os-alt

self-host the SaaS you're paying for

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Innernet vs Netbird

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

Both Innernet and Netbird self-host as a replacement for Tailscale (Mesh VPN / zero-config networking). Pick Innernet if you want a MIT-licensed codebase (MIT); pick Netbird for BSD (BSD-3-Clause). Both run in roughly the same cost bracket — $5 vps for the coordination server vs $5-10 vps for the management plane.

Innernetopen-sourceNetbirdopen-source
LicenseMITBSD-3-Clause
Setup time20min (single Rust binary per host)30min docker-compose (management + signal + relay)
Monthly cost$5 VPS for the coordination server.$5-10 VPS for the management plane.
GitHubtonarino/innernet ★ 5.48k · last commit 8w agoalivenetbirdio/netbird ★ 25.2k · last commit 1d agoalive
ReplacesTailscaleTailscale

Good fit for

Innernet

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

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

Netbird

Teams who want a Tailscale-shaped product + web admin UI in one self-hosted package.

Weak at:Smaller community than Tailscale/Headscale.

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, Innernet or Netbird?

Innernet: 20min (single Rust binary per host). Netbird: 30min docker-compose (management + signal + relay).

What does each cost to run?

Innernet: $5 VPS for the coordination server.. Netbird: $5-10 VPS for the management plane.. Both projects are free and open source.

Do Innernet and Netbird replace the same SaaS?

Yes — both are open-source alternatives to Tailscale.