ZeroTier 1.16 is Here, Learn What’s New

We’re excited to announce the release of ZeroTier One version 1.16. This isn’t just a routine update. It enhances security, adds mobile improvements, and provides smoother performance on Windows. We’ve also improved our licensing model to allow for better bundling opportunities. So, whether you’re running ZeroTier on your Windows machine, mobile device, or across an enterprise network, 1.16 brings you updates you’ve been asking for. So, let’s break them down.

Encrypt everything, even the handshake
In ZeroTier 1.16, “hello” packets, which are the initial handshake that starts a connection, are now encrypted. While ZeroTier has always encrypted all your data in transit, this added layer of security helps protect metadata too and supports compliance with ever-evolving and relevant security environment regulations.

Mobile apps just got an upgrade
With 1.16, if you’re a power user running custom root sets (or planets), you can now configure them directly on iOS and Android. We’ve also improved QR code display for faster, cleaner onboarding and made some internal library updates for smoother performance. And the Windows client got some love, too. With an updated installer and backend tweaks, installation and maintenance for Windows deployments is more reliable.

Cleaning up our house
Over the past few weeks we have been cleaning up our GitHub Pull Requests (PRs) and have been integrating or rejecting many proposed changes and inclusions. More details can be found in our [Release Notes]. If you don’t see a proposed change included in ZeroTier One 1.16, don’t worry we are reviewing many more for the future!

A few licensing updates
Lastly, we’ve made some changes to our licensing model. The service and core node are now (finally!) under the OSI-compliant Mozilla Public License 2.0 (MPL), while the controller moves to a commercial source-available license. It’s still free for personal and non-profit use, but commercial or government use will require a business license. These changes support the long-term development and building enterprise-grade readiness for ZeroTier One and future platforms. Additionally, ZeroTier source-derived builds can now be embedded directly into third-party devices and applications without additional licensing requirements for the home user.

If you’re a hardware manufacturer, software integrator, router manufacturer, or other partner feel free to include us. ZeroTier 1.16 binary builds are commercial controller builds, so feel free to reach out here if you have any questions or want to talk about co-marketing opportunities.

ZeroTier 1.16 is packed with updates that make connecting, configuring, and troubleshooting faster, safer, and more flexible. If you’re looking for stronger security, more mobile power, and a smoother Windows experience, update to ZeroTier 1.16 today. Check out the full release notes here.

Interested in learning more about ZeroTier? Request a demo today.