Cybersecurity · head to head
Avast One vs ZeroTier

ZeroTier
Networking
Software-defined mesh networking, free up to 10 devices and one network, then billed per device
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Avast One ransomware and Wi-Fi vulnerability protection only on paid plans; ZeroTier the free tier caps at 10 devices and 1 network, which a small business will outgrow quickly and then face both a base plan fee and per-device overage charges
- They diverge on capability: Avast One covers Antivirus, ZeroTier covers Peer-to-peer mesh networking.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Avast One and ZeroTier actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Avast One
- Antivirus
- Firewall
- VPN
- Data breach monitoring
- Email Guardian
- Webcam Shield
- Ransomware Shield
- Performance optimization
Only in ZeroTier
- Peer-to-peer mesh networking
- Free personal tier
- Per-device overage pricing
- Multiple networks
- Cross-platform clients
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Avast One
- Antivirusnot ZeroTier
- Internet Securitynot ZeroTier
- Privacy Toolsnot ZeroTier
ZeroTier
- A hobbyist or small home lab wanting free virtual LAN connectivity across devices without a business tiernot Avast One
- A small business connecting a handful of remote offices or remote workers into one virtual network on the Essential plannot Avast One
- A growing company scaling past the free device limit that needs multiple networks and predictable per-device overage pricingnot Avast One
- A service provider or large IoT deployer needing custom Enterprise or Quantum packaging for very large device countsnot Avast One
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Avast One
- Ransomware and Wi-Fi vulnerability protection only on paid plans
- Free plan VPN is limited, no data breakthrough monitoring
- Rebuilt app in May 2026 may have stability issues
ZeroTier
- The free tier caps at 10 devices and 1 network, which a small business will outgrow quickly and then face both a base plan fee and per-device overage charges
- Per-additional-device pricing on Essential ($2.00 each) is proportionally expensive for a team that grows just past the included count, since the jump from free to paid is immediate once the 11th device joins
- Relay fallback, when a direct peer-to-peer path cannot be established (common behind certain NAT or firewall configurations), routes traffic through ZeroTier's infrastructure, adding latency and a dependency the buyer does not fully control
- Enterprise and Quantum tiers are entirely custom-quoted, so very large deployments cannot be budgeted from the public pricing page
- Network administration for larger deployments (Scale and above) still requires understanding ZeroTier's access control and network rule model, which has a real learning curve beyond simple device joining
- As with any software-defined mesh network, security depends on correctly configured network authorization; a misconfigured network can expose devices more broadly than intended
Pricing, plan by plan
Avast One
Free- FreeFree
- Antivirus
- Limited VPN
- Privacy tools
- Silver$2.99/month
- Enhanced antivirus
- VPN
- Device cleanup
- Premium$4.19/month
- Full antivirus
- VPN with 55 servers
- Password manager
- Premium Plus$11.67/month
- All Premium features
- 30 devices covered
ZeroTier
Free- PersonalFree
- 10 devices included
- 1 network
- Essential$18/month
- 10 devices included
- 10 networks
- $2.00 per additional device/month
- Scale$179/month
- 100 devices included
- Unlimited networks
- $1.80 per additional device/month
Which should you pick?
Choose Avast One if
- You need antivirus.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- You also want firewall.
Choose ZeroTier if
- You need peer-to-peer mesh networking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- You also want free personal tier.
Questions people ask
- Is Avast One or ZeroTier better?
- Neither clearly leads. Avast One starts at Free and ZeroTier at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Avast One or ZeroTier?
- Avast One starts at Free and ZeroTier at Free.
- Does Avast One or ZeroTier run on more platforms?
- Avast One runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. ZeroTier runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Avast One for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Avast One best used for?
- Avast One is most often used for antivirus, internet security, privacy tools. Of those, antivirus and internet security are not what ZeroTier is typically brought in for.
- What can Avast One do that ZeroTier cannot?
- Avast One covers Antivirus, Firewall, VPN, Data breach monitoring. ZeroTier covers Peer-to-peer mesh networking, Free personal tier, Per-device overage pricing, Multiple networks.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Avast One: Is Avast One free?
Yes. Avast One offers a free tier with antivirus, VPN (limited), and privacy tools. Paid plans start at $2.99/month for Silver and $4.19/month for Premium covering up to 5 devices.
SourceZeroTier: Is ZeroTier free for personal use?
Yes, the Personal plan is free for up to 10 devices and 1 network.
Avast One: What does Avast One include?
Avast One provides antivirus, VPN, password manager, device cleanup, Wi-Fi security, data breach monitoring, and protection against AI-generated scams and deepfakes.
SourceZeroTier: How does overage pricing work?
Beyond a plan's included device count, additional devices are billed individually per month, at $2.00 each on Essential and $1.80 each on Scale.
Avast One: Does Avast One have ransomware protection?
Ransomware protection is available only on paid plans, not the free tier. Free users get antivirus and basic protection only.
SourceZeroTier: Is there a nonprofit or education discount?
Yes, registered charities and educational organisations receive up to 50% off.
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