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ZeroTier

zerotier.com

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Spec score 8.6 #2 of 24 in Cloud Network Management Software

What it is

ZeroTier is a software-defined networking platform for connecting people, devices and cloud environments through secure virtual networks. Its overlays can span public clouds, private data centers, on-premises environments, remote devices and edge systems. Security measures include cryptographic device identity, end-to-end traffic encryption, peer-to-peer connections when possible, and centrally defined policies enforced globally. Capabilities include cloud-to-cloud networking, global device fleets, identity-based access control, Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking, and programmable management. The platform supports hybrid deployment and lists coverage for DigitalOcean, Amazon Web Services, Google Compute Engine, Microsoft Azure, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, Alibaba Cloud, IBM Cloud, Vultr and Equinix Metal. Documentation includes API guides and tutorials for Docker, code-server, Terraform, webhooks, and Prometheus/Grafana monitoring. The free Personal plan is limited to non-commercial use and includes 10 devices, one network and one admin. Essential costs $18 a month; Scale costs $179 a month. Platforms include Android, API, iOS, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web and Windows.

Spec sheet

What it does
ZeroTier provides software-defined networking that connects devices, applications, clouds and sites through encrypted virtual networks over existing infrastructure.Read 15 Oct 2026 · zerotier.com
Product
ZeroTier describes its platform as secure software-defined networking that connects people, devices, and clouds worldwide.Read 30 Sep 2026 · zerotier.com
Platforms
Downloads are listed for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Docker, FreeBSD, OpenWRT, and NAS.Read 30 Sep 2026 · zerotier.com
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · zerotier.com
Integrations
The maker’s documentation includes API guides and tutorials for Docker, code-server, Terraform, webhooks, and Prometheus/Grafana monitoring.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.zerotier.com
Security
The platform uses cryptographic device identity, end-to-end traffic encryption, peer-to-peer connections when possible, and centrally defined policy enforced globally.Read 30 Sep 2026 · zerotier.com
Compliance
ZeroTier states that it is SOC 2 Type II certified and directs customers to its Trust Center for compliance reports.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.zerotier.com
Support
Personal and Essential include community support, Scale includes ticketed support with SLA, and Enterprise includes priority support with enhanced SLA.Read 30 Sep 2026 · zerotier.com
Founded
LinkedIn lists 2013 as the founding year, matching the maker’s history of its open-source release in 2013.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Air-gapped use
The maker says ZeroTier Quantum can be deployed fully in air-gapped environments, with policy enforced locally and endpoints exclusively generating and holding keys.Read 30 Sep 2026 · zerotier.com
API surface
The agent and Central expose APIs for querying networks and peers and for managing network configuration and membership.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.zerotier.com
Central API authentication
New Central uses service-account API tokens for automated workflows and team access, and this requires the Essential plan or higher.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.zerotier.com
Company headquarters and size
LinkedIn lists San Francisco, California headquarters and a company size of 11–50 employees.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Company history
ZeroTier says its open-source release went live in 2013, after founder Adam Ierymenko began the project as a side project.Read 30 Sep 2026 · zerotier.com
Company legal name
Crunchbase lists the legal name as ZeroTier, Inc.Read 15 Oct 2026 · crunchbase.com
Compatibility
Supported platforms include Linux, macOS, Windows, iOS/iPadOS, Android and FreeBSD, with ARM, x86, MIPS and s390x architectures.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.zerotier.com
Developer integrations
Official developer documentation covers Docker, code-server, Terraform, sockets, webhooks and Prometheus/Grafana observability.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.zerotier.com
Documentation depth
The documentation includes getting-started guides, platform notes, API references, troubleshooting, security, SLA, glossary and developer-tool tutorials.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.zerotier.com
End-to-end encryption
ZeroTier states that traffic uses asymmetric encryption and private keys remain on the device.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.zerotier.com
Features
Capabilities include cloud-to-cloud networking, global device fleets, identity-based access control, Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking, and programmable network management.Read 30 Sep 2026 · zerotier.com
Funding investors
Crunchbase lists Series A funding and names Anorak Ventures, Battery Ventures and Bonfire Ventures among the investors.Read 15 Oct 2026 · crunchbase.com
Identity access control
Each network member is identified and authenticated cryptographically, and ZeroTier supports identity-based access control and local policy enforcement.Read 15 Oct 2026 · zerotier.com
Licence
The public ZeroTierOne repository uses MPL-2.0 for most core code but separately identifies non-free source-available portions, so the complete product is not uniformly open source.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: advanced routing documentation
Capterra reviewers report that routing between ZeroTier and physical LANs can be complicated and that official documentation does not cover every issue.Read 15 Oct 2026 · capterra.com
Limit: interface and learning curve
G2 and Capterra reviewers mention a dated or confusing dashboard, limited UI polish and a learning curve for advanced networking.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: mobile functionality
Google Play reviewers request always-on VPN, simultaneous multiple-network connections and better recovery after switching between Wi-Fi and cellular networks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Limit: reliability and support complaints
Trustpilot reviewers report intermittent connectivity, difficult uninstallation, delayed bug fixes, expensive forced plans and slow or unclear paid support responses.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Multi-cloud networking
ZeroTier supports networks spanning public clouds, private data centers, on-premises environments, self-hosted networks, air-gapped networks and edge systems.Read 15 Oct 2026 · zerotier.com
Networking
Networks operate as secure virtual overlays spanning public clouds, private data centers, on-premises environments, remote devices, and edge systems.Read 30 Sep 2026 · zerotier.com
No hardware requirement
The maker says ZeroTier runs on existing servers, routers and devices without proprietary networking appliances.Read 15 Oct 2026 · zerotier.com
Notable news: April 2026
The April 15, 2026 changelog introduced New Central API v2 and service accounts with expiring API tokens.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.zerotier.com
Notable news: June 2026
The June 15, 2026 changelog added custom flow rules to New Central for Scale and Enterprise plans.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.zerotier.com
Peer-to-peer routing
Connections are established directly between peers whenever possible, with relay service available when direct paths fail.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Plan limits
Personal is for non-commercial use and includes 10 devices, one network, and one network admin.Read 30 Sep 2026 · zerotier.com
Praise: ease and cross-platform setup
G2 reviewers repeatedly praise quick setup, support for many operating systems, encryption and easy remote access.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Praise: simple private networking
Capterra reviewers commonly describe ZeroTier as easy to configure, lightweight, fast and useful across Windows, Linux, Android, routers and remote-access scenarios.Read 15 Oct 2026 · capterra.com
Privacy practice
The maker says network use does not require personal information, collects limited metadata, anonymizes opted-in telemetry and does not sell customer information.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.zerotier.com
Quantum security
ZeroTier Quantum implements CNSA 2.0-aligned ML-KEM-1024 and ML-DSA-87 algorithms and supports air-gapped deployment with endpoint-held keys.Read 15 Oct 2026 · zerotier.com
Rating on Apple App Store
3.8 out of 5 from 212 ratingsRead 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Rating on Capterra
4.9 out of 5 from 12 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · capterra.com
Rating on G2
4.8 out of 5 from 5 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on GetApp
4.9 out of 5 from 12 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Rating on Google Play
3.8 out of 5 from 5.91K reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Rating on Software Advice
4.9 out of 5 from 12 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Rating on Trustpilot
2.8 out of 5 from 8 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Rating on TrustRadius
10 out of 10 from 1 reviewRead 15 Oct 2026 · trustradius.com
Resource requirements
The compatibility page says the client typically uses under 16 MB of memory and about 1 MB of storage and offers a low-bandwidth IoT mode.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.zerotier.com
Security certifications
The maker’s site lists SOC 2 Type II, FIPS 140-3, and GDPR in its trust badges.Read 30 Sep 2026 · zerotier.com
Security controls
ZeroTier describes SSO, MFA, RBAC, network segmentation, automated testing, mandatory code review, package signing and dependency vulnerability scanning for production security.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.zerotier.com
Self-hosting
Enterprise pricing includes self-hosted and air-gapped deployment, while the security documentation also lists self-hosted deployment as an available option.Read 15 Oct 2026 · zerotier.com
Virtual overlay architecture
The platform replaces physical network boundaries with cryptographic identity and peer-to-peer connectivity, while policies are defined centrally and enforced locally.Read 15 Oct 2026 · zerotier.com

Plans and prices

Essential $18 a month Per Month Commercial license · 10 included devices · $2.00 per additional device · 10 networks · 5 admins · ticketed support with SLA · API and AI-agent access · OIDC SSO · 30-day audit logs Read 15 Oct 2026 · zerotier.com
Scale $179 a month Per Month Commercial license · 100 included devices · $1.80 per additional device · unlimited networks · 10 admins · custom flow rules · ticketed support with SLA Read 15 Oct 2026 · zerotier.com
Quantum Priced on request Commercial Billing Available Separate post-quantum platform · CNSA 2.0/FIPS 203 mandate support · sovereign and air-gapped environments Read 15 Oct 2026 · zerotier.com
Personal Free Personal non-commercial use · 10 devices · 1 network · 1 network admin · CLI, UI and webhooks · community support Read 15 Oct 2026 · zerotier.com
Enterprise Priced on request Commercial Billing Available 500+ devices · unlimited networks and admins · self-hosted and air-gapped deployment · HSM and embedded processor support · 90-day audit logs · priority support with enhanced SLA Read 15 Oct 2026 · zerotier.com

Every ZeroTier plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free Personal plan includes 10 devices.
  • Supports Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking.
  • Hybrid deployment spans cloud and on-premises environments.
  • Lists API guides and infrastructure-as-code tutorials.
  • Quantum supports air-gapped deployment, according to ZeroTier.

Limits

  • Personal is restricted to non-commercial use.
  • Essential costs $18 a month.
  • Scale costs $179 a month.
  • Network monitoring is listed as unavailable.

Who it suits

ZeroTier suits teams connecting devices and cloud environments across hybrid infrastructure. Its Personal plan is specifically for non-commercial use; Scale and Enterprise support options are listed for larger needs.

ZeroTier in depth

Read the full write-up

ZeroTier is software-defined networking for connecting devices and cloud and on-premises infrastructure through virtual networks. It is best suited to teams managing distributed environments; the bottom line is broad networking capability with plan limits and per-device costs to weigh as deployments grow.

Overview

ZeroTier builds secure virtual overlays across public clouds, private data centers, on-premises environments, remote devices, and edge systems. That breadth suits organizations joining varied infrastructure, rather than those seeking a tool narrowly focused on one location or cloud.

Cryptographic device identity and end-to-end traffic encryption anchor its security model. It uses peer-to-peer connections when possible and applies centrally defined policy globally, combining flexible connectivity with a consistent control point. The maker lists SOC 2 Type II, FIPS 140-3, and GDPR among its trust badges. ZeroTier says its open-source release went live in 2013, after founder Adam Ierymenko started the project as a side project.

Key features

Capabilities span cloud-to-cloud networking, global device fleets, identity-based access control, Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking, and programmable network management. VPN management, firewall policy management, and infrastructure-as-code support broaden its role beyond basic connectivity. Network monitoring is not included, so teams needing that capability should plan for another solution.

Cloud coverage includes DigitalOcean, Amazon Web Services, Google Compute Engine, Microsoft Azure, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, Alibaba Cloud, IBM Cloud, Vultr, and Equinix Metal. Documentation includes API guides and tutorials for Docker, code-server, Terraform, webhooks, and Prometheus/Grafana monitoring; the latter is an integration path, not a native monitoring feature.

ZeroTier Quantum implements the CNSA 2.0 algorithm suite, including ML-KEM-1024 (FIPS 203) and ML-DSA-87 (FIPS 204). The maker says it can run fully air-gapped, with policy enforced locally and endpoints generating and holding their own keys. That makes Quantum relevant to high-security, sovereign, and mission-critical environments, though its custom pricing puts it in a different buying conversation from the standard tiers.

Pricing

ZeroTier is freemium, with paid plans from $18/mo. Personal is for non-commercial use and includes 10 devices, one network, and one network admin.

Essential costs $18 a month, billed per month. It includes 10 devices, with additional devices at $2.00 each, plus 10 networks, five admins, API and AI agent access, OIDC SSO, and 30-day audit logs. This is the clearest entry point for a small team that needs those administration and identity features, but growth beyond the included devices adds a recurring charge.

Scale costs $179 a month, billed per month, and includes 100 devices, with each additional device at $1.80, unlimited networks, 10 admins, custom flow rules, and ticketed support with SLA. It suits larger deployments that need more network and policy capacity and defined support; its higher base cost makes it excessive for a small network. Enterprise has custom pricing and includes 500+ devices, unlimited networks and admins, 90-day audit logs, and priority support with enhanced SLA. Quantum also has custom pricing and targets post-quantum networking for high-security environments.

Personal and Essential include community support, so buyers needing contractual response commitments should look to Scale or Enterprise. No trial term or renewal condition is stated.

Platforms

ZeroTier supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, web, API, and self-hosted deployments. The hybrid deployment model and broad cloud coverage suit mixed environments; the platform list alone does not make it the right fit for a team that needs native network monitoring.

Who it's for

Choose ZeroTier for distributed teams that need centrally governed connectivity across clouds, data centers, on-premises systems, and device fleets, particularly when Layer 2/Layer 3 networking or infrastructure-as-code matters. Personal can serve non-commercial use within its 10-device, one-network cap. It is less suited to commercial users who want to remain on a free tier, or to buyers who need network monitoring built in.

Pros and cons

Pro: Broad overlay coverage across cloud, on-premises, remote, and edge environments supports mixed infrastructure in one networking approach.

Pro: Device identity, encryption, and globally enforced policy give administrators security controls across distributed networks.

Pro: Essential and Scale spell out device, network, admin, and support allowances, making capacity trade-offs easier to assess.

Con: Personal is non-commercial and capped at 10 devices, one network, and one admin, limiting its usefulness for growing or business deployments.

Con: Extra devices cost $2.00 each on Essential and $1.80 each on Scale, so a growing fleet increases monthly spend.

Con: Network monitoring is not a built-in capability, despite monitoring integrations in its documentation.

Alternatives

Tailscale is worth considering for a personal setup where up to six users, unlimited user devices, and up to three ACL groups on its free plan are a better fit than ZeroTier Personal's device and network caps.

Cloudflare Access may suit teams that prefer pricing by user count: its free plan covers under 50 users, and its pay-as-you-go plan is $7 a month.

F5 BIG-IP APM is a paid alternative with a perpetual-license option for BIG-IP Virtual Editions, hardware, or hybrid environments.

BlueCat Horizon offers Horizon DDI Orchestration under a subscription licensed by Unique Active IP, with custom pricing.

Infoblox Cloud Network Automation uses token-based licensing, with tokens purchased as an allowance over an agreement term and custom pricing.

Cilium is a free, open-source option for Linux on kernel 5.10 or equivalent, on AMD64 or AArch64.

Calico Enterprise is a paid alternative for Linux, self-hosted, web, and Windows environments.

OpenStack Neutron is a free alternative for API, Linux, or self-hosted environments.

For broader category comparisons, see Cloud Network Management Software and Business VPN Software.

Verdict

Choose ZeroTier if you need secure, centrally governed networking across a mixed fleet and value its broad cloud reach, multiple network layers, and programmable management. Look elsewhere if you need native monitoring or a business-ready free tier; device caps and recurring per-device charges can also make expansion costly.

Verdict

ZeroTier specifies a broad networking feature set, platform coverage and tiered plans. Personal has explicit device and use limits, while higher-tier support and pricing vary by plan.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to ZeroTierAll alternatives →