Two different ways of regulating the paper web tension in an off-machine coater, by using either a tension controller with load cells, or a position controller using dancer rolls, are compared. The two systems are analyzed from the regulation point of view: system stability and response times. The stability and response analysis was performed on a computer model using data from an offline coating machine. The machine is equipped with both systems and can be run with either tension or position control. Practical results based on measurements made on-site included.<<ETX>>