Sentinel dVPN
Open-source framework and Cosmos SDK chain for building decentralized VPN apps on independent bandwidth nodes.
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Sentinel key facts
| Category | Decentralized VPN |
|---|---|
| Chains | Sentinel Hub (Cosmos SDK) |
| Platforms | SDK, Android, iOS |
| Token | P2P |
| Open source | Yes, sentinelhub repo (Apache-2.0) and dVPN node software |
| Pricing | Set by each node operator or app; pay-as-you-go in P2P or app subscriptions |
| Fees | 20% of bandwidth payments go to P2P stakers, 80% to the node host |
| US availability | Listed in the US App Store (Sentinel Shield dVPN) |
| Free plan | Yes, through some third-party apps, e.g. the free DVPN Telegram Bot and the volunteer-run Independent dVPN |
What is Sentinel?
Sentinel is an open-source protocol and Cosmos SDK blockchain for building decentralized VPN apps; the network coin is P2P. Many apps build on it, with Sentinel Shield listed on its site as the flagship open-source dVPN. Its site reports 1.4M+ users of apps built on Sentinel and 1,500+ bandwidth providers in 70+ countries.
How Sentinel works
Sentinel Hub is a Cosmos SDK chain where every node, session and account is recorded on-chain.
A client first probes a node over HTTPS for its protocol, location and peer count, then signs a transaction that creates a session record. The node checks the chain to confirm that session before it issues VPN credentials, and the tunnel runs directly between client and node over WireGuard or V2Ray (VLess/VMess). There is no relay server in between.
Payments use the P2P coin. The docs describe two models: pay-as-you-go, where you pay P2P straight to a node host for a set amount of bandwidth, and subscriptions, where you pay an app in fiat and the app pays node hosts. The protocol sends 20% of bandwidth payments to P2P stakers and 80% to the node host. Every on-chain action, including session creation, also carries a fee in P2P.
How to start with Sentinel
- Most users start with an app built on the network.
- The Sentinel site lists Sentinel Shield as its flagship open-source dVPN for Android and iOS, and the docs list others such as Meile dVPN for desktop, Katacomb VPN, DVPN by Norse Labs and a Telegram bot.
- To run a node instead, you can use the official sentinel-dvpnx node with Docker or the community dvpnd program, and each operator sets its own price.
- The docs recommend keeping at least 50 P2P in the node account for the periodic status transactions.
Sentinel fees and limits
- For AI agents, Sentinel's x402 service quotes $0.033 for a full day of VPN, paid in USDC on Base.
Node operators set their own prices, so there is no single rate card. Apps built on Sentinel can charge by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Stripe or crypto, or give free access, so what you pay depends on the app. P2P holders who delegate to validators share staking rewards; delegated coins stay under the owner's control.
Risks to know before using Sentinel
- Nodes are run by independent operators in 70+ countries, and each operator sets its own price.
- Consumer apps are separate products from separate teams, with their own payment terms and privacy practices.
- Delegators can lose part of their stake to slashing if their validator misbehaves, which the docs flag as the reason to pick a reputable validator.
- The protocol is governed by on-chain votes weighted by stake.
Sentinel alternatives
Other projects people compare with Sentinel.
VPN router hardware and DPN app that run on a decentralized private network, with no subscription on the routers.
Incentivized mixnet protocol that hides metadata such as IP addresses, with node runners paid in HOPR.
Paid VPN app that routes traffic through residential IPs run as nodes on the Mysterium Network.
Decentralized VPN from Nym with a fast WireGuard mode and a mixnet mode, sign-up by anonymous passphrase.
Pay-as-you-go decentralized VPN that pays bandwidth providers with nanopayments, secured by the OXT token.
Where Sentinel ranks on DappAtlas
Sentinel pros and cons
- Node, client, protocol and SDK code are all open source
- Official SDKs in JavaScript, C#, Go and Swift
- Apps can accept card, crypto or free access via configurable payment rails
- Apps come from separate developers, so features and terms differ between them
- App Store search for "Sentinel dVPN" returns apps from other publishers
- Node quality varies because operators are independent
Sentinel FAQ
What is Sentinel?
Sentinel is an open-source protocol and Cosmos SDK blockchain for building decentralized VPN apps; the network coin is P2P. Many apps build on it, with Sentinel Shield listed on its site as the flagship open-source dVPN. Its site reports 1.4M+ users of apps built on Sentinel and 1,500+ bandwidth providers in 70+ countries.
Which chains does Sentinel support?
Sentinel Hub (Cosmos SDK).
How much does Sentinel cost?
20% of bandwidth payments go to P2P stakers, 80% to the node host, according to Sentinel’s own page (checked Sep 26, 2026). Free plan: Yes, through some third-party apps, e.g. the free DVPN Telegram Bot and the volunteer-run Independent dVPN.
Is Sentinel available in the US?
Listed in the US App Store (Sentinel Shield dVPN), according to Sentinel’s own page (checked Oct 1, 2026).
Sources
How this page works
Sources: Sentinel: official site, Sentinel: GitHub, Sentinel Docs: P2P Coin. Data as of Oct 1, 2026.
Not affiliated with any project listed. Educational content, not financial advice.