ZeroTier
Basic Information
- Company/Brand: ZeroTier, Inc.
- Country/Region: United States
- Official Website: https://www.zerotier.com/
- Type: Virtual Network/Software-Defined Networking
- Founded: 2011
Product Description
ZeroTier is a software-defined networking platform that creates virtual local area networks (VLANs) across physical network boundaries. Similar to Tailscale but with a greater focus on flexibility, ZeroTier supports self-hosted network controllers, and its core engine is open-source. The introduction of ZeroTier Premium and the new Central console in 2025 further enhances enterprise features. It is suitable for advanced OpenClaw deployments that require more control and self-hosting capabilities.
Core Features/Characteristics
- Virtual LAN: Creates Layer 2 virtual networks across physical networks
- Self-hosted network controller option
- Open-source core engine
- ACL Rules: Controls traffic based on tags, IPs, and ports
- Custom routing and DNS filtering
- Webhook integration
- New Central console in 2025
- ReBAC access control
Pricing
- Free Plan: Basic usage
- Premium: Includes 125 devices, with discounts for larger deployments
- Enterprise: 500+ devices, self-hosting options, custom pricing
Target Users
- Advanced users requiring self-hosted VPN control planes
- Distributed OpenClaw deployments needing virtual network interconnection
- Organizations with data sovereignty requirements
- Technical teams requiring Layer 2 network virtualization
Competitive Advantages
- Open-source core engine with support for self-hosted controllers
- Layer 2 network virtualization (more flexible than Tailscale)
- No need for port forwarding or NAT configuration
- Broad cross-platform support
- Self-hosting options to meet compliance needs
Relationship with OpenClaw Ecosystem
ZeroTier provides virtual network infrastructure for distributed OpenClaw deployments. Multiple OpenClaw servers can interconnect via ZeroTier's virtual network, forming a unified OpenClaw network regardless of physical location. The self-hosted controller option ensures that network control data does not pass through third parties. For advanced users needing to network OpenClaw nodes across multiple homes or offices, ZeroTier offers a flexible and secure solution.