Hyprspace is a lightweight VPN built on IPFS and libp2p, aimed at technically comfortable users who want a private network that does not rely on one central server. It is free, open source and written in Go, and it is listed in our Decentralized Storage category even though its core job is networking.
Before you install Hyprspace for Windows, check its status. The original author archived the project on February 24, 2024. A developer later extracted the modified codebase to keep it usable and under development, and the latest version is v0.15.0, with a code update recorded in August 2026. Because the original author no longer maintains the project, read the safety section before downloading anything.
What Is a Distributed VPN and Why It Matters
A traditional VPN routes your traffic through servers owned by one company. You trust that provider with your connection metadata and with the availability of the service. A distributed VPN replaces that single operator with a network of peers, so no one machine is the gatekeeper.
The trade-off is complexity. Peers must find each other, establish encrypted links and keep working when some participants go offline. Those problems are why projects like Hyprspace lean on established building blocks such as libp2p rather than inventing their own transport from scratch.
Understanding this model helps you set expectations. Performance and reliability depend on the peers you reach, not on a commercial service level agreement.
Who Hyprspace Is For
Hyprspace suits developers, system administrators and hobbyists who already understand networking basics. A typical scenario is a small group of trusted machines, such as a home lab or a few laptops, that need a private link across different networks.
It is also a reasonable choice for people who want to study how a peer-to-peer VPN works. Because the source code is public, you can read how connections are handled instead of taking the design on faith.
It is a poor fit for someone who wants a plug-and-play consumer app with a support desk. Expect to read documentation, troubleshoot connections and make configuration choices yourself.
How Peer Connections Get Established
Two devices behind home routers often cannot reach each other directly. Network address translation hides the private addresses behind a shared public one, so peers must use techniques to punch through or relay traffic. This process is usually called NAT traversal.
Peer discovery is the second step. Nodes announce themselves on a shared network so others can find them, a concept IPFS and libp2p use widely. Once a peer is found, the connection is encrypted before data moves.
When direct paths fail, traffic may pass through intermediate peers. That keeps the network working but can add latency, so expect variable speeds depending on who is online.
Key features
Peer-to-peer foundation
IPFS integration
Lightweight design
How to install Hyprspace on Windows
- 1
Get the Installer From an Official Source
Start with the documentation at docs.hyprspace.privatevoid.net or the project's GitHub Releases page. Download only from the official website or the official GitHub repository, and avoid mirror sites that offer repackaged copies. Note the version number, which should match the latest release you see there.
- 2
Verify the File Before Running It
If the release page publishes a SHA-256 checksum, compute the hash of your download. In PowerShell, run Get-FileHash with the SHA256 algorithm on the file and compare the output with the published value character by character. If the values differ, delete the file and download it again. If a signature is provided, verify that as well.
-
Install and Test on a Non-Critical Machine
Run the installer or extract the program according to the documentation. A VPN-style tool may need administrator rights to create a network interface, so accept those prompts only for a file you have verified. Because the documentation mentions Windows without making it the main focus, test the connection between two machines you control before using it for anything important.
How to use Hyprspace
Hyprspace is easiest to learn when you treat the first session as a controlled test. Use two machines you own, ideally on different networks, and keep the documentation open while you work.
- Read the official documentation first, especially the sections on starting a node and connecting peers.
- Start Hyprspace on your first machine using the default setup described in the guide.
- Start it on the second machine and confirm that both devices see each other.
- Check that traffic moves between the two peers as expected by testing a simple connection, such as reaching a service on one machine from the other.
- Note any connection drops, delays or firewall prompts, and adjust settings one at a time so you know which change helped.
- Stop both instances when you finish, and only expand to more devices after the basic link works reliably.
Keep a short log of versions and changes, since a peer-to-peer network can behave differently after an update.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, so the code can be reviewed
- Built on established IPFS and libp2p components
- Described by its project as lightweight
- No single central server is required by design
- Written in Go, with a public codebase to study
- The original author archived the project in 2024
- Windows support appears in the documentation but needs hands-on testing
- Setup and troubleshooting assume technical comfort
- Connection quality depends on which peers are reachable
- Documentation is the main support resource
Is Hyprspace safe?
Hyprspace for Windows runs with network access and may request administrator rights, so treat it like any security-sensitive tool. Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub repository, and never from a third-party download portal. Compare the SHA-256 checksum of your file with the published value before running it. If no checksum is available, consider building from the public source code or waiting until the project provides one.
The archived status matters here. The original author no longer maintains the project, so security fixes depend on the developer who revived it. Read recent commits and open issues before you rely on it for sensitive traffic. Check the latest version on the official website before installing, and keep your system updated.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/hyprspace/hyprspace. 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
Hyprspace and the other programs in this catalog solve different problems, so compare them by purpose. Kubo is the reference IPFS node, which is better if you want to publish or fetch content on IPFS rather than route network traffic. IPFS Desktop keeps an IPFS node in your system tray, which suits users who want a simple interface for that content layer.
Peergos focuses on end-to-end encrypted file storage and sharing, while Storj is a decentralized cloud storage network. ZeroNet serves decentralized websites rather than VPN connections. Hyprspace is the only one here aimed at creating a private network path between your own devices.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v0.15.0
- Last update
- 27 Aug 2026
- Windows support
- Unverified (Windows mentioned in docs)
- Source code
- github.com/hyprspace/hyprspace
Frequently asked questions
It can be, if you take care with the download. Get the file only from the official website or GitHub, verify its SHA-256 checksum, and test it on a non-critical machine first. Because the original author archived the project in 2024, you should also review recent activity before trusting it with sensitive traffic.
Hyprspace is a lightweight VPN built on IPFS and libp2p. It creates a network between your devices through peer connections rather than a central provider. It is designed for distributed networks, so the path your traffic takes depends on the peers involved.
Yes, Hyprspace is free and open source. You can read its source code on GitHub and build it yourself if you prefer. Free software still carries setup and maintenance costs in time, so plan for testing and troubleshooting before you depend on it.
The original author archived the project on February 24, 2024. A developer has since revived the modified codebase, and the latest version is v0.15.0 with a code update recorded in August 2026. Maintenance now depends on that developer, so check the repository for recent activity.
The documentation mentions Windows, so it is intended to run there. However, the project is not presented as a polished Windows application. Test a connection between two machines you control before relying on it, and expect some manual configuration.
Download the release from the official documentation or GitHub Releases page, then check the SHA-256 checksum. Run the installer or extract the files, allow administrator prompts only for a verified file, and follow the documentation to start a node and test a connection.
No. A traditional VPN sends your traffic through servers run by a single provider. Hyprspace links peers directly or through other participants, so there is no single operator in the middle. That gives more control but also makes connections more variable.
Verdict
Hyprspace is for technically confident users who want to experiment with a private, peer-to-peer network and understand how it works. It is free, open source and built on respected IPFS and libp2p components. Its archived status and the need for hands-on testing make it a poor choice for anyone who needs a dependable, supported consumer VPN. Start on a spare machine, verify every download, and treat it as a learning and lab tool first.