Headscale is an open source, self-hosted implementation of the Tailscale control server for managing a private tailnet, nodes, keys, IPs, and routes.
43.2k stars2.5k forksBSD-3-Clauselast commit Actively maintained
15 self-hosted ZeroTier alternatives
ZeroTier is a software-defined networking service that creates encrypted virtual networks over the Internet, enabling devices and servers to connect as if on a LAN using peer-to-peer tunnels, centralized network management, virtual addressing and access control.
Alternatives to ZeroTier
#2
Open-source zero-trust networking platform delivering a WireGuard-based private network with centralized access control, SSO/MFA, and cross-platform clients.
28.7k stars1.6k forkslast commit Actively maintained
#3
Run a WireGuard VPN server with an easy web admin UI to manage clients, generate configs and QR codes, and monitor connections and traffic.
26.8k stars2.6k forksAGPL-3.0last commit Actively maintained
#4
Open-source identity-based remote access platform combining WireGuard VPN and tunneled reverse proxy access with granular zero-trust controls.
22.5k stars765 forkslast commit Actively maintained
#5
Open-source VPN client for desktop and mobile that can automatically set up a private VPN server and connect using WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and obfuscated modes.
14.7k stars1.1k forksGPL-3.0last commit Actively maintained
#6
OpenVPN is a widely used open-source VPN daemon providing TLS/SSL-based secure tunneling, flexible client-server and site-to-site modes, and cross-platform support.
14.4k stars3.4k forkslast commit Actively maintained
#7
Firezone is a zero-trust VPN replacement built on WireGuard, providing identity-aware access policies, peer-to-peer encrypted tunnels, and lightweight gateways.
9k stars450 forksApache-2.0last commit Actively maintained
#8
iodine is a DNS tunneling tool that forwards IPv4 traffic through DNS queries and replies, providing a TUN interface to route IP traffic when only DNS is allowed.
8k stars596 forksISClast commit Slowing down
#9
OPNsense is an open source FreeBSD-based firewall and routing platform with a web GUI, API, VPN, traffic shaping, and security features for networks and homelabs.
4.7k stars983 forksBSD-2-Clauselast commit Actively maintained
#10
OpenZiti is an open-source zero trust networking platform that builds an identity-based overlay mesh with SDKs, tunnelers, and policy-based access controls.
4.4k stars266 forksApache-2.0last commit Actively maintained
#11
Self-hosted web dashboard for WireGuard and AmneziaWG to manage configs, peers, and access with a simple UI and optional 2FA.
3.7k stars452 forksApache-2.0last commit Actively maintained
#12
Centralized SSH gateway to remotely manage Linux servers, containers and IoT devices via web or native SSH; offers key auth, firewall rules, audit logging and session recording.
2.1k stars188 forksApache-2.0last commit Actively maintained
#13
Self-hosted ingress platform that exposes internal HTTP/TCP services to the internet through reverse WireGuard tunnels, with NGINX routing and automatic TLS certificates.
1.6k stars77 forksApache-2.0last commit Actively maintained
#14
ZTNET is a self-hosted web UI for administering private ZeroTier controllers, with multi-user access, organization support, and streamlined network and member management.
1.2k stars115 forksGPL-3.0last commit Actively maintained
#15
GNUnet is a network protocol stack and framework for building secure, distributed, privacy-preserving peer-to-peer applications and services.
Activity unknown
What replacing ZeroTier actually involves
Every option on this page is open source and free to run on your own hardware, so you own the data and there is no subscription to cancel. 13 of 15 shipped a commit in the last six months. Licences in this list: BSD-3-Clause, AGPL-3.0, GPL-3.0, Apache-2.0, ISC. In exchange you take on hosting, backups and updates yourself.
Browse everything in Network Security (VPN, Firewall, WAF).
