Is Bitcoin Core only software to run full node on bitcoin network?

[leafsfan1967]

I know bitcoin core is the most popular/suggested software to run a full node, but are there other options? I've heard of others like Bitcoin Unlimited. My question is, would those nodes running alternative software still have to have that software adhere to the protocol rules of bitcoin in order to be a full node on the network?

[NorvelsBak]

Anyone can make their own, if it has different rules and code so it's a different blockchain.

[OmegaStarScream]

It's not the only software, there are other options like Armory wallet and Bitcoin knots as well and I could be wrong but I think Bitcoin unlimited is meant to be for Bitcoin cash network which has different rules.

[squatter]

I know bitcoin core is the most popular/suggested software to run a full node, but are there other options?

There are alternative full node implementations -- Knots, BTCD, and Libbitcoin to name a few. However, Core is much more actively maintained and audited than any of the alternatives, so it's a more secure and reliable choice.

I've heard of others like Bitcoin Unlimited. My question is, would those nodes running alternative software still have to have that software adhere to the protocol rules of bitcoin in order to be a full node on the network?

Yes, that's what it means to be a full node -- enforcement of all the consensus rules. For example, if you run a BU node and allow larger blocks than Bitcoin's rules allow, you might find your node forked off the Bitcoin network entirely.

[seoincorporation]

I know bitcoin core is the most popular/suggested software to run a full node, but are there other options? I've heard of others like Bitcoin Unlimited. My question is, would those nodes running alternative software still have to have that software adhere to the protocol rules of bitcoin in order to be a full node on the network?

Each coin has its own Node and you can see blockchain as the soul... all of them have it's own blockchain and each chain have its own rules. And about the bitcoin network, there is no such thing, Bitcoin runs on the Internet on his own port, nodes are connected between them, but isn't a private network. The question is tricky, lol 

To be clear, you can have multiple coin nodes on the same machine, for example, Litecoin, Doge And BCH.

[nc50lc]

It's not the only software, there are other options like Armory wallet and Bitcoin knots as well and I could be wrong but I think Bitcoin unlimited is meant to be for Bitcoin cash network which has different rules.

AFAIK, it supports both networks but the user must indicate which network to run.
@leafsfan1967
You only got two options: Bitcoin Core or Bitcoin Knots
I wouldn't trust anything other than the wallets with full node listed here: https://bitcoin.org/en/choose-your-wallet.

Also, Armory had changed developer(s) since the inclusion (or before?) but can still be trusted.

[pooya87]

there are two category of full nodes in my opinion.
- bitcoin core and the alternatives that are built on top of it and have additional options.
so this category will contain bitcoin core itself, Armory, bitcoin knots, ...
- the standalone full node implementations that do not depend on bitcoin core.
there are a couple of them. like gocoin, and i believe StratisBitcoinFullNode is that way too. there are some others that i am not familiar with either.
the problem is that the first group are popular hence it is the safest option because popularity also means more reviewed and bugs are found. but the second group is less popular and have a high possibility of having bugs.

as for others that may look like bitcoin nodes (like unlimited), since they are designed to enforce different consensus rules you can not categorize them as bitcoin nodes.

[Kakmakr]

You are not saying why you want to run other nodes or a different one, other than Core? Is this just for experimentation purposes or do you want to compare the different implementations?

I would not compromise my computer or network, by running a node that might be riddled with exploits and backdoors, so that is why Core is the most trustworthy implementation. <Lots of Peer review are being done on a daily basis, to make sure that it offers people the best security.>   

I think it was Mike Hearn and the BitcoinXT bunch that included backdoors into their code once.  <Proprietary software> 

[Haunebu]

Anyone can make their own, if it has different rules and code so it's a different blockchain.

True, but this is not the popular option. Almost anyone would want to choose a tried and tested option which is why Bitcoin core the best solution in this scenario. The number of bugs associated with it are far lower when compared to its alternatives.

Trying out other options is fine, but this will obviously make things more complicated which is why Bitcoin core is the way to go at present.

[Lena124]

I know bitcoin core is the most popular/suggested software to run a full node, but are there other options? I've heard of others like Bitcoin Unlimited. My question is, would those nodes running alternative software still have to have that software adhere to the protocol rules of bitcoin in order to be a full node on the network?

No anyone can design their own.Its just that rules and coding knowledge is required.Armory wallet is the best alternative to bitcoin i can recall myccpay

[Pursuer]

I know bitcoin core is the most popular/suggested software to run a full node, but are there other options? I've heard of others like Bitcoin Unlimited. My question is, would those nodes running alternative software still have to have that software adhere to the protocol rules of bitcoin in order to be a full node on the network?

No anyone can desgin their own.Its just that rules and coding knowledge is required.Armory wallet is the best alternative to bitcoin i can recall

you are talking about writing code for a full node which consists of a lot of different components most of which are security sensitive like the consensus rules enforced by the network, wallet related parts such as signing,... this is not an easy task to perform!
as for Armory, it is only an addition on top of bitcoin core so you can't say it is a different software.

[TimothyKnox]

If I were you, I'd go with Bitcoin Core!