Pangolin and VPNs serve different purposes: Pangolin focuses on secure ingress and application routing, while VPNs provide remote access to internal networks. They offer different approaches to secure connectivity.

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Traditional VPN Limitations

Over-Permission

Users get access to entire networks, not just the applications they need.

Client Software Required

Users must install and configure VPN client software.

Network Complexity

Requires public IP addresses, open ports, and complex network configuration.

Limited Access Control

Basic network-level security with few granular controls or complicated ACLs.

Single Point of Failure

If the VPN server goes down, all access is lost.

Security Risk

Broad network access can be risky if user devices are compromised.

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Pangolin’s Ingress-First Approach

Pangolin provides secure, application-specific ingress and routing without the limitations of traditional VPNs:

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Zero-Trust Access Control

Application-Specific

Users access only the applications they’re authorized to use.

Browser-Based

No client software installation required - works with any web browser.

Granular Permissions

Role-based access control, path-based rules, and contextual policies.

Multi-Factor Authentication

Support for SSO, OIDC, 2FA, and passkeys.

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Simplified Ingess Infrastructure

No Public IPs

Edge networks don’t need public IP addresses.

Highly Available Mesh

Multiple nodes ensure high availability.

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Key Differences

FeatureTraditional VPNPangolin
Access ScopeFull network accessApplication-specific access
Client SoftwareRequiredNot needed (browser-based)
Network RequirementsPublic IP, open portsNo public IP needed
Access ControlNetwork-levelZero-trust, granular
AuthenticationBasic credentialsMulti-factor, SSO, OIDC
InfrastructureSingle serverDistributed nodes
Security ModelNetwork-based trustIdentity-based trust

Try Pangolin Cloud

Get application-specific access with zero-trust security and no client software required.

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Pangolin vs. Mesh VPN (e.g., Tailscale, Netbird)

Pangolin and mesh VPNs like Tailscale or Netbird both provide secure remote access, but they differ in their approach and functionality. Mesh VPNs focus on creating peer-to-peer connections between devices for full network access, while Pangolin is designed to expose specific applications or services securely through nodes, with no need for client-side software on user devices. Pangolin is a better choice for application-specific access with zero-trust security and no client-side software requirements. Mesh VPNs like Tailscale or Netbird are more suitable for full network access and peer-to-peer connectivity. For environments prioritizing granular access control and simplicity, Pangolin offers a more focused and secure solution.