The main I2P client implementation uses Java. If you cannot or prefer not to use Java on a particular system, there are alternative I2P client implementations developed and maintained by community members. These programs provide the same core functionality using different programming languages or approaches.
Comparison Table
| Client | Language | Maturity | Actively Maintained | Suitable For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Java I2P | Java | Stable | ✅ Yes (official) | General users | Standard full router; includes console, plugins, and tools |
| i2pd | C++ | Stable | ✅ Yes | Low-resource systems, servers | Lightweight, fully compatible with Java I2P, includes web console |
| Go-I2P | Go | Experimental | ⚙️ In development | Developers, testing | Early-stage Go implementation; not yet production ready |
| I2P+ | Java | Stable (fork) | ✅ Yes | Advanced users | Enhanced Java I2P fork with UI and performance improvements |
i2pd (C++)
Website: https://i2pd.website
Description: i2pd (the I2P Daemon) is a full-featured I2P client implemented in C++. It has been stable for production use for many years (since around 2016) and is actively maintained by the community. i2pd fully implements the I2P network protocols and APIs, making it completely compatible with the Java I2P network. This C++ router is often used as a lightweight alternative on systems where the Java runtime is unavailable or undesired. i2pd includes a built-in web-based console for configuration and monitoring. It is cross-platform and available in many packaging formats — there is even an Android version of i2pd available (for example, via F-Droid).
Go-I2P (Go)
Repository: https://github.com/go-i2p/go-i2p
Description: Go-I2P is an I2P client written in the Go programming language. It is an independent implementation of the I2P router, aiming to leverage Go’s efficiency and portability. The project is under active development, but it is still in an early stage and not yet feature-complete. As of 2025, Go-I2P is considered experimental — it is being actively worked on by community developers, but it is not recommended for production use until it matures further. The goal of Go-I2P is to provide a modern, lightweight I2P router with full compatibility with the I2P network once development is complete.
I2P+ (Java fork)
Website: https://i2pplus.github.io
Description: I2P+ is a community-maintained fork of the standard Java I2P client. It is not a reimplementation in a new language, but rather an enhanced version of the Java router with additional features and optimizations. I2P+ focuses on delivering an improved user experience and better performance while remaining fully compatible with the official I2P network. It introduces a refreshed web console interface, more user-friendly configuration options, and various optimizations (for example, improved torrent performance and better handling of network peers, especially for routers behind firewalls). I2P+ requires a Java environment just like the official I2P software, so it is not a solution for non-Java environments. However, for users who do have Java and want an alternative build with extra capabilities, I2P+ provides a compelling option. This fork is kept up-to-date with the upstream I2P releases (with its version numbering appending a “+”) and can be obtained from the project’s website.