Best Hamachi Alternatives for Game Servers in 2026

The best Hamachi alternatives for game servers in 2026 are playit.gg if you want friends to join without installing anything, Tailscale for a private, fast, encrypted group network, ZeroTier when your game needs LAN discovery, and Radmin VPN for the closest Hamachi-like experience on Windows. All of them work without port forwarding and most work behind CGNAT. If you want a server that stays up when your PC is off, none of these solve that; a hosted server does.

Why people leave Hamachi

Hamachi was the default "virtual LAN for games" tool for years. Its common complaints:

• A small member limit per network on the free tier.
• Frequent "tunnel problem" and yellow triangle connection errors.
• Windows focused, with limited support elsewhere.
• Relayed connections that add noticeable latency.

The tools below fix some or all of these. They fall into two groups:

• Tunnels (playit.gg): only the host installs software; friends join a public address.
• Virtual LANs (Tailscale, ZeroTier, Radmin VPN, NetBird, Hamachi itself): everyone installs the app and joins a private network.

1. playit.gg: best when friends should install nothing

playit.gg runs an agent on your server PC and gives you a public address. Friends connect to it like any server, with no app and no account.

• Good for: Minecraft (Java and Bedrock), Terraria, Valheim, Palworld and other TCP or UDP servers; public or growing communities.
• Watch out for: an extra relay hop for every player, external ports that differ from the game's default, and all players appearing with playit's IP in server logs.
• Setup: playit.gg game server setup.

2. Tailscale: best for a private group

Tailscale builds an encrypted WireGuard network. It usually connects players directly, so latency is close to a normal connection. You can share just the server machine with friends who use their own accounts, so they never see the rest of your devices.

• Good for: a fixed friend group, people who care about security, Linux and Windows servers.
• Watch out for: no LAN broadcast, so games that only find servers on a LAN list will not see it. Every player installs and signs in.
• Setup: Tailscale for game servers.

3. ZeroTier: best for LAN only games

ZeroTier creates a virtual Ethernet network that carries broadcast and multicast traffic. Older games and LAN browsers that rely on discovery often work as if everyone were in the same room.

• Good for: classic LAN games, Minecraft "Open to LAN", groups that want one shared network.
• Watch out for: everyone on the network can reach each other, not just the server. You approve each member by hand.
• Setup: ZeroTier for game servers.

4. Radmin VPN: closest to Hamachi

Radmin VPN looks and works much like Hamachi: create a network with a name and password, friends join, everyone appears in a list. It is free and allows large networks, which makes it popular with gaming communities.

• Good for: Windows players who liked Hamachi's simplicity.
• Watch out for: Windows only, closed source, and traffic may route through relays depending on your connection.

5. NetBird: open source WireGuard mesh

NetBird is an open source alternative to Tailscale, also built on WireGuard. You can use its hosted service or self host the management server.

• Good for: people who want open source and the option to run the control plane themselves.
• Watch out for: fewer gaming guides and a smaller community, so you will troubleshoot more on your own.

6. Hamachi itself

Hamachi still works and is still free for small networks. If your group is small, it already works for you and everyone is on Windows, there is no urgent reason to switch.

7. Game specific options

Some games solve this without any extra tool:

• Minecraft Java: mods like e4mc and Essential share a single player world through their own relay.
• Valheim: the crossplay option on a world gives a join code relayed through the game's network.
• Steam friends invites in many co-op games route through Steam's relay network.

These only work while the host is playing, and player counts are capped. More in how to host a game server without port forwarding.

Comparison table

How to choose

1. Friends will not install an app, or strangers will join: pick playit.gg.
2. Small trusted group, modern game with direct connect: pick Tailscale.
3. Game only shows servers in a LAN list: pick ZeroTier or Radmin VPN.
4. Server must stay online when your PC is off: none of these help. That needs a separate machine or a hosted server; see how to keep a game server online 24/7 without your PC.

Things none of them fix

Every option here still runs the server on your hardware. They do not change:

• Your upload speed, which every player shares. See upload speed needed for a game server.
• Your PC staying on for friends to play.
• Server performance, which depends on your CPU and RAM.

The no-app option

A hosted server is the alternative to all of them: a public address anyone can join with just the game, no app for anyone, no relay hop, and the world stays up when you log off. GamezServers servers are live about a minute after checkout for most games and can be split with up to 10 friends who each pay their share. Browse the games page or see game server for friends.

FAQ

What is the best free Hamachi alternative?

For most people, Tailscale for a private group or playit.gg if friends should not install anything. ZeroTier or Radmin VPN if your game relies on LAN discovery.

Is Radmin VPN safe?

It is a long running product from an established remote access company. Like any virtual LAN, everyone on your network can reach your PC, so only join networks with people you trust.

Does Hamachi still work in 2026?

Yes. It is still available and free for small networks, though many players have moved to newer tools.

Can I use these for a Minecraft server?

Yes. All of them work with Minecraft Java. playit.gg also has dedicated Minecraft Java and Bedrock tunnel types.