# Headscale vs Defguard: privacy compared

| Criterion | Headscale | Defguard |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Grade | B (82/100) | B (82/100) |
| Jurisdiction | Unknown | Poland |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| No trackers or telemetry | Yes | No |
| No ads or data sales | Yes | Yes |
| Independent audit | No | Yes |
| Keys stay on devices | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted coordination server | Yes | Yes |
| No connection logs by default | Partial | Yes |

**Headscale.** Headscale scores 82 out of 100 (grade B) on the mesh VPNs and private networks criteria. It meets 5 of 7 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, keys stay on devices and self-hosted coordination server. It partly meets no connection logs by default. It does not meet independent audit.

**Defguard.** Defguard scores 82 out of 100 (grade B) on the mesh VPNs and private networks criteria. It meets 6 of 7 criteria: open source, no ads or data sales, independent audit, keys stay on devices, self-hosted coordination server and no connection logs by default. It does not meet no trackers or telemetry. It is based in Poland: Not in the Five, Nine or Fourteen Eyes; EU member (GDPR).

Source: https://privacyratings.com/compare/mesh-vpns/headscale-vs-defguard/