What Are Zaps on Nostr Apps?
If you’ve been exploring the world of Nostr, you’ve likely stumbled across the term “zaps.”
If you’re new to Nostr, read my Nostr for Beginners article.
It’s a word that pops up everywhere, from streaming platforms like Zap.Stream to microblogging clients like Nostrudel.ninja and long form posting on Habla.
But what exactly are zaps, and why are they such a big deal in Nostr apps?
Let’s unpack this lightning-powered feature that’s sparking excitement across the network.
Zaps: A Bolt of Bitcoin Lightning
At its core, a zap is a small, instant payment made using Bitcoin’s Lightning Network, integrated directly into Nostr apps.
Think of it like tipping your favorite creator, liking a post with a little extra oomph, or tossing a digital coin to a street performer—except it’s fast, borderless, and doesn’t involve a middleman.
Zaps are measured in sats (short for satoshis), the tiniest unit of Bitcoin, where 1 BTC equals 100 million sats. Even a handful of sats—say, 21 or 100—can go a long way in showing appreciation.
The magic happens because Nostr and the Lightning Network play so well together.
Nostr handles the communication (posts, streams, events), while Lightning handles the transactions (zaps).
When you zap someone, you’re sending them sats directly to their Lightning wallet, often tied to their Nostr profile via a standard called LNURL or a Lightning address.
It’s peer-to-peer gratitude, powered by Bitcoin and the lightning network.
How Zaps Work in Nostr Apps
Let’s break it down with a real-world example.
Imagine you’re scrolling through a Nostr client like Damus or Primal and you see a post that cracks you up or a hot take that’s spot on.
Next to the usual “like” or “repost” buttons, there’s a little lightning bolt icon.
Click it, choose how many sats to send—maybe 10, 50, or 500—and hit “Zap.”
Within seconds, those sats zip over the Lightning Network to the poster’s wallet, and they get a notification of your support.
No fees to a platform, no waiting for a monthly payout. Just instant value.
It’s not just for posts, either. On streaming apps like Zap.Stream, viewers can zap streamers live as they broadcast. Picture watching a musician jam or a coder debug a project; a quick zap sends them a few sats to keep the vibes going.
Some apps even let creators set “zap goals” (think crowdfunding milestones) or split zaps among collaborators, adding a layer of flexibility.
Why Zaps Matter
Zaps are more than just a gimmick. They’re a game-changer for how we interact online. Here’s why they’re important:
Direct Support for Creators: Unlike YouTube’s ad revenue or Patreon’s subscriptions, zaps cut out the middleman. Creators get paid instantly, and every sat goes straight to them (minus tiny Lightning fees, which are usually negligible).
Value-for-Value Model: Zaps embody the idea that if something’s valuable to you—a post, a stream, a meme—you can reward it directly. It’s a shift from algorithm-driven engagement to human-driven appreciation.
Censorship Resistance: Because Nostr is decentralized and zaps run on Lightning, there’s no central authority to block payments or demonetize content. You control who you support, period.
Microtransactions Made Easy: Sending a few cents’ worth of sats used to be impractical with traditional payment systems due to fees. Lightning makes it cheap and fast, so even a 1-sat zap (a fraction of a penny) is viable.
Getting Started with Zaps
Ready to start zapping? You’ll need two things:
A Nostr Client: Apps like Damus, Nostrudel.ninja, Amethyst or Primal already have zap functionality built in. Pick one that suits your style—most are free to use.
A Lightning Wallet: Set up a wallet like Alby, Wallet of Satoshi, or Cash App (which supports Lightning). Fund it with some Bitcoin, convert it to sats, and link it to your Nostr profile. Many clients guide you through this with a QR code or Lightning address.
Once you’re set up, zapping is as easy as clicking that lightning bolt. You might zap a friend for a clever quip, a streamer for a killer set, or even a stranger whose Nostr post brightens your day.
And if you’re a creator, you can sit back and watch the sats roll in, assuming you’ve got a wallet linked and some fans feeling generous.
The Future of Zaps
Zaps are still evolving. Developers are tinkering with features like zap splits (sharing payments among multiple people), zap-powered polls, and even gamified elements where zaps unlock perks.
The Nostr community is buzzing with ideas, and since the protocol is open-source, anyone can build on it. Imagine a future where zaps fuel entire ecosystems—tipping journalists, crowdfunded projects, or even virtual tip jars at Nostr meetups.
In a nutshell, zaps are Nostr’s way of putting value back into the hands of users.
Come find me on Nostr and get Zapping!