What is Nostr?

Nostr is a new decentralized protocol for communicating online — no single company controls it, Bitcoin zaps are built in, and you can move between apps without losing your followers.

Nostr is similar to email: no one owns the protocol, anyone can build an app on top of it, and you can pick whichever app you like best. Unlike Twitter or Facebook, there's no central company that can censor, deplatform, or deboost you.

Below is the short version of why Nostr matters — then every free Nostr client you need to get started today.

Protocol, not platform

Nostr is a new protocol that lets you communicate online without fear of censorship, deplatforming, or deboosting.

Platforms like Twitter and Facebook are controlled by a single company, but no one controls the Nostr protocol.

Freedom to move

Nostr is similar to email. No one controls the email protocol, and anyone can build a client (like Gmail, Hotmail, etc.) on top of it.

No one controls the Nostr protocol either, and anyone can build a client (like Damus, Amethyst, etc.) on top of it.

If you don't like how a certain client works, you can seamlessly move your Nostr account to another client without losing your followers or content.

Bitcoin is built in

Bitcoin is built in natively to the Nostr protocol. If you see content you like, you can easily zap Bitcoin to someone as a thank you!

On centralized platforms like Twitter and Facebook, the centralized company earns money from your content. But on open protocols like Nostr, you earn money from your content.

GO DEEPER

Learn more about Nostr on nostr.how

Download a free Nostr client

Nostr clients are free apps that let you read and post on the Nostr network. All of them are interoperable — you can switch clients anytime and keep your followers and content.