Best Bitcoin Wallets of December 2023 (2024)

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The best bitcoin wallets offer secure storage for all types of crypto investors, accessible user interfaces, mobile access, low trading fees, and more. If you're looking to invest in bitcoin or another cryptocurrency like ether or litecoin, you'll need to pick an exchange (e.g., Coinbase or Kraken) that offers such assets, as well as a "crypto wallet" to store and secure your private key code for accessing your assets.

Best Bitcoin Wallets

We reviewed more than a dozen bitcoin wallets to find the best options for low fees, safe (and secure) storage, cryptocurrency asset choices, and user interfaces.

Best Overall

Exodus

Why it stands out: Exodus is a multichain web3 wallet that offers cryptocurrency exchange services for desktop, mobile, and more. Exodus' account features also include live charts and portfolio data, 24/7 customer support, a built-in exchange, and trading between thousands of digital assets including NFTs.

Exodus is a free platform that has 24/7 customer service, custom tokens, easy market trading, and staking rewards. You can stake crypto through Exodus' mobile, desktop, and browser platforms with a 4.86% APY.

The bitcoin wallet offers commission-free cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, solana, and others with USD, EUR, and GBP. You can also manage your assets using Exodus and Trezor, another popular bitcoin wallet. You don't need to use multiple wallets, but some users might prefer having multiple wallets as an additional security measure for their assets.

Exodus and Trezor's partnership caters to those who prefer hardware security since you'd be able to securely manage your assets offline while simultaneously using the Exodus platform. Exodus typically receives 2-5% on each asset exchange, but the firm generally doesn't charge you any fees to use its software.

What to look out for: Exodus mainly caters to hot wallet (software) users. It may not be suitable for the hardware-minded traders, unless you plan to use a Trezor device with the app.

Best for Beginners

BitBox

Why it stands out:With BitBox's BitBox02 hardware wallet, you can store your crypto private key and manage any assets offline through an external chip. It offers interactive touch features and an OLED screen for transaction details. The wallet supports bitcoin, ether, litecoin, and more than 1,500 other cryptocurrencies.

But BitBox also provides a bitcoin-only edition. This version could be a great fit for you if you're only looking to store bitcoin. It relies on bitcoin-only firmware and offers compatibility with the BitBoxApp, Electrum, Specter, Sparrow, and Wasabi.

The BitBoxApp also gives you desktop access.

What to look out for:If you're a fan of mobile access, you'll only be able to use BitBox on Android devices.

Best for Advanced Users

Electrum

Why it stands out: Launched just two years after bitcoin was created, Electrum specializes in private key encryption and two-factor authentication. Like Exodus, Electrum is a hot wallet that gives you online encryption for your crypto information.

Electrum verifies that all of your bitcoin transactions are in the bitcoin blockchain, and its Multisig feature allows you to spend bitcoin between multiple wallets. Electrum also supports other wallets, including Ledger, Trezor, and Keepkey.

In addition, Electrum says it offers several interfaces that you can use on mobile, desktop, or with its command line interface. However, with its cold storage offering, you can sign transactions from an offline computer, according to its website.

What to look out for: Electrum doesn't offer traditional phone customer support. However, the company provides helpful information in its documentation and FAQ sections, it offers a Reddit support page, and it allows you to ask questions on bitcointalk.org. Another thing to note is that, while Electrum supports other wallets, it only allows for bitcoin transactions. This may be a downside for those interested in exploring other cryptocurrencies.

Best for Android Users

OPOLO

Why it stands out: Based in Luxembourg, OPOLO provides its own free and encrypted hardware wallets that utilize EAL 6+ rated secure chips (EAL certifications are security certifications used for hardware wallets). This means you'll be able to store any crypto assets offline. OPOLO also says it offers genuine device checks, USB encryption, anti-theft protection, PCB encapsulation, randomized keyboard access, and virus-free usage.

You can set up bitcoin wallets, Ethereum wallets, or take advantage of more than 120 other coins. As for tokens, OPOLO currently offers more than 200,000. And thanks to the company's security measures, its bitcoin hardware wallet allows you to backup and recover any assets.

OPOLO's mobile app is only available on Android devices, but the wallet is also available on Mac, Windows, and Linux for users with desktops or laptops.

What to look out for:Keep in mind that the OPOLO mobile app is best for Android users. If you don't have an Android phone, you can still download the OPOLO hard wallet on your desktop or laptop. With Android app, however, you'll be able to exchange cryptocurrencies from your phone.

Best for Mobile Users

Mycelium

Why it stands out: Mycelium is another popular bitcoin wallet that offers a wide range of storage services. Among these are advanced cold storage, spending, and savings accounts for bitcoin investors, and inter-wallet operability. The Foundation for Interwallet Operability (FIO) created inter-wallet operability to make it easier for crypto holders to send or receive coins across different blockchains or wallets). It supports more than 20 tokens.

In addition, you can download Mycelium for free, and the company's wallets allow for open-source, incognito use. Mycelium's wallets are also reproducible, and the platform is compatible with Trezor, Ledger, and KeepKey hardware wallets.

Though Mycelium is mainly a bitcoin-focused wallet, it also supports ether and other ERC-20 tokens. Additional features include in-app exchange, trading, and educational resources.

What to look out for:Mycelium's customer support is primarily available through email.

Best for Digital Storage

Cobo

Why it stands out: Though it formerly offered hardware wallets through Cobo Vault, Cobo transitioned to provide a digital Cloud wallet for its users. The app offers support for more than 70 blockchains and more than 1,800 tokens, and both iOS and Android users can take advantage of these perks.

Cobo also offers features like multi-factor authentication, hot-cold storage, and multi-signature storage for private keys. And institutions can utilize its Cobo Custody crypto services.

What to look out for: Cobo isn't the best choice if you're solely in search of hardware crypto storage.

Best for Software Storage

Wasabi

Why it stands out:Available on Mac, Windows, Ubuntu, and Linux desktop devices, Wasabi is a free hot wallet that offers open-source, non-custodial storage for bitcoin investors. Wasabi also offers trustless CoinJoin transactions that allow you to merge your coins with other users in one transaction to prevent third parties or hackers from tracing where each coin came from, according to its website.

This feature doesn't compromise you coins' security, though. Neither you nor the other users will be able to trace where each coin came from. Wasabi says this eliminates the risk of stolen funds because — unlike regular transactions where there's one sender and one receiver — it's more difficult for outside parties to trace.

What to look out for: Wasabi is available on multiple desktop devices, but you won't be able to access it on iOS or Android mobile phones.

Best Crypto Wallet for Bitcoin-Only Investors

CoinKite

Why it stands out: CoinKite makes several crypto hardware wallets that offer external security for crypto investors, but its bitcoin-only coldcard wallet could be particularly suitable for bitcoin-focused traders. It signs your crypto transactions to keep your private key offline.

The wallet — which is available as a specialized chip and numeric keypad — is also compatible with the following crypto wallets: Bitcoin Core, Electrum, BTCPay, Specter-Desktop, Wasabi, Fully Noded, Unchained Capital, Casa, BlueWallet, Coldcore, Sparrow, and more.

CoinKite's other offerings include Opendime, BlockClock Mini, Seedplate, Coldpower, Coinkite terminal, and Bitcoin server (you can find its complete list of products here).

What to look out for: Keep in mind that the cold card wallet is an external, offline crypto storage device. If you're looking for online storage, you'll need to consider other options.

Best Bitcoin Wallets Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the best bitcoin wallets?

• Exodus: Best overall bitcoin wallet
• BitBox: Best bitcoin wallet for beginners
• Electrum crypto wallet: Best bitcoin wallet for advanced users
• OPOLO crypto wallet: Best bitcoin wallet for Android users
• Mycelium crypto wallet: Best bitcoin wallet for mobile users
• Cobo crypto wallet: Best bitcoin wallet for digital storage
• Wasabi crypto wallet: Best bitcoin wallet for software storage
• CoinKite Crypto Wallet: Best bitcoin wallet for bitcoin-only investors

How a Bitcoin Wallet Works

Cryptocurrencies like bitcoin have been around for more than a decade, but in the past few years, they've moved beyond a niche investment to the mainstream. Companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, Whole Foods, Paypal, and countless others now accept bitcoin and other digital currencies as forms of payment.

Some of the best investment apps also offer cryptocurrency trading and market access to the crypto market.Many of the best cryptocurrency exchanges offer an internal crypto wallet to store your digital assets, including bitcoin. But if the platform you're using doesn't provide secure storage, or you prefer to keep your crypto separate, you can open an external wallet.

If you're interested in securing your cryptocurrencies with a bitcoin wallet, you'll first need to create an account with your desired platform. Most non-custodial wallets (wallets that you hold complete custody over) offer downloadable software that you can use to secure your private key and crypto assets.

However, if you're using a hardware wallet, you'll likely need a USB cable to connect to your platform's external storage chip. Once you've created your account, connected the necessary devices or downloaded any required software, you'll be able to transfer over any existing crypto assets.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed The Best Bitcoin Wallets

Personal Finance Insider rating methodology for investing platforms is based on several factors, including customer support access, bitcoin features, wallet custody, educational resources, and wallet compatibility. Some crypto wallets are compatible with other storage platforms. For instance, Mycelium currently supports Trezor, Ledger, and KeepKey hardware wallets.Investment platforms are given a rating between 0 and 5.

Other Bitcoin and Crypto Wallets We Considered

• Coinbase Wallet: Coinbase Wallet is a self-custody wallet through the popular cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase. It stores and manages thousands of crypto, NFTs, and multiple wallets. The wallet also allows you to access the decentralized web. Coinbase wallet earns yield, uses DeFi liquidity pool to supply/borrow crypto, and more.
• Crypto.com DeFi wallet:A non-custodial wallet that earns rebates on over 25 tokens, as well as provides you access to popular DApps. Crypto.com DeFi wallet also allows you to deposit view, share, and deposit NFTs across multiple blockchains. Another feature is that you can swap more then 1000 tokens over multiple blockchains, such as Ethereum, Cosmos, Cronos, etc.
• Ledger:Ledger is a popular hardware wallet that launched in 2014. The company offers two different types of Ledger wallets — Ledger Nano S Plus and Ledger Nano X — and a software, Ledger Live, that lets you set up any devices, trade and manage crypto, and access all of Ledger's services in one place. But be prepared to pay a fee for each hardware chip.
• Metamask:Metamask is available both on mobile devices and as a browser extension. The company offers private key storage, a secure login, a token wallet, and a token exchange that allows you to buy, send, or swap tokens. However, Metamask mainly supports ether (ETH) and ERC tokens; you can add bitcoin to the wallet if you swap it with an ERC 20 token.
• Trezor: Trezor is considered a cold wallet since it primarily offers offline storage through an external USB-like device. As with Ledger, Trezor offers two storage options: Trezor One and Trezor Model T. Both options offer bitcoin-only firmware and well over 1,000 cryptocurrencies. However, some of Trezor's advanced products can be pricey.
• Trust Wallet:Unlike the other wallets mentioned above, Trust is solely for mobile storage. If you've got a smartphone, you can download the wallet on iOS or Android devices. While Trust lets you store, purchase and exchange crypto, it also allows you to earn up to 11% APR through crypto staking. But the wallet may not be the best choice for desktop-minded users.
• Blockchain:Blockchain is a hot wallet that offers online encryption and gives you complete custody over your crypto assets. The wallet also provides a Blockchain data API, crypto data charts, interest-bearing accounts, and real-time crypto prices. You can hold or exchange bitcoin, ether, and others, but the company's total number of tradeable assets is limited.
• Edge:Edge allows client-side encryption, meaning your data and information are completely encrypted on your end, and Edge doesn't have access to any of it, according to its website. Along with the fact that it lets you buy, store, or trade bitcoin, ether, and other coins, Edge says it relies on a zero-knowledge security architecture. The company doesn't ask for your email, phone number, or other personal info when creating an account. Similar to Trust, Edge is primarily for mobile users.