Futr is a free, open-source desktop client for Nostr, the decentralized social protocol, made for people who want a native app on their computer rather than a browser tab. It is written in Haskell and released under the GPLv3 license. The project also lists macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, and provides Windows installers through GitHub Releases.
The project is still young. The latest version is v0.5.0, and the code was last updated on 2026-09-18. That recent activity means the project is maintained, but a version below 1.0 suggests interfaces and behavior may still change. This page explains what Futr does, how to install it safely on Windows, and where it fits among other Nostr clients.
How Nostr Relays and Events Work
Nostr is built around two simple ideas: signed events and relays. A user creates an event, such as a short note or a profile update, and signs it with a private key. The event is then sent to one or more relays, which are servers that store and pass along messages.
A client like Futr is the interface that creates these events and displays the ones it receives. Because relays are independent, you can connect to several of them. If one goes offline or stops carrying your content, the same events may still be available elsewhere.
For a newcomer, this model explains why client choice matters less than it does on traditional platforms. Your posts belong to your key pair, not to one company's servers, so you can switch clients and keep your identity.
Who Is Futr For?
Futr suits several types of users. The first group is people who prefer desktop software over mobile apps or web interfaces. A desktop window is easier to keep open during long sessions, and it is practical for writing longer notes.
The second group is developers and technically minded readers. Futr is written in Haskell, a functional programming language, and its source is available under GPLv3. Anyone curious about how a Nostr client is structured can read the code and learn from it.
The third group includes privacy-conscious users who want to verify software before trusting it. Open source code and a published checksum process give you more ways to check what you run than a closed application would.
Key features
Native desktop application
Cross-platform project
Open source under GPLv3
Supported coins
Futr is a social client for the Nostr network, the protocol it is built around. It is not a cryptocurrency wallet and does not work with a list of coins. If you are looking for coin or wallet support, you will need a separate program designed for that purpose.
How to install Futr on Windows
- 1
Open the GitHub Releases page
Download only from the official source, which is the project's GitHub Releases page at github.com/prolic/futr. Choose the Windows installer for the version you want. Avoid copies of the file posted on other websites or forums.
- 2
Verify the file
If the release page provides a SHA-256 checksum or a signature, compare it with your downloaded file. In PowerShell, run Get-FileHash followed by the file path and compare the output with the published value. Do not install the file if the values do not match.
-
Run the installer
Open the installer and follow the on-screen prompts. Windows may show a SmartScreen warning for software it does not recognize. Confirm the checksum first, and then continue only if the file is the one you downloaded from the official page.
How to use Futr
Futr is a Nostr client, so using it means working with a Nostr identity. The steps below describe the general flow most Nostr desktop apps follow. Screens may change between releases, so compare them with the project documentation on GitHub.
- Launch Futr from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut.
- Sign in with your Nostr key pair, or create one if the app offers that option. Your public key (npub) works like an address, while your private key (nsec) signs your posts and must stay secret.
- Connect to one or more relays. Relays store and forward Nostr events, so using several can make your feed more resilient.
- Follow a few accounts to build your timeline. Start with people whose work you already know.
- Write a short note and publish it. Then check that it appears on your profile through a second client or relay view.
- Review your relay list from time to time and remove any you no longer trust.
If you are unsure how signing works, test with a throwaway key before using your main identity.
Pros & cons
- Free to download and use
- Open source under GPLv3, so the code can be inspected
- Windows installers available from GitHub Releases
- Same project covers macOS, Linux, Android and iOS
- Written in Haskell, which appeals to developers curious about functional code
- Version 0.5.0 means the project is early and may change quickly
- Public documentation is brief, so details may require reading the repository
- You manage your own Nostr keys, which adds responsibility for backups
Is Futr safe?
Futr is distributed as free software, and the safest route is to use the official GitHub Releases page for the project. Verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature when the release provides one, and keep the installer you download in a known folder. The project's code was last updated on 2026-09-18, so it is not deprecated or unmaintained.
Futr is a Nostr client, which means your private key is the main thing to protect. Never enter your private key or any recovery phrase on a third-party website, in a direct message or in a support chat. Anyone holding that key can sign posts as you, and a lost key cannot be recovered by the project.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/prolic/futr. 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
Gossip is also a desktop Nostr client, but it is written in Rust, so the choice may come down to language preference and the features you need. Vega is described as a cross-platform desktop client, making it the closest match to Futr in description. Amethyst focuses on Android, while Coop is oriented toward personal messages.
NAK and Nostr Commander RS are command-line tools, suited to users comfortable in a terminal rather than a graphical app. Futr stands out for its Haskell codebase and its listed support for five platforms, all from one project.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- GPLv3
- Latest version
- v0.5.0
- Last update
- 18 Sept 2026
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/prolic/futr
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Futr is listed as free, and its source code is published under the GPLv3 license on GitHub. You can download the Windows installer from GitHub Releases without payment. Because the code is open, developers can also build the program themselves, though most users will simply install the ready-made version.
It can be, if you download it from the official GitHub Releases page and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature when one is published. Never enter your private key on a third-party website. The project was updated recently, but with any app that handles keys, your habits matter as much as the program itself.
Nostr is an open protocol for decentralized social networking. Users publish signed messages that are sent to relays, and anyone can run a relay. Because identity is based on key pairs rather than a single company account, you can move between compatible clients while keeping the same identity.
Futr is a Nostr client, so the network it works with is Nostr itself rather than a list of cryptocurrencies. It is not a wallet. If you need to hold or send coins, use a separate wallet program designed for that purpose.
Futr is a native desktop app written in Haskell, while many popular Nostr clients run on mobile devices or in a browser. It also targets several platforms from one project. Compare it with Gossip, Vega and other clients in the comparison section to see which workflow fits you.
Yes. The project lists macOS and Linux alongside Windows, plus Android and iOS. This page covers the Windows installer, but the GitHub Releases page is where you would find builds for other platforms. Read the release notes to see what each build includes.
Verdict
Futr is a reasonable choice if you want a free, open-source Nostr client on Windows and you are comfortable with an early-stage project. It suits people who value readable code, desktop software and cross-platform availability. If you want a polished, mobile-first experience, look at Amethyst or Coop first. Before installing, check the latest version on the official website.