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Alternatives · Remote Desktop

ZeroTier alternatives

As of Nov 13, 2026, the best ZeroTier alternative for most people is RustDesk (3.0 GPA), third in our ranking of remote desktop apps. It's also the best free one.

ZeroTier compared with 5 alternatives: Tailscale, NoMachine, MeshCentral, RustDesk and TeamViewer.

ZeroTier has a free plan. Paid plans start at $18 per month for 10 devices. 4 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.

Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from

Black Friday: is there a ZeroTier sale?

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
ZeroTierThis toolFree plan · from $18/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
TailscaleFree plan · from $8/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
NoMachineFree trial · from $24.50/yrTrial onlyWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
MeshCentralFreeFreeWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux
RustDeskFree plan · from $11.88/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
TeamViewerFree plan · from $619.99/yrYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android

Price against what you get

ZeroTier starts at $18 a month and scores 2.3 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 5 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.

TeamViewer scores higher without starting lower. Tailscale, NoMachine, MeshCentral and RustDesk start lower without scoring higher.

Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged

D1.0C2.0B3.0A4.0Free$1$2$5$10$20$50$100$200$500More for lessCosts more, scores moreCosts less, scores lessCosts more, scores lessZeroTierTailscaleNoMachineMeshCentralRustDeskTeamViewer

What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →

  • The best score at each price
  • Has a free plan
  • No free plan
The full chart of remote desktop apps, and the best at every price

How each one differs from ZeroTier

  1. Tailscale

    Private network that links your devices, servers and teams

    • Tailscale starts at $8 per user / month.
    • Tailscale is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: Reaching a home computer, NAS or server from outside without opening ports

    Tailscale vs ZeroTierTailscale pricing and details

  2. NoMachine

    Self-hosted remote desktop sold as yearly server subscriptions

    • NoMachine starts at $24.50 per year (Personal Edition, one computer).
    • NoMachine has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike ZeroTier.
    • NoMachine also lists a web app.
    • NoMachine is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • NoMachine also covers remote desktop.

    Suits: Reaching your own home or office computer over your own network

    NoMachine vs ZeroTierNoMachine pricing and details

  3. MeshCentral

    Self-hosted open-source remote device management site

    • MeshCentral is free.
    • MeshCentral also lists a web app.
    • MeshCentral lists no iOS and Android apps, which ZeroTier has.
    • MeshCentral is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • MeshCentral also covers remote desktop.

    Suits: IT admins who want to host their own device management

    MeshCentral vs ZeroTierMeshCentral pricing and details

  4. RustDesk

    Open-source remote desktop you can run on your own server

    • RustDesk starts at $11.88 per month, billed annually (Individual Server Pro, self-hosted).
    • RustDesk also lists a web app.
    • RustDesk is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • RustDesk also covers remote desktop.
    • RustDesk does not cover vPN, which ZeroTier does.

    Suits: People who want a free remote desktop app for their own computers

    RustDesk vs ZeroTierRustDesk pricing and details

  5. TeamViewer

    Remote access and IT support, free for personal use only

    • TeamViewer starts at $619.99 per year (Business, as an in-app purchase on the US App Store).
    • TeamViewer also lists a web app.
    • TeamViewer also covers remote desktop.
    • TeamViewer does not cover vPN, which ZeroTier does.

    Suits: Helping friends and family with computer problems at no cost

    TeamViewer vs ZeroTierTeamViewer pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in ZeroTier

  • ZeroTier connects devices into a network; it does not share a remote screen, so desktop access needs a separate remote desktop or VNC tool on top.
  • The Personal plan is limited to 10 devices, one network and non-commercial use.
  • Essential includes community support only; ticketed support with an SLA starts at Scale, $179 per month.
  • Devices beyond the included count are billed monthly, $2.00 each on Essential and $1.80 each on Scale.
ZeroTier pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to ZeroTier?

The alternatives to ZeroTier in this directory are Tailscale, NoMachine, MeshCentral, RustDesk and TeamViewer. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with ZeroTier.

Is there a free alternative to ZeroTier?

Yes. MeshCentral is free to use. Tailscale, RustDesk and TeamViewer have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Is there an open-source alternative to ZeroTier?

Tailscale, MeshCentral and RustDesk are described as open source on their own sites.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 18, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.