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Head-to-head · Vpn Client

AWS Client VPN vs Tailscale

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score AWS Client VPN #1 in Vpn Client 9.1/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 2 features Visit AWS Client VPN
Tailscale #4 in Vpn Client 8.7/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Tailscale

AWS Client VPN leads on 0 checks, Tailscale on 1, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAWS Client VPN · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly Tailscale
  • Free trialonly Tailscale

AWS Client VPN scores higher on our rubric for vpn client: 9.1 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

Tailscale offers free plan; AWS Client VPN doesn't.

AWS Client VPN is the better fit for organizations accessing AWS and on-premises networks. Tailscale is the better fit for teams connecting private networks across clouds.

  • AWS Client VPN fits best

    Organizations accessing AWS and on-premises networks

  • Tailscale fits best

    Teams connecting private networks across clouds

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Side by side

Feature AWS Client VPN 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Tailscale 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.7
Ranking #1 in Vpn Client #4 in Vpn Client
Best for Organizations accessing AWS and on-premises networks Teams connecting private networks across clouds
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $0.10/unit usage-based $8/user/mo
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — 14 days
Deployment Cloud, Desktop Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Docs Tickets, Community, Docs
Compliance SSO/SAML, 2FA SOC 2
Integrations 7 integrations 16 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features AWS Client VPN 0/2 · Tailscale 0/2
Kill switch Not checked yet Not checked yet
Split tunneling Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Simultaneous connections Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
VPN protocols Not checked yet Not checked yet
Server locations Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Supports Active Directory, certificates, and SAML 2.0 authentication
  • Combines authorization rules, security groups, and posture checks
  • Integrates with VPC, Transit Gateway, Lambda, and CloudWatch Logs
  • Connects private cloud networks through subnet routers and overlay networking
  • Integrates with identity providers including Okta, Microsoft Entra ID, and GitHub
  • Offers Terraform and Pulumi integrations alongside clients for major platforms
Cons
  • Hourly endpoint and connection charges can increase with usage
  • Pricing excludes data transfer and several related AWS service charges
  • No site-to-site VPN capability; support channel is documentation
  • Personal is limited to 6 users and 3 ACL groups
  • Standard costs $8 per user per month; Premium costs $18
  • Enterprise uses custom pricing and bundling
Our verdict

AWS Client VPN is a managed, client-based VPN service for remote users who need encrypted access to AWS resources and on-premises networks. It uses OpenVPN and supports Active Directory, certificate-based, and SAML 2.0 federated…

Read the review →

Tailscale creates encrypted networks connecting users, devices, servers, cloud environments, Kubernetes clusters, and workloads. Its VPN-style connectivity is aimed at teams that need private access across clouds or regions, as well as…

Read the review →
  1. AWS Client VPNVpn Client 9.1Paid
  2. TailscaleVpn Client 8.7Free plan · 14-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • AWS Client VPN — where it wins

    • Supports Active Directory, certificates, and SAML 2.0 authentication
    • Combines authorization rules, security groups, and posture checks
    • Integrates with VPC, Transit Gateway, Lambda, and CloudWatch Logs

    Where it doesn't

    • Hourly endpoint and connection charges can increase with usage
    • Pricing excludes data transfer and several related AWS service charges
    • No site-to-site VPN capability; support channel is documentation

  • Tailscale — where it wins

    • Connects private cloud networks through subnet routers and overlay networking
    • Integrates with identity providers including Okta, Microsoft Entra ID, and GitHub
    • Offers Terraform and Pulumi integrations alongside clients for major platforms

    Where it doesn't

    • Personal is limited to 6 users and 3 ACL groups
    • Standard costs $8 per user per month; Premium costs $18
    • Enterprise uses custom pricing and bundling

More comparisons

All vpn client comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update