Nostrid is a free, open source client for Nostr, the decentralized social protocol. It is built for people who want to post, follow and send small Lightning tips without relying on a single company's platform, and for developers who want to read or modify the code under the MIT license. The project publishes binaries for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, and it also runs as a web version.
Before you install, note the project's activity level. The latest release is labeled v1.33.2-test, and the most recent code update in the repository is dated April 25, 2023. That is more than two years old, so treat Nostrid as a low-activity project: bugs may go unfixed and it may lag behind newer Nostr features. The sections below cover features, setup and safety so you can decide whether it fits your needs.
What Nostr Is and Why Client Apps Matter
Nostr is an open protocol for social networking. Instead of one company storing all posts, users publish signed notes that are sent to relays, which are servers that store and forward them. Anyone can run a relay, and anyone can build a client that reads from the same network.
A client like Nostrid is the app that displays notes, lets you write new ones and manages your keys. Because the protocol is shared, you can switch clients without losing your identity or your follower relationships. That portability is the main reason many people experiment with several Nostr apps.
This design also means that quality and features differ widely between clients. One app may focus on fast timelines, another on encrypted messages, and another on Lightning payments. Nostrid emphasizes multiaccount use, hashtag feeds and Lightning tipping, so it suits users who care about those specific tasks more than about a polished mainstream interface.
Who Nostrid Is For
Nostrid is most useful for three kinds of readers. The first is a Nostr user who manages several identities, such as a personal account and a project account, and wants to switch between them quickly. The second is someone who wants to receive and send small bitcoin tips through the Lightning Network directly from a social feed.
The third group is developers. Because the project is written in C# and .NET and released under the MIT license, you can read the source code, learn how a Nostr client works and adapt it for your own needs. The MIT license permits reuse with few restrictions, which is helpful for learning and experimentation.
Nostrid is less suited to people who expect frequent updates or who want the newest protocol features on day one. The last code update was in April 2023, so users who depend on current maintenance may prefer a more actively developed client. Newcomers should also spend some time learning how keys and relays work before relying on the app for anything important.
How Nostr Keys and Identity Work
Every Nostr account is built on a pair of cryptographic keys. The public key is your identifier, which others use to find you and verify your notes. The private key signs everything you publish, and it is the only way to prove that a post really came from you.
This has practical consequences. If someone obtains your private key, they can publish as you, and you generally cannot reset it the way you would reset a website password. That is why many users store keys in a password manager or a hardware-backed tool rather than in a plain text file.
Multiaccount support adds another layer. Each identity has its own keys, so keeping accounts separate protects your personal profile if a business account is compromised. NIP-05 verification can then make each public identity easier for others to recognize without exposing the private key behind it.
Key features
Multiaccount with Simple Switching
NIP-07 Browser Extension Support
NIP-05 Profiles
Lightning Network Payments
Markdown Text Notes
Media Uploads
Proof of Work and Reactions
Hashtags and Custom Feeds
Editable Profile Details
Supported coins
Nostrid's documentation mentions Bitcoin (BTC) and Monero (XMR) as coins relevant to the project, along with the Lightning Network and Nostr itself. In practice, the Lightning Network is the payment feature most users will notice, through the pay button and profile setup. Support for other coins is not a headline feature, so check the documentation for current details before relying on any specific network.
How to install Nostrid on Windows
- 1
Download from the Official Source
Open the Releases page of the project's GitHub repository at github.com/lapulpeta/Nostrid/releases. Download the Windows build for the version you want. Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, and avoid copies offered on forums or file-sharing sites.
- 2
Verify the File
Calculate the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file using a tool such as PowerShell's Get-FileHash command. Compare it with the checksum published on the release page. If the release includes a signature, verify that too. If the values do not match, delete the file and download it again.
- 3
Install or Extract the Program
Depending on the file you downloaded, run the Windows installer or extract the Windows build to a folder you choose. Pick a location that you control and that is not shared with other users. Keeping the program in a predictable folder makes it easier to update later.
-
Create or Import Your Account
Start Nostrid and add a Nostr identity. You can import existing keys or create a new one, depending on your situation. Once the account is active, add a username and profile image, then set up Lightning details if you want readers to send tips.
How to use Nostrid
Nostrid is straightforward once your account is set up, but a few habits make the experience smoother. Start with one identity, get comfortable with posting and reading, and then add more accounts once you know how switching works. The steps below follow a typical first session.
- Open Nostrid and select the account you want to use. If you have several identities, switch between them from the account menu.
- Write a new note. Use Markdown formatting for emphasis, lists or links to make longer posts easier to read.
- Add hashtags to your note so people can find it through topic searches.
- To attach an image, use the media upload feature. Remember that the file is hosted by a third-party service, so choose one you trust.
- Create a custom feed based on a hashtag you follow often, such as one about open source software or bitcoin.
- React to notes you like and delete any note you published by mistake.
- Open your profile, update your username and profile image, and set up Lightning details if you want to receive tips.
- If you use a browser-based version with a NIP-07 extension, check that the extension is connected before signing actions.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source under the MIT license, with the source code on GitHub
- Multiaccount support with simple switching between identities
- Supports NIP-05 profiles, NIP-13 proof of work, reactions and hashtags
- Lightning pay button and profile setup for bitcoin tips
- Markdown support for both sending and receiving notes
- Customizable hashtag feeds for following specific topics
- The last code update was in April 2023, more than two years ago
- The latest release is labeled as a test build, v1.33.2-test
- NIP-07 extension support is available only in the Web/PWA version
- Media uploads rely on third-party hosting services
Is Nostrid safe?
Nostrid manages your private key and can send Lightning payments, so treat security as a priority. Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page. After downloading, compare the SHA-256 checksum with the value published with the release and verify any signature that is provided. Never enter your private key or seed phrase on third-party websites, including sites that claim to offer a Nostr login or a Lightning service. Because the last code update was in April 2023, the project may not receive fixes for newly found vulnerabilities. Check the latest version on the official website before installing, and avoid storing large amounts of value in any single identity.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/lapulpeta/Nostrid. 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
Nostrid differs from several similar programs in its emphasis. Vega is described as a cross-platform desktop client for Nostr, and Notedeck is a Rust-based desktop browser from Damus. Both are good options if you want a general desktop experience. Nostrid stands out for multiaccount switching, Lightning tipping in the profile and customizable hashtag feeds. Vector is different again: it is an encrypted messenger built on NIP-17, while Nostrid focuses on public notes and feeds. Keychat is a chat app with bitcoin and ecash support, so it fits users who want private conversations rather than a public timeline. Pick the client that matches the task you care about most.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- MIT
- Latest version
- v1.33.2-test
- Last update
- 25 Apr 2023
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/lapulpeta/Nostrid
Frequently asked questions
Nostrid can be installed safely if you get the file from the official GitHub Releases page and verify its SHA-256 checksum. The app handles your private key, so never enter it on third-party sites. The last code update was in April 2023, so updates and security fixes may be limited. Review the safety section before relying on it.
Yes, Nostrid is free and released as open source under the MIT license. You can download it without paying, and you can read or modify the source code on GitHub. The license permits reuse with few restrictions, which is why many developers study projects like this one as learning material.
Yes, Nostrid supports multiaccount use and lets you switch between identities with a simple action. This is helpful if you keep a personal profile and a project profile separately. Each identity uses its own keys, so keep track of which account you are signed into before posting.
Yes, Nostrid includes a pay button and lets you set up Lightning payment details in your profile. Readers can then send bitcoin tips over the Lightning Network. Start with small amounts while you learn how the payment flow works, and confirm details carefully before sending any payment.
NIP-07 extension signing is available only in the Web/PWA version of Nostrid. Extensions such as nos2x handle signatures in the browser, which is a different environment from the Windows build. If you rely on a browser extension for signing, use the web version for that workflow.
Nostrid's most recent code update is dated April 25, 2023, which is more than two years ago. That means you should not expect frequent fixes or new features. Check the project's GitHub repository for current activity and compare alternatives if you need an actively developed client.
Nostr is an open protocol for decentralized social networking, where signed notes are sent through relays rather than one central server. Nostrid is a client, meaning an app that reads and writes these notes. Because the protocol is shared, you can use Nostrid and other clients with the same identity.
Verdict
Nostrid for Windows is a good fit for Nostr users who manage multiple identities, want Lightning tipping built into their profile, or enjoy following hashtag topics through custom feeds. It is also useful for developers who want to study an MIT-licensed C#/.NET Nostr client. However, the last code update was in April 2023 and the latest release is labeled as a test build, so it suits experimentation better than critical daily use. Check the latest version on the official website before installing, and weigh the alternatives listed on this page if you need active development.