So you’ve decided to explore something other than Bitcoin. Good for you! Since keeping crypto assets on an exchange account is not the best idea, the next step is to choose a multi-asset wallet that will best accommodate your portfolio. Picking a wallet is not an easy decision as each provider has its pros and cons.
We’ve analyzed the most popular wallet service providers and made a list based on their popularity on Google Play store (the number of installations), the number of supported coins, security features and the number of additional functions.
Coinbase
Released: 2013
Supported platforms: iOS, Android, web
Supported coins: BTC, BCH, ETH, LTC
Private keys: held by a third party
Extra security measures: 2FA, multisig, cold storage
Built-in exchange: enabled by ShapeShift
Buy crypto with credit card: Yes
Localisation: No
Android installs: 5,000,000+
Coinbase is one of the oldest and most popular crypto wallets on the market. It won’t be of use if you need to store anything rarer than Bitcoin and Ether. It is not only a wallet but also an exchange where you can trade different coin pairs.
Coinbase is a custodial wallet, meaning that it stores the user’s private keys, but balances it with additional security measures such as 2FA, multisig and cold storage. The app is popular worldwide but especially in the US since some features are only available for US citizens. Due to its popularity, Coinbase and its users are often targets for hackers. But unlike other crypto service providers, Coinbase insures the held funds.
Blockchain.info
Released: 2013
Supported platforms: iOS, Android, web
Supported coins: BTC, ETH, BCH
Private keys: held by a third party
Extra security measures: 2FA, multisig
Built-in exchange: enabled by ShapeShift
Buy crypto with credit card: Yes
Localisation: 37 languages
Android Installs: 1,000,000+
Blockchain.info is a very famous open-source app and web-platform available in 37 languages. It provides an internal exchange service operated by ShapeShift and allows users to buy crypto with a credit card through one of its partners. As it also stores the user’s private keys, Blockchain.info guarantees security with 2FA and multisig. Integrated with the blockchain explorer, Blockchain.info will be your destination when you need to check a transaction hash or a Bitcoin address.
Freewallet
Released: 2016
Supported platforms: iOS, Android, web
Supported coins: BTC, ETH, BCH, LTC, XMR, ARDR, BCN, BNT, BTG, DASH, DCT, DOGE, EOS, FCN, GUP, IGNIS, LSK, NEO, NXT, PTOY, USDT, XDN, XEM, XMO, ZEC
Private keys: held by a third party
Extra security measures: 2FA, multisig, cold storage, email transaction confirmation, transaction limit
Built-in exchange: enabled by Changelly
Buy crypto with credit card: Yes
Localisation: 16 languages
Android Installs: 1,000,000+
Unlike other apps, Freewallet is a family of apps with its Multiwallet flagship product and a cohort of mono-currency wallets. In its web version and iOS and Android apps, it supports 25 coins and a big set of ERC-20 tokens. Being a custodial wallet, it stores the user’s private keys but provides extensive security features that include 2FA, multisig, transaction confirmation by email and transaction limit control. It also uses cold storage to keep the user’s funds safely offline. It is integrated with Changelly for internal exchange transactions and operations with fiat currency and Bitrefill for phone top-up feature. The customer support service is very prompt, providing assistance by email and on social media.
Coinomi
Released: 2014
Supported platforms: iOS, Android
Supported coins: 154 coins and tokens including BTC, ETH, BCH
Private keys: held by owner
Extra security measures: –
Built-in exchange: enabled by ShapeShift/Changelly
Buy crypto with credit card: No
Localisation: English, Russian, Chinese and 25 more
Android installs: 500,000+
Coinomi is a popular crypto wallet with one of the biggest sets of supported coins and tokens. Its iOS and Android apps are integrated with ShapeShift and Changelly for built-in exchange transactions and allow users to buy crypto with a credit card. Coinomi makes it easy to participate in ICOs and purchase rare tokens that are not that widely supported. The private keys are always kept on the user’s side, so the app does not provide additional security features.
Jaxx
Released: 2014
Supported platforms: iOS, Android, Chrome (extension), OS X, Windows, Linux
Supported coins: 69 coins and tokens including BTC, ETH, BCH
Private keys: held by owner
Extra security measures: –
Built-in exchange: enabled by ShapeShift
Buy crypto with credit card: No
Localisation: Nо
Android installs: 500,000+
Jaxx wallet was created in 2014 by Ethereum co-founder Anthony Diiorio. Since then, it has probably been designed for every platform possible: it has iOS and Android apps, a Chrome browser extension, and desktop wallets for OS X, Windows, and Linux. It also supports a great deal of coins apart from Bitcoin and Ether and is convenient for participating in ICOs. Jaxx has a built-in exchange operated by ShapeShift, but does not allow fiat-crypto operations.
BRD Wallet
Released: 2016
Supported platforms: iOS, Android
Supported coins: BTC, ETH and BCH + 100 ERC-20 tokens
Private keys: held by owner
Extra security measures: No
Built-in exchange: Yes
Buy crypto with credit card: No
Localisation: 15 languages
Android installs: 100,000+
BRD Wallet (former Bread Wallet) supports Bitcoin, Ether and Bitcoin Cash along with an impressive number of ERC-20 tokens. The private keys are user-handled, so additional security features are not implemented. BRD allows users to buy Bitcoin via a bank account transfer, with a credit card via Simplex, and with BCH and ETH via Changelly. All operations have a required minimum.
Nice touch: The company has launched its own BRD token, with 900 BRD traded for 1 ETH.
Bird’s eye view on the analyzed data
| Parameter | Coinbase | Coinomi | BRD Wallet | Freewallet | Jaxx | Blockchain.info |
| Usability | ||||||
| Release date | 2013 | 2014 | 2016 | 2016 | 2016 | 2013 |
| Num ber of Installs on Google Play | 5,000,000+ | 500,000+ | 100,000+ | 1,000,000+ * | 500,000+ | 1,000,000+ |
| Coins / tokens supported | 4 coins | 154 coins and tokens | BTC, ETH and BCH + 100 ERC-20 tokens | 25 cryptocurrencies, including | 69 coins and tokens | 3 coins |
| Localization | ❌ | English, Chinese, Russian | 15 languages | 16 languages | ❌ | 37 languages |
| Built-in Exchange | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ability to buy crypto for fiat | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Multiple platform support | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Technical support | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Design | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Security | ||||||
| Keeps the private keys | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Extra security measures | 2FA – ✅ Multisig – ✅ | 2FA – ❌ Multisig – ❌ | 2FA – ❌ Multisig – ❌ | 2FA – ✅ Multisig – ✅ | 2FA – ❌ Multisig – ❌ | 2FA – ✅ Multisig – ✅ |
| Ever hacked | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| The amount of money stolen by hackers | Officially not reported | – | – | – | Officially not reported | $50 million |
| Price of use | ||||||
| Transaction fees | No fee between Coinbase users Network fee + transaction fee based on the amount for external transactions Withdrawal fees | 3 fee options on Bitcoin for fast or cheap transactions | Network fee | No fees for transactions between Freewallet users 4 fee options on Bitcoin for fast or cheap transactions Withdrawal fees | Network fees | Network fees |
| Exchange fees | GDAX Exchange rate + Coinbase (“loyalty rate”) | ShapeShift / Changelly fees | Changelly | Changelly fees | ShapeShift fees | ShapeShift fees |
| Exchange to fiat fees | 1,5% to 3,99% of the transaction amount based on the country | – | Simplex fees | Bitrefill fees for top up phone feature | – | Exchange partner’s fees |
* – across the whole family of apps
