Denny is a free, open-source Nostr client for people who want simple, private group chat on a decentralized network. It is built around a clean, modern interface and secure messaging, and it is released under the MIT license. The code is written mainly in JavaScript and TypeScript, which makes it approachable for web developers who want to read or change it. It also suits readers who already have a Nostr identity or are curious about how decentralized messaging works.
Before you install it, note that the most recent code update in the project's repository is dated January 16, 2024. That is more than two years old, so the project may no longer receive regular fixes. The latest listed version is v0.0.7. Treat Denny for Windows as experimental software and review its repository activity before using it for anything important.
What Is Denny and Who Is It For?
Denny is a free, open-source chat client for the Nostr network. It is aimed at people who want group conversations that do not depend on one company's servers, and at users who prefer a clean, modern interface over busy, feature-heavy apps.
The project sits in the Nostr and decentralized social category, which means it is one piece of a larger ecosystem rather than a complete platform on its own. Your identity on Nostr is a cryptographic key pair, so the same account can be used across many compatible apps. Denny gives that identity a messaging-style front end.
It suits three kinds of readers. Privacy-minded users who are curious about decentralized tools will find the concept appealing. Developers who want to read or adapt a JavaScript and TypeScript codebase will benefit from the MIT license. Casual users who just want a simple group chat should weigh the project's maintenance status before committing to it.
How Does Nostr Work Behind a Chat Client?
Nostr, short for Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays, is an open protocol. Instead of one central server storing everything, users publish signed messages, called events, to relays. Relays are independent servers that store and pass along those events.
Every event is signed with the author's private key, and anyone with the matching public key can verify it. This is why losing access to a private key means losing control of the account. No company can reset it for you, so keeping that key safe is one of the most important habits for any Nostr user.
For a messaging app, relays matter because they decide where your conversations are stored and retrieved. Using a mix of reliable relays can improve delivery and history, while depending on a single relay creates a single point of failure. Understanding this model makes it easier to judge what a client like Denny actually controls and what it leaves to the network.
Real-World Scenarios for a Nostr Group Chat
Consider a small volunteer team that wants a group channel without signing up for a mainstream messenger. Each member creates a Nostr identity, and the group communicates through relays the team chooses. No single vendor owns the account list, which can appeal to people who move between projects.
A second scenario is a community of hobbyists who already use Nostr for public posts and want private group conversation within the same ecosystem. Denny's focus on messaging makes it a natural fit for that mix of public and private activity.
A third case is a developer testing Nostr tools on Windows. Because the code is MIT-licensed, they can inspect how the app works, adapt it, or use it as a reference for their own clients. Keep in mind that the last code update dates from January 2024, so any serious project built on it should plan for its own maintenance.
Key features
Simple, elegant interface
Group chat on Nostr
Instant messaging focus
Multiple platforms listed
Open-source MIT code
Supported coins
Nostr is the only network named in the project's documentation. Denny is a messaging client rather than a crypto wallet, so it does not hold coins, tokens or transactions. If you are looking for a crypto-focused tool, this is not the right category. If you want decentralized messaging, the practical question is which Nostr relays your client connects to, since relays shape where your messages are stored and delivered.
How to install Denny on Windows
- 1
Get the official download
Go to the project's GitHub repository at github.com/denostr-lab/denny and open the Releases page. Download only from official sources, meaning the project's GitHub Releases page, and pick the newest release, which is v0.0.7 at the time of writing. If no Windows file is offered, use the web version instead of searching for third-party builds.
- 2
Verify the file
Check the release notes for a SHA-256 checksum or a digital signature. Calculate the hash of your download with a tool such as PowerShell's Get-FileHash and compare the result with the published value. If nothing is published, be extra cautious and do not run the file until you are satisfied with where it came from.
- 3
Install and launch
Run the installer or extract the archive, depending on what the release provides. If Windows SmartScreen shows a warning, confirm that the file came from the GitHub page before continuing. Do not disable your antivirus or other security software just to get the app running.
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Set up your identity
On first launch, follow the on-screen prompts to create or import your Nostr identity. Write down your private key and store it offline, because the project cannot recover it if you lose it. Never paste the key into a website, chatbot or support form.
How to use Denny
Once the app is running, the basic workflow is short. Work through these steps the first time you open it, and you will know quickly whether the client suits your needs.
- Set up or import your Nostr identity and back up the private key somewhere offline.
- Create a group chat, or join one that a friend or community has shared with you.
- Send a short test message to confirm that the other members can see it.
- Check which relays the app is connected to, and add a second relay if messages seem slow or missing.
- Review the member list and conversation settings before sharing anything sensitive.
- Close and reopen the app to confirm that your identity and conversation history load as expected.
Pros & cons
- Simple, modern interface aimed at everyday messaging
- Free and released under the MIT license with open source code
- Built on the Nostr protocol, so no single company controls accounts
- Group chat is the central focus rather than an add-on
- Listed platforms include Windows, macOS, Linux, Docker and web
- Last code update was January 16, 2024, so ongoing maintenance is uncertain
- Windows support is mentioned in the documentation but not clearly verified
- Early version (v0.0.7) may have rough edges
- Requires some understanding of Nostr keys and relays, which adds friction for newcomers
Is Denny safe?
Download Denny only from the official source: the project's GitHub repository at github.com/denostr-lab/denny and its Releases page. Avoid copies on file-sharing sites, forums or unfamiliar download portals, since modified builds are a common way to spread malware. When a release provides a SHA-256 checksum or a signature, compare it with your downloaded file before running anything. Your Nostr private key is effectively your account, so never paste it into a third-party website, chatbot or support form. The last code update came in January 2024, more than two years ago, so the project may be unmaintained and security fixes may not arrive. Treat the app as experimental and avoid using it for sensitive conversations until you have confirmed that the project is still active.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/denostr-lab/denny. 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
Denny sits among several Nostr clients, and the difference is mostly in focus. Amethyst, Gossip and Vega are general Nostr clients, and Gossip and Vega both offer desktop experiences. Coop targets personal messages, while Denny puts group chat at the center and aims for a simple, modern messaging look. If you prefer a terminal workflow, NAK and Nostr Commander RS are command-line tools better suited to scripting than to everyday chat. Choose Denny when group conversation and a clean interface matter most, and consider an alternative if you need a client with a clearer maintenance record.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- MIT
- Latest version
- v0.0.7
- Last update
- 16 Jan 2024
- Windows support
- Unverified (Windows mentioned in docs)
- Source code
- github.com/denostr-lab/denny
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Denny is free and released under the MIT license, which lets you use, copy and modify the code. Being free does not mean risk-free, though. The latest code update dates from January 2024, so check the repository for recent activity before relying on the app for everyday messaging.
It can be used safely if you take basic precautions. Download only from the project's GitHub repository, verify the checksum or signature when one is published, and never share your private key with anyone or any website. Because the project has not had a code update since January 2024, treat it as experimental software.
Nostr is an open protocol for sending signed messages through independent servers called relays. Denny uses it so that conversations are not tied to one company's infrastructure, and so that a single account identity can work across compatible apps. The trade-off is that you must manage your own keys carefully, since no provider can recover them for you.
No. The only network named in the project's documentation is Nostr, and Denny is a messaging client rather than a crypto wallet. It does not hold coins or manage transactions. For those tasks, use a dedicated wallet app with its own security model.
The most recent code update in the repository is dated January 16, 2024, and the latest listed version is v0.0.7. That is more than two years before this page was written, so development may have stalled. Check the GitHub commit history and open issues to see whether there is recent activity before you install it.
Amethyst, Gossip, Vega and Coop are Nostr clients worth comparing, each with a different focus. For terminal users, NAK and Nostr Commander RS offer command-line workflows. Compare interface style, platform support and recent activity before choosing one for daily use.
The project's documentation lists a web or browser extension option and Docker among its platforms. These can be useful if you want to test the app without installing a Windows build. Check the repository for current setup instructions, since details can change between releases.
Verdict
Denny for Windows suits people who want a simple, modern group chat client on the Nostr network and are comfortable with experimental software. Its MIT license, free price and focus on messaging make it appealing to tinkerers and privacy-minded users. However, the last code update was in January 2024 and Windows support is listed in the documentation without clear verification. It is not the best pick for anyone who needs a dependable, actively maintained messenger today. Check the latest version on the official website before you decide.