{
  "slug": "tinc",
  "category": "mesh-vpns",
  "name": "tinc",
  "description": "Long-running open-source VPN daemon that builds an encrypted mesh between nodes, sending traffic directly to its destination where possible, with no central server.",
  "website": "https://www.tinc-vpn.org",
  "source": "https://github.com/gsliepen/tinc",
  "license": null,
  "platforms": [
    "windows",
    "macos",
    "linux"
  ],
  "jurisdiction": null,
  "pick": false,
  "pick_reason": null,
  "disclosure": null,
  "grade": "B",
  "score": 88,
  "coverage": 100,
  "summary": "tinc scores 88 out of 100 (grade B) on the mesh VPNs and private networks criteria. It meets 6 of 7 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, keys stay on devices, self-hosted coordination server and no connection logs by default. It does not meet independent audit.",
  "url": "https://privacyratings.com/mesh-vpns/tinc/",
  "markdown": "https://privacyratings.com/mesh-vpns/tinc/index.md",
  "answers": {
    "open_source": {
      "title": "Open source",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://github.com/gsliepen/tinc/blob/1.1/COPYING",
      "note": "GPL-2.0 or later."
    },
    "no_trackers": {
      "title": "No trackers or telemetry",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://www.tinc-vpn.org/",
      "note": "The website loads no trackers, and there is no hosted service."
    },
    "no_ads": {
      "title": "No ads or data sales",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://www.tinc-vpn.org/",
      "note": "Free volunteer project with no ads or data sales."
    },
    "independent_audit": {
      "title": "Independent audit",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "no",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "No independent audit is published."
    },
    "transparency_report": {
      "title": "Transparency report",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "user_notice": {
      "title": "Tells users about requests",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "tls": {
      "title": "TLS configuration",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "security_headers": {
      "title": "Security headers",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "web_standards": {
      "title": "Modern web standards",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "device_keys": {
      "title": "Keys stay on devices",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://www.tinc-vpn.org/documentation/Generating-keypairs.html",
      "note": "Each node creates its own key pair. Nodes exchange public keys directly, with no coordination server."
    },
    "self_hosted_control": {
      "title": "Self-hosted coordination server",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://www.tinc-vpn.org/",
      "note": "There is no central server. Every node is configured and run by its owner."
    },
    "no_connection_logs": {
      "title": "No connection logs by default",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://www.tinc-vpn.org/",
      "note": "There is no vendor service. Logs stay on each node."
    }
  },
  "tests": {
    "ssllabs": null,
    "observatory": null,
    "internetnl_web": null,
    "internetnl_mail": null,
    "trackers": [],
    "tested_at": "2026-10-01T07:02:26.087Z"
  },
  "last_modified": "2026-10-01T07:44:20Z"
}