<p>I'd recommend to read up on Bitcoin to understand what you're doing. Then you can find an <a href="https://bitcoin.org/en/choose-your-wallet" rel="nofollow noreferrer">overview of wallets on bitcoin.org</a>, but for a quick start, the fastest way to get started is:</p>

<ul>
<li>Desktop (Windows/Mac/Linux) : <a href="https://electrum.org" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Electrum</a> or <a href="https://multibit.org" rel="nofollow noreferrer">MultiBit</a></li>
<li>Android : <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.schildbach.wallet" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Bitcoin Wallet</a> by Andreas Schildbach</li>
<li>iOS : <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/app/breadwallet/id885251393" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Bread Wallet</a></li>
<li>Windows phone : Get an Android phone instead</li>
</ul>

<p>These are all fairly easy to use, and don't bother you with all kinds of advanced options.</p>

<hr>

<p><sup>This post was adapted from my answer on <a href="https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/31966/how-to-get-started-with-a-bitcoin-wallet">How to get started with a Bitcoin wallet</a>.</sup></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-03T17:47:37.763Z
Multibit has been deprecated for four years now. The Android Play store has numerous wallets named "Bitcoin Wallet" and none have the developer as Schildbach. The one to look for is "Bitcoin Wallet" by "Bitcoin Wallet Developers" whose URL includes the name schildbach.
RedGrittyBrick
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-22T16:15:14.517Z
2016-08-29T14:17:15.713Z
2017-04-13T12:47:33.743Z
Maǳi Koǌo
<p>Great resources here to help you select an individual wallet: <a href="https://bitcoin.org/en/choose-your-wallet" rel="noreferrer">https://bitcoin.org/en/choose-your-wallet</a></p>

<p>Truthfully, having your own wallet that works across Windows/Android/Chrome might be on the tricky side for beginners. If you don't mind a web-based wallet where it's controlled by another party, I'd suggest using <a href="http://www.coinbase.com/" rel="noreferrer">Coinbase</a>, <a href="http://www.xapo.com/" rel="noreferrer">Xapo</a>, or <a href="http://www.circle.com/" rel="noreferrer">Circle</a> as the easiest way to get something cross-platform.</p>

<p>With a web-based wallet, you can still maintain a degree of control by keeping the majority of you bitcoin on a hardware wallet, a dedicated, offline computer that runs its own wallet, or a paper wallet, and then use the web-based wallet for smaller amounts.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-23T13:27:29.230Z
Hi, this answer was moved to another question due to merging. Please kindly check and perhaps edit it to make it fit here.
Murch
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-27T20:46:33.693Z
2015-07-27T20:46:33.693Z
Josh Cincinnati
<p>Personally I would recommend Electrum, it's a local wallet, doesn't require you to download the entire blockchain, has good features with regards to recoverability and accessibility.  Also you can run it in multiple locations at the same time (something the standard bitcoin wallet doesn't allow you to do), and you can also run it on your phone provided it's not an iPhone. </p>

<p>Other than this blockchain.com provide a good online wallet although I'm always cautious of these as you have to trust the company running the wallet not to make off with your coins. One place I would definitely suggest not leaving them is in exchange wallets, at least no more than you can afford to loose, and for when you make your cryptographic millions Cold Storage.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-23T04:54:15.913Z
Running Electrum on a phone, you sure? Is there an Android or WindowsPhone version of Electrum?
Maǳi Koǌo
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-03T21:07:49.767Z
2014-10-22T10:07:28.237Z
2014-10-22T10:07:28.237Z
hafnero
<p>This chart comparing all major desktop clients is pretty good, 
and is well maintained by a bitcointalk regular: 
 <a href="http://dre.natverk.org/compare.htm" rel="nofollow">http://dre.natverk.org/compare.htm</a></p>

<p>Discussion about it here:
 <a href="https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=83768.0" rel="nofollow">https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=83768.0</a></p>

<p>Nothing about e-wallets, though.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-09T21:28:02.797Z
http://dre.natverk.org/compare.htm link is down :(
Enrique San Martín
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-07-14T07:33:07.247Z
2014-03-08T21:11:19.250Z
2014-03-08T21:11:19.250Z
John Blatz
<p>This site is not really meant for product reviews or recommendations. Anything answered here might be outdated in a few months or years. And it might actually turn out to point to a scam site if the domain or whole wallet is taken over by evil people.</p>

<p>It's probably safer to only point to <a href="http://www.bitcoin.org" rel="nofollow">www.bitcoin.org</a> and follow the steps there, one of which is choosing your wallet. Those people put a lot of effort into thoroughly reviewing and comparing wallets on points that matter greatly (i.e. security) and will try their best to exclude anything bad or remotely scammy.</p>

<p>Of course my initial warning still applies here too: let's hope that domain does not get hijacked or evil people sneak a bad wallet past their review.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-23T13:30:37.240Z
Hi Jannes, I've merged a duplicate question to this one. Please kindly check whether your answer might need a tweak to fit here.
Murch
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-15T16:38:19.380Z
2016-08-15T16:38:19.380Z
Jannes
<p>This is a project I discovered to be quite effective at evaluating the privacy provided by each wallet. Obviously in most cases, choosing a wallet is based on a trade-off between privacy/security and convenience and I found this particular repository to be useful at considering various aspects of a wallet.</p>

<p><a href="https://github.com/OpenBitcoinPrivacyProject/wallet-ratings" rel="nofollow">Open Bitcoin Privacy Project</a></p>

<p>Various well-known developers and wallet maintainers also contribute to this project, so it should be fairly reliable. As a word of caution though, one must always be <strong>skeptical</strong> at all times when it comes to cryptocurrency. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-03T17:42:23.220Z
The linked list doesn't seem to have been updated since 2016.
RedGrittyBrick
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-25T09:17:48.697Z
2016-08-25T09:17:48.697Z
rny
<p>My recommendation would be to use bitcoin.org. It's the original bitcoin site, and it's also the best, IMO. They include almost all the wallets, from multisig to hardware ones.</p>

<p>But if you were to ask me, I would recommend you to narrow down your search to only hardware wallets, desktop/full wallets. The latter should be used in tandem with the cold storage method, where you host a client on an offline computer, sign a transaction there, then broadcast it using a computer connected to the internet.</p>

<p>Here is an <a href="https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/How_to_set_up_a_secure_offline_savings_wallet" rel="nofollow">tutorial and explanation for cold storage on the wiki</a>.</p>

<hr>

<p><strong>My Recommendation would be the Trezor wallet, even though I own a Ledger HW.1.</strong></p>

<p>Definitely one of the best wallets out there, it can take a physical beating, and has great software. It's cold storage for the pros! :)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-24T00:34:06.060Z
2016-08-25T11:00:02.127Z
2016-08-25T11:00:02.127Z
Whyte the Weeabear
<p>Try <a href="https://blockchain.info/wallet" rel="nofollow">https://blockchain.info/wallet</a> it has Android and IOS clients. It is easiest client for begginer.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-11T14:15:33.027Z
2015-08-11T14:15:33.027Z
c97
<p>Essentially it boils down to the tradeoffs between security and convenience.</p>

<p>Instawallet is incredibly convenient, but not all that secure (as no password is required, and if you lose the URL, you lose the ability to spend the funds.)</p>

<p>Paytunia was a great shared (hosted) EWallet for a beginner, and there is a mobile app (for Android). A new version of Paytunia is in the works for a <a href="http://paymium.com/#services" rel="nofollow noreferrer">2014 release</a>.</p>

<p>Blockchain.info/wallet is a great hybrid (browser-based) wallet and also has a mobile app (for Android, and for Cydia / jailbroken iPhones). Configured properly, with backups sent to your e-mail inbox, this is probably the best combination of security and convenience.</p>

<p>If you only need a mobile wallet, the BitcoinSpinner works well also.</p>

<ul>
<li><p><a href="http://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/EWallet" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/EWallet</a></p></li>
<li><p><a href="http://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Mobile_Payment_Apps" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Mobile_Payment_Apps</a></p></li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-19T10:11:59.997Z
I've just downvoted this answer, because it is outdated with some examples not even operating anymore. I suggest that you check out the other answers as well.
Murch
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-07-15T03:02:16.653Z
2013-11-04T18:25:44.277Z
2013-11-04T18:25:44.277Z
Stephen Gornick
<p>While editing the <a href="https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Bitcoin_Newbie_Guide">Bitcoin Newb Guide</a>, I realized I can't find a single page that covers all major clients in a Newb-friendly manner.</p>

<ol>
<li><a href="http://bitcoin.org/clients.html">bitcoin.org</a> doesn't seem to mention web wallets such as <a href="https://blockchain.info/wallet/">My Wallet</a></li>
<li><a href="https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Clients">The wiki page</a> is not IMO newb-friendly ... one big table, no clear way for a newb to decide which wallets he should try out. Yes, the features are listed in the table, but a newb won't understand them.</li>
</ol>

<p>What is the best objective resource to help newbs choose their first wallet/s? </p>

<p><strong>Requirements</strong>:</p>

<ul>
<li>Objective source (as much as possible)</li>
<li>Updated Frequently, preferably user editable / reflects user votes</li>
<li>Includes major desktop clients</li>
<li>Includes major web wallets / mobile wallets</li>
<li><strong>Noob Friendly</strong> - just dumping all clients in a big table will scare off noobs. I want a page that, while giving out sufficient information, is well structured and will not scare noobs. <a href="https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Clients">The Wiki Page</a> is a good counter example.</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-01-07T11:49:48.643Z
"Just use blockchan's mywallet" is the best guide IMHO
o0'.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-01-09T06:54:13.077Z
I'm new to bitcoin, but I just opened an account with coinbase.com to get started.
chovy
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-22T16:16:23.370Z
@Lohoris: no, blockchain.info's web wallet works OK, but their wallet apps (both Android and iOS) are a disaster. Highly NOT recommended for beginners, it will only frustrate them.
Maǳi Koǌo
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-22T16:18:32.373Z
And and do note the distinction between "the blockchain" (an important part of the Bitcoin technology) and "blockchain.info" which is an independant 3rd party website offering some Bitcoin-related utilities and services. Big difference.
Maǳi Koǌo
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-22T19:23:36.200Z
@MaǳiKoǌo I've had a few beginner friends using them successfully, no problem. No clue why you claim they are a disaster. They can be improved a lot, surely, but disaster is another planet.
o0'.
<client><e-wallet>
What is a good resource to help newbies choose their first wallet/s?
ripper234
# What is a good resource to help newbies choose their first wallet/s?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-07-14)

While editing the [Bitcoin Newb Guide](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Bitcoin_Newbie_Guide), I realized I can't find a single page that covers all major clients in a Newb-friendly manner.

1. [bitcoin.org](http://bitcoin.org/clients.html) doesn't seem to mention web wallets such as [My Wallet](https://blockchain.info/wallet/)
2. [The wiki page](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Clients) is not IMO newb-friendly ... one big table, no clear way for a newb to decide which wallets he should try out. Yes, the features are listed in the table, but a newb won't understand them.

What is the best objective resource to help newbs choose their first wallet/s?

**Requirements**:

* Objective source (as much as possible)
* Updated Frequently, preferably user editable / reflects user votes
* Includes major desktop clients
* Includes major web wallets / mobile wallets
* **Noob Friendly** - just dumping all clients in a big table will scare off noobs. I want a page that, while giving out sufficient information, is well structured and will not scare noobs. [The Wiki Page](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Clients) is a good counter example.

**Tags:** client, e-wallet

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: "Just use blockchan's mywallet" is the best guide IMHO  
> **username_2**: I'm new to bitcoin, but I just opened an account with coinbase.com to get started.  
> **username_3**: @Lohoris: no, blockchain.info's web wallet works OK, but their wallet apps (both Android and iOS) are a disaster. Highly NOT recommended for beginners, it will only frustrate them.  
> **username_3**: And and do note the distinction between "the blockchain" (an important part of the Bitcoin technology) and "blockchain.info" which is an independant 3rd party website offering some Bitcoin-related utilities and services. Big difference.  
> **username_1**: @username_3 I've had a few beginner friends using them successfully, no problem. No clue why you claim they are a disaster. They can be improved a lot, surely, but disaster is another planet.  

---

## 9 answers

### Answer by username_14 on 2012-07-15. Score: 8 | Accepted answer

Essentially it boils down to the tradeoffs between security and convenience.

Instawallet is incredibly convenient, but not all that secure (as no password is required, and if you lose the URL, you lose the ability to spend the funds.)

Paytunia was a great shared (hosted) EWallet for a beginner, and there is a mobile app (for Android). A new version of Paytunia is in the works for a [2014 release](http://paymium.com/#services).

Blockchain.info/wallet is a great hybrid (browser-based) wallet and also has a mobile app (for Android, and for Cydia / jailbroken iPhones). Configured properly, with backups sent to your e-mail inbox, this is probably the best combination of security and convenience.

If you only need a mobile wallet, the BitcoinSpinner works well also.

* <http://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/EWallet>
* <http://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Mobile_Payment_Apps>

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: I've just downvoted this answer, because it is outdated with some examples not even operating anymore. I suggest that you check out the other answers as well.  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2014-10-22. Score: 6

I'd recommend to read up on Bitcoin to understand what you're doing. Then you can find an [overview of wallets on bitcoin.org](https://bitcoin.org/en/choose-your-wallet), but for a quick start, the fastest way to get started is:

* Desktop (Windows/Mac/Linux) : [Electrum](https://electrum.org) or [MultiBit](https://multibit.org)
* Android : [Bitcoin Wallet](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.schildbach.wallet) by Andreas Schildbach
* iOS : [Bread Wallet](https://itunes.apple.com/app/breadwallet/id885251393)
* Windows phone : Get an Android phone instead

These are all fairly easy to use, and don't bother you with all kinds of advanced options.

---

This post was adapted from my answer on [How to get started with a Bitcoin wallet](https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/31966/how-to-get-started-with-a-bitcoin-wallet).

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: Multibit has been deprecated for four years now. The Android Play store has numerous wallets named "Bitcoin Wallet" and none have the developer as Schildbach. The one to look for is "Bitcoin Wallet" by "Bitcoin Wallet Developers" whose URL includes the name schildbach.  

---

### Answer by username_5 on 2015-07-27. Score: 6

Great resources here to help you select an individual wallet: <https://bitcoin.org/en/choose-your-wallet>

Truthfully, having your own wallet that works across Windows/Android/Chrome might be on the tricky side for beginners. If you don't mind a web-based wallet where it's controlled by another party, I'd suggest using [Coinbase](http://www.coinbase.com/), [Xapo](http://www.xapo.com/), or [Circle](http://www.circle.com/) as the easiest way to get something cross-platform.

With a web-based wallet, you can still maintain a degree of control by keeping the majority of you bitcoin on a hardware wallet, a dedicated, offline computer that runs its own wallet, or a paper wallet, and then use the web-based wallet for smaller amounts.

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: Hi, this answer was moved to another question due to merging. Please kindly check and perhaps edit it to make it fit here.  

---

### Answer by username_7 on 2014-03-03. Score: 4

Personally I would recommend Electrum, it's a local wallet, doesn't require you to download the entire blockchain, has good features with regards to recoverability and accessibility. Also you can run it in multiple locations at the same time (something the standard bitcoin wallet doesn't allow you to do), and you can also run it on your phone provided it's not an iPhone.

Other than this blockchain.com provide a good online wallet although I'm always cautious of these as you have to trust the company running the wallet not to make off with your coins. One place I would definitely suggest not leaving them is in exchange wallets, at least no more than you can afford to loose, and for when you make your cryptographic millions Cold Storage.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Running Electrum on a phone, you sure? Is there an Android or WindowsPhone version of Electrum?  

---

### Answer by username_8 on 2012-07-14. Score: 4

This chart comparing all major desktop clients is pretty good,
and is well maintained by a bitcointalk regular:
<http://dre.natverk.org/compare.htm>

Discussion about it here:
<https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=83768.0>

Nothing about e-wallets, though.

> **Comments:**
> **username_9**: http://dre.natverk.org/compare.htm link is down :(  

---

### Answer by username_10 on 2016-08-15. Score: 3

This site is not really meant for product reviews or recommendations. Anything answered here might be outdated in a few months or years. And it might actually turn out to point to a scam site if the domain or whole wallet is taken over by evil people.

It's probably safer to only point to [www.bitcoin.org](http://www.bitcoin.org) and follow the steps there, one of which is choosing your wallet. Those people put a lot of effort into thoroughly reviewing and comparing wallets on points that matter greatly (i.e. security) and will try their best to exclude anything bad or remotely scammy.

Of course my initial warning still applies here too: let's hope that domain does not get hijacked or evil people sneak a bad wallet past their review.

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: Hi username_10, I've merged a duplicate question to this one. Please kindly check whether your answer might need a tweak to fit here.  

---

### Answer by username_11 on 2016-08-25. Score: 2

This is a project I discovered to be quite effective at evaluating the privacy provided by each wallet. Obviously in most cases, choosing a wallet is based on a trade-off between privacy/security and convenience and I found this particular repository to be useful at considering various aspects of a wallet.

[Open Bitcoin Privacy Project](https://github.com/OpenBitcoinPrivacyProject/wallet-ratings)

Various well-known developers and wallet maintainers also contribute to this project, so it should be fairly reliable. As a word of caution though, one must always be **skeptical** at all times when it comes to cryptocurrency.

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: The linked list doesn't seem to have been updated since 2016.  

---

### Answer by username_12 on 2016-08-24. Score: 1

My recommendation would be to use bitcoin.org. It's the original bitcoin site, and it's also the best, IMO. They include almost all the wallets, from multisig to hardware ones.

But if you were to ask me, I would recommend you to narrow down your search to only hardware wallets, desktop/full wallets. The latter should be used in tandem with the cold storage method, where you host a client on an offline computer, sign a transaction there, then broadcast it using a computer connected to the internet.

Here is an [tutorial and explanation for cold storage on the wiki](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/How_to_set_up_a_secure_offline_savings_wallet).

---

**My Recommendation would be the Trezor wallet, even though I own a Ledger HW.1.**

Definitely one of the best wallets out there, it can take a physical beating, and has great software. It's cold storage for the pros! :)


---

### Answer by username_13 on 2015-08-11. Score: 0

Try <https://blockchain.info/wallet> it has Android and IOS clients. It is easiest client for begginer.


---

