ZeroTier vs Pritunl
A detailed comparison to help you choose between ZeroTier and Pritunl.
Quick Verdict
4.5/5
ZeroTier
31 reviews
4.4/5
Pritunl
144 reviews
ZeroTier is rated higher (4.5 vs 4.4). 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. Pritunl is a self-hosted VPN solution offering user management, multi-protocol support (OpenVPN, WireGuard), and single sign-on capabilities. Built for teams needing controlled network access without vendor lock-in.
ZeroTier Virtual networking — Ethernet over the internet | Pritunl Open-source VPN server with centralized management and SSO integration | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 4.5 (31 reviews)✓ | 4.4 (144 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 | Technical teams and organizations that need self-hosted VPN with SSO and prefer avoiding third-party infrastructure. |
| Tags | ||
| Tags | free tieropen sourceapi access | free tieropen sourceself hostableteam featuressso |
| Visit ZeroTier → | Visit Pritunl → | |
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
Pritunl
Pros
- + Deploy on your own infrastructure with no recurring vendor fees
- + Integrate with existing LDAP, Active Directory, or OAuth providers
- + Switch between OpenVPN and WireGuard without re-architecting
- + Access detailed audit logs and per-user connection monitoring
- + Configure source IP filtering and split tunneling per user
Cons
- - Requires server administration skills for initial setup and maintenance
- - Self-hosted means you own all operational and security responsibilities
- - Community support is slower than commercial VPN vendors
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