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Hetzner Cloud vs Tailscale

Hetzner Cloud logo

Hetzner Cloud

Software

Affordable cloud servers in Europe

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tailscale logo

Tailscale

Software

Zero-trust mesh VPN built on WireGuard with identity-based access

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Hetzner Cloud cost-Optimized plans are shown as currently unavailable; Tailscale requires active configuration and management; cannot be deployed passively like consumer VPNs

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hetzner Cloud and Tailscale actually diverge.

Attributes where Hetzner Cloud and Tailscale differ
AttributeHetzner CloudTailscale
Pricing modelusage-basedfreemium
PlatformsWeb, Api, CliLinux, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, API, Web
Founded1997Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Hetzner Cloud

  • Cloud servers
  • Block storage
  • Object storage
  • Load balancers
  • Networks
  • Firewalls
  • Floating IPs
  • Backups

Only in Tailscale

Nothing recorded that Hetzner Cloud does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Hetzner Cloud

  • Low-cost virtual servers for development and testingnot Tailscale
  • European hosting with data held in Germany or Finlandnot Tailscale
  • Workloads with heavy egress, where included traffic mattersnot Tailscale
  • Self-hosting applications away from the hyperscalersnot Tailscale

Tailscale

  • Remote team access to internal services without VPN concentratorsnot Hetzner Cloud
  • Hybrid cloud connectivity across AWS, Azure, GCP, and on-premises networksnot Hetzner Cloud
  • CI/CD pipeline access to internal infrastructure (databases, Kubernetes clusters)not Hetzner Cloud
  • Zero-trust access to SSH, Kubernetes, and databases without bastion hostsnot Hetzner Cloud
  • Mobile and IoT device management in enterprise environmentsnot Hetzner Cloud
  • Temporary contractor and third-party access controlnot Hetzner Cloud

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Hetzner Cloud

  • Cost-Optimized plans are shown as currently unavailable
  • The shared-resource tiers are positioned for variable usage and development rather than sustained production workloads
  • Regions are limited to Germany, Finland, the United States and Singapore, so latency to other markets is a real constraint
  • The uptime guarantee is 99.9 percent, below what the large hyperscalers offer on comparable services
  • Support is 24/7 by email, without a phone channel

Tailscale

  • Requires active configuration and management; cannot be deployed passively like consumer VPNs
  • Device posture policies and JIT access tiers are locked behind Premium subscription (£18/month), raising per-user costs for enterprises
  • Limited support for legacy protocols and non-modern operating systems (Windows 7, older Android versions)
  • Centralised control plane operated by Tailscale (hosted in US); no self-hosted control plane option for air-gapped or sovereign deployments
  • Cannot replace full VPN functionality for accessing legacy IP-based services; only applicable to modern infrastructure

Pricing, plan by plan

Hetzner Cloud

Free
  • CX11$3.29/month
    • 1 vCPU
    • 1GB RAM
    • 25GB SSD
  • CX21$6.59/month
    • 2 vCPU
    • 4GB RAM
    • 40GB SSD

Tailscale

Free
  • PersonalFree
    • Up to 6 users
    • Unlimited devices per user
    • 1,000 ephemeral resource minutes per month
  • Standard$8/month
    • Unlimited users
    • Unlimited devices
    • 1,000 ephemeral resource minutes per month
  • Premium$18/month
    • Unlimited users and devices
    • 10,000 ephemeral resource minutes per month
    • 300 ACL groups
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Custom pricing
    • Unlimited resources
    • Advanced security features

Which should you pick?

Choose Hetzner Cloud if

  • You need cloud servers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api, Cli.
  • You also want block storage.
Hetzner Cloud review

Choose Tailscale if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, API, Web.
Tailscale review

Questions people ask

Is Hetzner Cloud or Tailscale better?
Neither clearly leads. Hetzner Cloud starts at Free and Tailscale at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hetzner Cloud or Tailscale?
Hetzner Cloud starts at Free and Tailscale at Free.
Does Hetzner Cloud or Tailscale run on more platforms?
Hetzner Cloud runs on Web, Api, Cli. Tailscale runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, API, Web.
Can I use Hetzner Cloud for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Hetzner Cloud best used for?
Hetzner Cloud is most often used for low-cost virtual servers for development and testing, european hosting with data held in germany or finland, workloads with heavy egress, where included traffic matters, self-hosting applications away from the hyperscalers. Of those, low-cost virtual servers for development and testing and european hosting with data held in germany or finland are not what Tailscale is typically brought in for.
What can Hetzner Cloud do that Tailscale cannot?
Hetzner Cloud covers Cloud servers, Block storage, Object storage, Load balancers.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Tailscale: Is Tailscale free?

Tailscale Personal tier is free forever for up to 6 users. Standard (£8/month per user) adds team features, Premium (£18/month per user) adds security controls, and Enterprise tiers are custom priced.

Source
Tailscale: Does Tailscale route all traffic through a central gateway?

No. Tailscale creates direct encrypted connections between devices using WireGuard. It only proxies traffic when direct peer connections are not possible (some restrictive NAT scenarios). This reduces latency and eliminates VPN gateway bottlenecks.

Source
Tailscale: Can I host Tailscale on-premises?

No. Tailscale provides a hosted control plane only. For fully self-hosted mesh networking, consider WireGuard with manual key management or Netmaker. Tailscale Enterprise can provide custom deployments for specific requirements.

Source
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