Pros
- Maximum sovereignty design
- Can install on any x86/ARM hardware
- Privacy-first philosophy
Cons
- Steeper learning curve
- Smaller app selection
- Requires more technical comfort
Best Bitcoin Node Software in 2026
Free, open-source node software you can install on your own hardware. A Raspberry Pi or old laptop is all you need.
Short answer
StartOS (9.3/10) is the best free node software, and Umbrel (9.2/10) is the easiest. RaspiBlitz is the best fit for a Raspberry Pi, and Nix-Bitcoin suits people who already run NixOS. All of them are free, so the only cost is the hardware: a mini PC or Raspberry Pi with a 1 TB or larger SSD.
| Best overall | StartOS | Free. Medium difficulty. |
| Easiest | Umbrel (Software) | Free. App-store interface. |
| Best for Raspberry Pi | RaspiBlitz (Software) | Free. Lightning-focused. |
| Best for experts | Nix-Bitcoin | Free. Reproducible NixOS setup. |
Updated September 2026
Browse By Type
DIY node software is free but requires your own hardware. A Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB+) or old laptop works great. You'll need at least 1TB of storage for the full Bitcoin blockchain.
Software Nodes
5 options
Pros
- Free to install on any hardware
- Same great app store experience
- Works on Pi, old laptop, NUC
Cons
- App store model questions
- Not purely Bitcoin-focused
- Some centralization concerns
Pros
- Fully open source
- Great for learning Bitcoin/Lightning
- Active community development
Cons
- Command line heavy
- Raspberry Pi has limitations
- Not as polished as Umbrel/Start9
Pros
- Reproducible builds
- Maximum security posture
- Least-privilege service operation
Cons
- Requires NixOS knowledge
- Steep learning curve
- Not for beginners
Pros
- Free community edition
- Easy setup process
- Good documentation
Cons
- Some features paywalled
- Less active than Umbrel/Start9
- Smaller community
Hardware you need
Any recent mini PC, an old laptop, or a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 will run a node. The part that matters most is the drive: use an SSD, not a hard drive, with at least 1 TB. A hard drive can take weeks to sync.
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a Bitcoin node on a Raspberry Pi?
Yes. A Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 with an SSD runs Umbrel, RaspiBlitz, or StartOS well.
Is node software free?
Every option on this page is free to install.