<p><strong>Armory by default doesnt run Bitcoin-qt, it runs Bitcoind</strong>. Since armory installs the entire Bitcoin reference client by default, Bitcoin-qt will be present regardless (you can try to delete it, though):</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Bitcoin-Qt is the “Graphical User Interface” around the core Bitcoin
  protocol that is run by the majority of nodes on the network. 
  ”bitcoind” is the same software but without the user interface — it is
  simply a process that runs in the background and only allows access to
  it through its API.  For the purposes of running Armory, either one is
  sufficient, but one of them must be running and synchronized.  The
  latest version of Armory will run bitcoind for you in the background.</p>
</blockquote>

<p><strong>Armory/Bitcoind does need to download the entire blockchain</strong>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Regardless of which one you use, it will download the entire
  blockchain</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Source for both snips: <a href="https://bitcoinarmory.com/about/armory-and-bitcoin-qt/" rel="nofollow">https://bitcoinarmory.com/about/armory-and-bitcoin-qt/</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-13T06:28:17.520Z
I don't recall Armory installing Bitcoin-QT by default.  I'm pretty sure you have to download QT and install it yourself.
ChrisW
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-11T08:36:16.073Z
@ChrisW you are right. You have to install it by yourself (at least, in the current version of Armory which is 0.96)
user2345998
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-13T03:36:13.950Z
2014-02-13T03:36:13.950Z
Gaia
<p>Do I need Bitcoin-qt to run Armory? I keep hearing conflicting information.</p>

<p>My goal is to mine bitcoins in a pool, so ideally, I want a very secure wallet, and I would prefer not to download the entire blockchain if I don't have to. </p>

<bitcoin-core><armory>
Do I need Bitcoin-qt to run Armory?
Jordan
# Do I need Bitcoin-qt to run Armory?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-12-19)

Do I need Bitcoin-qt to run Armory? I keep hearing conflicting information.

My goal is to mine bitcoins in a pool, so ideally, I want a very secure wallet, and I would prefer not to download the entire blockchain if I don't have to.

**Tags:** bitcoin-core, armory


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-02-13. Score: 2

**Armory by default doesnt run Bitcoin-qt, it runs Bitcoind**. Since armory installs the entire Bitcoin reference client by default, Bitcoin-qt will be present regardless (you can try to delete it, though):

> Bitcoin-Qt is the “Graphical User Interface” around the core Bitcoin
> protocol that is run by the majority of nodes on the network.
> ”bitcoind” is the same software but without the user interface — it is
> simply a process that runs in the background and only allows access to
> it through its API. For the purposes of running Armory, either one is
> sufficient, but one of them must be running and synchronized. The
> latest version of Armory will run bitcoind for you in the background.

**Armory/Bitcoind does need to download the entire blockchain**:

> Regardless of which one you use, it will download the entire
> blockchain

Source for both snips: <https://bitcoinarmory.com/about/armory-and-bitcoin-qt/>

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: I don't recall Armory installing Bitcoin-QT by default.  I'm pretty sure you have to download QT and install it yourself.  
> **username_3**: @username_2 you are right. You have to install it by yourself (at least, in the current version of Armory which is 0.96)  

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