What is ZeroTier?
ZeroTier is a software-defined networking tool that lets devices join an encrypted virtual LAN regardless of physical location, using its own protocol rather than plain WireGuard. The client and the network controller are open source and self-hostable, while ZeroTier also runs a hosted controller service (ZeroTier Central) with free and paid plans based on network size.
Read the full overview
Sources checked 27 September 2026: official website, documentation, repository.
Key capabilities
- Virtual networks: encrypted SDN connecting devices across locations as if on one LAN.
- Rules engine: flow-based access control rules per network.
- Deployment choice: hosted controller (free/paid) or self-hosted open-source controller.
Software-defined networking, virtual LAN connectivity, and remote/multi-site access.
ZeroTier fits teams wanting simple multi-site or remote-device connectivity without deploying VPN hardware, choosing between the free hosted tier, paid hosted plans, or self-hosting the open-source controller.
ZeroTier's free tier covers small networks, so cost only becomes a factor once a deployment grows past the free plan's device/network limits.
Technical details
- Access
- Self-hosted
- Source model
- Open source
- Founded
- 2011
- Headquarters
- Irvine, USA
- Pricing model
- Freemium
- API
- Available
- Website
- www.zerotier.com ↗
Official resources
What to verify for your environment
Start from the users, systems and operating responsibilities the tool needs to support.
- Confirm current features, licensing and support terms with the publisher.
- Validate deployment, data location, access control, backup and recovery requirements.
- Test integrations, export paths and a representative operational workflow before committing.
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