Nostr is a simple, open protocol that enables truly decentralised social networking. No single company controls it. Your identity is yours. Your data goes where you go.
Nostr is an open protocol — like email or HTTP — that anyone can build on. It uses public-key cryptography so every message you send is signed and verifiable. No account, no phone number, no email required. Just a key pair.
{
"id": "a1b2c3...",
"pubkey": "npub1x9k...",
"created_at": 1706400000,
"kind": 1,
"content": "Hello, Nostr!",
"sig": "f4e5d6..."
}Your identity is a key pair. Your public key is your username, your secret key signs everything you post. No passwords, no databases, no third party controlling your account.
Relays are simple servers that store and forward messages. Anyone can run one. You choose which relays to publish to, and your followers find your notes across the network.
Sign into any Nostr client with the same key pair. Damus, Primal, Amethyst, Snort — your identity, followers, and content travel with you across every app.
No single entity can ban you from the entire network. As long as one relay will host your content, you can still reach your audience. The network is resilient by design.
Send and receive instant Bitcoin micropayments via the Lightning Network. Tip content creators directly — no middleman, no fees to the platform.
Unhappy with your app? Switch. Your identity isn't owned by anyone. Nostr accounts are based on cryptographic keys, not platform-specific usernames locked inside a walled garden.
"Nostr is an open protocol. If a platform is a silo, a protocol is a river: no one owns it, and everyone is free to swim."
— Edward Snowden
Nostr flips the internet paradigm: instead of dumb clients talking to smart servers, Nostr gives you smart clients and simple relays.
Create a secret key (nsec) and public key (npub). Your public key is your identity on the network. Keep your secret key safe — it's the only way to prove you are you.
Pick any app that speaks the Nostr protocol. Mobile, desktop, or web — they all work with your keys. You're never locked into a single application.
Your client sends cryptographically signed notes to relays. Anyone connected to those relays can read your content. No algorithm decides who sees it.
One account, infinite possibilities. Pick a client, connect your keys, and you're in. Here are some of the most popular ways to experience Nostr.
The premier iOS Nostr client. Clean, polished, and built for Apple users.
iOS • macOSFeature-rich Android client with powerful relay management and content discovery.
AndroidCross-platform client with built-in Lightning wallet. Available everywhere.
Web • iOS • AndroidFast, lightweight web client. No downloads required — just open your browser.
WebPrivacy-focused, minimalist web client for a calm social experience.
WebDesktop-first power-user client with fine-grained relay control.
DesktopNostr is a protocol, not a platform. No single company owns it, controls your data, or can ban you. You own your identity through cryptographic keys, and you can use any compatible client app while keeping all your followers and content.
Yes! Nostr is a free and open protocol. Most client apps are free to download and use. Some relays may require small payments to prevent spam, but there are plenty of free relays available.
Your secret key (nsec) is the only way to prove ownership of your identity. If you lose it, you cannot recover your account. Always keep multiple secure backups of your secret key!
Absolutely! Many users run both in parallel while transitioning. You can even link your Nostr identity to your existing social profiles. Tools exist to help you find your Twitter followers who are already on Nostr.
Join thousands of people building a more open internet. Create your keys, pick a client, and start connecting — no sign-up form required.