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ZeroTier alternatives · Remote Desktop

Open-source alternatives to ZeroTier

ZeroTier is not described as open source on its own site. 17 of the 85 other remote desktop apps in this directory are open source, according to their own sites.

ZeroTier has a free plan. Paid plans start at $18 per month for 10 devices. All of them are free or have a free plan.

17 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from

The 12 closest to ZeroTier

  1. Tailscale

    Private network that links your devices, servers and teams

    • Tailscale starts at $8 per user / month. ZeroTier starts at $18 per month for 10 devices.
    • Tailscale is open source, according to its own site.
    Tailscale vs ZeroTierTailscale pricing and details

  2. MeshCentral

    Self-hosted open-source remote device management site

    • MeshCentral is free. ZeroTier starts at $18 per month for 10 devices.
    • Only MeshCentral lists a web app.
    • Only ZeroTier lists iOS and Android apps.
    • MeshCentral is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    MeshCentral vs ZeroTierMeshCentral pricing and details

  3. 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). ZeroTier starts at $18 per month for 10 devices.
    • Only RustDesk lists a web app.
    • RustDesk is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • ZeroTier is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    RustDesk vs ZeroTierRustDesk pricing and details

  4. NetBird

    Open-source zero trust networking built on WireGuard

    • NetBird starts at €6 per user / month (cloud, billing period not shown). ZeroTier starts at $18 per month for 10 devices.
    • NetBird is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • ZeroTier is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    NetBird vs ZeroTierNetBird pricing and details

  5. Pritunl

    Self-hosted open-source VPN server for OpenVPN and WireGuard

    • Pritunl starts at $10 per host / month. ZeroTier starts at $18 per month for 10 devices.
    • Only ZeroTier lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Pritunl is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • ZeroTier is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Pritunl vs ZeroTierPritunl pricing and details

  6. Apache Guacamole

    Open-source clientless remote desktop gateway

    • Apache Guacamole is free. ZeroTier starts at $18 per month for 10 devices.
    • Only Apache Guacamole lists a web app.
    • Only ZeroTier lists Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • Apache Guacamole is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    Apache Guacamole pricing and details

  7. HopToDesk

    Free open-source remote desktop with a paid device dashboard

    • HopToDesk starts at $159 per year for up to 120 devices ($15 per month billed monthly). ZeroTier starts at $18 per month for 10 devices.
    • Only HopToDesk lists a web app.
    • HopToDesk is open source, according to its own site.
    • HopToDesk also covers file sharing, help desk and remote desktop.
    HopToDesk pricing and details

  8. UltraVNC

    Free open-source VNC remote control for Windows computers

    • UltraVNC is free. ZeroTier starts at $18 per month for 10 devices.
    • Only ZeroTier lists macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • UltraVNC is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • ZeroTier is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    UltraVNC pricing and details

  9. TightVNC

    Free VNC remote desktop for Windows, with paid Pro encryption

    • TightVNC starts at $12 per year per user license (Pro); $1 / month, billed once a year. ZeroTier starts at $18 per month for 10 devices.
    • Only ZeroTier lists macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • TightVNC is open source, according to its own site.
    • ZeroTier is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    TightVNC pricing and details

  10. mRemoteNG

    Free tabbed connection manager for RDP, VNC and SSH on Windows

    • mRemoteNG is free. ZeroTier starts at $18 per month for 10 devices.
    • Only ZeroTier lists macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • mRemoteNG is open source, according to its own site.
    • ZeroTier is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    mRemoteNG pricing and details

  11. Remmina

    Free Linux remote desktop client for RDP, VNC and SSH

    • Remmina is free. ZeroTier starts at $18 per month for 10 devices.
    • Only ZeroTier lists Windows, macOS, iOS and Android apps.
    • Remmina is open source, according to its own site.
    • ZeroTier is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Remmina pricing and details

  12. Moonlight

    Open-source client for streaming PC games to other devices

    • Moonlight is free. ZeroTier starts at $18 per month for 10 devices.
    • Moonlight is open source, according to its own site.
    • ZeroTier is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Moonlight also covers remote desktop.
    Moonlight pricing and details

5 more that are open source

All 17 in one table

Common questions

Is there an open-source alternative to ZeroTier?

Yes. Tailscale, MeshCentral, RustDesk, NetBird, Pritunl, Apache Guacamole, HopToDesk, UltraVNC and 9 more are open source, according to their own sites.

Is ZeroTier open source?

ZeroTier is not described as open source on its own site. The listing was checked on Nov 12, 2026 against the pages it cites.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 18, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to ZeroTier: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.