Control
Control over your money
This wallet gives you full control over your bitcoins. This means no third party can freeze or lose your funds. You are however still responsible for securing and backing up your wallet.
Browse wallets
Desktop Windows
Electrum
Electrum's focus is speed and simplicity, with low resource usage. It uses remote servers that handle the most complicated parts of the Bitcoin system, and it allows you to recover your wallet from a secret phrase.
Features
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2FA
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a way to add additional security to your wallet. The first 'factor' is your password for your wallet. The second 'factor' is a verification code retrieved via text message or from an app on a mobile device. 2FA is conceptually similar to a security token device that banks in some countries require for online banking. It likely requires relying on the availability of a third party to provide the service. -
Bech32
Bech32 is a special address format made possible by SegWit (see the feature description for SegWit for more info). This address format is also known as 'bc1 addresses'. Some Bitcoin wallets and services do not yet support sending or receiving to Bech32 addresses.
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Hardware Wallet
Some wallets can pair and connect to a hardware wallet in addition to being able to send to them. While sending to a hardware wallet is something most all wallets can do, being able to pair with one is a unique feature. This feature enables you to be able to send and receive directly to and from a hardware wallet.
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Legacy Addresses
Most wallets have the ability to send and receive with legacy bitcoin addresses. Legacy addresses start with 1 or 3 (as opposed to starting with bc1). Without legacy address support, you may not be able to receive bitcoin from older wallets or exchanges.
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Lightning
Some wallets support transactions on the Lightning Network. The Lightning Network is new and somewhat experimental. It supports transferring bitcoin without having to record each transaction on the blockchain, resulting in faster transactions and lower fees.
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Multisig
Some wallets have the ability to require more than one key to authorize a transaction. This can be used to divide responsibility and control over multiple parties.
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SegWit
Some wallets support SegWit, which uses blockchain space more efficiently. This helps reduce fees paid by helping the Bitcoin network scale and sets the foundation for second layer solutions such as the Lightning Network.
Criteria
Validation
Simplified validation
This wallet uses SPV and random servers from a list. This means little trust in third parties is required when verifying payments. However, it is not as secure as a full node like Bitcoin Core.
Transparency
Complete transparency
The source code for this wallet is public and the build process is deterministic. This means any developer in the world can audit the code and make sure the final software isn't hiding any secrets.
Environment
Two-factor authentication
This wallet can be used from insecure environments. However, this service requires two-factor authentication. This means access to multiple devices or accounts is required to steal your bitcoins.
Privacy
Basic privacy
Fees
Full control over fees
This wallet gives you full control over fees. This means that this wallet allows changing the fees after funds are sent using RBF or CPFP. This wallet also provides fee suggestions based on current network conditions so that your transactions are confirmed in a timely manner without paying more than you have to.
