Choosing the right cryptocurrency wallet can be one of the most intimidating aspects of getting started with crypto, especially for beginners, who might not be as experienced with selecting the right crypto wallet.
In this article, we’ll go over the best crypto wallets for beginners in 2025, and the most important things to look out for when selecting your first crypto wallet.
The 8 best crypto wallets for beginners
- Ledger Nano S Plus – Best hardware crypto wallet for beginners
- Ledger Nano X – A more expensive alternative to the Nano S Plus
- Trezor Model T – Best Ledger alternative for begginers
- Trust Wallet – Best software crypto wallet for beginners
- Coinbase Wallet – Best crypto wallet for Coinbase users
- MetaMask – Best Ethereum wallet overall
- Electrum – Best Bitcoin wallet for desktop
- Phantom – Best Solana wallet for beginners
The 8 best crypto wallets for beginners – Exploring the top wallets to get started
We’ve made sure to include a variety of wallets to provide options for every type of crypto investor, regardless of whether you’re a long-term holder or a frequent user of crypto.
1. Ledger Nano S Plus – Best hardware crypto wallet for beginners
If you’re approaching cryptocurrency with a long-term buy-and-hold strategy, you should strongly consider getting a hardware cryptocurrency wallet. A hardware cryptocurrency wallet is a secure device that stores the private keys necessary to access your cryptocurrency without exposing it to devices that could potentially be compromised (computers and phones that are connected to the internet).
The Ledger Nano S Plus is a hardware wallet that offers very strong security at a reasonable price of $79. This wallet is an upgraded version of the Ledger Nano S, which had established itself as the go-to hardware wallet for crypto investors worldwide.
This hardware wallet can be used to store more than 5,500 different cryptocurrencies. It implements advanced, independently audited security systems and works seamlessly with the Ledger Live software for easy portfolio and transaction management.
Pros:
- Affordable price ($79) without security compromises
- Supports 5,500+ cryptocurrencies
- Seamless integration with Ledger Live
- Independently audited security
Cons:
- No Bluetooth connectivity
- Limited storage for wallet applications
Get a Ledger Nano S Plus
2. Ledger Nano X – A more expensive alternative to the Nano S Plus
The Ledger Nano X is a secure and beginner-friendly hardware wallet designed to keep your crypto offline and protected from hacks. Unlike entry-level models, it features Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to manage assets wirelessly via the Ledger Live app on mobile devices. It also connects via USB-C for added flexibility.
With support for 5,500+ cryptocurrencies, the Nano X can store up to 100 different wallet applications and integrates with MetaMask and other Web3 wallets, making it a solid choice for DeFi and NFT users. It also includes a recovery phrase for easy backup and restoration.
Although priced at $149, its wireless functionality, high-level security, and ease of use make it one of the best beginner-friendly hardware wallets available.
Pros:
- Bluetooth and USB-C for easy connectivity
- Supports 5,500+ cryptocurrencies
- Works with MetaMask and Web3 apps
- Stores up to 100 different wallets
Cons:
- More expensive than basic models ($149)
- Bluetooth setup may take some time
Get a Ledger Nano X
3. Trezor Model T – Best Ledger alternative for begginers
The Trezor Model T is a premium hardware wallet that features a touchscreen, making it easier for beginners to verify transactions directly on the device. It supports 9,000+ cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and integrates with Trezor Suite and MetaMask for simple asset management. If Ledger wallets are not your cup of tea, Trezor has you covered – they are considered to be the best Ledger alternatives
Designed with security in mind, it offers Shamir Backup, allowing users to recover their funds if the device is lost. An optional microSD card lock adds extra protection, while a PIN system prevents unauthorized access. The wallet connects via USB-C and is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.
At $129, the Trezor Model T is more expensive than some alternatives, but its touchscreen, strong security features, and ease of use make it an excellent choice for beginners.
Pros:
- Touchscreen for easy navigation
- Supports 9,000+ cryptocurrencies and NFTs
- Works with MetaMask and Trezor Suite
- Extra security with Shamir Backup and microSD lock
Cons:
- No Bluetooth support
- Higher price than some alternatives ($129)
Get a Trezor Model T
4. Trust Wallet – Best software crypto wallet for beginners
One of the main reasons why we believe Trust Wallet is the best Web3 crypto wallet for beginners is that it supports a diverse range of cryptocurrencies. This allows users to manage their cryptocurrency with one app instead of having to hop to a different app for each coin they hold.
The wallet is compatible with Bitcoin, Ethereum (including blockchains compatible with Ethereum’s Virtual Machine), XRP, and various other well-known cryptocurrencies.
Trust Wallet is user-friendly, featuring an interface that accommodates both novice and experienced crypto investors. It enables users to track the value of their crypto portfolio in their preferred currency, review their on-chain transaction history, and efficiently manage a variety of cryptocurrencies.
In addition, Trust Wallet includes a decentralized application (DApp) browser, which allows interaction with DApps through the wallet. Trust Wallet also has features for buying and selling cryptocurrencies, swapping tokens, and staking capabilities.
Pros:
- Supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies in one app
- User-friendly interface for beginners
- Built-in DApp browser for Web3 interactions
- Includes staking and token swapping features
Cons:
- Software wallets are less secure than hardware wallets
- Some features may require additional setup for beginners
Get Trust Wallet
5. Coinbase Wallet – Best crypto wallet for Coinbase users
Coinbase Wallet is a cryptocurrency wallet developed by the Coinbase cryptocurrency exchange. Coinbase Wallet is non-custodial, which means that the responsibility of managing private keys is completely up to the user.
This wallet supports multiple blockchains, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, Stellar, Litecoin, and Dogecoin. In addition, Coinbase Wallet supports various Ethereum-based layer 2 networks and can also be used to store ERC-20 tokens.
Beyond the basic features of holding and transacting cryptocurrency, Coinbase Wallet also offers some advanced features, such as the ability to make token swaps through decentralized exchanges directly from the wallet’s interface.
In addition to cryptocurrencies, Coinbase Wallet can also be used to manage and transact with NFTs.
Coinbase Wallet is a great choice if your centralized exchange of choice is Coinbase. This is because the wallet can be linked with a Coinbase account for streamlined crypto transfers.
Pros:
- Supports multiple blockchains and ERC-20 tokens
- Built-in token swaps via decentralized exchanges
- Can store and manage NFTs
- Easy integration with Coinbase for seamless transfers
Cons:
- Non-custodial, so users must manage their own private keys
- Less secure than hardware wallets
Get Coinbase Wallet
6. MetaMask – Best Ethereum wallet overall
MetaMask is a wallet designed to work with Ethereum and other blockchains that are with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). It’s available both as a web browser extension and a mobile application. MetaMask enjoys widespread adoption within the Ethereum ecosystem, with nearly all Ethereum-based decentralized applications (DApps) supporting it.
MetaMask can of course be used to hold and transact with ETH and Ethereum-based tokens, but the wallet also offers features for buying, selling, and swapping crypto tokens directly on the blockchain. MetaMask also has a portfolio tracker which you can use to easily monitor the performance of your crypto holdings.
MetaMask is a great choice for beginners, as well as advanced users who often interact with DeFi protocols or NFT marketplaces. It can function as a hot wallet for everyday use, but if you want to use it to manage larger amounts of crypto, we recommend you pair it with a hardware wallet like the Ledger Nano Plus for enhanced security. You can learn more about this topic in our article comparing hot wallets vs. cold wallets.
Pros:
- Widely supported by Ethereum-based DApps and DeFi platforms
- Supports buying, selling, and swapping tokens directly in the wallet
- Available as both a browser extension and mobile app
- Includes a portfolio tracker for monitoring crypto holdings
Cons:
- Hot wallet, so it’s less secure than hardware wallets
- Primarily supports Ethereum and EVM-compatible blockchains
Get MetaMask
7. Electrum – Best Bitcoin wallet for desktop
If you are a Bitcoin holder and want a wallet for your desktop or Android device, Electrum is a great choice. This non-custodial wallet is easy to use for basic transactions but also offers advanced features that will come in handy as you level up your knowledge of Bitcoin. For example, Electrum can be used as a multi-sig wallet, and it also supports third-party plugins.
You can use Electrum as a hot wallet for everyday Bitcoin transactions, but the wallet has also integrated support for hardware wallets from manufacturers such as Ledger and Trezor if you want to use it to manage more substantial transactions.
A great thing about the Electrum wallet is that it connects to a decentralized server network, which means you’re not very likely to experience any issues with downtime. While it is a very solid wallet, Electrum is limited to Bitcoin, so you should look for alternatives if you also want to store other cryptocurrencies.
Pros:
- Lightweight and fast Bitcoin wallet
- Supports advanced features like multi-signature transactions
- Can integrate with hardware wallets for extra security
- Connects to a decentralized server network, reducing downtime
Cons:
- Only supports Bitcoin
- Interface may feel outdated compared to modern wallets
Get Electrum Wallet
8. Phantom – Best Solana wallet for beginners
Phantom is a wallet that has become the go-to option for many Solana users. Since its launch, however, the Phantom team has expanded the scope of their wallet to also include support for the Bitcoin, Ethereum and Polygon blockchains.
Phantom provides a slick user interface, strong support for NFTs, as well as built-in token swapping and staking features. The Phantom wallet is non-custodial and can be used in tandem with hardware wallets, which also makes it suitable for long-term crypto storage.
The Phantom wallet has a feature that detects when the user is about to approve a transaction that’s identified as potentially malicious. For example, the user might be connecting to a phishing website that’s designed to trick users into approving a transaction that drains their wallet.
Phantom is available either as a mobile app on iOS and Android, or as a browser extension in Chrome, Firefox, and other popular browsers.
Pros:
- Supports Solana, Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Polygon
- Strong NFT support with built-in token swapping and staking
- Security feature warns against potentially malicious transactions
- Available as both a mobile app and browser extension
Cons:
- Hot wallet, so it’s less secure than hardware wallets
- Primarily designed for Solana, with newer support for other blockchains
Get Phantom Wallet
The bottom line
Even though the wallets we have featured in this article are suitable for beginners, they are all high-quality pieces of software that will serve you well even as you become a more advanced cryptocurrency user. When picking among these wallets, consider which cryptocurrencies you want to store and whether you want to use your wallet as a mobile app, desktop program, or browser extension.
All of the wallets we have featured in this article are non-custodial, which means that the user has the sole responsibility of securing their private keys. This is great since you don’t have to trust any third parties to keep your crypto safe, but it also means you have to ensure to back up your recovery phrases and never share your private keys with anyone.
If you’re trying to learn more about everything you need to keep in mind when starting your crypto journey, make sure to take a look at our beginner-friendly guide to creating a crypto investment strategy.
Source: https://coincodex.com/article/38401/best-crypto-wallets-for-beginners/