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Networking · head to head

Tailscale vs Wiz

Tailscale logo

Tailscale

Networking

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Wiz logo

Wiz

Cloud

Cloud and AI security platform unifying code, cloud, and runtime protection.

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Tailscale has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Tailscale requires active configuration and management; cannot be deployed passively like consumer VPNs; Wiz no public pricing; licensing requires a custom quote based on workloads and sensors.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Tailscale and Wiz actually diverge.

Attributes where Tailscale and Wiz differ
AttributeTailscaleWiz
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, API, Webweb, api
CategoryNetworkingCloud

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

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 Tailscale

Nothing recorded that Wiz does not also cover.

Only in Wiz

  • Cloud security posture management
  • Code security (Wiz Code)
  • Runtime threat detection (Wiz Defend)
  • AI security agents
  • AI workload protection
  • Attack path analysis

What people use each for

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

Tailscale

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

Wiz

  • Identifying cloud misconfigurations across multi-cloud environmentsnot Tailscale
  • Securing code from IDE through CI/CD deploymentnot Tailscale
  • Detecting and responding to active threats at runtimenot Tailscale
  • Governing AI workloads and models in the cloudnot Tailscale
  • Prioritizing risk with cross-environment attack path analysisnot Tailscale

Where each one falls short

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

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

Wiz

  • No public pricing; licensing requires a custom quote based on workloads and sensors.
  • Modular licensing across Cloud, Code, Defend, and Sensor products can complicate cost planning.
  • Full runtime protection value depends on deploying Wiz Sensor agents, adding operational overhead.
  • Primarily aimed at mid-to-large enterprises despite the smaller Wiz Go bundle.

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Wiz

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Wiz review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Tailscale if

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

Choose Wiz if

  • You need cloud security posture management.
  • You work on web, api.
  • You also want code security (wiz code).
Wiz review

Questions people ask

Is Tailscale or Wiz better?
Neither clearly leads. Tailscale starts at Free and Wiz at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Tailscale or Wiz?
Tailscale has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Tailscale and On request for Wiz.
Does Tailscale or Wiz run on more platforms?
Tailscale runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, API, Web. Wiz runs on web, api.
Can I use Tailscale for free?
Yes. Tailscale has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Wiz starts at On request.
What is Tailscale best used for?
Tailscale is most often used for remote team access to internal services without vpn concentrators, hybrid cloud connectivity across aws, azure, gcp, and on-premises networks, ci/cd pipeline access to internal infrastructure (databases, kubernetes clusters), zero-trust access to ssh, kubernetes, and databases without bastion hosts. Of those, remote team access to internal services without vpn concentrators and hybrid cloud connectivity across aws, azure, gcp, and on-premises networks are not what Wiz is typically brought in for.
What can Tailscale do that Wiz cannot?
Wiz covers Cloud security posture management, Code security (Wiz Code), Runtime threat detection (Wiz Defend), AI security agents.

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
Wiz: How much does Wiz cost?

Wiz does not publish standard pricing. The platform uses modular licensing based on workloads, active developers, log ingestion, or sensors. All pricing requires requesting a custom quote directly from the company.

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
Wiz: Does Wiz offer a free trial?

No free trial information is mentioned on Wiz's pricing page. Pricing is determined by custom quote based on organizational needs.

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
Wiz: What products does Wiz offer?

Wiz provides five modular licensing options: Wiz Cloud, Wiz Code, Wiz Defend, Wiz Sensor, and Wiz Go Bundle for SMBs, allowing organizations to scale based on specific security requirements.

Source
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