# Open-source mesh VPNs and private networks

7 open-source mesh VPNs and private networks rated against public privacy criteria.

1. [Headscale](https://privacyratings.com/mesh-vpns/headscale/) (our pick): B (82/100). Self-hosted, open-source implementation of the Tailscale coordination server, letting official Tailscale clients join a private network without using Tailscale's hosted service.
2. [innernet](https://privacyratings.com/mesh-vpns/innernet/): B (88/100). Open-source private network system built on WireGuard, with a self-hosted server that manages peers, CIDR-based groups and access rules.
3. [tinc](https://privacyratings.com/mesh-vpns/tinc/): B (88/100). 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.
4. [ionscale](https://privacyratings.com/mesh-vpns/ionscale/): B (76/100). Open-source, self-hosted Tailscale control server with support for multiple tailnets, OIDC login, ACLs and DNS, used with the official Tailscale clients.
5. [Nebula](https://privacyratings.com/mesh-vpns/nebula/): C (71/100). Overlay networking tool originally built at Slack that connects hosts over mutually authenticated, encrypted tunnels using its own certificate authority and firewall rules, with self-hosted lighthouse nodes for discovery.
6. [NetBird](https://privacyratings.com/mesh-vpns/netbird/): C (71/100). WireGuard-based mesh VPN and zero-trust access platform with open-source clients and a management server that can be self-hosted or used as NetBird's hosted service.
7. [OpenZiti](https://privacyratings.com/mesh-vpns/openziti/): D (59/100). Open-source zero-trust networking platform from NetFoundry that connects apps and devices through an overlay of self-hosted routers and a controller, with tunneler apps and SDKs.

Source: https://privacyratings.com/open-source/mesh-vpns/