In this article, we look at the best bitcoin wallet applications for users on various platforms in 2019.
The most important application for all bitcoin users is their bitcoin wallet. A bitcoin wallet is an application that allows you to access your bitcoin funds. The first bitcoin wallet, the Bitcoin Core Wallet was released in alongside the network in 2009.
Bitcoin wallets have taken different shapes and forms after. In this article, we put the best bitcoin wallets currently available in categories and highlight the features that make them stand out.
Best Bitcoin Wallets For Desktop
1. Bitcoin Core
The First Bitcoin Wallet: The first and original bitcoin wallet is the Bitcoin Core Wallet. Bitcoin Core is free and open-source software that serves as a bitcoin node which collectively forms the bitcoin network and provides a bitcoin wallet which fully verifies payments.
The official bitcoin client for desktop allows users to experience all the features of the bitcoin network, making it one of the best bitcoin wallets.
The Bitcoin Core wallet is built for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. Note that GUI clients usually require a large amount of memory space and bandwidth to load the blockchain.
Key features include:
- Run a bitcoin node.
- Private keys stored within the device.
- Use any wallet or manual backup options.
- Receive all bitcoin updates instantly.
2. Electrum
Electrum is a light bitcoin wallet that allows the user to store, spend and receive their bitcoin on a feature-heavy application which is smaller in size. It is currently available for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
The major benefit is that you can quickly get up and running and store your Bitcoin on your own computer. To avoid losing your backed-up private keys in case you lose your laptop, it crashes or gets corrupted, it is better to copy your back-up files onto an external storage device.
Key features include:
- Lighter app size.
- Private keys stored within the device.
- Easy and friendly wallet experience
3. Exodus Wallet
Exodus Wallet is a desktop client that allows users to not only store but also exchange blockchain-based assets as it has a built-in exchange function. Exodus also provides an option for one-click email recovery and backup seeds to restore your wallet and protect your bitcoin (BTC).
Exodus wallet is a good option for storing bitcoin (BTC), especially for users who hold other cryptocurrencies and wants to keep all of them on one single platform. Exodus wallet is also known for its intuitive user interface and user experience.
Key features include:
- Easy and friendly wallet experience
- Encrypted private keys stored on your device
- Provides backup seed
- Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux
Best Hybrid Bitcoin Wallets
4. Jaxx Liberty Wallet
Jaxx Liberty is a multi-currency mobile, desktop, and web wallet that supports several digital assets. You can receive, store and send bitcoin (BTC) using the Jaxx application.
Jaxx Liberty enables users to have full control over their private keys and provides seeds for backup and recovery. The backup phrase is encrypted and is only stored on your device.
The wallet allows you to convert between specific digital assets and enables you to track balances and transaction information across multiple block explorers.
Key features include:
- Sharp and beautiful UI
- Encrypted private keys
- Compatible with Android, iOS, Chrome, Windows, Mac, and Linux
5. Coinomi
Coinomi is one of the most popular mobile wallets in the cryptocurrency world since its inception in 2014. Coinomi is a convenient BTC wallet for mobile platforms.
With millions of users on its platform, Coinomi recently launched a desktop version of its wallet making it a go-to wallet for storing bitcoin (BTC) across multiple devices.
Key features include:
- Simple UI for mobile
- Client-side encryption for private keys
- Shapeshift Integration
- Compatible on Mac OS, Linux, Windows, iOS, and Android
6. Atomic Wallet
Atomic Wallet is a hybrid bitcoin wallet built with security, anonymity, and decentralisation in mind. This means you hold your own keys, which are encrypted and kept only on your own device, control your own funds and can efficiently swap tokens without needing to go through a centralized exchange.
Atomic Wallet is a multi-currency wallet with over 250 supported cryptocurrencies. The wallet is available on desktop and mobile platforms.
Key features include:
- Client-side encryption of private keys
- Multi-synchronisation feature for backup
- Compatible with Windows, Mac OS, Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, iOS and Android
Best Bitcoin Wallets
7. BitGo
BitGo is a multi-asset web wallet known for its simple user interface and security features. The web wallet’s security features ensure that funds are safely stored and protected from hackers.
BitGo supports two-factor authentication which provides another layer of security to your coins and is known for its popular multi-signature feature.
Multi-sig allows multiple users to use a single account and also provides safety features for making transactions. Different users can access a single account as soon as permission is granted.
Key features include:
- Easy-to-use web interface
- Access to private keys
- Backup and restore functionality
- Multi-signature functionality
8. Trust Wallet
Trust Wallet is a mobile wallet for Android and iOS. Trust Wallet allows users to store private keys on their own device, an important security feature, and it includes a backup facility for simple recovery.
Other features include a built-in decentralized exchange through a partnership with Kyber Network as well as a Web3 browser that allows you to interact with decentralized applications directly from the Trust Wallet app.
Key features include:
- Easy-to-use interface
- Access to private keys
- Backup and restore functionality
Bitcoin Hardware Wallets
9. Ledger Wallets
The Ledger series of hardware wallets are widely considered the most secure option of all Zcash wallets. The Ledger Nano X and Nano S are cryptocurrency wallets that sit on a USB-like device that store your wallet’s keys.
Ledger Nano series has a number of security features to protect your funds: include two-factor authentication, PIN passcode and a secure chip to secure your private keys. Furthermore, you can back up your wallet using a confidential recovery phrase.
Key features include:
- Easy-to-use interface
- Access to private keys
- Backup and restore functionality
- Ledger Nano series are all compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS (Ledger Nano X comes with Bluetooth functionality making it compatible with iOS and Android)
10. Trezor Wallet
The Trezor One is a cryptocurrency hardware wallet. It’s a device for securely holding cryptocurrency private keys offline in “cold” storage.
Just like the Ledger, Trezor wallet has a couple of security features to protect your funds: include two-factor authentication, PIN passcode and a secure chip to secure your private keys.
Also Read: Bitcoin Explained For Newbies.
