Alternatives to Core Lightning

A modular Lightning Network node implementation written in C and Rust with a plugin system. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Core Lightning.

  • Lightning Network Daemon (LND)

    A reference implementation of a Lightning Network node that you run yourself as a daemon.

    FreeOpen sourceSelf-hostedCommand line

    LND is a widely used reference Lightning node with channel backup support, also self-hosted and command-line only, but without Core Lightning's plugins-in-any-language design.

  • Eclair

    A Scala implementation of the Lightning Network for running a Bitcoin Lightning node.

    FreeOpen sourceSelf-hostedCommand line

    Eclair is a Scala Lightning implementation that runs on the JVM, with a Docker image and Grafana dashboard, replacing Core Lightning's C and Rust codebase.

  • MyNode

    A Bitcoin and Lightning node distribution with a web interface and an app marketplace.

    FreemiumProprietaryWebSelf-hosted

    MyNode bundles a Bitcoin and Lightning node behind a web interface with an app marketplace, but it is not open source and some features need the paid Premium edition.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.