In the era of blockchain, sanctions, and bank fraud, it's hard to do without cryptocurrency. But where to store it? Which wallets are the best? Here's a selection of the best cryptocurrency wallets as of mid-2022.
How to choose a cryptocurrency wallet
There are many types of cryptocurrency wallets: desktop wallets, mobile wallets, cloud services, hardware wallets. There is no perfect one, you have to choose a wallet depending on your goals. For long-term storage of large amounts of money, it's best to use paid hardware wallets or at least software-based local wallets. For frequent transactions, you can use mobile and web wallets.
Hardware wallets
Ledger Nano-X
The French company Ledger has been producing its devices since 2014. Nano-X is the newest and most popular model with an expanded display and increased memory. Externally, the wallet resembles a flash drive, but it can also be connected via Bluetooth. The charge holds up to 8 hours. The cost - $149.
To work with the wallet, you must install the Ledger Live app, which is available in mobile and desktop versions. In the process of creating a wallet, you need to write a sido phrase of 24 words. It takes about 30 minutes to set up and connect. It is mandatory to press a button to make transactions, which provides high security. You can interact with DeFi-applications (Uniswap, PancakeSwap) by connecting your wallet to Metamask. The device is protected by a pin code.
Nano-X supports over 5500 assets, including BTC, ETH, etc. Here you can check if the wallet supports the coin you want.
The company itself sells and delivers its products.
Pluses:
- Bluetooth connectivity;
- Integration with hot wallets like Metamask;
- Support for most networks and cryptocurrencies;
- High security and reliability;
- Stacking;
- Token exchange;
- U2F token;
- Password manager;
- Installation of more than 100 applications at a time;
- Crypto payment available with BitPay;
- Fast paid or slow free shipping.
Minuses:
- You need to download an app for each coin;
- High price of $149;
- Failures;
- Application freezes.
Trezor Model T
Trezor Model T is the main competitor of Ledger Nano-X. The Trezor Suite desktop application is used to control the wallet. The device resembles a car lock key and connects to a PC using a standard USB-C. The Model T is a new and improved model with a touchscreen. The wallet supports over 1200 assets, but unlike Ledger it can't store SOL, DOT, TRX and many other currencies. You can check the list of supported ones here.
Cryptocurrency transactions are impossible without physical interaction with the wallet, which provides high security. However, there have been cases when the device was hacked without access to the sido-phrase or password. The chip inside the wallet can be tampered with and thus gain access to private information. If you lose the device, the wallet can be recovered by a 12-word seed phrase.
The cost of the wallet is €249 plus shipping €9. It is recommended to pay with cryptocurrencies. The wallet will arrive within 7-15 business days.
Pluses:
- No need to download an app to store assets;
- Payment with BTC and LTC;
- Ability to connect to hot wallets;
- Proprietary desktop application;
- Stacking;
- Touchscreen;
- U2F token;
- Password manager;
- SD slot.
Minuses:
- No SOL, DOT, TRX and some other currencies;
- No Bluetooth;
- No mobile app;
- Device has been hacked;
- High price of €249.
Ledger Nano-S Plus
Ledger's budget model. Unlike Nano-X, this wallet connects to a PC via standard USB-C, has less memory and narrower display. You can download up to 100 applications. The wallet supports all the same assets as Nano-X.
Pluses:
- The low price is $59;
- U2F token;
- Password manager;
- Integration with hot wallets like Metamask;
- Support for most networks and cryptocurrencies;
- Cryptocurrency exchange;
- Steaming.
Minuses:
- No Bluetooth;
- Crashes sometimes;
- Little memory and small display.
SafePal S1
This is the first hardware wallet in which the largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance invested. The device cannot be connected via Bluetooth, USB-C, or Wi-Fi. SafePal S1 has a microcontroller for operations, a secure chip for storing private keys and a built-in random number generator. There is also a mechanism for self-destruction of private keys in case the wallet body is tampered with. The device has a PIN-code, charges via USB-cable and holds up to 20 days of charge.
The wallet works through the SafePal app, available for iOS and Android. Interaction with the app is only through a QR code or a fingerprint. The wallet supports 33 blockchains and more than 30 thousand cryptocurrencies; you can buy and exchange crypto directly in the app. See the list of supported assets here.
As of this writing, a special offer is in effect: the SafePal S1 is offered for $49.99 instead of $69.99.
Pluses:
- Cost is only $49.99;
- Free shipping on the purchase of two copies;
- Connection via QR code only;
- 1 year warranty;
- Asset purchase and exchange;
- 33 blockchains and 30,000+ tokens;
- Self-destruct mechanism.
Minuses:
- The app is for mobile devices only;
- No staking.
Trezor One
Trezor One is the world's first hardware wallet, making history since 2013. It supports even fewer assets than the Trezor T. You can buy it for €69 plus shipping €9.
Pluses:
- The price is only €69;
- No need to download an app to store assets;
- U2F token;
- Cryptocurrency purchase from a bank card;
- Password manager;
- SSH connection;
- GPG encryption.
Minuses:
- No XRP, ADA, SOL, DOT, TRX, etc;
- No Micro-SD.
Program wallets
Bitcoin Core
Bitcoin Core is a native bitcoin wallet. The bitcoin blockchain now weighs 400 GB and adds 5-10 GB per month. By default the entire blockchain is stored, but by enabling pruning you can store as little as 6GB without compromising security.
Bitcoin Core is non-custodial; with it, you have full control over keys and commissions, but you will need some technical savvy and a high connection speed.
Pluses:
- High security;
- Open source code;
- Free.
Minuses:
- BTC only;
- High internet speed is required;
- No mobile version;
- Takes up a lot of memory.
Electrum
Electrum is one of the oldest bitcoin wallets, launched back in 2011. You don't have to download all 400 GB of blockchain. The code is open, available for MS and Android.
During installation, you can create a standard wallet, with two-factor authentication or with multi-signature. You can also import an existing wallet with private keys.
Pluses:
- Open source code;
- High security;
- Free;
- Available for MS and Android;
- No need to download full blockchain history;
- New transaction notifications;
- Two-factor authentication;
- Simple interface;
Minuses:
- BTC only;
- Not available on iOS;
- The mobile app is inconvenient and has some bugs;
- Limited functionality: only storing, receiving and sending.
Exodus
Exodus is a popular universal cryptocurrency wallet with a history dating back to 2015. It supports more than 200 tokens and several decentralized applications. It does not require a seed phrase entry. The cryptocurrency account opens automatically and can be backed up later. Stacking and integration with Trezor is available. Inside the wallet you can buy crypto using a bank card, exchange it on the exchange, see the statistics of your portfolio. The wallet has a nice user-friendly interface that can be customized.
Pluses:
- Free;
- Available for MS and smartphones;
- NFT support;
- Portfolio Statistics;
- Integration with DApps;
- Buying crypto from bank cards with zero;
- Integration with hardware wallets;
- Staking;
- Exchange;
- Cryptocurrency news and videos;
- Ability to create and manage different portfolios;
- Interface customization;
- Statistics and charts.
Minuses:
- Access can be restored via email, which is not secure;
- Closed source code;
Atomic Wallet
Atomic Wallet is a multifunctional non-custodial wallet created in 2018 in Estonia. The app has an exchange, staking, NFT gallery (only in Solana network) and a service for buying crypto using Visa/MC cards. There are 11 tokens that can be secured in Atomic Wallet with yields of 5-23%. AWT native token has the highest yield. If you keep this token in the wallet, you can receive cashback for transactions on the exchange. The wallet supports more than 300 coins. The full list is available here.
Pluses:
- Free;
- Mobile and desktop versions;
- Over 30 blockchains and 300 cryptocurrencies;
- Price change notifications;
- Exchange;
- WalletConnect feature to connect to DeFi-protocols;
- Adding custom tokens;
- Staking;
- NFT Gallery;
- Buying crypto from bank cards.
Minuses:
- Bugs are encountered.
Wasabi
A non-custodial, open-source bitcoin wallet. After setting a password and recording a seed phrase, they offer a choice of three CoinJoin strategies: low commissions, maximum speed, or maximum privacy.
Pluses:
- Addresses can be named;
- Free;
- High anonymity;
- Integration with Tor;
- Integration with hardware wallets.
Minuses:
- BTC only;
- May take a long time to load;
- Desktop version only.
Blockstream Green
Blockstream has been building an infrastructure around bitcoin since 2014, and their Green wallet is part of that infrastructure. Green is positioned as a wallet that combines security, privacy, and full control.
In the process of creating a wallet, you choose a network (Bitcoin or Liquid), a signature (single or multi-signature), write a seed phrase (12 or 24 words), and set a pin code. The program can be integrated with Blockstream Jade, Ledger and Trezor hardware wallets.
Pluses:
- Integration with hardware wallets;
- Segwit support and commission tracking;
- Russian language;
- API availability;
- Available for MS and smartphones;
- Pin Code;
- Multi-signature;
Minuses:
BTC only.
Guarda
Multicurrency wallet for storing, exchanging, borrowing and staking cryptocurrencies. To use the wallet, you need to write down a password and save a backup file. Access can only be restored if both components are present.
The wallet supports more than 50 blockchains and tens of thousands of tokens. In the app you can exchange tokens on an integrated exchange, borrow stablecoins at 14% p.a. and connect Ledger. You can also buy crypto by using Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay and other payment systems using Simplex and Guardian services. NFT support is promised soon. There are light and dark themes.
Advantages:
- Choice of installation for all or specific computer users (useful for offices);
- Free;
- Crypto Loans;
- Exchange;
- Stacking;
- Available for MS and smartphones;
- Buying crypto from a bank card;
- Integration with hardware wallets.
Jaxx
A non-custodial multicurrency wallet, available as an extension as well as in mobile and desktop versions. Jaxx supports more than 100 cryptocurrencies. The wallet integrates Simplex payment service for buying crypto from the card, as well as an exchange for exchange. The app has news, prices and information about each token, a blockchain explorer, and a "Positions" section.
Pluses:
- Free;
- Exchange;
- Available for MS and smartphones;
- News;
- Buying crypto from a bank card;
- Ability to choose the currency to display;
- Statistics and information about crypto-assets.
Minuses:
- No staking.
Mobile and browser wallets
Metamask
The most popular hot cryptocurrency wallet from ConsenSys. It appeared in 2016, and today it is used by more than 30 million people. Wallet is convenient to use as a browser extension. A small window shows all the important information: balance, network, connected sites, buying, exchanging and sending cryptocurrency and much more. Metamask supports only Ethereum and EVM-compatible networks, you can't use it to store BTC or SOL. Inexperienced users may have difficulty adding new networks.
A hardware wallet (Ledger, Trezor, Lattice, Keystone, AirGap) can be connected to Metamask. Cryptocurrency can be purchased directly in the wallet through MoonPay, Transak and Wyre gateways.
Pluses:
- Free;
- Available for MS and smartphones;
- Simple and user-friendly interface;
- Integration with most protocols and platforms;
- Integration with hardware wallets;
- Ability to buy cryptocurrency from bank cards;
- Cryptocurrency exchange;
- NFT support.
Minuses:
- Supports only EVM-matched networks;
- Mobile version supports only one hardware wallet (Keystone);
- Difficult to add networks;
- No Staking.
Trust Wallet
Trust Wallet is one of the most popular hot wallets. Available only in the mobile version. Unlike Metamask, it supports not only Ethereum and EVM-compatible networks, but also most other networks (BTC, SOL, etc.). The wallet has all the features you need: sending and receiving (by itself), buying (MoonPay, Ramp, Simplex, Mercuryo, Transak), stacking (SOL, BNB TRX, etc) tokens.
In the DApps section, you can connect to a thousand decentralized applications.
When creating a wallet, you have to write down a 12-word sido phrase. Trust Wallet has an intuitive interface and is good for beginners.
Pluses:
- Free;
- Crypto exchange;
- Buying cryptocurrency from bank cards;
- Steaming;
- Light and dark themes;
- NFT support;
- Connection to DApps within the wallet;
- Support for most networks and currencies.
Minuses:
- Mobile version only;
- On iOS there is no way to interact with DApps within the app, only through WalletConnect;
- Higher risk of losing assets if the device is hacked.
Samourai
A non-custodial mobile bitcoin wallet. Samourai has many non-standard features: Stonewall removes digital footprint from metadata; PayNym hides address from everyone except sender and recipient; Batching reduces mining fees; Scrambled PIN prevents screen hijacking by viruses; remote SMS commands erase and restore cryptocurrencies in case smartphone is lost or stolen. The wallet is suitable for advanced users with a need for high anonymity.
Pluses:
- Free;
- Tor Browser;
- Offline mode;
- PDF template for storing the cid-phrase;
- Pin and password;
- Many features for anonymous transactions.
Minuses:
- Mobile version only;
- Available only on Android;
- BTC only.
MyEtherWallet
Perhaps the best wallet for ETH and ether network tokens. When creating a wallet, you have to come up with a pin code and write down a 24-word sid-phrase.
The app is only available in a mobile version and allows you to connect hardware wallets. MEW contains all the necessary functionality and information for Ethereum users. In the wallet you can exchange ERC-20 tokens, buy and sell ETH using bank cards using MoonPay and Simplex, transfer tokens from one network to another via Multichain bridge, invest your ETH through Lido, Yearn Finance and Staked providers at ~4% APR and many more. The wallet has a built-in browser to interact with DApps on Ethereum.
Pluses:
- Free;
- Pin code and biometric unlocking;
- Three networks: ERC-20, BEP-20 and Polygon;
- Choice of currencies to display;
- Nice and user-friendly interface;
- Ability to buy cryptocurrency from bank cards;
- Gas price information for different types of transactions;
- Cryptocurrency exchange;
- Steering;
- Interaction with DApps through a browser;
- A bridge to transfer tokens from one network to another;
- NFT support..;
Minuses:
- Only the mobile version.
Mycelium
Non-custodial cryptocurrency wallet for BTC, ETH and ERC-20 tokens.
When creating a wallet, you have to think up a pin code and write down a 24-word sido phrase.
The app is mobile-only and allows you to connect Trezor, Ledger and KeepKey hardware wallets. Inside the wallet you can buy cryptocurrency from a bank card using Simplex, on the marketplace Mycelium (P2P-trading), through SEPA payments and exchange them at the internal exchanger.
Pluses:
- Free;
- News about crypto;
- Ability to buy cryptocurrency from bank cards;
- P2P Marketplace;
- Cryptocurrency exchange;
- Interaction with hardware wallets.
Minuses:
- Lots of integrated advertising: exchanges, NFT marketplace, sports betting;
- BTC and ERC-20 tokens only.
Phantom
A mobile wallet for Solana users. You can create multiple wallets and import existing ones. As everywhere else, you need to write down a seed phrase. You'll need it to regain access to the wallet. There is a search engine inside, through which you can connect to DApps.
Pluses:
- Free;
- Mobile app;
- Token Swap;
- NFT support;
- Staking;
- Push notifications.
Minuses:
- SOL and SLP tokens only;
Enjin Wallet
A simple mobile wallet with an NFT gallery and DApps. The app supports BTC, ETH, LTC, DOT, BSC networks and more. In Enjin you can create an infinite number of wallets, exchange tokens on two integrated exchanges, store, brand and trade NFT, work with decentralized applications (1inch, Aave, Axie, etc.) The wallet is protected by a password, fingerprinted, auto-lock and secure keyboard. The application has a simple user-friendly interface and is suitable for beginners.
Pluses:
- Free;
- Exchange;
- Choice of currencies to display;
- NFT Support;
- DApps-browser;
- Simple and user-friendly interface;
- Support for most networks and currencies.
Minuses:
- Only the mobile version;
- No staking;
- No ability to buy crypto from the card.
How to use wallets safely
Use several cryptocurrency wallets for different tasks. Hardware (Ledger Nano-X, Trezor) or local (Bitcoin Core, Electrum) wallets are better for long-term storage. Mobile and online wallets (Metamask, Trust Wallet, Atomic Wallet) are more convenient for frequent transactions;
Don't store large amounts in online wallets. If you don't want to pay for a hardware wallet, at least use local software wallets;
Keep sido codes and pin codes from your wallets on paper or in a special vault in a safe place. Make duplicates. It is undesirable to keep your keys on your phone or PC. Never send private data to third parties or employees of companies who produce wallets;
Most wallets allow you to set a password for logging in. Do not use the same passwords, come up with unique ones for each wallet;
Always check your data several times. If you accidentally send funds to the wrong address, there will be nowhere to complain and you will not be able to cancel the transaction.
