Vega is a free, open source desktop client for Nostr, the decentralized social network protocol, made for Windows users who want a polished native app instead of a browser tab. It suits people who already post or read on Nostr, and anyone curious about it who wants a program that keeps account keys in the operating system's secure storage. The interface is built with Tauri 2.0, React and TypeScript, and the project is released under the MIT license.
The app puts real emphasis on Lightning integration, so payments and tips feel like part of the reading and posting experience rather than an add-on. It also offers first-class support for long-form writing, which makes it a natural choice for bloggers and essayists who publish on Nostr. Installation takes a few minutes through winget or the official releases, and the current version is 0.16.4. The sections below cover setup, key safety and everyday use.
What Is Vega and Who Is It For?
Nostr is an open protocol for social networking in which posts are signed by user keys and sent to relays rather than stored on one company's servers. A Nostr client is the program you use to read those posts and publish your own. Vega is a desktop client, meaning it runs as an application on your computer instead of inside a web page.
The app fits several kinds of users. Long-time Nostr participants often prefer a native program that feels fast and keeps their keys in the operating system. Writers who publish essays and articles benefit from the strong long-form support. Newcomers can use the browse-first mode to explore the network before creating an identity, which lowers the pressure of making decisions on day one.
If you mainly want a mobile app for chatting on the go, Vega is not designed for that role. Its strength is the desktop experience, with a wide interface, multiple feeds and convenient keyboard-driven posting.
How Nostr Keys Work in Practice
On Nostr, your identity is a key pair. The public half, shared as an npub, lets others find and follow you. The private half, the nsec, proves that you authored a note and gives full control over the account. Unlike a typical website, there is usually no password reset. If you lose the nsec, you lose the ability to sign in as that identity.
This is why Vega emphasizes key handling. The app asks new users to note their secret key when an account is created, keeps a reminder visible until it is saved, and lets you reveal it later from the settings. Choosing between nsec and npub logins also matters, because a read-only session cannot publish anything on your behalf.
Remote signers add another layer. With a bunker connection, the signing happens on a separate device, so the desktop app never needs direct access to the private key. Many people find this an appealing balance between convenience and caution, especially when they manage several identities.
Real-World Use Cases for a Nostr Desktop Client
Consider a freelance editor who publishes long essays on Nostr and also runs a personal account for casual posts. With the multi-account switcher, she can draft a long-form article under one identity, then reply to comments from a personal profile without logging out and back in. Keeping the two roles separate reduces the chance of posting in the wrong voice.
Another scenario involves a multilingual reader who follows communities in Russian, Japanese and Arabic. The language and script filter lets that reader keep the Global feed focused on one writing system at a time, or hide scripts they cannot read. This is useful when a feed is dominated by one language and the reader wants to discover quieter corners of the network.
A third example is a researcher who sometimes needs to check what a public figure posted without risking an account. Logging in with an npub gives read-only access, so the researcher can browse threads, examine replies and follow links while the account remains unable to publish or sign anything.
Key features
Account creation inside the app
Browse before you sign up
Login with nsec or npub
NIP-46 remote signer support
Multi-account switcher
OS keychain integration
Reveal and copy your secret key
Virtualized feed with infinite scroll
Global, Following and Trending feeds
Language and writing-system filter
Threaded conversations and replies
Image upload with NIP-98 authentication
Supported coins
The program's documentation mentions Bitcoin (BTC) and the Lightning Network, and the app is built on Nostr as its underlying protocol. Vega is a social client rather than a wallet, so Lightning support is best understood as a connection to payments and tips inside the social experience, not as a place to store funds. If you plan to manage coins directly, use a dedicated wallet alongside the client.
How to install Vega on Windows
PS> winget install Hoornet.Vega- 1
Option one: install with winget
Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell and run winget install Hoornet.Vega. Winget downloads the program from its package source and handles the installation, so you do not need to search for an installer manually. Keep the terminal open until the command reports that the install has finished.
- 2
Option two: download the installer
Download only from the official website at veganostr.com or from the GitHub Releases page at github.com/hoornet/vega/releases. Choose the Windows .exe or .msi file, then run it from your Downloads folder once the file has been checked as described in the next step.
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Verify the minisign signature
Every release artifact for Windows, including the .exe and .msi files, ships with a minisign .sig file. These are the same signatures the built-in auto-updater checks. Use minisign to confirm that the installer matches its signature before you run it. If verification fails, delete the file and download it again from an official source.
- 4
Handle the SmartScreen warning
The installer is not yet code-signed, so Windows SmartScreen shows an Unknown publisher warning. After you have verified the signature, click More info and then Run anyway to continue. Do not disable Windows protection to get past this screen; the warning is a reason to check the file, not to turn off security.
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First launch and account setup
Open Vega and choose Create account to set a display name and generate keys, or choose I have a key to sign in with an existing nsec or npub. You can also browse the feeds first and sign up later from the account switcher.
How to use Vega
Vega is designed to feel familiar within a few minutes, but a short walkthrough helps you avoid common mistakes with keys and feeds. Start by opening the app and exploring the Global feed before posting anything.
- Switch between the Global, Following and Trending feeds to see how the network looks from different angles.
- Press Refresh to pull the latest notes, since the app shows cached content first when it starts.
- Open Settings, then Account, and copy your nsec to a secure offline location if you have created a new identity.
- Add a second identity through the account switcher if you need a separate profile for work or a project.
- Use the language and script dropdown in the feed header to narrow a feed to one writing system.
- Compose a note, paste or drag an image into the editor, then publish it from the composer.
- Reply inline to any note, and use the back navigation to move through a multi-level thread without losing your place.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source under the MIT license
- Native desktop experience built with Tauri, React and TypeScript
- Secure key storage through Windows Credential Manager
- Multi-account switcher for keeping several identities separate
- Read-only npub login and NIP-46 remote signer support
- Virtualized feed keeps long scrolling sessions responsive
- Language and script filter helps multilingual readers
- The installer is not yet code-signed, so SmartScreen shows a warning on install
- Losing your nsec means losing access to the account, with no password reset
- Focused on the desktop, so it is not the right choice for phone-based use
- New users must learn how Nostr keys work before they can use the app confidently
Is Vega safe?
Vega handles private keys, so treat installation and key management with care. Download only from the official website at veganostr.com or from the project's GitHub Releases page, never from a mirror or a link shared in a chat. Verify the .sig file with minisign before you run the installer, and expect the SmartScreen warning until code-signing is added. Keep your nsec private, store a backup offline, and never enter it on a third-party website or hand it to someone claiming to be support. If you are installing a new release, check the latest version on the official website first.
- Official source only. Download from veganostr.com. 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
Several Nostr programs serve different purposes. Nostrid is a multi-platform client with binaries for Android, Windows, macOS and Linux, so it is the better pick if you want one client across phone and computer. Notedeck is a Rust-based desktop Nostr browser from Damus, which suits people interested in that ecosystem and its tooling.
Vega is narrower in scope and more focused on the desktop experience. Its differences lie in the polished interface, the strong long-form writing support, the OS keychain integration and the multi-account switcher. Keychat, Bro App and Mostro Mobile are more specialized, covering chat with ecash, bill payments over Lightning or peer-to-peer exchange on mobile, so they serve different goals than a general social client.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- MIT
- Latest version
- 0.16.4
- Last update
- 29 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Yes (available via winget)
- Official site
- veganostr.com
- Source code
- github.com/hoornet/vega
- Install command
- winget install Hoornet.Vega
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Vega is free and released as open source software under the MIT license. You can download it from the official website or install it with winget using the package ID Hoornet.Vega. Because the code is public, developers and users can review how it works and contribute improvements through the project's GitHub repository.
Vega can be used safely when you download it from an official source, verify the minisign signature and keep your keys protected. The app stores nsec keys in Windows Credential Manager and supports read-only npub logins. The main risk is personal: never share your secret key or enter it on third-party websites, because anyone with it can sign in as you.
Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell and run winget install Hoornet.Vega. Winget downloads the program and installs it for you. After installation, launch Vega from the Start menu, then choose Create account or I have a key to begin. Check the installed version later to see whether a newer release is available.
The Windows installer is not yet code-signed, so SmartScreen cannot confirm the publisher and displays the Unknown publisher message. This does not automatically mean the file is unsafe. Verify the minisign signature first, then click More info and Run anyway. If the signature check fails, do not run the installer.
An nsec is your private key and gives full access to sign and publish under your identity. An npub is your public key and, when used for login, gives read-only access. Use npub when you only want to browse, and keep nsec for accounts you fully control. Never share an nsec with anyone.
Yes, you can browse the feeds without signing in. This lets you see how the Global, Following and Trending feeds work before deciding to join. When you are ready, the Create account and I have a key buttons start the same sign-up flow, and they are also available from the account switcher.
Yes, the multi-account switcher lets you save several identities and switch between them from the sidebar. Each identity stays separate, which helps you keep personal and professional posts apart. Switching does not require retyping keys, so it works well for people who manage more than one Nostr profile.
Yes, Vega supports NIP-46 remote signing through a bunker:// URI from tools such as nsecBunker or Amber. Your private key can remain on a separate device while the desktop app requests signatures. Sessions persist across restarts, which saves time for people who use this setup regularly.
Verdict
Vega suits Windows users who want a polished, free and open source desktop client for Nostr, especially those who value secure key storage, multiple identities and long-form writing. It rewards people willing to learn how keys work, because the convenience of remote signers and the keychain comes with personal responsibility for backups. If you want a mobile-first experience or a multi-platform client that also runs on phones, compare it with Nostrid. For a desktop-focused workflow with a refined interface, Vega is a strong choice.