OpenVPN vs Zerotier: 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 OpenVPN and Zerotier side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a 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:
OpenVPN
Open-source VPN protocol and software
Best for you if:
- • You want industry standard VPN
Zerotier
Software-defined networking platform
Best for you if:
- • You want software-defined networking
| At a Glance | OpenVPN | Zerotier |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $7/mo, billed monthly Growth plan | Free plan |
Category | VPN Security | Security Cloud & Infrastructure |
Rating | 4.3/5 G2 4.5 · Capterra 4.5 · Trustpilot 2.7 574 reviews | 4.2/5 Capterra 4.9 · Trustpilot 2.8 · G2 4.8 25 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | Free tier was reduced from 25 devices to 10 devices and from unlimited networks to 1 network. Existing free users may have been grandfathered, but new signups get the reduced limits |
Choose OpenVPN or Zerotier?
Choose OpenVPN if
- You want industry standard VPN
- You want self-hostable
- You work in VPN, not security
Choose Zerotier if
- You want software-defined networking
- You want easy setup
- You work in security, not VPN
In-Depth Analysis
OpenVPN
Open-source VPN protocol and software
OpenVPN offers a very generous entry point with its free Community and Access Server tiers, making it highly accessible.
Strengths
- Pro: Industry standard VPN
- Pro: Self-hostable
- Pro: Good security
- Pro: Open source
- Pro: Wide compatibility
Weaknesses
- Con: Complex setup
- Con: Performance vs WireGuard
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Manual management
- Con: UI dated
Key features
Zerotier
Software-defined networking platform
ZeroTier Free tier (10 devices, 1 network) is genuinely useful for personal VPN and home lab use.
Watch out
Free tier was reduced from 25 devices to 10 devices and from unlimited networks to 1 network. Existing free users may have been grandfathered, but new signups get the reduced limits
Strengths
- Pro: Software-defined networking
- Pro: Easy setup
- Pro: Cross-platform
- Pro: Good for mesh networks
- Pro: Free for small networks
Weaknesses
- Con: Performance overhead
- Con: Less proven than alternatives
- Con: Some complexity
- Con: Paid for larger networks
- Con: Documentation could improve
Key features
Plans and prices: OpenVPN vs Zerotier
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| OpenVPN |
| openvpn.net/pricing read Nov 1, 2026 |
| Zerotier | No plan prices on file | zerotier.com/pricing read Oct 21, 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 OpenVPN pricing and Zerotier pricing.
Key Takeaways
OpenVPN
- Choose if you want open-source VPN protocol and software
Zerotier
- Choose if you want software-defined networking platform
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.3/5 from 574 reviews for OpenVPN, 4.2/5 from 25 reviews for Zerotier).
- OpenVPN starts at $7/mo, billed monthly; Zerotier has no public paid plan price on file.
- 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 OpenVPN and Zerotier compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.3/5 from 574 reviews for OpenVPN, 4.2/5 from 25 reviews for Zerotier). OpenVPN starts at $7/mo, billed monthly; Zerotier has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are OpenVPN and Zerotier used for?
OpenVPN: Open-source VPN protocol and software. Zerotier: Software-defined networking platform.
What does OpenVPN cost vs Zerotier?
OpenVPN's cheapest paid plan is Growth at $7/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Zerotier has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between OpenVPN and Zerotier?
OpenVPN's main strength: industry standard VPN. Zerotier's main strength: software-defined networking.