deserter vs defector

deserter and defector both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
deserter	Yes	No	No	No
defector	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, deserter and defector are synonyms defined as:

deserter and defector: a person who abandons their duty (as on a military post)

deserter (noun)	defector (noun)
a person who abandons their duty (as on a military post)	a person who abandons their duty (as on a military post)
a disloyal person who betrays or deserts his cause or religion or political party or friend etc.