The Best Bitcoin Lightning Wallets in 2026, Compared
Disclosure: Starr makes one of the wallets on this list. We've tried to compare fairly and cite every fee to the vendor's own site. Written by Jonathan, Founder of Starr.
The best Lightning wallet depends on how much control you want. For most people who want to hold their own keys without managing channels, Phoenix and Starr are the simplest self-custodial options. Wallet of Satoshi is the quickest start, with custody that depends on your region. Zeus suits node runners, Blink suits merchants, and Alby suits web and Nostr payments. Fees and availability below were checked on 7 October 2026.
Quick verdict: the best Lightning wallet for each type of user
- Most users who want self-custody: Phoenix or Starr.
- Beginners who want the fastest start: Wallet of Satoshi (custody depends on region).
- Node runners: Zeus.
- Merchants: Blink.
- Web and Nostr payments: Alby Hub.
- Privacy / no KYC: any self-custodial option: Phoenix, Starr, Zeus or Muun.
- One on-chain + Lightning balance: Muun or Phoenix.
Lightning wallets compared
| Wallet | Custody | KYC required? | Lightning send fee | Receive / liquidity fee | Platforms | Open source | On-chain | Lightning Address | Best for | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alby Hub | Self-custodial (your own node) | No | Network routing fees [source] | Channel/liquidity costs; paid cloud hosting optional | Web, browser extension, mobile (Alby Go) | Yes | Yes (node wallet) | Yes | Web and Nostr payments | 7 October 2026 |
| Blink | Custodial or self-custodial (by country) | No ID to sign up; ID + selfie for higher limits | No Blink fee; routing fees apply [source] | Free over Lightning; fixed fee on-chain | iOS, Android | Yes (MIT) | Yes | Yes | Merchants and El Salvador users | 7 October 2026 |
| Muun | Self-custodial (2-of-2 multisig) | No | Swap + on-chain fees [source] | Swap fees can apply | iOS, Android | Yes | Native (single balance) | No | One on-chain + Lightning balance | 7 October 2026 |
| Phoenix | Self-custodial (LSP: ACINQ) | No | 0.4% + 4 sat [source] | 1% + mining fee when new liquidity is needed; channel creation: 1,000 sat | iOS, Android (phoenixd for servers) | Yes (Apache 2.0) | Native (splicing, one balance) | Yes | Most self-custody users | 7 October 2026 |
| Starr | Self-custodial (keys on device) | No | 0.25% + routing fee [source] | Free over Lightning; network fee on-chain | iOS, Android | Yes | Yes (Lightning and on-chain) | No (receive by creating an invoice) | Simple mobile self-custody | 7 October 2026 |
| Wallet of Satoshi | Depends on region and mode | Not stated | Not published [source] | Not published | iOS, Android | No | Yes (send to address) | Yes | Fastest first payment | 7 October 2026 |
| Zeus | Self-custodial (embedded node or your own) | No | No app fee; routing fees [source] | LSP channel fee (Olympus) for new channels | iOS, Android | Yes (AGPL-3.0) | Native | Yes | Node runners | 7 October 2026 |
Listed alphabetically. "Not published" means we couldn't find the figure on the vendor's own site. Features and fees change, so check each official site before you decide. Want to know whether an app you already use supports Lightning? See which wallets and exchanges support Lightning.
How we compared them
We looked at the same five things for every wallet and used each vendor's own website as the main source. Starr makes one of these wallets, so we list it alphabetically and give it the same review format, including its weaknesses.
Who holds the keys
Self-custodial, custodial, or a mix, and who you rely on for liquidity.
Fees we could source
Only figures the vendor publishes. Otherwise we write "Not published".
Backup and recovery
What you need to restore funds if you lose your phone or the company disappears.
Open source
Whether the code is public, and under what license where it's stated.
Availability and KYC
Platforms, regional limits and whether ID is needed.
The wallets, reviewed
Alby Hub
Alby started as a browser extension for paying websites over Lightning and now centres on Alby Hub, a self-custodial node you can run yourself or host with Alby. The Alby Go mobile app connects to your Hub.
Custody: With Alby Hub you run a Lightning node, so you hold the keys. That also means you are responsible for its backups and channels. Alby's hosted option adds a monthly fee.
Fees: There is no per-payment app fee published; you pay normal Lightning routing fees plus the cost of opening channels and, if you choose it, cloud hosting. Check getalby.com for current hosting prices. Source.
Platforms: Web, browser extension, mobile (Alby Go). Best for: Web and Nostr payments.
Where it wins
- Best fit for paying on the web and in Nostr apps
- Full control of a real node
- Open source
Trade-offs
- More setup than a phone-only wallet
- Hosting costs money
- You manage channels and backups
Blink
Blink (formerly Bitcoin Beach Wallet) grew out of the Bitcoin Beach community in El Salvador. It is aimed at everyday spending and small businesses, with a point-of-sale mode and a Lightning Address.
Custody: Blink offers a custodial mode and a self-custodial mode; which ones you can use depends on your country.
Fees: Blink charges no fee of its own for Lightning payments; you pay normal routing fees. Receiving over Lightning is free, and receiving on-chain has a fixed fee. Source.
Receiving fees are explained in Blink's FAQ; the app's code is open source under the MIT license. Receiving fees.
Platforms: iOS, Android. Best for: Merchants and El Salvador users.
Where it wins
- Simple point-of-sale for merchants
- Lightning Address included
- Open-source code base
Trade-offs
- Custody options vary by country
- Limits and KYC rules depend on account level
Muun
Muun shows a single bitcoin balance and pays Lightning invoices through submarine swaps, so your funds actually sit on-chain.
Custody: Muun uses a 2-of-2 multisig: one key on your phone, one held by Muun, with an emergency kit that lets you recover alone. Muun cannot move your funds by itself.
Fees: Because Lightning payments go through swaps that settle on-chain, fees follow Bitcoin network fees and can be high when the network is busy. Source.
Last Android release: Aug 2026. Changelog.
Platforms: iOS, Android. Best for: One on-chain + Lightning balance.
Where it wins
- One simple balance
- Good recovery kit
- Open source
Trade-offs
- Lightning fees rise with on-chain fees
- No Lightning Address
More detail: Starr vs Phoenix vs Muun.
Phoenix
Phoenix is made by ACINQ, one of the teams behind the Lightning protocol. It runs a real Lightning node on your phone while ACINQ manages channels for you.
Custody: Keys stay on your device and you back up a 12-word phrase. ACINQ provides liquidity as your Lightning service provider, so you rely on it to open channels but not to hold your money.
Fees: Phoenix publishes its fees: 0.4% plus 4 sats per outgoing payment, and 1% plus the mining fee when it has to add liquidity for an incoming payment. Source.
Platforms: iOS, Android (phoenixd for servers). Best for: Most self-custody users.
Where it wins
- Long track record from an experienced team
- Clear, published fees
- On-chain and Lightning in one balance
Trade-offs
- Liquidity fee can surprise new users receiving their first payment
- Depends on ACINQ as its only LSP
More detail: Starr vs Phoenix vs Muun.
Starr
Starr is a newer mobile wallet that puts Lightning and on-chain bitcoin in one app. It is made by the team that publishes this page. Starr does not issue a Lightning Address; to receive, you create a Lightning invoice or use a Spark or on-chain address.
Custody: Your keys are created and stored on your device and backed up with a 24-word recovery phrase. Starr does not hold or control your funds or keys, and there is no account or email signup.
Fees: Sending over Lightning costs 0.25% plus the network routing fee. Receiving over Lightning is free. On-chain payments pay the Bitcoin network fee for the speed you choose. The app shows the exact fee before you confirm. Source.
Platforms: iOS, Android. Best for: Simple mobile self-custody.
Where it wins
- No signup, no KYC
- Lightning and on-chain in one app
- Open-source code on GitHub
Trade-offs
- Newer, with fewer independent reviews
- Mobile only, no desktop app
Source code: github.com/starrapp/StarrWallet. No-KYC details: privacy policy. More on the app: starr.app.
Wallet of Satoshi
Wallet of Satoshi is known for the easiest start in Lightning: install, and you can receive straight away with a Lightning Address.
Custody: Self-custody is available everywhere; custodial mode only in select regions. New users get custodial where it's available. Source.
Fees: We could not find a published Lightning fee schedule on the vendor's site, so fees are listed as not published. Source.
Platforms: iOS, Android. Best for: Fastest first payment.
Where it wins
- Easiest onboarding
- Lightning Address built in
- Very polished app
Trade-offs
- Custodial by default where available
- Not open source
- Fees not published
Zeus
Zeus is a Lightning wallet for people who want full control. It can run an embedded node on your phone or connect to a node you run at home.
Custody: You hold the keys, either in the embedded node or on your own node. The Olympus service by Zeus can open channels for you on mobile.
Fees: Zeus charges no app fee. You pay network routing fees, and its Olympus service charges a fee when it opens a new channel for you. See zeusln.com for the current amount. Source.
Platforms: iOS, Android. Best for: Node runners.
Where it wins
- Most control of any wallet here
- Works with your own node
- Open source
Trade-offs
- Steeper learning curve
- Channel fees when you start out
Custodial vs self-custodial Lightning wallets
Custodial
The company holds the bitcoin and shows you a balance. It's simple and receiving is instant, but the company can freeze, lose or be forced to hand over funds, and may ask for ID.
Self-custodial
The keys live on your device and you back them up with a recovery phrase. Nobody else can move your money, but losing the phrase means losing the funds. Read more in our guide to non-custodial Lightning wallets.
Hybrid models
Many self-custodial wallets rely on a service provider for convenience: a Lightning service provider (LSP) that opens channels (Phoenix, Zeus with Olympus), swap-based designs (Muun), or newer layers such as Spark and Liquid. You keep your keys, but you depend on that provider for smooth day-to-day use.
Lightning wallet fees explained
- Routing fees: paid to nodes that forward your payment. Usually a few sats.
- Channel and liquidity fees: charged when a provider opens a channel or adds capacity so you can receive. This is why your first incoming payment can cost money.
- Swap fees: charged when moving between Lightning and on-chain, or in swap-based wallets.
- On-chain fees: paid to Bitcoin miners and rise when the network is busy.
Which Lightning wallet should you choose?
- You want your own keys with little setup: Phoenix or Starr.
- You want to receive a payment in the next minute: Wallet of Satoshi.
- You run a node at home: Zeus.
- You run a shop or café: Blink.
- You pay on websites and Nostr: Alby Hub.
- You mostly hold on-chain and pay Lightning occasionally: Muun or Phoenix.
Lightning wallet safety tips
- Keep only spending money in a Lightning wallet; hold savings in cold storage.
- Write down your recovery phrase on paper and test restoring it with a small amount.
- Download apps only from the official App Store, Google Play or the vendor's website.
- Never share your recovery phrase. No real support team will ask for it.
FAQ
What is the best Lightning wallet in 2026?
It depends on how much control you want. Phoenix and Starr are simple self-custodial choices for most people. Wallet of Satoshi is the quickest way to start, Zeus suits people who run their own node, Blink suits merchants, and Alby suits web and Nostr payments.
What is the best Lightning wallet for beginners?
Wallet of Satoshi is the quickest start because you can receive right away. If you want to hold your own keys from day one, Phoenix or Starr keep setup short: install, write down your recovery phrase, and you can send and receive without managing channels.
Is Wallet of Satoshi custodial?
It can be. Self-custody is available everywhere, but custodial mode is offered in select regions, and new users get custodial mode where it's available. Check which mode your wallet is in before you deposit a large amount.
What's the difference between a custodial and non-custodial Lightning wallet?
In a custodial wallet, the company holds the bitcoin and you hold an account balance. In a non-custodial (self-custodial) wallet, the keys are on your device, so only you can move the funds. Self-custody removes company risk but makes you responsible for your recovery phrase.
Which Lightning wallet has the lowest fees?
Few wallets publish full fee schedules, so a fair ranking isn't possible. Phoenix publishes 0.4% plus 4 sats per payment. Zeus charges no app fee beyond routing and channel costs. Swap-based wallets like Muun can cost more when on-chain fees are high.
Do Lightning wallets support on-chain Bitcoin?
Most do. Phoenix, Muun, Zeus, Starr and Alby Hub handle on-chain bitcoin directly. Wallet of Satoshi can send to on-chain addresses. Check the on-chain column in the table above for each wallet.
Do I need KYC to use a Lightning wallet?
Usually not. Self-custodial wallets like Phoenix, Starr, Zeus and Muun need no ID. Some custodial wallets ask for identity details to raise limits, and buying bitcoin inside any app usually requires KYC through the payment partner.
What happens if my Lightning wallet company shuts down, or I lose my phone?
With a self-custodial wallet, your recovery phrase restores your funds in the same or a compatible app, so test your backup early. With a custodial wallet, your money depends on the company. Keep only spending amounts in any Lightning wallet.