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dumbpipe vs Tailcat: catalog facts
dumbpipe	Tailcat
Free Free to download and use; the source is published on GitHub.	Free Free and open source under the BSD-3-Clause licence.
Command line	Windows, Command line
Direct encrypted connection between two machines Works across NATs without opening ports	No account, login or network setup needed Direct connections with relay fallback
Command-line only, with no graphical interface Both machines need the tool installed	No access policy or identity controls like a full tailnet Command line only
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License not stated	License: BSD-3-Clause
No account needed	No account needed
Not stated if it works offline	Needs internet
Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 2, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 2, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.