TailChat vs NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
TailChat
A secure, server-less instant messaging application that uses mesh networking for direct peer-to-peer communication. It offers end-to-end encryption for private conversations without the need for a central server.
- Server-less architecture
- Direct peer-to-peer messaging
- End-to-end encryption
- WireGuard security
- Mesh network integration
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A server-less secure instant messaging chat app based on the Tailscale or Cylonix mesh network. No server to sign into and all messages are sent directly to the peer. End to end encryption with WireGuard.
NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale
This app provides a secure and powerful SSH terminal, file management, and a MagicDNS-aware browser for your Tailscale network. It streamlines server management without needing to switch VPN apps, offering features like real-time monitoring and an integrated editor.
- Secure SSH terminal for Tailscale
- SFTP file management with built-in editor
- MagicDNS-aware browser for internal dashboards
- Real-time Linux server monitoring
- Multi-tab sessions and customizable themes
- Resume SSH sessions after app suspension
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NovaScale is a remote-work and server-operations workspace built for Tailscale. Use SSH, monitoring, private web tools, SFTP, Herdr, Remote Git, and Remote Codex from one app—without switching VPN apps. Built-in Tailscale connects your tailnet inside NovaScale. Traditional SSH hosts and Headscale are also supported. HOSTS - Auto-discover tailnet hosts; organize with aliases, icons, groups and pins. SSH TERMINAL - Maintained native Swift terminal with customizable themes, external keyboards, combo keys, Simple Commands, OSC52 and Neovim support. - Pin terminal/tmux sessions; use copy mode with Page Up/Down and choose prefixes such as Ctrl-A. Touch-scroll, click, select and open menus in mouse-aware apps. - Command/argument suggestions with optional Bash/Zsh integration. Built-in Tailscale handles network changes; recovery depends on network, host and iOS conditions. REMOTE CODEX - Install and configure Codex on your host. Threads are managed there; NovaScale is a remote client and may cache content locally for display. - Connect to your Mac/Linux Codex CLI/app-server via Tailscale. Resume, fork, pin and rename threads; search across projects and sync pins with compatible desktop hosts. - Send prompts/files, review Markdown, LaTeX and changes, handle approvals, and follow goals, subagents and activity. Adjust text size/spacing; open images full screen. - Share files directly over authenticated app-server WebSocket; Pro adds linked-host SFTP transfers with byte progress. Diagnose host setup and compatibility in-app. - Free includes one Codex host, in-app banners and best-effort local notifications. REMOTE HERDR - Connect compatible Herdr on Mac/Linux via Tailscale or traditional SSH. Native protocol and controls for workspaces, tabs, agents and status, with a full terminal experience. - Pin and detach without stopping remote agents; paste images. Free: three daily visits and one pin. Pro: unlimited visits/pins and file/photo uploads. ON-DEVICE DICTATION - Dictate in Terminal, Codex and Herdr on supported iOS 26 devices/languages. Works offline after language assets are installed; raw audio is not saved or uploaded. CODEX & HERDR PUSH - Optional alerts when remote work needs you, even with NovaScale closed. Choose work opened in NovaScale or selected hosts. Requires host-side setup; plan limits apply. Disable at any time. REMOTE GIT - Browse repositories, branches, commits and diffs over SSH. Stage, unstage and commit on the remote host. MONITORING & CONTAINERS - CPU, memory, network, disk and I/O trends; inspect and end processes. Monitor, start, stop and restart Docker and supported macOS Apple containers. Pro adds container deployment. WEB & SFTP - Open services via URL, MagicDNS or Tailscale IP. Optional remote SOCKS5/HTTP CONNECT browser proxy and self-signed certificates; background audio from services such as Jellyfin. - Pro: browse, transfer, preview and edit SFTP files. Share files from iOS to SFTP, Terminal and Codex. LOCAL PROXY - Optional passwordless loopback SOCKS5/HTTP CONNECT access to active-tailnet peers for compatible apps on this device. No location permission needed; background access depends on iOS. PLANS & COMPATIBILITY - Core workflows are free with limits. Pro expands capacity and adds SFTP, flexible iCloud sync, container deployment and advanced customization. iOS 15+; in-app web requires iOS 17+. - Codex and Herdr require compatible host installations. TRANSPARENCY - Not affiliated with Tailscale Inc. Remote Push sends opaque IDs and signed lifecycle events, not prompts, code, commands, patches, responses, transcript paths or working directories. - Codex bootstrap wrapper and companion agent: https://github.com/GalaxNet-Ltd/nova-codex-bootstrap - Built on a maintained libtailscale fork: https://github.com/GalaxNet-Ltd/libtailscale - Support: nova-support@galaxnet.cc - Terms: https://galaxnet.dev/nova/legal/tos/ - Privacy: https://galaxnet.dev/nova/legal/privacy/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: TailChat at none against NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale's 3. NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale's advantage is ratings volume (10 vs 1). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. TailChat asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for TailChat against 5.0 for NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale has 10 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
| Parameter | TailChat | NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (10 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 84.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 10 — better |
| Update frequency | — | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 30 MB | 118 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | EZBLOCK INC | GalaxNet Ltd. |
In-app purchases
TailChat
No in-app purchases
NovaScale, SSH/Herdr+Tailscale
- NovaScale Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
- NovaScale Pro Annual14 Days trial$14.991 Year
- NovaScale Pro Lifetime$39.99
