hostd is a storage host program for the Sia decentralized storage network, built by the Sia Foundation for people who want to offer spare disk space to renters and earn revenue from it. It suits individuals with a few spare drives as well as larger operators who manage many machines. If you are looking for Sia hostd for Windows, this page explains what the software does, how to get it, and what to consider before running it.
The program is free and open source, written in Go, and includes an embedded web interface so you can manage storage and revenue from a browser. It also offers a robust API for automation. The latest version is v2.12.1, and the most recent code update is dated October 30, 2026. Because hostd manages a wallet and access credentials, read the safety section before installing.
What Is a Sia Storage Host?
Sia is a decentralized storage network in which people with spare disk space offer that capacity to others. Customers who buy storage are called renters, and the machines that provide it are called hosts. A host agrees to keep a renter's data available for an agreed period, and the two sides set their terms through storage contracts.
hostd is the software that turns a computer into a host. It handles the host's side of those contracts, tracks how much space is committed and in use, and reports the revenue the host earns. Because the network is decentralized, no single company holds all the data, and each host is responsible for its own machine and connection.
Think of hostd as the control panel for that role. It does not decide what gets stored, but it shapes how much capacity you offer, how your disks are used and how your host behaves on the network.
Who Is hostd For? Practical Use Cases
hostd is written for two broad groups. The first is individuals who have spare capacity on a home server, a network storage box or an older desktop with extra drives. For them, the embedded web UI means they can check status without learning a complicated toolchain.
The second group is larger operators who run many hosts, perhaps across several sites or in Docker and Linux environments. These users benefit most from the API, which lets them automate routine tasks and feed host data into their own dashboards.
A typical scenario looks like this: a hobbyist sets up a Windows PC in a closet with two spare drives, uses the browser interface to review settings, and checks on the host from a laptop later in the day. The same person might later move the setup to a dedicated machine once they are comfortable with how the program behaves.
Understanding Storage Contracts and Uptime
In decentralized storage, reliability sits at the center of the arrangement. A renter stores data with a host expecting that the data will remain available for the length of the contract. If your machine goes offline, that expectation is broken, which is why uptime planning matters as much as the software itself.
Several practical habits help. Use a machine you will not switch off casually, keep the operating system and drivers updated, and watch disk health. Plan for power interruptions and internet outages, because a host that repeatedly drops offline is less attractive to renters.
Hosting is not a set-and-forget task. It requires attention, maintenance and a willingness to troubleshoot technical problems. Read the contract terms the software presents before you accept storage work, and make sure your hardware can honor them.
Key features
Embedded Web Interface
Robust API for Automation
Remote Management
Multi-Platform Builds and a Public Roadmap
Supported coins
hostd is built for the Sia network, so its focus is storage hosting on that network rather than support for a list of other blockchains or coins. If you want to rent out space on other decentralized networks, you will need different software, such as the node tools covered in the alternatives section.
How to install Sia hostd on Windows
- 1
Get the Windows build
Download hostd only from the official website or from the GitHub Releases page at https://github.com/SiaFoundation/hostd. Because Windows support is described as likely rather than guaranteed, look for a Windows file among the release assets before you start. Avoid mirrors and file-sharing sites that repackage the program.
- 2
Verify the download
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the file with the value published alongside the release, and check a signature if one is provided. Do not run a file that fails the check. The safety section explains the steps in more detail.
- 3
Place the program in a dedicated folder
Copy the executable to a folder you control, ideally on a drive with enough free space for the storage data you plan to offer. Keeping host files separate from everyday documents makes backups and troubleshooting simpler.
- 4
Prepare the wallet and API password
Before the first launch, choose a strong API password and have your wallet seed ready. hostd asks for both during setup unless you supply them through environment variables. If you plan to use instant syncing, make sure the wallet contains only v2 history.
-
Start hostd
Launch the program from a command prompt or PowerShell window, then open the embedded web UI in your browser. The first start is a good moment to confirm that the interface loads and that the host reports its status as expected.
System requirements
- A wallet that contains only v2 history, if you want to use instant syncing
How to use Sia hostd
Once hostd is installed, daily use centers on the web interface and a few routine checks. You can supply required values such as the API password and wallet seed through prompts, or start the program with the --env flag, which disables stdin prompts and reads those values from the environment. The second option suits scripted or service-based setups.
- Open the embedded web UI and sign in with your API password.
- Review your storage folders and capacity settings, and confirm they match the disk space you want to offer.
- Check the wallet status. For instant syncing, the wallet should contain only v2 history.
- Watch the host status and logs to confirm it stays online and responds as expected.
- If you run several hosts, use the API to script repeated checks instead of reviewing each one by hand.
- Before upgrading to a new release, read its notes and plan a short maintenance window.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, with the source code published on GitHub
- Embedded web UI makes setup and day-to-day checks easier
- Robust API supports automation and custom monitoring
- Remote management is possible from a browser
- Public roadmap and recent code updates, with the latest code update dated October 30, 2026
- Listed platforms include Windows, macOS, Linux and Docker
- Windows support is described as likely rather than guaranteed, so confirm a Windows build on the releases page
- Security depends heavily on configuration, especially around the API and wallet
- Instant syncing depends on the wallet containing only v2 history
- Hosting storage for others is an ongoing technical commitment that requires steady uptime
- Best suited to users comfortable with command-line options and configuration
Is Sia hostd safe?
hostd handles a wallet seed and an API password, so treat it as a security-sensitive program. Download it only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page at https://github.com/SiaFoundation/hostd. Compare the file's SHA-256 checksum with the value published with the release, and verify a signature if one is provided. Never enter your seed phrase on third-party websites, and never share it in chats or support requests. Keep the API bound to 127.0.0.1 unless you have a deliberate, secured remote setup, because an exposed interface invites unauthorized access. The most recent code update is dated October 30, 2026, but check the latest version on the official website before installing.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/SiaFoundation/hostd. 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
hostd differs from several listed programs in purpose. Storj's storage node serves a different decentralized cloud network, so your choice depends on which network you want to join. Kubo, the reference IPFS node, and IPFS Desktop run IPFS nodes that store and serve content-addressed data, while hostd is a provider tool built for the Sia network. Peergos focuses on end-to-end encrypted file storage and sharing for individuals rather than running a provider node. If your goal is to rent out disk space on Sia, hostd is the relevant choice. If your goal is private file sharing or pinning content to IPFS, Peergos or Pinner CLI may fit better.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v2.12.1
- Last update
- 30 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Source code
- github.com/SiaFoundation/hostd
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Sia hostd is free and open source, and its source code is published on GitHub. Free software still has costs in practice, because running a host requires hardware, electricity and a reliable internet connection. Plan those costs before you commit disk space to the network.
It can be, provided you take standard precautions. Get the file from the GitHub Releases page, check its SHA-256 checksum, and never enter your seed phrase on a third-party site. Keep the API on 127.0.0.1 unless you have a secured remote setup. The safety section covers each step in more detail.
The platform list includes Windows, and the project builds for Windows, but support is described as likely rather than guaranteed. Check the GitHub Releases page for a current Windows build before you plan an installation. Test on a non-critical machine first, so you can learn the setup without risking an important system.
Yes, hostd asks for a wallet seed during setup, so a wallet is part of running a host. If you want instant syncing, the wallet should contain only v2 history. Keep your seed phrase private, and never type it into a website that you reached through a link or advertisement.
The embedded web UI is a browser-based interface built into hostd, so you can monitor and manage your host without installing a separate application. It also makes remote management possible when hostd runs on another machine. Pair it with local binding or a secured connection for safer access.
Yes. The latest version is v2.12.1, and the most recent code update is dated October 30, 2026. Regular updates matter for storage software, so review the release notes before upgrading a host that is already running.
The best alternative depends on the network you want to join. Storj offers a storage node for a different decentralized cloud network, while Kubo and IPFS Desktop cover IPFS nodes. Peergos suits encrypted file sharing. The comparison section explains the differences in more detail.
Verdict
hostd is a strong fit for people who already want to offer storage on the Sia network and prefer a free, open-source tool with a browser interface and an API. It makes sense for home operators with spare drives and for larger providers who script their setups. It is less suitable for anyone who wants a fully guided experience with minimal configuration, or who cannot keep a machine online consistently. Read the safety section, verify your download, and keep the API local unless you have a secured plan. Check the latest version on the official website before you install.