The state of bitcoin (plug and play) nodes 🌐
Tags: bitcoin, nodes, verify, network
Published: 2022-08-23 14:21:00

Everyone can run a **bitcoin full node**, and you should too!

While it may sound complicated at first, the bitcoin node software space has come a long way over the past few years. There are **many options** to choose from to get **connected to the bitcoin network** and begin syncing the blockchain in minutes.

You may be wondering why someone would want to run their own node. The main reason for doing this is to **validate** that the bitcoin you hold in your wallet actually exist. This sounds alarming, but you cannot verify this fact unless you have a copy of the **blockchain history yourself**. While it is unlikely that the bitcoin you hold is 'fake bitcoin', the reality is: if you are using a wallet that is connected to somebody else's node, then you are trusting them with the **authenticity of your funds**. A good way to think of it is: 

> 'If my bitcoin live on the blockchain, then I should probably have a copy of that ledger to make sure they are there.' - a humble stacker 🤠

Other reasons for running your own node are:

- **greatly improved privacy** (if you use a public node you expose your **IP address** and **XPUB** to whoever is offering this service. this can be used to **view all** of your funds associated with a wallet and potentially **link them** to your identity.)


- **have a voice** during bitcoin protocol upgrades (the bitcoin protocol is **continually under development**, you may agree or disagree with some of the proposed changes. by running a node **you get to choose** which version of bitcoin you want to support in these situations.)


- **become censorship resistant** ([trusted third parties are security holes](https://nakamotoinstitute.org/trusted-third-parties/). by running a full node you are **guaranteed to have access** to the **bitcoin network anytime** and **without asking for permission**. you get to choose when you want to **broadcast a transaction**.)

- **decentralize the network** (**help** make it **impossible to shutdown** bitcoin by adding a node to the **distributed network** of peers that are communicating **across the globe**. another **small beacon of freedom** will come online and **discover** others who speak the same language.)

Connecting to the bitcoin network is an **exciting** and **rewarding** experience. Even though it is all code - there is something **magical** about bringing a new node online and **joining in the decentralized revolution**. There are **thousands** of nodes ready to sync with you their copy of the **immutable bitcoin history**, all the way back to the game-changing [Genesis Block](https://mempool.space/block/000000000019d6689c085ae165831e934ff763ae46a2a6c172b3f1b60a8ce26f).

The fact that you can verify **every single transaction** on a **global permissionless financial network** that settles billions of dollars of value a day, on **consumer grade** hardware, for **a few hundred dollars**, and run this **anywhere in the world**, is an **incredible** networking and human ingenuity feat to behold.

So what are you waiting for? Feel the sparks fly and plug in **YOUR node** today!

I have put together a list of **easy to use** bitcoin node options for anyone looking to **get started**. For each option I have included some basic information, but I have also provided links to the projects so that you can **DYOR** and decide for yourself which plug and play node you would like to **use and support**. Each node should have a **guide** and some kind of **support channel** to help you get up and running seamlessly.

Some of these projects offer more than just a bitcoin core node with additional services like a **lightning node**, **coinjoin software**, and other useful **bitcoin applications**. Also many of these projects **run over Tor** by default, so you will have **good privacy** features right out of the box.

I have listed these in **alphabetical order**. Please note that many of the options with prices also offer a free **DIY** version. Lastly, many of these projects are **open source** and are open to **contributors**.

![citadel](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/htpb4nd0929j7b50nm56.png) 
## Citadel
[runcitadel.space](https://runcitadel.space/)
**Price: Free or donation (hardware not included)**
This is a great open source project with a nice user-interface, it also has good documentation for installing on a Raspberry Pi or on any computer running Linux.



![mynode](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/9bh3c92km9hq9o3lfsrn.png) 
## myNode
[mynodebtc.com](https://mynodebtc.com/)
**Price: $429 USD**
One of the oldest plug and play node projects, myNode has a loyal user-base and may be the easiest option out there.



![nodl](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ecfa2ap7aetus18k0bnq.png) 
## nodl
[www.nodl.it](https://www.nodl.it/)
**Price: $529 USD**
Another project that has been around for a while, nodl has an extra focus on security with features like full disk encryption and a killswitch.



![raspiblitz](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/528a7cn8gghlq0zfia25.png) 
## RaspiBlitz
[raspiblitz.org](https://raspiblitz.org/)
**Price: €369 EUR**
The RaspiBlitz is a pillar in the bitcoin node space and they have recently added a web interface.



![ronindojo](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ecqdehsq4msujbeg5y9h.png) 
## RoninDojo
[ronindojo.io](https://ronindojo.io/)
**Price: $599 USD**
Privacy maximalists will love the folks building this software, they are connected with the Samourai Wallet crew and take no shortcuts in creating this privacy-focused offering.



![embassy](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/i8cedsz1282832lznw8b.png) 
## Start9 (Embassy)
[start9.com](https://start9.com/latest/)
**Price: $539 USD**
A fully custom operating system backs the Embassy personal server that your bitcoin core node will be running on.



![umbrel](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/chnwi46v0zybe303mtix.png) 
## Umbrel
[umbrel.com](https://umbrel.com/)
**Price: Free (hardware not included)**
Likely the most popular DIY node software out there, Umbrel has brought more awareness to the importance of self-hosting.

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As you can see there are **many great options** to **easily run** a bitcoin full node. If I missed any projects please let me know. Once you have your node **up and running** don't forget to **connect it** to whichever **wallets** you are using.

For more detailed information about bitcoin core you can check out these useful links:
[bitcoin.org/en/bitcoin-core](https://bitcoin.org/en/bitcoin-core/) 
[bitcoin.org/en/full-node](https://bitcoin.org/en/full-node)
[bitcoin.org/en/posts/how-to-run-a-full-node](https://bitcoin.org/en/posts/how-to-run-a-full-node)

**Thanks** so much for reading and I hope this article will inspire you to: **'don't trust, verify!'**. 🕵️‍♂️🕵️‍♀️