rippled is a free, open-source daemon that implements the XRP Ledger protocol, letting you run your own node on a Windows PC. It suits developers, node operators and technically minded users who want to take part in the network directly instead of relying on a third-party server. The program is released under the ISC license and written in C and C++.
A node receives, checks and stores the transactions and ledger data shared by other peers, rather than trusting someone else's copy of the ledger. That makes rippled useful for testing applications, learning how the XRP Ledger works and building tools on top of the network. This page covers what the program does, how to install it with Scoop, what to watch for, and how it compares with similar software.
What Is the XRP Ledger?
The XRP Ledger is a shared record of accounts and transactions maintained by a network of independent computers rather than a bank or company. Each participant holds a copy of the ledger, and nodes pass new transactions between themselves until the network agrees on what is valid.
Think of it as a notebook that thousands of people keep side by side. If one copy is changed, the others will not match it, which is why tampering is hard to hide. The XRP Ledger applies this idea to digital value, and XRP is its native asset.
rippled is the software that turns a computer into a participant. It handles peer connections, checks transactions against the protocol rules and keeps the local ledger up to date. Without node software like this, you would have to trust someone else's view of the ledger.
For developers, the ledger is also a platform: applications can read its history and submit transactions. Understanding the basic model before you configure a node makes the rest of the setup much easier to follow.
Who Should Run a rippled Node?
A rippled node suits people who want a direct connection to the XRP Ledger instead of depending on a remote service. Developers building payment tools are a typical group, because a local node lets them test against the real protocol.
Consider a few scenarios. A developer runs a node on a spare Windows PC to see how transactions behave before writing production code. A student studying distributed systems uses it to observe how peers exchange data and reach consensus. A small team evaluating the network keeps a node running to watch ledger activity firsthand.
A node is not the same as a wallet. If your only goal is to send or receive XRP, a wallet app is the simpler tool, and a node adds maintenance work you may not need. Choose rippled when you want to understand the network or build on it, not just hold an asset.
Node or API Server: Which Do You Need?
A rippled node stores and verifies ledger data, but applications that need a full API layer should look elsewhere. The project's documentation points people who want an API server, including a full history server, to Clio. The older reporting mode has been replaced by Clio for this purpose.
You can think of the two as layers. rippled stays close to the protocol and keeps the node in sync with the network. Clio sits on top and organizes data so applications can query transactions and account information more conveniently.
If your project only needs to submit transactions or follow the live ledger, a plain node may be enough. If your application depends on deep history or frequent lookups, plan for Clio from the start. Check the current documentation at xrpl.org before designing the architecture, since tooling around the network changes over time.
Key features
Peer-to-Peer Node Operation
Byzantine Fault Tolerant Consensus
Decentralized Ledger Database
Written in C and C++
Free and Permissively Licensed
Supported coins
The documentation for rippled mentions Bitcoin (BTC) and XRP. Because the software implements the XRP Ledger protocol, XRP is the asset that matters most here. For keeping signing keys on a separate device, Ledger hardware wallets are the hardware option associated with the software.
How to install Rippled on Windows
PS> scoop install rippled- 1
Install Scoop
Get Scoop, the command-line package manager for Windows, from its official website and follow its setup instructions in PowerShell. Scoop handles downloading, installing and updating programs from the command line.
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Install rippled
Open a PowerShell window and run scoop install rippled. Scoop fetches the program and places it in its own apps folder, so you can keep it separate from other software on the system.
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Check the installation
Run scoop list rippled to confirm the package is installed and see the version. If you want to cross-check the file, compare it with the release on the GitHub Releases page at github.com/ripple/rippled.
How to use Rippled
Once rippled is installed, the most useful first step is to treat it as a learning environment rather than a production service. Plan a session where you can read the documentation, watch the logs and stop the program without consequences.
- Read the configuration documentation at xrpl.org so you understand what the node expects before you start it.
- Start rippled from PowerShell in a test setup and watch the console output as it connects to peers.
- Let the node run long enough to sync, then check its status with the commands described in the documentation.
- Note how the logs change as the node moves from connecting to processing ledger data.
- Keep the program current with scoop update rippled so you pick up protocol and bug fixes.
- If your application needs detailed history or API queries, set up Clio alongside the node instead of relying on the node alone.
Pros & cons
- Free, open-source software under the permissive ISC license
- Runs your own node instead of depending on a third-party server
- Simple one-line installation with Scoop
- Public source code on GitHub for review and study
- Written in C and C++, a common choice for network software
- The workflow is command-line based, which may feel unfamiliar to beginners
- Running a node means ongoing updates and monitoring
- API and history queries need a separate tool such as Clio
- It is not a wallet, so it does not replace a wallet app for everyday use
Is Rippled safe?
Download rippled only from the official website at xrpl.org or from the GitHub Releases page at github.com/ripple/rippled. Installing through Scoop is convenient, but it is still worth comparing the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file with the value published on the release page, or checking a digital signature where one is offered. Never enter a seed phrase on a third-party website, even one claiming to offer an XRP Ledger tool. Keep the program updated, and check the latest version on the official website before you start.
- Official source only. Download from xrpl.org. 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
Gocoin is a full Bitcoin solution written in Go, so it focuses on Bitcoin rather than the XRP Ledger. Fulcrum and Electrum Personal Server both serve wallet queries for Bitcoin-family chains, which makes them useful for wallet backends but different in purpose from a ledger node. Stratis Full Node is a .NET implementation for the Stratis network, and Elements / Liquid focuses on sidechain infrastructure. Parity Zcash is archived. rippled stands apart because it runs the XRP Ledger protocol itself, with consensus and transaction settlement handled by its own peer network.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- ISC
- Latest version
- 3.4.1
- Last update
- 27 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Yes (available via Scoop)
- Official site
- xrpl.org
- Source code
- github.com/ripple/rippled
- Install command
- scoop install rippled
Frequently asked questions
Yes, rippled is free and open source under the ISC license. You can download the source code from GitHub and install the ready-made program on Windows without paying for the software itself. Running a node still takes your own time and computer resources.
No, rippled runs a node that stores and checks ledger data, but it does not act as a custody service. Your XRP is controlled by the accounts and keys you manage in a wallet. Keep that separation in mind when you set up the software.
rippled is the node daemon that implements the XRP Ledger protocol. Clio is the tool the project recommends for running an API server, including a full history server. Many setups use rippled for protocol participation and Clio for application queries.
The documentation for rippled mentions Bitcoin (BTC) and XRP, but the software is built around the XRP Ledger. If you need Bitcoin node software, look at dedicated Bitcoin clients instead. rippled should be chosen for XRP Ledger work.
Install Scoop first, then open PowerShell and run scoop install rippled. Scoop downloads the program and places it in its own folder. You can confirm the installation with scoop list rippled.
Ledger hardware wallets are the hardware option associated with rippled, so they are a natural pairing if you want signing keys kept on a separate device. Keep your recovery phrase offline and never type it into a website or app that asks for it.
rippled is better suited to developers and technically confident users than to people who only want to hold XRP. The setup and daily use are command-line based. Beginners can still learn a lot by running it in a test environment and reading the documentation.
Verdict
rippled is a solid choice for developers, students and operators who want their own XRP Ledger node on Windows. It is free, open source under the ISC license and easy to install with a single Scoop command once you are comfortable in PowerShell. If you only want to hold or send XRP, a wallet app is the better fit. If your application needs heavy API access, plan to pair the node with Clio from the start.