Tailscale Review: How to Connect Devices into Your Own VPN

Konstantin Dokuchaev -

When working with multiple devices across different networks, you may need to connect them into a private network. This is especially useful for remote teams.

In such cases, setting up dedicated VPN servers ensures seamless access. There are various ways to achieve this, one of which is using specialized solutions like Tailscale.

Tailscale is an easy-to-use system for creating private VPN networks based on the WireGuard protocol. It allows you to connect multiple devices into a secure, encrypted network regardless of their location.

Installation and Setup

Unlike many other solutions, Tailscale requires minimal setup. Just download the app for your operating system, launch it, and sign in.

Once logged in, you don’t need to configure anything unless required. However, you can tweak settings such as:

• Enabling Tailscale DNS

• Allowing subnet routing

• Managing network nodes

• And more

These options are available in the web admin panel, so regular users don’t have to worry about configuration.

What You Can Configure

Tailscale’s admin panel consists of seven sections, allowing you to manage and control user access efficiently.

Devices

This section lists all devices connected to your network. You can:

• Add new devices

• Manage access settings

• Edit IPv4 and routing parameters

• View detailed device information

Apps (Beta)

This section allows traffic routing based on application-specific rules, such as Jira, GitHub, Salesforce, or Stripe. While the list is small, you can add custom apps if needed.

Services (Alpha)

This section helps monitor active network services by tracking open ports on devices in real time. However, past data isn’t saved, so historical logs are unavailable.

Users

Here, you can manage user access levels. Tailscale offers seven roles:

• Owner

• Admin

• Member

• Billing Admin

• IT Admin

• Network Admin

• Auditor

Each role has different permissions, which you can review in Tailscale’s documentation.

Access Controls (ACLs)

Another way to manage access is through Access Control Lists (ACLs). This allows you to set rules for devices or users, defining which ports they can access.

Example ACL rule:

{
  "acls": [
    {
      "action": "accept",
      "src": ["user1", "device1"],
      "dst": ["device2:22"]
    }
  ]
}

Logs

This section stores logs of configuration changes and user actions.

DNS

Allows you to manage Tailscale DNS settings for connected users.

Pricing

For personal use, Tailscale offers a free plan that supports up to three users and 100 devices with minimal restrictions.

Paid plans start at $5 per month for individuals and $6 per month for business users.

Conclusion

Tailscale is a niche solution. While businesses often have dedicated network specialists, Tailscale is ideal for individuals who need a private network without deep networking knowledge.

With a free plan available, it’s an accessible and efficient way to create a secure, hassle-free VPN.

Try Tailscale