Iris is a free, open source Nostr web client for people who want a social app without a single company controlling their account. It suits readers curious about decentralized social networks who want to try Nostr on a Windows PC without a complicated setup. Before you install anything, note that the project's repository says its current source code has moved to a different repository, and the last code update recorded here dates to October 2024.
Sign-up is quick: you type a name and press Go. The project stresses that its code is open, so anyone can review how it handles private messages. It is also designed to work offline-first rather than depend on one managed server. This page covers what the program does, how to install it safely, and where it fits among other Nostr clients.
What Is Iris and Who Is It For?
Iris is a Nostr web client, which means it gives you a familiar social interface on top of an open protocol. The project also lists builds for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and Docker, plus a web and browser extension option, so you can pick the environment that suits your daily routine.
The program makes most sense for three kinds of readers. The first is the privacy-minded user who wants to read code rather than trust a policy. The second is the curious newcomer who wants to see what decentralized social media feels like. The third is the developer or hobbyist who wants a client they can study, modify or compare with other Nostr apps.
It is less of a fit for someone who only wants a polished, mainstream feed with a large built-in audience. Nostr clients tend to reward users who are willing to learn a few concepts, such as keys and relays, before the experience feels natural.
How Nostr Shapes the Way Iris Works
Nostr is an open protocol. Instead of one company holding your account, your identity is a cryptographic key pair. Your public key is the address others use to find you, and your private key proves that a post or message really came from you.
Messages and posts are sent as signed events to relays. A relay is a server that stores and forwards events, and anyone can run one. A client such as Iris connects to several relays, reads events from them and publishes your own. If one relay goes offline, the others can still carry your activity.
The project documentation also mentions the Lightning Network alongside Nostr. That reference points to the wider ecosystem the protocol is part of, and it is one of the reasons people discuss the two together.
Practical Scenarios for an Open Source Social Client
Consider a journalist who wants to test a decentralized channel for publishing updates without relying on one platform. An open source client lets them verify how the app behaves before they publish anything sensitive. They can also keep a secondary identity separate from their main one.
Another scenario is a developer on an unstable home network. An offline-first design means the app remains usable between connection drops, and new activity syncs when the link returns. This is useful for anyone who works from a laptop in a train, a cafe or a rural area.
A third reader might be a community organizer who wants a neutral space that no single host can shut down. Pairing Iris with a few trusted relays gives such a group more control over where its conversations live.
Key features
Sign Up in Seconds
Open Source Transparency
Offline-First, Server-Independent Design
Supported coins
The project documentation mentions two networks: the Lightning Network and Nostr. Nostr is the protocol the client is built on, while Lightning is a payment network named alongside it in the docs. Readers interested in payments should read the documentation directly to see how far that support goes.
How to install Iris on Windows
- 1
Get the Windows Build
Download the Windows build or installer from the official iris.to site or from the project's GitHub Releases page. Download only from the official website or GitHub, not from mirror sites or links shared in chats. If several files are offered, pick the one labeled for Windows.
- 2
Verify the File
If the release page publishes a SHA-256 checksum or signature, compare it with your file. In PowerShell, run Get-FileHash followed by the file path and match the output to the published value. A mismatch means the file should not be run, so download it again from the official source.
- 3
Run the Installer
Open the file and follow the on-screen prompts. Windows may show a SmartScreen warning for software from smaller projects. Read the warning, confirm you are using the file you verified, and continue only if the checks passed.
-
Launch and Sign Up
Start Iris from the Start menu or a desktop shortcut. Type the name you want to use, then press Go to create your identity. Keep the keys shown during setup somewhere safe before you start following people.
How to use Iris
Once Iris is installed, your first session is short. Most of the setup happens in the first few minutes, when you decide how you want to appear and whom you want to follow.
- Open Iris and type the name you want to use.
- Press Go to create your identity.
- Store your private key in a password manager or another offline location. Anyone who has it can act as you on Nostr.
- Follow people whose public keys you already trust, such as friends or projects you follow elsewhere.
- Post a short message or send a direct message, and check that it appears for your contacts.
- Review your connection settings when you change networks, since fresh posts depend on reaching your relays.
Treat the first week as a test. Try reading, posting and switching between a stable and an unstable connection so you know how the app behaves before you rely on it.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, with code anyone can review
- Quick start with a minimal sign-up that takes seconds
- Designed to keep working offline-first
- Available on many platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and Docker
- The repository notice says current source code has moved to iris-client, so this repo may not reflect the latest work
- The last code update recorded here dates to October 2024, which is not a sign of active maintenance
- Newcomers may need to learn about keys and relays before the experience feels familiar
Is Iris safe?
Iris is open source, which is a real advantage, but the project's repository says the current source has moved, and its last code update here is from October 2024. Treat that as a reason for caution. Download only from the official website or GitHub Releases, and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature when one is published. Never enter a seed phrase or private key on third-party websites, including sites that offer to restore an account for you. Keep your private key offline, because anyone who has it can impersonate you on Nostr.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/irislib/iris-messenger. 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
Iris stands out for its very fast sign-up, its offline-first design and the range of platforms it lists, including a web and browser extension option and Docker. Vega is a cross-platform desktop client, so it focuses more on the desktop experience. Nostrid offers binaries for Android, Windows, macOS and Linux, which suits readers who want one app across devices. Notedeck is a Rust-based desktop browser from Damus, aimed at people who want a native desktop tool. Blockcore Notes is a Progressive Web App that can be installed on mobile and desktop, while Prettygood is built around a web of trust. Choose Iris if you value a light, quick start and a codebase you can inspect.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v1.2.0
- Last update
- 19 Oct 2024
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/irislib/iris-messenger
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Iris is free and open source, and its source code is published on GitHub for anyone to review. Being free does not guarantee ongoing updates, so check the project's repositories for recent activity before relying on the app for daily communication.
Iris is open source, which lets people inspect how it handles private messages. Safety still depends on where you get the file and how you handle your keys. Download only from the official website or GitHub, verify the checksum when available, and never enter a seed phrase or private key on third-party sites.
Nostr is an open protocol for decentralized social networking. Users are identified by a cryptographic key pair rather than an account on a company's server, and messages travel through relays that anyone can run. Clients such as Iris read and publish through those relays, so no single server controls the network.
Iris is designed to be offline-first, so it keeps working when your connection drops. It also does not depend on one centrally managed server. Fresh posts and messages still need a connection to arrive, so expect delays when you return online.
The repository's last recorded code update is from October 19, 2024. Its notice says the current iris.to source code has moved to the iris-client repository, which is where to look for recent work. Compare activity in both places before deciding how much to rely on the project.
The project lists Android and iOS among its platforms, so Iris is not limited to Windows. Each platform may use a different distribution method, so find the right version through the project's own channels. Availability does not guarantee that every build is current, so confirm the latest release first.
Verdict
Iris suits curious Nostr newcomers, privacy-minded users who value open code, and anyone who wants a light, free way to try a decentralized social client on Windows. It is a weaker choice if you need a repository that is clearly and actively maintained, since the code here is marked as moved and was last updated in October 2024. Before you install, check the latest version on the official website, and treat your private key with the same care as a bank password.