NetBird vs Netmaker: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for NetBird and Netmaker side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, NetBird leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
NetBird
Secure, self-configuring overlay network with Zero Trust access
Best for you if:
- • You want eliminates complex VPN gateways and firewall configurations
Netmaker
WireGuard network management platform
Best for you if:
- • You want open source VPN
| At a Glance | NetBird | Netmaker |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $5/user/mo, billed monthly Team plan | Free plan, paid from $38/mo, billed monthly Team plan |
Category | Cloud & Infrastructure Security | Cloud & Infrastructure VPN |
Rating | n/a | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Additional machines cost $0.50/month in paid tiers | n/a |
Choose NetBird or Netmaker?
Choose NetBird if
- You want eliminates complex VPN gateways and firewall configurations
- You want offers granular network segmentation and access control
- Budget matters ($5/user/mo, billed monthly vs $38/mo, billed monthly)
Choose Netmaker if
- You want open source VPN
- You want WireGuard based
In-Depth Analysis
NetBird
Secure, self-configuring overlay network with Zero Trust access
NetBird's pricing is quite fair, especially with a generous Free tier supporting up to 5 users and 100 machines.
Watch out
Additional machines cost $0.50/month in paid tiers
Strengths
- Pro: Eliminates complex VPN gateways and firewall configurations
- Pro: Offers granular network segmentation and access control
- Pro: Integrates with existing Identity Providers for SSO and MFA
- Pro: Supports dynamic device posture checks for enhanced security
- Pro: Provides a unified platform for managing diverse network resources
Weaknesses
- Con: Advanced features like MDM/EDR controls and SIEM streaming are only available in higher-tier plans
- Con: Requires some technical understanding for on-premise deployment and custom integrations
- Con: The free tier is limited to 5 users and 100 machines
Key features
Netmaker
WireGuard network management platform
Netmaker offers a generous free Community tier for self-hosters, providing unlimited usage for core networking.
Strengths
- Pro: Open source VPN
- Pro: WireGuard based
- Pro: Self-hostable
- Pro: Good UI
- Pro: Active development
Weaknesses
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Setup complexity
- Con: Documentation improving
- Con: Smaller community
- Con: Tailscale alternative
Key features
Plans and prices: NetBird vs Netmaker
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| NetBird |
| netbird.io/pricing read Sep 27, 2026 |
| Netmaker |
| netmaker.io/pricing read Oct 28, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on NetBird pricing and Netmaker pricing.
Key Takeaways
NetBird
- Lower entry price: $5/user/mo, billed monthly vs $38/mo, billed monthly
Netmaker
- Choose if you want WireGuard network management platform
What the data shows
On the data below, NetBird leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- NetBird has the lower entry price: $5/user/mo, billed monthly (Team) against $38/mo, billed monthly (Team) for Netmaker.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do NetBird and Netmaker compare in 2026?
On the data below, NetBird leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. NetBird has the lower entry price: $5/user/mo, billed monthly (Team) against $38/mo, billed monthly (Team) for Netmaker. Both have a free plan.
What are NetBird and Netmaker used for?
NetBird: Secure, self-configuring overlay network with Zero Trust access. Netmaker: WireGuard network management platform.
What does NetBird cost vs Netmaker?
NetBird's cheapest paid plan is Team at $5/user/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Netmaker's cheapest paid plan is Team at $38/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 28, 2026.
What's the main difference between NetBird and Netmaker?
NetBird's main strength: eliminates complex VPN gateways and firewall configurations. Netmaker's main strength: open source VPN.