GO Orbit DB is a free, open source database library written in Go, made for developers who want to store and share data without running a central server. It is a Golang port of OrbitDB, a serverless, distributed, peer-to-peer database, and the project aims to stay fully compatible with the original JavaScript version.
The latest release is v1.22.2, and the code was last updated on 2026-10-23, so the project is active rather than abandoned. The platform list names macOS, while the codebase is set up to build for Windows as well. Windows users should check the GitHub Releases page before installing. This guide covers what the library does, how to get it running on Windows, and where it fits among similar tools.
What Is a Serverless Database?
A traditional database runs on a server that applications connect to. Every read and write passes through that machine, which makes it the center of the system. If the server goes down or its operator changes the rules, the application feels the impact.
A serverless database, in the sense used by OrbitDB and GO Orbit DB, takes a different approach. The database logic runs inside the application, and data is shared among peers that hold copies. No separate database server needs to be rented, configured or kept online.
This model trades some convenience for independence. Developers gain resilience and control over where data lives. They also take on work that a managed cloud database would normally handle, such as deciding how data is synchronized, how conflicting edits are resolved and how new peers find the network.
Who Is GO Orbit DB For?
GO Orbit DB is built for software developers, especially those who write in Go and want peer-to-peer data storage in their projects. It is a library rather than a finished desktop application, so the people who benefit most can write code, read documentation and debug network issues.
Typical readers include engineers prototyping decentralized apps, students exploring how distributed systems store data, and teams that want an alternative to hosted databases for certain projects. Someone who only wants to browse decentralized websites or run a storage node will find other tools a closer match.
Before committing, decide whether your app truly needs peer-to-peer behavior. Many projects are better served by a conventional database. A short proof of concept with a few peers and simple data reveals more about fit than reading feature lists alone.
Practical Scenarios for Peer-to-Peer Storage
Consider an offline-first notes application. Each device keeps a local copy of the database and syncs changes when it reconnects with other peers. The app keeps working on a plane or in a basement, and no central server is needed to keep notes in step.
Another scenario is a community tool, such as a shared list maintained by a group that does not want one company controlling its data. Members host and replicate the database themselves. The trade-off is that availability depends on enough peers staying online.
A third case is experimentation. Researchers and hobbyists use a serverless database to test ideas about replication, identity and access without building a backend from scratch. Because the code is open source, every design choice can be read and changed. Real results depend on how your application is built and how many peers take part.
Key features
Serverless by Design
Compatibility With Original OrbitDB
Peer-to-Peer Data Sharing
How to install GO Orbit DB on Windows
- 1
Get the official source
Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page at github.com/berty/go-orbit-db. Look for release v1.22.2 and check whether a Windows archive is attached to it.
- 2
Verify the file
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of your download with the value published on the release page. If the project provides a signature, verify it too. Do not run any file whose checksum does not match.
-
Install the Windows build or add the library
If a Windows archive is included, extract it to a folder of your choice and keep the original download. If there is no Windows binary, use the library as a Go module: install the Go toolchain and add the repository to your project. Go is a build-time tool for your code, not a requirement of a finished program.
How to use GO Orbit DB
GO Orbit DB works inside a Go program rather than as a standalone window, so using it means writing code that imports the library and opens a database. The steps below assume you want to try it on Windows.
- Open the project page at github.com/berty/go-orbit-db and read the README for the current release, v1.22.2.
- Check the Releases page for a Windows build or archive. If none is listed, plan to use the library as source code.
- Create a small Go project folder and add the library as a dependency, following the import path shown in the repository.
- Start with a single-peer test: open a database, write a few entries and read them back to confirm the basics work.
- Add a second peer on the same network and confirm that entries replicate between them.
- Review how your application handles peers joining, leaving and conflicting edits before storing real data.
- Pin the library version in your project and update only after reading the release notes.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, with the code available for review
- Recent activity: latest release v1.22.2 and a code update dated 2026-10-23
- Aims for compatibility with the original JavaScript OrbitDB
- Serverless design removes the need for a central database host
- Suits developers who want peer-to-peer storage in Go
- A library for developers, with no graphical interface for everyday users
- The listed platform is macOS, so Windows users may need to build or check releases themselves
- Compatibility with the original is a goal, so behavior needs testing
- Peer-to-peer designs add complexity around synchronization and availability
Is GO Orbit DB safe?
GO Orbit DB is a code library rather than a wallet or miner, so the main risks come from the software you install and the data your application stores. Download only from the official website or the GitHub repository and its Releases page. Verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature of any binary before running it, and avoid copies from third-party sites or mirrors.
The project has a recent code update and an active release, so it does not carry a deprecation warning. Still, check the latest version on the official website or repository before starting a new project, and read the release notes for security fixes. Peer-to-peer data may be visible to other peers, so encrypt sensitive content in your application first. This library does not need a seed phrase, so never enter one into a site or tool claiming to work with it.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/berty/go-orbit-db. 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
GO Orbit DB sits at the library level. ZeroNet, IPFS Desktop, Kubo and Peergos are aimed at people who want to browse, share or store files on a peer network through a ready app or node. Storj focuses on distributed cloud storage, Agregore is a browser for the distributed web, and Pinner CLI handles pinning content to IPFS.
If you want a finished tool, one of those may suit you better. If you are building an application that needs a serverless database, GO Orbit DB is the relevant option in this group. It stores structured data inside your program, whereas most alternatives manage files or network nodes for users.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v1.22.2
- Last update
- 23 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Source code
- github.com/berty/go-orbit-db
Frequently asked questions
Yes. GO Orbit DB is free and open source, so you can download the code, read it and use it in your own projects without a license fee. Because the code is open, you can also inspect how it works or propose changes on GitHub. Check the repository for license terms before using it in a commercial product.
It can be built for Windows, but the platform list names macOS. Check the GitHub Releases page for a Windows build of the latest version, v1.22.2. If none is attached, you can still use the library from Go code on Windows.
OrbitDB is a serverless, distributed, peer-to-peer database. It lets applications store and share data across peers instead of relying on a central server. GO Orbit DB is a Go port that intends to stay fully compatible with the original JavaScript version.
The main safety steps are downloading from the official repository and verifying the SHA-256 checksum or signature of any binary. Because it is a library, most risk comes from your own code, such as storing sensitive data without encryption. Read recent release notes before starting a project.
Yes, in practice. The project is a Go library, so you use it by writing Go code that imports it. Basic familiarity with Go modules, the command line and reading documentation will help you get started quickly.
IPFS is a peer-to-peer network for storing and retrieving content, while GO Orbit DB is a database library that stores structured data. Kubo and IPFS Desktop run IPFS nodes, whereas GO Orbit DB is built into your own application.
A serverless database runs its logic inside the application and shares data among peers instead of connecting to one central server. Nothing needs to be hosted separately to keep it online. The trade-off is that developers must handle synchronization and availability themselves.
Verdict
GO Orbit DB is a sensible choice for developers who want a serverless, peer-to-peer database in Go and are comfortable reading code and documentation. It is free, open source and recently updated. It is not a desktop app for everyday users, and Windows use depends on checking the latest release. If you only want to browse or share files over a peer network, look at the alternatives instead. Test a prototype before trusting real data to it.