RaspiBlitz review: a do-it-yourself Bitcoin and Lightning node
RaspiBlitz is a free, open-source project that turns a Raspberry Pi into a Bitcoin and Lightning node, with an optional touchscreen on the case.
RaspiBlitz is the best node software for a Raspberry Pi and for learning Lightning: it is MIT licensed, supports both LND and Core Lightning, and teaches you how the parts fit together. The trade-off is effort and pace. Setup leans on terminal menus, the project now recommends a Pi 5 with a 2 TB NVMe drive, and the latest release is from March 2026. The pre-built version is out of stock at DIYnodes, so plan to build your own.
I have not run RaspiBlitz myself. This review comes from the project's documentation, its GitHub source, changelog, and pull requests, and the shops it lists, all read on November 7, 2026.
Disclosure: I work at Blockstream, the company that makes the Jade wallets mentioned here. I joined after many years as a satisfied user. There are no affiliate links on this site.
What RaspiBlitz is and who makes it
RaspiBlitz is a community project, released under the MIT license, that builds a Bitcoin and Lightning full node on a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 with a small display for setup and monitoring. Its README says it is mainly aimed at learning how to run your own node from home.
The software is a set of bash and Python scripts on a Debian base, plus a web interface and an API in side repositories. You flash an SD card image, and the scripts install and configure Bitcoin Core, a Lightning implementation, and whatever extra apps you pick.
The current release is v1.12.1, published March 3, 2026. It updated Bitcoin Core to v29.2, Core Lightning to v25.12.1, and electrs to v0.10.10, with Bitcoin Knots 29.2 as an option.
Who RaspiBlitz is for, and who should pick something else
RaspiBlitz suits someone who wants to understand their node, is comfortable at a terminal, and wants Lightning tools close at hand. It is also the natural fit if you already own a Raspberry Pi 5 and want a node on it.
Pick something else if you want to set up from a browser and never see a command line. Umbrel and MyNode both run on a Pi with a browser setup, and Start9 sells a ready-made box with support.
Hardware you need in 2026
The project's hardware advice has moved on. Its parts list now says it strongly recommends a Raspberry Pi 5 with 8 GB of RAM, calls the Pi 4 "not recommended anymore", and suggests NVMe drives of 2 TB or more. Since v1.12.0, RaspiBlitz can boot and run directly from NVMe on the Pi 5. The Pi 4 has no NVMe support.
| Part | What the project lists | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Computer | Raspberry Pi 5, 8 GB | RaspiBlitz still supports the Pi 4, but the project no longer recommends it. |
| Storage | NVMe SSD, 2 TB or larger | The setup docs require at least 1 TB, and the blockchain is already more than 800 GB on disk. |
| Display | 3.5 inch touchscreen, 480 x 320 | Optional. The docs recommend it for easier setup and monitoring, and it shows the node's address on first boot. |
| Power and cooling | Official 27 W Pi 5 power supply and the Pi 5 Active Cooler | These are the parts the project tests and lists by name. |
You can also run it in a virtual machine, on Proxmox, or on an old laptop, but the setup docs call those platforms experimental. Price the full kit before you buy a new Pi. My Raspberry Pi server projects guide covers other jobs a Pi can do and what the parts cost.
Buying it pre-built
RaspiBlitz's docs list two shops that sell it pre-built: DIYnodes and yourdevice.ch.
DIYnodes' Prebuilt RaspiBlitz costs €299 with 4 GB of RAM or €369 with 8 GB, and both are out of stock today. It is a Raspberry Pi 4 with a 1 TB SSD, the touchscreen, a steel case, and a power supply. The SD card comes blank, so you flash the latest RaspiBlitz image yourself, and you can order the blockchain presynced. That build is a Pi 4 with 1 TB, below what the project now recommends on both counts.
yourdevice.ch in Switzerland sells a Raspberry Pi 5 node with a 2 TB SSD with RaspiBlitz installed and synced, at CHF 619 with 4 GB or CHF 649 with 8 GB. The RaspiBlitz versions are listed as available on backorder.
Setting it up
Follow the RaspiBlitz setup guide for the current steps. In outline:
- 1Assemble the Pi, the drive, the cooler, and the optional display.
- 2Download the latest SD card image from the RaspiBlitz download page. The FATPACK image includes the web interface and suits beginners; the MINIMAL image is set up over SSH.
- 3Check the image's SHA-256 checksum and its GPG signature against the maintainers' key listed on that page before you flash it. That proves the image is the one the project published.
- 4Flash the card, connect the Pi to your router with a cable, and boot it. The display shows the node's local address, and you continue setup from your computer on the same network.
- 5Let Bitcoin Core sync. On a Pi this takes days.
- 6Add an Electrum server (electrs or Fulcrum) and connect your wallet to it.
Lightning, apps, and hardware wallets
Lightning is where RaspiBlitz goes deepest. It supports both LND and Core Lightning, and the project keeps a Core Lightning FAQ alongside the general one. The v1.12.0 changelog updated Lightning Terminal, LNbits, Alby Hub, LNDg, Channel Tools, BTCPay Server, Mempool, Specter Desktop, Jam for JoinMarket, and Fulcrum, which gives a sense of the app list. My Lightning node guide explains what running one involves.
For on-chain savings, the node does not hold your keys. Pair a hardware wallet with Sparrow and point Sparrow at the electrs or Fulcrum server on your RaspiBlitz. Electrs vs Fulcrum helps you choose.
Updates and security record
RaspiBlitz has no published GitHub security advisories. Its security policy says fixes go to the latest version only, and urgent patches can be applied from the node's update menu before the next release. Moving to v1.12 is one-way: the drive layout changed, so you cannot go back to an older version.
The update pace is the weak spot. Bitcoin Core published three advisories on October 28, 2026, with fixes in 29.5, 30.4, 31.2, and 32.1. RaspiBlitz v1.12.1 ships Bitcoin Core 29.2, and the pull request to move it to 29.5 and LND to 0.21.6 is still open. Umbrel, Start9, and MyNode all ship patched Bitcoin Core versions today.
How RaspiBlitz compares
| RaspiBlitz | Umbrel | StartOS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| License | MIT | PolyForm Noncommercial | MIT |
| Raspberry Pi | Pi 5 (recommended) or Pi 4 | Pi 5 (recommended) or Pi 4 | Pi 4 only |
| Setup | Terminal menus and touchscreen | Browser | Browser |
| Lightning choice | LND or Core Lightning | LND or Core Lightning apps | LND or Core Lightning services |
Against Umbrel and Start9, RaspiBlitz trades polish for transparency: you see the scripts and the services they start. Nodl is the other European pre-built option, and the full field is ranked on my Bitcoin node page.
Verdict
Build a RaspiBlitz if you want to learn Bitcoin and Lightning from the inside and you own, or will buy, a Pi 5 with a 2 TB NVMe drive. The MIT license and the depth of Lightning tooling are its strengths.
Skip the DIYnodes pre-built until it returns with a Pi 5 and a larger drive, and watch the release page for a version with the October Bitcoin Core fixes before you trust it with Lightning funds.
Frequently asked questions
Is RaspiBlitz free?
Yes. The software is free and MIT licensed. You pay only for the Raspberry Pi, the SSD, and the optional display.
Does RaspiBlitz work on a Raspberry Pi 5?
Yes, and the project now recommends a Pi 5 with 8 GB of RAM. Since v1.12.0 it can boot from an NVMe drive on the Pi 5.
Can I still use a Raspberry Pi 4?
It still runs, but the project calls the Pi 4 not recommended anymore, and the Pi 4 cannot use NVMe storage. Moving to v1.12 is one-way, because the drive layout changed.
Where can I buy a pre-built RaspiBlitz?
The project lists DIYnodes and yourdevice.ch. DIYnodes' Pi 4 version is out of stock, and yourdevice.ch lists a Pi 5 node with RaspiBlitz on backorder.
Does RaspiBlitz support Core Lightning?
Yes. RaspiBlitz supports both LND and Core Lightning, and v1.12.1 ships Core Lightning v25.12.1.