Nftup is a free, open-source Windows app that uploads NFT files to IPFS through NFT.Storage, with no coding required. It is aimed at artists, collectors and small teams who want to store artwork and metadata on a decentralized network straight from a laptop. Instead of writing scripts against an API, you work through a simple interface.
The app is released under the MIT license and can be installed on Windows through Scoop, so using it costs nothing. The latest version is 1.0.2. This page explains what Nftup does, how to install it, how to use it safely, and how it compares with related tools for IPFS and decentralized storage.
What Is IPFS and Why Do NFTs Use It?
IPFS, the InterPlanetary File System, is a protocol for storing and sharing files across a network of peers. Instead of pointing to a server address, each file is identified by a content identifier, or CID, derived from the file itself. If the content changes, the identifier changes too.
This matters for NFTs because a token usually points to an image, video or metadata file. When that link relies on a content identifier, anyone can check that the file matches what the token referenced. Storage on IPFS does not guarantee permanence on its own, so many projects also keep backups.
Who Is Nftup For?
Nftup suits people who need to get NFT files onto IPFS but do not want to work in a terminal. A digital artist preparing a small collection, for example, can select the image files and metadata for each piece and upload them from a home laptop.
It is less suited to large studios with automated pipelines, which usually script uploads against an API. Developers who want full control over their own nodes may prefer command-line tools.
Decentralized Storage Versus Traditional Hosting
Standard web hosting keeps files on servers owned by one company, which can change prices, terms or availability. Decentralized storage spreads files across many independent machines, so no single provider holds the only copy.
The trade-off is responsibility. With IPFS, someone has to keep your content available, whether that is a storage service like NFT.Storage or your own node. Think about where your copies live before you rely on a single link.
Key features
No-code uploads
Storage through NFT.Storage
Open-source code under MIT
How to install Nftup on Windows
PS> scoop install nftup- 1
Check for Scoop
Nftup is distributed for Windows through Scoop, a command-line package manager. Open PowerShell and run scoop --version. If the command is not recognized, install Scoop first by following its official documentation.
- 2
Install Nftup
Run scoop install nftup. Scoop downloads the package, places it in its own folder and makes the program available from your terminal. Wait for the command to finish without errors.
- 3
Confirm the Installation
Check that the program starts on your machine. If the install fails, run scoop update and try the install command again.
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Verify Your Source
If you ever get a standalone copy outside Scoop, download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page. Compare the file's SHA-256 checksum with the value the project publishes before you run it.
How to use Nftup
Nftup is built around a simple workflow, so most of the work happens before you click upload.
- Gather the files for each NFT, such as the image or video and its metadata file.
- Name the files clearly so you can match them to your token records later.
- Launch Nftup after installation.
- If the app asks for an NFT.Storage API key, create one on the official NFT.Storage website and enter it in the app.
- Select the files you want to upload and start the transfer.
- Wait for the upload to finish, then copy the content identifier (CID) for each file.
- Save the CIDs in your own records and use them when you mint or update tokens.
- Open one file through an IPFS gateway to confirm it is reachable.
Keep a local copy of every original file, since uploading does not replace your own backups.
Pros & cons
- Free to use
- MIT-licensed open-source code
- No-code workflow suited to non-developers
- Installs with a single Scoop command
- Focused on uploading NFT files to IPFS through NFT.Storage
- Narrow scope: built around uploads to NFT.Storage rather than general file management
- Depends on a third-party storage service to keep files available
- Windows installation runs through Scoop, which adds a setup step for people new to it
- Not suited to automated, high-volume upload pipelines
Is Nftup safe?
Download Nftup only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, or install it through Scoop using the command shown above. If you obtain a standalone file from elsewhere, verify its SHA-256 checksum or signature against the value the project publishes before running it. Never enter a seed phrase on any third-party website, and a legitimate uploader has no reason to ask for one. Keep your NFT.Storage API key private, since anyone holding it can upload under your account. Anything uploaded to IPFS can be retrieved by anyone who has its CID, so do not upload private material. Check the latest version on the official website before installing.
- Official source only. Download from nft.storage. 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
Nftup is narrower than most tools in this category. ZeroNet focuses on decentralized websites, while Storj is a decentralized cloud storage network with its own service model. IPFS Desktop runs an IPFS node from the system tray, and Kubo is the reference IPFS node for users who want full control at the command line. Pinner CLI covers pinning content to IPFS from a terminal.
Nftup aims at a single job: getting NFT files onto IPFS through NFT.Storage with no coding. If you need to host a website or run your own node, a tool from the list above fits better. If you only need to upload a collection, Nftup is the simpler choice.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- MIT
- Latest version
- 1.0.2
- Last update
- —
- Windows support
- Yes (available via Scoop)
- Official site
- nft.storage
- Install command
- scoop install nftup
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Nftup is free, and its source code is published under the MIT license. That license lets you read, modify and reuse the code under its terms. The storage service you upload to, NFT.Storage, is a separate service that you access with your own account.
It can be, as long as you get it from a trusted source. Install it through Scoop, or download it from the official website or GitHub Releases page and verify the checksum or signature when one is published. Avoid copies from unknown sites, and never give a seed phrase to any uploader.
Install Scoop, then run scoop install nftup in PowerShell. Scoop handles the download and places the program on your machine. If the install fails, run scoop update first and try again.
No. Nftup is designed as a no-code tool, so you select files and start the upload without writing scripts. Basic familiarity with your file system helps, since you need to organize artwork and metadata before uploading. You may also need an NFT.Storage API key.
A content identifier, or CID, is a unique label that IPFS generates from a file's contents. Two identical files get the same CID, and changing even one byte produces a new one. Save CIDs with your token records so you can find the files later.
Kubo and IPFS Desktop cover running an IPFS node, while Pinner CLI handles pinning from a terminal. Storj is a broader decentralized storage network. Choose based on whether you want a no-code upload tool or lower-level control over your storage.
Verdict
Nftup is a practical choice if you want to upload NFT artwork and metadata to IPFS through NFT.Storage without learning command-line tools. It is free, open source and installs with one Scoop command. It is not a general storage manager, and it will not replace a node if you need to run your own infrastructure. Before you rely on it for a launch, test with a few files and keep local backups of everything you upload.