Cryptocurrencies Wallets
The best Bitcoin wallets to manage your cryptocurrencies.
Bitpanda - Our recommendation
The provider Bitpanda is not only a wallet but also a trading place. Especially for beginners Bitpanda is very suitable.
To the website Experiences
Own private key
Decentralized
iOS-App
Android-App
Web-App
Windows candidature
macOS candidature
Linux candidature
More information on popular wallets
Here you can find an overview of the best wallets for your cryptocurrencies. We start with our recommendations for web wallets and then move on to desktop and hardware wallets. You can learn all about the advantages and disadvantages of the respective wallets on this page. We hope you enjoy choosing the right crypto wallet for you.
Bitpanda
Our recommendation: The Bitpanda wallet is one of the most popular wallets in the German-speaking world. The wallet is known for its ease of use. The exchange into different currency pairs is possible with a few clicks. Using the platform is also possible and easy without installing a mobile app using any mobile browser. Bitpanda complies with the latest security standards.
Coinbase
The wallet provider Coinbase is one of the largest wallets in the USA. When a currency is listed here, it is usually a positive buy signal. Therefore, it is definitely worth keeping an eye on this wallet.
Blockchain.com
Blockchain.com is one of the largest wallet providers in the world. It is easy to use and the operator is considered to be secure. Unfortunately, few currency pairs are available. Only Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash and Ethereum can be bought, sold and managed at Blockchain.com. This fact makes the wallet secure, simple and fast, but not our recommendation.
Xapo
Xapo is very popular among many crypto fans. We think the back office is very straightforward and the operator provides a nice app. Unfortunately, we cannot recommend Xapo due to the high purchase fees. However, we know many satisfied users of the XAPO app from our community and have therefore included the app in our provider overview.
The online wallet comparison for cryptocurrencies
Introduction
As soon as you start looking at cryptocurrencies in more detail, in order to eventually trade or buy any currency, you should make sure on which platform you execute the order and where you store your purchased cryptocurrency. Just as you keep your money in a wallet in real life, cryptocurrencies also need a wallet in the best case scenario, where they are kept safe so as not to fall victim to a hacker attack or something similar. However, this wallet is virtual and can come in different forms. To give you a small overview of what is available, two online wallets will be presented in the following sections. Thus, an online wallet comparison will take place in this article, which is intended to present the largest providers in this area.
Bitpanda
As already presented in our overview, Bitpanda is our recommendation for a beginner in the crypto market. The provider offers many currency pairs and is very easy to use in terms of user-friendliness. The platform is offered in almost all languages and is constantly being improved.
Blockchain.com
Blockchain is a relatively widespread provider in the field of cryptocurrencies. In addition to the possibility of acquiring Bitcoins directly via Blockchain, they place a lot of emphasis on storing the valuables. Thus, a particularly effective online wallet is provided there, since one can complete the processes with little effort and knowledge. You can also quickly find your way around the website and smoothly activate the wallet so that you can get started right away. The wallet is secured on the servers of Blockchain and is thus protected against hacker attacks on trading platforms or similar. A special feature of this provider is the comparatively extremely high security standard.
Accordingly, access from the Tor network can be specifically prevented. The Tor network serves as a platform for many criminals who try to access other people’s data anonymously and in encrypted form. Furthermore, you have the option to activate a so-called 2-factor authentication (2FA), which means that you have to perform two login processes before using the wallet, which makes it particularly difficult for uninvited guests. All in all, Blockchain is a very positively rated Bitcoin wallet, because other cryptocurrencies cannot be stored here, which is a disadvantage of this provider.
Coinbase.com
Coinbase has around 7.3 million customers and a total trading volume of approximately US$6.5 billion (as of June 2017). Thus, this provider represents the largest representative in the world in the field of cryptocurrencies. Similar to Blockchain, Coinbase is not a pure online wallet, but also offers the possibility to execute trades directly via this provider. Creating an online wallet is quick and easy right after signing up with Coinbase. The website creates a separate wallet for each cryptocurrency that you own, on which the respective currency is either credited or deducted, depending on whether you buy or sell.
This results in the chance to have several wallets, which all handle their processes separately from each other. For example, there is a wallet for Bitcoins as soon as you have made a purchase with this currency.
Coinbase also offers the function that you can send or receive cryptocurrencies as long as you have the respective wallet address. The currencies themselves are purchased directly. Thus, you do not have the option to bet on a cryptocurrency via other financial instruments, as is the case with special trading platforms.
Conclusion – Web Wallets
Of course, there are several other providers that could be included in an online wallet comparison. However, with Blockchain and Coinbase, two of the larger providers are mentioned and offer an overview of what to expect when looking for an online wallet.
Hardware wallets comparison
Ledger Nano S
Our recommendation: This model from the Ledger Nano series is our recommendation for the experienced crypto user. There is hardly a more secure method for a portable hardware wallet. At the Bitcoin wedding, the Ledger Nano S was completely sold out for several months and could only be obtained through good contacts. It is a very good solution in terms of use and usability.
Trezor
The Trezor hardware wallet is popular among many experts in the field of Bitcoin and Co. It is also one of the most secure solutions in the field of hardware wallets. In the end, it is also a question of design. We personally like the design of the Nano S better, after all, you also have to carry this device with you. There are hardly any major differences in terms of security.
Web Wallets vs Hardware Wallets
Difference of web wallets and hardware wallets
In the world of cryptocurrencies, you quickly get to the point where you have to decide how you are going to secure your virtual money, because simply leaving what you have acquired on the trading platforms will not work in the long run. For this reason, just like in reality, you need a place where you can store your respective cryptocurrency. For this reason, there are numerous virtual wallets that offer wallets. You have to distinguish between different types of wallets. In this article, we will try to explain the difference between a web wallet and a hardware wallet, so that you can safely store your next Bitcoin.
What is a Web Wallet?
A web wallet or an online wallet is one of the ways to ensure the security of your cryptocurrencies. There are a number of exchanges on the Internet that allow you to create a web wallet. There are also providers that focus on the function of the web wallet, as is the case with Blockchain, for example. The advantage of this type of cryptocurrency storage is that it can be accessed quickly and easily.
No other programs are needed once you set up a web wallet on any platform.
This type of wallet also has a receiving address, which is unique and can be regenerated as desired. You need this address if you plan to transfer acquired coins to it, for example, if you have acquired them on a separate exchange.
Another advantage is the so-called 2-factor authentication, which makes it particularly difficult for hackers to access your data by requiring you to go through two login processes if you want to access the inside of the wallet.
Besides the already mentioned provider, Blockchain, there are also other exchanges that also offer web wallets. These include Bittrex, Gdax, Bithumb, Bitstamp and Bitifinex, among others.
What is a hardware wallet?
The hardware wallet is another type of cryptocurrency security. In contrast to a web wallet, a hardware wallet is an external device on which the currency is stored. This external device turns out to be in the form of a USB stick and is therefore easily transportable. Hardware wallets offer the highest security protection compared to other cryptocurrency wallets.
This is because you need a so-called private key to access the contents of the USB stick. However, this key is kept away from the Internet and is therefore only known to you. A hacker would first have to get his hands on the USB stick itself before he could attempt to crack the key.
In addition, you have the option to secure the whole thing with a PIN, which makes it even more secure. The hardware wallets themselves are also protected against malware and viruses, which makes it much more difficult for hackers to access the data.
If you still lose your stick, it is possible to restore the virtual money with a pre-generated backup code. The best-known providers of hardware wallets are Ledger Nanos S, KeepKey and Trezor.
Difference Web Wallet and Hardware Wallet
The choice of the respective wallet is up to everyone, but you should pay attention to the different criteria so that you can discover the suitable variant for you.
In the end, it can be said that hardware wallets are much more secure than web wallets. However, they lose out when it comes to flexibility and speed. Web wallets can be accessed anywhere and are simple to use. Hardware wallets, on the other hand, have to be carried externally, can be lost, and require a device to which they can be connected in order to be accessed.
Ultimately, it is important that you aim for the maximum possible safety in each case.
Difference Desktop Client Wallet and Web Wallet
Since cryptocurrencies are now used for numerous activities such as convenient electronic payments, all the people involved need wallets to manage their funds. In addition to a desktop client wallet, a web client has also become widespread. Both wallets have their own peculiarities, resulting in individual advantages and disadvantages as well as significant differences.
The use of a desktop client wallet
Desktop client wallets are, as the name suggests, wallets that run on your own computer. The wallet is installed directly on the desktop computer. Some of these wallets are open source software and therefore free to use. Since the clients run on the user’s own computer, the user gets a high level of security, stability and privacy.
There are numerous desktop client wallets available, which differ significantly in their design. Some wallets have an elaborate design, while others have a simple one. The usability of each wallet also differs, making some versions more suitable for those who know the software. After installing the software, all users of desktop client wallets must download the blockchain. Whether the download has to take place only partially or completely depends on the respective wallet version.
After a complete installation including the download of the blockchain, users can immediately perform all functions such as checking their own balance.
Advantages and disadvantages of desktop client wallets
The wallets have distinct advantages and disadvantages. Due to their desktop application, security, stability and privacy are significantly increased. Thus, there is less risk that one’s own transactions will be monitored or attacked. Nevertheless, these wallets are regular computer programs that require sufficient hard disk space and memory.
Depending on the wallet, the required storage space is very high, which means that not every wallet can be installed on every computer. If there is enough hard disk space but not enough RAM, performance problems can also occur in some cases.
The use of web wallets
In contrast to desktop client wallets, web wallets do not run via the home computer, but via the Internet. Like the desktop versions, web wallets offer digital wallets for different cryptocurrencies. The wallets are web-based and therefore do not require a separate installation or an extremely powerful computer.
At the same time, the web wallets have numerous functions that the desktop client wallets do not always offer. For example, the web version can be used to send Bitcoins via email or SMS. At the same time, the web wallet can be used anywhere and at any time, since it can be accessed via the Internet from any computer or mobile device such as a smartphone. Thus, the own Bitcoins are constantly with the user, who does not want to be dependent on a computer. Depending on the program, the web wallets are English-language versions, so not every user can or wants to use every version.
Advantages and disadvantages of web wallets
Web wallets do not require a separate installation, as they are web-based. Thus, every user gets instant access to his balance and can manage it quickly and easily. Also, the use is usually free of charge.
Since web wallets, unlike desktop client wallets, do not require installation on a computer, the wallets can be accessed and used at any time via computer and mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet. The user is completely device-independent, which results in a worldwide simple and fast use. There is also no need for installation on the mobile device.
The user only needs Internet access to quickly access his wallet. Nevertheless, web wallets have a different security level than desktop applications. Although security and privacy are increased and special authentication commands are often integrated, the security levels of some applications are somewhat lower than the desktop versions. However, the transmission of data is encrypted. Thus, the server never stores the user’s keys and protects the sensitive content at the same time.