Netmaker 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 | Netmaker | 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 | Go | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary | binary, docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 11,800 | ★ 17,125 |
| First released | 2021 | 2014 |
| Replaces | Tailscale, ZeroTier | Tailscale |
What are Netmaker and ZeroTier?
Netmaker
Netmaker is an open-source platform for building and managing fast WireGuard-based virtual networks. It provides a self-hosted server and dashboard for connecting devices across locations.
- WireGuard mesh networks
- Self-hosted control server
- Web dashboard
- Site-to-site VPN
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
Netmaker vs ZeroTier: key differences
Netmaker is written in Go, while ZeroTier is built with C++. Licensing differs — Apache-2.0 for Netmaker versus BSL-1.1 for ZeroTier. ZeroTier is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Netmaker. ZeroTier is the more established project (first released 2014), while Netmaker arrived in 2021.
Why pick each one
Choose Netmaker if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 11.8k GitHub stars
- Written in Go
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 Netmaker 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 Netmaker and ZeroTier free and open-source?
Yes. Netmaker is licensed under Apache-2.0 and ZeroTier under BSL-1.1. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Netmaker and ZeroTier with Docker?
Netmaker: yes. ZeroTier: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Netmaker or ZeroTier?
ZeroTier has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Netmaker. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.