Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about how Peercord works.
Is Peercord really free?
Yes! Peercord is 100% free and open-source. Because it uses a peer-to-peer architecture, there are no central servers to maintain, which means we don't have to charge you or sell your data to keep the lights on.
How does the P2P network work?
Peercord utilizes the Hyperswarm Distributed Hash Table (DHT) to find other users and WebRTC to establish direct, encrypted connections between clients. When you send a message, it goes directly from your computer to your friend's computer—no middleman involved.
Are my messages secure?
Absolutely. Every direct message, group chat, and file transfer is End-to-End Encrypted (E2EE) using the xChaCha20-Poly1305 cryptographic protocol. Only the intended recipients can decrypt and read your messages.
How do I recover my account?
Your identity is tied to a 64-character cryptographic seed generated when you first sign up. You can find this seed in your Account Settings. Do not lose this seed! If you switch devices, you simply paste this seed into the login screen to instantly restore your account, contacts, and hub memberships.
Where are my messages and files stored?
Because there are no central servers, all your data is stored locally on your own machine. On Windows, this is typically located in %APPDATA%\Peercord, and on Linux/macOS in ~/.config/Peercord, alongside the Pear Runtime corestores. You can manage and prune large files directly from the Storage Management tab in the app settings.
How do updates work?
Peercord uses the Pear Runtime for Over-The-Air (OTA) updates. When a new version is released, your app downloads the update in the background directly from other peers seeding the new version. Once downloaded, the app will prompt you to restart, seamlessly swapping the files without interrupting your workflow.
Is there a file size limit?
No! Because files are transferred directly between peers using Hypercore streams, there are no arbitrary server limits. You can send files as large as your hard drive and network connection can handle.
Do I need to port forward my router?
In most cases, no. Peercord uses STUN servers and UPnP to automatically punch through NATs and firewalls. However, if you are on a highly restrictive corporate or university network, you may experience connectivity issues.