Best tool for self-hosted VPN
A self-hosted VPN should let you reach your own machines while keeping control over how access is managed. This page compares mesh and self-hosted tools, weighing openness and self-hosting most heavily, followed by total cost, security, NAT traversal and relays, platform coverage and project health.
NetBird
NetBird combines an open-source control server with SSO, access rules, NAT traversal and relays for teams managing private access.
ZeroTier
ZeroTier offers broad device support and NAT traversal, but its source-available controller licence restricts use to non-commercial purposes.
Headscale
Headscale pairs an open-source control server with official Tailscale clients, SSO and access rules, backed by community support.
Self-hosted WireGuard
Self-hosted WireGuard offers free software, exit nodes and broad platform support, without built-in SSO or a relay network.
Providers change prices often, and we regularly verify prices against their own pricing pages, though small differences from current prices are possible. Prices checked 11 Oct 2026.
How we ranked them
We require self-hosting support and limit this page to mesh and self-hosted tools. Openness and self-hosting carry the greatest weight, including whether the control server is open source and what its licence permits. True cost comes next, accounting for software charges, hosting and maintenance work. We then consider the security model, including identity and access controls and the scope of available audit evidence. NAT traversal and relays follow, then platform coverage, then project health. Self-hostability alone does not establish an open-source licence or remove the work of running the service.
FAQ
Is a self-hosted VPN free to run?
Headscale and WireGuard are free software, but running them still takes infrastructure and maintenance time. Include hosting, updates and backups in your budget, and compare VPS hosts if you need a server.
Does self-hostable mean open source?
Self-hostable means you can run the software yourself; open source also concerns the rights its licence grants. NetBird and Headscale have open-source control servers, while ZeroTier's controller is source-available under a licence restricted to non-commercial use.
Can I use Tailscale clients with Headscale?
Headscale uses the official Tailscale clients with a control server you host. It is an independent community project, with support through Discord and GitHub issues.
Should I use WireGuard or a mesh VPN for my team?
WireGuard fits when you want free VPN software and can manage access without built-in SSO or a relay network. NetBird adds SSO, access rules, NAT traversal and relays, making it a useful option when your team needs those capabilities.
Ranked with this job's weights over the mesh & self-hosted formula. How we score VPNs.