12 best non-custodial wallets

The Ledger Nano X is a top-tier USB-style hardware wallet from Ledger, a company that has produced industry-leading security for self-custody of digital assets since 2014.

It was our pick for the best overall non-custodial wallet because it allows you to securely store the keys to over 5,500 crypto assets and NFTs and put your assets to work through staking – all while on the go.

Unlike Ledger's cheaper Nano S Plus model, the Nano X has Bluetooth functionality and is compatible with both Android and iPhone for maximum portability.

Of the self-custody wallets we compared, no other device provided this level of security alongside such a broad range of features.

While Ledger devices have not had any recorded security breaches, the software is closed-source. This means that it is not open to independent scrutiny, and you must place some degree of trust in the manufacturer. Read our full review for more information on the pros and cons of Ledger devices.

The Ledger Nano S Plus is our top contender for value because it offers the same high level of security and most of the same features as the Ledger Nano X – but at nearly half the price.

The Nano S Plus also supports cold storage for 5,500 crypto coins, tokens and NFTs, as well as staking and crypto exchange features through Ledger Live.

If you're content with safe offline storage of your private keys and don't need to use the device on the go with a mobile phone app – there's no Bluetooth functionality in the Nano S Plus – then this hardware wallet will likely tick a lot of boxes.

One potential issue with Ledger devices is that the software is closed-source, which means it is not open to independent scrutiny or review.

The Ledger Nano S Plus strikes such a good balance between security, coin support, features and relative affordability that we were hard pressed to find a better value option on the market.

Exodus Wallet is a software wallet for desktop and mobile that provides access to a wide range of cryptocurrencies. While many wallets only let you manage coins on a single network, Exodus supports assets on blockchains including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. This all-in-one functionality makes it our top wallet pick for beginners.

The wallet has added features like a portfolio overview that help you to oversee your holdings. And if you'd like to top up your portfolio, you can use the wallet's built-in exchange to swap your digital assets.

You can also stake cryptos like Algorand (ALGO) and Cosmos (ATOM) through Exodus.

For added security, you can store the keys to your assets on a Trezor hardware wallet, making it easy to upgrade from one to the other if you decide to go pro.

One of Exodus's most beginner-friendly features is its highly-responsive support staff. If you email them for support, you can expect to hear back within an hour.

The Trezor Model T gets our pick for best non-custodial wallet for experienced users because it offers a suite of advanced features that will really appeal to pros.

One of those features is the wallet's multisignature — or multisig — capabilities. Multisig provides an added layer of protection for Bitcoin, as multiple stakeholders must sign off on any transactions.

The Trezor Model T also supports Taproot — an upgrade to the privacy of the Bitcoin network. It also reduces transaction fees and allows users to engage with BTC smart contracts.

If anonymity is important to you, you can anonymise your transactions via the Tor network using the Trezor Suite interface.

You can also utilise the novel Shamir backup system with your Model T. The Shamir backup distributes your recovery phrase across multiple recovery shares, which can be stored in different locations for added security.

Warning: On May 25, 2023 a security firm named Unciphered claimed that they were able to extract the private keys from a Trezor Model T. The exploit requires physical access to the device as well as specialized tools and knowledge. Trezor has previously addressed this type of vulnerability in a blog post and say that the attack can be prevented by using a strong passphrase.

We chose Ledger’s range as the best non-custodial wallets for staking because the Ledger Stax, the Nano X, Nano S Plus and even the new Nano Stax can be used to stake a wide variety of crypto assets.

You can use the native Ledger Live interface with any Ledger hardware wallet to stake a limited range of 12 different cryptos — including Ether (ETH), Polygon (MATIC) and Solana (SOL).

To stake an even greater assortment of digital assets, you can sync your Ledger hardware wallet with third-party apps like MetaMask or Yoroi and use these software wallets as a bridge to staking interfaces — all while safely storing the private keys to your assets offline.

One potential issue with Ledger devices is that the software is closed-source, which means it is not open to independent scrutiny or review.

Exodus is our pick for best desktop wallet in part because its sleek user interface (UI) makes it easy to manage over 350 crypto coins and tokens on an assortment of major blockchains including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Polygon and Cardano.

You can also use the 'Fiat Onramp' section of the wallet to purchase crypto with your fiat or click on the 'Swap' tab to trade one of your cryptos for another.

On top of that, you can put your crypto to work by staking it via the wallet’s interface. Exodus enables you to stake Solana (SOL), Polygon (MATIC) and a handful of other crypto assets.

And if you really like Exodus’ UI and features but want to upgrade your security, you can link your Trezor wallet to Exodus to use the Exodus interface to manage the digital assets you keep in cold storage via your Trezor hardware wallet. Doing so also makes it easier to send the crypto you purchase or trade for in Exodus into your Trezor cold storage.

Trust Wallet supports coins and tokens from 65 different blockchains. This saves you the hassle of downloading multiple wallet apps and makes it our standout pick for the best non-custodial mobile wallet.

Trust Wallet lets you quickly import popular coins and tokens, view charts and pricing information and receive notifications directly to your mobile device.

If you want to view cryptos that aren't listed by default, Trust Wallet also lets you import custom tokens. You'll need to be careful to verify contract addresses when doing this, as anyone can create fake versions of existing cryptos.

You can also connect to dApps and DEXs that support the Wallet Connect extension. As an added convenience, you can also purchase cryptos with fiat through third-party providers like Moonpay and stake assets directly from your Trust Wallet.

The Coinbase Wallet doesn't require a Coinbase account to use it but verified account holders can connect directly to Coinbase's exchange to buy crypto. This seamless integration makes it our pick for the best non-custodial exchange wallet.

The Coinbase Wallet can be downloaded as a mobile app or browser extension and features an easy-to-navigate UI consistent with the Coinbase exchange. The wallet is automatically configured to support many blockchains, including all EVM-compatible chains and Solana.

Security on the Coinbase wallet is consistent with the industry standard for non-custodial wallets, which means it does come with some counterparty risk. If convenience and easy access to your funds on Coinbase is important to you, then this exchange wallet has a lot to offer.

With over 30 million monthly active users at the time of writing, MetaMask is a crowd favourite and considered the go to for Web3 apps, making it an easy choice for best non-custodial Web3 wallet.

MetaMask was one of the first non-custodial wallets to help open the door to the world of Web3 and DeFi. Operating on both desktop and mobile devices, MetaMask lets you connect to dApps, store NFTs and digital assets and trade cryptos across several different blockchains.

A key feature behind the popularity of MetaMask's Web3 wallet is the ability to buy and sell cryptos without providing any personal information. To start trading on DeFi exchanges you simply install the app or browser extension and log in using your private seed phrase.

Your MetaMask seed phrase acts as a password, login and proof of ownership all in one. Your information is not stored on any database and asset ownership is entirely in your hands; an important element of decentralisation.

As a specialist Bitcoin cold storage wallet, the COLDCARD Mk4 doesn't have as many of the features of Ledger or Trezor devices, but it does keep the private keys to your BTC stored securely offline.

The COLDCARD Mk4 was created by cypherpunks — technologists who advocate for privacy-enhancing cryptography — for Bitcoin maximalists.

The COLDCARD Mk4 uses not one but two Secure Element chips — the same type of chip found in passports and credit cards — to protect the private keys to your Bitcoin.

Using the Sparrow Wallet desktop software and a microSD card, you can send Bitcoin to and from your COLDCARD Mk4 without ever plugging the device in. The obvious downside to this is that you'll have to purchase a microSD card adapter for your computer if you plan to transfer data this way.

We wanted to give a shoutout to the Trezor Model One — the original non-custodial hardware wallet — because Trezor has been pioneering the way for offline private key storage since 2012.

The Trezor Model One was released only months after the infamous Mt. Gox crypto exchange hack in February 2014.

Many investors had just learned the hard way that if you don't hold the private keys to your digital assets, they aren't technically yours. The Trezor Model One was a first-of-its-kind way to guarantee self-custody through this era, and it's kept a commendable track record ever since.

So, while the Trezor Model One might not have the highest functionality of all the hardware wallets on the market today, it remains a dependable option at an affordable price point.

Warning: On May 25, 2023 a security firm named Unciphered claimed that they were able to extract the private keys from a Trezor Model T. The exploit requires physical access to the device as well as specialized tools and knowledge. Trezor has previously addressed this type of vulnerability in a blog post and say that the attack can be prevented by using a strong passphrase.

XDEFI is a blockchain-agnostic wallet that lets you showcase NFTs from more than 30 different blockchains side-by-side. It's this breadth that's made it our top pick if you're looking for a dedicated non-custodial NFT wallet.

The wallet's streamlined, cross-chain UI makes sending, receiving and trading NFTs and cryptos across blockchains simple and user-friendly.

Once the browser extension is installed, accounts can be set up directly in XDEFI or imported from external wallets. Preconfigured blockchains include ETH, BNB Chain, Arbitrum, Thorchain, Bitcoin and more.

XDEFI also gives you the ability to complete in-wallet swaps and purchase cryptos using any currency through its fiat onramp.

Holders of the wallet's own token, XDEFI, can stake their holdings to earn trading rebates and collect utility NFTs.

We chose to give Billfoldl an honourable mention as the best recovery phrase backup device because it helps protect your chosen hardware wallet's recovery phrase from fire, flooding and any type of decay.

Most hardware wallets will prompt you to write down your recovery phrase on a sheet of paper when you set up your wallet. But if your recovery phrase sheet gets damaged or lost, you can lose access to your crypto – permanently.

Billfodl is a solid steel case that allows you to stamp your 24-word recovery phrase using metal tiles engraved with letters.

The tiles slide into three different rows on both sides of the device, and the device comes with a cover that swivels over your recovery phrase once you've properly arranged the tiles.

It's worth considering the added layer of security and peace of mind afforded by recovery phrase backup devices like Billfodl if you invest in a hardware wallet.