Lightning Wallet

Lightning as a payment option is becoming more and more important and more users are looking for a suitable Lightning Wallet.

In the following post, we’ll briefly introduce the most important Lightning Wallet. After the short description you will find a link to the detailed description. The detailed description introduces the special features of the respective Lightning Wallet. Learn how to use the respective Lightning Wallet for Lightning payments.

Lightning Wallet without own Lightning Node

If you only want to use Lightning for payment at merchants, you don’t need your own node. These Lightning Wallets work just like the Bitcoin Wallet. I install the Lightning Wallet and load some Satoshi onto this wallet. With this credit I can then pay at any merchant that accepts Lightning.

Lightning Wallet with own Lightning Node

If you run your own Lightning Node, you want to manage this Lightning Node comfortably with your smartphone app and execute Lightning payments. Here we recommend Lightning Wallets, with which you can dispose of the Lightning credit on your own Lightning Node.

If you run your own BTCPay server, you automatically have your own Lightning Node. Then it is recommended that you install the Bowser Extension Joule in your internet browser. You can then use the Joule Browser Extension to make payments directly to other Lightning sites or to login to Lightning sites that use Joule as their login.

To make Lightning payments with your smartphone using the Lightning Node on the BTCPay server, we recommend the ZAP Wallet.

• Joule Wallet (Browser Extension)
• ZAP Wallet (Web and Smartphone)

External custody vs. self-custody

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A key distinguishing feature of Lightning Wallets are Custodial and Non-Custodial Wallets.

In Custodial Wallets, the wallet, and thus the balance, is managed in trust by the wallet provider. The private key and thus the access to the credit has the provider of the wallet.

With a non-custodial wallet or rather self-custodial you manage the private key yourself and independently. As an owner, you only have access to the balance on the wallet.

The advantage of a Custodial Wallet is the easier and more convenient use. In a non-custodial wallet, the user must go through a longer registration process and keep the private key securely on his site.

Both variants have a permission. Since Lightning uses mainly smaller amounts (micropayments), a Custodial Wallet can be used without hesitation.

If you run your own Lightning Node, you manage your Lightning yourself and are therefore self-custodial.

Users who do not operate their own Lightning Node can choose between custodial and non-custodial solutions. In a non-custodial solution, the 12 or 24 words of the passphrase (seed) must be written down and kept safe. This is not necessary with a custodial solution.

LNURL

Some wallets also support LNURL. A detailed description of LNURL and the possibilities associated with it can be described in the article LNURL.

Overview of the Lightning Wallet

Phoenix Lightning Wallet

The Phoenix Wallet was developed by ACINQ. It is a non-custodial wallet that runs on Android smartphones. An iOS solution is expected to be available in the course of 2020. The special thing about the Phoenix Wallet is the simplicity of user guidance. Although it is a non-custodial wallet, the user does not have to worry about anything. The Phoenix Wallet takes over the channel management, provides sufficient liquidity and can be used for Bitcoin and Lightning payments. The user does not have to worry about whether the recipient is now displaying a QR code for Bitcoin or Lightning payments.

The Phoenix Lightning Wallet is an absolute recommendation

BlueWallet

The BlueWallet has been one of the first Lightning wallets on the market. With the BlueWallet you can manage Bitcoin and Lightning. The BlueWallet is a non-custodial wallet and is available for iOS as well as for Android.

Learn more about BlueWallet

Breez Wallet

Breez is a Lightning Wallet for iOS and also Android. With the Breez Wallet, Bitcoin and Lightning can be managed. The Breez Wallet has a POS function. Thus, merchants can use the Beez Wallet to accept payments directly in the store.

Learn more about Breez Wallet

Wallet of Satoshi

Satoshi’s wallet is a perfect example of a self-explanatory wallet. You call yourself the simplest Lightning Wallet in the world. The Wallet of Satoshi only supports Lightning and is available for iOS and Android.

Learn more about Wallet of Satoshi

Zap Wallet

The Zap Wallet was developed by Jack Mallers in October 2017. The ZAP Wallet is available as a mobile wallet and for Windows, Mac and Linux computers. The ZAP Wallet connects you to your own node. The ZAP Wallet also supports Strike. Strike can link your own bank account or debit card to pay with Bitcoin through the balance in his bank account with merchants if the merchants only accepts Bitcoin.

More information about the ZAP Wallet

Learn more about Lightning Wallets at Coinpages Lightning Wallet