NetBird

NetBird is an open source networking platform that combines a WireGuard-based mesh VPN with zero-trust network access (ZTNA) features. It lets you connect devices, servers, and cloud workloads into a private overlay network without configuring firewall rules or public IPs.

As an alternative to Tailscale, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN, NetBird gives you a self-hosted control plane, so the coordination server — including user accounts, device lists, and ACLs — lives on your own infrastructure. Native clients are available for Linux, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, and there is a managed cloud option for teams that prefer it.

NetBird integrates with identity providers via SSO, supports multi-factor authentication, and ships with granular access control policies. It is well suited for small businesses, homelabbers, and DevOps teams that want Tailscale-grade connectivity without depending on a third-party control server.