Wallet of Satoshi Alternatives: Self-Custody Options for 2026
By Jonathan, Founder of Starr. Starr makes one of the wallets on this page.
Wallet of Satoshi now offers two modes: self-custody, available everywhere, and a custodial mode only in select regions. If you want a different app that keeps your keys on your phone, the main alternatives are Phoenix, Starr, Zeus and Muun; Blink is the closest option if you want a custodial-style experience. Facts below were checked on 7 October 2026. You can also see all 7 wallets compared.
Is Wallet of Satoshi custodial?
Short answer: it can be either. Wallet of Satoshi's disclosure says self-custody is available globally and custodial mode only in select regions. Which one you have depends on where you live and which mode you chose. If the difference is new to you, read what non-custodial means.
Self-custody mode vs custodial mode
In self-custody mode, your keys are on your phone and you back up a recovery phrase; if you lose it, nobody can restore your funds for you. In custodial mode (which Wallet of Satoshi calls "classic"), the company holds the bitcoin and you sign in to an account, so recovery works through them. Wallet of Satoshi's support article explains both.
Where custodial mode is no longer offered
Custodial mode was reportedly withdrawn in the US first; sources disagree on the date. In the EU, users reportedly began seeing "No longer available in your region" in January 2026 and were told they could keep using the app in self-custody mode (The Rage, Crypto Times). Wallet of Satoshi has not published a region list or dates.
Do you actually need to switch?
Not necessarily. If you already use Wallet of Satoshi's self-custody mode and like it, it may be all you need. People usually switch because they want a different app, open-source code, or published fees.
Why people look for a Wallet of Satoshi alternative
- They saw "No longer available in your region" on a custodial account.
- They want to try a different app rather than switch modes.
- They want open-source code they or others can check.
- They want fees published before they start; Wallet of Satoshi doesn't publish a Lightning fee schedule.
Wallet of Satoshi alternatives compared
| Wallet | Custody | KYC to start | Lightning send fee | Lightning receive fee | Lightning Address | On-chain | Platforms | Open source | Best for | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wallet of Satoshi | Self-custody everywhere; custodial in select regions | Not stated | Not published [source] | Not published | Yes | Yes (send to address) | iOS, Android | No | Baseline | 7 October 2026 |
| Phoenix | Self-custodial | No | 0.4% + 4 sat [source] | Free; 1% + mining fees if new liquidity is needed; 1,000 sat channel creation | Yes | Yes | iOS, Android | Yes (Apache 2.0) | Closest self-custody experience | 7 October 2026 |
| Starr | Self-custodial (keys on your device) | No KYC, no email | 0.25% + routing fee [source] | Free over Lightning | Yes (username@starr.tips) | Yes | iOS, Android | Yes | Self-custody with no signup | 7 October 2026 |
| Blink | Custodial or self-custodial, depending on country | No ID to sign up (phone number); ID + selfie for higher limits | No Blink fee; routing fees apply [source] | No Blink fee | Yes | Yes | iOS, Android | Yes (MIT) | Closest custodial-style option; merchants | 7 October 2026 |
| Zeus | Self-custodial | No | No app fee; routing fees; channel fee via Olympus [source] | Channel fee when a new channel is needed | Not verified | Yes | iOS, Android | Yes (AGPL-3.0) | Node runners | 7 October 2026 |
| Muun | Self-custodial (2-of-2) | No | Swap + on-chain fees [source] | Swap fees can apply | No | Yes (single balance) | iOS, Android | Yes | One balance for on-chain and Lightning | 7 October 2026 |
"Not published" means we couldn't find the figure on the vendor's own site. Fees and features change, so check each official site before you decide.
The alternatives
Phoenix
Phoenix is the closest self-custodial experience to Wallet of Satoshi: your keys stay on your phone, channels are handled for you, and it includes a Lightning Address. Fees are published: 0.4% + 4 sat to send, free to receive unless new liquidity is needed (1% plus mining fees, and a 1,000 sat channel creation fee). Open source under Apache 2.0. See also Starr vs Phoenix vs Muun.
Starr
Starr is a self-custodial wallet: your keys stay on your device, backed up with a 24-word recovery phrase, and there's no KYC and no email. 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 (fees). The code is open source.
Starr includes a Lightning Address (like username@starr.tips), so people who paid your Wallet of Satoshi address can pay you the same way. You can also receive with a Lightning invoice, a Spark address or on-chain. The trade-off: Starr is newer and mobile only, with fewer independent reviews than Phoenix.
Blink
Blink is the closest option if you want a custodial-style experience. Whether your account is custodial or self-custodial depends on your country (Blink FAQ). It has a Lightning Address and merchant tools, charges no Blink fee to send or receive (routing fees apply), and needs a phone number to sign up, with ID and a selfie for higher limits. Open source under MIT.
Zeus
Zeus is for people who run, or want to run, their own Lightning node. It's self-custodial, has no app fee beyond routing, and charges a channel fee through its Olympus service when a new channel is needed. Open source under AGPL-3.0. More setup than Wallet of Satoshi.
Muun
Muun keeps on-chain and Lightning in a single balance, using a 2-of-2 self-custody setup. Lightning payments are made through swaps, so you pay swap and on-chain fees, and receiving can carry swap fees. It has no Lightning Address. See Starr vs Phoenix vs Muun for a closer look.
What you give up when you leave Wallet of Satoshi
- Account-based recovery in custodial mode. With a self-custody app, your recovery phrase is the only backup.
- In-app buying where Wallet of Satoshi offers it through partners.
You keep a Lightning Address: Starr and Blink both offer one. It's a new address, so tell anyone who pays you.
How to move your funds from Wallet of Satoshi to Starr
- Install Starr from the App Store or Google Play. Use the official links only.
- Create a wallet and write down the 24-word recovery phrase on paper. Don't screenshot it. Then pick a username to get your Starr Lightning Address (username@starr.tips). How to get your Starr Lightning Address
- In Starr, tap Receive and create a Lightning invoice for a small test amount.
- In Wallet of Satoshi, tap Send, scan or paste the Starr invoice, and confirm. Check the fee Wallet of Satoshi shows before you confirm.
- Wait for the test payment to appear in Starr.
- Create a new Starr invoice for the rest, leaving enough in Wallet of Satoshi for any fee, and send it the same way.
- If you only want to switch between Wallet of Satoshi's own modes, follow its in-app instructions instead. This guide only covers moving to a different app.
- Tell anyone who pays your old Wallet of Satoshi Lightning Address that it has changed, and give them your Starr Lightning Address (like username@starr.tips) instead.
Alternative: send on-chain to a Starr Bitcoin address. You pay the on-chain fee Wallet of Satoshi quotes.
FAQ
Is Wallet of Satoshi custodial?
It depends on the mode. Wallet of Satoshi says its self-custody mode is available everywhere, while its custodial mode is only offered in select regions. In self-custody mode you hold the keys and back up a recovery phrase. In custodial mode, Wallet of Satoshi holds the bitcoin for you.
Is Wallet of Satoshi available in the US?
The app's self-custody mode is described as available globally, which includes the US. Its custodial mode was reportedly withdrawn from the US earlier, and reports disagree on the exact date. If you are in the US and want custodial-style simplicity, Blink is often named as the closest option.
Why does Wallet of Satoshi say "No longer available in your region"?
That message has reportedly appeared for custodial accounts in regions where the custodial mode is being withdrawn, such as the EU in January 2026. Users were reportedly told they could keep using the app in self-custody mode. Wallet of Satoshi has not published a list of regions or dates.
What is the best alternative to Wallet of Satoshi?
For self-custody, Phoenix is the closest experience and includes a Lightning Address. Starr suits people who want no signup and simple published fees, Zeus suits node runners, and Muun suits people who want one balance. If you want a custodial-style app, Blink is the nearest match, depending on your country.
Is there a Wallet of Satoshi alternative with a Lightning Address?
Yes. Phoenix, Blink and Starr all offer a Lightning Address. Starr's looks like username@starr.tips, and you can also receive with a Lightning invoice, a Spark address or on-chain. Muun is the one alternative here without a Lightning Address. How to get your Starr Lightning Address
Do I need KYC to use a Wallet of Satoshi alternative?
Usually not. Phoenix, Starr, Zeus and Muun don't ask for ID to start, and Starr doesn't ask for an email either. Blink needs a phone number to sign up and asks for ID and a selfie for higher limits. For other apps, see which wallets and exchanges support Lightning. Wallets and exchanges that support Lightning
How do I move my sats out of Wallet of Satoshi?
Create a Lightning invoice in your new wallet, pay it from Wallet of Satoshi, and start with a small test amount. Once the test arrives, send the rest, leaving enough for the fee. You can also send on-chain to a Bitcoin address, paying the on-chain fee Wallet of Satoshi quotes.
Is Wallet of Satoshi's self-custody mode safe?
In self-custody mode you hold the keys, so the main risk is losing your recovery phrase. Write it on paper, store it safely and never share it. If you already use self-custody mode and like the app, you may not need to switch. Keep only spending money in any Lightning wallet.