WARNING:

We don’t recommend web wallets due to bad security, try one of these quick alternatives.

Online Bitcoin wallets–-also called web wallets–-are wallets that run in your web browser just like any other website. Unfortunately, in 2020, there are no web wallets we can recommend. However, we have some great alternatives for you. We’ll tell you why each of them is better than any web wallet you can find today and how to get your own. Bitcoin address format. Bitcoin address is an identifier (like account number), starting with 1, 3 or bc1 on the mainnet, containing 27-34 alphanumeric Latin characters and digits (except 0, O, I). Also set to Bitcoin Cash mainnet, bchtest for testnet and bchreg for bitcoin cash regtest. Atomic Wallet enables you to exchange Bitcoin Cash for 60+ cryptocurrencies. This service powered by Shapeshift, Changelly and Changenow. The in-app buy option is powered by Simplex allows you to buy Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP and Litecoin with a credit card in a few clicks. A Bitcoin Cash SPV Wallet. Control your own private keys. Easily back up your wallet with a mnemonic seed phrase. Enjoy high security without downloading the blockchain or running a full node. Download Latest Version 4.2.4 Electron Cash now comes with the CashFusion privacy tool. With InstantPay for Bitcoin Cash, payments move faster than Visa, Mastercard, and any cryptocurrency wallet out there. Simply set your spending threshold, scan the QR code, and your payment will auto-complete in an instant. Store, exchange, and buy Bitcoin easily.

Best Web Wallet Alternatives

Best for Security

Ledger Nano X

Secure storage for any cryptocurrency

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The Ledger Nano X is the newest crypto hardware wallet, and is very easy to use. It connects to iOS, Android & desktop computers.

Best for Mobile

ZenGo

Easy to use iOS & Android wallet

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ZenGo is an easy-to-use iOS and Android Bitcoin & crypto wallet. Start within 20 seconds.

Best for Desktop

Electrum

Simple yet powerful desktop wallet

Learn More

Electrum is a Bitcoin-only wallet that has been around since 2011. It's easy to use, but has advanced features.

Online Bitcoin wallets–-also called web wallets–-are wallets that run in your web browser just like any other website.

Unfortunately, in 2020, there are no web wallets we can recommend.

However, we have some great alternatives for you.

We’ll tell you why each of them is better than any web wallet you can find today and how to get your own.

Heads Up!

Large amounts of bitcoins should not be stored on your online wallet! If you want the most secure Bitcoin wallet then you will need to use a hardware wallet like the Ledger Nano X or TREZOR T.

You should always do research before downloading or installing any Bitcoin wallet.

What is a Web Wallet?

A web wallet is a cryptocurrency wallet that exists online only.

You access it through a web browser or internet connected app. The private key for the coins (which is like the password to the wallet) is either held by a custodian (the person who owns the web wallet site) or it is encrypted behind a password of your choosing.

Why You Shouldn’t Use Web Wallets

Unlike other wallets, where the private key is stored on a device you control such as a phone or a computer, in the case of web wallets, you are trusting someone with your keys.

If the web wallet is a custodial wallet, you are trusting the custodian to keep your private key secure. If the private key is password protected, that means the private key should have been encrypted behind the password. However, it is still sitting on a server you don’t control. This means you need to trust the server owner to:

• not lie about hashing the private key
• hash the private key properly so attackers cant get it.

Both of these are big problems, since it would be very easy for a web wallet to lie about not keeping a copy of the private key and take your coins. Even if the server owner has attempted to hash your private key, these servers are a ‘honey pot’ for attackers, since there are so many private keys there. If the web wallet made a mistake when hashing your private keys, it will be easy for attackers to take your funds.

And even if the web wallet does everything right, you may make a mistake by using a weak passsword that is easy for attackers to discover. That’s why everyone should also be using a password generator like LastPass.

Web Wallet Alternatives

We know you are here to find a wallet that works for you, so we wanted to give you some alternatives to web wallets that will be more secure but just as easy to use (with some additional advantages).

Mobile Wallets

Mobile wallets are some of the most common types of Bitcoin wallets out there today. You can find them for both iOS and Android and there are some great options to choose from.

Mobile wallets are very similar to web wallets except for one crucial difference: the private key is not held on a server you don’t control. Instead the private key is held on your personal mobile device (like your iPhone or Android).

This means that there is no longer a ‘honeypot’ effect. The only private keys on your device is presumably your own. An attacker would need to know about it, then gain access to your device, and hopefully find enough coins on there to be worth the effort. With a web wallet service, the payoff for a hacker is much bigger. If he can find a way to break the web wallet’s private key encryption, he can potentially steal thousands of people’s coins.

The other nice thing about mobile wallets is that they are (usually) not custodial.

WARNING: Just because there is an app you can install on your phone that holds Bitcoin does NOT mean it is not custodial.
The coinbase app is one app where you can store Bitcoin, but it is completely custodial. This means Coinbase will control your coins. Make sure the app lets you store your own private keys.
Mobile wallets do not at all guarantee your coins are safe.
Make sure you have properly backed up your mobile wallet and never hold too many coins on a mobile wallet.

Desktop Wallets

Desktop wallets function almost identically to mobile wallets. The private keys are stored locally on the computer. You can use the wallet whethor is it connected to the internet or not.

The big difference between mobile wallets and desktop wallets is that, generally speaking, desktop wallets tend to be more advanced. That means they tend to come with more technically complicated features that can increase privacy or allow for more flexibility when it comes to signing transactions.

That being said, the potential for error among beginner users is higher. It’s also more dangerious setting up a desktop wallet because its easier to accidentally install a fraudulent version of the wallet software.

Mobile wallets are (somewhat) less prone to this issue, since companies like Apple are very good about curating which wallet apps end up on their store and know who the developers are. This is less true on the google play store where there are many scam apps, but its still better than the openness of the internet.

1/2🚨#Phishing Alert🚨
We noticed there are fake #Ledger Live apps on Google Play that try to trick users into entering their Recovery Phrase
⚠️NEVER share your 24 words
⚠️NEVER enter your 24 words into a computer/smartphone
⚠️ALWAYS get Ledger Live fromhttps://t.co/3HPn8Wuk10

— Ledger Support (@Ledger_Support) May 29, 2020

For instance, the electrum desktop wallet is the most popular and well-known desktop wallet on the market. However, downloading any Electrum wallet before version 3.3.4 is susceptible to phishing.

Warning: Electrum versions older than 3.3.4 are susceptible to phishing. https://t.co/aKyOyBBFnG Do not download Electrum from another source than https://t.co/WkDxz8A6Qg.

— Electrum (@ElectrumWallet) July 19, 2019

Anyone anywhere can make a scam wallet or a fraudulent version of a legitimate one (and they can do this easily since so many wallets are open-source) and put it on the internet for unknowing victims to download.

Refer to our page on the best desktop wallets and do your best to make sure you are getting the real deal by verifying PGP signatures.

Hardware wallets

Hardware wallets are, by far, the most secure kind of wallet you can use.

What makes hardware wallets unique is that they are purpose-built to store cryptocurrency.

When you use a hardware wallet, it should do one thing and one thing only: store private keys offline. There are no texting apps. There are no games to play. There is no way to check your facebook.

Why is this advantageous when storing crypto? Because the more applications your device has to support, the more code your device must hold. And more code is more opportunity for an attacker to find a vulnerability in.

In many cases, devices are hacked because some application or software had some bug. Once a hacker exploits that bug, he can get access to the rest of the device.

Think of it like this: is a house with only one door easier is to break into than a house with a bunch of doors and windows? The same idea applies to devices.

Unlike your computer and smart phone, which is designed to do many different tasks, the hardware wallet is designed to hold private keys securely. Even if you plug it into a computer full of malware, the hardware wallet should be safe.

And best of all, you can control hardware wallets from desktop apps, giving you the comfort of a desktop user interface with the security of a hardware wallet.

We highly recommend getting a hardware wallet if you intend on holding any amount of crypto for a long time.

COMPARISON

Ledger Nano X

• SCREEN:
• RELEASED: 2019
• PRICE: $119

Ledger Nano S

• SCREEN:
• RELEASED: 2016
• PRICE: $59

TREZOR T

• SCREEN:
• RELEASED: 2018
• PRICE: $159

TREZOR One

• SCREEN:
• RELEASED: 2013
• PRICE: $59

The only disadvantage to hardware wallets is that they cost money. This is a sticking point for some.

• Web Wallet Alternatives
• How to Add Funds to Your New Wallet

After all, most mobile wallets and desktop wallets are free.

Why should you pay for a wallet? Ask yourself: would you trust a car that someone gave you for free to get you from point A to point B safely?

Remember this is your money we are talking about. Better to be safe than sorry, and a hardware wallet is a great way to be safe.

How to Add Funds to Your New Wallet

Wallet For Bitcoin Cash

For you to add funds to your iOS wallet, you will need to find an exchange to buy crypto from then transfer it to your iOS wallet. Many iOS wallets have exchanges native to them (as seen above), however, these exchanges generally charge very high fees for the convenience, so it’s generally better to use a dedicated exchange, like Kraken or Coinbase.

You’ll need to choose an exchange that services your country and/or state. You can find a full list of exchanges sorted by country and preffered payment method on our exchange finder or you can see the most popular exchanges below:

• Coinbase

  • High liquidity and buying limits
  • Easy way for newcomers to get bitcoins
  • 'Instant Buy' option available with debit card
• Kraken

  • Great liquidity and low fees
  • Supports most countries
  • Trusted exchange, started in 2011

After you have bought your crypto, you’ll need to send it to your wallet. To do that, do the following:

1. Open your wallet and find an option to “receive”

2. Copy the address given

Online Wallet For Bitcoin Cash Advance

3. On your exchange where you bought your coins, select the “send” option.

Bitcoin Cash Online Wallet

4. There should be a field to input your wallet address copied in step 2. Paste it there.

5. Confirm you want to send your coins.

After that, you should receive a confirmation with a transaction ID of some kind. Here is what that might look like.

Steel Backups - a Great Addition to a Wallet

All the wallets mentioned above have another great feature: back ups.

This means that if you lose your wallet, you haven’t lost your coins.

Online Wallet For Bitcoin Cash Money

Most web wallets today do not support backups, so if you lose your password or it gets comromised, it’s game over.

Not so with mobile, desktop and hardware wallets. In most cases, when you set up your wallet on your phone, computer, or hardware wallet, you will be given a 12 to 24 word phrase.

This phrase is a seemingly random series of words called a mnemonic phrase. In short, if your phone or hardware wallet is ever lost, stolen, or destroyed, you’ll need these words to regain access to your coins on a new wallet. This process is called ‘wallet recovery’.

The best way to back up this phrase is by using a steel wallet.

These help you store the phrase in a fire-proof, water-proof way. If you ever experience a flood or house fire, these devices are true lifesavers.

These backup devices are a relatively cheap insurance policy to take out on your wallet. You can find our favorite steel backups listed below:

• Billfodl

  • Highest grade steel wallet
  • 125% money back guarantee
  • Lots of accessories to up your security
  • Free shipping if you spend $75 or more
• Cryptosteel Capsule

  • Second backup from cryptosteel
  • Sold by Ledger
  • Different from cassette styles
• Cryptosteel

  • First steel wallet
  • Multiple types of steel wallets available
  • Free shipping on orders of $150 or more

Conclusion

Holding your private keys yourself is really crucial crypto security in 2020. There are also no good web wallets that allow you to do this properly anymore. Green Address used to let you do this in an interesting way, but they were absorbed by blockstream, and no longer support their web wallet.

That means we cannot recommend you use web wallets any more. Instead, you should use a mobile or desktop wallet, or better yet, pick up one of the hardware wallets we recommended in this article. They allow you to control your private keys and back them up properly using a steel wallet.