Tailscale vs WatchGuard FireCloud

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.

WatchGuard FireCloud is a managed, cloud-based firewall service designed to protect remote users from internet-based security threats. FireCloud Internet Access provides protected internet access; Total Access also connects users to local company-network resources without a VPN. Content scanning can use Gateway AntiVirus and APT Blocker to address threats including viruses, spyware, malicious applications and data leakage. FireCloud can also block botnets, SQL injections, cross-site scripting and buffer overflows. Application Control uses more than 1,800 signatures to identify and block more than 1,000 applications, including selected behaviors such as file transfer. Identity options include SAML providers such as AuthPoint, Microsoft Entra ID and Okta, along with WatchGuard Cloud Directory. Administrators can set centralized Zero Trust policies using factors such as location, time and user behavior. Total Access can use Virtual Gateways, Server Gateways or Fireboxes for private-resource access. Licensing is per user. The listed Internet Access plan for 1–50 licenses costs $97.75 a year per user license. Total Access has a free 30-day trial for up to 250 users.