hyprspace
A lightweight VPN built on IPFS and libp2p that creates direct encrypted tunnels between nodes, even behind NATs/firewalls.
What is hyprspace?
Hyprspace is a lightweight VPN built on IPFS and libp2p that creates direct, encrypted tunnels between devices without requiring public IP addresses or manual port forwarding. It solves the problem of connecting nodes that are all behind NATs/firewalls, enabling truly distributed and resilient networks. Unlike traditional VPNs that rely on central relays, Hyprspace establishes peer-to-peer connections using distributed hash tables and NAT hole punching.
Developers, digital nomads, and privacy advocates who need to connect devices across changing networks without exposing public endpoints or configuring complex port forwarding. It's also suitable for hobbyists and professionals building decentralized applications or secure remote access solutions.
Developers choose Hyprspace because it eliminates the need for publicly accessible nodes or centralized relays, offering a fully distributed VPN that works seamlessly behind firewalls. Its automatic peer discovery and IP allocation simplify setup, while its use of libp2p ensures robust, direct connections ideal for dynamic environments.
Overview
A Lightweight VPN Built on top of IPFS + Libp2p for Truly Distributed Networks (fork)
Use Cases
Best For
- Connecting IoT devices like Raspberry Pis across different networks without port forwarding
- Remote access to home servers or infrastructure while traveling
- Creating secure, encrypted overlays for privacy on untrusted local networks
- Building resilient, decentralized applications that require direct peer-to-peer communication
- Setting up VPNs for digital nomads who frequently change locations
- Establishing ad-hoc networks between devices behind restrictive firewalls
Not Ideal For
- High-security corporate environments requiring audited, enterprise-grade VPN solutions
- Teams needing a GUI-based setup without command-line or Nix dependency
- Applications demanding maximum throughput where libp2p overhead could impact performance
- Users prioritizing long-term stability over experimental, forked projects
Pros & Cons
Pros
Enables direct encrypted tunnels between nodes behind firewalls without public IPs or manual port forwarding, as highlighted in the README's backstory comparison with WireGuard.
Uses libp2p's DHT for node discovery without prior IP knowledge, allowing ad-hoc networking and resilient connections in dynamic environments.
Assigns IP addresses from the 100.64.0.0/16 range automatically based on peer IDs, simplifying configuration compared to manual IP setup.
Intelligently uses local IP addresses when available, as noted in the privacy advocate use case, ensuring maximum speed for devices on the same network.
Cons
Requires Nix to build, which adds complexity and may be a barrier for users not familiar with Nix-based ecosystems, as stated in the installation section.
The README explicitly warns it hasn't been third-party audited, making it unsuitable for high-security environments until verified.
As a fork of an archived project, long-term support and stability are uncertain, potentially leading to breaking changes or abandonment.
Open Source Alternative To
hyprspace is an open-source alternative to the following products:
Frequently Asked Questions
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