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Comment by jasonkester | Hacker News Reader

So, somewhere on that website, there’s a free version that can be downloaded onto a desktop and run without signing up for their service?

I think I understand what it does now. So, basically you leave a computer running at home, and this thing lets you pretend to be running your internet stuff through it while you’re on the road?

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> So, somewhere on that website, there’s a free version that can be downloaded onto a desktop and run without signing up for their service?

If you go to https://tailscale.com/pricing?plan=personal

The first plan on the left called 'Personal' is free.

It uses a central orchestrator which is what requires you to sign up. If you prefer to self host your orchestrator you can look into Headscale, an alternative that seeks to be compatible with the clients.

> So, basically you leave a computer running at home, and this thing lets you pretend to be running your internet stuff through it while you’re on the road?

That's one thing you can do with it, yes. You can also run custom DNS entries across it, ACLs, it is very flexible.

Ugh. On mobile, the first plan on the pricing page is “ starter” for $6. The plan to the right is partly visible, indicating that you can scroll that way. There’s nothing to indicate that you can scroll left.

A less hostile website design would have (again) saved me a question.

It seems like it defaults to Business, which is paid. If you tap "Personal" you'll see the free plan.

Sorry, but try a little harder. Tailscale isn't hostile, but it seems you are -- you claim to think you need it, but don't know what it does and can't put in the effort to determine and foist those inabilities on Tailscale?

I've been using Tailscale for many years now and they have a terrific product.

Tailscale is one of the simplest, most useful things I use. I only use the personal plan, but I keep toying with signing up for paid because it’s a damn good product.

The service is free up to certain amount of connected people and devices. You most likely don't need to pay for it. I am pretty heavy user and don't. It is virtual private network orchestrator. It allows you to connect to other devices that you add to your network as long as they are connected to the internet. So your office computer, home server or NAS. If you have some home automation like home assistant you can connect to it from anywhere. That kind of stuff.

You can run it on a capable router or on a RPi, or on your NAS. It's especially useful if you want to self-host (e.g. Immich). You can use it to authenticate for ssh if you like, or simply give you an IP you can ssh to.

It's especially handy if you want a secondary way in, in case you have problems connecting using wireguard, since it supports using a relay if you're stuck in a hotel with a heavily restricted connection.

If you run DNS at home, you can even configure it to use your home DNS and route to your home subnet(s).

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