OpenVPN vs Tailscale:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Tailscale had more branded searches than OpenVPN among zero trust network access platforms worldwide. Tailscale had about 1.5 million branded searches, while OpenVPN had 209,000. Tailscale made up 85.8% of all zero trust network access platform searches we track, and OpenVPN accounted for 11.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about zero trust network access platforms, Tailscale appeared in three of the five answers and OpenVPN in none.
Who do people search for more?
Tailscale, about 7 searches for every 1 for OpenVPN
Who does AI mention more?
Tailscale, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, OpenVPN in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Tailscale, the only one of the two named
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Top zero trust network access platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Tailscale was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. OpenVPN did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Twingate4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Zscaler Private Access4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Tailscale3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
NordLayer1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
OpenVPN0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
GoodAccess0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about zero trust network access platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which zero trust network access platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best zero trust network access platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best zero trust network access platform for secure remote access?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“zero trust network access platforms”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best zero trust platform”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is OpenVPN or Tailscale more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for OpenVPN and Tailscale by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven zero trust network access platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Tailscale, OpenVPN. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Tailscale | OpenVPN | Twingate | NordLayer | GoodAccess | Zscaler Private Access | Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 59% | 34% | 5.3% | 1.3% | 0.17% | 0.2% | 0.03% |
| Nov 2025 | 64.6% | 30.1% | 3.9% | 0.96% | 0.15% | 0.23% | 0.02% |
| Dec 2025 | 65.1% | 30.4% | 3.2% | 0.96% | 0.13% | 0.15% | 0.03% |
| Jan 2026 | 71.5% | 22.8% | 4.3% | 1.1% | 0.14% | 0.16% | 0.02% |
| Feb 2026 | 76.6% | 19.8% | 2.5% | 0.76% | 0.1% | 0.15% | 0.03% |
| Mar 2026 | 72.8% | 23% | 3% | 0.89% | 0.12% | 0.14% | 0.03% |
| Apr 2026 | 76.7% | 19.7% | 2.5% | 0.77% | 0.1% | 0.15% | 0.04% |
| May 2026 | 76.7% | 19.7% | 2.5% | 0.77% | 0.12% | 0.12% | 0.04% |
| Jun 2026 | 76.8% | 19.6% | 2.5% | 0.76% | 0.12% | 0.12% | 0.05% |
| Jul 2026 | 82.8% | 14.4% | 1.8% | 0.68% | 0.11% | 0.11% | 0.07% |
| Aug 2026 | 83% | 14.3% | 1.8% | 0.68% | 0.11% | 0.09% | 0.05% |
| Sep 2026 | 85.8% | 11.9% | 1.6% | 0.57% | 0.09% | 0.09% | 0.02% |
How has the OpenVPN and Tailscale comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Tailscale was ahead of OpenVPN in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, OpenVPN’s share of searches among zero trust network access platforms worldwide moved from 34% to 11.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 318K to 209K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Tailscale’s share of searches among zero trust network access platforms worldwide moved from 59% to 85.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 551K to 1.5M.
How did search popularity change for zero trust network access platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Tailscale gained share of searches among zero trust network access platforms worldwide, from 83% to 85.8%.
In September 2026, OpenVPN lost share of searches among zero trust network access platforms worldwide, from 14.3% to 11.9%.
How are branded searches counted?
11 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using OpenVPN’s and Tailscale’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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