NetFoundry’s OpenZiti vs Tailscale: A Technical Comparison

NetFoundry’s OpenZiti vs Tailscale: A Technical Comparison

NetFoundry | NetFoundry’s OpenZiti vs Tailscale: A Technical Comparison

In the rapidly evolving world of secure networking, both Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and Zero Trust Overlay Networks have significant roles to play. However, the fundamental differences in their architecture and security philosophies make them suitable for different use cases. This white paper provides a comparison between Tailscale, a VPN-based solution, and NetFoundry, which uses a designed-in Zero Trust and overlay network approach.

Scaling Security

Tailscale is an excellent VPN, but it’s reliance on ACLs makes it error-prone and difficult to scale in complex and large enterprises. Its trust-but-verify model exposes companies to lateral network movement and increases risks compared to true zero trust solutions.

Network Security Reimagined

Tailscale’s broad access model struggles with security; OpenZiti streamlines microsegmentation and seamlessly integrates zero trust for modern networks.

NetFoundry OpenZiti vs. TailScale VPN

Tailscale is essentially a VPN built on WireGuard®, optimized for ease of use. When you join a tailnet, you get broad access to everything on the network, similar to being on a LAN. While Tailscale allows access control through ACLs, it’s limited to the networking and IP domain. Managing these controls relies on editing YAML files, which is cumbersome. Although easy to set up, Tailscale is not zero trust, isn’t designed for easy embedding, and lacks in-depth programmability.

 

In contrast, NetFoundry’s OpenZiti network is hidden by default and offers a streamlined interface for microsegmenting overlay virtual networks (AppNets) down to the service level. It eliminates the proliferated network holes created in the “firewall world”.  Ziti basically simplifies IP management down to one outbound only port, thanks to its ability to translate IP addresses into Ziti services. Built from the ground up to be embeddable, OpenZiti integrates directly at the software level, extending beyond IP to programming languages like Golang and Python, while routing traffic securely over Ziti services. OpenZiti also offers an easy way to integrate zero trust into solutions and systems with zero trust tunnelers that do not require code-level embedding.

Open Source Commitment & Deployment

OpenZiti is fully open source with a permissive license. By embracing open-source principles, NetFoundry fosters collaboration, transparency, and innovation within the global community. This approach allows developers to build secure, zero-trust solutions directly into their applications, ensuring flexibility and long-term sustainability. OpenZiti enables continuous innovation by inviting contributions and feedback from the broader community, driving rapid advancements in secure networking. Moreover, open-source access empowers businesses to leverage NetFoundry’s zero-trust technology while maintaining control and transparency over their security infrastructure.

NetFoundry offers three flexible deployment models to meet the diverse needs of businesses:

  1. NetFoundry Cloud: A fully managed, scalable solution in the cloud, providing secure zero-trust connectivity without the need for on-premise infrastructure.
  2. NetFoundry Hybrid Cloud: Combines the security of on-premise deployment with the flexibility of cloud, ideal for businesses needing a balance of both.
  3. NetFoundry On-Premise: A self-hosted solution for organizations that require complete control over their secure network environments, ensuring full autonomy and compliance.

These models provide adaptability, security, and scalability to suit varying business needs.

Empowering Secure Innovation

OpenZiti makes it easy to embed world class zero trust networking into your solution.  Tailscale makes it easy to get started with a VPN.

Tailscale's Limitations

Tailscale offers simple VPN functionality, but lacks secure-by-default zero trust. Its use of ACLs to mimic zero trust is fine for simple environments, but introduces significant risk in complex environments.

Technology Overview

Tailscale: VPN-Based Solution

Tailscale is built on WireGuard®, a VPN protocol known for its simplicity and performance. Tailscale focuses on creating a mesh VPN network, allowing devices to communicate securely as if they were on the same local network. However, while it offers ease of use, Tailscale is not a zero trust solution. By default, joining a Tailscale network (tailnet) gives broad access to the entire network, much like traditional LANs.

While Tailscale offers the ability to limit access via Access Control Lists (ACLs), it operates in the networking and IP domain, making it less flexible in terms of micro-segmentation. Additionally, Tailscale is not fully open source, and some traffic must be routed through Tailscale’s intermediary nodes, called DERP servers.

 

NetFoundry: Zero Trust Networking Solution

NetFoundry’s OpenZiti platform is a fully open-source zero trust network. Unlike Tailscale, OpenZiti is designed to be closed by default, offering an interface for microsegmenting networks at the service level using AppNets. NetFoundry eliminates the need for IP addresses and allows for identity-based access through its private DNS capabilities, providing bespoke domain names for each service.

The OpenZiti platform is also built to be embeddable into applications through software development kits (SDKs) and supports multiple programming languages. This makes it programmable, allowing seamless integration into existing solutions without the complexity of traditional VPN or network interfaces.

Security Model

Tailscale: VPN Security Model

Tailscale is a perimeter-based security solution. It establishes a secure tunnel between devices but does not adhere to zero trust principles. By default, once authenticated, users gain access to all other devices on the tailnet, mirroring the vulnerabilities of traditional VPNs. Although Tailscale allows for ACL configuration, it requires manual management and relies on IP addresses for access control.

NetFoundry: Zero Trust Security Model

NetFoundry’s OpenZiti operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify” and least privilege. Access to services is denied by default, and all identities must be explicitly authorized. With identity-driven access and continuous verification, NetFoundry provides an inherently more secure approach than Tailscale. The system enables micro-segmentation at the service level, reducing the attack surface by limiting lateral movement across the network.

NetFoundry’s built-in certificate authority and use of x.509 certificates ensure strong identity verification, further reinforcing the zero trust architecture.

Zero Trust Advantage

NetFoundry’s zero trust model ensures secure, identity-driven access, while Tailscale’s perimeter-based approach lacks default service-level security.

The Zero Trust Difference - A Comparison Table

Features
Tailscale
OpenZiti
Mesh Network
Yes
Yes
Programmable Overlay
No
Yes
Initial Network Segmentation
Open
Closed
Embeddable into your applications
No
Yes
Support for granular access controls (down to port)
Yes (complex)
Yes (core component, designed in)
Private DNS
Yes (limited to tailnet)
Yes – unlimited, customizable domain names
Servers without listening ports
No
Yes
TCP Support
Yes
Yes
UDP Support
Yes
Yes
ICMP Support
Yes
No
Fully Open Source
No
Yes
Managed Service Option
Yes
Yes (through NetFoundry)
Free Tier
Yes
Yes (through zrok or self-hosting)
Self-hostable
No
Yes
CGNAT Friendly
Yes
Yes
End-to-end encryption
Yes
Yes
Encrypt data at rest
No
No
Transport Connection Protocol
UDP
TCP
Easily Identified Traffic
Yes
No
Direct Communication
Yes
No
Predictable Traffic Egress
Per device – one offload node
Every service can have a different offload node
Strong Identity
No*
Yes (x509 certificates/JWT)
Dynamic, name-based routing
No (relies on DNS)
Yes
Service-based segmentation
No*
Yes
Replaces VPNs
Yes
Yes
Customizable IP
Yes, one in 100.64.0.0/10
Any IP, unlimited
Traffic encapsulation/obfuscation
Yes
Yes
Integrated continual authorization
No
Yes
Integrates with third-party continual auth
Yes
No
MFA Support
Yes* (via IdP)
Yes, native TOTP and IdP integration
PKCS 11/HSM support
No
Yes
IdP-based enrollment
Yes (only method)
No
Integrates with external managed PKI for auth
No
Yes
Join network automatically
Yes
Yes
Support for multiple networks
Yes – core component
Stable IP assignment
Yes
Yes

Flexible Zero Trust

Both NetFoundry and Tailscale are easy to setup and offer flexible configurations. Tailscale’s ACL management becomes difficult to manage over time as configurations change and rules expand.

Ease of Use and Deployment

Tailscale is popular for its ease of use, particularly for basic network access, developers, home networking enthusiasts, and small teams. Setup is quick and intuitive, with lightweight client installation and automatic mesh network creation. However, Tailscale’s configuration relies on YAML files for ACL management, which can be cumbersome and prone to error. It is not designed to be embedded into third-party applications, limiting its flexibility in complex enterprise environments.

NetFoundry’s OpenZiti, while requiring a more in-depth understanding of security architecture, provides a more flexible and customizable solution. It is designed to integrate directly into applications, allowing developers to embed zero trust networking using APIs and SDKs. With NetFoundry’s solution, businesses can avoid the limitations of network/IP-based security and configure policies based on user or device identities. It also offers a managed service for easy deployment across large, distributed environments.

Performance and Scalability

Tailscale’s performance is optimized for network access with direct device-to-device communication in a mesh topology. In restricted networks, DERP servers are used to relay traffic, which can introduce latency and performance bottlenecks. While suitable for simple configurations, Tailscale may struggle to scale effectively in large enterprise environments with complex ACLs.

NetFoundry’s OpenZiti platform is built for enterprise-grade performance and scalability. It supports global deployments with high availability and low-latency performance across wide-area networks (WANs) and cloud environments. OpenZiti’s self-healing mesh network ensures reliable connectivity even in mission-critical applications, such as manufacturing and operational technology (OT) environments. Its dynamic routing and private DNS capabilities allow for optimized traffic flows, ensuring scalability.

Scalability Considerations

Both Tailscale and NetFoundry deliver high performance throughput and low latency for most configurations. ACLs may introduce latencies.

Tailscale's Limitations

Tailscale offers excellent simple VPN functionality, but lacks secure-by-default zero trust and easy programmability for complex environments and enterprise scalability.

Use Cases

Tailscale’s ease of use makes it ideal for basic network security. It is suitable for remote teams looking for a simple, low-maintenance VPN solution to access internal resources securely. However, its limitations in embedding and programmability restrict its applicability in more complex or enterprise-scale environments.

NetFoundry’s OpenZiti platform is geared toward enterprises with complex, distributed networks, especially those in need of secure, reliable connectivity for mission-critical applications. With its focus on zero trust, it excels in scenarios where security is paramount, such as industrial IoT, cloud-native applications, and environments requiring microsegmentation. The embeddability of the OpenZiti AppNets makes it suitable for developers looking to integrate zero trust networking into their own applications.

Pain Points for MSPs Using Traditional VPNs

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) face significant challenges when using traditional VPNs to provide secure access to their customers’ environments. Despite their widespread use, traditional VPNs are no longer secure or scalable enough to meet the demands of modern businesses, especially with increasing security threats and evolving client expectations.

Key pain points include:

  • Limited Security: Traditional VPNs are prone to security vulnerabilities. They require open firewall ports, making them scannable and exposing the network to potential attacks. Once inside the VPN, lateral movement within the network is possible, increasing the risk of widespread damage from a breach.
  • Vulnerable to Exploits: VPN concentrators, which serve as the central point for VPN connections, are frequently targeted by attackers. With nearly all major VPN concentrators falling victim to vulnerabilities in recent years, the exposure of these devices is a significant security risk.
  • Complexity and Human Error: Managing hundreds of VPNs for different clients can quickly become an operational nightmare. Each VPN introduces potential for human error, with a lot of manual oversight required to configure, track, and secure connections.
  • Management Overhead: VPN management is resource-intensive, requiring significant personnel time to monitor, update, and troubleshoot connections. This creates friction between IT and sales teams, as the complexity of managing VPNs adds significant overhead for MSPs.
  • Zero Trust Demands: MSP customers are increasingly demanding more advanced security solutions based on zero trust principles, recognizing that traditional VPNs are insufficient for safeguarding their critical systems and data.

NetFoundry and OpenZiti represent a new generation of private networking solutions specifically designed to overcome the limitations of traditional VPNs. They provide MSPs with a scalable, secure, and manageable alternative that addresses the pain points of legacy solutions.

Beyond Traditional VPNs

Managed Service Providers face security risks and complexity with traditional VPNs; NetFoundry’s zero trust model offers a scalable solution.

Evolution of VPNs

From basic secure tunneling to zero trust, NetFoundry redefines network access for MSPs, enhancing security and simplifying management.

The Evolution of VPNs and Corporate Network Access

Tailscale is popular for its ease of use, particularly for makers, home networking enthusiasts, and small teams. Setup is quick and intuitive, with lightweight client installation and automatic mesh network creation. However, Tailscale’s configuration relies on YAML files for ACL management, which can be cumbersome and prone to error. It is not designed to be embedded into third-party applications, limiting its flexibility in complex enterprise environments.

NetFoundry’s OpenZiti, while requiring a more in-depth understanding of security architecture, provides a more flexible and customizable solution. It is designed to integrate directly into applications, allowing developers to embed zero trust networking using APIs and SDKs. With NetFoundry’s solution, businesses can avoid the limitations of network/IP-based security and configure policies based on user or device identities. It also offers a managed service for easy deployment across large, distributed environments.

Why MSPs Should Consider NetFoundry

NetFoundry provides MSPs with not just a superior VPN alternative but a fully managed, secure, and scalable solution to meet the growing demands of enterprises for zero trust security.

 

  • Simpler to Manage: With NetFoundry, managing hundreds of secure connections becomes easier, reducing operational complexity and the likelihood of human error.
  • More Secure: NetFoundry’s zero trust architecture ensures that all connections are secure by default, eliminating the risks associated with lateral movement and VPN concentrator vulnerabilities.

 

  • Future-Ready: As MSP customers increasingly demand zero trust solutions, NetFoundry positions MSPs as forward-thinking, security-conscious partners offering the next generation of private networking solutions.

Streamlined Secure Connections

NetFoundry simplifies secure connection management for MSPs, eliminating VPN vulnerabilities and meeting zero trust demands.

OpenZiti vs. Tailscale

OpenZiti offers superior true zero trust security, fine-grained access control, and high performance  making it ideal for complex enterprise environments.

NetFoundry OpenZiti vs. Tailscale Summary

OpenZiti Advantages Over Tailscale

  • Closed by Default Security
    • OpenZiti is “closed by default” at the service level, enhancing security by eliminating network exposure. In contrast, Tailscale, built on WireGuard®, provides broad access upon joining a tailnet, making it more vulnerable to unauthorized access.
  • Fine-Grained Access Control
    • OpenZiti supports microsegmentation at the service level, reducing the attack surface and providing more precise access controls. Tailscale, on the other hand, relies on configuration files to manage Access Control Lists (ACLs), which are more difficult to scale and manage, becoming more error-prone for large environments.
  • Embedded Zero Trust Networking
    • OpenZiti is designed to embed zero trust networking into applications, offering programmability and integration at both the IP and software levels through SDKs. Tailscale, however, is limited to a VPN-based architecture that doesn’t support embedding into applications.
  • No Complex Network Interfaces or VPN Clients
    • OpenZiti’s architecture eliminates the need for complex network interfaces or traditional VPN clients, streamlining network management and improving security.
  • Fully Open Source
    • OpenZiti is fully open source, offering a permissive license that fosters transparency, flexibility, and community-driven innovation. Tailscale, while based on WireGuard®, is not fully open source and routes some traffic through intermediary nodes.
  • Managed Services for Enterprise Networks
    • NetFoundry provides managed services for dedicated networks, ensuring enterprises can deploy secure, scalable solutions without shared infrastructure. Tailscale, meanwhile, offers less flexibility for large-scale or dedicated environments.
  • Programmable Overlay Networking
    • OpenZiti allows developers to embed zero trust capabilities into applications using APIs and SDKs, supporting multiple programming languages like Golang and Python. Tailscale does not provide this level of programmability.
  • Identity-Driven Access Control
    • OpenZiti operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify,” with identity-driven access and continuous verification. Tailscale uses a more traditional perimeter-based model, which increases risks by trusting users once authenticated.
  • Better for Large Enterprise Deployments
    • OpenZiti is ideal for enterprise environments with complex, distributed networks requiring secure, scalable, zero trust solutions. Tailscale is better suited for smaller teams or hobbyist use cases that prioritize ease of use over advanced security.

Summary

NetFoundry OpenZiti vs. TailScale VPN

Tailscale and NetFoundry represent two different approaches to secure networking. Tailscale’s VPN model offers a quick and easy solution for simple use cases but lacks an easy way to manage the granularity and programmability required for enterprise-scale zero trust deployments. NetFoundry’s OpenZiti platform, on the other hand, provides a more robust, flexible, and scalable solution built for embedding into applications and enforcing zero trust principles.

NetFoundry’s zero trust architecture, combined with its managed service offering and self-healing mesh network, positions it as the superior choice for organizations that require the most secure, application-specific connectivity without the limitations of traditional VPNs. Tailscale is best suited for environments where ease of setup and simplicity are prioritized over advanced security, zero trust principles and programmability.

Choosing Secure Networking

Tailscale offers simplicity for basic needs, while NetFoundry delivers robust zero trust solutions for complex, enterprise-level security requirements.