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Eclair vs other Lightning implementations
The major Lightning nodes all follow the same specs and interoperate. Here’s how they differ.
Eclair, LND, and Core Lightning are the three most widely used full Lightning Network node implementations, and all are BOLT-compliant, so they interoperate. They differ mainly in programming language, maintainer, and the kind of operator they’re designed for. Eclair (Scala, ACINQ) is frequently chosen for large server-side routing nodes; LND (Go, Lightning Labs) has the largest ecosystem and tooling; Core Lightning (C, Blockstream) is known for a lean, modular, plugin-driven design.
| Implementation | Language | Maintainer | License | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eclair | Scala (JVM) | ACINQ | Apache 2.0 | Large, reliable server-side routing nodes; API-driven integrations |
| LND | Go | Lightning Labs | MIT | Broad general use; the largest tooling and app ecosystem |
| Core Lightning (CLN) | C | Blockstream | MIT/BSD-style | Lean, modular nodes; heavy use of plugins |
| LDK | Rust | Spiral | Apache 2.0 / MIT | A library for building custom wallets/apps, not a turnkey node |
Licenses and details can change; confirm on each project’s own repository. LDK is a toolkit rather than a standalone node, included here for context.
How to choose
Pick Eclair if…
You run infrastructure on the JVM, want an API-first headless node, and are optimising for reliability on a large routing node.
Pick LND if…
You want the widest selection of compatible apps, guides and integrations, and a large community to lean on.
Pick CLN if…
You prefer a minimal, modular core and like composing functionality from plugins.