8. Other Software
When setting up a Bitcoin node, there are several additional software services that can enhance functionality and usability:
1. Electrum Server
An Electrum Server is an additional database that sits upon Bitcoin Core, it indexes all transactions on the Bitcoin network and allows wallets to connect and access blockchain data. It's a smaller and more efficient database than Bitcoin Core and can be queried quickly by individual addresses.
Electrum servers also provide an extra layer of privacy as addresses and public keys aren't required to be saved in your Bitcoin Core files, creating a risk if your network or server was ever compromised.
Follow the Guide - Choosing an Electrum Server on your Bitcoin Node
More reading about Electrum Servers:
Which Electrum Server do I use?
Fulcrum Server. I've run a node using the Electrs Electrum server for 2 years, and another node running Fulcrum for 18 months and found Fulcrum server to faster and more peformant. Fulcrum proved to be fast and I never had an issue with it connecting from my Sparrow wallet and Mempool.space instance.
Ketan from Ministry of Nodes now recommends Electrs and I know Bitcoiners who don't use an Electrum server at all on their node, so do your own research and make the decision for your use case.
See how to set up Fulcrum Server from the Ministry of Nodes 2022 Node series here.
2. Mempool.space
This is a block explorer which allow you to view blocks, transactions and addresses on the Bitcoin network with a real time connection to your node, you've probably seen this online, it's the go to block explorer for most Bitcoiners.
You can install the mempool.space software on your server and run your own instance to query your own node, not someone else's. It's your own personal and private view of the network and helps you congestion and fees, estimating transaction confirmation times, and allows you to confirm transactions and address histories without trusting a third party.
Follow the Guide - How to set up Mempool.space on your Bitcoin Node
Ketan walks you through setting up Mempool.space on your node.
3. Sparrow Wallet
Sparrow is an amazing Bitcoin desktop wallet and the one I use myself. A wallet is the interface you use to send and receive transactions. Connecting your wallet directly to your own node gives you an extra layer of privacy and is really the minimum standard for self custody, as any time you connect to an external node to send or receive transactions you are sharing transaction details with them, and potentially other details as well.
Follow the Guide - How to set up Sparrow wallet
More Resources
You'll learn a lot about Bitcoin with Sparrow Wallet
Sparrow is an excellent desktop wallet to start with, as it takes you from the very start of your journey with a "hot" wallet on your computer, through to a "cold" wallet with air-gapped private keys and all the way to a multi-signature setup for the highest level of security.
It also has an excellent interface which shows you how Bitcoin transactions are structured and lots of safety mechanisms to help you avoid pitfalls.
Take the time to learn Sparrow and move slowly and surely through the appropriate levels and make sure you generate your keys properly with enough randomness, there's no Customer Service to call if you get this wrong.
Sparrow Wallet official website
Warning
If you download Sparrow wallet make sure you're on the official website and always verify your download. There's a fake Sparrow website with malicious software that will steal your bitcoin, so learn how to check signatures and verify software before you download any Bitcoin wallet or tool.