Fortra ZTNA vs Tailscale

Fortra ZTNA provides secure remote access to private applications and helps protect their data. It makes access decisions using user, device, and data context, so authorized people can reach only approved applications. An endpoint client monitors device posture and reports changes for access adjustments. The product can hide applications from the network, monitor traffic for lateral movement, and discover private applications to help organizations onboard them from an existing VPN. Private applications may be hosted in AWS, Azure, or GCP. Agent-based access supports browser and thick-client applications, while web applications can be accessed without an agent. Additional protections include digital rights management and data loss prevention policies, as well as inspection and blocking of files identified as infected with malware. Fortra describes a unified proxy architecture shared across its ZTNA, secure web gateway, and CASB offerings, with shared policies and monitoring. The product supports hybrid deployment and lists web as its supported platform. It is paid, has no free plan, and pricing is available on request.

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.