Loquaz for Windows is a free, open-source desktop app for sending encrypted direct messages over the Nostr protocol. It is aimed at privacy-minded users, developers and anyone curious about decentralized chat who wants a simple one-to-one messenger rather than a large all-in-one platform. The project is built with JavaScript/TypeScript and Tauri, so it runs as a desktop application on Windows.
Before you install it, note the project's age. The last code update came on June 16, 2022, more than two years ago, so do not expect new features or fixes for recent Windows versions. Treat Loquaz as an experimental tool rather than a long-term replacement for a mainstream messenger.
What Nostr Is and Why It Matters for Messaging
Nostr, short for Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays, is a lightweight protocol for publishing and exchanging signed messages. Instead of one central server that stores every account, clients connect to relays, which are servers that anyone can run. A message is signed with the sender's private key, and the recipient checks that signature against the sender's public key.
For messaging, this design has practical consequences. Your identity is a key pair rather than a username tied to a phone number or inbox. If you switch relays or apps, the same key can still identify you, provided you have kept it safe. Relay operators can still see some metadata, such as which keys connect and when, even when message content is encrypted.
When you evaluate any Nostr client, including Loquaz, remember that the app is only one piece of the system. The protocol and the relays you choose shape reliability and privacy as much as the interface does.
Who Loquaz Is For and When It Makes Sense
Loquaz suits a fairly specific audience. Privacy-minded users who already work with Nostr may appreciate a dedicated desktop app for direct messages. Developers and enthusiasts who want to study or test a small, readable Nostr-based messenger will also find the open-source code useful.
A realistic example: a freelancer who needs to exchange sensitive project notes with one client might set up a Nostr identity, share the public key through a channel they already trust, and keep that conversation separate from everyday email. Another example is a team member testing decentralized chat before recommending it to colleagues.
It is less suited to people who need a polished, actively maintained product with frequent updates or help from a large support team. If you rely on messaging for daily work, a mainstream encrypted messenger with ongoing development is usually the safer choice.
How Encrypted Direct Messages Work in Practice
Encrypted direct messages protect the content of a conversation so that only the intended recipient can read it. In a key-based system, the sender encrypts a message for the recipient's public key, and the recipient decrypts it with their private key. End-to-end encryption describes this arrangement: the message stays protected between the two endpoints, not only while it crosses the network.
The main practical risk is rarely the cipher itself. It is key handling. If someone obtains your private key, they can read your future messages and impersonate you. Store the key in a password manager or an encrypted file, and never paste it into a website or a chat window to ask for help.
Metadata is a second consideration. Encryption hides what you write, but the relays you connect to may still observe timing, IP addresses and the public keys involved. Some users add a VPN or Tor for that reason, though neither is required to try the app.
Key features
Encrypted Direct Messages
Built on the Nostr Protocol
Desktop App for Windows
Free and Open Source
Supported coins
Loquaz is built around the Nostr protocol, which is the only network the project documents. Nostr is a messaging protocol rather than a cryptocurrency network, so Loquaz is not a wallet and should not be used to store or move funds. Think of it strictly as a messenger.
How to install Loquaz on Windows
- 1
Get the Installer from the Official Source
Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page at github.com/emeceve/loquaz. Avoid copies on file-sharing sites or repackaged installers, even if they look identical. Choose the Windows build or installer listed for the version you want.
- 2
Verify the File
Compare the file's SHA-256 checksum with the value published on the release page. In PowerShell, run Get-FileHash followed by the file path and check the output against the published value. If the release provides a digital signature instead, check it through the file's properties before running anything.
-
Install and Launch
Run the installer or unpack the Windows build into a folder you control. Windows may show a warning for software from unknown publishers, so confirm the checksum first and proceed only if it matches. Launch Loquaz from the Start menu or the folder where you placed it.
How to use Loquaz
Loquaz is simple to start with, but it helps to prepare before you open it. Decide which Nostr identity you want to use, and make sure you have a secure place to store the private key before you begin.
- Launch the Windows app you installed.
- Create or import your Nostr identity. Write down the private key in a password manager or an offline backup right away.
- Share your public key with your contact through a channel you already trust, such as a phone call or an in-person meeting.
- Add the contact using their public key. Confirm you have the right key by comparing the first and last characters with them.
- Send a short test message to check that the connection works.
- If the app lets you choose relays, note which ones you use, since your messages depend on them.
After the first conversation, check that messages arrive on both sides. If something fails, restart the app and try again before assuming the problem lies with your contact.
Pros & cons
- Free to download and use
- Open-source code that anyone can review
- Encrypted one-to-one messages over an open protocol
- Runs as a Windows desktop app rather than in a browser tab
- Development has been inactive since mid-2022, so bugs may stay unfixed
- Focused on direct messages, so it is a narrow tool
- Using it well requires understanding Nostr keys, which adds a learning curve
- Smaller community and fewer tutorials than mainstream messengers
Is Loquaz safe?
Download Loquaz only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page, and avoid copies on file-sharing sites. After downloading, compare the SHA-256 checksum with the value published on the release page, or check the digital signature if one is provided. Never enter your private key or any seed phrase on third-party websites, and never send it to another person. Because the last code update came in June 2022, the project may not receive fixes for newer threats. Keep Windows updated and check the latest version on the official website before installing. Treat any unexpected prompt asking for your keys as a warning sign.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/emeceve/loquaz. 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
Loquaz sits in a narrow niche compared with the other messengers in this catalog. Iris Chat is also a decentralized, end-to-end encrypted messenger, but it uses the double-ratchet protocol and does not require email or phone registration. Session Desktop runs on the Oxen network as a private messenger with its own infrastructure. Quorum Desktop targets group messaging and is built on Quilibrium and the libp2p stack.
Loquaz differs mainly in focus. It is a small desktop client for direct messages over Nostr, with open code that is easy to inspect. Choose it if you want to experiment with Nostr. If you need a more established option for everyday private messaging, Iris Chat or Session Desktop may fit better.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- —
- Last update
- 16 Jun 2022
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/emeceve/loquaz
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Loquaz is free and open source, so there is no price to pay for the app itself. Its source code is publicly available on GitHub, which means you can read it or build it yourself if you have the right development tools. Free access does not remove the need to verify the file before you run it.
It can be used with reasonable care, but it calls for extra caution. The app is open source, which allows independent review, yet its last code update came in June 2022. Verify the SHA-256 checksum of the installer, never enter your private key on third-party websites, and avoid sensitive conversations until you understand how Nostr keys work.
Nostr is an open protocol for sending signed messages through independent relay servers. Users are identified by cryptographic key pairs rather than by email addresses or phone numbers. Because no single company runs the network, clients like Loquaz can connect to relays chosen by the user.
Loquaz is designed for encrypted direct messages between two people, so it is not built around group conversations. If you need group messaging, Quorum Desktop in this catalog is a better starting point. Check the feature set carefully before you plan a workflow around group chats.
No. Tools such as Node.js, npm and Rust are needed to build the app from source, not to run the ready-made Windows program. The Tauri prerequisites matter only for developers compiling the project. Regular users can install the build and launch it without any development software.
Iris Chat uses the double-ratchet protocol and avoids email or phone registration. Loquaz uses the Nostr protocol and is a smaller desktop app focused on direct messages. Both aim at private conversations, but they rely on different technical foundations.
Verdict
Loquaz for Windows is a free, open-source way to try encrypted direct messages on the Nostr protocol. It suits privacy-minded users, developers and curious Nostr users who want a small, inspectable app. It is not the right pick for anyone who needs active maintenance, group chats or a messenger for critical communication. Because the last update came in 2022, treat it as an experiment, verify every download and keep your keys offline.