OpenVPN vs Tailscale:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Tailscale had more branded searches than OpenVPN among zero trust network access platforms in New Zealand. Tailscale had about 5,400 branded searches, while OpenVPN had 390. Tailscale made up 89.3% of all zero trust network access platform searches we track, and OpenVPN accounted for 6.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about zero trust network access platforms, Tailscale appeared in one of the five answers and OpenVPN in none.
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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 one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but 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.
- Microsoft Entra Private Access3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Zscaler Private Access3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Cloudflare One2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Tailscale1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Twingate1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
OpenVPN0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
NordLayer0 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 in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best zero trust network access platforms in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best zero trust network access platform in New Zealand for secure remote access?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“zero trust network access platform”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best remote access software”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand 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 eight zero trust network access platforms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
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 | Cloudflare One | Microsoft Entra Private Access | NordLayer | GoodAccess | Zscaler Private Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 76.7% | 12.7% | 8.5% | 0.26% | 0.53% | 0.53% | 0.26% | 0.53% |
| Nov 2025 | 79.2% | 13.1% | 5.7% | 0.55% | 0.27% | 0.55% | 0.27% | 0.27% |
| Dec 2025 | 79.9% | 13.2% | 4.7% | 0.55% | 0.28% | 0.83% | 0.28% | 0.28% |
| Jan 2026 | 81.4% | 10.9% | 5.9% | 0.68% | 0.23% | 0.45% | 0.23% | 0.23% |
| Feb 2026 | 82% | 10.9% | 4.8% | 0.68% | 0.68% | 0.46% | 0.23% | 0.23% |
| Mar 2026 | 84.6% | 9.2% | 4% | 0.77% | 0.38% | 0.58% | 0.19% | 0.19% |
| Apr 2026 | 85.4% | 9.3% | 3.3% | 0.78% | 0.39% | 0.39% | 0.19% | 0.19% |
| May 2026 | 83.8% | 9.1% | 4% | 1.3% | 0.57% | 0.76% | 0.19% | 0.19% |
| Jun 2026 | 83.7% | 9.1% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 0.76% | 0.57% | 0.19% | 0.38% |
| Jul 2026 | 88.5% | 6.4% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 0.49% | 0.49% | 0.16% | 0.16% |
| Aug 2026 | 87.4% | 7.8% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 0.32% | 0.49% | 0.16% | 0.16% |
| Sep 2026 | 89.3% | 6.4% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.17% | 0.17% |
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 in New Zealand moved from 12.7% to 6.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 480 to 390.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Tailscale’s share of searches among zero trust network access platforms in New Zealand moved from 76.7% to 89.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.9K to 5.4K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand zero trust network access platforms in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Tailscale gained share of searches among zero trust network access platforms in New Zealand, from 87.4% to 89.3%.
In September 2026, OpenVPN lost share of searches among zero trust network access platforms in New Zealand, from 7.8% to 6.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 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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