Tailscale vs Zscaler Private Access

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.

Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) controls access to private applications, workloads, and operational technology for users connecting from different devices and locations. It brokers a one-to-one connection between an authorized user and a specific app, without granting access to the corporate network or exposing the app publicly. ZPA can discover applications and recommend app segments and policies. Workload-to-workload segmentation covers communications across hybrid and multicloud environments, including AWS and Azure. Privileged Remote Access offers clientless access to RDP, SSH, and VNC production systems for remote workers and third parties. Other described capabilities include inline threat inspection, Web Data Loss Prevention for data in motion, and policy-enforced access to mission-critical apps during connectivity outages. The cloud deployment is listed for Windows, macOS, Android, Android on ChromeOS, and iOS, alongside Linux and web platforms. Pricing is on request, and there is no free plan.