ZeroTier vs Netmaker
A detailed comparison to help you choose between ZeroTier and Netmaker.
Quick Verdict
4.5/5
ZeroTier
31 reviews
4.1/5
Netmaker
352 reviews
ZeroTier is rated higher (4.5 vs 4.1). ZeroTier creates virtual Ethernet networks over the internet. Connect servers, VMs, and devices as if on the same LAN. Free for 25 devices. SDN-based architecture. Netmaker is an open source platform for creating and managing WireGuard virtual networks. Self-hosted on your infrastructure. More feature-rich than raw WireGuard with a dashboard and ACL management.
ZeroTier Virtual networking — Ethernet over the internet | Netmaker Self-hosted WireGuard network management | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 4.5 (31 reviews)✓ | 4.1 (352 reviews) |
| Pricing model | freemium | freemium |
| Starting price | Free tier available | Free tier available |
| Best for | Homelab operators and small teams wanting virtual Ethernet networks connecting distributed servers | DevOps teams wanting managed WireGuard networking they self-host with a dashboard and access controls |
| Tags | ||
| Tags | free tieropen sourceapi access | free tieropen sourceself hostableapi access |
| Visit ZeroTier → | Visit Netmaker → | |
ZeroTier
Pros
- + Free for up to 25 devices
- + Virtual Ethernet — servers appear on same LAN
- + Works through NAT and firewalls
Cons
- - ZeroTier controls the SDN layer — trust required
- - Less control than pure WireGuard
Netmaker
Pros
- + Open source self-hostable WireGuard manager
- + Dashboard and ACL management
- + More features than raw WireGuard setup
Cons
- - Self-hosting adds operational overhead
- - Newer platform with some rough edges
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