Trezor vs Ledger: Which is the best hardware wallet?
Hello guys,
I’ve been using both hardware wallets, Trezor and Ledger for over 12 months. Obviously, both of them have their own Pros and Cons.
With this post, I want to share a couple of things I’ve learned about each hardware wallet in comparison with each other.
This is my point of view and every user experience may differ based on personal preferences.
Design & Usability
Trezor and Ledger are both convenient in terms of usability.
The devices themselves have different designs and frames:
Trezor — has a wide and convenient screen with two buttons. In case you get Trezor Model T, it has a touchscreen feature that will allow you to enter sensitive information offline and approve the transactions directly from the display screen.
Ledger — has a smaller and narrower screen compared to Trezor. It has no touchscreen feature. It has two buttons that are used for entering the PIN, viewing Seed Phrase(12–24 security words). What I found a bit inconvenient was the close distance between the buttons.
Winner: Trezor
Users Interface & Set up
Have you ever opened a new crypto exchanger account and got immediately overwhelmed due to its confusing user interface?
Luckily, Trezor and Ledger have very beginner-friendly users interface. You will get used to it the moment you access it.
In order to manage your portfolio, these hardware wallets require you to download a program either on your computer, phone, or tablet.
With which you make a connection through a USB cable.
After establishing the connection, you will be guided through the step-by-step tutorial of setting up your hardware wallet.
Winner: Tie
Security Features
Trezor Model T
- Trezor’s device mechanisms are built as simply as possible. Minimizing the chances of it getting hacked.
- Trezor limits the ways of communications (eg. Wifi, fingerprint reader, battery, or Bluetooth) through their device to maximize the device’s security.
- With Trezor Model T you enter the seed phrase through the device’s display screen eliminating the risk of key-logging.
- Trezor is fully open source. Meaning that users can build on top of the software if they want to and are not dependent on the default software that comes with the device.
Ledger Nano X
- Ledger’s security is based on their highly advanced security chips (ones that are only accepted for secure solutions like passports or banking cards.
- Ledger is the only hardware wallet using chips that are certified by a third party — Secure Elements
- Such chips have the highest level of certification that your private keys are cryptographically secure.
Winner: Trezor
Cryptocurrency support
In terms of the cryptocurrency amount (1500+), each hardware wallet supports is almost equal.
However, Ledger provides native support for the Ethereum network and ERC-20 tokens.
Moreover, Ledger Nano X and S support the same amount of cryptocurrencies. While Trezor One does not support some popular assets like XRP, Monero, Tezos, and ADA.
In that case, you will need to get a more advanced model Trezor Model T to grant access to such assets.
While with Trezor you can only keep such coins using their beta wallet (Trezor Suite) or a third party like MyEtherWallet.
For maximal safety, I don’t recommend using a third party since you are relying on someone else and their security can still get compromised.
Winner: Ledger
Listed above, are some of the main aspects you should consider before buying a hardware wallet.
Despite reading hundreds of different review articles it always best to go with a choice that you feel the most comfortable with.
If you are interested in learning more about hardware wallets, the way they work, and which one to buy feel free to check my in-depth guide to Trezor vs Ledger: Which is a better hardware wallet?
