There isn’t a single “safest Monero wallet” for everyone—safety depends on your threat model (amount at risk, device hygiene, need for mobility, privacy requirements). That said, some setups are objectively harder to compromise than others. This guide ranks options from maximum security to daily-use convenience and shows how to harden any choice.
TL;DR Recommendations by Use Case
- Maximum safety / long-term storage (cold): Air-gapped wallet using the Monero CLI (offline signer) + a view-only wallet online. Optionally add multisig for shared custody.
- Very safe & user-friendly: Hardware wallet (e.g., Ledger, Trezor Model T) used through the official Monero GUI, ideally connected to your own node.
- Desktop daily use (privacy features): Feather Wallet (Windows/macOS/Linux/Tails) or the official Monero GUI, pointed at your node (Tor/I2P supported).
- Mobile spending: Monero.com (Cake) (iOS/Android), Monerujo (Android), or Stack Wallet. Convenience is high; keep balances modest.
- Web/light wallets (use sparingly): MyMonero, Coin Wallet (Web), Guarda. Handy for small amounts, but not the safest—more trust in remote infrastructure. Avoid known scams (e.g., “XMR Wallet” was reported as a scam).
What Makes a Monero Wallet “Safe”?
- Key isolation: Your spend key should never touch the internet (hardware wallet or offline machine).
- Open source + reproducible builds: Independent verification reduces supply-chain risk.
- Private network use: Connect to your own node, preferably over Tor/I2P, to avoid leaking metadata.
- Proven UX for Monero: Subaddresses, payment proofs, coin controls, offline signing.
Option 1 — Air-Gapped Cold Storage (Safest)
Create and use a wallet on a computer that never connects to the internet.
- On the offline machine, generate a wallet with monero-wallet-cli or Monero GUI. Write the 25-word seed to paper/steel.
- Export the view key and build a view-only wallet on your online machine to watch incoming funds.
- To spend, prepare an unsigned tx online, move it via USB/QR to the offline machine, sign it, and move the signed tx back online to broadcast.
- For shared or corporate custody, consider multisig (2-of-3, etc.).
Pros: Highest key security, excellent privacy. Cons: More steps; not ideal for frequent spending.
Option 2 — Hardware Wallet + Monero GUI (Very Safe)
Keep private keys inside a hardware device and sign transactions on-device through the Monero GUI.
- Ledger (Nano S Plus/Nano X) supports XMR via Monero GUI.
- Trezor Model T supports XMR via Monero GUI (not in Trezor Suite).
- Best practice: Connect GUI to your own node over Tor, verify downloads (hash/PGP), and test a small restore from seed.
Pros: Strong key isolation with simpler UX than full air-gap. Cons: Requires compatible GUI; ensure firmware is up-to-date.
Option 3 — Desktop Wallets (Safe When Paired with Your Node)
- Feather Wallet — Feature-rich (subaddresses, coin control, offline signing), works on Windows/macOS/Linux/Tails, Tor/I2P support.
- Monero GUI — Official, well-maintained, integrates with hardware wallets, payment proofs, and more.
Tip: Point these to your own full node for best privacy. If you must use a remote node, choose one you trust and route over Tor.
Option 4 — Mobile Wallets (Convenient; Keep Balances Modest)
- Monero.com (Cake) — iOS/Android, simple UX, custom nodes supported.
- Monerujo — Android, advanced features and custom nodes.
- Stack Wallet — iOS/Android/F-Droid, multi-coin, open source.
Tip: Enable app lock, encrypt backups, and treat phones as semi-hot wallets (spending money, not vaults).
Option 5 — Web/Light Wallets (Not the Safest; Use for Small Amounts)
- MyMonero — Light wallet model. Your spend key isn’t shared, but a server may see your view key activity. Use for small balances only.
- Coin Wallet (Web) & Guarda — Multicoin light wallets; similar trust trade-offs.
- Avoid scams: “XMR Wallet” was reported as stealing funds.
Hardening Checklist (Applies to Any Wallet)
- Run your own node (ideally over Tor/I2P); otherwise, choose a trusted remote node.
- Verify downloads (hash + PGP signature) and keep wallet/firmware updated.
- Back up the 25-word seed offline; consider a metal backup. Test a seed restore with a tiny amount.
- Use subaddresses (fresh receive addresses per counterparty).
- Use a view-only wallet for auditing and an offline signer for spending (or a hardware wallet).
- Harden the OS: full-disk encryption, minimal apps, no sideloaded binaries, avoid public USB.
FAQ
What’s the absolute safest setup?
Air-gapped cold storage (offline CLI signer) or hardware wallet + Monero GUI connected to your own node, with well-tested backups. Add multisig if you need shared control.
Is a hardware wallet safer than a mobile app?
Generally, yes. Hardware wallets isolate keys from your phone/PC. Mobile is great for convenience—keep spending amounts only.
Where should I download wallets?
For a broader, community-curated list, see Monerica — Wallets.
Key Takeaways
- “Safest” ≠ one app; it’s a setup: offline or hardware signing + your own node + verified software + solid backups.
- For everyday use, Feather/Monero GUI on desktop or Cake/Monerujo on mobile are solid—keep large balances off hot devices.
- Use web/light wallets only for small amounts, and avoid known scams.
