Secret Network node is a command-line program built around the secretd daemon. It is aimed at developers, infrastructure operators and technically confident users who want to run their own node in the Cosmos ecosystem instead of relying on a third-party service. The program is free, open source and written in Go.
The latest release is v1.25.0, and the code was last updated on July 2, 2026, so the project is recently maintained. Windows builds are published, while Linux and Docker are the platforms listed for the program, so Windows users should confirm the file they pick on the release page. This guide covers what the node does, how to install it safely and whether it fits your setup.
What Is a Blockchain Node?
A blockchain node is a program that keeps a copy of a network's ledger and checks every new block against the network's rules. Nodes also pass data to their peers, which is how the network stays distributed rather than depending on one server.
A developer might run a local node to test an application against live network data instead of a public endpoint. This gives more control over requests and avoids depending on a service that may be slow or rate-limited.
Running a node is different from holding funds. A node validates and relays data, but it does not by itself create a wallet or move coins for you.
Who Should Run a Secret Network Node?
Secret Network node is best suited to developers testing against a live chain, infrastructure teams maintaining their own endpoints, and hobbyists comfortable with a terminal. Each group uses the node for a different reason: testing, reliability or learning how a Cosmos-based network behaves.
Beginners who want a simple wallet or a point-and-click app will find this program difficult to use. The node expects you to manage configuration files, watch logs and handle updates yourself.
Running a validator involves responsibilities beyond running a node, including key management. Treat that as a separate decision and read the project documentation before taking it on.
How the Cosmos Ecosystem Shapes Node Operation
Cosmos-based networks are designed to communicate with each other through shared standards, so a node operator works within a family of related tools. This makes skills learned on one chain easier to transfer to another.
Network upgrades matter in practice. Operators must run a binary version that matches the network they join, so keeping track of release notes is part of routine maintenance.
A node that falls behind the network stops giving current answers. Monitoring sync status is the simplest habit that prevents problems with applications that depend on it.
Key features
Daemon-based node (secretd)
Cosmos ecosystem compatibility
Open source code in Go
Linux and Docker deployment
Windows builds
Supported coins
The project documentation places the node within the Cosmos ecosystem and mentions Cosmos (ATOM) as an example asset. Because the node is a network client rather than a multi-coin application, the exact networks it can join are best confirmed in the project documentation for the release you choose.
How to install Secret Network node on Windows
- 1
Get the release from the official source
Open the official GitHub Releases page for the SecretNetwork project and select the v1.25.0 release. Download only from the official website or GitHub, and avoid copies shared in chats or on unofficial mirrors.
- 2
Verify the file
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of your download with the value published on the release page. If a signature is provided, verify it as well, and do not run any file whose hash does not match.
- 3
Install the binary or container
Extract the archive into a dedicated folder for the secretd binary and add that folder to your system path, or use the Docker setup described in the documentation. Store node data in a separate location with enough free disk space.
-
Initialize and start the node
Follow the initialization and configuration steps in the project documentation, then start the daemon from a terminal. Let the node finish syncing before you rely on its responses.
System requirements
- Linux or Docker, the platforms listed for the program
- Windows: a build from the official release page that matches the version you choose
- Command-line access, because the node runs as the secretd daemon
- A stable internet connection, since a node stays current by exchanging data with peers
How to use Secret Network node
Once installed, the node runs in the background and needs modest attention day to day. The steps below cover a typical first session. Follow the project documentation for exact commands and flags.
- Start the daemon from a terminal and watch the log output for the first sync messages.
- Let the node catch up with the network before sending it requests, which can take a long time on the first run.
- Confirm the node is connected to peers and that its block height keeps increasing.
- Query the node locally with the command-line tools described in the documentation to check its status.
- Point your development tools at the local endpoint only when you need it, and keep that endpoint off the public internet unless you have secured it.
- Before updating, read the release notes, stop the daemon cleanly, replace the binary and restart the node.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, with code available on GitHub
- Recently updated, with v1.25.0 as the latest release
- Runs on Linux and Docker, with Windows builds published
- Built for the Cosmos ecosystem, useful for developers already in that stack
- Command-line only, which has a steep learning curve for casual users
- Windows is not the primary listed platform, so each release needs checking
- Running a node requires ongoing monitoring and updates
- Not a wallet or trading tool, so it will not help with everyday transfers
Is Secret Network node safe?
Secret Network node is open source, and the official code lives on GitHub under the SecretNetwork project. Download the binary or container only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, and avoid copies offered by third parties. Verify the SHA-256 checksum of the file against the value published with the release, and check the signature if one is provided.
A node can hold validator keys and other sensitive material, so never enter a seed phrase or private key on a third-party website, in a chat or in a form. Run the daemon under a non-administrator account where possible and keep your system updated. Check the latest version on the official website before installing. If antivirus software flags the file, verify its checksum rather than disabling protection.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/scrtlabs/SecretNetwork. 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
Secret Network node sits in the Cosmos ecosystem alongside the Gaia node for Cosmos Hub and Evmos. Gaia runs the Cosmos Hub itself, while Evmos adds an Ethereum-compatible layer, which changes which applications developers can deploy. Celestia App provides consensus for Celestia, and Aptos runs its own ledger design with a separate CLI.
Geth and Bitcoin Core are established clients for Ethereum and Bitcoin, so they serve operators of those networks rather than Cosmos. Karlsen is a node built for its own network. OpenEthereum, the former Parity client, is closed, so it should not be chosen for new deployments.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v1.25.0
- Last update
- 2 Jul 2026
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Source code
- github.com/scrtlabs/SecretNetwork
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The program is listed as free and open source, so you can download, inspect and run it without a license fee. Running a node still has costs for hardware, bandwidth and your time, which are separate from the software itself.
Windows builds are published, but Linux and Docker are the platforms listed for the program. Check the GitHub Releases page for a Windows file that matches v1.25.0. Linux or Docker is the more straightforward choice for a dedicated node.
It is open source and can be checked, but safety depends on how you get and run it. Download only from the official website or GitHub, verify the SHA-256 checksum, and never enter a seed phrase on a third-party site.
Install the secretd daemon, start it from a terminal and let it sync with the network. Once it is running, query it locally with the command-line tools in the documentation to check its status.
secretd is the daemon, the background program that runs the Secret Network node. It manages network connections, syncs blockchain data and responds to local requests until you stop it or the machine restarts.
No. Go is the language the project is written in, which matters mainly if you build from source. For a ready-made release, you only need the downloaded binary or the Docker setup and a terminal to start it.
Alternatives depend on the chain you want to run. For Cosmos Hub, the Gaia node is the closest match, and Evmos is worth comparing for Ethereum-compatible development. Geth and Bitcoin Core serve different networks entirely.
Verdict
Secret Network node suits developers and operators who want to run their own node in the Cosmos ecosystem and are comfortable working from a terminal. It is free, open source, recently updated and written in Go, with Linux and Docker as the listed platforms and Windows builds available. It is not a wallet and not a beginner's app. If that describes your needs, download the release from the official source, verify it and test the setup before running it on a machine that matters.