os-alt

self-host the SaaS you're paying for

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Headscale vs Innernet

Self-host pick — both replace Tailscale (Mesh VPN / zero-config networking).

Both Headscale and Innernet self-host as a replacement for Tailscale (Mesh VPN / zero-config networking). Pick Headscale if you want the lighter footprint — 20min (single Go binary + reverse proxy), $5 vps — coordination only, traffic is peer-to-peer. Pick Innernet if you need static, server-to-server meshes (small fleet, infra-only) — 20min (single Rust binary per host) and $5 vps for the coordination server.

Headscaleopen-sourceInnernetopen-source
LicenseBSD-3-ClauseMIT
Setup time20min (single Go binary + reverse proxy)20min (single Rust binary per host)
Monthly cost$5 VPS — coordination only, traffic is peer-to-peer.$5 VPS for the coordination server.
GitHubjuanfont/headscale ★ 38.3k · last commit todayalivetonarino/innernet ★ 5.48k · last commit 8w agoalive
ReplacesTailscaleTailscale

Good fit for

Headscale

Teams that already love Tailscale UX but don't want a SaaS dependency.

Weak at:No web admin UI in core — third-party UIs (headplane, headscale-ui) fill the gap.

Innernet

Static, server-to-server meshes (small fleet, infra-only).

Weak at:No mobile client; no MagicDNS-style identity.

In a terminal? npx -y github:SolvoHQ/os-alt-cli tailscale prints Tailscale's self-host options including both — how the CLI works →

FAQ

Which is easier to self-host, Headscale or Innernet?

Headscale: 20min (single Go binary + reverse proxy). Innernet: 20min (single Rust binary per host).

What does each cost to run?

Headscale: $5 VPS — coordination only, traffic is peer-to-peer.. Innernet: $5 VPS for the coordination server.. Both projects are free and open source.

Do Headscale and Innernet replace the same SaaS?

Yes — both are open-source alternatives to Tailscale.