My recommendation: Build your own Bitcoin full node using hardware that is dependable and will last, and software that is trust-minimizing and secure. It’s not the easy route but you will be rewarded in the end with a node that allows you to earn Bitcoin, save Bitcoin, spend Bitcoin, explore Bitcoin, and engage with the Lightning network in a self-sovereign and private way.
The Easy Way to run a Bitcoin Node Stack
Or go the easy route and Get a Raspberry Pi 4 and an external SSD. The reason this is the easy route is because of all of the software options that are relatively easy to run. Here is a small list:
- MyNode – https://mynodebtc.com/download
- GetUmbrel – https://github.com/getumbrel/umbrel
- RoninDojo – https://ronindojo.io/en/downloads
- RaspiBlitz – https://github.com/rootzoll/raspiblitz#basic-setup
- Start9 – https://start9.com/latest/diy
This is another layer of complexity on your path towards taking complete ownership and responsibility of your current and future wealth. Running a Bitcoin node is not easy exactly, especially if you are not comfortable with some of the technical requirements. But it is also not hard as long as you follow some simple steps and are not afraid of making mistakes.
It takes a little work, it takes a little money, and it is very well worth the effort and resources. Running a full node gives you the ability to confirm your Bitcoin transactions and gives you the ability to verify what you expect to be true with minimal trust.
As noted above, I recommend a Raspberry Pi 4 for this setup if you are looking to go the easiest way possible. If you are unfamiliar with a Raspberry Pi, these are very basic computers that are very cheap and run Linux. There are different implementations of Bitcoin stacks out there for the Raspberry Pi, so there are plenty of options on how to get this done. You will also need an external storage solution, and it’s important that the storage you pick is stable and will last. Spinning hard disks just don’t cut it because of how often they fail. An SSD is ideal here.
You can run just a full node and electrum server for the sake of simplicity and for the sake of not having to trust a pre-built stack. I recommend following ArmanTheParman’s directions for that. This is going to be more complicated than running something like MyNode.
Here are some other options for Bitcoin node software:
- As previously mentioned, I recommend myNode or if you want to go the more difficult route, you can build your own Bitcoin node from the ground up.
- RaspiBlitz
- If you want to simplify all of this, and have some money to throw around, the Nodl is an excellent product, but pricey. Personally, I’d rather buy some Sats and do a little bit of work.