MagicDNS - access devices by name (
macbook,rpi5) - Works anywhere - behind NAT, hotel wifi, cellular
- Subnet routing - expose entire networks (e.g., your home LAN)
- Exit nodes - route all traffic through a specific device
- ACLs - fine-grained access control
- SSO - use GitHub/Google login
Limitations¶
- Coordination server - Tailscale runs it (they see metadata, not traffic)
- Requires internet - initial connection needs their servers
- 100.x.x.x range - can conflict if you use CGNAT
- Client on every device - no agentless access
Competitors¶
| Tool | Model | Self-hosted? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headscale | Tailscale-compatible | Yes | Drop-in replacement for Tailscale's coord server | | Netbird | Mesh VPN | Yes | Similar to Tailscale, fully self-hostable | | Zerotier | Mesh VPN | Partial | Older, more complex, free tier exists | | Nebula | Mesh VPN | Yes | From Slack, more DIY | | WireGuard raw | Point-to-point | Yes | Manual config, no mesh magic |
Recommendation for This Homelab¶
Tailscale free tier would let the mobile kit (Mac + RPi 5) and fixed homelab (Mini PC, RPi 4) all see each other seamlessly. When traveling, Mac still reaches home services.
For full control: Headscale on Mini PC as the coordination server, same Tailscale clients everywhere.