These top software and hardware crypto wallets for beginners are the only apps you need to begin your Bitcoin journey in 2025.

First, you need to decide if you should even invest in bitcoin. Here’s some more information on bitcoin’s value proposition. Study up, and keep reading if you’d like to take the first steps.

Get your wallet downloaded, and then you’re ready to buy some bitcoin.

Why You Need to Study Bitcoin

If you’ve made it to this post on the best bitcoin wallets, maybe you already know why you might need bitcoin, but for those who don’t, now is the time to learn.

Money has already moved online, and there’s no reason why you should need to ask for permission to save and spend your own wealth.

This isn’t about getting rich. It’s about freedom.

If you are new to the world of bitcoin and crypto, you probably have more questions than answers, and it can be very confusing to figure out what will actually get you the most control, freedom and ease of use.

But I will help you find the best-in-class bitcoin wallets in each category — mobile, desktop and hardware for cold storage. But first, we must ask the question…

What Makes a Bitcoin/Crypto Wallet Good in the First Place?

Now, we will ignore crypto wallets for now, since bitcoin is the best option for sovereign individuals and families, and I will explain why in a future post.

In the bitcoin space, there is a popular saying:

Not your keys, not your coins

When choosing a wallet, you must ensure it is a self-custody wallet. That means that you, instead of a company, are in control of your money. You hold the keys to your digital vault.

I also recommend wallets that have an excellent user experience, and tons of options for control over how you use your bitcoin.

Best Bitcoin Wallet for Beginners on Android

For android, the go-to wallet is called Nunchuk. This is one of the most secure, feature-rich bitcoin wallets available.

It’s very simple to use, just like the others I will recommend below. All you have to do is create a key, create a wallet, and then you can send/receive bitcoin transactions.

Nunchuk is the only bitcoin or crypto wallet you need on android if you’re serious about financial freedom.

Best Bitcoin wallet for Beginners on iPhone

iOS users haven’t always had the easiest time choosing crypto wallets due to Apple’s restrictive app store policies, but these days, if you use an iPhone, you’re in luck.

A new option just released on the App Store, and it’s clean, easy and free — just like Nunchuk.

Cove Wallet is an excellent bitcoin wallet for beginners.

It is very intuitive to use. Send, receive, scan QR codes and that’s all you need to manage your self-sovereign bitcoin stash.

Best Bitcoin Wallet for Beginners on Desktop

This wallet is my #1 choice for all bitcoin and crypto wallets, so if you prefer to manage your money on desktop, you’re in a for a treat.

It’s called Sparrow Wallet and it’s the most feature rich of the bunch.

As a beginner, all you need to do is send and receive bitcoin, but it has a variety of other useful features that you will want in the future, such as labeling and coin control.

Best Bitcoin Hardware Wallet for Cold Storage

A bitcoin hardware wallet is a device you need in addition to a wallet like Sparrow, Nunchuk or Cove. You will use these “software wallets” to manage your money, while the hardware is used to approve (sign) your transactions.

The Coldcard wallet by Coinkite is my pick for best hardware wallet. Just like Sparrow, it is feature rich but easy to use for beginners.

Coldcard keeps your private keys offline, meaning they never come in contact with an internet connected device.

It will keep you safe from malware, phishing attacks and scammers of all sorts.

So if you were ever worried about making a mistake and losing your bitcoin, this is the silver bullet that will keep online criminals off your back and out of your wallet.

When it comes to financial freedom and self-sovereignty, Coldcard wallet is the ultimate tool and one of the best bitcoin wallets you can use.

Once you have your Bitcoin wallet, your hardware wallet, and your first chunk of bitcoin, be sure to learn more about the Lightning Network so you can send bitcoin anonymously

Backups, Backups, Backups — Don’t Lose your Bitcoin

Once you get set up on one of these bitcoin wallets, be sure to make a backup…

Otherwise, if your phone/desktop dies, or if you lose it, your bitcoin will be gone forever.

With bitcoin you get to be your own bank, but there is a high level of responsibility that comes with that, so here’s what you need to do:

A bitcoin backup, also called a “recovery seed” is a list of 12 or 24 words that you need to write down on paper and keep safe.

DO NOT SCREENSHOT YOUR RECOVERY SEED!!

Your seed shouldn’t be kept on an internet connected device.

They must be written down on a good, old fashioned, piece of paper or stamped into a steel plate.

If anyone ever gets access to your seed, they will take all your bitcoin, and screenshots on an internet connected device are not secure enough.

See my post on bitcoin privacy and security.

So write it down carefully, check and double check that you’ve done it correctly, and then hide it away in a safe place.

If you ever lose access to your phone, desktop or coldcard, you can enter these words into any bitcoin wallet to recover your funds.

One more thing…

NEVER enter your recovery seed phrase into an unknown website or tell it to anyone, even if a man with a strange accent calls you on the phone and tries to scare you into giving it up.

As a beginner, you’re seen as an easy target for scammers, so if you’re ever unsure about something, or if you have any questions, you can contact us anytime for some level-headed guidance.

Summary

Ready to get started on your bitcoin journey?

Download one of these recommended wallets for Android, iOS or Desktop and try sending and receiving bitcoin.

It’s an amazing feeling when you realize that you can use your money without permission.

Bitcoin lets you be your own bank and it really is the most incredible tool you can use to become sovereign.

If you have any questions, contact us and I can walk you through the process.

Check out my other posts too, where I go through the best options for where to buy bitcoin anonymously, how to send bitcoin anonymously and why privacy even matters.

Until next time.