Nunchuk Desktop is a free, open-source Bitcoin wallet for Windows, built for people who want to hold bitcoin with multiple signatures and a clear plan for inheritance. It suits self-custody users who prefer not to rely on a single device or a single backup. The same program is also listed for macOS and Linux.
The current release is version 2.9.3, and its code was last updated on October 30, 2026, so the project is actively maintained. The program is written in C/C++, which matters if you want to review the code yourself. Because the wallet controls real bitcoin, the setup and backup steps below matter as much as the feature list.
What Is a Desktop Bitcoin Wallet?
A desktop Bitcoin wallet is software installed on your own computer that manages the keys needed to send and receive bitcoin. Unlike an account on an exchange, the wallet is self-custody: you hold the keys, so you are also responsible for protecting them.
The main concepts are simple. A public address is where others send bitcoin, and a private key is what authorizes spending from that address. Most wallets generate these keys from a seed phrase, a list of words that can rebuild the wallet if the computer fails.
A desktop wallet is often described as a hot wallet because it stays connected to the internet. Many people keep only the funds they plan to use there and store larger amounts in offline or more restricted setups. That split is one of the most practical habits in this category.
How Multisig Works in Practice
In a multisig wallet, several keys exist, and a set number must sign before a transaction is valid. A common pattern is two-of-three: three keys are created, and any two can approve a payment.
For example, one key might sit on your everyday computer, a second on a separate signing device kept at home, and a third with a trusted family member or a safe deposit location. If the laptop is infected, the attacker still lacks the second approval. If one key is lost, the remaining keys can still move funds.
Multisig adds complexity. You must track which keys belong to which device, test a transaction with a small amount, and document the setup. Many users find that the extra steps are worth it once the balance is meaningful.
Who Should Consider Inheritance Planning?
Inheritance planning matters most when a bitcoin balance would be hard for family members to recover without instructions. Anyone who holds a significant share of their savings in bitcoin, or who manages funds for relatives, may want a clear plan.
A plan usually has three parts: a documented description of the wallet, a way for heirs to access the keys under defined conditions, and a written reminder of where backups are stored. Keep the seed phrase and instructions in separate locations rather than in one envelope.
The legal side belongs with a qualified attorney, and tax questions belong with an accountant. Software can make access possible, but it cannot decide how an estate should be divided.
Key features
Multisig Bitcoin Wallet
Inheritance Planning
Free and Open Source
Desktop Across Three Systems
Supported coins
Nunchuk Desktop is a Bitcoin wallet, so its focus is bitcoin rather than a broad mix of altcoins. Its multisig and inheritance tools are built around bitcoin transactions. If you need several other coins in a single app, compare the alternatives listed below.
How to install Nunchuk Desktop on Windows
- 1
Get the installer
Open the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page and locate the Windows build for version 2.9.3. Download only from the official website or GitHub, and avoid links shared in ads, forums or direct messages. Building from source is a separate developer-oriented path and is not covered here.
- 2
Verify the file
Calculate the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file and compare it with the value published alongside the release. If the values do not match, delete the file and download it again from the same source.
- 3
Run the installer
Open the installer, follow the setup prompts and choose an install folder you can find later. Keep the program updated by checking the release page periodically, and install updates only after verifying their checksums.
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Create a wallet and back up
On first launch, create a new wallet and write the seed phrase on paper or metal, offline. Never type it into a website, a chat window or a remote-support session, even if someone claims to be support staff.
How to use Nunchuk Desktop
Nunchuk Desktop works best when you plan the wallet setup before you send any bitcoin. The steps below describe a typical flow for a multisig wallet.
- Create the wallet and record the seed phrase offline before funding it.
- Decide how many keys you need and where each one will be stored, such as separate computers or trusted people.
- Set up the multisig configuration and confirm that each signing key is recorded correctly.
- Send a small test transaction to confirm that the signing process works as expected.
- Receive bitcoin at a fresh address generated by the wallet, and check the address before you share it.
- When sending, review the amount, recipient address and network fee, then gather the required signatures.
- Store a backup of the wallet configuration and seed phrases in separate secure locations.
- Practice a restore on a second computer or with a test wallet so you know the process before you need it.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, with code published on GitHub
- Multisig support adds protection against a single lost or stolen key
- Includes inheritance features for estate planning
- Available for Windows, macOS and Linux
- Project shows recent code activity
- Focused on bitcoin rather than many altcoins
- Multisig setup takes more time and planning than a single-key wallet
- Users are fully responsible for backups and key storage
- Inheritance setups require careful testing to avoid mistakes
Is Nunchuk Desktop safe?
Nunchuk Desktop is a self-custody wallet, so most risks come from how you handle keys: losing the seed phrase, storing all backups in one place or approving transactions you have not checked. Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature against the published value, and keep antivirus protection enabled during installation. Never enter your seed phrase on third-party websites, in direct messages or in remote-support sessions. Open source allows security researchers to review the code, but that is not a guarantee of safety. Check the latest version on the official website before you install or update.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/nunchuk-io/nunchuk-desktop. 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
Nunchuk Desktop is narrower than many entries in this catalog, and that is intentional. Coinomi and Atomic Wallet focus on breadth, with Coinomi listing more than 1,700 assets and Atomic Wallet more than 500 coins. Exodus adds a built-in exchange, which is handy if you swap assets inside the app. Electron Cash is a lightweight wallet for Bitcoin Cash rather than bitcoin itself. Choose Nunchuk Desktop when multisig and inheritance planning matter more than the number of coins supported.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- 2.9.3
- Last update
- 30 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/nunchuk-io/nunchuk-desktop
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Nunchuk Desktop is free to download and use. It is open source, so its code is published on GitHub for anyone to read. Being free does not mean there are no costs, because network fees apply when you send bitcoin.
It can be used safely if you follow good habits. Verify the installer before running it, never share your seed phrase, and store backups in separate secure locations. Most risks come from how you manage keys rather than from the software alone.
Yes, multisig is central to the wallet. You can set up a configuration that requires several keys to approve a transaction, such as two out of three. Plan where each key will be stored before you fund the wallet.
Inheritance means arranging access so that designated heirs can recover bitcoin if you die or lose access. Nunchuk Desktop includes tools aimed at this scenario. Test the process with a small amount and keep written instructions with a lawyer or a trusted person.
Yes, the project lists Windows, macOS and Linux as supported platforms. Each computer you use needs its own installation and restore plan. Practice restoring a wallet on a second machine before relying on it for significant funds.
A seed phrase is a list of words that can regenerate the private keys for your wallet. Anyone who has the words can control the funds, so store them offline on paper or metal. Losing them can mean losing access permanently.
Verdict
Nunchuk Desktop suits people who hold bitcoin and want more control than a single-key app provides, especially those interested in multisig or inheritance planning. It is a weaker fit for anyone who wants many altcoins in one place. Study the setup, practice a restore with a small amount and keep backups in separate locations before moving significant funds.