ZeroTier is the best general-purpose Hamachi alternative for classic LAN gaming in 2026, especially when a game depends on LAN-style discovery or broadcast traffic. Tailscale is usually easier for modern games that support direct IP connections, while Radmin VPN remains a practical free choice for Windows-only groups. If you are hosting a dedicated Minecraft, Terraria, Factorio, or similar server, playit.gg may be a better solution than any virtual LAN.
Those recommendations are not interchangeable. Hamachi alternatives now include virtual LANs, routed mesh VPNs, game-server tunnels, matchmaking clients, and remote-streaming tools. The right choice depends first on how your game connects.
Quick recommendations
| Need | Best first choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Old game with LAN discovery | ZeroTier | Closest general-purpose replacement for a virtual Ethernet-style LAN. |
| Modern game with Direct Connect | Tailscale | Simple identity-based setup and direct-IP connectivity. |
| Free Windows-only gaming | Radmin VPN | Simple virtual-network workflow with Windows support. |
| Advanced Layer-2 or Layer-3 networking | SoftEther VPN | Powerful, open-source, and highly configurable. |
| Dedicated game server without port forwarding | playit.gg | Publishes a game server without placing every player on a shared LAN. |
| Steam local co-op | Steam Remote Play Together | Streams one supported local multiplayer game to invited friends. |
What Hamachi actually does
Hamachi creates a software-defined private network. Each participating computer receives a virtual private address, allowing applications to communicate as though the devices were connected through a private network.
That does not automatically make every online game a LAN game. Three separate functions are involved:
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- Network membership: which devices are allowed to communicate.
- Transport: whether traffic travels directly between peers or through a relay.
- Game discovery: whether the game can automatically find the remote host.
A service can succeed at the first two and still fail at the third. This is why a game may work when you enter a virtual IP manually but remain absent from its LAN browser.
Choose by networking model, not marketing label
| Model | What it does | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Layer-2 virtual LAN | Approximates an Ethernet network and may carry LAN-style discovery traffic. | Older games that depend on broadcast or local-network discovery. |
| Layer-3 routed mesh | Connects devices by routed private IP addresses. | Games with Direct Connect or manual server-address fields. |
| Game-server tunnel | Publishes a particular server or port to the internet. | Dedicated-server games and players behind CGNAT. |
| Matchmaking service | Handles supported titles through its own client or service. | Specific older games with supported online lobbies. |
| Remote streaming | Sends video, audio, and input from one host PC. | Shared-screen or couch co-op games. |
Layer 2 and Layer 3 are not interchangeable. A Layer-3 mesh can be excellent for direct IP connections but is not automatically a flat LAN. The distinction is also discussed in comparative technical coverage from VPNSmith.
Comparison of the 15 alternatives
| # | Product | Category | Best for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ZeroTier | Virtual LAN | Classic LAN games and cross-platform groups | Network authorization and discovery troubleshooting |
| 2 | Tailscale | Routed mesh VPN | Easy direct-IP multiplayer | No Layer-2 broadcast by default |
| 3 | Radmin VPN | Virtual LAN | Free Windows-only gaming | Officially Windows-focused |
| 4 | SoftEther VPN | Full VPN infrastructure | Advanced Layer-2/Layer-3 setups | Complex administration |
| 5 | NetBird | Modern mesh VPN | Open-source-oriented private networking | Not a universal LAN-discovery solution |
| 6 | GameRanger | Game matchmaking | Supported older games | Limited catalog and platform scope |
| 7 | playit.gg | Game-server tunnel | Dedicated servers without port forwarding | Does not create a shared LAN |
| 8 | Porthole | Port-level networking | Selected Steam and self-hosted games | Narrower than a whole-device VPN |
| 9 | Steam Remote Play Together | Game streaming | Supported local co-op games | One host runs the game |
| 10 | Parsec | Remote streaming | Shared-screen remote play | Streaming latency and host requirements |
| 11 | Sunshine + Moonlight | Self-hosted streaming | High-quality remote play | Not a virtual LAN |
| 12 | WireGuard | Manual VPN | Users comfortable designing their own network | Manual routing and endpoint configuration |
| 13 | Headscale | Self-hosted mesh control plane | Self-hosted Tailscale-style networking | Requires hosting and maintenance |
| 14 | Nebula | Self-managed overlay | Technical users and private infrastructure | Less beginner-friendly |
| 15 | LANemu | LAN emulator | Experimental Linux/open-source use | Project maturity and compatibility vary |
1. ZeroTier — best overall Hamachi replacement
Best for: classic LAN games, cross-platform groups, and titles where LAN-style discovery matters.
ZeroTier is the closest broad replacement for Hamachi because it creates a virtual network rather than merely exposing one server. Its model is particularly useful when a game expects peers to exist on the same virtual Ethernet-like network. It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Docker, FreeBSD, OpenWrt, and NAS platforms according to its official downloads page.
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Setup: Create a network, install ZeroTier on every gaming device, have each device join with the network ID, authorize members in the controller, confirm their assigned virtual IPs, then launch the game. Try LAN discovery first. If that fails, use the host’s ZeroTier IP with the game’s Direct Connect or Add Server function.
Where it fails: Some games use discovery protocols that do not cross the relevant virtual interface, while others bind to the wrong adapter. Firewall rules and multiple VPN adapters can also interfere.
Version note: The downloads page currently lists version 1.16.2 for Windows and macOS. Windows 7 and Windows Server 2012 require the older 1.6.6 release according to the vendor’s download notes.
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Best for: modern games with manual server-address fields, mixed devices, and groups that want simple identity-based administration.
Tailscale builds an encrypted routed mesh and attempts peer-to-peer connections where possible. Its Personal plan is listed as free forever for up to six users with unlimited user devices. Standard is listed at $8 per user per month and Premium at $18 per user per month; check the current pricing page before subscribing.
Tailscale is not a universal Layer-2 LAN emulator. A game that supports Direct Connect can usually use the host’s Tailscale IP, but a game that depends on broadcast-based LAN discovery may not find that host automatically. For those games, ZeroTier is the better first test.
Setup: Install Tailscale on the host and players, sign in to the same tailnet or invite the other users, confirm that the devices are connected, copy the host’s Tailscale IP, start the game server, and enter that address through Direct Connect. Check the host firewall if the connection fails.
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3. Radmin VPN — best free Windows-only option
Best for: groups using Windows PCs and older games that work with a straightforward virtual adapter.
Radmin VPN is advertised as free software for creating virtual local networks. Its official site lists compatibility with Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11. Install it on every Windows computer, create a network or join an existing one, share the network name and password, and verify that every participant appears online.
Start the game’s LAN mode, then try the Radmin-assigned IP if automatic discovery fails. Permit both Radmin VPN and the game through Windows Firewall.
Radmin VPN is a poor choice for a group containing macOS or Linux players because the official product is Windows-focused. Do not assume that Wine, Proton, or SteamOS provides equivalent support.
4. SoftEther VPN — best technical and open-source option
Best for: advanced users who need flexible Layer-2 bridging or Layer-3 routing.
SoftEther is an open-source, Apache-licensed project from the University of Tsukuba. It supports Windows, Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, and Solaris and can provide both Ethernet bridging and routed IP networking. See the official project site.
A practical deployment involves installing VPN Server or VPN Bridge, creating a virtual hub, creating user credentials, configuring clients, selecting routed or bridged networking, opening the required server port, and restricting access with firewall rules.
SoftEther can solve problems that simpler clients cannot, but it is not a one-click Hamachi replacement. Choose it when you are prepared to operate VPN infrastructure, not merely join a friend’s network.
5. NetBird — modern mesh networking for technical groups
Best for: users who want identity, access controls, private DNS, routes, and a modern mesh network.
NetBird’s free plan is listed at €0 per user per month for up to five users and 100 machines. Team is listed at €6 per user per month and Business at €12. Its feature set is more infrastructure-oriented than gaming-oriented, so it is most appropriate when the same private network will also serve homelab or server use.
NetBird is primarily a routed mesh. Use it when your game supports direct IP connections; do not treat it as a guaranteed fix for broadcast-dependent LAN browsers.
6. GameRanger — matchmaking for supported older games
Best for: older titles that GameRanger specifically supports.
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GameRanger can remove the need to manually configure a VPN for games in its catalog by providing game-specific lobbies and matchmaking. Its limitation is also its defining feature: compatibility depends on the supported-title list and platform scope. It is not a general private network for arbitrary games.
7. playit.gg — best for dedicated servers
Best for: Minecraft, Terraria, Factorio, Valheim, and similar games with dedicated or hostable servers.
playit.gg creates a public tunnel to a locally running game server without requiring router port forwarding. The official site lists a free tier, Premium at $3 per month, and TCP, UDP, and TCP+UDP tunnel types.
Setup: Run the game server locally, install and start the playit agent, create a tunnel for the required protocol and port, and give players the assigned public address. Confirm whether the game needs TCP, UDP, or multiple ports.
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playit.gg does not put every player on a shared LAN. It is therefore often better than Hamachi for a dedicated server, but it cannot replace a virtual LAN for a game that requires LAN discovery or multiple local services.
8. Porthole — targeted port-level access
Best for: selected Steam and self-hosted games, particularly for Windows and Linux/SteamOS users.
Porthole proxies selected ports instead of creating a whole-machine virtual LAN. Its comparison table lists Steam account integration, Windows and Linux/SteamOS support, a free tier, and no peer limit. See Porthole’s official site.
It is a targeted alternative, not a general Hamachi-style adapter. Choose it when the game and its required ports are supported; choose ZeroTier or another full network solution when arbitrary LAN traffic is required.
9. Steam Remote Play Together — best for supported couch co-op
Best for: local multiplayer games where one player can run the game and stream it to friends.
Steam Remote Play Together allows the host to run a supported local multiplayer game and invite friends through Steam. Steam advertises support for up to four players, or more with fast connections.
This is not a VPN and does not create independent networked game instances. It is the easier answer when the desired experience is shared-screen or local co-op and the title supports the feature.
10. Parsec — remote shared-screen play
Best for: remote play where one powerful host PC runs the game.
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Parsec streams video and audio from the host while sending remote players’ input back to that computer. It can be more appropriate than a virtual LAN for local co-op games, but quality depends on host hardware, upload bandwidth, encoding, geography, and latency. Its pricing page should be checked for current plan details.
Parsec does not connect two independent game installations as though they were on a LAN.
11. Sunshine and Moonlight — self-hosted streaming
Best for: technically capable users who want a self-hosted streaming stack.
Sunshine provides the host-side streaming service and Moonlight provides compatible clients. This combination can deliver high-quality remote play, including to Steam Deck and other clients, but it is a streaming workflow rather than a virtual network. Use it for shared-screen play, not for games that require each player to run a separate networked instance.
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Best for: users comfortable configuring peers, routes, firewall rules, and reachable endpoints.
WireGuard is a lightweight VPN protocol, not a ready-made gaming network service. A working design may require a publicly reachable endpoint or relay, address allocation, peer configuration, forwarding, and firewall rules. It can provide excellent control and low overhead, but it does not automatically provide Layer-2 broadcast behavior and is usually more work than ZeroTier or Tailscale.
13. Headscale — self-hosted Tailscale-style control
Best for: users who want to operate their own control plane for a Tailscale-compatible mesh.
Headscale can reduce dependence on a hosted coordination service, but it introduces server deployment, upgrades, authentication, backups, and maintenance. It remains a routed mesh approach, so it is better suited to direct-IP games than broadcast-dependent LAN discovery.
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14. Nebula — self-managed overlay networking
Best for: technical users managing private overlay networks across their own infrastructure.
Nebula is a specialist option rather than a beginner gaming client. It may suit users who already understand certificates, lighthouse nodes, firewall rules, and overlay routing. Like other routed overlays, it should not be presented as a guaranteed Layer-2 replacement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.15. LANemu and similar emerging projects
Best for: experimental Linux and open-source LAN-gaming setups.
LANemu and similar projects belong on a specialist shortlist, not alongside mature commercial clients as equivalent choices. Project maturity, documentation, supported games, installation methods, and maintenance expectations can change quickly. Verify the current project status before committing a group to it.
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ZeroTier or Tailscale?
| Need | Better first choice |
|---|---|
| LAN browser depends on broadcast discovery | ZeroTier |
| Game supports manual IP entry | Tailscale |
| Mixed Windows, macOS, and Linux devices | Either, subject to official client and game support |
| Simplest identity-based administration | Tailscale |
| Virtual Ethernet-style behavior | ZeroTier |
| Homelab or enterprise reuse | Tailscale |
| Windows-only group seeking a simple free option | Radmin VPN |
Platform considerations
Check every participant’s actual operating system before choosing a client:
- Windows: supported by all of the main VPN candidates, but firewall and adapter selection still matter.
- macOS and Linux: ZeroTier, Tailscale, SoftEther, and NetBird are more suitable for mixed groups than Radmin VPN.
- SteamOS and Steam Deck: prefer native Linux or SteamOS-supported workflows. Do not assume a Windows VPN works correctly under Proton.
- Android and iOS: ZeroTier lists mobile support, but a mobile client does not mean every mobile game supports LAN play through it.
- Consoles: these tools generally cannot be installed directly on consoles. A dedicated server, supported matchmaking service, or game-specific solution may be necessary.
Free-plan limits that matter
Do not compare a device allowance with a user allowance as though they were the same:
- Tailscale Personal: up to six users with unlimited user devices.
- ZeroTier Personal: up to 10 devices.
- NetBird Free: up to five users and 100 machines.
- playit.gg: free tier available; Premium is listed at $3 per month.
- Radmin VPN: advertised as free for supported Windows systems.
Pricing and limits are volatile. The figures above should be rechecked against the linked vendor pages before publication or purchase.
Setup guides
ZeroTier
- Create a ZeroTier network.
- Install the client on each gaming device.
- Join each device using the network ID.
- Authorize every member in the network controller.
- Confirm that each device has a ZeroTier IP.
- Start the host session and try LAN discovery.
- If necessary, connect using the host’s ZeroTier IP and game port.
- Check firewall rules and broadcast or multicast requirements if discovery fails.
Tailscale
- Install Tailscale on the host and every player device.
- Sign in to the same tailnet or invite the other users.
- Confirm that all devices appear connected.
- Copy the host’s Tailscale IP.
- Start the game server or host session.
- Use Direct Connect or the manual server-address field.
- If the game only searches for LAN broadcasts, test ZeroTier instead.
Radmin VPN
- Install Radmin VPN on every Windows computer.
- Create a network or join an existing one.
- Share the network name and password.
- Confirm that every player appears online.
- Start LAN mode or connect using the Radmin IP.
- Allow the game and Radmin VPN through Windows Firewall.
playit.gg
- Run the local dedicated game server.
- Install and start the playit agent.
- Create a tunnel for the required game protocol and port.
- Give players the assigned public address.
- Confirm the server is listening on the expected local interface.
- Check whether the game requires TCP, UDP, or both.
Troubleshooting
The LAN browser is empty
The chosen product may be Layer 3 and unable to carry the game’s broadcast traffic. The game may also be bound to the physical adapter, blocked by the firewall, or using a proprietary discovery protocol.
- Try Direct Connect using the host’s virtual IP.
- Allow the game through the firewall on the appropriate private network.
- Temporarily disable unrelated VPNs and unused virtual adapters.
- Check whether the title requires a specific discovery port.
- Use ZeroTier when the game genuinely requires LAN-like discovery.
Players can ping the host but cannot join
Ping tests ICMP, not the game’s actual TCP or UDP service. The server may be listening only on 127.0.0.1, the wrong physical address, or a single port while the game requires a separate query port. Anti-cheat or launcher restrictions may also be involved.
Latency is high
Check geography, Wi-Fi congestion, host upload capacity, NAT behavior, and whether the connection is direct or relayed. A VPN cannot overcome physical distance or a poor host connection. Do not treat a connected status as proof that the path is direct.
The game selects the wrong IP address
Multiple adapters from Hyper-V, VirtualBox, Docker, corporate VPNs, Tailscale, and other tools can confuse games that enumerate interfaces poorly. Temporarily disable unused adapters, adjust adapter priority where supported, bind the server to the desired interface if the game allows it, or use Direct Connect.
Steam Deck or Proton causes problems
Prefer a native Linux client, SteamOS-supported port-level tool, dedicated-server tunnel, Steam Remote Play, or streaming from a Windows host. Do not assume that a Windows VPN client behaves correctly under Proton.
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These services differ in more than convenience. Consider whether the client, server, and control plane are open source; who administers the network; whether data travels peer to peer or through relays; what access controls exist; and whether the provider can see membership or connection metadata.
“Open source” does not automatically mean “private.” A self-hosted control plane can reduce dependence on a provider, but it also makes you responsible for updates, authentication, firewalling, backups, and exposure of the server.
Only authorize trusted players. A virtual network can expose more than the game port, especially when using a whole-device VPN. For a dedicated server, a targeted tunnel such as playit.gg or Porthole may provide a narrower exposure model.
Final recommendations by player type
- Old Windows LAN game: Start with ZeroTier; use Radmin VPN if everyone is on Windows and the title works well with it.
- Modern cross-platform game: Use Tailscale when Direct Connect is supported; use ZeroTier when LAN discovery is required.
- Minecraft or similar dedicated server: Try playit.gg before configuring a whole-device VPN.
- Steam Deck group: Consider Porthole, Steam Remote Play Together, a native Linux client, or streaming; verify the individual game’s requirements.
- Nontechnical group: Tailscale or Radmin VPN is usually easier than SoftEther, WireGuard, Headscale, or Nebula.
- Self-hosting enthusiast: SoftEther, WireGuard, Headscale, or Nebula offers more control at the cost of maintenance.
- Group that refuses to install a client: Use a dedicated-server tunnel or supported Steam Remote Play workflow, if the game permits it.
Ordinary consumer VPNs such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark should not be assumed to replace Hamachi. Most are designed to route a device’s internet traffic, not to create the private peer network or LAN-style discovery environment required by these games.
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Quick Recap
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