Sia renterd is a free, open-source client for the Sia decentralized storage network, built for technically minded users who want to run their own storage software on Windows instead of relying on a hosted service. It is the successor to the earlier siad software and is written in Go.
This page explains what renterd does, how it differs from siad, how to install the ready-made program from GitHub Releases, and what to check before you store anything valuable on it. The project's latest code change is dated October 30, 2026, so it is an actively maintained option for anyone experimenting with Sia storage.
What renterd Changed from siad
renterd was created to succeed siad, the earlier Sia software. Its goal is feature parity, so the core capabilities people relied on remain available, while the project adds an enhanced web UI and an autopilot on top.
The biggest practical change concerns existing data. renterd does not support backwards compatibility with siad metadata, so files uploaded through siad cannot currently be migrated into renterd. In practice, treat renterd as a separate node with its own data. If you still need access to older siad files, keep that setup running until you have a plan for those files.
The project's near-term focus is refining stability, scalability and performance. That emphasis matters if you plan to run renterd continuously rather than for short experiments, because reliability becomes more important the longer a node stays online.
Who Is renterd For?
renterd fits three kinds of readers best. The first is developers building applications on the Sia network. The project describes renterd as a robust foundation for new Sia applications, and its API documentation makes it practical to connect your own code to a running node.
The second group is self-hosters who want to run storage software on their own Windows machine. A scenario might be a home lab user who wants to keep a Sia node running on a spare PC, check its status in the browser, and let autopilot handle routine tasks.
The third group is people testing decentralized storage for the first time. Running a node teaches you how wallets, databases and network activity relate to one another. If you only want a simple app to back up photos, renterd is probably more involved than you need, because it expects you to configure several components yourself.
How Decentralized Storage Clients Work
A decentralized storage client sits between your files and a network made up of independent participants. Rather than sending data to one company's servers, the client coordinates how data is stored and retrieved across that network. renterd plays this role for the Sia network.
A wallet is central to the process. The wallet holds the keys that authorize transactions on the network, so anyone who gains control of those keys can move the funds it controls. This is why the seed phrase deserves more care than almost any other item in your setup. Store it offline, and never reuse it on another service.
A database is another piece of the puzzle. renterd uses one to track operational data, such as what the node is doing at any moment. Understanding these three parts, the client, the wallet and the database, makes troubleshooting far easier when something goes wrong.
Key features
Enhanced web UI
Autopilot
Feature parity with siad
API documentation and roadmap
How to install Sia renterd on Windows
- 1
Open the official release page
Go to the project's GitHub Releases page for renterd, at github.com/SiaFoundation/renterd. Find the latest release, v2.9.6, and look through its assets for a Windows build. Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, and avoid unofficial mirrors.
- 2
Verify the download
Compare the file's SHA-256 checksum with the value published alongside the release. If a signature is provided, check that as well. Do not run a file that fails either check, and delete it instead.
- 3
Install and place the program
Extract the archive or run the installer as the release describes, and place the program in a folder you control. Keep the database and wallet data in a location you back up regularly, because losing them means losing your node's state.
-
Configure and start
Set up the database and wallet covered in the requirements, then start renterd. Open the web interface in your browser to confirm the node is running. Docker is also listed as a supported platform if you prefer to run the program in a container.
System requirements
- A database to store renterd's operational data. The project supports two options and recommends one of them for production environments.
- A wallet with only v2 history if you want to use instant syncing.
- Enough RAM for your planned workload. Defaults use reasonable limits, but large single-file uploads and downloads consume noticeably more memory.
How to use Sia renterd
Once renterd is installed, the first session is mostly configuration. Expect to spend more time setting things up than on the day-to-day tasks you will run later.
- Prepare a database for operational data. If the node will run continuously, choose the option the project recommends for production environments.
- Set up your wallet. If you want instant syncing, make sure the wallet contains only v2 history.
- Start renterd and open the web interface in your browser to confirm the node is running and responding.
- Review the memory settings. The defaults are reasonable, but if you plan to transfer large single files, watch RAM usage during those transfers.
- Let autopilot handle routine tasks, and check its activity from the web UI so you know what it is doing.
- Once the web interface behaves as you expect, use the API documentation to script uploads, downloads or status checks.
Work through these steps in order on a test setup before you rely on the node for anything important.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, with no purchase price for the program itself
- Enhanced web UI makes node status easier to check from a browser
- Autopilot reduces the amount of routine manual work
- Published API documentation supports custom scripts and applications
- Designed to keep siad's core features while adding new ones
- Can run on Windows, in Docker, or through the web interface
- siad files cannot currently be migrated into renterd
- Requires a database and careful wallet setup before it runs
- Large single-file transfers need substantially more RAM
- Windows builds should be confirmed on the releases page for the version you want
Is Sia renterd safe?
renterd includes a wallet, so treat it like any software that handles keys and funds. Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, never from mirror sites or links shared in forums. Verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running the file, and delete any download that fails the check.
Never type your seed phrase into a third-party website, a support chat or a program you have not verified. Anyone who obtains it can control your funds. The project's latest code update is dated October 30, 2026, which means it is actively maintained, but check the latest version on the official website before you commit valuable data.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/SiaFoundation/renterd. 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
renterd is specific to the Sia network, so it is not a general-purpose tool like IPFS software. Storj also operates a decentralized cloud storage network, and its storage node is the closest parallel for people who want to contribute to or use a decentralized network for files.
Kubo is the reference IPFS node, and it focuses on content addressing across IPFS networks. Peergos is aimed at end-to-end encrypted, peer-to-peer file storage and sharing between people. Pinner CLI is narrower still, a command-line tool for pinning content to IPFS. Choose renterd when your target is the Sia network, and choose the others when IPFS, Storj or a sharing-focused app fits your needs better.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v2.9.6
- Last update
- 30 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Source code
- github.com/SiaFoundation/renterd
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Sia renterd is free and open source, and there is no price for the program itself. Anything beyond that depends on how you use the Sia network, so review those details before you start storing data. The program can be inspected on its GitHub repository, which is part of why many developers choose it.
It can be, provided you take the right precautions. Download the program only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, then verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running it. Because renterd includes a wallet, never enter your seed phrase on any third-party site.
Not currently. renterd does not support backwards compatibility with siad metadata, so files uploaded through siad cannot be migrated into renterd. If you still need those files, keep your siad setup available until you have a plan for them.
Yes, the project provides builds for Windows, and Docker and a web interface are also listed as ways to run it. Check the assets on the latest GitHub release to confirm the Windows file for the version you want before you download.
Yes, renterd requires a database to store its operational data. The project supports two options and recommends one of them for production environments. Choose the option that fits how long and how reliably you plan to run the node.
The web interface gives you a browser view of the node's status and settings. It is an enhanced interface compared with the earlier siad setup. You can use it to confirm that renterd is running and to review what autopilot is doing, without relying only on API calls.
Verdict
Sia renterd suits developers and technically confident Windows users who want a free, open-source client for the Sia network, with a web UI, an autopilot and documented API access. It is a weaker choice if you need to bring older siad files along, because migration is not currently possible. Treat it as a node that needs proper setup, a database and careful wallet handling, and check the latest version on the official website before storing anything valuable.