Think of a bitcoin wallet like a regular wallet but for your cryptocurrency. It stores your digital assets and private keys in one secure place, only accessible to you.
Crypto wallets come in two forms: computer software (aka hot storage) and physical devices not connected to the internet (aka cold storage).
Here are the top bitcoin wallets as chosen by Business Insider editors in 2025.
Best Bitcoin Wallets
- Exodus: Best for Accessibility
- Coinbase: Best Crypto Selection
- BitBox: Best for Bitcoin-Only Storage
- Electrum crypto wallet: Best for Desktop
- Crypto.com: Best DeFi Wallet
- BlueWallet: Best for Beginners
- Ledger: Best Cold Wallet to Access DeFi
- Trezor: Best Open-Source Cold Wallet
Start Trading Bitcoin
Depends on cryptocurrency
0% - 0.26% (1.5% for instant buy, sell, or convert orders)
- Advanced trading app with charting tools and multiple order book layout choices
- Margin trading with 5X leverage
- Multiple order types: market, limit, stop-loss, and take-profit
- Staking and unstaking
- Margin trading fee schedule is fairly convoluted
- Features: 100+ cryptocurrencies, margin trading, advanced order types, staking/un-staking, and charting tools
$2
0.50% spread for buy/sell transactions; transaction fee from $0.99 to $2.99; up to 0.60% for Coinbase Pro and Coinbase Advanced Trade
- Buy, sell, or store more than 250 cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and dogecoin
- Educational investment resources, mobile access, digital storage, and customer support
- Low account minimums
- Can earn rewards for certain cryptocurrencies
- Coinbase card lets you spend crypto or USD anywhere and earn crypto rewards; can deposit your paycheck into your account and convert from USD to crypto with no fees
- Pay more for lower balances
- High trading and transaction fees
- Limited staking options
Coinbase is one of the best investment platforms for crypto trading, staking rewards, and crypto storage. The crypto exchange offering nearly 250 coins and tokens and is great for active real investors who can utilize Coinbase's services, account options, and investment tools.
Coinbase- Promotion: Get $5 of bitcoin when you join Coinbase; earn up to $200 when you set up a new account and make your first purchase
- Features: Coinbase Earn rewards, Coinbase Pro advanced account, user-controlled storage, stablecoins, staking, and institutional trading tools.
- App store rating: 4.7 iOS/ 4.1 Android; Coinbase Pro: 4.7 iOS/ 4.1 Android
- Awards: Named Best Prime Broker in Hedgeweek's annual European Digital Assets Awards
$0 ($1 for fractional shares; $2,000 for margin trading)
0% ($5/month for Robinhood Gold)
- Free stock, option, ETF, and cryptocurrency trades; 0.01% APY on uninvested cash for non-Gold users and 4.00% for Gold members
- IPO investing available
- Cash management accounts available
- Website is easy to navigate; advanced charts for all users
- Lack of investing research and trading tools; can only take advantage of professional research if you're a Robinhood Gold member
- No joint accounts, education savings accounts, or mutual funds
- App store rating: 4.2 iOS/4.0 Android
- Consider it if: You want to trade crypto and invest in a wide range of stocks and ETFs.
Exodus Crypto Wallet: Best for Accessibility
Wallet type: Hot wallet
Exodus is a top bitcoin multichain web3 wallet for desktop, browser, and mobile. Exodus' account features include live charts and portfolio data, 24/7 customer support, a built-in exchange, and trading between thousands of digital assets, including NFTs.
Exodus' hot wallet offers commission-free cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, Solana and other trading opportunities with fiat money like USD, EUR, and GBP. You can 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 them as an additional security measure.
Exodus and Trezor's partnership caters to those who prefer hardware security since you can securely manage your assets offline while simultaneously using the Exodus platform.
Exodus Exodus mainly caters to hot wallet (software) users, so it may not be suitable for hardware-minded traders unless you plan to use a Trezor device with the app
Exodus has a rating of 4.6/5 on the Apple Store and 4.2/5 on Google Play.
Pros:
- Accessible interface for novice crypto-traders
- Supports 300+ cryptocurrencies
- Available on desktop, mobile, and browser
Cons:
- Not suitable for traders who prefer hardware storage
- Exodus does not use open-source software and can't be reviewed by third-party platforms
Coinbase Wallet: Best Crypto Selection
Wallet type: Hot wallet
Coinbase is the largest U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange, offering robust trading features and a large selection of digital coins and tokens. In addition to its exchange, Coinbase offers an intuitive, self-custody hot wallet with desktop and mobile access to DeFi applications.
Coinbase Wallet partnered with Ledger so you can easily transfer assets into offline cold storage for increased protection. You don't have to have a Coinbase trading account to use Coinbase Wallet, which is easy to set up and supports thousands of digital coins and tokens.
Coinbase Wallet's software is not entirely open-source, so you can't test the security of the code. Instead, investors have to trust Coinbase as a secure platform.
Coinbase Wallet has a rating of 4.7/5 on the Apple Store and 4.6/5 on Google Play.
Pros:
- Connected to the largest U.S.-based crypto exchange, Coinbase, for easy transfers and access to quality features and tools
- Supports thousands of digital coins and tokens
- Cold-wallet storage
- Library of educational resources, tutorials, and guides suitable for beginner crypto-traders
Cons:
- Not available on desktop
BitBox02: Best for Bitcoin-Only Storage
Wallet type: Cold wallet
With BitBox02, a hardware wallet, you can store your crypto private keys and manage any assets offline through an external chip. BitBox02 is a high-end, open-source wallet fitted with external audits, a special bootloader, and an active bug bounty program for greater security.
The wallet offers interactive touch features and an OLED screen for transaction details. BitBox supports multiple digital coins and tokens, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin.
BitBox also provides a Bitcoin-only edition, which could be a great fit if you want to store Bitcoin assets only. It relies on Bitcoin-only firmware and offers compatibility with the BitBoxApp, Electrum, Specter, Sparrow, and Wasabi. The BitBoxApp also gives you desktop access.
If you like mobile access, you can only use BitBox on Android devices.
BitBox has a rating of 4.6/5 on Google Play.
Pros:
- Equipped with external security audits, an active bug bounty program, and only permits access if you are using the official software of Shift Crypto (the seller)
- Available on desktop and mobile
- Offers DeFi support
Cons:
- Not available on iOS devices
- Only stores bitcoin
Electrum: Best for Desktop
Wallet type: Hot wallet
Launched just two years after bitcoin was created, Electrum Electrum crypto wallet specializes in private key encryption and two-factor authentication. Electrum supports the Bitcoin Lightning Network and cold storage wallets with private keys. It has an open-source application structure and can be connected to hardware wallets like TREZOR or Ledger.
Electrum is a great option for desktop traders as it is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux. The desktop app offers many customizable features suitable for sophisticated crypto traders with programming experience.
The crypto community regards Electrum as a powerful wallet option for storing a small amount of crypto.
Electrum doesn't offer traditional phone customer support. However, the company provides helpful information in its documentation and FAQ sections, plus a Reddit support page and an inquiry page on bitcointalk.org. Another thing to note is that while Electrum supports other wallets, but only does so for bitcoin transactions. This may be a downside for those interested in exploring other cryptocurrencies.
Electrum has a rating of 4/5 on Google Play.
Pros:
- Provides customizable bitcoin transactions, including custom transaction fees and rebroadcasting features
- Supports Lightning Network features
- Compatible with TREZOR and Ledger
Cons:
- Not an intuitive interface or setup for novice crypto traders
- Not available for iOS
Crypto.com Wallet: Best for DeFi Products
Wallet type: Hot wallet
Crypto.com is a global exchange headquartered in Hong Kong and one of the best cryptocurrency exchanges. The exchange offers hundreds of coins and tokens and its powerful crypto wallet storage. Crypto.com's DeFi wallet can be opened as a custodial or non-custodial wallet.
Newbie crypto investors can benefit from a Crypto.com Wallet's accessible trading and easy sign-up process. It offers decentralized finance tools like day-to-day crypto activities, access to other decentralized apps, and one-to-one crypto swap features.
Crypto.com DeFi wallet lets you view, share, and deposit NFTs across multiple blockchains. Another feature is that you can swap more than 1000 tokens over multiple blockchains, such as Ethereum, Cosmos, and Cronos. Security features include two-factor authentication, Secure Enclave technology, and biometric authentication.
Crypto.com has a rating of 4.7/5 on the Apple Store and 4.5/5 on Google Play.
Pros:
- User-friendly platform with easy set-up and access to decentralized applications
- Support 1,000+ cryptocurrencies
- Available on desktop, mobile, and browser
Cons:
- Limited trading tools, research, and features compared to competitors
- Relatively high fees
BlueWallet: Best for Beginners
Wallet type: Hot wallet
BlueWallet is a robust, mobile Bitcoin wallet with a user-friendly interface and straightforward integrations with the Lightning Network. Using open-source code, it is accessible to virtually anyone.
Beginner and advanced bitcoin traders can use BlueWallet's simplified batch storing, sending, and receiving features. BlueWallet is a self-custodial wallet that provides private keys to individual investors in addition to multi-signature security measures. You can even set up a decoy pin.
This cold wallet storage is similar to Electrum in that it's bitcoin-focused. So, BlueWallet isn't a good option if you're looking to store other cryptocurrencies. Also, it should be noted that you can't buy or sell bitcoin assets with Blue Wallet.
BlueWallet has a rating of 4.4/5 on the Apple Store and 3.9/5 on Google Play.
Pros:
- Straightforward setup and user-friendly interface
- Allows you to create or import multiple digital wallets
- Supports Lightning Network features
Cons:
- Doesn't offer storage for other cryptocurrencies
- Can't buy or sell bitcoin
Ledger: Best Cold Wallet to Access DeFi
Wallet type: Cold wallet
Ledger is a popular hardware wallet for crypto traders to secure their coins, private keys, and NFTs. It offers high-level security, a library of educational content, a Bluetooth connection, and access to DeFi.
Ledger can be integrated with the Ledger Live software to access the ability to buy, sell, trade, and stake cryptocurrencies. Users can also access NFT marketplaces and access decentralized financial apps (dapps).
Unlike its competitor Trezor, Ledger offers a Bluetooth connection. However, the Ledger's physical devices aren't open-source, so third parties can't test them.
It's important to note that Ledger had a database breach in 2020, when customer data, such as email addresses, mailing addresses, and phone numbers, were stolen. Although Ledger has since changed its data storage practices, some traders may be more hesitant to rely on Ledger as a secure platform.
Ledger Live has a rating of 4.9/5 on the Apple store and a 4.6/5 on Google Play.
Pros:
- Provides NFT management
- Has a Bluetooth connection
- Access to decentralized financial apps (dapps)
Cons:
- Software is not open-source
- History of a security breach
Trezor: Best Open-Source Cold Wallet
Wallet type: Cold wallet
Trezor is an open-source hardware wallet that provides highly secure offline storage, supporting thousands of digital coins and tokens. It is one of the most popular and trusted cold storage devices among the crypto community because of its built-in crypto services, ease of use, and access to up to 16 recovery shares.
The Trezor Model One ($49) is suitable for less experienced crypto traders because of its low cost and simplicity. Trezor's pricier model, Model T ($129.00), offers a touchscreen and additional security features.
Trezor allows traders to convert to online storage and be connected to third-party software like Electrum or Exodus. Trezor also offers its own desktop extension called Trezor Suite, which allows you to buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies.
It also offers a mobile app called Trezor Suite Lite.
Trezor does not offer NFT management, native staking, or a Bluetooth connection. This hardware wallet also costs slightly more than its main competitor, Ledger.
Trezor Suite Lite has a rating of 3.1/5 on the Apple store and a 3.1/5 on Google Play.
Pros:
- Open-source wallet, which means third parties can test it
- High-secure offline storage
- Can be integrated with third-party software
Cons:
- Does not offer NFT management, so you must equip third-party software to manage NFTs
- No native staking
- No Bluetooth connection
What is a Bitcoin Wallet?
A bitcoin wallet is essentially a digital wallet for storing, sending, and receiving bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The assets in your crypto wallet are securely stored with a unique private key, similar to a password, to ensure that no one else can access the wallet.
Bitcoin wallets are worth it if the crypto exchange or investment platform doesn't offer in-built storage. Crypto wallets were created to protect your private key and crypto assets against security breaches. While most wallets give you complete custody of your assets, not all exchanges and investment platforms do.
Types of Bitcoin Wallets
There are two main types of crypto wallets for traders to store Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets securely.
- Hot wallets: A software wallet that provides easy access and accessible transactions by being connected to the internet. But this convenience has a price. Since hot wallets are connected to the internet, they are generally considered less secure due to online vulnerability.
- Cold wallets: A hardware wallet that stores private keys offline for enhanced security. Since cold wallets aren't connected to the internet, they are not susceptible to internet hackers or spyware. However, cold wallets are not as easily accessible. In many cases, there is only one key to access the wallet and no way to recover it if lost.
How to Choose the Best Bitcoin Wallet
When deciding which bitcoin wallet is best for your crypto needs, use the following criteria to find a suitable match.
Security of bitcoin wallets
While the kind of bitcoin wallet you open impacts the kind of security measures you have access to, there are other notable security features worth considering. So, when shopping for a new bitcoin wallet, prioritize wallets with strong reputations and transparent offerings. Security measures to seek out include two-factor authentication, encryption software, and PIN protection.
Ease of use
At its core, whatever bitcoin wallet you use to store your crypto keys should be easy to use. An accessible user interface is key to a positive trading experience, so using your wallet shouldn't be tedious.
Cryptocurrency support
The wallet you choose should be able to support the cryptocurrencies you support. While you aren't limited to one bitcoin wallet, juggling multiple digital wallets can make managing your digital coins and tokens harder than it needs to be.
Additional features
The more features made available in your bitcoin wallet, the better. The additional offerings made available in crypto wallets often separate a decent digital wallet from an amazing one. Features like access to decentralized applications, seamless integration with a built-in exchange, and community resources can take your crypto-trading skills to the next level.
Cost
Some crypto wallets are quite expensive, while others run cheap. Try to avoid wallets that charge unnecessarily high fees and prices. There are plenty of affordable, low-cost wallets with great offerings. That said, certain advanced features and resources may jack up the price. If those features are worthwhile, paying slightly higher fees may be worth it.
Best Practices for Bitcoin Wallet Security
- Use strong passwords: Create strong and unique passwords for your wallet and enable two-factor authentication for increased security.
- Keep updated software: Regularly update your wallet to protect against potential security hacks, malware, and phishing attacks.
- Backup your wallet: Create secure backups of your wallet's seed phrase or private keys and store them offline safely.
- Be wary of potential scams: Be cautious of suspicious emails or links that could compromise your wallet security. Don't give out your private keys; have a unique password and notification alerts.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed The Best Bitcoin Wallets
Bitcoin wallets are rated based on Business Insider's rating methodology for investing platforms. This methodology uses various factors to determine an accurate rating. These factors include customer support, wallet custody, platform accessibility, security, 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 rated between 1 and 5.
FAQs
Are bitcoin wallets worth it?
A bitcoin wallet may be worth it if you're looking to trade, buy, or receive bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies and don't already have wallet storage through an online crypto exchange.
Do I need a crypto wallet to buy bitcoin?
You don't necessarily have to set up your own wallet to store your assets. Some exchanges — like Coinbase and CEX.IO — offer their own wallets to users. The differences between these and the bitcoin wallets mentioned above are mainly security and custody. You'll probably need a non-custodial bitcoin wallet if you want complete custody or control over your money.
What happens if I lose my bitcoin wallet?
If you lose your bitcoin wallet, you may be able to recover your funds through a backup of your seed phrase or private keys. Without a backup, you won't be able to recover your wallet.
