An essential thing in owning and managing your crypto is a cryptocurrency wallet. There are many guides and recommendations on the Internet, specifically for different categories or purposes of wallets. The ChangeHero team presents our own list of recommended top cryptocurrency wallets for our users to help you choose the best crypto wallet for your needs.
Why Do I Need A Crypto Wallet?
A crypto wallet is essentially an interface that lets you interact with the blockchain. With it, you can check the cryptocurrency balances, history and most importantly, make transfers.
Each wallet generates private and public keys. The private key is particularly important as a cryptographic signature for one’s transactions. If you own your private key, no one else can make transactions on your behalf, hence “not your key — not your crypto”.
Not familiar with what a cryptocurrency wallet is? You can learn more here:
Crypto Basics in Plain English: Crypto Wallets, Smart Contracts, DeFi, Staking, NFT, Web 3.0
Blockchain Wallet Setup Guide — How to Create a Crypto Wallet?
Depending on the way one’s private cryptographic key is created and stored in the wallet, these can be hot and cold. Hot (online) wallets fetch information on the blockchain online and sign transactions in the same environment. Cold (offline) wallets also can access the nodes through the Internet, but the process of signing is done offline because the private keys are stored on a physical medium: chip, printed QR code etc.
Often, cold wallets are hardware and hot wallets are software, though it is not a hard rule. A smartphone which has never been connected to the Internet but has crypto wallet software installed can be considered a cold storage for private keys.
For a deeper dive into the types of crypto wallets and their differences, you can read:
Are these the definitive top 10 best cryptocurrency wallets? Objectively, no, but these are the ones our diverse and extremely experienced team choose to use ourselves.
Our Recommended Hardware Wallets
If you own large amounts of crypto and can spare some cash to buy yourself a physical wallet, hardware would be the best cryptocurrency wallet for you. It’s not as convenient as a software wallet, but it is without doubt a safer and a more advanced option. Hardware wallets are non-custodial by definition and the devices can act as a two-factor authentication tool.
Looking for a list of cryptocurrency hardware wallets specifically? Check out this review of the most popular devices.
Trezor
One of the most reputable hardware wallets in the market is Trezor. Though the first devices shipped in 2018, its development started as early as in 2012, and all the code accompanying the Trezor wallets is open-source. As it is a hardware wallet, naturally, it is a non-custodial storage option, meaning that only you can manage the keys to your addresses.
Trezor hardware supports thousands of coins and tokens, and the developers have made companion software which has a lot of useful features: statistics dashboard, in-app fiat purchase and crypto-to-crypto exchange. No software even needs to be installed, as the Trezor client can be accessed in a browser. The crypto exchange feature is powered by a few providers, and ChangeHero is among them, so you can always choose our best rates.
For a How-to guide on using the exchange feature in Trezor Suite, see this guide.
CoolWallet S
Hardware wallets are not the most convenient option, though, since in the end those are peripheral devices. To address this issue, CoolBit X has developed the first mobile hardware wallet, CoolWallet S. It can be connected to a smartphone with Bluetooth, which is a secure alternative to a direct connection. In other words, if you don’t feel like picking between classic hardware and mobile devices, CoolWallet S can be the top cryptocurrency wallet option for you.
The asset selection is a bit more modest: about a dozen coins and any ERC-20 token.
The companion application CoolBitX Crypto is also packed with features: in addition to account and balances management, users can exchange and purchase cryptocurrencies right in the app. Exchanging crypto is especially easy and convenient, as this function is provided by ChangeHero. As is the case with Trezor, it is a non-custodial wallet.
For a How-to guide on using the exchange feature in CoolBitX Crypto, see this guide.
Tangem
Tangem devices have a completely different and an even more inconspicuous form factor: their wallets resemble credit cards for ultra-portable cryptocurrency storage.
Although the brand is preparing to release a new product in a completely new form factor, Tangem Ring, the current flagship device is still the Tangem Note card. In any case, this is the best cold wallet for Bitcoin and hundreds of other cryptocurrencies if you value both style and substance.
The Tangem cards do not have a screen or input devices, which makes them tamper-proof and completely removes the need to charge devices. The cold wallets use an NFC connection to generate the seed phrase, connect the wallet to your smartphone, and sign transactions. Tangem also has a long list of supported cryptocurrencies, with tens of thousands of token imports in supported networks. On the flip side, not a lot of software wallets integrate it yet, so you might be limited to Tangem Express.
A Tangem device will need to be activated first, which you can easily do with instructions in the mobile app. Next, you will see options to import or create a new wallet. Follow the instructions because once you set up the device(s), changing the wallet setup might require a factory reset.
The official Tangem shop sells Note cards in sets of two and three for $55 and $70 respectively. Preorders are open for the Ring and two Cards set, priced at $160.
Ledger
Surprisingly to no one, we just have to name Ledger in this list of crypto wallets as well. After all, they are one of the most trusted names in hardware crypto wallets, with over a decade of experience. The brand offers several models including the flagship Ledger Stax, Flex, Nano X, and the entry-level S Plus, each supporting over 5,500 cryptocurrencies and tokens. All Ledger devices are powered by industry-leading CC EAL5+/EAL6+ certified Secure Element chips, the same technology used in credit cards and passports, ensuring your private keys remain offline and protected from even the most sophisticated attacks.
With extensive third-party wallet compatibility and robust security auditing, Ledger devices offer comprehensive protection while maintaining user-friendly operation for both beginners and advanced users.
BCVault
Our team members responsible for security insisted we give BCVault a shout out. Their innovative features challenge traditional approaches. Created by Real Security, a cybersecurity company with over 10 years of experience, BCVault introduces industry-first technologies. The device uses Ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM) instead of traditional flash memory, providing faster processing speeds and an incredible 200+ year expected lifetime.
One of BCVault's most unique features is its non-deterministic key generation using a built-in gyro sensor (RNG), which creates separate key pairs for each wallet without mathematical linking between addresses, enhancing privacy. The device can support over 2,000 individual wallets, each with its own PIN protection, making it ideal for shared use or complex portfolio management. As a testament to their security confidence, each BCVault ships with a preloaded wallet containing 1 BTC as a bug bounty for anyone who can crack the encryption.
The wallet features a large 2.42-inch OLED display and 4-directional jog dial, providing clear transaction details and intuitive navigation. BCVault implements five (!!!) layers of security protection, including global PIN, password, and individual wallet PINs, creating comprehensive protection for all stored assets. With support for major cryptocurrencies and integrated exchange capabilities, BCVault offers a unique alternative for users seeking advanced security features in a multi-wallet.
OneKey
Backed by Coinbase Ventures, Dragonfly Capital, and Binance Labs, OneKey aims to deliver products and experience on par with its competitors who had years-long advantage. The company sells several models: the Classic 1S Pure, Touch, and the flagship Pro, each designed for different user needs and featuring CC EAL6+ certified secure elements for bank-grade protection.
The OneKey Pro stands out with four EAL 6+ secure elements, air-gapped functionality using QR codes, fingerprint authentication, wireless charging, and a 3.5-inch color touchscreen that rivals premium smartphones. The Classic models prioritize portability and simplicity, with the Pure version being battery-free and credit card-thin at just 3mm, making it one of the thinnest hardware wallets available.
All OneKey software is fully open-source with verifiable builds, active GitHub repositories, and transparent development processes. The wallets support over 5,000 cryptocurrencies across multiple blockchains and integrate seamlessly with popular third-party wallets like MetaMask through both USB and Bluetooth connections.
Software Wallets and Online Wallets
If you don’t own a lot of crypto yet and would rather have access to a wider selection of coins and features, you can settle with a software crypto wallet. If treated carefully enough, they are about as safe as hardware wallets, so don’t overlook this option while searching for the top cryptocurrency wallet!
This piece is focused on the team’s recommendations but if you are interested in a more in-depth review for this type of wallets, find it in this guide.
Metamask
Starting with one of the best recognized crypto wallet names, for Ethereum-based Web3 interactions, MetaMask stands as the de facto standard, serving over 100 million users worldwide as their gateway to decentralized applications, DeFi protocols, and NFT marketplaces. Available as both a browser extension and mobile app, MetaMask provides seamless access to the Ethereum ecosystem and EVM-compatible networks like Arbitrum, Optimism, and BNB Chain.
By the way, MetaMask is undergoing significant improvements in 2025: a complete UI/UX overhaul, native support for Solana and Bitcoin, and the innovative "Gas Station" feature that allows users to pay transaction fees using any supported token. The wallet features built-in token swaps, staking capabilities for Ethereum and Polygon, and extensive dApp connectivity through WalletConnect protocol.
Security features include phishing protection, transaction previews, and compatibility with hardware wallets like Ledger and Trezor for enhanced cold storage integration. MetaMask is free to use with a 0.875% fee on token swaps, and supports multiple payment methods including ACH transfers, card payments, and digital wallets like PayPal. The open-source nature of MetaMask allows for community auditing and continuous security improvements, making it an essential tool for anyone serious about participating in the Web3 ecosystem.
Exodus
The Exodus software wallet has mobile and desktop versions. With the desktop one, you can even manage some assets in a hardware wallet, if you own one. Many user reviews commend Exodus as the top cryptocurrency wallet in terms of accessibility and usability. Exodus wallet is non-custodial: the keys are stored on the device. For extra security, 2FA is available.
As far as software wallets go, this is as close to an all-in-one crypto wallet as it gets. Exodus has a dashboard with professional-level portfolio management features, dApp support and cross-platform synchronization. With features like these, you would expect it to have multiple account management and crypto-to-crypto exchange functionality — and you’ll be right. For most assets among all 116 supported ones, exchange is available. Exodus takes special care to make sure that their customers get the best exchange rates on the market, and that is why they chose ChangeHero as an exchange provider.
Arctic Wallet
Arctic Wallet is a multi-chain non-custodial cryptocurrency wallet supporting over 150 crypto assets across 25+ blockchain networks. Available for both desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux) and mobile platforms (iOS, Android), Arctic Wallet prioritizes user privacy by not collecting or storing any user data.
The wallet features an intuitive user interface designed for both beginners and experienced users, with built-in exchange capabilities allowing crypto-to-crypto and fiat-to-crypto swaps directly within the application. Arctic Wallet implements robust security through its non-custodial architecture, keeping private keys solely in user possession, with all transactions occurring on-chain through decentralized protocols.
Users particularly appreciate the responsive live chat support with real human agents rather than bots, providing friendly and helpful customer service. The wallet includes portfolio analytics features to help users make informed investment decisions and track their digital asset performance across multiple networks. While Arctic Wallet has maintained a good reputation with a 4.2 rating on Trustpilot and positive user feedback highlighting its security and ease of use, the project is still building its market presence and expanding its feature set for broader adoption.
Edge
Rey highlights Edge as one of the best Bitcoin (BTC) mobile wallets, especially for a start. Edge Wallet distinguishes itself in the mobile cryptocurrency space with a unique approach to security and privacy that eliminates the need for traditional seed phrases. Originally launched in 2014 as Airbitz, Edge has evolved into a comprehensive mobile-first solution that supports over 21 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Monero, and all ERC-20 tokens, with official endorsement from the Monero team for privacy-focused users.
The wallet's innovative security model uses client-side encryption with a simple username and password system, where all data is encrypted locally on your device before transmission. This ensures that Edge never has access to your private keys, personal information, or account details, maintaining true decentralization while offering superior ease of use compared to traditional seed phrase management. The wallet supports two-factor authentication, automatic logout features, and password recovery through security questions.
Edge excels in user experience with its intuitive four-screen interface covering Wallets, Request, Scan, and Exchange functions, making it particularly accessible for beginners while offering advanced features for experienced users. The wallet includes built-in exchange capabilities through integrated partners (ChangeHero included), allowing seamless crypto-to-crypto swaps without leaving the app.
While Edge provides excellent security for a mobile wallet with its open-source codebase vetted by security experts, it's designed for everyday transactions and smaller holdings rather than large-scale storage. The mobile-only availability may limit some users, but for those seeking a user-friendly, privacy-focused wallet for daily crypto activities, Edge offers a compelling combination of security, convenience, and innovative design.
How Do I Secure My Wallet?
Regardless of which wallet (or wallets!) you choose, there are a few common best practices to secure your crypto funds. After all, even the most state-of-the-art app or expensive device will not be able to safeguard them effectively if you neglect the basic rules of digital hygiene.
Use two-factor authentication wherever possible, and not just a password. If you can and it aligns with your usage patterns, consider multi-signature as another layer of protection. Check if the apps you use (wallets and password managers) use encryption and which, and take care of a reliable backup method for all credentials and especially private keys.
How do you tackle and overcome online threats targeting you and your wallets, such as phishing? Learn with the guides by the ChangeHero team.
How to Avoid Crypto Scams? A Beginner’s Guide
How to Recover Stolen Cryptocurrency Without Falling for a Scam?
Avoiding Crypto Scams in 2024: Case Study of Trust Wallet Scams
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
2FA is a type of multi-factor authentication, where, in simpler terms, a factor is a step you take to complete the process. In the case of cryptocurrency wallets, the most common type of 2FA you might encounter is authentication apps like Google Authenticator or Authy.
These apps also use encryption to create short codes that expire roughly every ~20 seconds. If you set it up, you will only be able to gain access to your wallet with the correct password and a valid code. Do not dismiss this as a hassle, because this can be the piece of the puzzle that will not let bad actors reach your cryptocurrency holdings even if they have your password.
Multi-Signature (MultiSig) Wallets
Another feature of select blockchains (most popular ones should have it) is MultiSig wallets, and most wallet apps support it, with some prep. Here, “wallet” refers to the blockchain address rather than an app, so this is protocol-level protection. The name implies that to authorize a transaction from that address, multiple digital signatures are required.
Some or all of these digital signatures can be yours from different devices and credentials. A popular approach to splitting the risks is to entrust a signature to a qualified crypto custodian like Casa or BitGo. In any case, this is another method to ensure that in case one wallet gets compromised, all funds cannot be drained.
So How Do I Choose the Right Crypto Wallet?
At the end of the day, our recommendations are not your only options: sure, we have the experience to back our picks up with, but the experience of our team members is not necessarily the same as yours. Here are a few things you can reflect on to help narrow down the very vital choice.
First of all, what cryptocurrencies do you want to store? If it’s BTC or ERC-20 tokens, you might be in more luck with options but if it’s an obscure altcoin, sometimes, you will not have much choice at all. Always check supported assets first.
How often do you need to access your cryptocurrency? Do you want to set it and forget it? Then put it away safely in cold storage. Do you often use Web3 and DeFi? You will most definitely need to have at least one dedicated hot wallet for funds that you actively use and flip.
Last but not least, how important is security to you? And as should be clear from everything so far, we do not mean it in a “yes or no” way but “would you go out of your way” way. Hot storage plus best practices for security should be fine for the vast majority of crypto users but if you know you have to be extra careful, cold storage all the way for you.
Conclusion
Choosing a cryptocurrency wallet that suits your needs best is not a problem exclusive to newbies. We hope this list of wallets for Bitcoin, Ethereum and tokens, and many others helps you. What do you think of our decentralized wallet list—share your experience in the comments!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I lose access to my wallet (lost device, forgotten password, lost seed phrase)?
If you lose your device or password, your seed phrase is the key to recovery. You can use it to restore your wallet on a new device. However, if you lose your seed phrase itself, there is no way to recover your funds, as it is the only backup of your private keys.
Can I recover funds if I send crypto to the wrong address?
Unfortunately, no. Crypto transactions are irreversible. The network will process the transaction to the address you specify, and once confirmed, the funds are gone. Always double-check the recipient's address before you send a transaction.
What happens to my crypto if a wallet company shuts down?
Your crypto is not stored by a wallet company; it's on the blockchain. The wallet app is simply a tool to access it. As long as you have your private keys or seed phrase, you can import your wallet into a different compatible application and retain full access to your funds.
What should I do if my wallet app crashes or won’t open?
First, try reinstalling the app or restarting your device. If that doesn't work, your funds are safe as long as you have your seed phrase. You can restore your wallet on a different device or using a different wallet application that supports the same blockchain.
Do I need to be online to receive crypto?
No, you do not. Your crypto address is a permanent identifier on the blockchain. Anyone can send funds to it at any time, even if your device is offline. The transaction will be confirmed on the blockchain and the balance will appear in your wallet the next time you connect to the internet.
Can a wallet provider freeze or confiscate my assets?
Reputable, non-custodial wallet providers cannot freeze or confiscate your assets because they do not control your private keys. This is the main difference from a centralized exchange, where you do not have direct control of your assets. However, some custodial wallets, where the provider holds your keys, may have the ability to do so.
What is Multi-Party Computation (MPC) and how does it work in wallets?
MPC is a technology that splits a private key into multiple parts, distributing them among different parties (e.g., the user and the wallet provider) without any single party ever holding the entire key. This enhances security by removing a single point of failure. Transactions require multiple parties to sign off, making it more difficult for a single malicious actor to compromise the wallet.
What are the benefits of open-source wallet software?
Open-source software means the code is publicly available for anyone to review. This provides transparency and allows developers and security experts from the community to audit the code for vulnerabilities or backdoors. Collaborative scrutiny helps to build trust and ensure the security of the wallet.
