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Headscale vs NetBird

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

HeadscaleNetBird
LanguageGoGo
LicenceBSD-3-ClauseOther
Stars44k30k
Latestv0.29.4v0.80.0
Last push2026-10-062026-10-06
Release cadenceabout 20 days between releasestoo few releases
Active contributors20 commit authors on the default branch in the last 90 days38 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.

    Full replacementNetBirdWireGuard mesh with its own clients, management server, SSO and access policies.