Softwr

Networking · head to head

PRTG Network Monitor vs ZeroTier

PRTG Network Monitor logo

PRTG Network Monitor

Networking

Infrastructure monitoring licensed by sensor count, not by device, which changes what a licence actually covers

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ZeroTier logo

ZeroTier

Networking

Software-defined mesh networking, free up to 10 devices and one network, then billed per device

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only ZeroTier has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: PRTG Network Monitor licensing by sensor rather than device means the real cost per device is unpredictable until sensor density is measured; a small network of complex devices can need a much larger tier than device count alone suggests; 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: PRTG Network Monitor covers Sensor-based monitoring, 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 PRTG Network Monitor and ZeroTier actually diverge.

Attributes where PRTG Network Monitor and ZeroTier differ
AttributePRTG Network MonitorZeroTier
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelPer sensor tier, billed monthly on an annual contractFree up to 10 devices and 1 network, then per additional device per month
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Web, iOS, AndroidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Networking).

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 PRTG Network Monitor

  • Sensor-based monitoring
  • Auto-discovery
  • Multiple monitoring technologies
  • Maps and dashboards
  • Cloud and hybrid deployment

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.

PRTG Network Monitor

  • An IT team wanting network, server and application monitoring in one product rather than assembling separate open source toolsnot ZeroTier
  • An organisation that wants a Windows-installable on-premises monitoring server with a polished UI out of the boxnot ZeroTier
  • A team sizing a monitoring purchase that needs to calculate sensor density per device carefully before committing to a tiernot ZeroTier
  • A company wanting hybrid on-premises and cloud monitoring from the same licence and dashboardnot ZeroTier

ZeroTier

  • A hobbyist or small home lab wanting free virtual LAN connectivity across devices without a business tiernot PRTG Network Monitor
  • A small business connecting a handful of remote offices or remote workers into one virtual network on the Essential plannot PRTG Network Monitor
  • A growing company scaling past the free device limit that needs multiple networks and predictable per-device overage pricingnot PRTG Network Monitor
  • A service provider or large IoT deployer needing custom Enterprise or Quantum packaging for very large device countsnot PRTG Network Monitor

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

PRTG Network Monitor

  • Licensing by sensor rather than device means the real cost per device is unpredictable until sensor density is measured; a small network of complex devices can need a much larger tier than device count alone suggests
  • Different PRTG licence sizes cannot be combined on one server, so outgrowing a tier means a step change to the next tier rather than a smooth incremental add
  • It requires a Windows server for on-premises deployment, which is an added infrastructure and patching burden compared with a Linux-native open source alternative
  • Pricing is materially higher than open source options like Icinga or LibreNMS for comparable core monitoring capability, and the premium is for polish and support rather than unique functionality
  • The free tier (100 sensors) is limited enough that most real deployments quickly need a paid tier, so it functions more as a trial than a genuinely usable free offering
  • Custom sensor scripting and advanced configuration still require real monitoring expertise; the polished UI does not remove the underlying complexity of correctly instrumenting a large network

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

PRTG Network Monitor

On request
  • PRTG 500$200/month
    • Up to 500 sensors
  • PRTG 1000$358/month
    • Up to 1,000 sensors
  • PRTG 2500$742/month
    • Up to 2,500 sensors
  • PRTG 5000$1300/month
    • Up to 5,000 sensors

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 PRTG Network Monitor if

  • You need sensor-based monitoring.
  • You work on Windows, Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want auto-discovery.
PRTG Network Monitor review

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.
ZeroTier review

Questions people ask

Is PRTG Network Monitor or ZeroTier better?
Neither clearly leads. PRTG Network Monitor starts at On request and ZeroTier at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PRTG Network Monitor or ZeroTier?
ZeroTier has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for PRTG Network Monitor and Free for ZeroTier.
Does PRTG Network Monitor or ZeroTier run on more platforms?
PRTG Network Monitor runs on Windows, Web, iOS, Android. ZeroTier runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
Can I use ZeroTier for free?
Yes. ZeroTier has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. PRTG Network Monitor starts at On request.
What is PRTG Network Monitor best used for?
PRTG Network Monitor is most often used for an it team wanting network, server and application monitoring in one product rather than assembling separate open source tools, an organisation that wants a windows-installable on-premises monitoring server with a polished ui out of the box, a team sizing a monitoring purchase that needs to calculate sensor density per device carefully before committing to a tier, a company wanting hybrid on-premises and cloud monitoring from the same licence and dashboard. Of those, an it team wanting network, server and application monitoring in one product rather than assembling separate open source tools and an organisation that wants a windows-installable on-premises monitoring server with a polished ui out of the box are not what ZeroTier is typically brought in for.
What can PRTG Network Monitor do that ZeroTier cannot?
PRTG Network Monitor covers Sensor-based monitoring, Auto-discovery, Multiple monitoring technologies, Maps and dashboards. ZeroTier covers Peer-to-peer mesh networking, Free personal tier, Per-device overage pricing, Multiple networks.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

PRTG Network Monitor: Is PRTG licensed per device or per sensor?

Per sensor. Each individually monitored metric counts as one sensor, so a single device is typically several sensors.

ZeroTier: Is ZeroTier free for personal use?

Yes, the Personal plan is free for up to 10 devices and 1 network.

PRTG Network Monitor: Can I combine two PRTG licence tiers on one server?

No, Paessler states different license sizes cannot be combined on one PRTG installation.

ZeroTier: 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.

PRTG Network Monitor: Is there a free tier?

Yes, PRTG offers a free tier limited to 100 sensors, which most production networks will exceed quickly.

ZeroTier: Is there a nonprofit or education discount?

Yes, registered charities and educational organisations receive up to 50% off.

Share

Related pages

More on PRTG Network Monitor

More on ZeroTier

Keep looking

Other head to heads