Audius is a free, open-source decentralized application for Windows, built for people who want a blockchain-based desktop program they can inspect and run themselves. The catalog files it under DeFi & DEX, so it sits next to decentralized exchanges and related tools. This guide covers what the program is, how to install it safely, how to use it and how it compares with similar software.
The code is released under the Apache 2.0 license, which sets out how you may use, modify and share it. The current release is 1.5.55, and the Windows version can be installed with a single winget command. Because it is a decentralized application, read the setup and safety notes below before connecting it to anything valuable.
What Is a Decentralized Application?
A decentralized application, often shortened to dApp, is software that relies on a blockchain or a peer-to-peer network rather than on one company's servers to handle part of its work. The user interface may look like any other desktop program, but some of the data and actions travel through a network that many independent participants help maintain.
This design has trade-offs. Because no single party controls the network, rules are enforced by software and shared agreement rather than by a support desk. If something goes wrong, you usually cannot ask a central office to reverse it. That makes reading documentation, checking your settings and starting with small test amounts more important than with a typical app.
When you evaluate Audius or any dApp, ask three questions: which network does it use, what information leaves your computer, and who maintains the code. The answers shape how much you can trust the program and how much responsibility you carry.
Who Audius Is For
Audius suits a few kinds of readers. Developers and security-minded users benefit most from the Apache 2.0 license, because they can review the source, compile it themselves and track changes between releases. Their work usually starts with the code rather than the interface.
Curious Windows users who want to learn how decentralized apps behave can also benefit. Running a free program in a controlled setup, such as a spare user account or a test machine, lets you observe its behavior without risking your main accounts.
Users who need a dedicated support line, or who want a polished consumer app with no setup, may find it less convenient. Because the catalog files the program under DeFi & DEX, readers looking for a simple trading interface should also compare it with the alternatives listed below before deciding.
Practical Scenarios for a Decentralized Desktop App
Consider three situations. A developer wants to see how a dApp client is structured before writing a similar tool. Their workflow is to review the published source, read the license, and run the packaged build in an isolated environment first.
A second reader is a hobbyist on a home PC who wants to try decentralized software without adding extra browser tools. They install the program with winget, record the version number 1.5.55, and keep a note of any settings they change, so they can undo them later.
A third reader runs a small team that evaluates tools for internal training. They use a separate Windows account, document the install command, and compare results with similar programs before recommending anything to colleagues. In each case, the value comes from careful testing rather than from any promise about results.
Key features
Decentralized application design
Open source under Apache 2.0
Free to use
Windows install through winget
How to install Audius on Windows
PS> winget install Audius.Audius- 1
Check that winget is available
Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell and run winget --version. If the command is not recognized, install or update the App Installer package from the Microsoft Store, then try again.
- 2
Install Audius with winget
Run winget install Audius.Audius and accept the source agreements if prompted. Winget fetches the package from the Windows Package Manager repository and installs it for you.
- 3
Or install from the official download page
If you prefer a manual install, download only from the official website at https://audius.co/download. Check the file's SHA-256 checksum or digital signature when one is published, then run the installer.
-
Check for updates later
To see whether a newer build is available, run winget upgrade Audius.Audius. Compare the installed version with the latest release, which is 1.5.55 at the time of writing.
How to use Audius
Start by opening the program after installation and reading any on-screen notices about the network it connects to. Take a few minutes to look around before changing any setting, so you know the default state.
- Open Audius from the Start menu after installation.
- Read the welcome screens and note which network or service the program connects to.
- Review the settings and change only what you understand, writing down the original values.
- Test with a non-critical action first, such as viewing public content or reviewing a configuration screen.
- Close the program and keep your Windows account protected with a strong password.
- Recheck the version number after each update with winget upgrade Audius.Audius.
Repeat these steps after each update, since behavior can change between releases. Keeping a short log of what you tried makes troubleshooting much easier.
Pros & cons
- Free to download and use
- Open-source code under Apache 2.0 that can be reviewed
- Simple winget installation and update path
- Clear license terms for developers and testers
- Behavior depends on blockchain networks that may be unfamiliar to beginners
- No central support desk can reverse mistakes
- Using any decentralized app with real assets carries risks that free software cannot remove
Is Audius safe?
Audius is open source and free, but a decentralized app that touches blockchain networks still deserves careful handling. Download only from the official website at https://audius.co/download or from the official GitHub Releases page, and avoid mirror sites or file-sharing links. Verify the SHA-256 checksum or digital signature of the installer before running it, and compare the hash with the value the publisher shows. Never enter a seed phrase, private key or recovery phrase on third-party websites, and never share it with anyone who asks, even if they claim to be support staff. Keep Windows Security turned on; if it flags the file, investigate the warning rather than disabling protection. Check the latest version on the official website before installing.
- Official source only. Download from audius.co/download. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
Audius differs from several programs in the same catalog. Bisq is a peer-to-peer exchange for Bitcoin, so its purpose is to match buyers and sellers directly. ASGARDEX focuses on a wallet and DEX for THORChain, and its Electron version is an older build. Komodo DeFi Framework is an atomic-swap engine aimed at developers rather than an everyday desktop app. Audius, by contrast, is best approached as a general decentralized application that you install and examine, with its open-source license as a key trait. If you need a ready trading tool, compare the exchange-focused programs first; if you want to study a dApp, Audius is the closer fit.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- Apache 2.0
- Latest version
- 1.5.55
- Last update
- —
- Windows support
- Yes (available via winget)
- Official site
- audius.co/download
- Install command
- winget install Audius.Audius
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Audius is free, so there is no price to pay to download or use the program. The software itself costs nothing, though any costs you encounter would come from the networks you choose to use rather than from the installer.
It can be, if you get the installer from the official website or GitHub and verify it. The code is open source under Apache 2.0, which lets experts review it. Check the SHA-256 checksum, keep Windows Security turned on, and never share a seed phrase with anyone or any site.
Audius is released under the Apache 2.0 license. That license allows you to use, modify and redistribute the code under its terms, and it includes a patent grant from contributors. Read the license text itself if you plan to reuse the code in your own project.
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run winget install Audius.Audius. Winget downloads the package and installs it for you. Later, run winget upgrade Audius.Audius to update the program when a newer build appears.
The latest version listed is 1.5.55. Running winget upgrade Audius.Audius shows whether a newer release is available for your PC, so you can compare it with the version you have installed before making changes.
Audius and Bisq serve different purposes. Bisq is a peer-to-peer exchange for Bitcoin, while Audius is a decentralized application you can install and examine. If your goal is direct Bitcoin trading, Bisq is the closer match.
Beginners can explore it, but should start slowly. Learn how blockchain networks work, read the documentation, and test with harmless actions before using real funds. Setting up a separate Windows account for testing is a simple way to reduce risk.
Verdict
Audius is a good fit for readers who want a free, open-source decentralized application they can install with winget and study under the Apache 2.0 license. It suits developers, careful hobbyists and teams that test tools before wider use. It is less suitable for people who want a simple consumer app with guaranteed support, since decentralized software places more responsibility on the user. Start with the safety checks, test carefully, and compare it with similar programs before committing.