Lightning Wallet

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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.

External custody (custodial) vs. self-custody (non-custodial)

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 want to accept Lightning payments as a merchant, you must operate your own Lightning Node when using a Non-Custodial Wallet.

LNURL

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

The most important Lightning Wallet at a glance:

Wallet	System	(Non)-Custodial	Node	lnurl-channel	lnurl-auth	lnurl-withdraw	lnurl-pay
Bitcoin Lightning Wallet	Android	Non-Custodial	no own node required	X	X	X
BlueWallet	iOS, Android	Custodial and Non-Custodial	can be used with and without your own node			X
Wallet of Satoshi	iOS, Android	Custodial	no own node required			X
@lntxbot	Telegram	Custodial	no own node required		X	X
ZAP Wallet	iOS, Android, Web	Non-Custodial	can be used with and without your own node			X
Breez Wallet	iOS, Android	Non-Custodial	no own node required
Joule	Browser	Non-Custodial	own node
Tippin.me	iOS, Android, Web	Custodial	no own node required
Phoenix	Android	Non-Custodial

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

This post is also available in: German