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Tailscale alternatives · Remote Desktop

Self-hosted alternatives to Tailscale

The Tailscale listing does not say it can be self-hosted. 18 of the 85 other remote desktop apps in this directory can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.

Tailscale has a free plan. Paid plans start at $8 per user / month. 14 of them are free or have a free plan.

18 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from

The 12 closest to Tailscale

  1. NoMachine

    Self-hosted remote desktop sold as yearly server subscriptions

    • NoMachine starts at $24.50 per year (Personal Edition, one computer). Tailscale starts at $8 per user / month.
    • Tailscale has a free plan. NoMachine does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only NoMachine lists a web app.
    • NoMachine is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    NoMachine vs TailscaleNoMachine pricing and details

  2. RustDesk

    Open-source remote desktop you can run on your own server

    • RustDesk starts at $11.88 per month, billed annually (Individual Server Pro, self-hosted). Tailscale starts at $8 per user / month.
    • Only RustDesk lists a web app.
    • RustDesk is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Tailscale is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    RustDesk vs TailscaleRustDesk pricing and details

  3. MeshCentral

    Self-hosted open-source remote device management site

    • MeshCentral is free. Tailscale starts at $8 per user / month.
    • Only MeshCentral lists a web app.
    • Only Tailscale lists iOS and Android apps.
    • MeshCentral is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    MeshCentral vs TailscaleMeshCentral pricing and details

  4. NetBird

    Open-source zero trust networking built on WireGuard

    • NetBird starts at €6 per user / month (cloud, billing period not shown). Tailscale starts at $8 per user / month.
    • NetBird is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Tailscale is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    NetBird vs TailscaleNetBird pricing and details

  5. Pritunl

    Self-hosted open-source VPN server for OpenVPN and WireGuard

    • Pritunl starts at $10 per host / month. Tailscale starts at $8 per user / month.
    • Only Tailscale lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Pritunl is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Tailscale is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Pritunl vs TailscalePritunl pricing and details

  6. Teleport

    Identity-based access to servers, databases and Kubernetes

    • Only Teleport lists a web app.
    • Only Tailscale lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Teleport is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Tailscale is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Teleport vs TailscaleTeleport pricing and details

  7. UltraVNC

    Free open-source VNC remote control for Windows computers

    • UltraVNC is free. Tailscale starts at $8 per user / month.
    • Only Tailscale lists macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • UltraVNC is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Tailscale is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    UltraVNC pricing and details

  8. Apache Guacamole

    Open-source clientless remote desktop gateway

    • Apache Guacamole is free. Tailscale starts at $8 per user / month.
    • Only Apache Guacamole lists a web app.
    • Only Tailscale lists macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • Apache Guacamole is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    Apache Guacamole pricing and details

  9. Sunshine

    Self-hosted game stream host for Moonlight clients

    • Sunshine is free. Tailscale starts at $8 per user / month.
    • Only Tailscale lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Sunshine is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Tailscale is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Sunshine pricing and details

  10. Tabby

    Configurable terminal with built-in SSH, Telnet and serial clients

    • Tabby is free. Tailscale starts at $8 per user / month.
    • Only Tabby lists a web app.
    • Only Tailscale lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Tabby is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    Tabby pricing and details

  11. Getscreen.me

    Browser-based remote access for IT teams, with a free two-device plan

    • Getscreen.me starts at $4.17 per technician / month, billed annually, plus a charge per device. Tailscale starts at $8 per user / month.
    • Only Getscreen.me lists a web app.
    • Only Getscreen.me lists a browser extension.
    • Only Tailscale lists an iOS app.
    Getscreen.me pricing and details

  12. AnyDesk

    Remote desktop app, free for personal use, licensed for business

    • AnyDesk is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Tailscale is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • AnyDesk also covers remote desktop.
    • Tailscale also covers vPN.
    AnyDesk pricing and details

6 more that can be self-hosted

All 18 in one table

Common questions

Is there a self-hosted alternative to Tailscale?

Yes. NoMachine, RustDesk, MeshCentral, NetBird, Pritunl, Teleport, UltraVNC, Apache Guacamole and 10 more can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.

Can Tailscale be self-hosted?

The Tailscale listing does not say it can be self-hosted. The listing was checked on Nov 12, 2026 against the pages it cites.

Which of these remote desktop apps are free?

RustDesk, MeshCentral, NetBird, Pritunl, Teleport, UltraVNC, Apache Guacamole, Sunshine and 6 more are free or have a free plan.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 18, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Tailscale: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.