A pruned node verifies everything an archival node does, then deletes old blocks to save disk space. Compare both and choose the right one.
Same checks, different storage
| Archival full node | Pruned node | |
|---|---|---|
| Downloads and verifies every block | Yes | Yes |
| Keeps all old blocks | Yes, hundreds of GB | No, only recent ones |
| Keeps the UTXO set | Yes | Yes |
| Can serve old blocks to others | Yes | No |
| Can rescan old wallet history | Yes | Only within kept blocks |
How pruning works
After a block is verified and its effects are applied to the UTXO set, the raw block isn't needed to check new ones. A pruned node deletes old block files, keeping at least the most recent 550 MB (the minimum setting in Bitcoin Core).
Which to choose
- Pruned: you want to verify and use your own wallet on limited disk.
- Archival: you run services that need history, like an explorer, an indexer or an electrum server.
MyBitcoinExplorer runs archival
An explorer must show any old block, so our node is unpruned and keeps every block since the The genesis block on a dedicated volume.
What a pruned node is not
It's not a "light" node. A light client doesn't verify everything. See SPV and light clients.
Enable pruning in Bitcoin Core
Add a line like prune=10000 to bitcoin.conf to keep about 10 GB of recent blocks. The minimum is 550 (MB). Restart Bitcoin Core and it deletes old block files as it goes.
Pruning limitations to know
- You can't rescan a wallet for transactions older than the blocks you kept.
- You can't serve old blocks to new nodes syncing from you.
- Some tools, like address indexers, need an archival node.
Key takeaways
- Pruned nodes verify everything but delete old block files.
- Archival nodes keep all blocks and can serve history.
- Both enforce exactly the same consensus rules.
Common questions
Is a pruned node less secure?
No. It verified every block itself. It just can't serve old blocks to others.
Can I un-prune later?
Yes, but the node has to download the deleted blocks again.
How much disk does a pruned node need?
As little as a few gigabytes, depending on the prune setting, plus space for the UTXO database.
Is a pruned node a light wallet?
No. A pruned node fully validates every block; it just doesn't keep old ones.