ZoneBitcoin EditorialThe open source software linked to Bitcoin are at the heart of its development and evolution. The Bitcoin community, made up of developers from around the world, is actively working on various open source projects aimed at improving the security, functionality, and usability of the Bitcoin network.
There are also privacy-focused open source projects, such as Wasabi Wallet and JoinMarket, which aim to increase the privacy of Bitcoin transactions. In addition, initiatives built on the Lightning Network show how open source collaboration can lead to meaningful innovations in the Bitcoin ecosystem.
These projects strengthen the robustness and sustainability of Bitcoin by allowing anyone to contribute to its development and participate in shaping its future.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of open source Bitcoin projects available and accessible today. We will update the list on an ongoing basis.
Mobile wallets
Here is the list of open source bitcoin and Lightning network wallets that you can use and even contribute to.
BlueWallet
BlueWallet is a powerful mobile wallet available on Android and iPhone that is both easy to use and packed with advanced user features including multisig.
–>Read our review and tutorial on BlueWallet
Breez Wallet
An easy-to-use Lightning wallet, available on Android and iPhone, that includes podcasting 2.0 and point-of-sale features. You can find out more at BreezWallet here.
Zeus
A simple app to interact with your own Lightning Full Node on Android and iPhone. The Zeus app is relatively simple to use for a beginner.
Phoenix
Phoenix is a Bitcoin wallet developed by ACINQ, which allows you to send and receive bitcoins securely over the Lightning network. It is self-custodial, meaning you hold the keys to the wallet.
—>Read our article on the Phoenix portfolio.
BitKit
Bitkit offers on-chain transactions as well as social profiles and contacts for sending bitcoin between users among other features. The app is available on Android and iOS.
Blink (formerly Bitcoin Beach Wallet)
Le Blink wallet was initially designed for the village of El Zonte, in El Salvador before opening up to other uses and becoming more international. It is community-focused with a simple interface that leverages a multisig custodian with keys held by trusted community members. It is one of the most used and practical wallets in Latin America.
Blixt Wallet
This is a Lightning focused Bitcoin wallet that is very easy to use, perfectly suited to beginners.
Muun Wallet
An easy-to-use mobile wallet on Android and iPhone that works with both traditional Bitcoin and Lightning payments.
Mercury Wallet
A privacy-focused wallet that uses a concept called statechains to allow users to trade bitcoins off-chain with minimal fees. Learn more about the site here.
GetAlby
GetAlby is a browser extension that allows you to use the Bitcoin Lightning Network directly from your browser. The extension is particularly easy to use for beginners. It is then possible to obtain bitcoin Lightning email addresses.
Desktop Wallets
Electrum
A powerful desktop wallet that can be used in a variety of ways, including hardware, multisig, and Lightning wallets.
Samurai Wallet
A renowned privacy wallet that facilitates the use of collaborative transactions to improve the confidentiality of on-chain transactions. samourai wallet also makes it easy to use your own node with Tor. It is suitable for users with an advanced level. However, it is a reference among bitcoiners.
Sparrow Wallet
Sparrow is a complete desktop wallet compatible with Electrum servers. Works with all major hardware wallets, including multisig setups, and supports paynym, payjoin and whirlpool coinjoin.
Specter Wallet
Specter Wallet is a desktop wallet that makes it easy to use any hardware wallet with your own node, including multisig setups.
Wasabi wallet
Wasabi is an open-source, non-custodial, privacy-focused Bitcoin wallet for Windows, Linux, and Mac. Useful Tor, CoinJoin features among others.
Bitcoin Utilities
OpenTimestamps
With OpenTimestamps, it is possible to create timestamps and later verify them independently.
BTC Map: A map to locate traders
Find shops and businesses that accept Bitcoin on a dynamic map. You can search directly on the map or according to the city of your choice.
Learn more BtcMap.org
Trading and exchange platforms
BISQ
A decentralized exchange that allows you to trade bitcoins for dollars, euros or even shitcoins directly with another person without providing any personal information to an exchange. No KYC on BISQ.
LNp2pBot
This is a Telegram bot that allows people to chat using the Lightning network with other people on Telegram. This is an open source project and anyone can contribute to it.
Robotsats
RoboSats is a simple P2P platform that allows you to exchange bitcoins for fiat currencies. Robosats simplifies the peer-to-peer user experience and uses flash hold invoices to minimize custody and trust requirements.
LN Market
LN Markets is a new type of Bitcoin derivatives trading platform, accessible only through the Lightning Network. Trading takes place directly from any Lightning wallet and provides lightning-fast access to derivatives markets. You can open a position by making a Lightning transaction, close the position and receive the money directly into your wallet.
Payment processors and tools
BTCPayServer
Accept Bitcoin for goods and services easily and reliably.
—-> Read our article on BTC Pay Server to accept payments for free.
Cashu
Cashu is a Chaumian Ecash wallet compatible for Bitcoin Lightning. Ideal for the most advanced levels.
Damus
A Twitter-like nostr client for iPhone, iPad and MacOS.
Fedimint
An open source protocol for the custody and transaction of bitcoins in a community context, built on a foundation of privacy.
Galoy
Galoy is a Bitcoin-native banking infrastructure that proves to be very useful and convenient to use for organizations looking to use Bitcoin and Lightning on an enterprise scale. Blink (formerly Bitcoin Beach Wallet) was designed by the Galoy platform, for example.
Tools for LN nodes
Immortan
Immortan is a minimal, privacy-focused implementation of the LN protocol, aimed specifically at powering lightweight LN nodes that are primarily on mobile phones or desktops and only manage private channels.
Hours
Hours is a web interface for JoinMarket focused on user-friendliness and ease of use. It aims to provide reasonable defaults and be easy to use for beginners while still providing the features advanced users expect.
LNBits
A platform that facilitates the integration of lightning into a wide variety of extensions.
FullyNoded
Standalone, secure, powerful and easy-to-use wallet that uses your own Bitcoin Core node as a backend, FullyNoded is a useful tool for assertive bitcoiners. Providing an easy-to-use interface to interact with your wallet-less node capabilities.
Mempool
A direct view of the current state of the Bitcoin network that can be easily used with your own node. To consult here.
RaspiBlitz
A Bitcoin full node implementation that makes it easier to use Lightning and Joinmarket. Learn more on Github here.
Snort
Snort is a nostr UI built with React aiming for speed and efficiency.
TBD
TBD seeks to build the next generation of the decentralized web: by sending data back to users.
ThunderHub
Lightning Node Manager
Open source Bitcoin equipment and devices
Nodl
A powerful and easy to run Bitcoin node 24/24. Learn more here.
SeedSigner
SeedSigner is a hardware wallet with a screen and camera that you can build yourself for around $50. If you want a larger screen and smart card support, you can build one yourself for around $250.
RoninDojo
RoninDojo is a Bitcoin full node implementation that supports Electrum and easy Samurai wallet integration via QR code and Tor.
Frameworks
Bitcoin Design Community
It is a free, open-source community resource for designers, developers, and others working on non-custodial Bitcoin products. Discover the site here.
Bitcoin Dev Kit
Bitcoin Des Kit is a library that allows you to seamlessly create cross-platform Bitcoin wallets in a step-by-step manner with extensive tutorials.
Lightning Dev Kit (LDK)
This is a library that allows you to create a Lightning node. LDKs is based on Rust-Lightning, a comprehensive Lightning implementation but also incredibly flexible, letting you decide how to use it.
Core Lightning
Today, Core Lightning is one of the leading Lightning implementations that leverages plugins to give you additional functionality and control.
JoinMarket
JoinMarket is a decentralized implementation of Coinjoin which provides users with additional privacy through the construction of collaborative transactions without a centralized server.
LND
The most popular Lightning network implementation currently available. You can consult it here.
Nix-Bitcoin
A collection of Nix packages and NixOS modules to easily setup full Bitcoin nodes with a focus on security. Learn more here.
Slashtags provides developers with tools to create secure, scalable peer-to-peer applications that give users control over their profiles, contacts, accounts and data.
Nostr
Our decentralized network based on cryptographic key pairs and which is not peer-to-peer, it is super simple and scalable and therefore has a chance of working.
—> Read our article to understand how to use Nostr
Useful tools
Tor
A network focused on preventing surveillance and censorship, often used by Bitcoin projects.
Final note:
All the projects mentioned have github pages if you too want to contribute. This list was also listed during the event Bitcoin Amsterdam which organized a competition for contributors. Outside of the competition, everyone is free to contribute and use these projects.
Finally, the list is not exhaustive. There are many other projects currently under development.
