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Free StrongDM alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

3 of the 5 StrongDM alternatives we track can be used for free (free, open source, or with a free plan). Teleport, Tailscale and Twingate rank highest, with facts last verified Nov 8, 2026.

StrongDM has been acquired. Now part of Delinea, according to the StrongDM website.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Teleport logoTeleportFree plan + paid—YesWeb, macOS, Windows +24 of 468.8
2Tailscale logoTailscaleFree plan + paid$8 per user/month (Standard)YesWindows, macOS, Linux +27 of 766.2
3Twingate logoTwingateFree plan + paid$5 per user/month (Teams)NoWindows, macOS, Linux +26 of 650.0
  1. Teleport logo

    1. TeleportTop pick

    Best for: Platform teams replacing SSH keys, bastion hosts and VPNs with audited, short-lived access

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceSelf-hostableWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, Self-hosted

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from StrongDM

    Open-source alternative using short-lived certificates, which you can self-host or buy as a cloud service.

    Pros

    • Short-lived certificates replace static SSH keys and database passwords
    • Covers SSH, Kubernetes, databases, RDP and web apps in one tool
    • Session recording and access requests built in
    • Open-source code with a self-hostable Community Edition

    Cons

    • Enterprise pricing is only available by contacting sales
    • Self-hosting a cluster takes real setup and upkeep
    • Community Edition lacks many enterprise governance features
    Visit Teleport Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Teleport a good StrongDM alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Nov 4, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    14 days (Enterprise)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026goteleport.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Self-hosting
    Yes (Community Edition)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026goteleport.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop app
    Teleport Connect for macOS, Windows, Linux
    Checked Nov 8, 2026goteleport.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Tailscale logo

    2. Tailscale

    Best for: Developers, home-labbers and teams who want private access between their own devices

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    66.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from StrongDM

    Lightweight mesh VPN with SSH and ACLs for teams that mainly need network-level access.

    Pros

    • Works through NAT and firewalls with almost no setup
    • Generous free plan for personal use
    • Fine-grained access controls and built-in SSH

    Cons

    • Coordination server is hosted unless you run Headscale
    • Not a location-changing VPN by default
    • Team pricing adds up per user
    Visit Tailscale Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.341
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Tailscale a good StrongDM alternative?

    Verified facts

    7 of 7 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, up to 6 users (Personal)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026tailscale.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan users
    Up to 6 users
    Checked Nov 8, 2026tailscale.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Client licence
    BSD-3-Clause
    Checked Nov 8, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    macOS, iOS, Windows, Linux, Android
    Checked Nov 8, 2026tailscale.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $8 per user/month (Standard)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026tailscale.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Premium plan
    $18 per user/month
    Checked Nov 8, 2026tailscale.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    14 days (Enterprise trial)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026tailscale.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Twingate logo

    3. Twingate

    Best for: IT teams replacing a corporate VPN with per-resource, identity-based access

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    50.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from StrongDM

    Zero-trust network access with per-resource rules and a simpler, self-serve setup.

    Pros

    • No inbound firewall ports needed
    • Access granted per resource rather than whole network
    • Free plan for small teams

    Cons

    • Closed source and hosted only
    • Not a mesh between user devices
    • Advanced controls require paid tiers
    Visit Twingate Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.338
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Twingate a good StrongDM alternative?

    Verified facts

    6 of 6 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, up to 5 users (Starter)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026twingate.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Home plan
    $15 a month
    Checked Nov 8, 2026twingate.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
    Checked Nov 8, 2026twingate.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $5 per user/month (Teams)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026twingate.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Business plan
    $10 per user/month
    Checked Nov 8, 2026twingate.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    14 days
    Checked Nov 8, 2026twingate.com(opens source in a new tab)