Desktop Wallet

[dstexas]

I am looking for a good desktop wallet for Bitcoin that I can create different wallets for family members

[1715161135]

1715161135

[Charles-Tim]

Why do you not just go for electrum wallet, you can download it from electrum.org. and make sure you verify it. Electrum wallet is a good wallet, but it is a desktop wallet, make sure your computer is safe and free of malware which can compromse your wallet. Also, make sure you safe the seed phrase and do proper backup that will not be accessible to attackers and not vulnerable to damages.

[JeromeTash]

Electrum should be good (https://electrum.org). Make sure you verify the GPG signature before you install the app just to be sure you installed the right wallet app.
You can also use: https://bitcoin.org/en/choose-your-wallet to help you pick a wallet the could be most suitable for you.

[dstexas]

Is it ok do use portable version?

Why do you not just go for electrum wallet, you can download it from electrum.org. and make sure you verify it. Electrum wallet is a good wallet, but it is a desktop wallet, make sure your computer is safe and free of malware which can compromse your wallet. Also, make sure you safe the seed phrase and do proper backup that will not be accessible to attackers and not vulnerable to damages.

[JeromeTash]

Is it ok do use portable version?

It's Ok so long as you have your seeds backed up and your computer is very secure.

Some years back ThomasV made a post (Warning about portable versions) You can read through the thread.
Basically what he was saying is that the portable version won't be able a good type to use on an insecure computer plus it sort of encourages bad security practices since one can use it on any third party computer of which some may have viruses

[Charles-Tim]

Is it ok do use portable version?

I will advice you to go for windows installer so far you want to download and open it on your window computer directly. Windows installer
will install electrum into program files.

Window installer, your computer will be able to download the electrum and install inself which you can open directly.
Standalone executable, your computer will be able to download the wallet but you will need to install it manually.
Portable, your computer will be able to download the  electrum wallet on local folder which you can send to a flash drive.

[hulla]

Is it ok do use portable version?

Inaddtion to what others have said, the portable version is flexible and easy to use on third party computers but if security is your top priority it better you use the non-portable version of the wallet because the portable is compared with a web wallet which is vulnerable to viruses and keylogger attack and footing your message the BTC will use for long term shortage.

[Charles-Tim]

Inaddtion to what others have said, the portable version is flexible and easy to use on third party computers but if security is your top priority it better you use the non-portable version of the wallet because the portable is compared with a web wallet which is vulnerable to viruses and keylogger attack and footing your message the BTC will use for long term shortage.

The portable version is not like a web wallet, it is a desktop wallet also. The only difference is that people can have it on a flash drive, this can result to it being installed on third party computers.

[pooya87]

I can create different wallets for family members

This may not be the best idea. It is always better to separate wallets of each person and hopefully on a separate device. One mistake made by one person would mean a big loss for everyone. For example if one of them updated the wallet to a malicious one by mistake you would all lose your bitcoins.

[mk4]

If you want to prioritize security over a bit of ease-of-use, just purchase a cheap hardware wallet such as the Ledger Nano S[1] or the Trezor One[2]. You can use their software to create multiple "accounts" as well, for each members of your family. Alternatively, If you don't want to use their official software, you can connect your Ledger/Trezor to reputable software wallets such as Electrum/Wasabi.

[1] https://shop.ledger.com/products/ledger-nano-s
[2] https://shop.trezor.io/product/trezor-one-white

[Pmalek]

I don't see any reasons why you would go for the portable version if you only plan to install the wallet on one or multiple desktop environments.
Are you all using the same computer or does everyone have his/her own setup? I share pooya87's concerns, especially if the computer is shared with teenagers who might be into browsing porn, downloading torrents, or pirated software and games. That is not the only concern. There are also fake apps, phishing sites, keyloggers, and clipboard hijacker malware.

If we are talking about multiple desktop devices, that is better. To be absolutely safe that your computer is virus-free, please consider reinstalling your operating system before you install Electrum or whatever wallet software you end up using. If you use Windows, ensure you have Windows 10 installed and not Windows 7 which no longer receives new security updates. It would be even better if you use a Linux distribution, like Ubuntu, for example.   

[hulla]

Inaddtion to what others have said, the portable version is flexible and easy to use on third party computers but if security is your top priority it better you use the non-portable version of the wallet because the portable is compared with a web wallet which is vulnerable to viruses and keylogger attack and footing your message the BTC will use for long term shortage.

The portable version is not like a web wallet, it is a desktop wallet also. The only difference is that people can have it on a flash drive, this can result to it being installed on third party computers.

I aware of this and the mobility sector of the portable version of the wallet was the reason why I contemplate it to be like a web wallet.

Is it ok do use portable version?

Inaddtion to what others have said, the portable version is flexible and easy to use on third party computers but if security is your top priority it better you use the non-portable version of the wallet because the portable is compared with a web wallet which is vulnerable to viruses and keylogger attack and footing your message the BTC will use for long term shortage.

The vulnerabilities of the portable and non-portable versions are the same. If the computer is compromised, either of them is vulnerable unless they connect to the hardware wallet.  In the latter case the transactions safety is in your hands. IMO, if you check every details of transactions to be signed by HW they’re not in any danger.

Yes, but nonportable is still not prone to attack if you personal air gap computer while portable is prone to attack when used on third parties/public computer which the reason why the issue keylogger is mentioned.

[Charles-Tim]

The vulnerabilities of the portable and non-portable versions are the same. If the computer is compromised, either of them is vulnerable unless they connect to the hardware wallet.  In the latter case the transactions safety is in your hands. IMO, if you check every details of transactions to be signed by HW they’re not in any danger.

Having a wallet file on flash drive is another risk, that is why portable should not be recommended so that people that think it has advantage should also know it has disadvantage. In my opinion, downloading it directly on computer is the best, it takes less than 40 megabyte to download. Encouraging the use of a wallet on another computer is making it not advisable in its entirety.

[charlesmichel1]

It's better to use a separate app for each member of your family.
I think Exodus, Guarda, Atomic, Ownr anf Coinomi are decent, anyway try to find the most suitable wallet exactly for you.

[joniboini]

It's better to use a separate app for each member of your family.
I think Exodus, Guarda, Atomic, Ownr anf Coinomi are decent, anyway try to find the most suitable wallet exactly for you.

Why though? I'd rather recommend one app that I know works "the best" compared to the others and let them learn about it. If there's any trouble I can easily help them instead of spending some time reading documentations of various apps.

It's not like if there is a bug on that app then all of their funds will be gone. Teaching them about security measures would help them to protect themselves.

[sunsilk]

You can do that either with Electrum or Wasabi wallet. These two wallets are a good option if you want to start out. Free to download and easy to use. Just a warning that to only download it on their official websites because there are fake ones that you could download and might steal your deposited bitcoin in that wallet you generate.

It's better to use a separate app for each member of your family.
I think Exodus, Guarda, Atomic, Ownr anf Coinomi are decent, anyway try to find the most suitable wallet exactly for you.

I've used these wallets but I'll choose the best which are those two that I've mentioned.

[sheenshane]

I am looking for a good desktop wallet for Bitcoin that I can create different wallets for family members

It's free and I think even how many wallets that you wanted to create it's fine.
Read this thread with full details regarding the Desktop wallet that safe. "[General] Bitcoin Wallets - Which, what, why?", this was pinned post or belongs to sticky topics on Beginners and Help.

I prefer to use these wallets on your Desktop.

• Electrum (most recommended but beware of the fake one)
• Bitcoin Armory
• Wasabi
• Bitcoin Core

All of these wallets are open-source which most likely experts most recommended.

[Pmalek]

It's better to use a separate app for each member of your family.
I think Exodus, Guarda, Atomic, Ownr anf Coinomi are decent, anyway try to find the most suitable wallet exactly for you.

None of your suggested wallets are better options than Electrum which was recommended by the majority of the users in this thread. OP can use Wasabi wallet if he wants a more privacy-focused wallet, or Bitcoin Core if he wants to run a full node.

I wouldn't recommend using closed-source wallets and multi-coin clients. There is no reason since he is looking to store bitcoin, not altcoins. I also use Coinomi on my phone for its simplicity, but it's not a wallet I would recommend rather than other far better options.   

Experimenting with various software meant to store your wealth isn't the best way to go. OP should stick with proven wallets that have a large userbase and quality development teams, and not something that might or might not be as good. 

[mersal]

It's better to use a separate app for each member of your family.
I think Exodus, Guarda, Atomic, Ownr anf Coinomi are decent, anyway try to find the most suitable wallet exactly for you.

Why though? I'd rather recommend one app that I know works "the best" compared to the others and let them learn about it. If there's any trouble I can easily help them instead of spending some time reading documentations of various apps.

It's not like if there is a bug on that app then all of their funds will be gone. Teaching them about security measures would help them to protect themselves.

As long as the different apps or different wallets on the same app doesn't make any difference when it is installed on the same device. I would suggest the one better app which is electrum to create wallet but never keep the wallets open there.

Just create wallets and store recovery key, then just send BTC to each address whenever he wants, later sign in to the wallet only when he wanted to access the wallets looks better idea.