Zero-trust network Access (ZTNA) solutions have become essential for businesses seeking to secure their networks and data in today's remote work environment.
This article compares two leading ZTNA platforms: Twingate and NetBird. We'll examine their architectures, killer features, and pricing models to help you understand how each solution addresses modern security challenges, including remote access and VPN replacement. The goal is to provide you with the insights needed to decide whether Twingate or NetBird best suits your current security and budget needs.
TL;DR: Twingate and NetBird Killer Features
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| Open Source | No, both the client and server-side components are proprietary software developed by Twingate. | Yes, both the client agent and the coordination server are open source. |
| Network Architecture | Uses a hybrid approach with distributed Connectors that enable connections between remote networks and client applications. Connectors serve as gateways to networks. The connections use Transport Layer Security (TLS) for encryption and authentication. | Uses a decentralized peer-to-peer (P2P) mesh architecture . For end-to-end encryption, NetBird creates tunnels via userspace or kernel WireGuard .NetBird also allows access to entire networks with Routing Peers that are similar to the Connectors concept of Twingate. |
| Kubernetes Support | Yes, provide Kubernetes support through the Twingate Kubernetes Operator and Helm charts. | Yes, using NetBird’s agent as a sidecar, a proxy, or a network router |
| UI/UX and Usability | Setting up the Client Application is simple. The server-side setup involves deploying Twingate connectors, which can be done quickly using cloud provider marketplaces or container images.For day-to-day administration, Twingate offers a user-friendly web-based console. This interface allows admins to manage users, groups, resources, and policies easily. | Both the client agents and the coordination server (whether self-hosted or SaaS) are easy to set up and use. NetBird provides an intuitive web admin console for managing network, security, and user-related tasks. NetBird uses an intuitive groups approach for managing access and network configuration |
| Remote Access | RDP and SSH traffic is encrypted using TLS. | All traffic is end-to-end encrypted using the WireGuard protocol. |
| Access Control | Supports integration with various identity providers (IdPs) like Okta, Azure AD, and Google Workspace. This allows for centralized user management and Single Sign-On (SSO). Administrators can create groups and assign resources to these groups to control access to them. Depending on the plan, Twingate also supports user and group provisioning directly from IdPs, streamlining user management. | Supports Okta, Azure, Google, and other popular IdPs. Access control is done through NetBird’s admin console, which lets you create groups and policies that are easy to understand and manage. Similar to Twingate, administrators can also use identity providers for user and group provisioning. Provisioned groups are used in access policies, with changes in IdP automatically reflected in NetBird. |
| Network Routes (subnet routing) | When a user attempts to access a resource, Twingate authenticates the user and device, checks against defined policies, and then establishes a secure connection to the resource if authorized.The platform supports split tunneling, allowing traffic to be selectively routed through the Twingate network. The tool also implements posture checks in higher plan tiers, verifying device health and compliance before granting access to resources. | NetBird uses distribution groups to automate configuration settings for peer groups, which handle routing and exit nodes automatically. Peers connect directly to each other, improving latency, throughput, and scalability. NetBird supports high availability mode out of the box, ensuring consistent and reliable network performance. NetBird also supports DNS routing and posture checks in the Business plan. |
| DNS Management | Support accessing devices using their names instead of IP addresses. It offers private DNS resolution, allowing users to use internal DNS names for resources. The platform integrates with existing DNS infrastructure, making it relatively easy to manage DNS within the Twingate ecosystem. | Allows you to access devices using their names instead of IP addresses and set up private DNS servers using distribution groups to apply DNS settings for easier management. Additionally, NetBird supports match and search domains . |
| Peer Management | You can manage peers (users, groups, devices) through its centralized admin console. Users can be added manually or synced from identity providers (for selected plans). Support integration with Terraform and other popular IaC solutions. | Offers automated peer configuration with groups. Besides basic information, NetBird also displays the geographical location of the connected machines as well as support for automated peer deployment with infrastructure-as-code software like Ansible, Cloudformation, or Terraform using pre-authentication setup keys. |
| User Authentication | Support various authentication mechanisms, including Single Sign-On (SSO) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). It integrates with popular identity providers, allowing organizations to leverage their existing authentication infrastructure. | Out of the box, NetBird supports popular SSO providers and MFA in the free plan and advanced identity providers from the Team plan onwards—user and group provisioning available in the Team plan as well. |
| Activity Logging & Streaming | Provides activity logging for both client and server-side events. For enterprises, Twingate supports streaming logs to third-party SIEM services, enabling integration with existing security monitoring systems. | NetBird offers detailed network configuration and activity logging and can be integrated with multiple SIEM log streaming destinations, such as Datadog, AWS S3, and Firehose. |
| Enterprise-Level Support | Yes, the Enterprise plan offers dedicated account management, priority support, and custom SLAs for enterprise customers. | Yes, on the Enterprise plan. |
| EDR Integration and Posture Checks | The Business plan offers support for various Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions as well as posture checks. | Similarly, the Business plan offers support for CrowdStrike Falcon integration and posture checks; however, the configuration is done using distribution groups. |
| Pricing Model Differences | Uses a SaaS model encompassing a free plan, a Team plan, a business plan, and an Enterprise plan , each offering different features and support levels.It's important to note that in Twingate, a "remote network" refers to a logical grouping of resources (like a VPC or on-premises network), not individual machines, as in NetBird. | Also uses a SaaS model with similar plan tiers However, highly available routes and exit nodes are available for all plans, including the free tier. |
Self-Hosted Option
Twingate does not offer a self-hosted option for its server-side controller since it’s part of the infrastructure managed by Twingate as part of its SaaS offering, which includes the management console and other services.
NetBird provides both a fully managed and a self-hosted option for its coordination server, which encompasses the Management Service, Management UI Dashboard, Signal Service, and Relay (TURN) Service. Users can deploy these components on their own infrastructure, giving them full control over the server-side elements of the NetBird network.
Network Architecture
Twingate's network architecture consists of several key components: the Controller, Clients, Connectors, and Relay infrastructure. The Controller is a centralized, fully managed component that handles configuration, user authentication, and access control lists. Clients are installed on user devices to handle authentication and act as a proxy for resource access. Connectors are deployed in Remote Networks to provide secure access to Resources. The Relay facilitates connections between Clients and Connectors when direct peer-to-peer communication isn't possible. It is important to understand that Twingate uses a hybrid architecture where the concept of Remote Networks is the centerpiece. In a nutshell, Remote Networks are groups of related resources. Each Remote Network typically corresponds to a physical network or VPC requiring remote access.
For this reason, at least one Connector must be deployed within each Remote Network to enable access to its resources since, without them, Resources are inaccessible to Twingate end users. To summarize, Twingate architecture prioritizes peer-to-peer connections between Clients and Connectors, with a fallback to a client-server model using Relays when needed. For secure tunnels, Twingate employs TLS encryption instead of traditional VPN protocols.
NetBird's network architecture comprises a Coordination Server (consisting of a Management Service, Signal Service, and Relay Server), and NetBird Agents (client application). The Management Service handles user and network management, while the Signal Service facilitates peer discovery and connection establishment. Similar to Twingate, the Relay Server enables connections when direct peer-to-peer isn't possible. NetBird Agents are software installed on devices to create secure connections. NetBird uses a peer-to-peer mesh network architecture, where agents communicate directly with each other, forming a distributed mesh network. This design eliminates the need for a connector-like application, as machines connect directly to one another. That is, the Coordination Server facilitates initial connections and provides fallback connectivity but doesn't route traffic in normal operations.
For secure tunneling, NetBird uses the WireGuard protocol, known for its simplicity and efficiency in creating encrypted connections. While direct peer-to-peer connections are the primary method, NetBird also offers a Twingate’s Connector-like feature called Network Routes. This feature allows you to connect to entire LANs, VPCs networks when needed. It's particularly useful in scenarios where access to multiple resources within a network is required.
UI/UX and Usability
Twingate offers a user-friendly web-based admin console designed for network administrators and DevOps teams. The initial setup process is streamlined, with guided steps for deploying connectors and integrating with identity providers. The management interface provides a clear overview of resources, users, and access policies. Daily tasks such as user management, resource configuration, and network route adjustments are intuitive, with a logical layout and search functionality. The platform's dashboard offers insights into network activity and user access patterns, facilitating easier troubleshooting and policy refinement.
NetBird prioritizes simplicity and ease of use in both its agents and coordination servers. The management interface features a clean, modern design that's easy to navigate, providing a clear overview of the network and connected devices. NetBird's approach centers around the extensive use of groups, which streamlines various aspects of network management. This group-based system simplifies tasks from applying security policies to managing DNS settings, making complex network configurations more manageable. The setup process for both endpoints and the server (whether self-hosted or used as a SaaS solution) requires minimal configuration with many automated processes. Daily management tasks are straightforward, with the interface striking a balance between features and ease of use.
Remote Access
Twingate manages remote network access, including RDP and SSH traffic, by encrypting all communications using TLS 1.3. This approach ensures secure tunneling for remote access to resources without relying on traditional VPN protocols. Users can access RDP and SSH services through Twingate's client software, which acts as a secure proxy for these connections.
NetBird also provides secure remote access for RDP and SSH, utilizing the WireGuard protocol for encrypting all traffic. This ensures a high level of security and performance for remote connections. NetBird goes a step further in enhancing user convenience by including an embedded SSH client. This enables users to establish connections to remote servers using a straightforward command-line syntax. By executing netbird ssh <server>, users can quickly initiate SSH sessions to their desired destinations, streamlining the process of remote access and management. For RDP connections, users can leverage NetBird's secure tunnel to access remote desktops using their preferred RDP client software.
Access Control
Twingate implements an access control system based on zero-trust principles. It integrates with major identity providers, including Okta, Azure, Google, and more. This integration allows Twingate to delegate authentication activities to these providers, enhancing security by not storing sensitive user credentials. Twingate's access controls are set by combining Resources and user Groups, enabling granular role-based access control at the resource level.
NetBird also provides comprehensive access control features, with a strong emphasis on simplicity through distribution groups. Just like Twingate, NetBird offers support for user authentication using Google, Azure, and Okta. NetBird's group-based system streamlines the management of access rights, making it easier for administrators to assign and modify permissions across the network. This approach allows for efficient management of complex network configurations, simplifying tasks from applying security policies to managing access controls.
All in all, both solutions offer flexible and scalable access control mechanisms.
Network Routes (subnet routing)
Twingate uses a split-tunnel approach, where only traffic destined for protected resources goes through the Twingate network. This is achieved through Connectors deployed in each subnet, which resolve local addresses within their respective networks. For example, if you have two subnets (10.1.0.0/16 and 10.2.0.0/16) that don't communicate directly, you can deploy a Connector in each subnet to provide access to resources in both networks without altering existing routing. Also, Twingate prioritizes peer-to-peer connections between Clients and Connectors for low-latency access. When direct P2P isn't possible due to NAT or firewall restrictions, it falls back to using Relay servers. Administrators can control traffic flow by configuring Resources and assigning them to specific Connectors. That said, because connectors are indispensable for establishing secure P2P connections, it is recommended to deploy several of them on critical remote networks for load balancing and high availability.
NetBird takes a different approach, using a full-mesh peer-to-peer network architecture. It creates direct encrypted tunnels between nodes (NetBird Agents) whenever possible, minimizing latency and optimizing traffic flow. NetBird uses the WireGuard protocol for these connections, known for its performance and efficiency.
As explained before, NetBird also offers a network routing feature that functions similarly to Twingate’s Connectors. This feature allows you to connect to entire networks when needed, providing flexibility for scenarios requiring access to multiple resources within a network.
When direct P2P connections aren't feasible, NetBird can route traffic through its Relay servers. Furthermore, NetBird simplifies network management through automated configuration. It uses group-based settings to handle subnet routing and define network rules efficiently. The system's DNS routing adds to its adaptability.
This approach, combining peer-to-peer architecture with network routing capabilities, cuts down on complex setups, potentially boosting IT productivity. Thanks to its flexible design, NetBird scales well, allowing easy addition of new nodes without overloading central servers, while still providing options for traditional network-wide access when needed.
In short, both solutions aim to simplify network routing compared to traditional VPNs.
Kubernetes Support
Twingate offers Kubernetes integration through a Helm Chart and a Kubernetes Operator. These tools streamline the deployment, management, and access authorizations within Kubernetes environments. The Helm Chart allows for easy installation and configuration of Twingate components in a Kubernetes cluster. The Kubernetes Operator automates the deployment and maintenance of Twingate's ZTNA directly from Kubernetes deployments. This integration ensures that configuration and access to clusters are maintained in the same place, seamlessly bridging Kubernetes clusters and Twingate's ZTNA solution.
NetBird also provides Kubernetes support, focusing on enabling secure, peer-to-peer networking between Kubernetes pods and external services. NetBird can be deployed within a Kubernetes cluster using either a DaemonSet or a Deployment configuration, as well as a sidecar, proxy, or network route. The deployment process involves creating a setup key in the NetBird management dashboard, configuring network routes and access control policies, and then deploying the NetBird agent as containers within the Kubernetes cluster.
DNS Management
Twingate approaches DNS management with a focus on integration with existing infrastructure. It allows organizations to use their current DNS setup, including internal DNS servers, without requiring significant changes. Twingate's Connectors can be configured to use specific DNS servers for name resolution within their respective networks. This enables access to internal hostnames and services without exposing them to the public internet. Administrators can manage DNS settings through Twingate's web interface, where they can specify DNS servers for different resources or networks. This approach provides flexibility in handling various DNS configurations across different parts of the network.
NetBird takes a group-centric approach to DNS management, aligning with its overall philosophy of simplifying network administration. It offers a built-in DNS system that allows administrators to manage DNS settings using distribution groups. This feature enables easy configuration of DNS servers for different segments of the network. Admins can assign DNS servers to specific groups, ensuring that devices within those groups use the appropriate DNS settings. NetBird also supports match and search domains, adding flexibility to DNS resolution.
Peer Management
Twingate approaches peer management through its web-based admin console, offering a straightforward interface for managing users, groups, and devices. Administrators can add or remove users, assign them to groups, and manage device access. Twingate integrates with existing identity providers, simplifying user management by leveraging existing user directories. For larger deployments, Twingate supports automation through Terraform, allowing admins to manage peers programmatically.
Similarly, NetBird offers a flexible approach to peer management. Its web admin console provides an intuitive interface for managing peers, groups, and access policies. NetBird emphasizes its group-based management, allowing admins to easily organize and control peer access. The platform supports peer auto-grouping, which can significantly reduce administrative overhead. It is worth mentioning that in addition to basic information, NetBird also displays the geographical location of the connected machines and supports automated deployment with infrastructure-as-code software like Ansible, Cloudformation, or Terraform through pre-authentication setup keys.
User Authentication
As explained above, Twingate supports popular identity providers for user authentication. Additionally, the Twingate Business plan provides SCIM for user and group synchronization and offers native two-factor authentication (Universal 2FA) that can be applied to any resource without application changes. It allows social logins (e.g., Google, LinkedIn) for external users like contractors and supports single sign-on (SSO). All in all, Twingate delegates user authentication to the configured identity provider, enhancing security by not storing sensitive user credentials. The 2FA feature allows admins to enforce additional authentication challenges for specific resources, regardless of the identity provider's capabilities.
Similar to Twingate, NetBird’s plan supports popular identity providers like Azure, Google, and Okta. It also supports 2FA out-of-the-box through the integration with the identity provider. Additionally, NetBird offers built-in authentication for self-hosted deployments, supporting major providers like Auth0, Keycloak, and Zitadel out-of-the-box. However, unlike Twingate, starting from the Teams plan, you can sync with your identity provider, automatically updating user access in NetBird when you add or remove users in your main system. This streamlines user management, making life easier for IT admins, who don't have to manually update access rights for each change.
Activity Logging & Streaming
Twingate provides both built-in and third-party integration options. Its built-in logging system captures information about user connections, resource access, and system events. Administrators can access these logs through the Twingate web console, allowing for real-time monitoring and historical analysis of network activity. For more advanced logging and analytics, Twingate integrates with popular SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) platforms. It supports log streaming to services like Datadog, Splunk, and Sumo Logic, enabling organizations to consolidate their security logs and perform advanced threat detection. Twingate also offers API access to activity logs, allowing for custom integrations with other security tools or in-house analytics platforms.
NetBird approaches activity logging with a focus on flexibility and integration. Its built-in logging system captures information about peer connections, access attempts, and system events. Administrators can view these logs through the NetBird web interface, or through the API, providing quick insights into network activity. For more robust analysis and monitoring, NetBird supports log streaming to external systems like Datadog, AWS S3, and Amazon Kinesis Data Firehouse.
EDR Integration and Posture Checks
In their Business plan, Twingate supports integrations with popular EDR platforms like CrowdStrike, Intune, and SentinelOne, allowing organizations to use their existing security solutions. Twingate's device posture checks can verify various security attributes such as operating system version, firewall status, disk encryption, and the presence of specific security software. These checks are performed on the client side before granting access to resources, which ensures that only allowed devices can connect to the network. Administrators can configure these policies through Twingate's web console or API, enabling granular control over device access based on security posture.
NetBird, also in its Business plan and above, provides advanced security features, including EDR integrations and device posture checks. It offers integration with CrowdStrike Falcon, enabling organizations to incorporate advanced endpoint protection within their NetBird environment. Similar to Twingate, NetBird's posture checks verify device compliance before granting network access, considering factors like operating system version, running processes, network, and geo location. These security features are managed through distribution groups, aligning with NetBird's focus on simplifying network management and thus allowing administrators to efficiently apply and update security policies across multiple nodes or user groups simultaneously.
Pricing Model Differences
Both Twingate and NetBird employ a similar SaaS pricing model, offering Free, Teams, and Business plans, along with custom Enterprise options. Nevertheless, despite the similar plan names, there are notable differences in the value and features provided by each platform.
Twingate's Teams plan ($6 per user per month) allows up to 100 users, 3 admins, and 20 remote networks. It adds features like MFA requirements for bastion hosts and SSH, SSO with Google Workspace, and SaaS application access control. The Business plan ($12 per user per month) expands capacity to 500 users, 10 admins, and 100 remote networks while introducing integrations with Okta, AzureAD, and JumpCloud, secure service accounts for CI/CD automation, and device controls via MDM and EDR integrations. It's important to note that Twingate's pricing model is built around the concept of remote networks explained before.
NetBird's Teams plan ($5 per user per month) offers unlimited users, 100 machines (+10 per user), unlimited admins, secure service accounts, and regular users. It includes MFA, access and connection logging, and integration with major identity providers for access control and streamlined onboarding/offboarding processes. In other words, NetBird provides unlimited users and admins, including secure service accounts and support for major identity providers from this plan onwards. The Business plan ($12 per user per month) maintains the same machine allowance but adds device posture checks, MDM device controls, device approvals, and EDR integrations.
Twingate vs. NetBird: Which Solution is Best for Your Business?
Twingate and NetBird are excellent alternatives to traditional VPNs. Both offer the best of zero-trust network access principles, simplify user and network management, and offer a wealth of integrations with third-party security and authentication solutions.
Twingate takes traditional client-server architecture to the next level by providing connections between clients and remote networks via Twingate Connectors hosted on the customers’ sites. Thanks to this approach, minimal change or disruption to existing VPN-based network infrastructure is needed.
NetBird, on the other hand, emphasizes simplicity and flexibility with a self-hosted option and its peer-to-peer architecture while still giving the option to connect to entire remote networks with Network Routes. This makes it particularly appealing for organizations prioritizing scalability, performance, and low latency connections. The latter is largely due to its architecture, which allows for a direct end-to-end encrypted connection between NetBird agents across clouds and on-premise networks.
Overall, the choice between Twingate and NetBird depends on your organization's specific needs, existing infrastructure, and operational preferences. Consider factors such as network complexity, performance, and desired level of customization when making your decision.
