https://tailscale.com/blog/free-plan/
We also get users who write in to support asking, “How can it possibly be free?!?” In certain tech communities, you will sometimes see a comment like this1 on articles about Tailscale:
“If you’re not paying, then you’re not the customer. You’re the product.”
I’ve always disliked that claim. It starts from a grain of truth, especially for advertising- or spyware-based companies. But it’s not universally relevant. Sometimes a free lunch is just a free lunch.
Is there really such a thing? What’s the catch? Let’s discuss Tailscale’s business model.