Nostube is a free, open-source video sharing platform built on Nostr, a decentralized social protocol. It suits people who want to publish and watch video without depending on one company's servers, and it is aimed at Nostr users and creators who already understand how keys and relays work. The project describes itself as a Nostr-based video sharing platform, and its source code is public on GitHub.
Nostube runs in the browser and as an extension, so most people will meet it as a web app rather than a traditional Windows installer. The current release is v0.2.51, and the code was updated recently, which signals active development. This page covers what Nostube does, how to get it running on Windows, what to check before you trust it, and how it compares with other Nostr tools.
What Is Nostube and How Does It Work
Nostr is an open protocol in which users sign messages, called events, with a private key and publish them to relays. Relays are servers that store and forward events, and anyone can run one. A Nostr user is identified by a public key, while the matching private key proves ownership of that identity.
Nostube applies the same model to video. A creator publishes video-related events to relays, and viewers' apps fetch them from the same or other relays. Because no single server owns the content, a creator's identity can travel with them across apps that speak the protocol.
For a newcomer, the practical result is that an account is a key pair rather than a username and password stored by a company. That gives more control, but it also means losing a private key can mean losing access to the identity. Keep backups in a secure place and read the documentation before posting anything important.
Who Nostube Is For
Nostube fits three kinds of readers. The first is Nostr users who already follow creators on the network and want a place to watch video that fits that ecosystem. They can usually reuse their existing identity rather than register a new account.
The second group is video creators who want an audience that is not locked to one platform. Publishing to Nostr relays means followers can see the work in other Nostr apps, not only in Nostube. Creators should still think about how relays store their files and whether they need their own backups.
The third group is developers and tinkerers. Because the code is public and organized as a monorepo, it can serve as a reference for building video features on Nostr. Someone curious about decentralized media might read the documentation first, then explore the source to see how the pieces connect.
Key Terms Behind Decentralized Video Sharing
Several terms come up often when you read about Nostr apps. A relay is a server that accepts and serves events. Because relays are interchangeable, a creator can publish to several at once to reach more viewers and reduce the risk that one relay becomes unavailable.
A public key is the identifier others use to find you, and it is safe to share. A private key signs your events. Anyone who has it can act as you, so it should never be typed into a website you do not fully trust. Many Nostr tools display keys in encoded forms, which makes them easier to copy but no less sensitive.
Seed phrases belong to crypto wallets, not to Nostr, so do not confuse the two. Nostube is about publishing and watching video, not about holding funds. Keeping that distinction clear helps you judge the risks correctly.
Key features
Video sharing on Nostr
Open-source codebase
Companion tools and documentation
Supported coins
The project documentation names Nostr as the network Nostube operates on. Nostube is a video platform rather than a wallet or exchange, so it is not designed to hold or move cryptocurrency.
How to install Nostrube on Windows
- 1
Get the official files
Start from the project documentation at flox1an.github.io/nostube or the GitHub repository at github.com/flox1an/nostube. Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, and look for the v0.2.51 release.
- 2
Verify the download
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the file with the value published on the release page. If the release is signed, check the signature as well. Do not run files that arrive through chat messages, ads or unfamiliar links.
-
Install or load the app
If the release includes a Windows build, run the installer like any other program. Because Nostube also runs as a web app or browser extension, you can load it in your browser by following the steps in the documentation.
How to use Nostrube
Nostube is simple to start with once you understand Nostr keys. Plan for a few minutes of setup, and read the documentation for interface details, since they may change between releases.
- Open Nostube in your browser or launch the extension.
- Connect your Nostr identity using the method shown in the documentation. If you have no identity yet, create one in a trusted Nostr client first and back up the private key.
- Browse videos shared on the relays Nostube reads from. Follow creators you like to see their new uploads.
- If the interface offers publishing, upload or link a video and confirm the details before sending it.
- Review your relay settings. Adding a relay you trust can widen what you see, while removing one can limit your feed.
- Keep your private key offline when you are not using it, and sign out on shared computers.
Treat your first session as a test. Publish a short, low-stakes clip, confirm that it appears in the app, and then build from there.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, with public code on GitHub
- Built on Nostr, so identity and content are not tied to one company's servers
- Documentation site and separate component docs make setup easier to research
- Recent code activity, with the repository last updated in late October 2026
- Windows support is listed as likely rather than confirmed, so check the Releases page before installing
- The focus is on web and browser extension use, with no native desktop app described
- Version v0.2.51 suggests the project is still early, so features may change between releases
- Using Nostr means managing a private key, which adds responsibility for new users
Is Nostrube safe?
Nostube is free and open source, and its code was recently updated, so it is not marked as deprecated. Still, it works with a Nostr private key, which controls your identity. Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page for Nostube. Compare the SHA-256 checksum with the value published by the project, and check the signature when one is offered. Never enter your private key or any recovery phrase on a third-party website, in a pop-up or in a message from someone claiming to be support. Check the latest version on the official website before installing, and review browser extension permissions before you grant them.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/flox1an/nostube. 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
Nostube is more specialized than most Nostr tools in this catalog. Amethyst and Gossip are general Nostr clients for reading and posting across the network, while Coop focuses on private messages. NAK and Nostr Commander RS are command-line tools, which suit people comfortable in a terminal rather than a video interface. Nostr VPN addresses a different problem entirely, building a mesh VPN on Nostr signaling. If your main goal is watching and sharing video on Nostr, Nostube is the most direct fit. For everyday posting, a general client is usually the better choice.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v0.2.51
- Last update
- 27 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Source code
- github.com/flox1an/nostube
Frequently asked questions
Nostube can be used safely if you download it from the official website or GitHub Releases, verify the checksum and protect your Nostr private key. The project is open source, which lets developers inspect the code. Never enter your private key on third-party sites, and review browser extension permissions before installing.
Yes. Nostube is listed as free and open source, and its code is public on GitHub. Costs may still come from your own device, internet connection or any other service you choose to connect, but the program itself carries no listed price.
Windows support is listed as likely, because the project builds for Windows, but it is not guaranteed for every setup. Check the GitHub Releases page for a Windows build. If none is available, you can use Nostube in your browser through its web interface or extension.
Nostr is an open protocol for decentralized social apps. Users sign events with a private key and publish them to relays, which are servers anyone can run. Because identity is a key pair rather than an account on one platform, the same identity can work across many Nostr apps.
The latest listed version is v0.2.51. Pre-1.0 releases can change quickly between versions, so read the release notes on GitHub before updating. Release notes usually explain which changes affect how the app behaves.
Open the documentation, connect a Nostr identity in a trusted client if you have one, and then open Nostube in your browser. Start by watching a few videos to see how relays and creators appear, then decide whether you want to publish your own content.
Verdict
Nostube is a good fit for people who already use Nostr or want a video platform that is not tied to one company. It is free, open source and recently updated. Its web and extension focus, unconfirmed Windows status and early version number mean it suits curious users more than casual viewers. Try it with a test identity and a low-stakes video before relying on it.