SoftNexi

Windows · Networking

ZeroTier for Windows

Mesh networking software that turns a group of devices into a single virtual LAN, with a self-hostable open-source controller option.

Updated August 9, 2026 · Reviewed by SoftNexi Editorial Team, Software research and documentation

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Overview

ZeroTier creates virtual Ethernet networks that span the internet, letting devices on different physical networks behave as if they're on the same LAN — useful for gaming, remote administration, or connecting distributed home and office devices. Networks are identified by a 16-character network ID, and joining one is as simple as entering that ID in the client.

Where it differs from Tailscale is flexibility on the control-plane side: ZeroTier's network controller software is open source and can be self-hosted, so organizations that don't want to depend on ZeroTier's own cloud service for coordination have that option, alongside the hosted my.zerotier.com service most individual users start with.

The client itself creates a virtual network adapter on your machine and handles peer discovery and NAT traversal, similar in spirit to Tailscale, but ZeroTier's protocol and network-membership model (with an emphasis on virtual switching/Ethernet-layer networks) differ from WireGuard-based tools at a technical level.

It's a solid fit for hobbyists, gamers, and small businesses wanting a private network across scattered devices, and for anyone who specifically wants the option to run their own controller instead of depending entirely on a vendor's cloud service.

Key features

  • Virtual Ethernet-layer networks that span devices across the internet
  • Join a network with a single 16-character network ID
  • Optional self-hosted network controller, since the controller software is open source
  • Automatic NAT traversal with peer-to-peer connections when possible
  • Central web-based management console for authorizing devices and managing rules
  • Cross-platform clients for Windows, macOS, Linux, mobile, and routers

System requirements

Operating system
Windows 11 and Windows 10 (64-bit and 32-bit builds available)
Network ID
A ZeroTier network ID from my.zerotier.com or a self-hosted controller
Permissions
Administrator rights to install the virtual network adapter

How to install ZeroTier

  1. 1. Download the client

    Go to zerotier.com/download and get the Windows installer.

  2. 2. Install the network adapter

    Run the installer and approve the virtual network adapter driver installation.

  3. 3. Join a network

    Open the ZeroTier client, enter your network ID, and join it.

  4. 4. Authorize the device

    Log in to my.zerotier.com (or your self-hosted controller), find the new device under the network's member list, and check the box to authorize it.

How to use it

  1. 1. Create a network

    From my.zerotier.com, create a new network to get a network ID, then configure its IP address range and access rules.

  2. 2. Manage members

    Use the web console to name, authorize, or remove member devices, and assign fixed IPs if you need consistent addressing.

  3. 3. Set flow rules

    For more control than simple authorization, write flow rules in the network's Rules tab to restrict traffic between members by port or protocol.

  4. 4. Consider self-hosting

    For organizations wanting full control of the coordination layer, deploy ZeroTier's open-source controller software instead of using the hosted service.

Safety and privacy

  • Download only from zerotier.com/download; the client is also distributed through some Linux package managers and router firmwares.
  • The core client and controller code are open source, though ZeroTier the company also operates a hosted cloud coordination service most users rely on by default.
Bundled software
The official Windows installer contains only the ZeroTier client and its virtual network adapter driver, with no unrelated bundled software.
Privacy
If you use ZeroTier's hosted service, network metadata is coordinated through their cloud; self-hosting the controller keeps that coordination on infrastructure you control. Review ZeroTier's privacy policy if you're relying on the hosted option for sensitive networks.

Known risks

  • New members must be explicitly authorized in the network's member list — leaving auto-authorization on for a public network ID can let unintended devices join.
  • As with any virtual LAN tool, devices you connect are reachable at the Ethernet layer, so keep operating systems and services on joined devices patched.

What's new

    Pros and cons

    Pros

    • Genuine mesh networking with simple network-ID-based joining
    • Open-source controller option for organizations that don't want a cloud dependency
    • Works well for gaming and small-business use cases needing a virtual LAN
    • Cross-platform, including router firmware support
    • Free tier is workable for small personal networks

    Cons

    • Self-hosting the controller requires real technical setup
    • Ethernet-layer virtual networking model is a different mental model than simple point-to-point VPN tools
    • Free tier device limits push larger deployments to a paid plan
    • Less turnkey than Tailscale for users who just want the hosted experience with minimal setup

    Verdict

    ZeroTier is a strong choice for anyone who wants mesh networking with the option to self-host the control plane instead of depending entirely on a vendor's cloud. For the simplest possible setup with no self-hosting interest, Tailscale's hosted-only approach may feel more polished out of the box.

    Frequently asked questions

    Is ZeroTier free?

    Yes, for small networks under the free tier's device limit. Paid plans support larger deployments and additional features.

    Can I self-host ZeroTier instead of using their cloud service?

    Yes. The network controller software is open source, so organizations can run their own controller instead of relying on ZeroTier's hosted my.zerotier.com service.

    Is ZeroTier the same as Tailscale?

    They solve a similar problem — mesh networking across devices — but use different underlying protocols and control-plane models. Tailscale is built on WireGuard and is cloud-coordinated by default; ZeroTier uses its own virtual-Ethernet protocol and offers a self-hostable controller.

    Does ZeroTier work on Windows 11?

    Yes, the Windows client supports Windows 11 and Windows 10.