NordLayer
NordLayer provides a flexible and easy-to-implement network security solution for modern businesses, offering secure remote access and data protection through a dedicated cloud-based virtual private gateway and zero-trust principles.
Tailscale
Tailscale is a zero-config VPN software that creates secure mesh networks between your devices and cloud resources using the WireGuard protocol to simplify remote access and internal connectivity.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | NordLayer | Tailscale |
|---|---|---|
| Website | nordlayer.com | tailscale.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $10/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 0 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2019 | 2019 |
| Headquarters | New York, USA | Toronto, Canada |
Overview
NordLayer
NordLayer is a cloud-native network security platform designed to protect your business data and provide secure remote access for your entire team. You can move away from bulky hardware and complex manual configurations by deploying a scalable, software-defined perimeter that grows with your organization. It helps you implement zero-trust principles by verifying every connection attempt to your private resources.
You can manage your entire network from a single centralized control panel, where you assign user permissions, monitor activity, and set up dedicated servers with fixed IP addresses. Whether your team works from home, a coffee shop, or the office, you ensure their internet traffic remains encrypted and your internal systems stay shielded from unauthorized access. It is built for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises needing robust compliance tools.
Tailscale
Tailscale makes creating a secure network between your computers, servers, and cloud instances as easy as installing an app. It builds a private mesh network—called a tailnet—that connects your devices directly to each other using the WireGuard protocol. This means you can access your home office computer from a coffee shop or connect to a private database in the cloud without managing complex firewall rules or centralized VPN gateways.
You can manage identity and access through your existing providers like Google, Microsoft 365, or GitHub, ensuring that only authorized users can reach your sensitive resources. It handles the difficult parts of networking, like NAT traversal and key rotation, automatically in the background. Whether you are a developer connecting to a local test environment or an enterprise securing thousands of endpoints, it provides a stable, encrypted connection that works across any provider or location.
Overview
NordLayer Features
- Dedicated IP Addresses Assign fixed IP addresses to your private gateways so you can whitelist access to your sensitive internal systems and cloud resources.
- Smart Remote Access Connect your remote employees to the company network securely with encrypted tunnels that protect data even on public Wi-Fi networks.
- Centralized Control Panel Manage all your users, gateways, and security settings from one intuitive dashboard without needing advanced technical expertise.
- Two-Factor Authentication Add an extra layer of protection to your accounts by requiring a second form of verification during the login process.
- Auto-Connect VPN Ensure your team is always protected by setting the application to connect automatically whenever an internet connection is detected.
- Network Segmentation Divide your network into smaller segments to control exactly which users can access specific internal servers or sensitive data.
Tailscale Features
- Zero-Config Mesh VPN. Connect your devices directly to one another without manual port forwarding or complex firewall rules.
- Single Sign-On Integration. Use your existing identity providers like Google, Microsoft 365, or Okta to authenticate users and devices.
- MagicDNS. Access your devices using short, easy-to-remember names instead of tracking changing IP addresses across your network.
- Tailscale SSH. Manage SSH access to your servers using your tailnet identity instead of distributing and rotating static SSH keys.
- Split DNS. Configure specific DNS servers for different domains so your internal queries stay private while public traffic flows normally.
- Exit Nodes. Route all your internet traffic through a specific trusted device on your network to stay secure on public Wi-Fi.
- Subnet Routers. Expose entire existing networks to your tailnet so you can access legacy devices that cannot run the software.
- Access Control Lists. Define granular security policies in code to restrict which users can access specific devices or ports.
Pricing Comparison
NordLayer Pricing
- Shared gateways in 30+ locations
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Two-factor authentication
- Auto-connect functionality
- Centralized member management
- 24/7 support
- Everything in Lite, plus:
- Dedicated server options
- Fixed IP address support
- Custom DNS settings
- Smart Remote Access
- Network segmentation capabilities
Tailscale Pricing
- Up to 3 users
- Up to 100 devices
- MagicDNS
- Tailscale SSH
- Community support
- Admin console access
- Everything in Personal, plus:
- Up to 10 users included
- User & group management
- Basic access control lists
- Email support
- 1 identity provider
Pros & Cons
NordLayer
Pros
- Extremely simple setup process for non-technical users
- Fast connection speeds across global server locations
- Clean and intuitive management dashboard interface
- Responsive customer support available around the clock
- Easy integration with existing identity providers
Cons
- No forever-free plan for very small teams
- Dedicated IP addresses require an additional monthly fee
- Occasional minor bugs in the desktop application
Tailscale
Pros
- Extremely simple setup process for all devices
- Reliable connectivity even behind strict firewalls
- Generous free tier for personal projects
- Minimal impact on system performance and battery
- Seamless integration with existing identity providers
Cons
- Requires a third-party identity provider login
- Limited advanced routing features for complex setups
- Mobile app can occasionally drain battery
- Admin console lacks some deep auditing logs