NetBird is an open-source platform that simplifies the creation of secure, private networks by combining a WireGuard-based overlay network with centralized access control. It eliminates the complexity of traditional VPNs by automating peer discovery, NAT traversal, and configuration while enforcing zero-trust principles through SSO, MFA, device posture checks, and granular access policies. Designed for teams and organizations of all sizes—from small homes to enterprise infrastructures—NetBird enables secure remote access to internal services without exposing them to the public internet. Its architecture leverages WebRTC ICE for peer-to-peer connectivity with fallback to TURN relays, ensuring reliable connections even behind strict NATs.
NetBird is built for technical teams seeking a scalable, self-hostable alternative to commercial ZTNA solutions. It supports multi-platform clients (Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, OpenWRT) and integrates with identity providers like Okta, Azure AD, and GitHub. With a public API, Terraform provider, and Docker-based deployment options, it’s engineered for automation and infrastructure-as-code workflows.
What You Get
- WireGuard-based peer-to-peer networking - NetBird uses the Linux kernel’s WireGuard implementation to create encrypted, direct connections between devices without requiring port forwarding or complex firewall rules.
- Automatic NAT traversal with BPF and STUN/TURN - The agent uses WebRTC ICE (via pion/ice) to discover direct peer connections; if NAT blocks P2P, it falls back securely to a TURN relay server using Coturn.
- SSO and MFA support - Authenticate users via Google, Microsoft, GitHub, or custom SAML/OIDC identity providers with multi-factor authentication enforced at login.
- Granular access control policies - Define device and user-based rules to control which machines can communicate with each other, enforcing least-privilege access across your network.
- Centralized admin web UI - Manage users, devices, policies, DNS settings, and network routes from a single dashboard without CLI expertise.
- Private DNS management - Assign custom DNS records to your mesh network, enabling internal service discovery using human-readable names instead of IPs.
- Device posture checks - Enforce security requirements (e.g., OS updates, antivirus status) before granting network access to devices.
- Periodic re-authentication - Require users to re-login at configurable intervals to maintain session security and reduce risk of credential compromise.
- Public API and Terraform provider - Automate network provisioning, user management, and policy enforcement via REST APIs or Infrastructure-as-Code with Terraform.
- Self-hosting with Docker - Deploy the full NetBird stack (management, signal, and relay services) on any Linux VM using docker-compose with a single command.
- Quantum-resistance with Rosenpass - Optional support for post-quantum cryptographic key exchange to future-proof your network against emerging threats.
- Multi-platform client support - Install NetBird on Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, OpenWRT routers, and serverless environments like AWS Lambda.
Common Use Cases
- Building a secure remote development environment - Developers working from home or coffee shops can securely access internal APIs, databases, and CI/CD pipelines without exposing them to the public internet.
- Connecting hybrid cloud infrastructure securely - DevOps teams managing servers across AWS, Azure, and on-premises data centers use NetBird to create a unified private network without complex BGP or site-to-site VPNs.
- Problem: Legacy VPNs are too brittle → Solution: NetBird auto-reconnects peers after reboots or network changes with zero configuration - Traditional VPN clients require manual reconnects and port forwarding; NetBird automatically re-establishes P2P tunnels using STUN/TURN.
- Team workflow: IT teams managing 50+ devices across locations - Admins use the web UI to assign device groups, enforce MFA for remote contractors, and revoke access instantly—replacing disparate tools like OpenVPN, ZeroTier, and Cisco AnyConnect.
- Home lab with IoT and servers - Enthusiasts connect Raspberry Pis, NAS devices, and home servers into a secure mesh network accessible only to authenticated family members.
- Regulated environments requiring audit trails - Compliance teams use NetBird’s activity logging to track who accessed which device and when, satisfying SOC 2 or ISO 27001 requirements.
Under The Hood
Netbird is a modern, open-source mesh network solution that enables secure, decentralized communication between devices without relying on traditional VPN infrastructure. It provides a unified networking layer that abstracts platform-specific behaviors while offering low-level control over network configuration and firewall rules.
Architecture
Netbird follows a modular, layered architecture designed for cross-platform networking and secure communication. The codebase is organized into well-defined modules promoting loose coupling and reusability.
- The architecture emphasizes clear separation between client logic, network management, and system integration components
- Strategy-based design patterns are used for handling different firewall backends and platform-specific behaviors
- Interfaces and abstractions facilitate easy substitution of core functionalities like DNS handling or routing rules
Tech Stack
The project is built entirely in Go, leveraging the language’s concurrency model and standard library for system-level operations.
- The codebase uses Go modules for dependency management and integrates with WireGuard for secure tunneling
- Platform-specific libraries are employed for firewall and network configuration across operating systems
- Build automation is supported through Makefiles, Goreleaser, and Docker integration for containerized deployments
Code Quality
The codebase demonstrates a mature approach to testing with a comprehensive suite of test files and clear separation of concerns.
- Error handling is consistently implemented across modules with various patterns for robustness
- Code follows established Go conventions and maintains a reasonable level of style consistency
- Some technical debt is present in duplicated logic and areas where error propagation could be more refined
What Makes It Unique
Netbird distinguishes itself through its innovative approach to decentralized networking and identity management.
- The system implements a robust identity and access control system using Dex and custom IDP integrations for secure peer authentication
- It offers extensible firewall management supporting multiple backends including iptables, nftables, and Windows USP filter
- The codebase provides a unified networking abstraction that enables cross-platform deployment with daemonization and service integration capabilities