Freenet is a fully decentralized peer-to-peer platform for building applications, described as a drop-in replacement for the world wide web. Apps run in the browser but the backend is a global network of user computers rather than cloud servers. It works as a global key-value store where keys are WebAssembly programs called 'contracts' that define validity, modification rules, and synchronization of shared state. Peers form a small-world network routed on a ring, scaling to millions of peers without servers.
What it's for
Decentralized group chat (River)Building decentralized alternatives to messaging, social media, email, and e-commerce servicesPublishing static websites on a decentralized networkEmbedding the Freenet core in other software via HTTP/WebSocket APIRunning peer-to-peer apps with no servers or cloud bills
Features 13
- Decentralized group chat app (River)
- Delegates: user-side programs holding private state acting on the user's behalf
- Ghost Keys: cryptographic anonymous-but-verifiable identities
- Live network dashboard showing peer activity
- Local HTTP/WebSocket proxy for browser-based app access
- No decentralized DNS; uses content-addressed contract hashes and personal petname-style naming
- Publish static websites on the network
- Small (<10MB) embeddable Freenet core communicating via HTTP/WebSocket API
- Small-world peer-to-peer routing on a ring topology
- UDP-based transport layer with NAT traversal
- UI components for connecting browser apps to the Freenet network
- Uninstall CLI command with per-platform cleanup options
- WebAssembly-based 'contracts' defining valid state, modification rules, and synchronization
At a glance
free tieropen sourceself-hostableAPI
DeploymentHybrid
PlatformsWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Forusers, developers, supporters
CompanyThe Freenet Project Inc. · 2001
Pricing
No paid plans are described; the project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit funded through donations and grants (see freenet.org/donate).
Similar apps
ChitchatterA peer-to-peer chat app that is serverless, decentralized, and ephemeralPriceNot statedTry free—Runs onWebFeatures3
RetroshareOpen sourcesecure communication for everyonePriceFreeTry freeFree planRuns onAndroid · Linux +2Features20
MeshChatXOpen sourceThe future of decentralized communication. Secure, resilient, and unstoppable messaging over Reticulum.PriceNot statedTry free—Runs onWeb · Windows +3Features14
BertyOpen sourceWe build tools to enhance communication freedomPriceFreeTry freeFree planRuns onAndroid · iOS +2Features14
WireMinChat Freely, SecurelyPriceNot statedTry free—Runs oniOS · Android +3Features12
RatspeakOpen sourceA New Network. New Privacy.PriceFreeTry freeFree planRuns onWindows · macOS +3Features11