Security
Self-host Headscale on a VPS
A self-hosted Tailscale control server.
Run the control plane for WireGuard-based mesh networking yourself, with clients compatible with the Tailscale app.
Why self-host Headscale?
Headscale gives you Tailscale-style ease and ACLs without depending on a hosted coordination server.
How to install Headscale
- 1
Provision a VPS
Choose a plan with room for your data as well as the app.
- 2
Install the stack
Install Single Go binary.
- 3
Deploy the application
Follow the project’s official install guide for your distribution.
- 4
Enable HTTPS
Serve it on your own domain behind a reverse proxy with a certificate.
- 5
Back it up
Schedule a database dump plus a copy of any uploaded files to an off-box location.
Practical tips
- Give Headscale its own database user with rights only on its own schema.
- Reverse-proxy Headscale and terminate TLS at the proxy so certificates are managed in one place.
- Take a VPS snapshot before major upgrades so you can roll back cleanly.
- Keep Headscale patched — most self-hosting incidents are unpatched software.
Frequently asked questions
- How much RAM does Headscale need?
- Plan on 1 GB for typical use; add headroom if you expect many concurrent users.
- What stack does Headscale run on?
- Single Go binary.
- Can I run other things on the same VPS?
- Yes — size the plan so Headscale plus your other workloads fit in RAM with room to spare.
Looking for something else? Popular alternatives include Tailscale (hosted), NetBird, WireGuard (manual) — browse all app guides.