Awacino vs Cloudflare Tunnel: publishing a service vs private access to a network
In short
Cloudflare Tunnel connects a server outwards to Cloudflare so that a web service can be published under a domain, protected by Cloudflare's network. Awacino publishes nothing: it gives your own devices and invited guests a private address inside your network. Choose Cloudflare Tunnel to put a website or web app online for others; choose Awacino for private access to your home or office network and all its devices.
Last checked: Nov 8, 2026
Side by side
| Cloudflare Tunnel | Awacino | |
|---|---|---|
| How it connects | Your service connects outwards to Cloudflare; visitors come through Cloudflare | Direct device to device, end-to-end encrypted; Awacino's servers only introduce the devices |
| What you install | cloudflared on a server, plus a domain on Cloudflare | Awacino on your device and on one device in the network you want to reach |
| Router changes | None | None: no port forwarding, no public IP address, no DynDNS |
| Behind CGNAT / DS-Lite | Works | Works |
| Devices without an app (NAS, printer, PLC) | Only services you publish (private networks via Cloudflare's client) | Reachable at their usual address through your SituIP |
| Your own tools (RDP, VNC, SSH) | Mainly web (HTTP); other protocols need Cloudflare's client | Yes, any tool, unchanged |
| Guest access | Access policies in the Cloudflare dashboard | A Beam-in code, switched off with one tap |
| Licence model | Free tier; Zero Trust plans by users | Slots: devices and active Beam-in codes, never people; free for 2 devices for private use |
| Open source | cloudflared yes; Cloudflare's network no | No |
| Platforms | Server on Linux, Windows, macOS; visitors in any browser | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, Windows, Linux; Raspberry Pi, NAS and servers with the Unattended Client |
Typical setups; details vary by plan and version.
When Cloudflare Tunnel is the better choice
- You want to publish a website or web app to the public under your domain.
- You want Cloudflare's protection, caching and DNS in front of a service.
- You already use Cloudflare Zero Trust for your company.
When Awacino is the better choice
- Nothing should be published to the internet at all.
- You need the whole network - NAS, printers, RDP, SSH - not one web service.
- You don't want a domain, DNS or a dashboard for private access.
Questions people ask
Is Awacino a Cloudflare Tunnel alternative?
For private access to your own network, yes. To publish a website for everyone, Cloudflare Tunnel is made for that; Awacino is not a hosting or tunnel service.
Does Awacino expose my services to the internet?
No. Only your own devices and guests with a Beam-in code can reach the network; nothing is published.
Does Awacino work behind CGNAT?
Yes. Both devices connect outwards and then talk to each other directly, so you need no public IP address and no port forwarding - also behind CGNAT, DS-Lite and on mobile networks.
Can I use RDP, VNC or SSH with Awacino?
Yes. Your device gets a SituIP, a real address in the remote network, so the Remote Desktop, VNC and SSH tools built into Windows, macOS and Linux work unchanged.
Is Awacino free?
Private use is free for 2 devices. Commercial use is licensed by slots - devices and active Beam-in codes, never people - from a few devices to large fleets and MSPs with many customer networks.
Is Awacino open source?
No. Awacino is closed-source software by ImageNotion UG, Germany. Connections are direct and end-to-end encrypted; Awacino's servers never carry your data.
Awacino in action
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