Pangolin is an open-source, identity-aware remote access platform built on WireGuard. It combines the functionality of a reverse proxy and a VPN, providing secure access to both web applications and private network resources. Pangolin solves the problem of securing remote access with a zero-trust model, granting access based on identity and context rather than network location. It leverages WireGuard for secure tunneling and offers granular access control.
Pangolin distinguishes itself through its unified reverse proxy and VPN capabilities, simplifying network access management. Its identity-aware zero-trust approach offers enhanced security compared to traditional VPNs. The platform's lightweight site connectors enable secure connections to remote networks without the need for public IP addresses or open ports, and its DNS alias feature enhances user experience.
- Site Connectors: Enable secure tunnels to remote networks without public IPs or open ports.
- Reverse Proxy Access: Expose web applications with identity-aware tunneled reverse proxies, including load balancing and SSL management.
- Private Resource Access: Access private resources like SSH and databases with intelligent NAT traversal and DNS aliases.
- Zero-Trust Access: Grant granular access to specific resources, limiting attack surface and enhancing security.
- Built-in Authentication: Supports various authentication methods including OIDC and PAM for secure user verification.
- Cross-Platform Clients: Dedicated clients available for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android.
- Easy Deployment: Offers community and enterprise editions with options for self-hosting or using a managed cloud service.
Pangolin is an active project with a growing community and regular updates, as indicated by recent commits and community engagement (Discord, Slack). The documentation is comprehensive, and the project has a significant number of stars and forks, suggesting good community interest and a stable codebase. The project is dual-licensed under AGPL-3 and Fossorial Commercial License which provides flexibility for adoption.
Pangolin benefits individuals and organizations needing secure remote access to resources. It addresses use cases such as providing secure access for remote workers, enabling secure access to internal systems for distributed teams, and simplifying management of remote infrastructure. Pangolin offers a more secure and flexible alternative to traditional VPN solutions by implementing a zero-trust model and combining VPN and reverse proxy functionalities.