Zaplytics is a free, open source analytics tool for creators who receive Lightning zaps on Nostr. If you publish on Nostr and want to see how your zap earnings change over days, weeks or months, this program is built for that job. It runs as a web-based tool rather than a classic installer, and the project's documentation mentions Windows, so Windows users can run it from their browser.
Zaplytics reads zap receipts from Nostr relays and turns them into charts and breakdowns. The code is released under the MIT license and was last updated in August 2026, so the project is actively maintained. Treat it as an analytics companion, not a wallet or a posting client.
What Are Zaps and Why Track Them?
A zap is a small Lightning Network payment that a Nostr user sends to another user, usually attached to a specific note or post. It works like a tip, and the amount is set by the sender. Each zap is recorded as a zap receipt that is published to Nostr relays, which means the activity is visible to anyone who knows where to look.
Because individual zaps are often small, the total matters more than any one payment. Tracking zaps over time shows whether your content is building a steady audience or relying on occasional spikes. Without a tool like Zaplytics, most creators only see a running sum, with no sense of when the income came in or what caused it.
Who Is Zaplytics For?
Zaplytics is aimed at people who publish regularly on Nostr and receive zaps as part of their audience relationship. Writers, photographers, artists and developers are typical examples. If you post a photo series, for instance, you can compare the seven-day window right after release with the 30-day window to see whether the series kept earning after the first few days.
The tool is less useful for casual readers who zap a few times a month. Its value grows with the amount of activity you have, because patterns only become clear across many receipts. If you are just starting out, check the charts after a month of consistent posting before drawing conclusions.
How Zaplytics Gathers Its Data
Zaplytics works client-side, which means the queries run in your browser and talk directly to Nostr relays. There is no need to send your activity to a separate server owned by the project. This approach keeps the app lightweight and makes it easier to understand where your numbers come from.
Sign-in relies on a NIP-07 compatible browser extension. The extension handles authentication, so your private key stays under its control rather than being pasted into the page. Because the data comes from relays, results can vary depending on which relays you and your audience use, and that is worth keeping in mind when comparing numbers across tools.
Key features
Multi-range zap tracking
Interactive earnings charts
Breakdowns by content and performance
Supported coins
Zaplytics is built around the Lightning Network and the Nostr protocol. It reads zap receipts from Nostr relays, so the activity it shows is tied to Lightning payments sent through Nostr posts.
How to install Zaplytics on Windows
- 1
Open the official website
Go to zaplytics.app in your browser. Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub repository, and avoid mirror sites or links shared in unknown posts.
- 2
Choose how you want to run it
Because Zaplytics runs in the browser, there is no traditional installer to run. If you want a local copy, the project publishes its source code on GitHub. Building it yourself is a developer task and is not needed for everyday use.
-
Launch and sign in
Open the app in your browser with a NIP-07 compatible extension installed and unlocked. The extension handles sign-in, so you do not need to paste private keys into the page.
System requirements
- A web browser on your Windows PC
- A NIP-07 compatible browser extension for Nostr authentication
How to use Zaplytics
Zaplytics is simple to use once you are signed in. The main workflow is to pick a time range, review the chart and then drill into the breakdowns.
- Open Zaplytics in your browser and confirm that your NIP-07 extension is unlocked.
- Sign in so the app can connect to Nostr relays and load your zap receipts.
- Select a time range such as 24 hours, seven days, 30 days, 90 days or a custom window.
- Review the earnings chart and note any sharp peaks or quiet stretches.
- Open the breakdowns by content type and time period to see which posts drove the activity.
- Compare two ranges, such as the week after a post with the month before it, to judge its impact.
- Keep a simple log of major posts so you can connect chart changes with specific decisions.
Review your numbers after several weeks rather than daily, since short windows can be misleading. Zap totals are easiest to interpret when you combine them with your own posting schedule.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source under the MIT license
- Covers 24h, 7d, 30d, 90d and custom time ranges
- Interactive charts make earnings trends easy to read
- Works client-side with Nostr relays
- Focused on zap earnings, so the interface stays clear
- Windows is mentioned in the documentation, but it runs as a browser-based tool rather than a dedicated Windows application
- Sign-in requires a NIP-07 compatible browser extension
- Covers Lightning zaps on Nostr only, not other income sources
- Narrow scope: it is not a wallet or a posting client
Is Zaplytics safe?
Zaplytics is not a wallet, but it is tied to your Nostr identity, so basic care still matters. Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub repository. Do not sign in through links shared on social media, and never enter a seed phrase or private key on a third-party site. Sign-in should go through your NIP-07 extension, which keeps your private key out of the page.
If you download a build file, compare its SHA-256 checksum with the value published by the developer, or verify its signature when one is offered. The project was last updated in August 2026, but check the latest version on the official website before you install or update.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/derekross/zaplytics. 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
Most programs in the Nostr category are clients for reading and posting notes. Amethyst, Vega, Notedeck and Nostrid fall into this group, and each covers a much broader set of tasks than Zaplytics. Zaplytics does a different job: it measures zap income instead of managing your feed.
If you already use a client for daily posting, Zaplytics can sit alongside it as an analytics tool. Blockcore Notes and Prettygood take other angles, focusing on organizing follows and building a web of trust. Choose a client for everyday use and Zaplytics when you want clear numbers on your earnings.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- MIT
- Latest version
- —
- Last update
- 11 Aug 2026
- Windows support
- Unverified (Windows mentioned in docs)
- Source code
- github.com/derekross/zaplytics
Frequently asked questions
Zaplytics is a free, open source analytics tool for Nostr users who receive Lightning zaps. It tracks zap receipts across several time ranges and presents the results in charts and breakdowns. It is aimed mainly at content creators who want a clearer picture of their earnings over time.
Yes. Zaplytics is free and open source under the MIT license, so anyone can read its code on GitHub, study how it works and reuse it under the license terms. The tool is designed for creators who want analytics without adding another paid service to their workflow.
Windows is mentioned in the project's documentation, and Zaplytics runs in a web browser, so you can use it on a Windows PC through the browser you already have. It is best thought of as a browser-based experience rather than a standalone Windows program. The layout and features are the same regardless of the operating system.
Zaplytics is generally low risk when you use it carefully, because it is a viewer for your zap data rather than a wallet. Sign-in happens through a NIP-07 compatible browser extension, which keeps your private key out of the page. Never enter a seed phrase or private key on a site that asks for one, and read the safety section before you sign in.
You need a NIP-07 compatible browser extension for Nostr authentication. Install it in your browser, set up your Nostr account within the extension, and unlock it before opening Zaplytics. Once it is unlocked, the app can request the signed authentication it needs without seeing your private key.
You can view zap earnings over 24 hours, seven days, 30 days and 90 days. There is also a custom range option for any period you want to examine, such as a campaign or a launch week. Comparing a short window with a longer one is a good way to see whether a post had lasting impact.
Zaplytics focuses on zaps on the Lightning Network within the Nostr ecosystem. Zaps are small Lightning payments sent as tips on Nostr posts, so the tool is about that activity rather than general crypto holdings. It does not track other coins or trading positions.
Verdict
Zaplytics is a good fit for Nostr creators who want clear, honest numbers on their zap earnings. It is free, open source and focused on one job, which makes it easy to understand. If you need a full Nostr client for reading and posting, pair Zaplytics with one of the clients mentioned above rather than expecting it to replace them. Read the safety notes before you sign in, and check the latest version on the official website.