Last updated: October 15, 2026
To run a Monero node, install the official monerod software (bundled with Monero GUI/CLI) on a computer with an SSD, let it download and verify the blockchain — a pruned node needs roughly a third of the space of a full one — then point your wallet at 127.0.0.1:18081 or at your node's Tor address. Your own node means no third-party server learns your IP or which transactions your wallet asks about. It's the strongest setup for anyone holding XMR bought via no-KYC swaps like BTC → XMR.
- SSD required for a usable sync
- ~1/3 disk space when pruned
- 18080 P2P port · 18081 RPC
- 0 trust in remote nodes
Why run your own Monero node?
- Privacy: a remote node sees your IP address and the timing of your wallet's requests. Your own node sees only you — the last gap in Monero's privacy model.
- Trustlessness: your node verifies every block and transaction itself (including the fees it relays) — no one can lie to your wallet about your balance.
- Reliability: no dependence on public nodes that go offline or get overloaded.
- Helping the network: more nodes make Monero more decentralized and resilient — useful as big exchanges delist XMR.
Node options at a glance
| Setup | Disk | Privacy | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remote node over Tor (Feather default) | None | Good | None |
| Pruned own node | About a third of a full node | Very good | Low |
| Full own node | Full blockchain (well over 200 GB) | Very good | Low–medium |
| Own node as Tor hidden service | Pruned or full | Best — reachable from your phone anywhere | Medium |
Blockchain size grows over time; check current figures before buying a drive.
Hardware you need
- Storage: an SSD is essential — on a spinning hard drive the sync can take weeks. Leave room for growth.
- RAM: 4 GB works, 8 GB is comfortable.
- Machine: your desktop, an old laptop, a mini PC or a single-board computer with an external SSD.
- Connection: an unmetered connection; the first sync downloads the whole chain.
How to run a Monero node (step by step)
- Download Monero from getmonero.org and verify the hashes/signature.
- Start the daemon: run
monerod. Add--prune-blockchainto save disk space. - Wait for the sync. On a good SSD this takes from several hours to a couple of days.
- Connect your wallet: in Monero GUI choose "local node"; in Feather add
127.0.0.1:18081as a custom node. - Optional — open port 18080 on your router so other nodes can connect to you and you help the network.
- Optional — publish over Tor with an onion hidden service, then connect Cake Wallet or Monerujo on your phone to it.
Node + wallet + swaps: the private setup
A private Monero setup has three parts: coins acquired with no ID (a no-KYC swap such as USDT → XMR), a good wallet (best Monero wallets) with a fresh subaddress per payment, and your own node so nobody watches your wallet's traffic. Add Tor for the swap itself — see exchanges that work over Tor.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to run a Monero node to use Monero?
No. Wallets connect to remote nodes by default. A node of your own adds privacy and trustlessness but is optional.
How much disk space does a Monero node need?
A full node needs the entire blockchain, well over 200 GB and growing; a pruned node needs about a third of that. Always use an SSD.
Is a remote node a privacy risk?
A remote node can't see your balance or spend your funds, but it sees your IP address and when your wallet syncs. Using it over Tor reduces that.
Can I run a Monero node on a Raspberry Pi?
Yes, a recent single-board computer with an external SSD can run a pruned node. The initial sync is slower than on a PC.
Does running a node earn Monero?
No. Running a node doesn't mine or earn XMR; it verifies the chain and serves your wallet. Mining is separate.
Node synced? Fill your wallet privately: BTC → XMR, ETH → XMR or the most private exchanges. No account, no ID, no logs.