Electrum is one of the longest-running Bitcoin wallets, created in 2011 by German computer scientist Thomas Voegtlin. As a lightweight SPV (Simplified Payment Verification) wallet, Electrum connects to external servers to query blockchain data rather than downloading the entire Bitcoin blockchain, allowing it to sync in seconds rather than days. Electrum is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.
Electrum is known for its advanced features and reliability. The wallet supports hardware wallet integration with Trezor, Ledger, and other devices, multisignature transactions, coin control (allowing users to select specific inputs for transactions), and the ability to connect through Tor for improved privacy. Electrum also supports offline transaction signing for cold storage setups, where an air-gapped computer signs transactions that are broadcast from an online machine.
The wallet is fully open source, with its code hosted on GitHub. Electrum uses a seed phrase system for backup and recovery, and supports custom fee settings, Replace-By-Fee (RBF), and Lightning Network payments. It remains one of the most recommended Bitcoin wallets for users who want a balance of security, speed, and advanced functionality without running a full node.
Key Features
- Lightweight SPV — Fast sync without downloading the full blockchain
- Hardware Wallet Support — Compatible with Trezor, Ledger, and other devices
- Cold Storage — Offline transaction signing for maximum security
- Lightning Network — Support for fast, low-cost Bitcoin payments
- Coin Control — Select specific inputs and freeze addresses
- Open Source — Fully auditable code on GitHub