Top Wallets for the Bitcoin Lightning Network
The Lightning Network is allowing Bitcoin to finally fulfill the promise of P2P digital cash, that can be transacted instantly for extremely low fees. Like altcoins! you could say. Well, much better as the LN is real Peer to Peer, and denominated in the hardest asset: bitcoin.
Bitrefill has curated a list of some of our favorite easy-to-use Lightning wallets created by our industry’s most innovative teams. This list is a great starting point for anyone new to the Lightning Network.
Phoenix
- Android only, although an iOS version is in the works
- Automated
Phoenix is a native LN wallet, which means that it doesn’t use onchain payments. Phoenix handles automatically all the behind the scenes, like opening and closing channels, giving users an easy to use LN wallet interface. It’s a non-custodial, trust-minimized option for BTC users who want fast, cheap LN payments.
Bluewallet
- Available on iOS and Android
- Custodial by default but you can connect it to your node
- Bitrefill integrated, shop without leaving the app.
- Also has a regular (onchain) Bitcoin wallet
Bluewallet was created to bring zero-configuration Lightning Network transactions to Android and iOS devices. They intended to make Bitcoin easy for those new to Bitcoin or those who prefer the convenience of a well connected 3rd party node to use your petty cash. It features a Marketplace of "Lapps" like Bitrefill, Yalls, Zigzag, Ln Roulette, Pollo feed :) and many others.
Breez
- Available on iOS and Android
- Bitrefill integrated, shop without leaving the app.
Breez (the Venmo of Bitcoin) provides instantaneous payments using the Lightning Network, and is one of the first to implement Neutrino. As a non-custodial, open-source wallet, Breez puts emphasis on simple payments between friends, as well as merchant transactions using their NFC-based point-of-sale app. They give you free incoming capacity!
Wallet of Satoshi
- Available on iOS and Android
- Custodial
Wallet of Satoshi is simple and practical. It has a buy bitcoin option integrated, without leaving the wallet. As Bluewallet, it features a Marketplace of “Lapps”, including Bitrefill. So easy even grandpa can use it.
Bitcoin Lightning Wallet (BLW)
- Available on Android
- You need to create the channels yourself
BLW offers Android users one of the most powerful and well-supported Lightning apps. Users can both send and receive traditional Bitcoin payments as well as Lightning transactions. BLW is also fully-compatible with Bitrefill Thor Channels!
Eclair
- Available on Android
- You need to create the channels yourself
- Also has a regular (onchain) Bitcoin wallet
Eclair was created by ACINQ, a leader in Bitcoin scalability. It is one of the first and most popular Lightning wallets and offers Android users the ability to create traditional Bitcoin wallets. With frequent updates, Eclair has a lot to offer any crypto enthusiast.
Muun
- Available on iOS and Android
- It is a regular (onchain) Bitcoin wallet that can pay LN invoices.
Muun is a cutting edge non-custodial Bitcoin wallet with a user friendly interface. It offers 2 of 2 Multisig with Muun as a co-signer, allows for secure storage of your private keys in your device’s secure enclave, has easy sign in, and also a secure cold storage option for long-term hodlers. With Muun you don't use a Lightning channel, to pay LN invoices it uses a Submarine Swap service. Unfortunately today you cannot receive LN payments but the feature is planned to be added soon™.
Zeus
- Integrates with your full node
- Available on iOS and Android
- You need to create the channels yourself
Zeus is a Lightning Wallet for Bitcoin power users, it can remotely connect directly to your own node over VPN or Tor, has a host of integrations with node options like BTCPay Server, Nodl, myNode, and RaspiBlitz. You can quickly connect to your node with a QR code from anywhere. Zeus also allows you to make onchain payments, manage your LN channels, has dynamic fees, and supports both LND & C-Lightning protocols.
Strike
- Available for iOS, Android, and Chrome.
- Strike lets individuals, merchants, and creators, make and receive payments globally, with Lightning.
- Custodial
Strike is a Lightning Network wallet that links with your bank account and allows users to seamlessly receive and make payments globally over Lightning, buy and sell Bitcoin, and instantly convert to and from fiat. Strike also has a debit card in the works and is the second Bitcoin wallet offering from Jack Mallers, creator of Zap Lightning wallet.
Alby
- Browser Extension
- Available for Chrome & Firefox
Alby is a browser extension Lightning wallet which lets you make instant in-browser payments to your favorite websites, services, and content creators. There’s no third party tracking, payments are direct between sender and receiver. You don’t need any account, and you don’t need to remember any logins or passwords for your favorite sites.
The extension has easy mode, for everyone, and also can connect to different node implementations, supporting custodial and non-custodial setups.
LN.TIPS Bot
- A wallet & Lightning Tips bot for Telegram (desktop and mobile)
- Custodial
LN.TIPS bot is a Lightning wallet and tipping service for Telegram messaging app, which lets you tip anyone, even if they don’t have a wallet.
It supports Lightning address, so you can receive funds on your own @ln.tips, without having to create invoices. To tip, add the bot to a group chat.
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Looking to make your first Lightning channel? Bitrefill allows users to request their own “Thor” Lightning channel with Bitrefill’s node at a capacity of 300,000 to 16,000,000 sats. You can read more about the Thor Lightning Channel here.
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