The Best Bitcoin and Lightning Wallets for Beginners: A Comprehensive Review

You’ll need a non-custodial wallet that is simple unless you want someone else watching over your coins or a wallet you can’t use.

As an advocate for Bitcoin, people may ask you which wallet to use. With so many options available, it can be difficult to recommend a beginner-friendly and secure wallet. In my recent review of multiple Bitcoin and Lightning wallets, I prioritized simplicity, speed, and security to help you make an informed decision.

How to choose a bitcoin wallet

If you are going to start transacting in bitcoin, the first question is whether you need a custodial or non-custodial wallet. These terms may be unfamiliar, but the difference between a custodial and a non-custodial is who has control over the funds.

• A custodial wallet is a type of wallet in which a third party, such as a crypto exchange or wallet provider, holds and controls the private keys and funds of the user. While they provide more convenience for trading and managing Bitcoin balances, they also pose some risks, such as loss of control, bankruptcy, extra fees or withdrawal restrictions, and hacks.
• Non-custodial wallets allow users to have full control over their funds and associated backup keys, providing better security and data privacy. However, they are usually complex and difficult for beginners to use.

Selecting a non-custodial wallet that is user-friendly is crucial to prevent unintended actions that may result in the loss of funds. Even though non-custodial wallets are more secure, a complex interface may increase the chances of you making a mistake.

8 best bitcoin wallets for beginners

Self-custody, simplicity, and fees are the primary factors that differentiate these wallets.

Non of these wallet provider compensate me for reviewing their product, everything here is based on my own independent judgement.

Muun Wallet: 9.3 out of 10 points

With over 100,000 mobile installs, Muun is a popular self-custodial Bitcoin wallet that offers user-friendly features and flexible transaction fees. Its simple interface makes it easy for beginners to use.

What set it apart: Muun stands out as a non-custodial wallet that is both user-friendly and feature-packed. It offers a fee estimator for on-chain transactions, allowing users to select from various transaction fee categories based on their desired speed for Bitcoin transfer.

Simple to use: Muun is beginner friendly and simple. It is available both on Android and iOS.

Self-custody: Muun’s self-custodial nature ensures that you have complete control over your funds. However, it differs from other wallets in that it does not support mnemonics, and it provides an explanation as to why they may not be the best option.

KYC: No KYC, your personal details are not required.

Fees: It’s free to send and receive (network fees still apply, though flexible).

Local currencies support: Muun supports several major currencies, including African currencies such as NGN, GHS, RAND, and KES. This feature makes it a versatile wallet for users across different regions.

Full support for Bitcoin & Lightning payments: You can receive payment via lightning invoices and on-chain addresses. No support for receiving via lightning addresses (e.g jeremy@muun.co).

Blue Wallet: 8.6 out of 10 points

Blue Wallet is a self-custody wallet that enables users to send, receive, and hold bitcoins. It provides users with complete control over their funds and offers a secure and user-friendly experience.

What set it apart: Blue Wallet offers users the ability to separate their lightning and on-chain wallets, allowing them to create three different kinds of wallets: Bitcoin, Lightning, and Vault. This flexibility makes it easy to manage your bitcoins for saving (on-chain) and spending (lightning), or storing a large number of bitcoins (Vault). By creating separate wallets, users can ensure that their funds are secure and easily accessible.

Simple to use: Not as simple as other mobile bitcoin wallets. You can only get used to it after multiple usages. It’s heavy and takes time to load.

Self-custody: Yes, only you have control over your funds.

KYC: No KYC, it won’t ask you for your personal details.

Fees: The BlueWallet mobile wallet does not charge fees for executing transactions (network fees still apply).

Local currencies support: It supports several major currencies, including African currencies such as NGN, GHS, RAND, and KES. This feature makes it a versatile wallet for users across different regions.

Full support for Bitcoin & Lightning payments: You can receive payment via lightning invoices and on-chain addresses. But it requires you to get an LNDHub.

Wallet of Satoshi: 8.5 out of 10 points

You probably have heard of Wallet of Satoshi (WoS). Wallet of Satoshi is a mobile app for iOS and Android that lets you send and receive Bitcoin and Lightning payments. The wallet is among the most popular lightning-enabled wallets in the bitcoin community with over 100,000 downloads on Google Playstore.

What set it apart: It is beginner friendly, simple to use and cheaper payments. It has multiple methods you can transact bitcoins. You can send and recieve bitcoins via a bitcoin address, lightning address and invoice.

Simple to use: WoS is known for its ease of use, making it one of the simplest wallets available for transacting bitcoins. While it uses icons when sending, it remains user-friendly and straightforward in its approach. Overall, WoS offers a secure and beginner-friendly experience for those looking to manage their bitcoins.

Self-custody: WoS is a custodial wallet, which means that the developers have full control of the funds. As a user, you do not have complete control over your funds, and they could be at risk if the platform is compromised.

KYC: No KYC needed.

Fees: No fees other than network fees.

Local currencies support: US dollar

Full support for Bitcoin & Lightning payments: Yes, you can send and recieve via a bitcoin address, lightning address and invoices.

Blink: 8.4 out of 10 points

Blink (formerly Bitcoin Beach Wallet) is a mobile wallet that lets you send and receive bitcoins. The app has over 100K installs and it is popular among bitcoiners mostly in Central America.

What set it apart: Unlike other Bitcoin wallets, there is no ambiguity or novelty with icons in the app design. Every action is clear with supporting words. Anyone can navigate around quickly for the first time.

Simple to use: Blink is beginner friendly and extremely simple to use.

Self-custody: Blink is a custodial wallet, which means that the developers have full control of the funds. As a user, you do not have complete control over your funds, and they could be at risk if the platform is compromised.

KYC: Yes (Low KYC, requires phone number)

Fees: No fees for Lightning transactions but charges up to 0.7% on normal bitcoin transactions.

Local currencies support: It supports several major currencies, including African currencies such as NGN, GHS, RAND, and KES. This feature makes it a versatile wallet for users across different regions.

Full support for Bitcoin & Lightning payments: You can’t recieve with a lightning address (e.g jeremy@bbw.sv). But you can send coins to a bitcoin address, lightning address and invoice.

Phoenix Wallet: 8 out of 10 points

Phoenix is a non-custodial bitcoin wallet that lets you send and receive Bitcoin easily. It has been gaining popularity since its launch with more than 10 thousand installs on the Android store.

What set it apart: It is extremely fast and simple to use and has native support for Lightning.

Simple to use: It’s beginner friendly and simple to use even though it’s a non-custodial wallet.

Self-custody: Yes, it’s a self-custody wallet, only you have full control of your coins.

KYC: No KYC needed.

Fees: Complicated fees (slightly expensive 12 SAT + 0.5% for sending)

Local currencies support: USD + 23 currencies (NGN, KES, RAND or GHS not supported)

Full support for Bitcoin & Lightning payments: No support for lightning addresses (e.g jeremy@pheonixwallet.com) when receiving. But you can send coins to a bitcoin address, lightning address and invoice.

Noah: 7.3 out of 10 points

Noah is a bitcoin wallet app that allows you to buy, sell, send and receive bitcoins via a web app. The platform is getting popular among new bitcoiners, which I estimate has over 100,000 signups on its Beta program.

What set it apart: Noah distinguishes itself by integrating BitRefil, a service that allows you to pay your bills with bitcoins. It also lets you earn Noah Points for completing tasks, and you can convert these points to bitcoins.

Simple to use: Noah is beginner friendly and simple. But it has no mobile app, you can only access it via a browser

Self-custody: Noah is a custodial wallet. As a user, you do not have complete control over your funds, and they could be at risk if the platform is compromised.

KYC: Yes (Low KYC, requires phone number)

Fees: Transactions on Noah are free both on Lightning and on-chain(network fees still apply).

Local currencies support: Support only US dollars.

Full support for Bitcoin & Lightning payments: You can receive payment via on-chain addresses, lightning addresses, and invoices.

BitNob: 7.2 out of 10 points

For Africans, BitNob is a mobile app that let you send, receive, buy, and sell Bitcoin. The app is gaining popularity among bitcoiners in Africa with over 50,000 installs on Android.

What set it apart: Bitnob is great for saving small amounts in bitcoin on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. You can save as low as $1. Also, it is great for sending and receiving money across Africa as you can send bitcoin into bank accounts and mobile money wallets.

Simple to use: The app is beginner friendly and simple to use, although not so simple, it has several features which cluttered simple tasks like sending and receiving bitcoins.

Self-custody: Bitnob is a custodial wallet. As a user, you do not have complete control over your funds, and they could be at risk if the platform is compromised.

KYC: It requires some KYC documents to verify your account.

Fees: Low but unclear fees (~1% + network fees still apply).

Local currencies support: It only supports the US dollar.

Full support for Bitcoin & Lightning payments: You can receive payment via on-chain addresses, lightning addresses, and invoices.

Machankura: 7 out of 10 points

Machankura is an African focus bitcoin wallet service that makes it easy to transact Bitcoin offline.

What set it apart: It is dead simple, fully accessible, and does not require the internet. Anyone with a mobile phone can use Machankura. While it is a phone service and you don’t have to install any app, it turns your phone number into a lightning address.

Simple to use: There are no fancy designs on Machankura. A 75-year-old woman selling oranges in Africa can use it.

Self-custody: Machankura is a custodial wallet. You don’t have full control over your funds and in addition to the risk of the platform being compromised, you also risk losing your coins if you lose your phone number. It is important to keep this in mind when using Machankura.

KYC: Low KYC, you register with a phone number.

Fees: Low fees (1% for sending + telephone service charges)

Local currencies support: It supports African currencies such as NGN, GHS, RAND, and KES. This feature makes it a versatile wallet for users across different African regions.

Full support for Bitcoin & Lightning payments: No support for lightning invoices and on-chain addresses. You can only transact with a lightning address (e.g jeremy@8333.mobi).

Mash: 6.9 out of 10 points

Mash is a Bitcoin micro-payment solution powered by Lightning that enables users to monetize their website instead of using ads and earn sats. It offers a wallet that enables users to send and receive Bitcoin transactions via Lightning, providing a seamless experience for users.

What set it apart: Mash focuses on helping digital creators earn rewards from their content. If you want to earn sats, try out Mash.

Simple to use: Mash is beginner friendly and simple. But it has no mobile app, you can only access it via a browser.

Self-custody: No, you don’t control your earnings.

KYC: Yes (Low KYC, requires an email to signup)

Fees: It’s free to receive, but you pay a fee of ~1% for sending (network fees still apply).

Local currencies support: Support only US dollars.

Full support for Bitcoin & Lightning payments: You can only receive payment via lightning invoices. No support for on-chain or lightning addresses.

LightX: 6.3 out of 10 points

LightX is a relatively new player in the Bitcoin mobile wallet space, having been around for only a few months. As of March 2023, it has around 500+ installs on Android.

What sets it apart: LightX is just like what already exists, it looks like a clone of Muun. I couldn’t find a point of differentiation.

Simple to use: It is beginner friendly and simple to use. Although it is slow and takes longer time to send and recieve.

Self-custody: It’s a non-custodial wallet, no one has access to your funds but you. There is a mnemonic that lets you back up your coins.

KYC: No KYC needed.

Fees: Free to recieve, but you pay 1% for sending (+ network fees).

Local currencies support: Support for all major currencies including currencies in Africa.

Full support for Bitcoin & Lightning payments: No support for lightning addresses (e.g jeremy@lightx.co).

While it may be a promising wallet, it is important to exercise caution when using new or untested wallets, as they may not have been thoroughly vetted for security and reliability. It may be wise to wait for more reviews and feedback before entrusting significant amounts of Bitcoin to a new wallet like LightX.

Things I considered in this review

How do I review bitcoin wallets?

My review process evaluates and ranks bitcoin wallets that allow users to send and recieve bitcoins. I aim to provide an independent assessment of these wallets to help you with information to make sound, informed judgements on which one is best to meet your needs.

My assessment process for a beginner bitcoin wallet scores each wallet’s performance across 8 factors. These factors are gradient across bitcoin-focused, simplicity, security, speed, fees, popularity, user feedback, and lightning and on-chain support.

The final output produces a point rating from poor (one to three points) to excellent (nine to ten points).

Over to you

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Sats are the standard.