The growth in the rates of cryptocurrencies (bitcoin) that occurred in the second half of 2017 pushed a large number of enthusiasts to invest in this market.
Among the investors there were those who managed to significantly increase their fortune. There is a question of how to protect the result of successful investments from the arbitrariness of third-party resources, for example, cryptocurrency exchanges.
The most obvious solution – using a bitcoin wallet on your computer – is known to many, but there are a number of other ways to safely store bitcoins.
This article presents a list of the best, proven, reliable and secure bitcoin wallets and tips on how to choose them and where to register.
The content of the article:
- Main types
- Rating of bitcoin repositories
- Which one is better to choose
There are four main types of crypto wallets:
Gold coin Bitcoin in the wallet
Software – this includes the most recognizable and proven: BitcoinCore, Electrum, Blockchain.info , Coinbase.com etc. All of them are installed on the computer, store all user information on it.
Access to operations with the balance is carried out by entering a password and opening the client of the program. Security measures when accessing the interface of such programs may vary. There are two types of software wallets – full-fledged and so-called thin clients.
Online wallets, i.e. special Internet services that provide their own bitcoin storage services (with small own fees for withdrawal and replenishment of funds).
The user, transferring his funds to the balance of such a service, entrusts them to him, acting at his own risk. Such a service gives access to one of its wallets, allowing you to perform operations with its balance. The possibility of losing your savings at any time at the request of the owners of this site remains.
Although it is more profitable for the owners of the largest online wallets to maintain their good reputation by receiving commissions for numerous transactions with funds.
Mobile. Their main function is full use on a smartphone. A QR code scanner and NFC (near contactless communication) make it convenient to use such a wallet if there is no access to a stationary computer or laptop.
An example of a mobile wallet is Bitcoin Wallet (for Android), BRD Bitcoin Wallet (iOS, Android). Most software wallets have their own mobile versions.
Hardware devices are physical data carriers operating in offline mode. Their hacking is impossible, which means that you can store your private key on it without fear. The most popular samples that many have heard about are Ledger Nano S, Trezor, KeepKey.
There are more exotic types – for example, a paper wallet. It is hardly worth considering it seriously, rather as an experiment in the environment of blockchain technologies, devoid of the advantages of other wallets.
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Rating of bitcoin repositories
We will make a kind of rating of the best wallets for bitcoin, we will pay attention to the advantages, functionality and user reviews of various wallets.
In this review, we will highlight the TOP 10 most popular wallets for storing bitcoin, each of which is not inferior to the others either in reliability or convenience.
But their functionality is different and depends on whether they are suitable for the required purposes (for mining). This is the difference between a full-fledged and a thin client:
Bitcoin Core is the largest and longest–lived project in the field of bitcoin cryptocurrency wallets. It is based on open source, constantly updated, supported by the BitcoinTalk community. The most reliable and functional, it allows you to create a full-fledged blockchain node and engage in mining.
Its significant drawback is the need to download all blockchain data (i.e. records of transactions made on the bitcoin network). This is about 350 gigabytes, despite the fact that the volume of this data is continuously increasing.
Electrum is an alternative to Bitcoin Core, which is not inferior to it in any way, except for the possibility of creating a network node. This is a “Thin Client”. Checking transactions, it connects to randomly selected network servers.
This avoids storing the entire transaction database on the computer, reduces the weight of the program by almost 3,000 times. There is an Android version.
Armory is a full–fledged network node with extensive capabilities to configure anonymity and transaction security. This is one of the long-lived projects, its source code is openly published by the developer, and he himself is on the list recommended by the portal bitcoin.org .
Jaxx is suitable if you expect to use one program to manage wallets of several cryptocurrencies at once. Its reliability is high, the program code is open, and the interface itself is as convenient as possible for this type of program. Suitable for beginners who are not too well versed in cryptocurrencies. Its only drawback is its somewhat reduced functionality: fixed transaction fees and the inability to import third–party accounts.
Exodus – he has every right to be on the list along with the others. Like Jaxx, it can work with different cryptocurrencies – in addition to bitcoin, these are Etherium and its tokens. The reliability and stability of its operation are undeniable. There are two ways to perceive the “e-mail backup” function – the seed key is sent to the email in encrypted form. This can be seen as a vulnerability, but in practice it will only be a plus.
Ledger Nano S. If the amount of cryptocurrency is significant, choose a physical version of the wallet for cold storage of the private key. Ledger is the leader in this market with its reliable devices, however, they cost a lot of money for a device of such a narrow specialization.
Hardware — Trezor. A competitor of Ledger, whose wallets are not inferior to the latter in anything. The design may be less elegant, but the functionality is the same. The device has a display.
Simple Bitcoin Wallet is an excellent choice of bitcoin wallet for Android, which does not require downloading blockchain data, it is closest to Electrum in terms of capabilities. There is a bitcoin and national currency converter that constantly updates the data. Transactions can be carried out by scanning QR codes or using NFC.
BitGo. A proven online service, convenient for those who do not want to install something related to cryptocurrency on their computer. The only one recommended by the resource bitcoin.org .
Blockchain.info – the best and most popular electronic online wallet for bitcoins with 5 million users. It does not require installation on a PC. The service has been tested, tempered by the most remarkable events in the cryptocurrency market (spontaneous growth and fall of exchange rates for several years). Can be used from a mobile phone. All details about the Bitcoin Blockchain wallet can be found here.
What is a Bitcoin wallet and what actions can be performed with it? We have already told you about this in our reviews. On our portal you can find such materials:
- How to create and use it correctly?
- All methods of replenishment, including from a bank card.
- Are there Bitcoin crypto wallets for phones and smartphones?
- Is it possible to withdraw funds from it, including to a bank card?
- What types of wallets exist and how to use such as Cash and Gold?
Let’s turn to the statistics, which wallet for bitcoin is better to start, where to open a bitcoin storage.
There are 2 types of Bitcoin wallets. The first one is for beginners who want to securely store their bitcoins and safely make transactions.
The second one is for professionals engaged in mining or requiring special security measures, anonymity of transactions.
For the first, light bitcoin wallets (with a lightweight client), proven by time and a lot of users, are suitable.
The best option is Electrum, which combines compactness, customizable transaction fees, sending and receiving transfers to several dozen addresses.
He has a mnemonic seed key for restoring access to the wallet, including 12 words. There is a mobile version of Electrum.
And for professionals, there is a favorite – Bitcoin Core. A stable and secure application, called the official client of the network, is suitable for creating a full-fledged bitcoin network node and mining for enthusiasts.
If you are not confused by the prospect of downloading the blockchain, then choose it.
“Multi-currency” projects (Jaxx, Exodus) will not create problems for you and are suitable for operating several cryptocurrencies at once.
From mobile wallets, it would be wiser to use Bitcoin Wallet or BRD Bitcoin Wallet (for Android, iOS), which have proven themselves well.
Now you know which bitcoin wallet is the best, where it is best to create and use it, and why.
Let’s deduce the formula of a bitcoin wallet that you can trust to store your funds:
- Safety.
- Stability of work.
- Open source.
The combination of these qualities greatly reduces the risks when using the program, allowing you to safely transfer and store your funds for a long time.
When making a choice, keep in mind that some things that are insignificant at the time of creating a wallet will become relevant in the future.
The same fixed commission for transfers of coins or tokens can be a significant part of the amount, especially when the rate of this cryptocurrency increases.
It is better to choose one of the most popular wallets, whose positive reputation is based on the reviews of millions of users.
Follow the beaten path of enthusiasts, reducing the risks of making mistakes to a minimum.
Bitcoin Core I use, not large amounts of funds, so far so good.
Almost all of the wallets listed in this post are unsuitable due to security.
I do not use online wallets. Blockchain is a very unreliable site, tested on yourself.
Guarda Wallet has been used for a long time, there have been no problems