Keystone vs Ledger | Is Keystone The Better Value Wallet?
Jack Moreau
Feb 2024
9 min read
Fact checked
Introduction: Finding the perfect crypto wallet to safeguard your virtual fortunes is no small task. That's why we've meticulously analyzed the Keystone and Ledger wallets, thoroughly examining their support for blockchains and cryptocurrencies, distinctive features, compatibility with hardware wallets, security measures and other critical factors. With our comprehensive wallet comparison review, you'll have all the information you need to choose the wallet that suits your needs!
Keystone, a hardware wallet, and Ledger, a hardware wallet, are two popular options for securely storing and managing digital assets. Let's compare the features and capabilities of these two wallets to help you decide which one may be the best fit for your needs.
Keystone is a QR code hardware wallet that is completely air-gapped and needs the companion app to connect to blockchain networks. It offers support for over 5000 digital assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, EVM-based chains, Tron, Polkadot, Cosmos, Near, Aptos, and many others.
Keystone Website
With Keystone, users can enjoy the added security of storing their private keys offline and separately from devices like computers or smartphones. The wallet leverages QR codes for secure transaction signing and verification, making it difficult for malicious code to invade the device.
Keystone is compatible with over 25 software wallets, such as MetaMask, Keplr, Sparrow, OKX Wallet, Core, BitKeep, Rabby, and more. Notably, Keystone is the only hardware wallet that's compatible with both the MetaMask extension and mobile app.
Keystone Software Wallet Support
Ledger is another popular hardware wallet option. Founded in 2014, Ledger quickly gained popularity and currently boasts around 6 million customers. Ledger offers a range of hardware wallets, including the light Ledger Nano S, the Ledger X, and the newly introduced Ledger Stax.
Ledger Wallet
One of the main advantages of using Ledger wallets is that users retain full control over their assets, as private keys are stored locally on the hardware device.
Ledger supports over 5,000 different cryptocurrencies, making it a versatile option for users with diverse digital asset portfolios.
The Ledger Live App, available on both Android and iOS, allows users to manage their assets and has received high ratings from users, with a 4.8-star rating based on over 30,000 reviews.
Ledger Live app
Additionally, Ledger wallets can be connected to various desktop operating systems, including Linux, MacOS, and Windows, further enhancing convenience and accessibility.
While both Keystone and Ledger are hardware wallets that prioritize the security of users' digital assets, they have some differences in terms of features and compatibility.
Keystone stands out with its air-gapped design, QR code transaction signing, and compatibility with various software wallets, including the popular MetaMask extension and mobile app.
On the other hand, Ledger offers a range of hardware wallets, supports a vast number of cryptocurrencies, and provides a user-friendly experience through its Ledger Live App and desktop compatibility.
Keystone vs Ledger User Experience
When comparing the Keystone and Ledger wallets, there are several key factors to consider. First, let's take a look at the Keystone wallet. The Keystone wallet currently offers one product, the Keystone 3 Pro, which is sold at a competitive price of $129.
Keystone 3 Pro
This hardware wallet features a sleek design and a beautiful 4-inch LCD touchscreen with a high resolution of 480 x 800. The large screen is particularly useful in preventing blind signing, as users can clearly see the transaction details before confirming.
The Keystone 3 Pro weighs only 103 grams, making it lightweight and portable. In terms of cryptocurrency support, the Keystone 3 Pro is a robust option, with over 5,000 supported cryptocurrencies.
This means that users have a wide range of options when it comes to storing and managing their digital assets. Additionally, the wallet is open source, allowing for transparency and security audits.
Keystone open source
The Keystone 3 Pro is equipped with three security chips, providing additional layers of protection for users' funds. It also supports multiple seed phrases, meaning that users can have multiple accounts within a single wallet and easily switch between them.
Keystone secure elements
The wallet can be easily updated through USB or a MicroSD card, ensuring that users have access to the latest security features.
Another notable feature of the Keystone wallet is the inclusion of a fingerprint sensor. This allows for quick access to the wallet while adding an extra layer of security. However, it's important to note that MicroSD cards are not included with the wallet, so users will need to provide their own.
Keystone vs Competitors
Now let's turn our attention to the Ledger wallet. Ledger offers a range of hardware wallets, including the Ledger Nano S Plus, the Ledger Nano X, and the newly released Ledger STAX.
Ledger Crypto Wallets
The Ledger Nano S Plus is the most affordable option starting at $79 and offers support for multiple cryptocurrencies, over 5000 to be exact. It is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Android.
Ledger Nano S
The Ledger Nano X, priced at $149, offers the same features as the Nano S Plus but also includes compatibility with iOS devices. Both the Nano S Plus and Nano X allow for swapping and staking of digital assets directly within the Ledger Live app.
The Ledger STAX is a palm-sized hardware wallet that features a larger E Ink touchscreen display. With a focus on user-friendliness, the Ledger STAX offers a bigger screen for easier navigation and wireless charging capabilities.
Ledger Stax
Ledger wallets are known for their strong customer reviews and ratings. The devices have received glowing ratings on both Android and IOS.
Keystone vs Ledger Features
Keystone Wallet offers users a compact and user-friendly hardware wallet experience with the Keystone 3 Pro model. With its 4-inch touchscreen and intuitive design, the Keystone wallet aims to provide ease of use for beginners.
Keystone 3 Pro
The wallet ensures secure transaction approvals with features such as fingerprint recognition, allowing users to confidently review and approve transactions in a clear and readable format.
Keystone Finger Print
Additionally, the Keystone wallet prioritizes security and privacy, addressing concerns such as blind signing. The Keystone 3 Pro model is sleek, portable, and offers a strong battery life.
On the other hand, Ledger Wallet, specifically Ledger Live, provides a comprehensive cryptocurrency management wallet experience. Users can use Ledger Live to easily send, receive, and store over 1000 digital assets, including popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether.
Ledger Live
The wallet also allows users to purchase a wide range of cryptocurrencies using credit cards or bank transfers. Ledger Live acts as a portal to various DeFi apps and services, enabling users to enhance their Ethereum holdings, stake various tokens, and manage their DeFi portfolios.
It also offers tools to collect, visualize, and transfer Ethereum NFTs, all securely safeguarded by the user's hardware wallet. Ledger Wallet also offers enterprise services, providing companies with secure and cost-effective solutions to self-custody their digital assets.
Keystone Wallet is a hardware wallet that prioritizes both hardware and user security. It offers multiple security measures to prevent unauthorized access, including a fingerprint signature feature.
This ensures that only approved users can access the device and its contents. Keystone Wallet also emphasizes transparency by providing open-source firmware and hardware, allowing anyone to assess and enhance its functionality.
Keystone security
For an elevated level of security, Keystone Wallet offers an air-gapped feature, which deactivates USB and Bluetooth functionalities and uses QR codes for data transmission.
Additionally, Keystone Wallet incorporates a PCI-grade anti-tampering mechanism, which instantly deletes data in case of any unauthorized interference.
The wallet also stands out with its use of three unique secure elements, namely Microchip ATECC608B, Maxim DS28S60, and Maxim MAX32520, further fortifying the security of users' seed phrases and biometric information.
Moreover, Keystone Wallet allows users to have multiple crypto accounts in a single hardware wallet, as each Keystone 3 device can accommodate up to three distinct recovery phrases, each secured by different passwords.
Keystone 3 seed phrases
This enables users to manage multiple cryptocurrencies or separate their assets for different purposes effectively. Additionally, Keystone Wallet has introduced Shamir backup, allowing users to split their secret seed phrase into multiple parts and store them separately, increasing the overall security of their wallet.
Keystone shamir backup
On the other hand, Ledger Wallet is renowned for its robust security framework and its integration of hardware and software. It offers a hardware wallet solution that ensures the protection of users' assets and identity.
Upon setup, users secure their devices with a custom 4-8 digit PIN code. One of Ledger Wallet's paramount features is its Secure Element chip, where private keys are stored. This chip is isolated from internet connectivity, significantly enhancing protection against potential physical breaches.
Ledger Wallet incorporates a trusted display, enabling users to confirm transaction specifics before approving them, thereby boosting transaction security. The wallet's software undergoes continuous updates to counteract emerging threats.
Ledger Enterprise
Ledger Wallet prides itself on maintaining an untarnished record, having never been successfully hacked. Additionally, Ledger Wallet offers compatibility with Ledger hardware wallets through its browser extension, providing users with the option to further bolster their security.
Jack is a crypto writer and reviewer who has been active in the space since he caught the crypto bug in 2017. With a passion for trying out new shiny things, Jack is always eager to try the latest cryptocurrency exchanges, wallets or DeFi applications.
