Orion is a free, open-source desktop client for the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), built for people who want to share files on a public peer-to-peer network without learning the command line. If you are curious about decentralized storage but prefer a regular Windows window to terminal commands, this program is aimed at you.
Read this before installing: the project has had no code updates since January 2019, and its latest release is v1.0.9. It is effectively unmaintained, so it may not keep pace with changes in IPFS and will not receive security fixes. It is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux, but since development has stopped, test it on your own machine and treat it as a learning tool rather than a place for important files.
What Is IPFS and Why Does It Matter?
IPFS is a peer-to-peer protocol for storing and sharing files. Instead of pointing to one server, files are identified by their content, so any peer holding a copy can serve it.
This design makes it harder for a single host to be the only source of a file. It also means availability depends on peers keeping copies, which is a key idea to understand before you publish anything.
Who Is Orion Useful For?
Orion suits students, hobbyists and developers who want to explore decentralized file sharing without building a server. It is a practical way to test how content addressing works on a home PC.
It is less suitable for long-term backups or business files, because the project is no longer updated and public sharing carries risks.
How Does Peer-to-Peer File Sharing Work in Practice?
When you add a file to an IPFS node, it receives a content identifier based on the file itself. Anyone who has that identifier can request the file from peers that hold a copy.
If your node goes offline and no other peer has the file, it may become unavailable. Understanding this helps you set realistic expectations for any shared file.
Key features
Graphical interface instead of commands
Everything for a personal IPFS node
Sharing on the public network
How to install Orion on Windows
- 1
Get the installer from an official source
Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page at github.com/Siderus/Orion. Avoid file-hosting sites and unofficial mirrors, since they can repackage the program.
- 2
Verify the file before running it
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the download with the value published on the release page, or verify the digital signature if one is provided. If the check fails, delete the file.
- 3
Run the installer
Open the file, follow the Windows prompts and choose an install folder. If SmartScreen or antivirus warns about the file, repeat the checksum check rather than disabling protection.
-
Start your personal node
Launch Orion and let it start its built-in IPFS node. Once the node is running, you can add files and share them on the public network.
How to use Orion
Once Orion is installed, the basic workflow is short. Since it is a sharing tool, start with a test file you do not mind publishing.
- Open Orion and wait for the node to start.
- Add a file through the app's interface.
- Note the content identifier that IPFS assigns to the file.
- Send the identifier to a friend, or open it in a public IPFS gateway in your browser to confirm it is reachable.
- When finished, stop sharing or close the app to take your node offline.
Pros & cons
- Free to download and use
- Open source, so the code can be inspected on GitHub
- Basic sharing needs no command line knowledge
- Bundles what is needed for a personal IPFS node
- Listed for Windows, macOS and Linux
- No code updates since January 2019
- Latest version v1.0.9 may lag behind current IPFS tooling
- Windows compatibility should be tested on your own system
- Not a good fit for long-term or business storage
Is Orion safe?
Orion runs a network node and shares content, so handle it with care. Download it only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page, never from third-party download sites. Before running the installer, verify the SHA-256 checksum or digital signature, and delete the file if either does not match.
The project has not received code updates since January 2019, so security patches are unlikely. Keep your antivirus enabled, since a warning should prompt a checksum check rather than disabling protection. Avoid publishing private documents, because shared content can be reached by other peers.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/Siderus/Orion. 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
Most programs in the similar list are developer tools for blockchain code. Remix Desktop is an IDE for Solidity, Foundry bundles command-line tools for smart contracts, and Solidity provides the compiler itself.
Orion is different: it is a desktop client for sharing files on IPFS. A Web3 project might use Orion to experiment with off-chain storage, then use the developer tools for the contract side. RPC services such as Alchemy, Infura and QuickNode connect apps to blockchain nodes and do not handle file sharing.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v1.0.9
- Last update
- 22 Jan 2019
- Windows support
- Unverified (Windows mentioned in docs)
- Source code
- github.com/Siderus/Orion
Frequently asked questions
Orion can be used with care if you download it from the official website or GitHub Releases and verify its SHA-256 checksum or signature. The bigger concern is that there have been no code updates since January 2019, so security fixes are unlikely. Read the safety section before installing.
No. The project has had no code updates since January 2019, and its latest version is v1.0.9. It may still run, but treat it as an unmaintained project rather than a current everyday tool.
IPFS, or InterPlanetary File System, is a peer-to-peer protocol for storing and sharing files. Files are identified by their content rather than a single server location, so any peer holding a copy can serve it. Orion provides a desktop way to run an IPFS node.
Not for basic sharing. The app is designed so you can run a personal IPFS node and share content without typing commands. Still, understand that shared files can be reached by other peers before you publish anything sensitive.
Yes, the program is free and open source. Its source code is available on GitHub, so you can review how it works or check the code yourself.
The project lists Windows, macOS and Linux as platforms. Because it has not been updated since 2019, builds may not behave the same on current systems, so test before relying on any platform.
Verdict
Orion is a free, open-source way to explore IPFS through a desktop window, and that is its main appeal. However, the project has not seen code updates since January 2019, so it suits curiosity, learning and testing rather than storing important files. For a more current setup, look at the tools in the comparison section or a modern IPFS client.