Trezor vs. Ledger: Which Should You Choose? (2024)

Trezor vs. Ledger: Wallet Features

Trezor and Ledger are among the best Bitcoin wallets and offer similar features. While both brands connect via a USB cable, the sleek Ledger devices look like ordinary, steel universal serial bus (USB) storage devices (except for the Ledger Stax which almost looks like a mini smartphone with its touchscreen covering the entire front). Meanwhile, Trezor devices are a bit lighter, housed in a plastic casing, and uniquely shaped. All five devices connect to Linux, Windows, and Mac computers. However, Trezor users can only connect to Android devices in the mobile browser, whereas Ledger has a mobile app for both iOS and Android.

The Trezor Model One has a 128x64-pixel display. The Ledger Nano S Plus and Nano X both also have a 128x64-pixel display. The difference is in the companies’ premium models, with the Trezor Model T offering a liquid crystal display (LCD) color touchscreen that’s 240x240 pixels. In contrast, the Ledger Stax has a larger touchscreen of 400x672 pixels, but it's greyscale and not color.

When it comes to connectivity, mobile users appreciate the optional Bluetooth capability of the Ledger Nano X and Stax models — a feature not offered by Trezor.

Trezor vs. Ledger: Currencies

Ledger supports a good deal more crypto currencies than Trezor, over 5,500 compared to 1,289 or 1,456 depending on the Trezor model. Users can hold popular cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Stellar (XLM). While the Ledger Nano S and Nano X, as well as the new Ledger Stax, support the same coins, the Trezor One supports fewer cryptocurrencies than the Model T.

Notably, there are a few coins the Trezor One doesn’t support, including Cardano (ADA), Ripple (XRP), Monero (XMR), Eos (EOS), Tezos (XTZ), and Binance Chain (BNB). All of these coins can be stored on both Ledger devices.

Trezor and Ledger users can access built-in cryptocurrency exchanges to buy, sell, or trade coins while using their hardware wallets.

Trezor vs. Ledger: Security

Trezor and Ledger are industry leaders in security, as both companies provide private keys that never leave the devices. The Trezor models are built on a single chip base, whereas Ledger devices use a double chip base. Ledger’s second chip is a bank-grade secure element (SE), providing additional security against hardware-based attacks.

Ledger uses a unique blockchain open ledger operating system (BOLOS) that is an open-source framework. However, unlike Trezor, Ledger wallets use closed-source firmware, meaning it’s not available for third parties to review or test for vulnerabilities. The devices also differ because the Trezor One wallet requires users to enter the password via a keyboard, whereas Ledger users enter it on the hardware.

All five devices support BIP39 (Bitcoin Improvement Proposals) passphrases. But, only the Trezor Model T offers Shamir Backup for improved private key security. It’s important to note that Ledger lost some public confidence after a breach of a marketing database in 2020 that exposed people’s contact information. Likewise, Kraken’s security division could hack Trezor hardware wallets when they obtained the physical devices as part of vulnerability testing.

Trezor vs. Ledger: Pricing

Trezor offers two devices and Ledger offers three. The Trezor One and Ledger Nano S Plus have different price points, $59 for Trezor and $79 for Nano S Plus. These two devices have two physical buttons and small OLED displays. The main difference is that the Trezor One supports fewer coins than the Nano S device. Investors holding onto Ripple (XRP), Monero (XMR), or Cardano (ADA) will prefer the Ledger Nano S. A step up from these devices would be the Ledger Nano X which costs $149. The main thing that it adds over the Nano S Plus is Bluetooth connectivity.

The premium devices offered by Trezor and Ledger both offer a touchscreen. However, the Ledger Stax offers a much larger screen, but it's only greyscale and not color, whereas the Trezor Model T has a color screen, but it's smaller than the Ledger touchscreen. Trezor's Model T is more affordable at $179, compared to the $279 price tag of the Ledger Stax.

Crypto investors looking for an inexpensive hardware wallet for cold storage will be pleased with the low-cost Trezor One or Ledger Nano S. But, if you want Bluetooth, opt for the Ledger Nano X, while people wanting a touchscreen will prefer the Trezor Model T or Ledger Stax.

Trezor vs. Ledger: Ease of Use

Trezor and Ledger's devices are relatively easy to set up because they follow strict account verification and passphrase configuration. The lower-end models have two physical buttons and smaller screens, which can be trickier to navigate for people accustomed to touchscreens and larger displays. But, the actual setup and use are about the same between the devices.Although the Nano X is slightly larger than the Nano S Plus, with a bit more spacing between the physical buttons, there is not a huge difference in the experience of the two. The only exception being the addition of Bluetooth saving you the process of connecting a cord.

The Trezor Model T has a color touchscreen, while the Ledger Stax only uses greyscale. However, the Ledger Stax's screen is much larger than the screen of the Trezor Model T. The larger screen is likely to be of greater value in terms of ease of use than having color. Things will be easier to press accurately and also to read. This Ledger model also offers the option of using Bluetooth, while the Trezor Model T does not.

Trezor vs. Ledger: Mobile App

Ledger devices work with the Ledger Live application, available as a download for desktop or mobile devices. It lets users manage accounts, check real-time crypto balances, and send and receive funds. All Ledger devices must connect to Ledger Live to complete the initial setup.

Although Trezor doesn’t currently have a mobile app, instead, users install either a Chrome extension or the Trezor Bridge that corresponds with their operating systems. Trezor offers the Trezor Suite as a desktop app, providing access to portfolio information and the incorporated exchange.

Furthermore, both companies support third-party wallets and other crypto applications, such as MyEtherWallet, MetaMask, and MyCrypto. But only Trezor connects with Exodus, while Kyber Network users must use Ledger. Overall, Trezor offers six third-party wallets versus 15 offered by Ledger, in addition to other types of applications.

Final Verdict

The secure hardware wallets designed by Trezor and Ledger are user-friendly and safe for storing cryptocurrency. Both support over a thousand coins and tokens and provide access to cryptocurrency exchanges. However, the Ledger Nano X and Stax offer Bluetooth, and Ledger wallets support Ripple, Monero, and Tezos. Trezor's Model T features a color touchscreen, while the Ledger Stax has an even larger touchscreen, that is greyscale only.

Although it’s a tough call, Ledger edges out Trezor due to its three device options, larger touchscreen on the premium model, mobile app, iOS connectivity, and support for a few more popular coins and wallets than Trezor. However, a Trezor Model T offers Shamir Backup, and a touchscreen at a lower price.

Methodology

We compared Trezor versus Ledger by looking at the devices offered by both companies, including features, supported currencies, and cost. In addition, we reviewed security measures on the physical devices and those taken by the individual companies. We also considered ease of use, availability of mobile apps, and features provided by their wallets and corresponding platforms.