Best EOS Wallets in 2018

EOS holds the world record for the most lucrative ICO in history, after raising more than $4 billion over the course of their year-long funding campaign. If you are interested in purchasing EOS and want to find the best wallet to store your tokens in, then we are here to help!

Our Best EOS Wallets guide will cover four wallets across multiple device types, including desktop, mobile, browser and hardware. Each wallet will have its own pros and cons, so take some time to think about where your priorities lie. For example, while some wallets are excellent for security, others focus on simplicity and convenience.

To make things easier for you, we have listed some of the most important factors that we think you should consider when choosing the best EOS wallet for you:

• Security: How much emphasis does the wallet put on security? Does the wallet offer any notable security safeguards like two-factor authentication? 
• Private keys:  Are your private keys stored locally on your device, meaning that only you have access to them?
• Price: Is the wallet free to obtain? Are there any hidden fees or costs?
• Ease of Use: How simple is the wallet to use? Is it suitable for entry-level users?
• Supported coins:  Does the wallet support additional tokens other than just EOS?
• Device compatibility: Is the wallet compatible with your specific device type? Is it possible to synchronize the wallet across both mobile and desktop devices?
  
• Convenience to transact: Is it relatively straightforward to move EOS tokens in and out of the wallet?

Now that you know the characteristics to look for in an EOS wallet, we can jump right in to our picks for the best EOS wallets in 2018.

Exodus – Best EOS Wallet for Desktop

Although there are various EOS wallets for desktop usage, we believe that Exodus is the best on the market. The wallet is available to download for free across Windows, Mac and Linux devices. When you first go through the installation process, Exodus does not ask for any personal information, meaning you can keep your privacy intact. 

On top of supporting EOS tokens, Exodus supports a range of other cryptocurrencies, including the vast majority of top-10 coins such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Ripple, as well as lesser known projects like Matchpool, Status and Gnosis. For a full list of the coins that Exodus supports, click here.

In terms of security, unfortunately, Exodus does not offer two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-signature access. However, your private keys are stored locally on your desktop device, giving you full control over your EOS tokens. You will also be provided with a backup passphrase, which you will need if your desktop device is lost, stolen or becomes compromised.

When it comes to user-friendliness, Exodus is ultra-simple to use. The interface also comes with some useful charting tools, which help you to manage your portfolio in a clear and visual manner.

Finally, when you initiate a transfer of EOS out of your wallet, Exodus will automatically adjust the transaction fees based on the current status of the network. This is a nice feature, but comes with the potential drawback that you won’t be able to amend the fees yourself.

If the Exodus wallet doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, then it might be worth considering one of the below.

• SimpleEOS: A desktop wallet for EOS that supports multiple other cryptocurrencies. Good security and created by an official EOS block producer based in Brazil.
  
• EOS-Voter by Greymass: A desktop wallet for EOS that has full interaction with the blockchain. Slightly advanced in features, so potentially unsuitable for beginners.

Now that you know about the best EOS wallets for desktop usage, in the next part of our guide we are going to look at Freewallet.

Freewallet – Best EOS Wallet for Mobile

Freewallet is a mobile-specific cryptocurrency wallet that is available for free on both Android and iPhone devices. On top of supporting EOS, Freewallet allows you to store a range of other cryptocurrencies, which you can view by checking out this list. The Freewallet application is very basic in nature, which makes it an excellent choice for cryptocurrency beginners.

Don’t let Freewallet’s simplicity fool you; the wallet has some excellent security features to keep your funds safe. Firstly, 2FA ensures that you need to enter a code on your phone in order to log in. Secondly, if you choose to set up multi-signature logins, every time you attempt to access the wallet, you will need to confirm the login on two separate devices. You can also sign up to receive email notifications every time a transaction attempt is initiated, which acts as an additional layer of security. Finally, your private keys are not held by the Freewallet team, so you have full control over your funds.

Another useful feature offered within the Freewallet app is the ability to scan cryptocurrency wallet addresses in the form of a QR code. Instead of manually pasting the address in, you simply scan it with your phone.

Freewallet is available in 12 different languages and comes with the ability to link the wallet with your Google+ or Facebook account, which speeds up the login process. Should you have any issues with your wallet, the Freewallet team offers customer support 24/7.

If you are unsure as to whether or not the Freewallet app is the best EOS wallet for you, then we have listed a notable alternative below:

• Infinito: A very popular EOS mobile wallet available on both Android and iPhone. Supports multiple cryptocurrencies including all ERC-20 tokens.

So now that we’ve covered both desktop and mobile devices, in the next part of our Best EOS Wallets guide we are going to explore the best hardware wallet.

Ledger Nano S – Best Hardware EOS Wallet

If you are looking for an EOS wallet that offers the greatest level of security, then we would suggest you consider purchasing the Ledger Nano S. Retailing at approximately $100, the wallet is a hardware device that stores your EOS tokens in offline cold storage. Once the wallet has been funded, the only way you can move funds out is to enter a PIN number that you entered when you first set up the wallet.

In the unlikely event that your Ledger Nano S is stolen, the criminal would be faced with a time-lock that increases in length every time an incorrect combination is entered. In this instance, you could easily recover your EOS tokens remotely by using the backup phrase presented to you during the installation process. The backup phrase is also needed in the event you forget your PIN number.

On top of storing EOS, the Ledger Nano S also supports more than 700 different cryptocurrencies. This includes major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ripple, as well as lots of ERC-20 tokens. To make sure that your token is supported prior to making a deposit, check out this list here.

One of the major disadvantages to using a hardware wallet like the Ledger Nano S is that it is not the most convenient wallet option. The main reason for this is that you are required to insert the wallet into your desktop or laptop computer in order to send funds, which is something you won’t always be able to do while on the go. To counter this drawback, it is well worth keeping a small of amount of EOS in one of the more convenient wallets we have discussed, whilst keeping the bulk of your holdings in the Ledger Nano S.

Scatter – Best EOS Browser Wallet

Scatter is an EOS wallet that is accessed through a Google Chrome browser extension. The extension is free to download and there is no requirement to provide any personal information, which helps protect your privacy.

Although the installation process is simple, the design of Scatter can be somewhat confusing for newcomers. As a result, if you are a beginner, this wallet might not be suitable for you.

When it comes to safety, although browser extensions typically offer the lowest level of security, Scatter has some notable features that you should be made aware of. Firstly, the Scatter wallet uses something called “Single Sign On,” which in layman’s terms, means that you don’t need to supply your private keys to mark a transaction as valid. Your login credentials (including your private keys) are stored locally on your desktop device, which adds an extra safeguard. If you need to engage with the blockchain to send funds, Scatter uses an “Encrypted Hashed Fingerprint” method, which ensures that your privacy is not exposed to third parties.

On top of supporting EOS, the Scatter wallet is also compatible with Ethereum. Future developments planned by the Scatter team include supporting more cryptocurrencies and launching the mainnet version of their desktop device.

Suggested Reading : Learn what we believe to be the best Ethereum wallets.

A Note on EOS’ Transition to the Mainnet

In writing this article, we have assumed that you are using the EOS mainnet token. During its year-long ICO campaign, EOS tokens were built on top of the Ethereum blockchain and followed the ERC-20 standard. However, when the project launched its mainnet platform in July 2018, it also issued its own native token. If your EOS tokens were stored within a centralized exchange such as Binance or Bitfinex, then the platform would have automatically swapped these on your behalf. If you were storing (or are still storing) your EOS tokens in an ERC-20 wallet, then you will need to manually swap them over yourself. For a simple guide on how to do this, click here.

Ultimately, it is imperative that you are aware of what token type you have, as sending EOS tokens to an ERC-20 wallet (or vice versa) might result in you losing your funds!

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