EasyTier vs ZeroTier
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted remote access & vpn options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
ZeroTier
Global virtual network for connecting devices anywhere
| Feature | EasyTier | ZeroTier |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 93 · Excellent | 94 · Excellent |
| Category | Remote Access & VPN | Remote Access & VPN |
| License | Apache-2.0 | BSL-1.1 |
| Language | Rust | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | binary, docker | binary, docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 13,789 | ★ 17,125 |
| First released | 2024 | 2014 |
| Replaces | Tailscale, ZeroTier | Tailscale |
What are EasyTier and ZeroTier?
EasyTier
EasyTier is an open-source, decentralized mesh VPN that connects devices across NATs without a central server. It supports multiple protocols and is fully self-hosted for private networking.
- Decentralized mesh
- NAT traversal
- Multi-protocol transport
- No central server
ZeroTier
ZeroTier creates secure virtual Ethernet networks that connect devices as if they were on the same LAN. The controller can be self-hosted for full control over your networks.
- Layer 2 virtual networks
- Self-hostable controller
- Cross-platform clients
- Peer-to-peer connectivity
EasyTier vs ZeroTier: key differences
EasyTier is written in Rust, while ZeroTier is built with C++. Licensing differs — Apache-2.0 for EasyTier versus BSL-1.1 for ZeroTier. ZeroTier is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for EasyTier. ZeroTier is the more established project (first released 2014), while EasyTier arrived in 2024.
Why pick each one
Choose EasyTier if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 13.8k GitHub stars
- Written in Rust
Choose ZeroTier if…
- Easy flat virtual networks
- Clients for every platform
- Self-hostable controller
Watch out for
- BSL license restrictions
- Controller setup involved
Frequently asked questions
Is EasyTier or ZeroTier better?
Neither is universally better. ZeroTier has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are EasyTier and ZeroTier free and open-source?
Yes. EasyTier is licensed under Apache-2.0 and ZeroTier under BSL-1.1. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run EasyTier and ZeroTier with Docker?
EasyTier: yes. ZeroTier: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, EasyTier or ZeroTier?
ZeroTier has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for EasyTier. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.