Real public IPv6 instead of a virtual overlay.
ZeroTier builds a virtual layer-2 network — perfect when every participant runs ZeroTier. wayangi gives each device a real public IPv6 address anyone can hit with a normal browser, SSH client, or game client. No client install required on the other side.
wayangi vs ZeroTier at a glance
| What you get | ZeroTier | wayangi |
|---|---|---|
| Reachable from arbitrary internet hosts | — no (everyone must install ZeroTier) | Yes — dedicated public IPv6 per device |
| Private mesh between participants | Yes — virtual layer 2 | Yes — free tier, up to 3 devices |
| Architecture | Virtual switch (planet/moon/world) | Tunneled public IP (hub-and-spoke) |
| Other side needs client? | Yes — every participant must run ZeroTier | No — wayangi IP is reachable from any device |
| Network model | Layer 2 (Ethernet emulation) | Layer 3 (IPv6 routing) |
| Pricing (free tier) | 25 devices, mesh-only | 3 devices mesh-only; public IPv6 starts at $5/mo |
| Pricing (paid) | $5/mo for 25-100 devices, $14/mo for 100+ | $5/mo per public IPv6 device |
| CGNAT / mobile | Works (outbound UDP) | Works (outbound UDP) |
| Bring your own domain | N/A — virtual overlay has no DNS | Yes — point an AAAA record at the IPv6 |
When to pick wayangi over ZeroTier
- The people connecting to you aren't on your ZeroTier network — visitors hitting a website, friends joining a game server, the world consuming an API.
- You want a normal public IP people can curl, ping, ssh, traceroute.
- You want a domain to point at it.
- You're exposing ONE host, not a virtual LAN.
When ZeroTier is the better pick
- You're building a flat virtual LAN across many devices and they all run ZeroTier.
- You need layer-2 features — broadcast, multicast, mDNS-style discovery.
- The other side is yours too — corporate fleet, IoT cluster, distributed homelab.
- You don't need public exposure, just private connectivity.
Frequently asked questions
Is wayangi a ZeroTier alternative?
It depends what you use ZeroTier for. ZeroTier creates a virtual layer-2 network between your devices — great for private mesh, terrible for exposing a service to the open internet because the other side also needs to install ZeroTier. wayangi gives you a real public IPv6 anyone can connect to with a normal browser, ssh, or game client.
How is wayangi different from ZeroTier's overlay?
ZeroTier is a virtual switch — every participant must run ZeroTier and join your network ID. wayangi is a tunneled public IP — your service has a normal IPv6 address that anyone on the public internet can reach without installing anything.
Can wayangi replace ZeroTier for private mesh?
Yes for small meshes — the free tier links up to 3 of your own devices through internal addresses. For larger flat-network deployments ZeroTier's layer-2 magic is still the easier fit.
Does wayangi need port forwarding on my router?
No — the agent only opens an outbound UDP connection to the hub, just like ZeroTier. CGNAT, mobile carriers, and restrictive ISPs all work.
What if I need both private mesh and public exposure?
Run wayangi for public exposure and a mesh tool for the private side, or use wayangi's free tier alongside paid devices for a single-vendor setup.
Is wayangi a drop-in replacement?
No — ZeroTier's planet/moon/world model and the wayangi hub model are different architectures. Wayangi is simpler if your goal is "one device reachable on a public IP"; ZeroTier is broader if your goal is "a flat virtual LAN".
Skip the virtual overlay. Get a real public IP.
$5/month per device. The address is yours; visitors don't need to install anything.
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