GNUnet
A GNU network protocol stack for building secure, decentralised and privacy-preserving peer-to-peer applications.
These buttons open the developer's own site, repository or store listing in a new tab. wares.gg does not host downloads.
1 more ways to get GNUnet
Package managers
- Homebrew
brew install gnunet
About GNUnet
GNUnet is a network protocol stack meant to replace parts of the conventional Internet with a design that protects metadata as well as content. It has its roots in academic research and focuses on the information that normal transport encryption still exposes, such as who talks to whom, when and how often.
The project publishes regular releases, including version 0.29.0 in August 2026, alongside libraries such as libgnunetchat. It suits developers, researchers and privacy enthusiasts who want to run or build on a decentralised network rather than casual users looking for a finished app.
Strengths
- Designed to protect metadata, not only message content
- Backed by academic research
- Regular releases, most recently 0.29.0 in August 2026
- Detailed handbook and API documentation
Limitations
- A protocol stack and framework rather than a polished end-user app
- Technical to install and understand
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree software from the GNU project with no paid tier.
- License
- Open source, license not stated
- Developer
- The GNUnet contributors
- Platforms
- Linux
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Best suited for
- Developers and researchers exploring decentralised, metadata-resistant networking
- Categories
- Network tools, Privacy tools
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.
Alternatives to GNUnet
Compare allSoftware that can replace GNUnet for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
I2P
Encrypted overlay network for anonymous sites, messaging and file sharing.
I2P is a ready-to-use encrypted overlay network for anonymous sites, email and torrents on desktop and Android, rather than a framework for developers.
Hyphanet
A peer-to-peer network for censorship-resistant, anonymous publishing and communication, formerly known as Freenet.
Hyphanet focuses on censorship-resistant anonymous publishing with plugins for sites and forums, and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Freenet
A peer-to-peer platform for decentralized apps that run without central servers, starting with River chat.
Freenet is a peer-to-peer platform for decentralized apps starting with River chat, with a browser demo and desktop peers, but it is not open source.
Lokinet
Onion-routed network built on staked nodes, routing at the IP layer.
Lokinet is an onion-routed network on staked nodes that routes at the IP layer for any application, with a smaller anonymity set than Tor.
Yggdrasil
An experimental, end-to-end encrypted IPv6 mesh network run as a lightweight userspace software router.
Yggdrasil is an experimental encrypted IPv6 mesh network that runs on many platforms, but it does not aim to hide your IP address.
RetroShare
A decentralized, encrypted friend-to-friend network for chat, mail, forums, channels and file sharing.
RetroShare is a friend-to-friend network with chat, forums and file sharing in one desktop and Android app, rather than a protocol stack.
GNUnet as an alternative
Listings that name GNUnet as an alternative.
Reticulum
Cryptography-based networking stack that spans radio and IP links.
GNUnet is a GNU peer-to-peer protocol stack focused on metadata protection, Linux only and technical to install, without Reticulum's radio link support.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
Arti
The Tor Project's rewrite of the Tor client in the Rust programming language.
i2pd
A full-featured C++ implementation of the I2P router for joining the anonymous I2P network.
IPFS Desktop
A desktop app that runs an IPFS node for sharing files over the peer-to-peer IPFS network.
Berty
An open-source peer-to-peer messenger that works without central servers and can operate offline.
Quiet
A peer-to-peer team chat app that syncs messages between members' devices over Tor, with no server.
Tribler
An open-source BitTorrent client with built-in search and Tor-inspired onion routing for more private downloading.
