The best open source alternative to Zerotier is Tailscale. If that doesn't suit you, we've compiled a ranked list of other open source Zerotier alternatives to help you find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Zerotier are: Netbird, Pangolin, FireZone, and Defguard.
Zerotier alternatives are mainly VPN & Secure Access Tools but may also be VPN & Secure Tunnels or Network Security Tools. Browse these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Zerotier.
Deploy a modern WireGuard-based VPN with zero configuration. Connect devices securely across clouds, VPCs, and on-premises networks without firewall rules.

Modern VPN solution built on WireGuard protocol that eliminates the complexity of traditional VPN setups. Connect devices, clouds, and networks securely without managing firewall rules or hardware.
Key benefits include:
Enterprise-ready features provide automated user onboarding, SSH session recording, and audit log streaming for organizations of any scale. The platform supports 100+ integrations with popular tools like Terraform, Pulumi, and GitOps workflows.
Trusted by 10,000+ companies with 2.5 million devices connected globally. Perfect for developers accessing homelabs, enterprises securing remote access, or teams connecting distributed infrastructure. No single points of failure, no wasted time on complex configurations.
Looking for open source alternatives to other popular services? Check out other posts in the alternatives series and openalternative.co, a directory of open source software with filters for tags and alternatives for easy browsing and discovery.
Open source platform combining WireGuard overlay networks with Zero Trust access controls. Features SSO, MFA, device posture checks, and granular policies for secure remote connectivity.

NetBird transforms network security by combining WireGuard-based overlay networks with Zero Trust Network Access in a unified open source platform. Replace legacy VPNs with a modern, peer-to-peer solution that provides secure connectivity without complex firewall configurations.
Key Features:
Enterprise-Ready Security: NetBird enforces device security posture checks, contextual access policies, and detailed activity logging. Stream events to SIEM platforms in real-time while maintaining centralized network management through an intuitive interface.
Open Source Flexibility: Distributed under BSD-3 license, NetBird can be self-hosted on your infrastructure or used via NetBird Cloud. The platform integrates with popular MDM & EDR solutions and provides API automation for network configuration.
Perfect for organizations seeking to modernize their network security with a software-defined networking approach that connects resources directly and securely across clouds and on-premises environments.
Deploy zero trust access to infrastructure, self-hosted apps, and SaaS tools in days. Identity-aware security with seamless user experience.

Pangolin transforms network security with zero trust network access (ZTNA) that replaces traditional VPNs. The platform provides secure, identity-aware access to applications and infrastructure across on-premises, cloud, and edge environments.
Key features include:
The platform checks user identity and device security continuously, reducing risk while maintaining user productivity. Unlike traditional mesh VPNs that require managing access control lists on every node, Pangolin centralizes access management for operational efficiency.
With over 1,000,000+ deployments worldwide, organizations can deploy enterprise-grade zero trust security in days rather than months, eliminating the need for lengthy professional services engagements typical of legacy security solutions.
Replace your VPN with zero-trust access built on WireGuard. Fast, scalable network security with simple policies and identity provider integration.

Replace your legacy VPN with a modern zero-trust solution that's 3-4x faster than OpenVPN. Built on WireGuard® technology, Firezone delivers enterprise-grade security without the complexity.
Key benefits include:
Perfect for organizations needing to secure cloud resources, add two-factor authentication to WireGuard, manage SaaS app access, or protect on-premises networks. The lightweight Linux gateways deploy anywhere with just a single token configuration.
Open source transparency means you can audit the entire codebase, ensuring the solution does exactly what it claims. Trusted by hundreds of organizations for protecting their most valuable resources while maintaining the flexibility to scale with business growth.
Enterprise-grade open source VPN solution combining WireGuard with mandatory 2FA/MFA and integrated OpenID Connect SSO for secure remote access

defguard is a comprehensive remote access solution that brings true zero-trust security to WireGuard VPN. The platform stands out with its mandatory Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for every VPN connection, ensuring maximum security.
Key features include:
The solution has been thoroughly audited by ISEC security researchers and is trusted by companies like Prusa Research, Hostinger, and others. Being open-source and on-premise, defguard helps protect sensitive data while providing enterprise-grade features without vendor lock-in.