Cactus is a free, open source blockchain node for Windows and Linux, built for people who want to run their own full node instead of relying on a third-party service. It is a fork of Chia, so it shares much of the same design, and it suits node operators, developers who want to study a Chia-style network, and hobbyists who like to experiment with a local blockchain setup. If you want to download Cactus for Windows, the program is available as a ready-made installer and through winget.
The project is released under the Apache-2.0 license, and its code is written mainly in JavaScript/TypeScript and Python. The current release is version 2.5.0, and the repository received a code update in August 2026, so the project is actively maintained. Because Cactus works with blockchain data and may involve a wallet, read the installation and safety sections before you run it.
What Is Cactus and Where It Comes From
Cactus starts from the Chia codebase, which means its design follows many of the same principles: a node that verifies the chain, a wallet that manages keys, and tools for interacting with the network. Forking is common in open source blockchain projects. Developers take an existing client, change its rules or parameters, and publish the result under their own name.
For readers, the key point is that Cactus is a separate network with its own history and community. Knowing its Chia lineage helps you understand the terminology and the overall structure, but you should not expect the two networks to interact with each other. Treat Cactus as its own project that happens to share an ancestor.
Who Cactus Suits and Real-World Scenarios
Cactus fits a few clearly defined groups of users. Each one has a different reason to run the software:
- Node operators who want to check the chain on their own hardware instead of trusting a remote service.
- Developers who want to read and test a Chia-derived codebase written in JavaScript/TypeScript and Python.
- Students and hobbyists who want to see how a blockchain node behaves on a home computer.
A typical scenario is a developer who installs the GUI on a Windows workstation, lets the node synchronize, and then compares the behavior with a Linux test server. Another is a hobbyist who keeps the node running for a few days to understand how peers and sync progress work in practice.
How a Full Node Keeps You Independent
A full node stores a copy of the blockchain and checks every block against the network's consensus rules. Instead of accepting another party's word about balances or transaction history, the node verifies that data itself. That independence is the main reason people run one.
The trade-off is resources. The first synchronization can take a long time, and the blockchain data grows over time, so you need adequate disk space and a reliable internet connection. Your node also relies on other peers to share data, so its performance depends partly on the wider network. Once it is synced, it stays current as new blocks arrive, as long as the program keeps running.
Key features
Chia-Derived Design
Free and Apache-2.0 Licensed
Windows GUI and Winget Install
Windows and Linux Support
Documentation and Community Channels
How to install Cactus on Windows
PS> winget install CactusNetwork.CactusBlockchainGUI- 1
Get the File from an Official Source
Go to the official website at cactus-network.net or open the project's GitHub Releases page. Get the Windows installer (exe) or the zip file from one of these two places, and avoid mirrors or links shared in chats.
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Verify the Download
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the file with the value published by the project. If a signature is offered, verify it as well. Do this before you run anything, so you know the file was not altered.
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Run the Installer or Extract the Zip
Double-click the exe and follow the prompts to complete the setup. If you prefer a portable layout, extract the zip archive to a folder you control and launch the program from there.
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Or Install with Winget
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run: winget install CactusNetwork.CactusBlockchainGUI. Winget downloads the package and installs it, so you do not need to search for the file manually.
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Launch and Confirm the Version
Start Cactus Blockchain GUI from the Start menu. The latest release is 2.5.0, so check the project's GitHub page to confirm that the version you installed matches it.
How to use Cactus
Once Cactus is installed, a little preparation makes the first session smoother. The project's wiki includes a quick start guide, so read it before you change any settings.
- Open Cactus Blockchain GUI and let it start the node process. Keep the window open during the first synchronization.
- Before the sync begins, confirm that your computer has enough free disk space for the blockchain data and that the machine can stay on with a stable internet connection.
- Wait for the node to catch up with the network. The time it takes depends on your hardware, your connection and how much data the chain has accumulated.
- If you plan to use wallet features, create or restore your keys on your own computer and write the seed phrase on paper. Store that paper offline.
- Review the settings in the GUI and change only the options you understand. Leave the defaults in place otherwise.
- When you have a question, search the Cactus Wiki first. If the answer is not there, ask in the project's Discord channel, where other users and maintainers share answers.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source under the Apache-2.0 license
- Source code is public on GitHub for review and study
- Windows install available through winget
- Runs on both Windows and Linux
- Built on the well-known Chia codebase
- Wiki quick start guide and Discord community
- Smaller user community than major node clients
- Fewer third-party tutorials than established networks
- Initial synchronization can take time and disk space
- As a fork, its network is separate from Chia
- Some Chia instructions may not match Cactus exactly
Is Cactus safe?
Download Cactus only from the official website at cactus-network.net or from the project's GitHub Releases page. Before running the installer, compare the file's SHA-256 checksum with the value published by the project, or verify a signature if one is offered. Never enter a seed phrase on a third-party website, in a chat, or in any app you did not install from an official source. Antivirus tools sometimes flag blockchain software, so if that happens, verify the checksum and check the source rather than disabling your protection. Keep your seed phrase written down and stored offline. The project is actively updated, but check the latest version on the official website before installing.
- Official source only. Download from www.cactus-network.net. 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
Cactus differs from Geth and Nethermind, which are Ethereum execution clients, and from Bitcoin Core, which serves the Bitcoin network. Each of those tools is tied to its own chain, so choosing between them depends mainly on which network you want to run. Cactus is also a different kind of project from Agave, a validator for Solana, because Agave focuses on the validator role. Aptos and TON offer node and tooling options for their own networks. OpenEthereum, a former Parity client, has been discontinued, so it is no longer a practical choice for most users. If your goal is a Chia-style node on Windows, Cactus is the closer match.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Latest version
- 2.5.0
- Last update
- 7 Aug 2026
- Windows support
- Yes (available via winget)
- Official site
- www.cactus-network.net
- Source code
- github.com/Cactus-Network/cactus-blockchain
- Install command
- winget install CactusNetwork.CactusBlockchainGUI
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Cactus is free and released under the Apache-2.0 open source license. You can get the Windows installer from the official website or install it with winget without paying for the software itself. Running a node still uses your own bandwidth, storage and electricity, so those costs remain yours.
It can be, if you get the file from an official source and verify it. Use cactus-network.net or the GitHub Releases page, compare the SHA-256 checksum, and never share your seed phrase online. Because the source code is public on GitHub, technical users can also review it before running it.
Cactus is a fork of Chia. It reuses much of Chia's design while running its own network with separate rules and history. If you already know Chia tools, parts of the workflow will feel familiar, but the two networks do not share the same chain.
Yes. The project lists both Windows and Linux as supported platforms. This page focuses on the Windows installation, which can be done with the installer, a zip archive or winget.
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run winget install CactusNetwork.CactusBlockchainGUI. Winget downloads and installs the package for you. Afterward, start Cactus Blockchain GUI from the Start menu and confirm the version matches the latest release.
The project is built mainly with JavaScript/TypeScript and Python. That mix matters if you plan to read or modify the code, because you will need familiarity with both. Contributors who know only one of the two can still review the parts written in their language.
It depends on your internet connection, your computer and the amount of blockchain data the network has accumulated. Keep the program running during the sync and make sure your disk has enough free space for the data. Once the node is caught up, it keeps pace with new blocks as long as it stays open.
Verdict
Cactus suits people who want a free, open source blockchain node on Windows and are comfortable with a smaller network and community. It is a good fit for node operators, developers studying a Chia fork and hobbyists who want to understand how a full node works. If you need a widely used client for a mainstream network, the alternatives in this catalog may serve you better. Check the latest version on the official website before you install, and follow the safety steps every time.