LogMeIn Hamachi
LogMeIn Hamachi is a hosted virtual private network (VPN) service that enables users to create and manage secure, on-demand virtual networks, extending LAN-like connectivity to distributed teams, mobile workers, and gamers over the Internet.[1][2] Originally developed by Applied Networking as a peer-to-peer VPN tool and acquired by LogMeIn in 2006, Hamachi has evolved into a versatile solution under the LogMeIn brand, which returned as GoTo's IT portfolio in 2025 following a 2022 rebranding of the parent company to GoTo.[3][4] The service supports three primary network topologies—gateway, hub-and-spoke, and mesh—allowing flexible configurations for various use cases, such as secure remote desktop access, file sharing, and resource collaboration as if devices were on the same local network.[5][6] All communications in Hamachi are encrypted using AES 256-bit standards and authenticated with industry-proven protocols, ensuring robust security for business and personal applications.[7] Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, Hamachi offers a free tier limited to five clients per network, with paid subscriptions—Standard ($49/year for 6–32 clients), Premium ($199/year for 33–256 clients), and Multi-Network ($299/year for up to 256 clients across unlimited networks)—providing advanced management features like centralized access controls and web-based deployment.[1][8]History and Development
Origins and Initial Release
LogMeIn Hamachi originated as a personal project developed by Alex Pankratov in 2004, aimed at enabling direct peer-to-peer connections over the internet for users behind firewalls and NAT devices.[9] Pankratov, based in Vancouver, drew from his prior experience with IPSec tunneling projects, naming the software after the yellowtail tuna (a play on his earlier "TUNA" architecture), to create a simple tool for secure, ad hoc networking without complex configurations.[10] The initial release occurred in 2004 as freeware software, primarily focused on emulating local area network (LAN) environments to facilitate gaming and file sharing across remote connections.[9] Uploaded unremarkably to FileForum, it quickly gained viral traction, attracting 3 million users within 18 months by allowing software designed for local networks—such as multiplayer games and shared folders—to operate seamlessly over the internet.[9] Early adopters in gaming communities particularly valued its ability to bypass NAT firewalls and avoid manual port forwarding, transforming wide-area network (WAN) setups into functional LAN equivalents for low-latency play.[11] A key technical innovation in the first versions was the use of UDP-based tunneling for NAT traversal, employing a server-assisted technique akin to hole punching to establish direct peer-to-peer links.[9] This approach leveraged UDP's efficiency to punch through firewalls without the overhead of TCP-in-TCP encapsulation, enabling reliable connections while maintaining security through encrypted tunnels.[10] By December 2005, as it emerged from beta, Hamachi was available for Windows and Linux, praised for its zero-configuration setup that democratized secure remote access for gamers and remote workers.[10]Acquisition and Ownership Changes
In August 2006, LogMeIn acquired Applied Networking Inc., the Vancouver-based developer of Hamachi, for an undisclosed amount, marking the software's entry into a larger corporate ecosystem of remote access solutions.[3][12] This acquisition integrated Hamachi into LogMeIn's product suite, complementing tools like LogMeIn Rescue for remote support and IT administration by providing secure, LAN-like virtual networking capabilities.[3][12] Originally released in 2004 as a standalone freeware application, Hamachi underwent a significant evolution under LogMeIn's ownership, shifting to a hosted service model that relied on centralized servers for network mediation and management.[13] This change introduced tiered subscriptions, including a free option limited to five computers per network and paid plans such as Standard ($49/year for 6-32 computers) and Premium ($199/year for 33-256 computers), enabling scalability for business and larger user groups.[14][1] The transition enhanced Hamachi's server infrastructure through LogMeIn's robust cloud hosting, improving reliability and uptime, while establishing dedicated official support channels, including account management and troubleshooting resources.[3] In 2022, LogMeIn rebranded as GoTo following its 2016 merger with Citrix's GoTo Technologies in a reverse Morris Trust transaction valued at approximately $1.8 billion, transferring ownership of Hamachi and other products to the new entity focused on unified IT management and remote work solutions.[15][16] In January 2025, the LogMeIn brand was relaunched as GoTo's IT portfolio, with Hamachi continuing operations under the LogMeIn branding while benefiting from GoTo's expanded portfolio in support and connectivity tools.[4][17]Recent Updates and Maintenance
Following the rebranding of LogMeIn to GoTo in 2022 and the relaunch of the LogMeIn brand under GoTo in January 2025, the development and maintenance of Hamachi have continued as part of GoTo's IT portfolio, with a focus on stability enhancements and cross-platform expansion.[16][4] The stable release for Windows, version 2.4.0.23, was issued on June 19, 2025, addressing connectivity issues and incorporating performance optimizations and security refinements to ensure reliable virtual networking.[18] Mobile support for Android and iOS was introduced in versions post-2020, enabling users to join Hamachi networks via dedicated mobile clients and expanding accessibility beyond traditional desktop environments.[19] These clients allow seamless VPN connections from smartphones and tablets, with configuration managed through LogMeIn Central for secure remote access.[19] Linux support, initially launched as a beta in the 2010s, has seen ongoing refinements, with the last major update to version 2.1.0.203 in August 2019 including security improvements and bug fixes tailored for enterprise deployments on distributions like Ubuntu LTS.[20] Current documentation confirms continued compatibility and support for Linux environments, including ARM architectures, emphasizing command-line tools for server and enterprise use cases.[21] As of November 2025, under the relaunched LogMeIn brand within GoTo's oversight, Hamachi receives regular security patches to mitigate vulnerabilities, with integrations into LogMeIn Central facilitating centralized IT management, client deployment, and network oversight for enterprise users.[20] These efforts ensure compliance with modern security standards, including encrypted communications and access controls.[7]Core Features
Virtual Network Creation
To create a virtual network with LogMeIn Hamachi, users first install the client software on their devices. The installation process begins by downloading the Hamachi client from the official LogMeIn website or installers page, requiring a LogMeIn account for authentication during setup.[22] On Windows and macOS, the installer is a standard executable that prompts for account login and completes in minutes; for Linux distributions like Ubuntu, users employ package managers such asdpkg to install the .deb file after downloading.[22] Once installed, the client connects to Hamachi's mediation servers to register the device, enabling it to participate in networks.[23]
Network creation occurs through the client's graphical user interface (GUI) or the web-based LogMeIn Central dashboard. In the client GUI on Windows or macOS, users select "Network" from the menu and choose "Create a new network," entering a unique network ID and a password to secure it.[22] Alternatively, via the web interface, administrators navigate to the "Networks" > "My Networks" page, click "Add Network," specify the name, select the topology type (such as mesh for direct peer connections), and set access credentials.[24] This process generates a virtual LAN that emulates local network behavior, allowing remote devices to appear as if connected on the same physical segment.[23]
To join an existing network, peers use the GUI's "Join an existing network" option, providing the network ID and password for authentication, or request approval from the network owner if configured for moderated access.[22] Authentication verifies the peer against the central mediation servers, ensuring only authorized devices connect; successful joins result in the peer receiving a virtual IP address and integrating into the network topology.[23] Hamachi supports up to five clients in free networks, while paid tiers—Standard, Premium, and Multi-Network—allow 32 or 256 clients per network, with overall account limits capped at 256 clients to maintain performance.[22]
Hamachi networks emulate key LAN features, including broadcasts and multicasts, which are essential for applications like multiplayer gaming that rely on local discovery protocols.[22] In mesh topologies, for instance, these broadcasts propagate across the virtual LAN, simulating a shared physical environment without requiring port forwarding.[23]
The central mediation servers play a crucial role in initial peer discovery by coordinating introductions between clients, even behind firewalls or NATs, before transitioning to direct peer-to-peer (P2P) links for ongoing communication.[23] This hybrid approach minimizes latency once established, with servers handling only authentication and discovery to avoid becoming a data bottleneck.[23]