Nostrord is a free, open source chat client for Nostr that focuses on group conversations under the NIP-29 specification. It suits people who already use Nostr or want a decentralized alternative to conventional group chat apps, and who are comfortable running a desktop program downloaded from GitHub. The project is built with Kotlin Multiplatform and Compose Multiplatform, so one shared codebase supports several operating systems.
Nostrord for Windows is a realistic choice because the project includes desktop builds for the JVM, but Windows support is described as likely rather than confirmed. Check the Releases page for a Windows package before you install. The current release is v2.10.1, and the code was last updated on September 3, 2026, which shows the project is active. This guide covers what the program does, how to install it, and how it compares with other Nostr apps.
What Is Nostrord and Who Is It For?
Nostr is an open protocol for decentralized social apps. Users hold a key pair, publish signed messages, and send them to relays that store and distribute the data. No single company controls the network, and the same identity can be used across many different apps.
Nostrord is one of those apps, and it concentrates on group chat. It is most useful for people who already spend time in Nostr communities and want a dedicated place for group discussion. Open source projects, hobby clubs, local meetup groups and small teams that prefer decentralized tools are typical examples.
Developers form another audience. Because the codebase is public and uses Kotlin Multiplatform, it doubles as a working example of how a single project can target desktop, mobile and web. Readers who want to learn that architecture can study the repository directly.
Non-technical users should expect a learning curve. Concepts such as relays and key pairs are central to the experience, so it helps to read a short primer before joining important groups.
How Relays and Group Chats Work on Nostr
On Nostr, every message is an event signed with the author's private key. Anyone can verify the signature with the matching public key, so a message cannot be quietly altered in transit without detection. Relays are servers that accept, store and share these events.
For group chat, the relay plays a larger role. Under NIP-29, the relay hosts the group, manages membership and keeps the message history. A group is therefore tied to the relay that hosts it. If that relay goes offline, the group's messages may be unavailable until it returns or until members move to another relay that carries the same group.
This design has practical consequences. Choosing a relay is a decision about reliability, moderation and privacy, not just a technical setting. Before you join a community, ask which relay it uses and whether that relay is run by people you trust.
It also means you can keep your identity while changing where you read and write. The same key pair can appear in several clients, and the relay list is what determines which groups you can reach.
Real-World Uses for a Nostr Group Chat
Group chat on Nostr fits situations where a community wants to avoid a single platform owner. A few common scenarios show how Nostrord can fit into everyday routines.
- A hobby community that wants to run discussions outside mainstream social networks.
- An open source project that coordinates contributors in a group that is not tied to one company's servers.
- A local club that shares announcements and event planning with members who already use Nostr.
- A developer testing how NIP-29 groups behave with different relays before building a service of their own.
In each case, the value comes from the group model rather than from the app alone. Members agree on a relay, share the group identifier, and move the conversation there. The client makes that conversation readable and easy to join.
A practical tip: start with a small test group before moving a serious community. Post a few messages, check that a second device or client sees them, and confirm that the relay behaves the way the group's organizers expect.
Why Kotlin Multiplatform Matters to Desktop Users
Kotlin Multiplatform lets developers share business logic across several targets while still writing platform-specific code where it is needed. Compose Multiplatform adds a shared user interface layer on top. Together they reduce the amount of duplicated work when one app must run on several operating systems.
For a person who uses Windows, the main effect is indirect. A project built this way can ship updates to several platforms from one codebase. Bug fixes in shared logic can benefit every target at once, which can make the experience more consistent across machines.
The approach also has limits. Platform-specific behavior, such as notifications, file handling or installation rules, still needs separate attention. Users should not assume that every feature behaves identically on every system.
For those comparing Nostr clients, this architecture is a reason to test Nostrord on more than one device if you use several platforms. Check the release notes for each platform before assuming parity.
Key features
Group chat built on NIP-29
One codebase for several platforms
Open source code you can inspect
Free to download and use
Supported coins
The only network named for Nostrord is Nostr, the open protocol for decentralized social apps. Nostrord is a messaging client rather than a wallet, so it is not designed to store or send coins. Its role is to read and post in NIP-29 groups hosted on Nostr relays.
How to install Nostrord on Windows
- 1
Get the release from the official source
Open the project's GitHub Releases page at github.com/nostrord/nostrord and look for the latest version, v2.10.1 at the time of writing. Download only from the official website or this repository, and avoid mirror sites that promise faster or unlocked copies. Choose the Windows build if the release includes one.
- 2
Verify the downloaded file
If the release publishes a SHA-256 checksum, calculate the hash of your download with a built-in tool such as PowerShell's Get-FileHash and compare the two values. Some releases provide a signature instead, which you can check where it is available. If the values do not match, delete the file and download it again from the official source.
- 3
Run the installer
Start the downloaded file and follow the on-screen prompts. Windows SmartScreen may warn about an unrecognized publisher for unsigned builds. Read the warning, confirm the checksum matches, and only then continue. You do not need Kotlin, Java or other development tools to run a ready-made build.
-
Start the program and set up your identity
Launch Nostrord from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut. When prompted, set up your Nostr identity or connect the key pair you already use. Add the relays you plan to use before joining any group, so you can see which communities are reachable.
How to use Nostrord
Nostrord is easiest to learn in a short session with one trusted group. The steps below assume you already have a Nostr identity and know which community you want to join.
- Open Nostrord and set up your Nostr identity, or connect the key pair you already use in another client.
- Add one or more relays so the app can reach the groups you want to read.
- Ask a member for the group identifier, or open the group link their community shares.
- Read recent messages to learn the group's norms before posting anything.
- Post a short introduction that matches the group's topic.
- Open the same group from another client, if you use one, to confirm your message reached the relay.
- Remove a relay or leave a group when you no longer need it, so your list stays current.
Keep your first sessions light. Joining several groups at once makes it harder to notice which relay hosts which conversation.
Pros & cons
- Free to download and use, with public source code on GitHub
- Built around the NIP-29 group model for Nostr conversations
- One codebase targets Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and the web
- Recently updated, with v2.10.1 and a code update on September 3, 2026
- Useful for Nostr users who want group conversations rather than a general feed
- Windows support is described as likely, so you must confirm a Windows build in the Releases page
- Project documentation is aimed at developers, so newcomers may need to search for setup help
- Group availability depends on the relays that host each community
- Its focus on group chat means it may not replace a general-purpose Nostr client for following feeds
Is Nostrord safe?
Nostrord is open source, which lets anyone review the code, but a public repository does not prove that a particular download is safe. Get the program only from the official GitHub Releases page or the official website, and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature when one is published. Nostr identities rely on private keys, so never paste your private key or any recovery phrase into a website, form or chat that asks for it, even if the request looks like it comes from the app. The project was updated recently and is not marked as deprecated, but check the latest version on the official website before you update.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/nostrord/nostrord. 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
Nostrord sits among several Nostr programs, each aimed at a different job. Amethyst is a Nostr client, Coop focuses on personal messages, and Gossip is a desktop client written in Rust. Nostrord's distinguishing trait is its focus on NIP-29 group chat, combined with a Kotlin Multiplatform codebase that spans many platforms.
If you want group conversations on a desktop, Nostrord is worth comparing with Gossip and Vega. If you prefer a command-line workflow, NAK and Nostr Commander RS are better matches. For a different kind of Nostr tool, such as a mesh VPN built on Nostr signaling, Nostr VPN covers that ground instead.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v2.10.1
- Last update
- 3 Sept 2026
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Source code
- github.com/nostrord/nostrord
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Nostrord is free to download and use, and its source code is public on GitHub. Because it is open source, you can read the code, build it yourself, or install a ready-made release. Check the Releases page for the latest package before installing, since Windows support is described as likely rather than confirmed.
The project builds for Windows, but its support is described as likely rather than fully confirmed. Open the GitHub Releases page and look for a Windows build in the latest version, currently v2.10.1. If you cannot find one, the desktop JVM builds may still be an option for advanced users.
NIP-29 is a Nostr specification for group conversations in which a relay hosts the group and manages its membership and messages. Nostrord is built around this model. Because groups live on relays, their availability depends on the relay that hosts them, so choosing a reliable relay matters.
Nostrord is open source, so its code can be reviewed, which is a good sign. Safety still depends on where you download it and how you handle your keys. Get the file only from the official source, verify the checksum or signature, and never share your private key or recovery phrase with anyone who asks for it.
The project targets Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and the web, with the shared codebase built on Kotlin Multiplatform and Compose Multiplatform. Availability can differ by platform and release, so check the latest release notes for the system you plan to use before installing.
No, you do not need to know Kotlin to use Nostrord. Kotlin is part of how the project is built, and a ready-made release is meant to run without development tools. Knowledge of Kotlin only matters if you want to modify the source code or contribute changes to the repository.
Good alternatives depend on what you want from Nostr. Amethyst is a general Nostr client, Coop focuses on personal messages, and Gossip is a desktop client in Rust. Nostrord is the better fit if your main goal is group chat under NIP-29.
Verdict
Nostrord suits people who want group chats on the Nostr network and are comfortable downloading a desktop program from GitHub. It is free, open source and recently updated, with a shared cross-platform design that gives it a clear technical identity. Before installing on Windows, confirm that the latest release includes a Windows build, verify the checksum, and keep your private keys away from websites. If you mainly want a general Nostr client, compare Nostrord with Amethyst or Gossip first.