New to bitcoin! Best wallet to use?

[HammerJackHammer]

What's the best bitcoin wallet? (In your opinion)

Why's that?

Tip:  I can't use a hardware wallet currently, no money. I just need to know the best wallet (convenience, security, low fees, sigwit feature (low fees) etc.

Everybody is right in his own way. I'm just looking for opinions.

[1715088418]

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[1715088418]

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[ryzaadit]

You can try to use "Electrum"
- Easy to instal.
- Software wallets.
- Segwit feature.
- You can set up your own fee, so find a suitable fee for your self.
- No need to download a whole block.

So, because of that electrum will be always one of the options every bitcoiners use for their wallets. Becarefull, always check the signature before download the software wallets to verify you are downloading from the official source not a phising.

[mk4]

If you have a smartphone(who doesn't?), my best suggestion would probably be BlueWallet[1]. As usual, just don't do something stupid like saving your 12-24 word backup on a text file and such. Just write down the backup words on a piece of paper and you're good.

Also, if you're really new, take a look at: https://NotYourKeys.org/

[1] https://bluewallet.io/

[OcTradism]

You can try to use "Electrum"
- Easy to instal.
- Software wallets.
- Segwit feature.
- You can set up your own fee, so find a suitable fee for your self.
- No need to download a whole block.

So, because of that electrum will be always one of the options every bitcoiners use for their wallets. Becarefull, always check the signature before download the software wallets to verify you are downloading from the official source not a phising.

You forgot that Electrum has Lightning and users can customize options in Preferences then Lightning tab.

Link to download Electrum (can get link for Android app and I emphasize to avoid search for Electrum on Google Play): https://electrum.org/#download

How to Safely Download and Verify Electrum [Guide]
Officially visit websites & download apps, not fake ones.

With Android app, click on About and check those details to make sure the app is not a phishing one.
- Developers: Thomas Voegtlin SomberNight
- Distributed by Electrum Technologies GmbH.

[HammerJackHammer]

Thanks!

Thanks!

You can try to use "Electrum"
- Easy to instal.
- Software wallets.
- Segwit feature.
- You can set up your own fee, so find a suitable fee for your self.
- No need to download a whole block.

So, because of that electrum will be always one of the options every bitcoiners use for their wallets. Becarefull, always check the signature before download the software wallets to verify you are downloading from the official source not a phising.

Hey, thanks! I understood the phising part, I'll always check if the website is www.electrum.org or a fake one.

Could you tell me more about the last point?

What's a signature? And how to verify it?

[ryzaadit]

What's a signature? And how to verify it?

A digital signature used to be a mark or certified message, data or file for preventing the data could be manipulated by someone else so you are really sure got the message or data from the sender who makes the message or owner file, not someone else.

You can see the thread has been mention from @OcTradism there has some steep how to verify the signature from Electrum.

[Peanutswar]

For me, I highly recommended the use of the electrum its easier to configure also it's better if you store your seed on tangible things such as paper and make a duplicate as much as you want to keep it secure and still have a copy on it, not in the cloud.

Just go to https://electrum.org/#download



Choose your Operating System (OS) if you are a window user click windows installer.

Also, they have an application if you don't want just click the link on their google play.

~
What's a signature? And how to verify it?

This is the window installer signature. How to find it? Back on the image above and click the signature.

Code:

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
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=ioXb
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

If you want to sign a message you can try this

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=990345.0#post_electrum198

[HammerJackHammer]

Thank you so much guys.

Turns out my computer (windows vista 32bit) isn't supported anymore and can't run electrum.

Unfortunately I'll have to stick to online exchanges, which is the best in your opinion? (low fees, good convenience, sigwit,  security etc).

[Maus0728]

Turns out my computer (windows vista 32bit) isn't supported anymore and can't run electrum.

Wait? Did you mean storing your bitcoin to an a centralised exchange? Though it isn't a bad idea if you are using it as a temporary place to store your bitcoin for day to day spending or for daytrading. However, it would be the worst idea if you are planning it for storing bitcoin for HODLing puposes.

If you do not have any functional desktop, why not install a non-custodial wallet like bluewallet or Electrum in your smartphone instead of directly jumping into an exchange?

[1] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.electrum.electrum
[2] https://bluewallet.io/

As per @mk4, the link below will explain why keeping your bitcoin to a centralised exchange is a terrible idea.

[3] https://NotYourKeys.org/

[HabBear]

Hey Friend, welcome to our world!

There's a lot of smart people here, listen to them, consider their opinion, make your own decision based on what you need.

Here's a site that will help you narrow down your choices based on what you need --- Choose your wallet!

Some of the things you need to consider:

• Do you want a mobile wallet?
• Do you want high security?
• Do you want access to transact at any time, quickly?
• What operating system do you work with?

The list goes on. Try a few wallets out, you'll start to find something that works for you. Good luck you!

[joniboini]

Turns out my computer (windows vista 32bit) isn't supported anymore and can't run electrum.
Unfortunately I'll have to stick to online exchanges, which is the best in your opinion? (low fees, good convenience, sigwit,  security etc).

Exchanges are not wallets. You don't actually own your bitcoin if you store it there. Why not spend more money to buy new hardware or upgrade to a newer version of Windows? Or buy a USB and install a live Tails OS for managing your crypto? That is way better than trusting exchanges.

[Maus0728]

Turns out my computer (windows vista 32bit) isn't supported anymore and can't run electrum.
Unfortunately I'll have to stick to online exchanges, which is the best in your opinion? (low fees, good convenience, sigwit,  security etc).

Exchanges are not wallets. You don't actually own your bitcoin if you store it there. Why not spend more money to buy new hardware or upgrade to a newer version of Windows? Or buy a USB and install a live Tails OS for managing your crypto? That is way better than trusting exchanges.

I never thought that installing a bootable Tails OS is possible  . Agree with @joniboini though if you don't have a full working and updated WINDOWS OS. You can try following this tutorial in order to manage your crypto using a different operating system. It'll be also a good experience for you even though you are just starting out.

[1] How to Install Tails OS on USB flash drive for Wallet Purpose

[virasog]

What's the best bitcoin wallet? (In your opinion)

Why's that?

Tip:  I can't use a hardware wallet currently, no money. I just need to know the best wallet (convenience, security, low fees, sigwit feature (low fees) etc.

Everybody is right in his own way. I'm just looking for opinions.

Sine you have no money for hardware wallet, it means you also do not possess much bitcoins. You can use coinbase which is an online wallet. Meanwhile as you gather bitcoin try to upgrade your computer so that desktop wallet can be installed on it which is more secure than online wallets.

Unfortunately I'll have to stick to online exchanges, which is the best in your opinion? (low fees, good convenience, sigwit,  security etc).

[ice18]

Turns out my computer (windows vista 32bit) isn't supported anymore and can't run electrum.
Unfortunately I'll have to stick to online exchanges, which is the best in your opinion? (low fees, good convenience, sigwit,  security etc).

Online exchanges are not advisable as a wallet for long term hodl it would be very risky, if your pc cannot support any desktop wallet then you have no choice but to use trusted online wallet which you can control private keys or seed phrases this website offers bitcoin and altcoins wallet that can be exported you own private key/seed you can try this one https://www.blockchain.com/ 

[Husna QA]

Turns out my computer (windows vista 32bit) isn't supported anymore and can't run electrum. -snip-

I advise you to upgrade the OS you are using because Microsoft no longer provides Windows Vista security update support.

As of April 11, 2017, Windows Vista customers are no longer receiving new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free or paid assisted support options, or online technical content updates from Microsoft.

If you still don't want to switch to a new OS, use an updated Antivirus/Anti Malware.
FYI, You can still use Electrum 3.3.8 on Windows Vista 32 bit (https://download.electrum.org/3.3.8/)
-DWYOR-

I managed to get it to work on Vista SP2 32-bit. It took me a full day to finally figure out the right combination. However it's easy to do, once you know how.

These instructions are for Electrum 3.3.8, with Python 3.6.1.

Step 1:
Install Anaconda Python Anaconda3-4.3.0-Windows-x86.exe. You need to install an archived version, because this will give you a version of PyQt that is compatible with Vista.

This was the biggest issue - trying to find a Python + PyQt combination that works on Vista, and with Electrum.

Direct download link:
https://repo.anaconda.com/archive/Anaconda3-4.3.0-Windows-x86.exe

Archive repository:
https://repo.anaconda.com/archive/

Step 2:
Once installed, launch "Anaconda Prompt (Anaconda3)" from the Windows start menu.

Step 3:
The installed Anaconda version runs Python 3.6.0, but Electrum needs 3.6.1. Upgrade by typing:

Code:

conda install python=3.6.1

Step 4:
Download Electrum-3.3.8.zip and extract.
https://download.electrum.org/3.3.8/Electrum-3.3.8.zip

Step 5:
In the Anaconda DOS prompt you opened in step 2, cd to the Electrum folder, and then type:

Code:

python run_electrum

Enjoy your working Electrum on Vista.

[clifjw]

You forgot that Electrum has Lightning and users can customize options in Preferences then Lightning tab.

I started with Electrum for Android the other day. I selected to setup a 'legacy' wallet rather than a 'SegWit'. Does that have any bearing on using Lightning in my mobile Electrum? Or not linked?

As I created a 'legacy' wallet for maximum compatibility, is there any benefit in setting up another wallet that uses SegWit or is it no worth it for a software wallet that's only going to be used for minimal BTC? I will be ordering a Ledger this week for main HODL cold storage.

To OP... I can say Electrum is a very nice starter wallet. Nice and clean.

[Nirado]

On Smartphone Jaxx is good and multy-platform and for PC i like Exodus

[khaled0111]

I started with Electrum for Android the other day. I selected to setup a 'legacy' wallet rather than a 'SegWit'. Does that have any bearing on using Lightning in my mobile Electrum? Or not linked?

No, I believe it's ok and you can use LN and create channels even if you have a legacy wallet.

As I created a 'legacy' wallet for maximum compatibility, is there any benefit in setting up another wallet that uses SegWit or is it no worth it for a software wallet that's only going to be used for minimal BTC?

By using Segwit you will pay less fees as you can save up up to ~35% on fees per transaction and you will help the network overall since more sgwit transaction can fit in the bitcoin block.
Most services support bc1 addresses, so this is not really an issue and if you find a service that didn't upgrade it's system to support it yet then you shouldn't use them in first place and find a better alternative.

[coupable]

As I created a 'legacy' wallet for maximum compatibility, is there any benefit in setting up another wallet that uses SegWit or is it no worth it for a software wallet that's only going to be used for minimal BTC?

By using Segwit you will pay less fees as you can save up up to ~35% on fees per transaction and you will help the network overall since more sgwit transaction can fit in the bitcoin block.
Most services support bc1 addresses, so this is not really an issue and if you find a service that didn't upgrade it's system to support it yet then you shouldn't use them in first place and find a better alternative.

Sometimes there are no alternatives. I make fast trades regurly and as you may expect, the majority use custidiol wallets and for several times my bech32 address not accepted by the system controlling their wallets .
I do also believe that segwit is better than legacy but it still depends on the users knowledge .

[taufik123]

Turns out my computer (windows vista 32bit) isn't supported anymore and can't run electrum. -snip-

I advise you to upgrade the OS you are using because Microsoft no longer provides Windows Vista security update support.

Upgrading windows OS or any other OS is very good advice. Because if you improve security it will be better. Currently Windows 10 has the best security and is provided with a built-in antivirus such as Windows Defender.

Whatever wallet is used if security is not improved and is ignored, it will still be broken.

I myself currently use dual antivirus to secure my windows and it is good enough to avoid malware, trojans and other viruses.