---
title: "Pubky: 30-Second Overview"
---

**Pubky is a decentralized web protocol that puts you in control of your identity and data.**

## What It Is

- **Your Identity = Your Key**: No usernames, no accounts. Your public key is your permanent identity.
- **Your Data, Your Choice**: Store data on any Homeserver you choose. Switch anytime without losing anything.
- **Censorship Resistant**: Built on the Mainline DHT (15+ years proven, 10M+ nodes). No single authority can block you.
- **No Blockchain**: Fast, free operations using standard web technologies (HTTP/HTTPS).

## How It Works

```mermaid
flowchart LR
    You[Your Key] --> PKARR[PKARR Record]
    PKARR --> DHT[Mainline DHT]
    PKARR --> HS[Your Homeserver]
    Apps[Apps] --> HS
    Apps --> DHT
```

1. Generate a cryptographic key pair (your identity)
2. Publish a PKARR record to the DHT (points to your Homeserver)
3. Store your data on any Homeserver
4. Apps discover and access your data via your public key

## Key Components

| Component | Purpose | Status |
|-----------|---------|--------|
| **[Pubky Core](https://pubky.org/explore/pubkycore/introduction.md)** | Protocol, Homeserver, SDK | ✅ Production |
| **[Pubky Ring](https://pubky.org/explore/technologies/pubky-ring.md)** | Mobile key manager (iOS/Android) | ✅ Production |
| **[Pubky App](https://pubky.org/explore/pubky-apps/introduction.md)** | Social media demo ([pubky.app](https://pubky.app)) | ✅ Live (MVP) |
| **[Pubky Nexus](https://pubky.org/explore/pubky-apps/indexing-and-aggregation/pubky-nexus.md)** | Social indexing service | ✅ Production |
| **[Paykit](https://pubky.org/explore/technologies/paykit.md)** | Payment protocol | ⚠️ WIP |
| **[Pubky Noise](https://pubky.org/explore/technologies/pubky-noise.md)** | Encrypted communication | ⚠️ WIP |

## Why It Matters

**Replace Big Tech**: No algorithm controls your feed. No company owns your data.

**Replace Big State**: Censorship becomes impractical when data lives on millions of distributed nodes.

**Replace Big Banks**: Native integration with Bitcoin/Lightning for true financial freedom (coming soon).

## Get Started

- **Users**: Download [Pubky Ring](https://pubky.org/explore/technologies/pubky-ring.md) → Try [pubky.app](https://pubky.app)
- **Developers**: Check [Getting Started Guide](https://pubky.org/getting-started.md) → Install [SDK](https://pubky.org/explore/pubkycore/sdk.md)

## Learn More

- **[Full Documentation](/)**: Complete knowledge base
- **[FAQ](https://pubky.org/faq.md)**: 63 questions answered
- **[Glossary](https://pubky.org/glossary.md)**: Quick term definitions
- **[Vision](https://pubky.org/the-vision-of-pubky.md)**: Why we're building this

---

**Bottom Line**: Pubky gives you a self-sovereign identity, censorship-resistant data storage, and the freedom to choose your own infrastructure—all using proven, scalable technology.