F5 BIG-IP APM vs Tailscale

F5 BIG-IP APM is now called F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access. The product secures and centralizes access to apps, APIs, and data across locations and hosting environments. Its identity-aware proxy applies context-based checks to each application request, while SAML, OAuth, and OIDC support authentication, federation, and single sign-on. Remote access options include per-app VPN, IPSec VPN, and end-to-end encrypted controls. Organizations can connect VMware Horizon ONE (AirWatch), Microsoft Intune, and IBM MaaS360 for mobile device management; REST API connectors can incorporate third-party UEBA and risk engines into access policies. It also integrates with Azure AD Conditional Access policies and F5 BIG-IQ Centralized Management. Deployment options span virtual editions, hardware, and cloud environments. Pricing is on request, and there is no free plan. A 30-day BIG-IP VE trial includes Zero Trust Access with LTM, Advanced WAF, and Network Firewall (AFM). The trial supports several hypervisors and cloud platforms, including VMware ESXi, KVM, AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

Tailscale is a zero-config VPN for connecting users and devices across a network. It uses WireGuard to form low-latency peer-to-peer connections, which Tailscale says are end-to-end encrypted so it cannot read users’ traffic. Administrators can use access control lists to specify which users may connect to which devices. Supported identity providers handle authentication, and SCIM supports user and group provisioning. Monitoring features include configuration audit logs, network flow logs, webhooks, and log streaming to SIEM partners. Device posture information can be used in connectivity rules. Taildrop transfers files between devices, while node sharing lets users share a node without exposing it to the public internet. The service runs on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. Personal is free forever for non-commercial use and supports up to six users; Standard costs $8 per user per month. Premium costs $18 per user per month and includes priority support.