Twelve wallets people use to hold their own bitcoin, side by side. See what each costs, how open it is and whether it needs your computer.
A tiny Swiss device with a simple app and a microSD backup. Plugs into a computer or Android phone. Buy the Bitcoin-only edition; it can't be switched later.
The newer BitBox, with a tougher screen and iPhone support over Bluetooth. Same Bitcoin-only edition choice at purchase.
No recovery words to write down. Your phone, the device and Block's server each hold a key, and any two can move your bitcoin. Simpler recovery if you lose your phone or the device, at the cost of relying on Block for recovery help.
A low-cost, fully open-source signer with a camera, so it can sign by scanning QR codes without ever being plugged in.
Jade with a bigger, brighter screen and better buttons. Works with the Blockstream app, Sparrow and other wallets.
A small, Bitcoin-only signer built for people who never want it plugged into a computer. Many extra security features for experienced users.
Security note: In July 2026 Coinkite disclosed a firmware bug that weakened newly made seeds (the recovery words a device creates). Coinkite says attackers stole funds from weakened seeds. The worst case is older Mk2 and Mk3 firmware (4.0.1–4.1.9). No thefts from Mk4, Mk5 or Q seeds have been reported. Mk5 seeds made before firmware 5.6.0 (Edge 6.6.0X) have about 72 bits of randomness instead of 128. Coinkite calls that less severe but still serious, and says the devices were not hacked. Update to the fixed firmware before creating a seed. Move older Mk5 seeds to new recovery words unless you added at least 50 private dice rolls. Read Coinkite's advisory.
The bigger COLDCARD: a full keyboard and a camera for scanning QR codes make passphrases and multisig easier to handle.
Security note: In July 2026 Coinkite disclosed a firmware bug that weakened newly made seeds (the recovery words a device creates). Coinkite says attackers stole funds from weakened seeds. The worst case is older Mk2 and Mk3 firmware (4.0.1–4.1.9). No thefts from Mk4, Mk5 or Q seeds have been reported. Q seeds made before firmware 1.5.0Q (Edge 6.6.0QX) have about 72 bits of randomness instead of 128. Coinkite calls that less severe but still serious, and says the devices were not hacked. Update to the fixed firmware before creating a seed. Move older Q seeds to new recovery words unless you added at least 50 private dice rolls. Read Coinkite's advisory.
You assemble a Raspberry Pi Zero, a screen and a camera. It forgets your keys when switched off, so you load them each time from a QR code of your seed. Popular as one key in a multisig.
A low-cost model with a secure chip. Trezor sells a Bitcoin-only edition of each model at the same price.
Trezor's mid-range model: a color touchscreen and the same open-source firmware. Easy setup with the Trezor Suite app.
A phone-sized, air-gapped signer with a big touchscreen. It ships with multi-coin firmware; Keystone publishes a Bitcoin-only version you can install.
A widely used multi-coin brand. Its secure-chip software is not open to public review and there is no Bitcoin-only firmware, though you can install only the Bitcoin app.
A hardware wallet signs; an app on your phone or computer shows your balance and builds payments. These are free and widely used.
| App | Runs on | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Sparrow | Windows, Mac, Linux | Desktop control of a hardware wallet, coin control and multisig. Free and open source. |
| Nunchuk | Phone and desktop | Multisig and inheritance planning from a phone, with or without hardware wallets. |
| Blockstream app (formerly Green) | Phone and desktop | Everyday wallet; the companion app for Jade. |
| Phoenix | Phone | Self-custodial Lightning payments for spending money. |
| BlueWallet | Phone | Simple on-chain wallet; can watch a hardware wallet and run multisig vaults. |
| Electrum | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android | One of the oldest Bitcoin wallets; light and flexible, for experienced users. |
Reviewed November 2026. Facts come from each maker's site and public documentation. Spotted something out of date? Tell us. Self-custody in 3 steps · Your recovery phrase. Not financial advice.
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