| layout | title | subtitle | share-img | tags | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
page |
Bitcoin Wallet Guide |
Compare wallet features |
|
About |
Mobile |
Desktop |
Hardware |
Lightning |
Compare
Desktop wallets can sometimes offer more usability and often, a greater feature set when compared with their mobile counterparts. Most desktop wallets offer hardware wallet support, and more recently have shifted more towards easy multi-sig setup and usage. Desktop wallets make interacting with bitcoin held in cold storage on a hardware wallet much more simple, but they are not as well suited to more frequent daily use. Computers are inherently more at risk of being exposed to malicious software compared to phones, so always double check the download source before installing any desktop software and if you have the knowledge, verify the software signature.
- Bitcoin Core
- Blockstream Green
- Blue Wallet
- Electrum
- Fully Noded
- Lily Wallet
- Specter Desktop
- Sparrow Wallet
Bitcoin Core is both a desktop wallet and a node. It is arguably the easiest way to get up and running in a fast yet private manner. Because of it's simplicity and longevity, Core is the most widely used desktop wallet out there. Core provides an easy way to onboard and enables users to interact with Bitcoin in a matter of clicks.
- Built in node
- Coin control + labelling
- Can be run over Tor
- No hardware wallet support within GUI
- Mac OS
- Windows
- Linux
Blockstream Green is one of the more basic desktop wallets. Green is cross platform, enabling you to have the same wallet on your phone and computer simultaneously. Sending a transaction is done through a 2-of-2 multi-sig setup but own node connection is not available.
- Cross platform
- Multiple accounts
- No node connection
- No coin control or labelling
- No hardware wallet support
- Mac OS
- Windows
- Linux
Blue Wallet desktop is essentially a carbon copy of its mobile version. Lightning is custodial by default but allows users to connect to their own instance of LND Hub. Blue wallet and serves as a good option to use for daily transactions and simultaneously act as ‘watch only’ wallet for your cold storage devices. Connection to a users own node is done via an Electrum server. Full list of features here.
- Connect to own node
- PSBT and multi-sig (beta testing)
- Create multiple accounts
- Buy bitcoin within the app via Hodl Hodl
- No coin control (in testing)
- No Tor
- Only supports hardware wallets via PSBT
- Mac OS
Electrum is widely adopted desktop wallet that comes with a vast feature set and extensive hardware wallet support. Electrum supports multi-sig, coin control, labelling, Lightning and own node connection via an Electrum Server. It is worth noting that by default Electrum connects to multiple third party servers which could leak your privacy.
- Own node connection (not by default)
- Coin control + labelling
- Lightning
- Extensive hardware wallet support
- UX lagging behind other implementations
- Mac OS
- Windows
- Linux
Fully Noded is an extremely feature rich Mac OS Bitcoin and Lightning wallet that connects to your own node by easily by scanning a QR code. Fully Noded also allows you to interact with your node by running RPC commands so that you can do things like verify the total supply of Bitcoin. Users can import wallet files from various other applications such as Electrum, Specter and Sparrow.
- Connect to own node (default)
- PSBT and multi-sig
- Coin control
- Runs over Tor
- C Lightning implementation not common amongst average node runners
- No Windows or Linux option
- Only supports Coldcard hardware wallet
- Mac OS
Lily Wallet offers one of the simplest desktop user interfaces and makes single of multi-sig wallet creation simple. It may not be for the more privacy focused individual with the lack of own node connection and coin control however this is a relatively young wallet and these features are on the product roadmap.
- PSBT and multi-sig
- Export wallets to other software
- No own node connection
- No coin control
- Mac OS
- Windows
- Linux
Specter Desktop is fairly new to the scene but has already made a huge impact. It strikes a good balance of feature set, node connection and intuitive UX which has made it a very popular option in a very short space of time. Specter is compatible with every popular hardware wallet option and also offers automatic pairing with Bitcoin Core, resulting in the process of connecting your cold storage device to your own node very simple.
- Connect to own node (mandatory)
- PSBT and multi-sig
- Coin control
- Can run over Tor
- Tor connection not easy for beginners
- Mac OS
- Windows
- Linux
Sparrow Wallet is another densely packed desktop wallet. Sparrow is focused on privacy and also ensures the user can focus on the fine details. Sparrow offers extremely detailed transaction previews which can also double up as a personal blockchain explorer. Connection to your own node is mandatory and is done via an Electrum Server.
- Connect to own node (mandatory)
- PSBT and multi-sig
- Coin control
- Can run over Tor
- Node/Electrum Server setup may be a big hurdle for newcomers
- Mac OS
- Windows
- Linux
Finished looking for a desktop wallet? Check out the available hardware wallet options.