NoMachine vs ZeroTier (2026): which should you pick?

Pick NoMachine if

• Fits if you run Linux or a Raspberry Pi and want to connect straight to it
• Works for businesses hosting several virtual Linux desktops on one server

Look elsewhere if

• Pricey if you have lots of computers, as each needs its own $24.50 yearly license
• Skip it if you want something free, since only the Player is, and it needs a paid server to connect to
• Tight if two people need the same desktop at once, as Personal Edition allows one connection
• Watch out: reaching a machine behind a firewall by ID needs Network Personal at $84.50 a year on top
• Too light for browser access, VPN or single sign-on unless you pay for Enterprise at $44.50 a computer

Pick ZeroTier if

• Fits if you have up to 10 devices at home and want them on one virtual network
• Works for developers who want an API and CLI to manage the network

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want to see and control a remote screen, since it only connects devices
• Tight if you have more than 10 devices on the free plan, or want it for work, which needs a paid plan
• Pricey if you want a support ticket, as that starts at Scale, $179 a month, and Essential has community support only
• Watch out: devices past the included count cost $2.00 each on Essential and $1.80 on Scale every month

NoMachine

• Personal Edition is now an annual subscription; only the Player client is free, and it needs a NoMachine server edition to connect to.
• Reaching a computer behind a firewall by Machine Id needs a separate NoMachine Network subscription on top of the server edition.
• Personal Edition allows one desktop connection at a time; browser access, VPN and single sign-on are Enterprise only.
• Terminal Server and Workstation editions host virtual desktops on Linux only.

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.

NoMachine

NX protocol

Hardware-accelerated H.264 encoding and decoding, audio and video streaming, and multi-monitor support, for work, media and games.

Free Player on every platform

NoMachine Player is free for commercial and non-commercial use on Windows, Mac, Linux, ARM, Raspberry Pi, iOS and Android, with no limit on machines.

Terminal access

Open remote command-line sessions to Windows, macOS or Linux NoMachine systems without a full desktop and without SSH on the server.

Devices and files

File transfer with drag and drop, disk and printer sharing in both directions, USB device forwarding, port forwarding and Wake-on-LAN.

Recording and guest sharing

Record your session on the fly, and let guests join your desktop to collaborate or help troubleshoot.

Enterprise sign-in and browser access

Enterprise editions add access from any browser, a built-in VPN, and sign-in with Okta, Entra ID, Google Cloud Identity, Keycloak, LDAP or Active Directory.

ZeroTier

Virtual networks across sites and clouds

Private networks that span public clouds, data centers, on-premises machines and remote devices, without proprietary hardware.

Peer-to-peer connections

Devices connect directly to each other whenever possible, with traffic encrypted end to end and policy enforced at every endpoint.

Identity-based access control

Network behavior is set by policy tied to each node's cryptographic identity, with custom flow rules on the Scale plan.

Management through UI, CLI and API

Personal includes a CLI, a UI and webhooks. API access and OIDC single sign-on start on Essential.

Broad client coverage

The download page lists Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Docker, FreeBSD and NAS packages.

Post-quantum option

ZeroTier Quantum is a separate platform for regulated and air-gapped environments, scoped per deployment through sales.

NoMachine

• Personal Edition$24.50

  per year per computer

  For individuals and businesses: 1 desktop connection and up to 4 terminal connections from the same client. Also sold in packs of 5 to 100.

• Enterprise Desktop$44.50

  per year per computer

  Unlimited connections, access from any browser, a built-in VPN and single sign-on. Also sold in packs of 10 to 100; the support table lists a pack at $244.50.

• Network Personal$84.50

  per year ($8.50 billed monthly)

  Optional: 1 connection at a time over NoMachine Network by Machine Id, for computers behind a firewall. Plans for 4 to 32 connections cost more.

• Workstation$124.50

  per year per server

  Runs up to 4 virtual Linux desktops and apps on one server, with unlimited connections and browser access.

• Small Business Terminal Server$744.50

  per year per server

  Runs up to 10 virtual Linux desktops and apps on one server, for departments and small businesses.

ZeroTier

• Personal$0

  Non-commercial use only. 10 devices, one network, one network admin, CLI, UI and webhooks, community support.

• Essential$18

  per month for 10 included devices, then $2.00 per extra device

  Commercial license, 10 networks, five admins, API access, OIDC single sign-on and 30-day audit logs. Community support only.

• Scale$179

  per month for 100 included devices, then $1.80 per extra device

  Everything in Essential plus unlimited networks, 10 network admins, custom flow rules and ticketed support with an SLA.

• EnterpriseCustom

  Sized for 500 or more devices, with self-hosted and air-gapped options, 90-day audit logs and priority support. Sold through sales.

NoMachine

• Annual discount

  Network subscriptions cheaper paid yearly

  Network Personal is $84.50 a year against $8.50 a month, which is $102 over twelve months: about 17% less.

ZeroTier

No public discounts listed.