Choosing the right Bitcoin wallet is essential for ensuring the security and usability of your Bitcoin. After having used these two wallets for some time, I highly recommend Blockstream Green and BlueWallet as robust and reliable solutions. Both wallets are open-source wallets, offering transparency. They are both designed for both mobile and desktop platforms.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced Bitcoin enthusiast, understanding the differences between these wallets will help you decide which one suits your needs best. This comparison explores their features, security, privacy, and ease of use to help you make an informed choice.
What’s Blockstream Green and How It Works
Blockstream Green is an open-source Bitcoin, Lightning, and Liquid Network wallet available for iOS, Android, and desktop platforms. It is designed for users ranging from beginners to experienced Bitcoin enthusiasts. The wallet is particularly notable for its robust security features and user-friendly design, making it a popular choice in the Bitcoin wallet market. In addition to supporting singlesignature accounts, Blockstream Green is also a multisignature wallet, providing enhanced security through its 2-of-2 multisig setup.
What’s BlueWallet and How It Works
BlueWallet is a Bitcoin-only, self-custodial wallet designed for on-chain transactions. It is available on desktop and mobile platforms (iOS and Android) and is open-source. BlueWallet allows you to send, receive, store, and even buy and sell Bitcoin while offering integrations for advanced features like the Lightning Network. Unlike custodial wallets, BlueWallet is a self-custody wallet in the sense that you retain full control of your private keys, enhancing security and privacy.
Key Features
Blockstream Green Features
Blockstream Green is packed with features designed for both beginners and advanced Bitcoin users. Here are some of the key features:
- Standard Singlesig Support: Simplified wallet setup for beginners.
- Multisig Protection: Adds extra security with multiple keys required to authorize transactions, protecting assets from theft.
- 2FA Protected Accounts: Enhanced security with two-factor authentication.
- Watch-only Wallet: Monitor funds without spending access.
- Hardware Wallet Support: Integrates with devices like Blockstream Jade, Ledger, and Trezor.
- Fee Control: Customizable transaction fees with SegWit (saves fees for you) and Replace-By-Fee (RBF).
- Full API Support: Developer-friendly APIs for advanced integration.
- SPV Verification: Lightweight transaction validation without a full blockchain download.
- Custom Electrum Server Support: Enhanced privacy with personal Electrum servers.
- Multilingual Support: Supports over 30 languages, including English, French, Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic.
BlueWallet Features
On the other hand, BlueWallet offers the following features:
- SegWit Support: Efficient, cheaper, and faster transactions.
- Built-in Exchange Services: Buy and sell Bitcoin directly within BlueWallet.
- Duress Wallets: Decoy wallets for added security.
- Message Signing: Verify wallet ownership securely.
- Batch Transactions: Reduce transaction fees by grouping multiple payments.
- PayJoin: Enhanced privacy with collaborative transactions.
- Fee and Transaction Control: You can bump transactions using Replace-by-fee (RBF) and Child-pays-for-parent (CPFP).
- Coin Control: You can label, freeze or select coins (UTXO) to make a transaction.
- Multisig: Multisig vault for storing large amounts where multiple keys are needed for transactions.
- Hardware Wallet Integration: You can connect with hardware wallets that support PSBT.
- Electrum Server Integration: Connect to personal Bitcoin nodes.
- Buy and Sell Bitcoin: Integrated with Hodl Hodl for non-KYC Bitcoin purchases.
Ease of Use
Blockstream Green offers a streamlined interface ideal for both beginners and advanced users. Its intuitive design and support for hardware wallets make it accessible while maintaining advanced features for experienced Bitcoin holders.
BlueWallet is similarly user-friendly, with a modern interface and features tailored for both novice and expert users. However, its Lightning Network integration can be challenging for beginners as it requires connecting to an external LNDHub or importing a Lightning wallet.
Privacy and Security
When it comes to privacy and security, Blockstream Green and BlueWallet both provide robust features but cater to slightly different user needs. Blockstream Green is a self-custodial wallet, ensuring you retain full control over your private keys. It supports two-factor authentication (2FA), which adds an extra layer of security against unauthorized access. The wallet also integrates seamlessly with leading hardware wallets, offering enhanced protection for Bitcoin holdings. For privacy-conscious users, Blockstream Green supports Tor and personal Electrum servers, enabling anonymity during transactions. Additionally, it includes Bitcoin dust attack protection, identifying and labeling small-value transactions that could compromise user privacy.
On the other hand, BlueWallet is also a noncustodial wallet, ensuring you have complete control of your private keys. It features multi-signature vaults, which are ideal for securing larger Bitcoin holdings with added protection. BlueWallet supports hardware wallet integration and works with popular devices like Ledger, Trezor, and Coldcard. A unique feature of BlueWallet is its duress wallet, which acts as a decoy to safeguard funds in situations of coercion. However, unlike Blockstream Green, BlueWallet does not support 2FA, which may be a consideration for users seeking additional layers of authentication.
Fees
Blockstream Green allows customizable transaction fees, providing flexibility to minimize costs or prioritize speed with the Replace-By-Fee feature. It also supports SegWit to further reduce fees.
BlueWallet’s batch transactions and SegWit support help lower fees, while PayJoin ensures privacy without additional costs. BlueWallet also supports Replace-By-Fee (RBF) and Child-Pay-For-Parent (CPFP), enabling users to adjust fees for faster confirmation or recover stuck transactions. However, its reliance on external services for Lightning payments might incur extra fees depending on the provider.
Quick Comparison: BlueWallet vs Blockstream Green
Below is a quick comparison table to help you decide:
| Feature | Blockstream Green | BlueWallet |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows | Android, iOS, macOS |
| Open Source | Yes | Yes |
| Multisig Support | Yes (2-of-2) | Yes (Customizable) |
| 2FA Support | Yes | No |
| SegWit | Yes | Yes |
| Replace By Fee | Yes | Yes |
| Child Pay For Parent | No | Yes |
| Batch Transactions | No | Yes |
| PayJoin | No | Yes |
| BIP39 | Yes | Yes |
| Hardware Wallets | Yes | Yes |
| Duress Wallet | No | Yes |
| Custom Electrum Server | Yes | Yes |
| Tor Support | Yes | No |
| Lightning Network | Yes (Beta) | Yes (External LNDHub) |
| Liquid | Yes | No |
| Ease of Use | Beginner & Advanced Friendly | Beginner & Advanced Friendly |
By reviewing the table and considering your priorities—whether they are advanced security, ease of use, or privacy—you can make the best choice for your Bitcoin wallet needs.
BlueWallet vs Blockstream Green: Which One Should You Choose?
Based on my experience with these wallets, I recommend Blockstream Green and BlueWallet as secure, open-source options for both mobile and desktop. If security, hardware wallet support, and advanced privacy options are your top priorities, Blockstream Green is the better choice. With its self-custodial nature, 2FA support, and integration with hardware wallets, it offers enhanced security. Moreover, its features like Tor and custom Electrum servers make it a great option for those who prioritizes privacy.
Launched in 2019, Blockstream Green also supports both the Liquid Network and Lightning Network (currently in beta), making it a versatile choice if you want access to sidechains and Lightning payments. Its user-friendly design and robust security features make it suitable for both beginners and experienced users. Additionally, Blockstream Green is available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows.
BlueWallet, launched in 2017, has the advantage of being tested by time, making it an ideal choice if you value a wallet with a longer track record of reliability. It stands out as a modern, feature-rich wallet focused on on-chain transactions and privacy. Notable features include a duress wallet for added security in case of coercion and integration with Hodl Hodl for non-KYC Bitcoin purchases, which enhances your privacy.
However, it does not support the Liquid Network and does not have native Lightning support. Instead, Lightning functionality requires connecting to a third-party service like an external LNDHub, which can demand a bit of technical knowledge. Additionally, the lack of 2FA may be a concern for users who value additional security measures.
Unlike Blockstream Green wallet, BlueWallet is available on Android, iOS, and macOS, meaning it has slightly more limited compatibility compared to Blockstream Green.
