# Headscale vs ionscale: privacy compared

| Criterion | Headscale | ionscale |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Grade | B (82/100) | B (76/100) |
| Jurisdiction | Unknown | Unknown |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| No trackers or telemetry | Yes | Yes |
| No ads or data sales | Yes | Yes |
| Independent audit | No | No |
| Keys stay on devices | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted coordination server | Yes | Yes |
| No connection logs by default | Partial | Unknown |

**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.

**ionscale.** ionscale scores 76 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 does not meet independent audit. Still needing evidence: no connection logs by default.

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