# Google Smart Lock vs Tailscale

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Tailscale at 61% against Google Smart Lock's 9%. Tailscale also leads on rating (4.4 vs 2.5) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Tailscale holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 2.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 614 and 741 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 9% of Google Smart Lock's written reviews are positive against 61% of Tailscale's.

Google Smart Lock ships an update every 2 months, Tailscale fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Smart Lock | Tailscale |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.5 (614 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-smart-lock/id1152066360/reviews) | **[4.4 (741 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tailscale/id1470499037/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 614 | **741** |
| Positive reviews | 9.4% of reviews | **60.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | #133 | **#86** |
| Size | 56 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [Tailscale Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1470499035) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Smart Lock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-smart-lock/id1152066360)

**Currently charting:** #133 Top Free · Utilities (US App Store)

Securely log in to websites and apps using your phone's built-in security key or a physical Bluetooth key. It simplifies access by remembering your passwords and offering a more convenient sign-in experience.

**Highlights:** Use phone as security key, Use Bluetooth security key, Password saving, Simplified sign-in, Secure access

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Works fine
- 🔒 Adds extra security layer
- 👍 Useful app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes on iOS 18 update
- 🐛 Doesn't work with Yubikey
- 🐛 Doesn't work with child accounts
- 🐛 Unreliable, constant issues
- 🐛 Locked out of accounts

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on launch
- Doesn't detect nearby devices
- Endless login loop
- Incompatible with latest iOS

**Requested features**

- Support for NFC security keys
- Easier setup and usage
- Better compatibility with other devices


### Tailscale

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tailscale/id1470499037)

**Currently charting:** #86 Top Free · Utilities (US App Store)

Securely connect devices, users, and workloads with a mesh VPN built on WireGuard. It brings identity to network access, enabling Zero Trust principles across diverse environments. Modernize your network for homelabs, businesses, and cloud infrastructure.

**Highlights:** Secure mesh networking, Identity-based access control, Zero Trust security, WireGuard-based VPN, Homelab and business VPN, Cloud and workload connectivity, Hardware-agnostic overlay network

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to set up and use
- 🔒 Secure remote access
- 👍 Convenient for accessing home network
- 👍 Seamless connectivity between devices
- 🚀 Powerful networking features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔋 Significant battery drain
- 🐛 Connectivity issues and bugs
- 🐛 Unreliable performance
- 🐛 Broken functionality after updates

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to connect or authenticate
- Exit node feature not working as expected
- Inconsistent behavior when switching networks
- App getting stuck in a loading state

**Requested features**

- On-demand VPN connection
- Ability to switch between multiple accounts
- More granular control over exit nodes
- Integration with other networking tools
- Dark mode option


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Smart Lock free?

Google Smart Lock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Tailscale free?

Tailscale is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Google Smart Lock or Tailscale?

Tailscale is rated higher. Google Smart Lock averages 2.5 out of 5 from 614 ratings, while Tailscale averages 4.4 from 741 ratings.

### Do Google Smart Lock or Tailscale have ads?

Neither Google Smart Lock nor Tailscale shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Google Smart Lock or Tailscale?

Google Smart Lock ships an update every 2 months, and Tailscale fortnightly. Most recently, Google Smart Lock was updated on September 30, 2026 and Tailscale on September 28, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Google Smart Lock or Tailscale?

Google Smart Lock currently peaks at #133 in the App Store charts, and Tailscale at #86. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*