Freenet
a peer-to-peer platform for decentralized apps
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What is Freenet?
Freenet is a fully decentralized, peer-to-peer platform for building and running decentralized applications including communication, collaboration, and commerce without reliance on big tech. Your computer becomes part of a global network where apps are unstoppable, interoperable, and built on open protocols. Peers form a small-world network organized by location on a ring, allowing messages to find their destination in just a few hops and scaling efficiently to millions of peers without servers.
Freenet apps run in your browser and look like normal websites, but they cannot be taken down, don't track you, and run peer-to-peer instead of on the cloud. The platform operates as a global key-value store where keys are WebAssembly code (contracts) that define validity rules, modification requirements, and synchronization methods. Apps have three components: Contracts (shared state on the network), Delegates (private data on your device), and UI (web interface).
For developers, Freenet enables building apps with familiar tools like Rust and TypeScript that deploy to a global network with no servers to maintain, no cloud bills, and no terms of service. Applications compile to WebAssembly and run across the peer-to-peer network. For users, it provides decentralized alternatives to centralized services like messaging, social media, email, and e-commerce. The platform is suited for anyone seeking greater control and freedom in digital interactions, as well as developers building decentralized systems.
Freenet is nearing an initial network launch and is currently under active development as an alpha build. At this stage it primarily interests developers interested in building decentralized systems. The core is small (under 10MB) and can be embedded in other software via an HTTP/WebSocket API, making it accessible through standard web browsers or integrated into third-party applications.
Freenet pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
Freenet is free and open source. The project is a 501c3 non-profit organization funded through grants and donations. There are no paid plans or pricing tiers. Users can download the app for Windows and macOS free of charge. Developers can build and deploy apps without server costs or cloud bills. The project accepts donations via credit card, cryptocurrency, or through their Ghost Key mechanism.
Freenet pros
- Fully decentralized peer-to-peer network with no central servers
- Apps cannot be taken down or censored
- No user tracking or surveillance
- Scalable to millions of peers efficiently
- Small-world routing enables messages in just a few hops
- Works like normal websites in your browser
- Interoperable by default across all apps
- No cloud bills or server maintenance for developers
- No terms of service to worry about
- Build with familiar tools: Rust and TypeScript
- Applications compile to WebAssembly
- Contract's key is hash of WASM code for security
- Delegates store private keys locally on user device
- Efficient synchronization using summaries and deltas
- Core is under 10MB and embeddable in other software
- HTTP/WebSocket API for integration
- End-to-end operating system for decentralized apps
- Decentralized search engine for app discovery
- ghosts Keys enable private reputation establishment
- Commutative monoids ensure consistent state regardless of update order
Freenet cons
- Alpha build - not yet production-ready
- Do not use for sensitive data yet
- Auto-updates may break older versions over time
- Telemetry reports diagnostic data including OS and peer activity
- No built-in anonymity (must layer anonymizing systems on top)
- Not backwards compatible with old Freenet
- Contracts must be written in Rust only
- Public network under active development
- Build from source required - packaged binaries coming soon
- Invite codes limited to 5 per day for official chat room
- Strict corporate firewalls may block UDP hole punching connections
Frequently asked questions about Freenet
What is Freenet?
Freenet is a fully decentralized, peer-to-peer network and a drop-in replacement for the world wide web. It operates as a global shared computer, providing a platform for sophisticated decentralized software systems. Freenet allows developers to create decentralized alternatives to centralized services including messaging, social media, email, and e-commerce. It's designed for simplicity and flexibility and can be used seamlessly through your web browser.
How does Freenet work?
Freenet is a global key-value store that relies on small world routing for decentralization and scalability. Keys in this key-value store are WebAssembly code called contracts, which specify when a value is permitted, under what circumstances it may be modified, and how it can be efficiently synchronized between peers. Freenet provides a local HTTP proxy that allows single-page applications to be downloaded to a web browser, which then connects to the Freenet peer through a websocket connection to interact with the network.
What is the project's history?
Freenet was initially developed by Ian Clarke at the University of Edinburgh in 1999 as a decentralized system for anonymous information storage and retrieval. The 2001 paper describing this work has been cited over 3,700 times, placing it among the most frequently cited computer science papers of its year. In 2019, Ian began work on a successor internally known as 'Locutus.' In March 2023, the original version was separated into its own project called 'Hyphanet,' and 'Locutus' was officially renamed to 'Freenet.'
How do the previous and current versions of Freenet differ?
The previous version was analogous to a decentralized hard drive, while the current version is a full decentralized computer. The current version allows real-time interaction with immediate notifications when data changes, essential for instant messaging. The previous version was developed in Java, while current Freenet is implemented in Rust for better efficiency. The current version is a drop-in replacement for the world wide web and is as easy to use. While the previous version focused on anonymity, the current version does not offer built-in anonymity but allows anonymizing systems to be layered on top.
Will the new Freenet be backwards compatible with the old Freenet?
No, the new Freenet is a fundamental redesign making backwards compatibility impractical. The original Freenet was spun off into an independent project called 'Hyphanet' in March 2023, while the new architecture was rebranded as 'Freenet' (also known as 'Freenet 2023').
Why was Freenet rearchitected and rebranded?
The redesign was a ground-up reimagining incorporating lessons learned from the original Freenet and addressing modern challenges. The original Freenet was built for an earlier era. The rearchitected Freenet is faster, more flexible, and better equipped to offer a robust decentralized alternative to the increasingly centralized web. Ian Clarke, as the architect of the Freenet Project, felt this was the necessary path forward after over a year of debate to ensure the project's continued relevance.
How does Freenet compare to other decentralized systems?
Freenet functions as an end-to-end operating system for decentralized apps, unlike most systems that function as toolkits for building decentralized apps. Freenet provides seamless access to decentralized applications directly within your browser, including a decentralized search engine for app discovery. Freenet operates as a global key-value store where keys correspond to WebAssembly contracts that define validity, modification rules, and synchronization. Freenet is truly decentralized, not federated - unlike federated systems where multiple entities control different servers, Freenet distributes control and ensures user sovereignty.
Who is behind Freenet?
Freenet was started by Ian Clarke in 1999 and grew out of his undergraduate paper. Ian Clarke and Steven Starr co-founded The Freenet Project, a 501c3 non-profit, in 2001. In 2024, the non-profit board of directors consists of Ian Clarke, Steven Starr, and Michael Grube. Ian and Steven are actively involved in day-to-day operations of the project.
How does Freenet handle harmful content?
Freenet will address harmful content with a decentralized reputation system inspired by the original Freenet's effective Web of Trust plugin but generalized and improved. This system allows users to collaboratively filter content, putting them in direct control to shape their experience according to their own preferences. Freenet's Ghost Keys allow users to establish reputations privately, laying the foundation for a decentralized reputation system that respects privacy.
How can I financially support Freenet development?
Freenet is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to developing technologies for open and democratic information distribution. You can donate via credit card or cryptocurrency, or donate through their Ghost Key mechanism to establish a verifiable cryptographic identity. For larger contributions or grants, you can reach out to Ian Clarke on X (Twitter).