Coinbase Wallet
Coinbase Wallet is our top pick for beginners looking for a hot wallet, thanks to its intuitive and highly secure wallet backed by a renowned exchange.
The user interface of Coinbase Wallet is easy to navigate with a simple three-tab layout and clear, discernible features. The app connects to most major bank accounts, can store popular coins such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and BNB, as well as all ERC-20 tokens and tokens on EVM compatible blockchains.
It’s important to distinguish between Coinbase Exchange and Coinbase Wallet. Coinbase Exchange is one of the oldest and most well-known cryptocurrency trading platforms in the United States. Keeping your digital assets on the exchange’s online wallet makes it easier to trade, but exposes your tokens to more cybersecurity threats.
Coinbase Wallet can be used without an account on the exchange and is non-custodial, meaning the private keys are stored on your device, not on Coinbase’s servers. This means you don’t have to worry about your currency being locked for any reason or being subjected to cyberattacks on the website.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface, easy to navigate
- Supports over 100,000 digital assets
- Multisignature and two-factor authentication support
- Backed by a reputable trading platform, capable of recovering lost or stolen assets
Cons:
- Security issues and vulnerabilities similar to other hot storage alternatives
- Available only for mobile and tablet devices (except for a Chrome extension)
MetaMask Wallet
MetaMask is our choice for the best Ethereum wallet, due to its user-friendly interface that allows quick and easy access to thousands of tokens and decentralized applications (dApps) within the Ethereum network.
MetaMask is one of the most widely used Ethereum wallets, with over 30 million active users per month. This is likely due to its ease of use and accessibility: the wallet has an attractive and simple design that appeals to beginner investors looking to store and send Ethereum-compatible cryptocurrencies and interact with dApps.
MetaMask is also known for its compatibility with other blockchain solutions. Users can add almost any blockchain network to the app, fully supporting popular Web3 networks like Polygon, BNB Chain, and Avalanche. Users can also access popular NFT marketplaces such as OpenSea and exchange a variety of collectibles using the wallet.
Anyone using Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or Brave browsers can download the wallet as an extension. You can also download the MetaMask app on Android mobile devices or Apple devices.
Pros:
- Intuitive interface design for browser extensions and apps
- Can link to NFT marketplaces
- Supports thousands of dApps
Cons:
- The cost of purchasing Ethereum can be high
- Cannot directly store Bitcoin
Trust Wallet
Trust Wallet is our pick for the best mobile crypto wallet due to its clean, scannable app interface, built-in support for dApps and NFTs, and the highest number of supported assets on our list.
Trust Wallet is a popular mobile online crypto wallet and the official mobile application of one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges, Binance. Although it is affiliated with Binance, the wallet is non-custodial, meaning it does not hold your private keys, and users are responsible for protecting them.
One of the wallet’s biggest advantages is its support for over 100 blockchains. This is how it can store such a wide array of digital assets — more than ten million coins and tokens, the most on our list.
Trust Wallet is also a great mobile option for NFT and decentralized application enthusiasts. The wallet has a built-in Web3 browser that allows users to directly access dApps and blockchain games through the app. This feature makes purchasing NFTs easy because users can view, buy, and store tokens using the integrated decentralized exchange without leaving the app.
Pros:
- Supports a wide variety of coins and tokens
- Earn interest on over 24 different cryptocurrencies
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Built-in Web3 browser
Cons:
- Owned by Binance, which faces regulatory issues in the US
- Limited educational resources for coins and tokens
Electrum Wallet
Electrum is selected by us as the best Bitcoin wallet due to its wide range of security features and high customizability.
Electrum, established in 2011, is among the oldest and most well-known crypto wallets today. It is also one of the few remaining crypto wallets that only deal with Bitcoin, with Electrum specializing in this currency.
The wallet boasts a variety of powerful security features, including 2FA, transaction proof checking, and multisignature wallet support. Additionally, users can adjust fees based on how long they are willing to wait for a transaction to complete: pay more fees, and your transaction will proceed faster.
One of the biggest advantages of the wallet is its use of a lightweight client that takes just minutes to set up and occupies less space on your computer than traditional wallet clients. By using Simplified Payment Verification (SPV), the wallet only downloads parts of the blockchain, thereby speeding up transactions without compromising security.
Pros:
- Quick setup and simplicity
- Higher security than other hot wallets
- Customizable transaction fees
- Wallet does not experience downtime due to server configurations
Cons:
- Setup and interface not suited for beginners
- No customer support provided through chat, email, or phone
BlueWallet
BlueWallet is chosen by us as the best mobile Bitcoin wallet due to its feature-rich mobile application, simple user interface, and integration with the Lightning Network.
BlueWallet is an excellent option for Bitcoin traders unable or unwilling to navigate more complex software on desktop computers. Like Electrum, it is a Bitcoin-only wallet, meaning it can fully concentrate on innovating and improving the Bitcoin experience on the platform.
The wallet’s interface is beginner-friendly and easy to navigate, but the application also contains many additional features that advanced users may appreciate. Besides basic functions such as sending, receiving, and storing BTC, BlueWallet also allows users to send batch transactions and customize fees.
Another major advantage of BlueWallet is its integration with the Lighting Network, a second-layer solution that makes peer-to-peer payments much faster than Bitcoin’s first layer network. Thinking of the Lightning Network as a high-speed highway sitting atop the regular Bitcoin blockchain can be helpful.
Pros:
- Modern design and accessible user interface
- Supports on-chain and lightning transactions
- Creation or import of multiple wallets
- Multisignature vaults for increased security
Cons:
- No two-factor authentication
- Advanced tools could use in-app tutorials
Exodus Wallet
Exodus is selected by us as the best desktop crypto wallet due to its transaction speed, ease of use, and the diversity of functions in the client application.
Exodus was initially a desktop wallet and now has applications for iOS and Android, and it’s also compatible with the popular hardware wallet brand, Trezor. Despite this, the desktop wallet application (usable across Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems) remains the core product of the wallet, with bi-weekly updates.
One of the main attractions of the Exodus wallet is the number of currencies it supports: over 260 cryptocurrencies and NFTs, more than many other hot wallets. This includes mature altcoins such as Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, and Bitcoin Cash, as well as popular meme coins like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu.
In addition to its visual appeal and intuitive interface, the wallet also features an increasing number of applications that diversify its functionality. These include real-time charts, cryptocurrency staking, and cryptocurrency deposit applications.
Pros:
- Supports over 260 crypto assets
- Compatible with Trezor One and Trezor T hardware wallets
- Allows users to buy Bitcoin with Apple Pay
- 24/7 customer support
Cons:
- High transaction fees in the in-wallet crypto exchange
- Lack of native two-step verification may concern some users
- Does not support multisignature
Crypto.com Defi Wallet
Crypto.com is chosen by us as the best DeFi crypto wallet due to its variety of decentralized finance tools, excellent onboarding process, and robust security framework.
For users starting their decentralized finance journey, the Crypto.com DeFi Wallet is an excellent choice. DeFi wallets allow users to have full control over their digital assets and private keys. They also have features not found in regular custodial wallets, including one-to-one cryptocurrency swaps and tools for users to earn passive income through their owned crypto.
Like other exchanges that offer both custodial and non-custodial wallet features, it’s important to distinguish between the two. You can download the Crypto.com DeFi Wallet and use it for daily crypto activities without creating an account on Crypto.com’s trading platform.
Consumers should be aware that decentralized finance products and services carry significant risks and should be approached with caution.
Pros:
- Choose your preferred transaction fees and confirmation speeds
- Supports over 250 tokens, including BTC, ETH, CRO, ATOM, DOT, and LTC
- Earn interest on over 25 cryptocurrencies
Cons:
- If you lose your private key and recovery phrase, funds will be inaccessible
- Built-in token exchange has some geographical restrictions
KeepKey
KeepKey is chosen by us as the best cold wallet for beginners due to its affordable price and easy-to-read digital display.
Priced at $78 with free shipping, KeepKey offers strong security and impressive functionality at a relatively low price. The wallet’s biggest advantage is control and visibility. Its large display makes every transaction clearer, and each transaction must be manually approved using the device’s confirmation button.
KeepKey also does not compromise on security. It features PIN protection to prevent unauthorized use, supports additional passphrases, and can create an unlimited number of wallet addresses on a single device. Additionally, it does not use a traditional operating system, meaning viruses, malware, and keyloggers cannot infect the device.
Pros:
- Reasonably priced hardware wallet
- Supports over 7,000 cryptocurrencies across 350 blockchain networks
- Digital display is easy to read and use
- Compatible with a range of popular dApps like UniSwap, OpenSea, Aave, and Yearn.finance
Cons:
- Limited variety of third-party integrations
- Heavier than competitors at the same price point
Ledger Nano S Plus
Ledger Nano S Plus is chosen by us as the best crypto hardware wallet due to its support for a large number of assets, stringent security framework, and functionality to trade directly via the integrated Ledger Live application.
Ledger is one of the most well-known brands in the crypto space, with its hardware wallets being a popular choice among crypto enthusiasts. Its products stand out for using secure element components (a type of chip common in passports, credit cards, and payment systems) to provide an extra layer of security.
Its first wallet, Nano S, was upgraded to Nano S Plus in April 2022, featuring an improved display, larger storage capacity, and a USB-C cable port. This upgrade to the already powerful entry-level product, Ledger Nano S, makes it even more attractive compared to its big brother, the Ledger Nano X.
Priced at $79 (excluding taxes and duties), this wallet is conveniently positioned between cheaper and more expensive alternatives available on the market today. Additionally, its dimensions are 2.5 x 0.69 x 0.32 inches, equipped with a 128 x 64-pixel screen, meaning it’s more portable and easier to scroll through installed apps.
Pros:
- Install up to 100 apps at the same time
- Directly buy and sell crypto through the Ledger Live app, used not only for buying and selling digital assets but also for monitoring, lending, and staking cryptocurrencies
- All transactions verified by double-clicking buttons
- Compatible with 50 other hardware wallets
Cons:
- More expensive than the original entry-level wallet
- Custom operating system is not open source
SafePal
SafePal is chosen by us as the best hybrid crypto wallet because of how seamlessly its software and hardware solutions integrate with each other.
SafePal occupies an interesting niche market because you can choose to use just the brand’s hot or cold wallet solution. It’s available as software in the form of a wallet app or browser extension, or as hardware in several cold wallet models. Of course, users who have both functionalities can benefit from increased functionality and flexibility.
Supporting over 15 languages and more than 30,000 digital assets across 100+ blockchains further enhances its flexibility. Its wallets also support Web3, allowing users to interact with dApps, trade NFTs across marketplaces, and even try out DeFi projects, among other activities.
A unique feature of SafePal S1 (the company’s most affordable model) is its reliance on an air-gapped signing mechanism, ensuring your crypto transactions are protected from online threats. The air-gapped signing mechanism means you can sign outgoing transactions without needing any cables, Bluetooth, or WiFi connections.
Pros:
- Software and hardware wallet options
- Supports over 30,000 cryptocurrencies
- Cold wallets come with a 1-year warranty
- Entry-level wallet only costs $49.99
Cons:
- Hardware integration is limited to SafePal hot wallet
- Limited battery life could be a concern