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Head-to-head · Business VPN Software

NetBird vs Netmaker

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score NetBird #5 in Business VPN Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit NetBird
Netmaker #48 in Business VPN Software 4.3/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Netmaker

NetBird leads on 0 checks, Netmaker on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreNetBird · 8.8/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Netmaker

NetBird scores higher on our rubric for business vpn software: 8.8 against 4.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #48.

NetBird is the better fit for open-source teams seeking affordable hybrid VPN. Netmaker is the better fit for budget-conscious teams wanting self-hosted WireGuard.

  • NetBird fits best

    Open-source teams seeking affordable hybrid VPN

  • Netmaker fits best

    Budget-conscious teams wanting self-hosted WireGuard

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature NetBird 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Netmaker 4.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 4.3
Ranking #5 in Business VPN Software #48 in Business VPN Software
Best for Open-source teams seeking affordable hybrid VPN Budget-conscious teams wanting self-hosted WireGuard
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price €6/user/mo $2/unit/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 7 days
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Email, Tickets, Community, Docs Email, Live chat, Community, Docs
Integrations 20 integrations 5 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features NetBird 4/4 · Netmaker 4/4
SSO / SCIM ✓ ✓
Device posture ✓ ✓
Site-to-site networking ✓ ✓
Audit logs ✓ ✓
Specs
Admin control level Advanced Advanced
Access model Hybrid Hybrid
Supported platforms Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, tvOS, Docker, routers Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Docker, Kubernetes, WireGuard-compatible devices
Our review
Pros
  • Free plan includes encrypted P2P networking, access controls, and private DNS
  • Supports WireGuard, site-to-site connectivity, segmentation, and posture checks
  • Self-hosting, API automation, and broad identity and device integrations
  • Free open-source Community plan with unlimited networks and devices
  • Mesh, site-to-site, gateway, routing, and private DNS capabilities
  • SSO, SCIM, posture checks, audit logs, and enterprise controls
Cons
  • Advanced device and traffic controls begin with the €12 Business plan
  • Enterprise pricing and terms are custom rather than published
  • Free-plan support is limited to community support
  • Paid Team and Business tiers bill per active connection
  • Advanced governance features are reserved for higher tiers
  • Self-hosted deployment requires managing the hosting environment
Our verdict

NetBird is an open-source Zero Trust networking platform for organizations and home users that need encrypted connections between users, devices, servers, cloud workloads, and private networks. It combines peer-to-peer WireGuard networking…

Read the review →

Netmaker is an open-source virtual networking platform built on WireGuard for organizations connecting users, devices, servers, containers, cloud resources, and on-premises infrastructure. It supports encrypted overlay networks, mesh and…

Read the review →
  1. NetBirdBusiness VPN Software 8.8Free plan
  2. NetmakerBusiness VPN Software 4.3Free plan · 7-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • NetBird — where it wins

    • Free plan includes encrypted P2P networking, access controls, and private DNS
    • Supports WireGuard, site-to-site connectivity, segmentation, and posture checks
    • Self-hosting, API automation, and broad identity and device integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Advanced device and traffic controls begin with the €12 Business plan
    • Enterprise pricing and terms are custom rather than published
    • Free-plan support is limited to community support

  • Netmaker — where it wins

    • Free open-source Community plan with unlimited networks and devices
    • Mesh, site-to-site, gateway, routing, and private DNS capabilities
    • SSO, SCIM, posture checks, audit logs, and enterprise controls

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid Team and Business tiers bill per active connection
    • Advanced governance features are reserved for higher tiers
    • Self-hosted deployment requires managing the hosting environment
  • NetBird8.8/10 · Free plan

    A flexible hybrid VPN with a free tier, self-hosting, and identity-based controls.

    Visit NetBirdFull verdict →
  • Netmaker4.3/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

    A flexible VPN platform with self-hosting, mesh networking, and usage-based paid plans.

    Visit NetmakerFull verdict →

More comparisons

All business VPN software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update