Hardware wallets for maximum security or software wallets for convenience? We tested both types so you can pick the right one for your situation.
If your crypto is sitting on an exchange, you don't actually own it — the exchange does. Moving your assets to a personal wallet gives you full control of your private keys, which is the whole point of cryptocurrency. Here's what you need to know about the best options available right now.
| Wallet | Type | Price | Coins Supported | Bluetooth | Open Source | Our Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ledger Nano X | Hardware | $149 | 5,500+ | Yes | Partial | /5 | Buy |
| Ledger Nano S Plus | Hardware | $79 | 5,500+ | No | Partial | /5 | Buy |
| Trezor Model T | Hardware | $219 | 1,800+ | No | Yes | /5 | Buy |
| Trezor One | Hardware | $69 | 1,200+ | No | Yes | /5 | Buy |
| MetaMask | Software | Free | Ethereum + ERC-20 | N/A | Yes | /5 | Download |
| Trust Wallet | Software | Free | 10M+ tokens | N/A | Yes | /5 | Download |
Physical devices that store your private keys offline. Think of them like a USB drive for your crypto. Since they're never connected to the internet during key generation, they're essentially immune to remote hacking. The downside is cost ($69 to $219) and slightly less convenience for frequent transactions.
Best for: Anyone holding more than $1,000 in crypto, long term investors, people who want maximum security.
Apps that run on your phone or as a browser extension. They're free, convenient, and let you interact with DeFi protocols and dApps directly. The trade-off is that since your private keys live on a device connected to the internet, they're more vulnerable to malware and phishing attacks.
Best for: Smaller holdings, DeFi users, people who trade frequently, beginners learning the basics.
Best Hardware Wallet Overall
The Ledger Nano X is the wallet we recommend to most people. It supports over 5,500 cryptocurrencies, connects to your phone via Bluetooth, and uses a certified secure element chip (the same type used in credit cards and passports) to protect your private keys. The Ledger Live app provides a clean interface for managing your portfolio, staking, and even swapping tokens.
At $149, it's not cheap, but when you consider what's at stake (literally), it's a reasonable investment. The cheaper Nano S Plus at $79 is a good alternative if you don't need Bluetooth and mainly use it with a desktop computer.
Best Open Source Hardware Wallet
The Trezor Model T is the gold standard for open source security. Every line of code running on this device is publicly auditable, which means the security community can (and does) verify that there are no backdoors or vulnerabilities. It features a full color touchscreen that makes setup and transaction verification easier than any other hardware wallet.
The $219 price tag makes it the most expensive wallet on this list, and it supports fewer coins than Ledger (1,800+ vs 5,500+). But if transparency and open source values matter to you, or if you need Shamir backup (splitting your recovery seed into multiple parts), the Model T is worth the premium.
Best for DeFi and dApps
MetaMask is the most widely used crypto wallet in the world, with over 30 million monthly active users. If you want to interact with DeFi protocols like Uniswap, Aave, or OpenSea, MetaMask is essentially required. It works as a browser extension (Chrome, Firefox, Brave) and as a mobile app.
It's free to use, though MetaMask takes a small fee (0.875%) on swaps made through their built in aggregator. For maximum security, you can pair MetaMask with a Ledger or Trezor hardware wallet — this gives you the convenience of MetaMask's interface with the security of offline key storage.
Best Mobile Wallet
Trust Wallet supports more blockchains than any other mobile wallet — over 100 chains and millions of tokens. It was acquired by Binance in 2018 but remains open source. The app is well designed with built in staking, a dApp browser, and an NFT gallery.
Unlike MetaMask, Trust Wallet natively supports Bitcoin, Solana, Cosmos, and dozens of other non-EVM chains, making it the most versatile mobile wallet available. It's completely free with no hidden fees on basic transfers (they do charge a small fee on in-app swaps).