strongSwan vs ZeroTier
strongSwan
strongswan.org
ZeroTier
zerotier.comSide by side
| Figure | strongSwan | ZeroTier |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $18/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 5 |
| Spec score · Business VPN Software | 8.4 (#32) | 9.2 (#8) |
| Spec score · Virtual Private Network Software | 8.3 (#22) | 8.6 (#18) |
| Spec score · Connectivity Solutions | 8.3 (#13) | 8.6 (#10) |
| Founded | 2005 | LinkedIn lists 2013 as the founding year, matching the maker’s history of its open-source release in 2013. |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | A NetworkManager plugin integrates strongSwan with Linux desktops, and an Android app is available. | The maker’s documentation includes API guides and tutorials for Docker, code-server, Terraform, webhooks, and Prometheus/Grafana monitoring. |
| Platforms | The project says it runs on Linux and has been ported to Android, FreeBSD, macOS, iOS, and Windows. | Downloads are listed for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Docker, FreeBSD, OpenWRT, and NAS. |
| Support | Free support includes documentation, GitHub Discussions, and an IRC channel; commercial support is also available from listed providers. | Personal and Essential include community support, Scale includes ticketed support with SLA, and Enterprise includes priority support with enhanced SLA. |
Plans
strongSwan
- GPLv2 open-source licenseFree
- Commercial license and supportPriced on request
ZeroTier
- Essential$18 a month
- Scale$179 a month
- QuantumPriced on request
- PersonalFree
- EnterprisePriced on request
In their own words
strongSwan
strongSwan has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
ZeroTier
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.