# besu-eth/besu

An enterprise-grade Java-based, Apache 2.0 licensed Ethereum client https://github.com/besu-eth/besu/wiki

Repository: https://github.com/besu-eth/besu
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/besu
Homepage: https://www.lfdecentralizedtrust.org/projects/besu
Language: Java
License: Apache-2.0
License Family: permissive
Topics: besu, blockchain, ethereum, java, p2p
Last push: 2026-08-26T19:33:44+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 99/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-03T02:20:16.233290+00:00)
- activity 99, release rhythm 98, longevity 100
- inputs: {"age_days": 2555, "days_push": 7, "days_rel": 14, "gap_med": 22, "n_releases_24m": 30}
- flags: none
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 1830, forks 1111 (observed 2026-08-28T04:05:41.698687+00:00)

## What it is
Besu is an enterprise-grade, Apache 2.0 licensed Ethereum execution client written in Java, compatible with Ethereum Mainnet and public testnets under proof-of-stake. It also supports private permissioned networks using QBFT or IBFT 2.0 proof-of-authority consensus and includes a modular plugin framework for customization.

## Use cases
- run an ethereum mainnet node
- operate a permissioned private blockchain network
- set up a qbft proof-of-authority consortium chain
- pair an execution client with a consensus client for staking
- extend an ethereum client with custom plugins
- run an evm-compatible node for enterprise
- deploy a private testnet for smart contract development

## When to choose
- you need a mainnet-compatible Ethereum execution client in Java
- you run enterprise or consortium permissioned networks with QBFT/IBFT 2.0
- you want an Apache 2.0 licensed client without GPL constraints
- you need a plugin framework to customize client behavior without forking

## When to avoid
- you need a consensus client - Besu must be paired with one like Teku
- you prefer lightweight clients like Geth/Nethermind in other languages
- you lack JVM operational expertise or hardware for a full node

## Facets
- artifact type: application
- maturity: stable
- function: p2p, rpc, plugin-system, developer-tools
- domain: blockchain, microservices, self-hosted
- platform: jvm, windows, cli
- tags: ethereum-client, execution-client, evm, permissioned-networks, qbft, proof-of-stake, smart-contracts, web3, cryptocurrency, linux, macos, docker

## Member repositories
- besu-eth/besu (main) score 99

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-08-28T04:05:41.698687+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-30T03:19:14.731688+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/besu-eth/besu (fetched 2026-08-28T04:05:41.698687+00:00, sha 4da5ebea0e1a)
  - homepage: https://www.lfdecentralizedtrust.org/projects/besu (fetched 2026-08-29T10:58:06.733912+00:00, sha 1032001da5e3)
  - site_page: https://www.lfdecentralizedtrust.org/about (fetched 2026-08-29T10:58:06.736697+00:00, sha 2f68092a9e4c)
  - site_page: https://www.lfdecentralizedtrust.org/about/contact (fetched 2026-08-29T10:58:06.738475+00:00, sha 8148cf52057d)
  - site_page: https://www.lfdecentralizedtrust.org/about/charter (fetched 2026-08-29T10:58:06.740312+00:00, sha cdc1ed5fa9c0)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.