One of the most important things to consider when you own bitcoins is storing them securely, and it is your responsibility to ensure the safe storage of your bitcoin assets.
Read on to discover a list of the best bitcoin-only software wallets you can use to keep your coins safe.
What are bitcoin-only wallets?
Bitcoin-only wallets are cryptocurrency wallets that allow you to securely store your bitcoins. Additionally, they enable you to send and receive bitcoins, just like how you manage your fiat currency held in your bank account.
A bitcoin-only software wallet is one of two major categories of bitcoin wallets: cold and hot wallets. This article looks at software wallets that are considered hot wallets.
Bitcoin software wallets are classified into web, mobile and desktop wallets. Users can access web wallets online through any web service, while desktop and mobile wallets are accessed through desktop and mobile devices respectively. Lastly, there are also hybrid wallets that you can access on multiple platforms.
Best bitcoin-only software wallet
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’ve divided the list into on-chain-only wallets and those that also support bitcoin lightning network,
on-chain bitcoin wallet
Here are the top on-chain bitcoin wallets that you can use.
bitcoin core
bitcoin core A full node is a bitcoin wallet that validates transactions and associates them with the bitcoin network. The wallet is completely open-source, meaning that any software developer can audit the code and verify that the software does not hide secrets from wallet users. Furthermore, it gives users complete control over their BTC, which means that no third party can access their assets. However, users are still responsible for backing up and protecting their wallets.
As a full node bitcoin wallet, bitcoin core offers a high level of security as no third parties are involved when verifying transactions. However, since the software is preloaded on devices that are vulnerable to malware, users need to secure their devices by enabling two-factor authentication and using strong passcodes.
The wallet requires sufficient space of around 500GB plus an additional 5-10GB per month. Users have to store all this data, although it is possible to reduce this to around 6GB by enabling pruning.
features:
- full node verification
- excellent privacy
- great user interface
samurai
samurai wallet One of the most feature-rich bitcoin-only software wallets with a unique focus on privacy and security. The wallet was developed by a group of privacy advocates and is only available for Android devices, though there are plans to launch a Samourai Wallet app for iOS.
Although it is a software wallet, the app works in any network conditions including full offline mode, which enhances the security of the wallet. It also supports the Taproot upgrade of the bitcoin network, which improves bitcoin to layer two and the multi-signature protocol.
Other notable features embedded in Samurai Wallet include:
- smart miner fee estimation
- dojo bitcoin full node server
- Stonewall Clustering Addresses Security
- PayNym First-Touch Wallet Address Security
- batch cost
- fried pins
- whirlpool bitcoin transaction cycling
- Stealth Mode to hide Wallet from your device and launcher
- Ricochet protection against improper account closure
sparrow wallet
sparrow Is a desktop bitcoin-only wallet built with privacy, security and usability in mind. Developers publish the source code for the wallet so that any developer can audit it, and the wallet provides as much detail as possible on transactions and UTXOs. However, users still need to trust the wallet developers when installing or updating software.
The wallet supports single and multi-signature script types and can interact with hardware wallets. It also connects to the Bitcoin Core or Electrum servers, which means some trust in a third party is required when verifying transactions. The wallet also includes a transaction editor and a blockchain explorer.
Users have complete control over their assets and fees when using Sparrow. The wallet obfuscates addresses to complicate transaction espionage and prevents information disclosure to other network users. You can also activate Tor, which prevents Internet providers or attackers from linking payments to IP addresses.
features:
- Supports single sig and multisig
- strong encryption
Wasabi
Launched in 2018, Wasabi zkSNACKs is a non-custodial open-source bitcoin wallet. It is a non-custodial wallet compatible with Linux, MacOS, UBUNTU and Windows. The software is built with a dependable design; Therefore, the privacy of your wallet cannot be breached by the developer and the public. It is a complete zero-knowledge software wallet for bitcoin.
It also features CoinJoin, which helps with filtering and blocking communications through the Tor network. It also embeds an anonymous credential scheme known as Wabisabi to facilitate more efficient and accessible CoinJoin.
features:
- complete transparency
- easy to use
- excellent privacy
- Coinjoining at a cheap rate of 0.3% (for coins above 0.01 BTC)
bitcoin wallet that supports lightning network
Now, let’s take a look at bitcoin-only wallets that also support LN.
bitnob
bitnob A bitcoin and lightning wallet made in Africa to make it easier for every African and African business to connect to the bitcoin blockchain. It also comes with unique functionalities, such as a personalized savings plan for BTC that users can choose to do daily, weekly or monthly.
The wallet is easy to set up and supports a range of African currencies and payment methods.
features:
- Supports bitcoin and local African currencies
- bitcoin to local currency settlements
- Bitnob for Woocommerce Plugin
breeze
breeze A bitcoin wallet explicitly optimized for the Lightning Network.
When you first set up Breeze, it will automatically create a Lightning Network wallet for you the first time you receive BTC. The wallet also includes a feature for merchants who want to accept bitcoin payments. Furthermore, the wallet offers user-friendly backup options, making it an attractive wallet for first-time bitcoin users.
features:
- Merchant’s Point of Sale Function
- Podcasting 2.0 Tab
- easy backup
- access to lightning apps
blue wallet
blue wallet Launched in 2017 to offer a powerful bitcoin-only wallet. The wallet has a sleek design that is relatively user-friendly and minimalistic.
However, it is a feature-rich platform that uses a multi-sig vault, which is one of the best securities available for the bitcoin protocol. If you encounter a forced disclosure, you can also create multiple storages, including fake storages.
Blue Wallet also easily integrates with hardware wallets, allowing users to manage their cold wallets. Transactions are also cheap and fast with the option to choose your fees when transacting. Users also receive notifications for all transactions that take place on the Wallet.
features:
- plausible deniability
- multisignature vault
- wallet only to see
- Advanced mode for experienced users
- Transaction control with fee adjuster
electrum
electrum bitcoin wallet Available for desktop and mobile users seeking speed and simplicity.
The wallet’s software is open-source, and developers can audit it 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 that you can connect the Electrum wallet to major hardware wallets.
In terms of security, users can choose a personalized system. They may use multi-sig, two-factor, or standard security systems. Using the wallet is hassle free as it has a navigable layout. You can always check your transactions and use other in-app functions without conflict.
features:
- personal security
- Fast, Secure and Easy to Use
- hardware wallet compatibility
mun
mun A non-custodial wallet is ideal for beginners and bitcoin experts alike. The design of the wallet allows you to create and back up an account so that only you can access the backup. Moon will never store your backup data. You can also adjust the security of your wallet under the Settings and Security tab and create three types of backups for added security.
The wallet supports both the Bitcoin main chain and the Lightning Network. It provides unmatched security to your digital assets with its 2-of-2 multi-signature feature, which requires outgoing transactions to be validated with two keys instead of one. One of these keys is in your device, while the emergency kit has both. Muon also has an upcoming feature that will allow users to lock their wallets in case of device loss until they get a new phone.
features:
- multi-factor authentication
- cold recovery code
- Multiple Backup Options
- mempool based fee estimator
satoshi’s wallet
satoshi’s wallet is a mobile custodial wallet focused on simplicity. All you have to do is download the app for Android or iOS to start using the wallet and send or receive bitcoin instantly via the Lightning Network.
features:
- simple design
- Various top-up options
Apart from the software wallets in this article, you can also check out our top list bitcoin-only hardware wallet, A hardware wallet is recommended if you want to store large amounts of bitcoin, while a software wallet – as listed above – is meant to store bitcoin that you will use for your daily spending.
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