EpochProxy vs Tailscale: Which is Right for You?
Both EpochProxy and Tailscale offer zero-trust remote access, but with fundamentally different approaches. Tailscale is a mesh VPN for general networking. EpochProxy is purpose-built for secure terminal access with audit logging. Let's help you choose the right tool.
Quick summary: Different tools for different needs
Choose EpochProxy if you need:
- Terminal/SSH access to servers
- Session recordings for compliance
- Command-level audit logging
- Web-based access (no client install)
- AWS IAM integration
Choose Tailscale if you need:
- Full network connectivity (any port/protocol)
- Peer-to-peer connections
- File sharing between devices
- Direct database connections
- Mesh networking between devices
Note: These tools can be used together. Many teams use Tailscale for general networking and EpochProxy specifically for audited terminal access.
Architecture comparison
EpochProxy: Relay-Based
User ──► EpochProxy API ──► Relay ──► Agent
│
└── Session logged
└── Commands audited
└── Recording saved - • All sessions route through central relay
- • Complete visibility into every session
- • Purpose-built for terminal access
Tailscale: Mesh VPN
Device A ◄──────────────► Device B
│ │
└───► Coordination ◄──────┘
Server
(metadata only) - • Direct peer-to-peer connections
- • Full network-level access
- • Works with any protocol
Feature comparison
A detailed look at the capabilities of each solution.
| Feature | EpochProxy | Tailscale |
|---|---|---|
| Zero-trust architecture | ||
| No exposed ports | ||
| Peer-to-peer connections | ||
| Full mesh networking | ||
| Terminal-focused access | ||
| Built-in session recordings | ||
| Command audit logging | ||
| Self-hosted relay option | ||
| AWS IAM authentication | ||
| Web-based terminal | ||
| No client software needed | ||
| Works on any port/protocol | ||
| Lightweight server agent | ||
| Role-based access control |
Use case examples
SOC 2 compliant server access
"We need to provide terminal access to production servers with full audit trails. Every command must be logged with user attribution for compliance audits."
Developer access to staging databases
"Developers need to connect their local database tools directly to staging PostgreSQL instances without exposing ports publicly."
On-call incident response
"On-call engineers need quick access to servers from their phone or any browser. We can't require them to install VPN software on personal devices."
Remote office connectivity
"We need to connect multiple office networks together so employees can access file servers, printers, and internal applications from any location."
Hybrid infrastructure management
"We use Tailscale for general network connectivity between our offices and cloud, and EpochProxy specifically for production server access where we need compliance-grade audit trails."
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about choosing between EpochProxy and Tailscale.
What is the main difference between EpochProxy and Tailscale?
Tailscale is a full mesh VPN that creates a virtual private network between all your devices. EpochProxy is purpose-built for server terminal access. Tailscale gives you network-level connectivity to any port/protocol, while EpochProxy provides terminal sessions with built-in audit logging, session recordings, and command-level controls.
When should I choose EpochProxy over Tailscale?
Choose EpochProxy if your primary need is secure terminal access to servers with compliance requirements. EpochProxy provides session recordings, command-level audit logs, and web-based access without client software. Choose Tailscale if you need general network connectivity between devices (file sharing, database access, RDP, etc.).
When should I choose Tailscale over EpochProxy?
Tailscale is better suited when you need full network access between machines—not just terminal sessions. If you need to access databases directly, share files, use RDP, or connect applications across your network, Tailscale's VPN approach is more appropriate.
Can I use both EpochProxy and Tailscale?
Yes, they serve different purposes and can complement each other. Use Tailscale for general network connectivity and EpochProxy specifically for terminal access where you need audit logging and session recordings. Many teams use both in their infrastructure.
How do the architectures differ?
Tailscale uses peer-to-peer connections with a coordination server, creating a mesh network where devices connect directly. EpochProxy uses a relay-based architecture where agents connect outbound to a central relay, and sessions are routed through that relay. This makes EpochProxy simpler for terminal-only use cases while providing better visibility into sessions.
Which is easier to set up for server access?
For terminal-only access, EpochProxy is simpler—install the agent and you're ready. Users can access servers via web browser without installing any client software. Tailscale requires client installation on both the server and the user's device.
Need secure terminal access with audit logging?
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