Which WireGuard mesh VPN is right for you?
Netmaker is built for self-hosters. You run your own control server, manage your own infrastructure, and handle your own updates. The free tier requires self-hosting. Great if you want complete control and have the DevOps skills to manage it.
Netrinos is fully managed. Sign up, install the app, done. No servers to run, no infrastructure to maintain. We handle the control plane so you can focus on connecting your devices.
Quick Comparison
| Netrinos | Netmaker | |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol | WireGuard | WireGuard |
| Free tier | 1 user, 100 devices (managed) | Self-hosted only |
| Managed service | Yes (included) | $18/month + per-connection |
| Self-hosting required | No | Yes (for free tier) |
| Server requirements | None | Ubuntu VM, public IP, domain |
| Setup time | 5 minutes | 30+ minutes |
| Maintenance | None (we handle it) | You handle updates, backups |
| Mobile apps | Coming soon | Yes |
| Access control | Point-and-click GUI | ACLs, flow rules |
The Self-Hosting Question
This is the fundamental difference.
Netmaker: You Run the Server
To use Netmaker free, you need:
- A Linux server (Ubuntu 24.04 recommended)
- A public static IP address
- A domain name with DNS management
- Multiple subdomains configured
- Docker or Kubernetes knowledge
- Ongoing maintenance (updates, backups, security patches)
From their docs: "Managing a self-hosted VPN requires an understanding of computer networks, servers, operating systems (like Linux), and hosting mechanisms."
Netrinos: We Run the Server
To use Netrinos:
- Sign up
- Install the app
- Done
No servers, no domains, no maintenance. The control plane is fully managed. You focus on your devices, not infrastructure.
Pricing Comparison
Netrinos
| Plan | Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Personal | Free | 1 user, 100 devices, non-commercial |
| Pro | $10/month | 10 users, 100 devices, commercial use |
| Pro (scaled) | +$1/user | Each user adds 10 devices to pool |
Netmaker
| Plan | Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Community | Free | Self-hosted only, community support |
| Professional | $18/month + ~$1/connection | Managed, email/chat support |
| Business | Custom | SSO, audit logs, analytics |
Cost Examples
| Scenario | Netrinos | Netmaker |
|---|---|---|
| 10 devices, personal | Free | Self-hosted |
| 25 devices, personal | Free | Self-hosted |
| 25 devices, commercial | $10/month | $43/month |
| 50 devices, commercial | $10/month | $68/month |
| 100 devices, commercial | $10/month | $118/month |
Netmaker's managed pricing is $18/month base plus ~$1/connection. Netrinos is $10/month flat for up to 10 users and 100 devices.
True Cost of Self-Hosting
Netmaker's "free" tier requires you to run your own server:
| Hidden Cost | Estimate |
|---|---|
| VPS hosting (DigitalOcean/Linode) | $5-10/month |
| Domain name | $10-15/year |
| Your time (setup, maintenance) | Hours/month |
A "free" self-hosted Netmaker actually costs $5-10/month in hosting alone, plus your time. Netrinos free tier is genuinely free.
Who Should Choose Netrinos?
You don't want to run servers. Netrinos is fully managed. No infrastructure to deploy, maintain, or secure.
You want to be up and running in minutes. Sign up, install, connected. No DNS configuration, no Docker, no server provisioning.
You want predictable pricing. $10/month for 10 users. No per-connection fees, no hidden infrastructure costs.
You're a small team or individual. Netrinos is designed for people who want mesh networking without becoming infrastructure operators.
Good fit for:
- Home users connecting devices across locations
- Small businesses needing simple remote access
- Developers who want WireGuard without the ops burden
- Anyone who values their time over DIY control
Who Should Choose Netmaker?
You want complete control. Self-hosting means you own every piece of the infrastructure. No third-party control plane.
You have DevOps expertise. You're comfortable with Linux servers, Docker, DNS management, and ongoing maintenance.
You need enterprise features. SSO/OIDC integration, audit logging, and custom authentication are available on paid tiers.
Privacy is paramount. Self-hosting means your metadata never touches a third-party server.
Good fit for:
- DevOps teams with existing infrastructure
- Privacy-focused users who want zero third-party involvement
- Organizations with compliance requirements for self-hosted solutions
- Homelabbers who enjoy running their own services
Maintenance Comparison
| Task | Netrinos | Netmaker (self-hosted) |
|---|---|---|
| Security updates | Automatic | You handle it |
| Backups | Included | You handle it |
| Uptime monitoring | Included | You handle it |
| SSL certificates | Included | You handle it |
| Database maintenance | Included | You handle it |
Platform Support
| Platform | Netrinos | Netmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Linux | ||
| Raspberry Pi | ||
| Cloud VMs | ||
| iOS | Coming soon | |
| Android | Coming soon |
Netmaker has mobile apps today. Netrinos mobile is on the roadmap.
The Bottom Line
Choose Netrinos if you want WireGuard mesh networking without running your own infrastructure. Fully managed, simple pricing, up and running in minutes.
Choose Netmaker if you want to self-host everything and have the DevOps skills to maintain it. Complete control over your infrastructure at the cost of your time.
Both use WireGuard. Both create mesh networks. The question is whether you want to run servers or connect devices.