Zap Desktop is a free, open-source desktop wallet for the Lightning Network, aimed at people who want to send and receive small Bitcoin payments from a Windows PC. It is also listed for macOS and Linux, and its source code is released under the MIT License. Before you install it, be aware that the project is no longer actively maintained. Its last code update was on November 17, 2023, and the latest version is 0.7.7-beta.
Because the code has not changed in more than two years, it may not keep pace with newer Lightning Network software or with changes in Windows. That does not automatically make it unusable, but it does mean you should weigh the risks before using it with real funds. This page explains what the program does, who it suits, how to install it, and how it compares with other Lightning wallets.
What Is the Lightning Network?
The Lightning Network is a second-layer protocol built on top of Bitcoin. Two parties open a payment channel by committing funds in a transaction recorded on the Bitcoin blockchain. After that, they can exchange many payments between themselves off-chain, updating balances without publishing every step to the network.
This design makes small and frequent payments practical. A transaction that would be too expensive or slow to record on the base layer can be sent over an existing channel. Channels are closed later with a final on-chain transaction that settles the balances.
For a wallet user, the main idea is simple. You fund a Lightning balance, send or receive payments through invoices, and rely on the network to route value across channels. Understanding this model helps explain why Lightning wallets behave differently from ordinary on-chain Bitcoin wallets.
Who Zap Desktop Is For
Zap Desktop suits a few specific groups of readers. The first is people who want to try Lightning payments on a Windows computer and prefer a desktop application to a browser or phone app. The second is developers and students who want to study a real open-source Lightning wallet and its code.
It is less suitable for anyone who needs a fully maintained tool for daily high-value payments. Because the project has stopped receiving code updates, you should not expect new protocol features or ongoing fixes. Readers who want to hold significant amounts should look at actively maintained wallets instead.
Small experiments are a reasonable fit. Sending a few test payments with small amounts is a low-stakes way to learn how invoices, channels and balances interact before choosing a longer-term wallet.
Practical Use Cases for a Lightning Desktop Wallet
A common scenario is paying for an online service that accepts Lightning invoices. You copy the invoice, confirm the amount in the wallet, and approve the payment. The transaction usually completes much faster than an on-chain transfer would.
Another scenario is receiving payments. A freelancer or content creator can generate an invoice in the wallet and share it with a client. The payment appears in the balance once the Lightning transfer completes, without waiting for ordinary confirmation times.
A third use is learning. Someone who wants to understand Lightning can run small payments between two of their own wallets and watch how the balances change. This hands-on approach makes the concepts of channels, liquidity and routing much easier to grasp.
Key features
Lightning payments on Bitcoin
Free and open source
Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux
Built with JavaScript and TypeScript
Supported coins
The documentation lists Bitcoin (BTC) and the Lightning Network as the supported coins and networks. Because Lightning runs on top of Bitcoin, the wallet is centered on BTC payments rather than on a broad range of tokens or chains.
How to install Zap Desktop on Windows
PS> winget install LN-Zap.zap- 1
Open a terminal
Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell from the Start menu. The winget command runs from the command line, so a terminal window is the simplest starting point. If winget is unavailable on your system, download the installer only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page.
- 2
Run the install command
Type winget install LN-Zap.zap and press Enter. Winget downloads the package from its repository and checks it against the published hash before installing. Wait for the process to finish and confirm any prompts that appear.
- 3
Confirm the installation
When the command completes, look for Zap Desktop in the Start menu. If you prefer a manual check, compare the installer's SHA-256 checksum with the value published on the official GitHub page before running it.
-
Launch and set up the wallet
Open Zap Desktop and follow the on-screen setup. When the program shows you a seed phrase or recovery words, write them down on paper and store them offline. Never type a seed phrase into a website, chat or any third-party service.
How to use Zap Desktop
Zap Desktop is straightforward once it is installed, but it helps to understand the sequence before you move any money. Start with a small test amount so you can see how the app behaves.
- Launch Zap Desktop and complete the initial setup, keeping your recovery words in a safe offline location.
- Fund the wallet by following the in-app instructions for adding Bitcoin to your Lightning balance.
- Open a channel or confirm your existing liquidity so the app can send payments.
- To receive a payment, create an invoice in the app and share it with the sender.
- To send a payment, paste the recipient's invoice, check the amount and fee shown, and confirm.
- Wait for the status to show that the payment has completed before assuming it has settled.
- Review your balance and transaction history regularly to make sure everything matches what you expected.
Pros & cons
- Free to download and use
- Released under the MIT License with open source code
- Listed for Windows, macOS and Linux
- Installable on Windows with a single winget command
- Focused on Bitcoin Lightning payments
- Useful for learning how Lightning channels work
- No longer actively maintained; the last code update was on November 17, 2023
- Latest version 0.7.7-beta is a pre-release build
- Documented support covers only Bitcoin and the Lightning Network
- Unmaintained software may not receive fixes for later protocol changes
- Not the best choice for holding larger balances long term
Is Zap Desktop safe?
Zap Desktop handles payment keys, so treat it as a wallet that deserves careful handling. The project is unmaintained, and its last code update was on November 17, 2023, which means security issues found after that date may remain unpatched. Use only small amounts while you evaluate it.
Download the program from the official GitHub repository or through winget, not from unknown mirrors or search ads. Verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature when one is available. Never enter your seed phrase on third-party websites, in direct messages or in support chats, because no legitimate support team needs it.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/LN-Zap/zap-desktop. 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
Zap Desktop is a consumer-facing Lightning wallet for Windows, macOS and Linux, while several similar programs serve different needs. Polar, for example, creates local Lightning networks in one click, which suits developers testing applications rather than people sending real payments. Peach is also a free cross-platform desktop Lightning wallet, focused on simplifying micropayments, so it is the closer alternative for everyday use.
Spark Wallet is a minimal graphical interface for c-lightning that also runs on web and mobile. Lightning Peach Wallet comes from Bitfury and suits readers who want a wallet tied to that developer's ecosystem. Choosing between them depends on whether you prioritize active maintenance, platform coverage or a development focus.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- MIT License
- Latest version
- 0.7.7-beta
- Last update
- 17 Nov 2023
- Windows support
- Yes (available via winget)
- Official site
- github.com/LN-Zap/zap-desktop
- Source code
- github.com/ln-zap/zap-desktop
- Install command
- winget install LN-Zap.zap
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Zap Desktop is free to download and use. Its source code is published under the MIT License, which allows reading and modifying the code under the license terms. The license cost is zero, but you should still consider the project's unmaintained status before relying on it.
The program can be used with care, but it is no longer actively maintained. Its last code update was on November 17, 2023. Download it only from the official sources, verify the checksum, protect your recovery words, and start with small amounts to limit your exposure.
Open a terminal and run winget install LN-Zap.zap. Winget downloads and installs the package automatically. After installation, open Zap Desktop from the Start menu and complete the setup, writing down any recovery words the app shows you on paper.
The documentation lists Bitcoin (BTC) and the Lightning Network. Because Lightning is a payment layer on top of Bitcoin, the wallet focuses on BTC payments. It is not designed as a multi-coin wallet for tokens or other blockchains.
Yes, the program is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux. The Windows installation method uses winget, while macOS and Linux users should follow the instructions on the official GitHub page. The core Lightning functions are the same across these platforms.
Peach is a free cross-platform Lightning desktop wallet built for micropayments. Spark Wallet offers a minimal interface for c-lightning on web, mobile and desktop. For developers, Polar builds local Lightning networks for testing, which makes it a different kind of tool.
Verdict
Zap Desktop is best suited to curious users and developers who want to explore the Lightning Network on Windows and are comfortable with an unmaintained project. It is free, open source and easy to install with winget, which makes it a useful study tool. For everyday payments or larger balances, choose a wallet that receives active updates. Before installing, check the latest version on the official website and keep your recovery words offline.