ZeroTier vs ngrok

Struggling to choose between ZeroTier and ngrok? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

ZeroTier is a Network & Admin solution with tags like encryption, virtual-network, peertopeer.

It boasts features such as Creates encrypted virtual networks between devices, Works across public and private networks, Does not require port forwarding, NAT, or VPN servers, Works through firewalls and NAT, Self-configuring and self-healing, Open source and free for unlimited users/devices and pros including Easy to set up and use, Provides secure remote access, Bypasses firewalls and NAT limitations, Works on any device and operating system, Free with no limits on users or devices.

On the other hand, ngrok is a Development product tagged with tunneling, networking, development, testing.

Its standout features include Secure tunnels to localhost, Inspect HTTP traffic, Replay past requests, Online subdomain management, Custom subdomains, HTTP/HTTPS support, TCP/TLS tunnels, Webhook forwarding, Concurrent connections, and it shines with pros like Easy to set up, Works across platforms, Free tier available, Good documentation, Feature-rich paid tiers, Allows testing locally-hosted apps externally.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

ZeroTier

ZeroTier

ZeroTier is an open-source program that creates a virtual encrypted network between devices and across the internet. It allows devices to communicate over a private network as if they are locally connected, bypassing firewalls and NAT.

Categories:
encryption virtual-network peertopeer

ZeroTier Features

  1. Creates encrypted virtual networks between devices
  2. Works across public and private networks
  3. Does not require port forwarding, NAT, or VPN servers
  4. Works through firewalls and NAT
  5. Self-configuring and self-healing
  6. Open source and free for unlimited users/devices

Pricing

  • Open Source
  • Free

Pros

Easy to set up and use

Provides secure remote access

Bypasses firewalls and NAT limitations

Works on any device and operating system

Free with no limits on users or devices

Cons

Requires client software installation

Limited configuration options compared to VPNs

Relies on central servers for coordination

Not as fast as direct local connections


ngrok

ngrok

ngrok is a cross-platform application that enables developers to expose a local development server to the Internet for testing and sharing their work. It creates secure tunnels from a public URL to a locally running web service.

Categories:
tunneling networking development testing

Ngrok Features

  1. Secure tunnels to localhost
  2. Inspect HTTP traffic
  3. Replay past requests
  4. Online subdomain management
  5. Custom subdomains
  6. HTTP/HTTPS support
  7. TCP/TLS tunnels
  8. Webhook forwarding
  9. Concurrent connections

Pricing

  • Free
  • Freemium
  • Subscription-Based

Pros

Easy to set up

Works across platforms

Free tier available

Good documentation

Feature-rich paid tiers

Allows testing locally-hosted apps externally

Cons

Limited concurrent connections on free tier

No SLA on free tier

Can be complex for beginners

Paid tiers can get expensive for individuals