ZeroTier and Tailscale for Minecraft LAN Play (2026)
ZeroTier and Tailscale create virtual private networks that make remote computers act like they are on the same local network. For Minecraft, this means you can use "Open to LAN" and have friends across the world join as if they were sitting next to you.
How It Works
Both tools create a mesh VPN:
- Install the software on each computer
- Join the same virtual network
- Each device gets a virtual IP address
- Devices can communicate directly as if on the same LAN
- Minecraft's "Open to LAN" becomes accessible to everyone on the virtual network
ZeroTier
Setup
- Go to zerotier.com and create a free account
- Create a network and note the Network ID
- Install ZeroTier on each player's computer
- Each player joins the network:
zerotier-cli join NETWORK_ID - Approve each device in the ZeroTier admin panel
- Open Minecraft, start a world, press "Open to LAN"
- Other players connect using the host's ZeroTier IP
Free Tier
- Up to 25 devices per network
- No bandwidth limits
- Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
Tailscale
Setup
- Go to tailscale.com and create an account
- Install Tailscale on each player's computer
- Log in with the same account or share the network
- Tailscale auto-assigns IPs (100.x.x.x range)
- Open Minecraft to LAN
- Connect using the Tailscale IP
Free Tier
- Up to 100 devices
- WireGuard-based (fast encryption)
- MagicDNS for easy device names
- Works on all platforms
ZeroTier vs Tailscale
| Feature | ZeroTier | Tailscale | |---------|----------|-----------| | Free device limit | 25 | 100 | | Protocol | Custom | WireGuard | | Setup ease | Medium | Easy | | Latency | Low | Very low | | Auth | Network ID + approval | SSO (Google, GitHub) | | Self-hosting | Yes (controllers) | Yes (Headscale) |
Advantages Over Other Methods
vs Port Forwarding:
- No router configuration needed
- Works through double NAT and CGNAT
- Encrypted traffic
vs Hamachi:
- Better performance
- Higher device limits
- Modern technology
- No invasive network adapter issues
vs Playit.gg / Ngrok:
- Direct peer-to-peer (lower latency)
- No relay server in the middle
- True LAN-like experience
Limitations
- Every player must install the VPN software
- The host computer must stay on
- Performance depends on the host's hardware and internet
- Dedicated server mode gives better results than "Open to LAN"
Pro Tip: Dedicated Server on ZeroTier/Tailscale
Instead of "Open to LAN," run a dedicated Minecraft server:
- Install the server software on your PC
- Bind to
0.0.0.0:25565 - Players connect to your ZeroTier/Tailscale IP on port 25565
- Better performance and more configuration options
When you outgrow LAN play. View Minecraft Hosting Plans
