# Headscale

> Headscale is a free, open-source app you can self-host in the proxy & VPN category. Open-source, self-hosted implementation of the Tailscale control server. It has 44,378 GitHub stars, is released under the BSD-3-Clause license and ships a Docker image. It is a self-hosted alternative to Tailscale.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | https://github.com/juanfont/headscale |
| GitHub stars | 44,378 |
| Forks | 2,604 |
| Open issues | 76 |
| License | BSD-3-Clause |
| License type | Open source |
| Language | Go |
| Docker image | Yes |
| Platforms | Go, Docker |
| Categories | Proxy & VPN |
| Commits, last 12 months | 1,060 |
| Last commit | Oct 6, 2026 |
| Latest release | v0.29.4 (Sep 23, 2026) |
| Created | Jun 21, 2020 |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained |
| Archived | No |

Topics: tailscale, tailscale-control-server, wireguard, tailscale-server

## Install

Headscale ships a Docker image; follow the README at https://github.com/juanfont/headscale for the image name and environment variables.

Need it installed for you? [appsgit installation help](https://appsgit.com/services/install): a fixed quote by email, single app installs from $79.

## Headscale replaces

- [Tailscale alternatives](https://appsgit.com/alternatives/tailscale): A mesh VPN built on WireGuard for connecting devices and servers.

## Similar apps in Proxy & VPN

- [frp](https://appsgit.com/apps/frp): Fast reverse proxy that exposes local servers behind NAT to the internet. (109,755 stars, Apache-2.0, Go, Docker)
- [NetBird](https://appsgit.com/apps/netbird): Zero-config WireGuard-based mesh VPN and secure network access platform. (29,768 stars, BSD-3-Clause / AGPL-3.0, Go, Docker)
- [wg-easy](https://appsgit.com/apps/wg-easy): The easiest way to run WireGuard VPN with a web UI. (27,070 stars, AGPL-3.0, TypeScript, Docker)
- [Rathole](https://appsgit.com/apps/rathole): Secure, high-performance reverse proxy for NAT traversal written in Rust. (14,296 stars, Apache-2.0, Rust, Docker)
- [imgproxy](https://appsgit.com/apps/imgproxy): Fast and secure standalone server for resizing and converting remote images. (11,108 stars, Apache-2.0, Go, Docker)
- [Outline Server](https://appsgit.com/apps/outline-server): A proxy server that runs a Shadowsocks instance for each access key and a REST API to manage the access keys. (6,257 stars, Apache-2.0, TypeScript, Docker)
- [Tinyproxy](https://appsgit.com/apps/tinyproxy): Light-weight HTTP/HTTPS proxy daemon. (6,017 stars, GPL-2.0, C)
- [sish](https://appsgit.com/apps/sish): HTTP(S)/WS(S)/TCP tunnels to localhost using only SSH (serveo/ngrok alternative). (4,786 stars, MIT, Go, Docker)

## Articles

- [How to start self-hosting in 2026: a beginner's roadmap (hardware, Docker, reverse proxy, backups)](https://appsgit.com/blog/how-to-start-self-hosting): How to start self-hosting in 2026: pick hardware or a VPS, install Docker, add a reverse proxy with HTTPS, reach it remotely and back it up, step by step.
- [r/selfhosted's most recommended apps, ranked by GitHub data](https://appsgit.com/blog/r-selfhosted-most-recommended-apps): The apps r/selfhosted recommends again and again, from Immich and Jellyfin to Vaultwarden and Paperless-ngx, ranked with real GitHub stars and commit activity.
- [Self-hosted Tailscale: Headscale, NetBird and the open-source mesh VPN options](https://appsgit.com/blog/self-hosted-tailscale-headscale-netbird): Can you run Tailscale self-hosted? Headscale, NetBird, wg-easy, Pangolin and Firezone compared: licences, features, requirements, and when the free plan wins.

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