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Networking · head to head

Ivanti vs Tailscale

Ivanti logo

Ivanti

Networking

Security, service management, and unified endpoint management

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tailscale logo

Tailscale

Networking

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Tailscale has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Ivanti no pricing information published - enterprise custom pricing required; Tailscale requires active configuration and management; cannot be deployed passively like consumer VPNs
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Ivanti and Tailscale actually diverge.

Attributes where Ivanti and Tailscale differ
AttributeIvantiTailscale
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotefreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebLinux, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, API, Web

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Networking).

What people use each for

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

Ivanti

  • Controlling device compliance and patches for remote workforcesnot Tailscale
  • Automating service ticketing and change processes at enterprise scalenot Tailscale
  • Enforcing device compliance before network access in regulated industriesnot Tailscale
  • Prioritizing vulnerability patches by risk levelnot Tailscale
  • Enabling passwordless zero-trust access without VPN infrastructurenot Tailscale

Tailscale

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

Where each one falls short

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

Ivanti

  • no pricing information published - enterprise custom pricing required

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

Ivanti

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Ivanti review.

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 Ivanti if

Nothing in the data separates Ivanti from Tailscale on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Ivanti 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 Ivanti or Tailscale better?
Neither clearly leads. Ivanti starts at On request and Tailscale at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Ivanti or Tailscale?
Tailscale has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Ivanti and Free for Tailscale.
Does Ivanti or Tailscale run on more platforms?
Ivanti runs on Web. Tailscale runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, API, Web.
Can I use Tailscale for free?
Yes. Tailscale has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ivanti starts at On request.
What is Ivanti best used for?
Ivanti is most often used for controlling device compliance and patches for remote workforces, automating service ticketing and change processes at enterprise scale, enforcing device compliance before network access in regulated industries, prioritizing vulnerability patches by risk level. Of those, controlling device compliance and patches for remote workforces and automating service ticketing and change processes at enterprise scale are not what Tailscale is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Ivanti: How much does Ivanti cost?

Ivanti does not publish pricing on their website. As an enterprise solution, pricing is customized based on organizational needs. Contact Ivanti through their website to request a demo and pricing information.

Source
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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