ZeroTier One is for people who want separate devices, virtual machines or containers to act as if they sit on one local network. The Windows build is version 1.16.2, updated on May 27, 2026, and the installer is about 11.4 MB. Clicking download sends you to download.zerotier.com, the publisher's own server.
ZeroTier, Inc. and the BUSL-1.1 license
ZeroTier One is published by ZeroTier, Inc., which runs the site at zerotier.com. The software is released under the Business Source License 1.1 (BUSL-1.1), a source-available license rather than a classic open source one.
The client is free to download.
A programmable Ethernet switch for devices, VMs and containers
The project describes itself as a smart programmable Ethernet switch for the planet. The idea is that networked devices, VMs, containers and applications can talk to each other as though they sat in the same data center or cloud region.
It is filed under VPN, and its tags point to ethernet, intranet, network and network-switch. That places it closer to a private virtual network than to a consumer privacy VPN.
Windows package details and size
The Windows installer is 11.4 MB, which is small for a networking client. Its package ID is ZeroTier.ZeroTierOne. Check the publisher's page for the minimum Windows version before installing.
Alternatives named in the catalog include WireGuard, OpenVPN, OpenVPN Connect, Cloudflare One Client, Windscribe and Surfshark.
ZeroTier One pros and cons
Pros
- Free to download
- Small 11.4 MB installer
- Download is served from the official host, download.zerotier.com
- Connects devices, VMs and containers as if on one network
- Recent update: version 1.16.2 dated May 27, 2026
Cons
- BUSL-1.1 is not a standard open source license
- Source-available license rather than classic open source
- Minimum Windows version is not listed
Is ZeroTier One safe?
ZeroTier One version 1.16.2 is a free 11.4 MB Windows installer published under the BUSL-1.1 license. Because it links your PC to virtual Ethernet networks, join only networks whose owner you know, and scan the file with your own antivirus before running it.
How to install ZeroTier One
- Press the download button to get the official file.
- Run the installer you saved and confirm the Windows security prompt if the publisher matches.
- Follow the setup steps, then start ZeroTier One from the Start menu.
