One of the most important things to consider when owning bitcoin is safekeeping, and it is your responsibility to ensure the safekeeping of your bitcoin assets.
Read on to discover a list of the best bitcoin-only software wallets to keep your coins safe.
What are bitcoin-only wallets?
Bitcoin-only wallets are cryptocurrency wallets that allow you to keep your bitcoins safe. Additionally, they allow you to send and receive bitcoin much like you would manage your fiat currency in your bank account.
Bitcoin-only software wallets are one of the two main categories of Bitcoin wallets: cold and hot wallets. This article is about software wallets that are considered hot wallets.
Bitcoin software wallets are categorized into web, mobile, and desktop wallets. Users can access web wallets online via any web service, while desktop and mobile wallets are accessed via desktop and mobile devices respectively. Finally, there are also hybrid wallets that you can access on multiple platforms.
Best Bitcoin Only Software Wallets
Now let’s take a look at some of the most popular bitcoin-only wallets that you can use on your desktop and/or smartphone. We have split the list into on-chain-only wallets and those that also support the Bitcoin Lightning Network.
On-Chain Bitcoin Wallets
Here are the best on-chain bitcoin wallets you can use.
bitcoin core
Bitcoin Core is a full-node bitcoin wallet that validates and forwards transactions to the bitcoin network. The wallet is fully open source, which means that any software developer can examine the code and confirm that the software wallet is not hiding any secrets from users. Additionally, it gives users complete control over their BTC, meaning no third party can access their assets. However, users are still responsible for backing up and securing their wallets.
As a full-node bitcoin wallet, Bitcoin Core offers a high level of security as there are no third parties involved in verifying a transaction. However, since the software is loaded on devices vulnerable to malware, users must secure their devices by enabling two-factor authentication and using strong passwords.
The wallet requires a generous storage space of around 500 GB and an additional 5-10 GB per month. Users need to save all this data, although it’s possible to reduce it to around 6GB by enabling pruning.
Characteristics:
- Full node validation
- Excellent privacy
- Great UI
samurai
The Samourai wallet is one of the most feature-rich pure Bitcoin software wallets with a unique focus on privacy and security. Developed by a group of privacy advocates, the wallet is only available for Android devices, although there are plans to launch a Samourai wallet app for iOS.
Despite being a software wallet, the app works in all network conditions, including a full offline mode that increases wallet security. It also supports the Bitcoin network taproot upgrade, which improves Bitcoin for Layer 2 and multi-signature protocols.
Other notable features embedded in the Samourai wallet include:
- Smart Miner Fee Estimation
- Dojo Bitcoin Full Node Server
- Stonewall addresses clustering protection
- PayNym first-touch wallet address protection
- batch outputs
- Messed up pen
- Whirlpool Bitcoin Transaction Cycle
- Stealth mode to hide wallet from your device and launcher
- Ricochet protection against unjustified account closure
Sparrow purse
Sparrow is a desktop bitcoin wallet designed with privacy, security, and ease of use in mind. Developers publish the source code for the wallet for any developer to check, and the wallet also provides as much details as possible about transactions and UTXO. However, users must still trust the wallet developers when installing or updating the software.
The wallet supports single and multi-signature script types and can interact with hardware wallets. It also connects to the Bitcoin core or an Electrum server, which means it requires some trust in a third party when verifying transactions. The wallet also features a transaction editor and a blockchain explorer.
Users have complete control over their assets and fees when using Sparrow. The wallet rotates addresses to make transactions more difficult to spy on and prevents information from being shared with other network users. You can also enable Tor, which blocks ISPs or attackers from tying payments to an IP address.
Characteristics:
- Supports single sig and multisig
- Strong encryption
wasabi
Launched in 2018, Wasabi is an open-source, no-custodial Bitcoin wallet created by zkSNACKs. It is a no-custodial wallet compatible with Linux, MacOS, UBUNTU and Windows. The software is built with a trustworthy design; Therefore, developers and the public cannot violate the privacy of your wallet. It is a complete zero-knowledge software wallet for bitcoin.
It also features CoinJoin that helps block filtering and communication over the Tor network. It also embeds an anonymous permissions scheme called WabiSabi that allows for more efficient and accessible CoinJoins.
Characteristics:
- Complete transparency
- Easy to use
- Excellent privacy
- Coinjoining at an affordable rate of 0.3% (For coins valued over 0.01 BTC)
Bitcoin wallets that support Lightning Network
Now let’s take a look at pure Bitcoin wallets that also support LN.
Bitnob
Bitnob is a bitcoin and lightning wallet developed in Africa to make connecting to the bitcoin blockchain easy for any African and African business. It has unique features such as B. the individual savings plan for BTC, which users can choose daily, weekly or monthly.
The wallet is easy to set up and supports a range of African currencies and payment methods.
Characteristics:
- Supports Bitcoin and local African currencies
- Bitcoin to local currency settlements
- Bitnob for Woocommerce plugin
breeze
Breez is a Bitcoin wallet explicitly optimized for the Lightning Network.
When you first set up Breez, it automatically creates a Lightning Network wallet for you when you first receive BTC. The wallet also includes a feature for merchants who wish to accept bitcoin payments. Additionally, the wallet offers user-friendly backup options, making it an attractive wallet for first-time Bitcoin users.
Characteristics:
- Merchant point-of-sale function
- Podcasting 2.0 tab.
- Simple backup
- Access to Lightning apps
Blue purse
Blue Wallet was launched in 2017 to introduce a powerful Bitcoin-only wallet. The wallet features a sleek design that is relatively user-friendly and minimalistic.
However, it is a feature-rich platform that uses multi-sig vaults, one of the best securities available for the Bitcoin protocol. You can also create multiple stores including fake stores in case you encounter forced disclosure.
Blue Wallet also easily connects to hardware wallets, allowing users to manage their cold vaults. Transactions are also cheap and fast, with the option to choose your fees when you transact. Users also receive notifications for all transactions that take place on the wallet.
Characteristics:
- Plausible denial
- Multi-signature vaults
- Wallets for watches only
- Advanced mode for experienced users
- Transaction control with fee regulator
electrum
The Electrum Bitcoin wallet is available for desktop and mobile users looking for speed and simplicity.
The wallet’s software is open source and developers can check it out at any time. It deploys remote servers capable of handling the most complex parts of the Bitcoin network to recover your wallet using a secret phrase. It is also compatible with other wallets, so you can link the Electrum wallet to major hardware wallets.
In terms of security, users can choose a personalized system. You can use multi-sig, two-factor or the standard security system. Using the wallet is hassle-free as it has a navigable layout. You can always check your transaction and easily use other in-app features.
Characteristics:
- Personalized security
- Fast, safe and easy to use
- Compatibility with hardware wallets
Other
Muun is a no-custodial wallet ideal for both beginners and bitcoin experts. The wallet design allows you to create an account and secure it, so only you can access the backup. Muun will never store your backup data. You can also customize your wallet’s security under the Settings and Security tabs, and create three types of backups for extra security.
The wallet supports both the Bitcoin main chain and the Lightning Network. It offers unmatched security for your digital assets with its 2-of-2 multi-signature feature that requires outgoing transactions to be validated with two keys instead of one. One of the keys is stored in your device, while the emergency kit contains both. Muun also has an upcoming feature that will allow users to lock their wallets until they get a new phone in case the device is lost.
Characteristics:
- Multi-Factor Authentication
- Cold recovery code
- Multiple backup options
- Mempool based fee estimator
Purse by Satoshi
Satoshi Wallet is a mobile depot wallet focused on simplicity. All you have to do to start using the wallet is download the app for Android or iOS and start sending or receiving Bitcoin over the Lightning network instantly.
Characteristics:
- Simple design
- Various charging options
In addition to the software wallets in this article, you can also check out our top list Bitcoin-only hardware wallets! A hardware wallet is advisable if you want to store large amounts of bitcoin, while a software wallet – like the ones listed above – is meant to store the bitcoin you would use for your day-to-day expenses.
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