# Tailcat

Tailscale without Tailscale.

Source: [Console review](<https://console.dev/tools/tailcat>)

Website: [https://tailscale.com/tailcat](<https://tailscale.com/tailcat>)

Profile updated: 2026-10-16

Category: [Terminal utilities](<https://console.dev/tools/categories/terminal-terminal-utilities>)

## Supported tech stack

Research checked: 2026-10-11

### Runs on

- Browser (Runtime)
- FreeBSD (Operating system)
- Linux (Operating system)
- OpenBSD (Operating system)
- WebAssembly (Runtime)
- Windows (Operating system)
- macOS (Operating system)

### SDK support

- Go (Language)

### Written in

- Go (Language)

Source: [Research source](<https://github.com/tailscale/tailcat>)

Documented compatibility; coverage may be incomplete. Written in describes implementation, not user-project language support.

Go library and CLI supports Linux, macOS, Windows, FreeBSD, OpenBSD and experimental browser WASM.

## Console’s review — 2026-09-03

Reviewed: 2026-09-03

Author: [David Mytton](<https://console.dev/about#david-mytton>)

Citation: [This review](<https://console.dev/tools/tailcat#review_141779b1e789a446767cb426cf10dfd4c450543c65634390d14f7a666093cc73>)

### What we like

Uses Tailscale’s data plane without using the control plane i.e. connect endpoints without needing a Tailscale account. No IPs, no users, no controls - great for direct connectivity. Works as a CLI or a Go package.

### Tradeoffs

You have to run your own DERP server for true Tailscale independence.

This review reflects Console’s assessment at publication on 2026-09-03. Features and limitations may have changed since the review date.

## Is Tailcat a fit?

Based on [Console’s review published on 2026-09-03](<https://console.dev/tools/tailcat#review_141779b1e789a446767cb426cf10dfd4c450543c65634390d14f7a666093cc73>).

Summary updated: 2026-10-16

### Who it’s for

Developers needing direct connectivity without user management

### Why consider it

Enable direct connectivity between endpoints without requiring a Tailscale account

### Keep in mind

Requires running own DERP server for full independence

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