Which Tool Is Best for LAN Gaming? GearUP LAN Play, Hamachi, Radmin VPN, and More

Playing LAN games with friends in different locations can be surprisingly complicated. The difficult part is often not choosing a game, but getting everyone into the same room.

You may come across GearUP LAN Play, Hamachi, Radmin VPN, ZeroTier, Tailscale, GameRanger, and playit.gg when searching for remote multiplayer tools. Although they all help players connect remotely, they do not work in the same way.

Some tools create a Virtual LAN so that remote devices appear to be on the same local network. Others are better suited to Direct IP connections or dedicated game servers.

This guide starts with GearUP LAN Play and then compares several popular alternatives. The goal is not to name one universal winner, but to help you choose the option that best matches your game, team, and connection method.

The Quick Conclusion

When comparing these tools, do not focus only on ease of use or the number of features. The most important question is how the game connects players.

If you want to play a supported LAN game with friends in different locations and prefer a quick setup, GearUP LAN Play is a practical option to examine first.

If the game automatically searches for LAN rooms, you need a tool that can support Virtual LAN connections and LAN room discovery. If players connect to a dedicated server, a server tunnel may be more convenient. For long-term access to home computers, NAS devices, or private servers, a Mesh VPN is usually more suitable.

Once you understand the game’s connection method, choosing the right tool becomes much easier.

Understand the Three Common Connection Methods

You do not need to be a network engineer to choose a remote LAN tool, but understanding these connection methods can prevent you from selecting the wrong option.

LAN Room Discovery

Many older games use local network broadcasts to find multiplayer rooms automatically. After opening the multiplayer menu, players can see available rooms without manually entering an IP address.

The problem is that connecting two devices to the same Virtual LAN does not always guarantee that the game will find the room. If broadcast data is not transmitted correctly, the room list may remain empty even when the network tool shows that everyone is connected.

Direct IP

Some games allow players to connect by manually entering the host’s IP address.

This method does not depend on automatic room discovery, but players still need to confirm:

• The host address is correct;
• The game port is correct;
• The firewall allows the game to communicate;
• The host can be reached by other players;
• Everyone uses the same game version and compatible mods.

Hamachi, Radmin VPN, ZeroTier, Tailscale, and GearUP LAN Play may all work with Direct IP games, depending on the game and the tool’s connection method.

Dedicated Servers

A dedicated server does not place every player inside the same Virtual LAN. Instead, the server runs on a home computer, cloud server, or another device, and players connect through a server address.

This method is common in games such as Minecraft, Valheim, Factorio, and Project Zomboid.

If the server runs on a home computer, a server tunnel can provide an external access address and reduce the need to configure a public IP address or router port forwarding manually.

GearUP LAN Play: A Game-Focused Remote LAN Solution

General LAN networking tools often connect the devices but leave players to handle the game setup themselves.

GearUP LAN Play combines private networking, game-specific instructions, and troubleshooting in one gaming-focused tool. Players can create a GearUP Network, invite friends through a link or password, and check their connection status after joining.

This reduces the need to configure ports, virtual IPs, and firewall settings manually. If problems occur, the built-in LAN Wiki provides relevant setup and troubleshooting guidance.

GearUP LAN Play can also select a more suitable route for game traffic, helping reduce latency, packet loss, and connection instability. Unlike playit.gg, which mainly provides external access to a dedicated server, GearUP is designed to place remote players in the same virtual LAN environment for supported games.

GearUP LAN Play is especially suitable for players who:

• Want to create a low-latency Virtual LAN quickly;
• Want to play supported LAN games with friends in different locations;
• Prefer game-specific setup instructions;
• Do not want to manually research ports, firewalls, and virtual IPs;
• Want invitation features and connection status information;
• Need to test a more suitable route for game traffic.

If you mainly need to manage home devices, NAS systems, or complex long-term private networks, ZeroTier or Tailscale may offer more flexibility. For casual players who want to start a game quickly, GearUP LAN Play is more direct.

Hamachi: Familiar Option for Small Groups and Classic Games

Hamachi is one of the tools many players encounter when they first try remote LAN gaming.

Its basic process is easy to understand. One player creates a network, sets a network name and password, and invites friends to join. Once everyone is connected, they can use a virtual IP address or a game’s LAN room system.

Hamachi supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it suitable for some mixed-platform groups. It can work with classic games, Direct IP games, and temporary connections between several computers.

Its main advantage is its familiar setup process. However, the free version has limits on the number of network members. Hamachi also focuses mainly on creating the network connection. It usually does not explain which ports a specific game needs or why a friend can connect to the network but still cannot see the room.

In other words, Hamachi works like a virtual network cable. It connects the devices, but players still need to handle game versions, mods, firewall permissions, and room discovery themselves.

Radmin VPN: Virtual LAN for Windows Teams

Radmin VPN is a common free Virtual LAN option for groups that all use Windows.

Players can create a network, choose a name and password, and invite friends to join. The client also displays virtual IP addresses, which can be useful when connecting through Direct IP.

For a Windows-only team that wants to create a free virtual network without advanced network management, Radmin VPN can be a practical choice.

However, its limitations become more noticeable when a game requires additional configuration.

Radmin VPN:

• Mainly supports Windows;
• Has limited compatibility with mixed-platform teams;
• Does not provide game-specific LAN setup instructions;
• Does not guarantee that every game will discover LAN rooms;
• May require manual troubleshooting for virtual adapters and broadcast traffic;
• Does not automatically resolve port or firewall conflicts;
• Cannot help much with games that do not support LAN or Direct IP connections.

A successful Radmin VPN connection also does not necessarily mean that the game room will appear. If the room is invisible, players may need to check the game’s network adapter priority, firewall rules, game version, and connection method.

ZeroTier: Flexible, but Requires More Configuration

ZeroTier is not limited to gaming. Computers, smartphones, servers, virtual machines, and containers can all connect to the same private network.

Administrators can manually manage:

• Network IDs;
• Member authorization;
• IP address allocation;
• Routing rules;
• Device access permissions.

This flexibility is useful if you want to maintain a private server over a long period or connect many devices to one private network.

The trade-off is that the setup requires more patience. Network IDs, member authorization, managed addresses, and routing rules are not necessarily difficult individually, but managing them together requires some networking knowledge.

If an older game cannot discover a room, you may also need to check:

• The virtual network adapter;
• LAN broadcast behavior;
• Firewall settings;
• Network adapter priority;
• Whether the game is using the correct IP address.

If you only want to play a few games tonight, ZeroTier may feel unnecessarily complex. If you plan to maintain a private network or self-hosted server, its flexibility can make the extra configuration worthwhile.

Tailscale: Better for Private Servers and Device Connections

Tailscale is built on WireGuard and combines device authentication, NAT traversal, and access controls. It is mainly designed to connect home computers, NAS devices, and private servers.

If a game supports Direct IP, the host can create a server and friends can connect using the address assigned by Tailscale. This avoids exposing the service directly to the public internet and works naturally for users who already use Tailscale to manage their devices.

However, older games that depend on LAN broadcasts may not discover rooms automatically. Players may need to enter an IP address manually or adjust network and firewall settings.

Tailscale is a useful private networking tool, but it is not a traditional game lobby. If you want to open a client and immediately search for classic LAN rooms, Tailscale may require more work than a game-focused option.

GameRanger: Simple When the Game Is Supported

GameRanger is not a general-purpose Virtual LAN. It is closer to a classic PC game hub.

Players can create rooms, invite friends, chat, and launch supported games through the platform. If the game you want to play is included in the supported list, this can be easier than configuring a Virtual LAN manually.

GameRanger is especially useful for some classic real-time strategy games, where the lobby experience feels similar to traditional multiplayer platforms.

Its limitation is equally clear: games outside its supported list cannot use GameRanger. Custom server setups, general device interconnection, and unsupported Direct IP games are outside its main purpose.

Check the current supported-game list before installing it. This is the most efficient way to determine whether GameRanger fits your game.

playit.gg: External Access for Home Dedicated Servers

Some players do not need a Virtual LAN. They only want to run a dedicated server on their own computer and allow friends to connect from outside.

playit.gg handles this through a proxy program that gives the local server an externally accessible address. Friends can connect through that address without joining the same Virtual LAN or installing the same client software.

It is suitable for self-hosted servers such as:

• Minecraft;
• Terraria;
• Valheim;
• Factorio;
• Project Zomboid.

When you do not have a public IP address or do not want to configure router port forwarding manually, a server tunnel can reduce the setup work.

However, playit.gg does not turn every player into a device on the same local network. If a game depends entirely on LAN Discovery and does not support dedicated servers or external addresses, playit.gg may not be the right choice.

Which Tool Should You Choose?

Start with the game, then choose the tool. Do not reverse this order.

You want to play a supported LAN game quickly

Start with GearUP LAN Play. It provides a private network, invitation features, game-specific instructions, troubleshooting guidance, and network route optimization for supported games.

You want a general-purpose Virtual LAN

Consider Hamachi or Radmin VPN.

• Choose Hamachi if your team uses different operating systems;
• Choose Radmin VPN if everyone uses Windows and wants a free option;
• With either tool, you may still need to handle game versions, firewalls, and room discovery manually.

You want to maintain a private network long term

Choose ZeroTier or Tailscale.

• ZeroTier focuses on flexible Virtual LAN configuration and multi-device management;
• Tailscale is better suited to secure connections between private devices, NAS systems, and servers;
• Both can work with some Direct IP games, but neither is always ideal for quickly discovering older LAN rooms.

Your game already has a supported lobby

If the game appears on GameRanger’s supported list, GameRanger may be the simplest option.

You want friends to connect to a home dedicated server

If you are running Minecraft, Valheim, or another dedicated server, consider playit.gg.

The best choice depends on the game’s connection method, the operating systems in your group, and how much configuration everyone is willing to handle.

Connected to the Network but Cannot See the Game Room?

A tool showing “connected” does not guarantee that the game will discover the room. Network access and LAN Discovery are separate functions.

Check the following in order:

1. Confirm that everyone uses the same game version;
2. Check that DLC, mods, maps, and plugins match;
3. Confirm that the game supports LAN, Direct IP, or dedicated servers;
4. Check whether the game is using the correct network adapter;
5. Allow the game through Windows Firewall;
6. Temporarily disable unused VPNs and virtual network adapters;
7. Test the setup with one friend before inviting the entire group;
8. If available, enter the host’s address manually through Direct IP instead of relying on LAN room discovery.

If the Virtual LAN is connected but the room remains invisible, the problem may involve LAN broadcasts, virtual adapter priority, or firewall settings rather than a complete tool failure.

Checklist Before Starting

Before inviting everyone to the voice chat, confirm the following:

• Whether the game uses LAN Discovery, Direct IP, or a dedicated server;
• Everyone has the same game version;
• DLC, mods, maps, and plugins match;
• The host has sufficient upload bandwidth;
• The host uses a stable connection;
• The firewall allows the game to communicate;
• Everyone has installed the required connection tool;
• At least one friend has successfully tested the connection.

If only the host can create the room, check the host’s firewall, network type, and port settings first. If players can join but frequently disconnect during the game, check the host’s connection stability and background bandwidth usage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Hamachi, Radmin VPN, and GearUP LAN Play the same type of tool?

They can all support remote multiplayer connections, but they have different focuses.

Hamachi and Radmin VPN are general-purpose Virtual LAN tools. Their main role is to place devices on the same virtual network. GearUP LAN Play is more focused on gaming and combines private networks with invitations, game-specific guides, troubleshooting support, and network route optimization.

Which is better for gaming: ZeroTier or Tailscale?

ZeroTier provides more flexible Virtual LAN configuration and is useful for long-term private networks and multiple devices. Tailscale focuses more on secure connections between private devices and servers.

Both can work with certain Direct IP games, but they may require additional configuration for LAN room discovery, firewall rules, and IP settings.

What is the difference between playit.gg and a Virtual LAN?

playit.gg uses a tunnel to provide external access to a local dedicated server.

A Virtual LAN places multiple remote devices inside an environment that resembles a local network.

The first option is better suited to dedicated servers, while the second is more suitable for games that rely on LAN connections or room discovery.

Why does the tool show that I am connected, but the game room is invisible?

A connected status only confirms that the network connection has been established. It does not guarantee that the game’s LAN broadcast will work correctly.

The game may depend on local broadcasts, while the virtual adapter, firewall, or network adapter priority prevents that data from reaching the game. If Direct IP is supported, try entering the host’s address manually.

Does everyone need to install GearUP LAN Play?

For remote LAN gaming through a GearUP Network, all participants generally need to install GearUP and join the same network. The exact requirements depend on the game’s connection method and the service support available for that title.

Last Words

There is no single virtual LAN tool that is absolutely "the best"; the key is your specific needs.

If you only want to connect with friends to play games, have no other feature requirements, and do not want a complicated setup, GearUP LAN Play is a practical option to prioritize, as it is more suited to gamers than other tools.

Hamachi and Radmin VPN can meet basic virtual LAN needs. ZeroTier and Tailscale are better suited for long-term private networks and device management. GameRanger works well for supported classic games, while playit.gg is specifically designed for self-hosted dedicated servers.