Tailscale vs OpenVPN: Choosing the Right VPN for Your Synology NAS

Introduction

Secure remote access to your Synology NAS is crucial for both home users and businesses. Two popular VPN solutions for this purpose are Tailscale and OpenVPN. Both provide highly secure protocols for accessing your NAS from anywhere in the world, but they have distinct differences that make each better suited for certain use cases. This article will compare Tailscale and OpenVPN in depth, examining their pros and cons to help you choose the right solution for your needs.

Understanding VPNs for NAS Access

Before diving into the comparison, it's important to understand the purpose of using a VPN for NAS access. Unlike consumer VPN services used for privacy or accessing geo-restricted content, these VPNs are designed to securely connect remote devices or networks to your local network. The primary goal is to allow authorized users to access local resources, such as file servers or web applications, without exposing these services directly to the internet.

By using a VPN, you can:

• Access your NAS and other local network resources from anywhere
• Maintain a high level of security by not exposing services directly to the internet
• Enable remote employees to work with files and applications as if they were in the office

Tailscale Overview

Tailscale is a relatively new player in the VPN space, offering a modern approach to secure networking. It's built on top of the WireGuard protocol and provides a mesh VPN solution.

Key features of Tailscale:

• Easy setup and configuration
• Mesh networking capabilities
• Built on the fast and secure WireGuard protocol
• Works well with NAT and firewalls
• Offers a free tier for small-scale use

OpenVPN Overview

OpenVPN is a well-established, open-source VPN protocol that has been around for many years. It's known for its reliability and strong security features.

Key features of OpenVPN:

• Widely supported and battle-tested
• Highly configurable
• Open-source software
• Strong encryption and security features
• Integrated with Synology DSM

Comparison of Tailscale and OpenVPN

Ease of Setup

Tailscale: Tailscale is generally easier to set up, especially for individual users or small teams. The process involves:

1. Installing the Tailscale package on your Synology NAS
2. Creating a Tailscale account
3. Authenticating your NAS with Tailscale
4. Installing Tailscale clients on your devices

Tailscale doesn't require port forwarding or complex network configuration in most cases, making it very user-friendly.

OpenVPN: Setting up OpenVPN on a Synology NAS is more involved:

1. Installing the VPN Server package
2. Configuring OpenVPN settings
3. Setting up port forwarding on your router
4. Generating and managing client certificates
5. Installing OpenVPN clients and importing configuration files

While not overly complex, OpenVPN setup requires more technical knowledge and network configuration.

Performance and Speed

Tailscale: Tailscale, built on WireGuard, generally offers better performance:

• Faster connection establishment
• Lower latency
• Better throughput, especially on faster connections
• More efficient use of system resources

However, Tailscale's performance can vary depending on whether it's using a direct connection or relay server.

OpenVPN: OpenVPN's performance is generally good but may not match Tailscale in ideal conditions:

• Slightly higher latency
• More CPU-intensive, especially on slower devices
• Still capable of saturating most home internet connections

In practice, for most NAS access scenarios, the performance difference may not be noticeable unless you're transferring very large files or have a high-speed internet connection.

Security and Privacy

Tailscale:

• Uses the modern WireGuard protocol, known for its security and efficiency
• Implements end-to-end encryption
• Relies on Tailscale's infrastructure for coordination and authentication
• Adds an extra layer of security separate from your NAS authentication

OpenVPN:

• Uses well-established and audited security protocols
• Fully open-source, allowing for community scrutiny
• Can be fully self-hosted without relying on third-party services
• Integrates directly with Synology's authentication system

Both solutions offer strong security, but OpenVPN may have a slight edge in privacy due to its ability to be fully self-hosted.

Scalability and Network Topology

Tailscale:

• Excels in mesh networking scenarios
• Easily connects multiple sites or devices without complex configuration
• Scales well for distributed teams or multi-site setups
• Can work across different networks without port forwarding

OpenVPN:

• Typically uses a hub-and-spoke model
• Requires more manual configuration for complex multi-site setups
• May require additional software or configuration for mesh-like setups
• Generally needs port forwarding for incoming connections

Tailscale has a clear advantage for complex network topologies or scenarios involving multiple sites.

Cost

Tailscale:

• Offers a free tier for up to 3 users
• Paid plans start at $6 per user per month
• Can become expensive for larger teams

OpenVPN:

• Free to use with Synology's VPN Server package
• No ongoing costs beyond your initial NAS investment

For small-scale use, both can be free. For larger deployments, OpenVPN is more cost-effective.

Authentication and User Management

Tailscale:

• Uses its own authentication system
• Can integrate with SSO providers
• Requires separate user management from your NAS

OpenVPN:

• Integrates directly with Synology's user management
• Can use local accounts or integrate with directory services
• Easier to manage for users already set up on the NAS

OpenVPN has an advantage in environments where users are already managed through the NAS.

Compatibility and Client Support

Tailscale:

• Offers native clients for most major operating systems and mobile platforms
• Generally easier to set up on client devices
• Works well on networks with restrictive firewalls

OpenVPN:

• Wide range of client applications available
• Supported on virtually all platforms
• May require more configuration on client devices

Both offer good compatibility, but Tailscale often provides a smoother client experience.

Use Case Scenarios

Home Users

For home users looking for easy remote access to their Synology NAS, Tailscale often provides the simplest solution:

• Quick setup without network configuration
• Easy to use on mobile devices
• Free tier sufficient for most home users

However, OpenVPN might be preferred by more privacy-conscious users who want full control over their VPN infrastructure.

Small Businesses

Small businesses have to weigh ease of use against cost and control:

• Tailscale offers easier setup and management for non-technical users
• OpenVPN provides more cost-effective scaling as the team grows
• OpenVPN integrates better with existing Synology user management

The choice often depends on the technical expertise available and the number of users.

Large Enterprises

For larger organizations, the decision becomes more complex:

• Tailscale's mesh networking can be advantageous for multi-site setups
• OpenVPN's cost-effectiveness becomes more pronounced at scale
• Tailscale may offer better performance for geographically distributed teams
• OpenVPN provides more control and can be fully audited

Many large enterprises may end up using both solutions for different scenarios.

Multi-Site Deployments

When connecting multiple sites or branch offices:

• Tailscale's mesh networking simplifies complex topologies
• Tailscale can work without public IP addresses or port forwarding
• OpenVPN requires more manual configuration but offers more control

Tailscale often has the edge in these scenarios unless specific compliance or control requirements favor OpenVPN.

Remote Backup Scenarios

For setting up off-site backups between Synology devices:

• Tailscale simplifies device-to-device connections
• Tailscale maintains stable connections better for long-running backups
• OpenVPN may require more manual intervention to maintain connections

Tailscale is often the preferred choice for Synology-to-Synology remote backups.

Implementation Tips

Setting Up Tailscale on Synology

1. Install the Tailscale package from the Package Center
2. Open the Tailscale application and click on the authentication link
3. Log in to your Tailscale account and authorize the device
4. Configure which Synology services to expose over Tailscale
5. Install Tailscale clients on your devices and connect to the same account

Setting Up OpenVPN on Synology

1. Install the VPN Server package from the Package Center
2. Open VPN Server and enable OpenVPN
3. Configure OpenVPN settings (protocol, port, encryption)
4. Set up port forwarding on your router
5. Create and export client configuration files
6. Install OpenVPN clients on your devices and import the configuration

Best Practices for VPN Security

• Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts
• Enable two-factor authentication where possible
• Regularly update your Synology DSM and VPN software
• Limit VPN access to only necessary services and users
• Monitor VPN logs for unusual activity
• Use certificate-based authentication for OpenVPN when possible

Conclusion

Both Tailscale and OpenVPN offer secure and effective ways to access your Synology NAS remotely. The choice between them depends on your specific needs:

• Tailscale excels in ease of use, performance, and complex network scenarios
• OpenVPN offers more control, privacy, and cost-effectiveness at scale

For many users, especially in home or small business environments, Tailscale's simplicity and performance make it an attractive choice. However, OpenVPN's maturity, cost-effectiveness, and deep integration with Synology make it a solid option, particularly for larger deployments or users with specific privacy concerns.

Ultimately, the best choice is the one that aligns with your technical requirements, budget, and comfort level with managing VPN infrastructure. Many users find that using both solutions for different scenarios provides the best of both worlds, leveraging the strengths of each where they're most beneficial.

Whichever solution you choose, implementing a VPN for your Synology NAS access will significantly enhance your ability to work remotely while maintaining a high level of security for your data and network resources.

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