Tailscale vs ZeroTier

Verdict: Both services utilize highly effective protocols for their respective designs. Tailscale benefits from WireGuard's proven performance and security, while ZeroTier's custom VL2 protocol offers unique Layer 2 flexibility.

Verdict: Tailscale clearly wins on ease of use and setup, offering a more 'plug-and-play' experience driven by identity, while ZeroTier requires more manual intervention and networking knowledge.

Verdict: ZeroTier offers superior flexibility with its native Layer 2 virtualization, which is crucial for specific advanced networking scenarios, whereas Tailscale's Layer 3 focus is excellent for most IP-based connectivity needs.

Verdict: Tailscale offers a more user-friendly and identity-driven ACL system, especially with its new visual editor, while ZeroTier provides more powerful but complex flow rules for highly granular control.

Verdict: Both services offer excellent and highly reliable NAT traversal capabilities, ensuring robust peer-to-peer connectivity across various network environments. It's a tie in this critical area.

Verdict: Tailscale's 'MagicDNS' offers a significant advantage in usability by providing automatic, human-readable device names, a feature ZeroTier is still actively developing.

Verdict: ZeroTier offers more comprehensive self-hosting capabilities, allowing users to host both the controller and root servers, whereas Tailscale's self-hosting is primarily via the Headscale control plane.

Verdict: ZeroTier natively offers robust multi-network support, allowing devices to join multiple isolated networks simultaneously, a feature Tailscale has recently introduced in alpha.

Tailscale → Zerotier

Migrating from Tailscale to ZeroTier involves a structured approach. First, install the ZeroTier client on all devices intended for migration. Next, create a new network in ZeroTier Central, obtain its Network ID, and use it to join your devices to this new ZeroTier network. Authorize each device in ZeroTier Central. It's recommended to run both Tailscale and ZeroTier concurrently for a transition period, allowing you to gradually shift services and verify connectivity without interruption. Finally, replicate your Tailscale ACLs using ZeroTier's more complex but flexible flow rules, and configure any necessary subnet routing. Once fully verified, disconnect devices from Tailscale and decommission the old tailnet.

Zerotier → Tailscale

To migrate from ZeroTier to Tailscale, begin by installing the Tailscale client on all devices you wish to move. Log in to Tailscale using your preferred Single Sign-On (SSO) identity provider, which will automatically create your new tailnet or add devices to an existing one. For a smooth transition, operate both ZeroTier and Tailscale simultaneously, allowing you to gradually move services and ensure continuous connectivity. Configure equivalent access policies using Tailscale's human-readable ACLs (potentially with the new visual editor) and set up any required subnet routing or exit nodes. After confirming all services function correctly on Tailscale, disconnect devices from ZeroTier and remove the old ZeroTier network.