Everyday on-chain · Bitcoin-only
BlueWallet
iOSAndroidmacOS
A friendly starting point with watch-only wallets, coin control, multisig and PSBT support. It can connect to your own Bitcoin node when you are ready.
Official projectBitcoin self-custody
Hold the keys.
Verify the rules.
A signing device protects the key that authorizes a payment. A node checks that the payment follows Bitcoin's rules. They solve different problems, and they work well together.
Wallet appBuilds a payment
Signing deviceApproves with your key
Your nodeChecks Bitcoin's rules
01
The wallet does not contain bitcoin
Your bitcoin is recorded on Bitcoin's public ledger. A hardware wallet or signing device holds a private signing key. That key creates the proof needed to move your bitcoin to another address.
Think of the device as a pen that can produce a signature nobody else can copy. The wallet app prepares the form; the device lets you inspect and sign it.
If the device breaks, your bitcoin is not trapped inside it. A correct recovery backup can rebuild the same keys on a compatible device. Anyone who finds that backup can do the same, so keep it offline and private.
02
Choose how hands-on you want to be
Choose a wallet app
A wallet app shows balances, creates transactions and broadcasts them. A phone or computer connected to the internet is convenient, but treat it as spending money unless an offline signing device protects the key.
Desktop coordinator · Bitcoin-only
Sparrow Wallet
WindowsmacOSLinux
Detailed transaction inspection, excellent coin control, multisig and broad signing-device support. Connect it directly to Bitcoin Core for stronger privacy.
Official projectMultisig and inheritance · Bitcoin-only
Nunchuk
iOSAndroidDesktop
A strong path into multi-device and collaborative multisig, with options for inheritance planning and support for common signing devices.
Official projectBitcoin and Monero · multi-coin
Cake Wallet
iOSAndroidDesktop
An approachable open-source wallet with Bitcoin and Monero support. Convenient, but not Bitcoin-only and its built-in exchange adds more moving parts.
Official projectEveryday Lightning · self-custodial
Phoenix
iOSAndroid
A streamlined self-custodial Lightning wallet. Channel management is mostly hidden, though Lightning liquidity and service fees still matter.
Official projectAdvanced Lightning · node control
ZEUS
iOSAndroid
Run an embedded Lightning node on the phone or remotely control your own LND or Core Lightning node. Powerful, with more responsibility.
Official projectProtect your signing key
DIY · air-gapped · stateless
SeedSigner
Build it from commonly available parts. A Raspberry Pi Zero 1.3 without Wi-Fi or Bluetooth exchanges transaction data through QR codes. It is intentionally more hands-on and does not persist your seed by default.
Good forPeople who want transparent parts, QR signing and a project they can assemble themselves.
Official project
Reuse an old phone · offline QR signer
Cupcake
Turn a wiped Android phone with no network connection into a QR signing companion for Cake Wallet. It is an accessible way to learn offline signing, but a general-purpose phone is not a dedicated security device.
Good forLearning and modest balances. Use a dedicated signer or carefully designed multisig for serious savings.
Cupcake guide
Ready-made · Bitcoin-only option
BitBox02 Bitcoin-only edition
The Bitcoin-only BitBox02 is designed for a smoother first setup. Its open-source firmware uses reproducible builds, while a separate secure chip hardens access to the signing key.
Good forPeople who prefer a compact finished product with guided software and straightforward backups.
Official product
Verify Bitcoin with your own node
A node downloads and checks Bitcoin's history and new transactions. Connecting your wallet to it means you ask your own computer about balances and payments instead of trusting somebody else's server.
Plug-and-play or DIY · personal server
Start9
StartOS provides a graphical personal server for Bitcoin Core, Lightning and other self-hosted services. Buy supported hardware or install the open-source system yourself.
Start9 docsGuided DIY · Bitcoin and Lightning
RaspiBlitz
An MIT-licensed project with ready-to-flash images for Raspberry Pi hardware. It combines a full Bitcoin node, optional Lightning and a dashboard without hiding the machinery.
RaspiBlitz docsManual DIY · maximum learning
RaspiBolt
A detailed build-it-yourself guide rather than an appliance. You install and configure the node layer by layer, which takes longer but teaches you what each component does.
RaspiBolt guidePrivacy-focused · plug-and-play path
RoninDojo
A Bitcoin node stack focused on wallet privacy. RoninOS offers a flashable plug-and-play installation as well as manual paths for users who want more control.
RoninDojo docsFull validation · built-in wallet
Bitcoin Core
The reference implementation validates the complete Bitcoin chain and includes its own wallet. It needs substantial storage, bandwidth and synchronization time; many users run Core as their node and use Sparrow as the interface.
Bitcoin Core03
Before moving meaningful bitcoin
- Use official sources. Verify downloads and never buy a device that arrives already initialized.
- Keep recovery words offline. Never type them into this website, a chat, cloud storage or a general-purpose computer.
- Verify on the device. Check the destination address and amount on the signer's own screen.
- Practice recovery. Learn with a small amount and test the backup before depending on it.
- Remember the boundary. A node verifies rules; it does not replace secure key storage.