# i2p/i2p.i2p

I2P is an anonymizing network, offering a simple layer that identity-sensitive applications can use to securely communicate. All data is wrapped with several layers of encryption, and the network is both distributed and dynamic, with no trusted parties.

Repository: https://github.com/i2p/i2p.i2p
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/i2pi2p
Homepage: https://i2p.net
Language: Java
License: NOASSERTION
License Family: other
Topics: i2p, java, p2p, network, router, monotone, anonymity, crypto
Last push: 2026-08-26T00:21:53+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 89/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-03T02:20:16.233290+00:00)
- activity 99, release rhythm 70, longevity 100
- inputs: {"age_days": 5212, "days_push": 8, "days_rel": 41, "gap_med": 128, "n_releases_24m": 4}
- flags: no_license
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 2685, forks 354 (observed 2026-08-28T04:07:10.216538+00:00)

## What it is
I2P (Invisible Internet Project) is the reference Java implementation of a decentralized, anonymizing peer-to-peer overlay network that routes traffic through layered-encryption tunnels across volunteer-operated routers. It provides a self-contained censorship-resistant network layer with APIs (SAM, I2PTunnel, SOCKS proxy, streaming) that identity-sensitive applications can use for anonymous communication.

## Use cases
- browse eepsites anonymously over the i2p network
- run an anonymous torrent client over i2p
- host a hidden website that hides my server's IP
- send anonymous email with i2p mail
- route applications through an anonymous socks proxy
- communicate anonymously in censored or restrictive countries
- embed anonymous networking in my java application via the i2p api

## When to choose
- you need anonymous, end-to-end encrypted communication with no trusted central parties
- you want to host or access hidden services (.i2p eepsites) rather than proxy to the clearnet
- you need a censorship-resistant network with hidden-mode operation in restrictive jurisdictions
- you want a self-contained anonymous network with built-in applications like torrent, mail, and IRC

## When to avoid
- you mainly need to browse the regular web anonymously through exit nodes - Tor is a better fit
- you need a lightweight proxy without running a full router that participates in relaying traffic
- you require a non-Java runtime and cannot run a JVM (consider i2pd, the C++ implementation)
- you need low-latency communication where tunnel routing overhead is unacceptable

## Facets
- artifact type: application
- maturity: stable
- function: networking, cryptography, security, proxy, p2p, privacy
- domain: privacy, networking, security, censorship-circumvention, self-hosted
- platform: windows, jvm, cross-platform
- tags: anonymity, i2p, onion-routing, garlic-routing, darknet, overlay-network, anonymous-communication, java-router, linux, macos, android, docker

## Member repositories
- i2p/i2p.i2p (main) score 89

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-08-28T04:07:10.216538+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 2026-08-30T02:17:49.936388+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/i2p/i2p.i2p (fetched 2026-08-28T04:07:10.216538+00:00, sha 8010ab7cc9c7)
  - homepage: https://i2p.net (fetched 2026-08-29T10:00:04.674835+00:00, sha 2638499e3ee9)
  - site_page: https://i2p.net/en/docs/overview/threat-model (fetched 2026-08-29T10:00:04.691807+00:00, sha 25f12e3a22f1)
  - site_page: https://i2p.net/en/about (fetched 2026-08-29T10:00:04.683908+00:00, sha 61585f14f73a)
  - site_page: https://i2p.net/en/about/media (fetched 2026-08-29T10:00:04.686123+00:00, sha 82394d1e3d07)
  - site_page: https://i2p.net/en/docs (fetched 2026-08-29T10:00:04.687872+00:00, sha 0e874203d1ca)
  - site_page: https://i2p.net/en/docs/specs/cryptography (fetched 2026-08-29T10:00:04.689634+00:00, sha d92b96b07cc6)
  - site_page: https://i2p.net/en/docs/overview/restrictive-countries (fetched 2026-08-29T10:00:04.694911+00:00, sha f8d03ace9482)
  - site_page: https://i2p.net/en/about/hall-of-fame (fetched 2026-08-29T10:00:04.696601+00:00, sha 7dd09a3bfdd7)
  - site_page: https://i2p.net/en/docs/overview/network-database (fetched 2026-08-29T10:00:04.698374+00:00, sha 3cae7448f4a5)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.