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Headscale vs Nebula

The same facts for both, read from GitHub every night, and the relation a person reviewed.

HeadscaleNebula
LanguageGoGo
LicenceBSD-3-ClauseMIT
Stars44k18k
Latestv0.29.4v1.11.2
Last push2026-10-062026-10-05
Release cadenceabout 20 days between releasesabout 30 days between releases
Active contributors20 commit authors on the default branch in the last 90 days8 commit authors on the default branch in the last 90 days
Flagsnonenone

How they relate

  • Both replace Tailscale. Alternatives to Tailscale →

    PartialHeadscaleA self-hosted Tailscale control server, used with the official Tailscale clients, for a single tailnet.

    PartialNebulaCertificate-based overlay network with lighthouses you run, configured by files rather than an admin console.