Best Monero Wallets: How to Choose the Right XMR Wallet

The problem of finding the best Monero wallet in 2026 resides in how this cryptocurrency is developed. Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, Monero builds its concept on privacy and anonymity. This makes choosing where to store XMR more complex.

In this guide, we will walk you through the top XMR wallets, including both mobile and desktop wallets, as well as hardware and paper wallets. You will learn about the features of a safe XMR wallet, the operating platforms supported by XMR, and finally, how to pick a wallet. You will be well-informed about the top Monero wallets in the market in the year 2026.

What is an XMR wallet and how Monero privacy works

An XMR wallet is the gateway to using Monero while maintaining the privacy the network promises. Unlike transparent cryptocurrencies, Monero uses ring signatures, stealth addresses, and confidential transactions to hide sender, recipient, and transaction amounts. In our previous article we explained in more detail how Monero works.

Choosing the right Monero wallet means ensuring your coins are not only safe but that your identity remains protected. Mobile, desktop, hardware, and web wallets all serve the same basic function – holding and transacting XMR – but with varying levels of privacy, security, and convenience.

Why you need a secure and anonymous Monero wallet

Privacy is the core of Monero. Without a truly anonymous Monero wallet, your transactions could be exposed to surveillance or tracking, undermining the very reason you chose XMR. A secure wallet encrypts your private keys, keeps your spending history private, and ensures your anonymous XMR wallet experience isn’t compromised.

Best Monero wallets 2026: quick comparison table

These best XMR wallets and top cold Monero wallets highlight the diversity of options, letting you balance convenience, security, and platform preference.

Best crypto wallet for Monero: what to look for

When choosing the top crypto wallet for XMR, focus on security, privacy, and platform compatibility. Look for open-source code, active developer support, and a strong track record. Wallets that allow offline storage, integrate easily with exchanges, and provide recovery options should be prioritized.

Best multifunctional wallet for Monero

NOW Wallet honestly feels like what so many Monero users have been waiting for: a multifunctional, everyday XMR wallet that actually works without eating your time or privacy. First, it runs on both mobile and desktop, so you’re not stuck with one device or forced into clunky environments. You don’t have to register, verify your identity, or hand over a phone number. That might sound small, but for Monero users who chose XMR because it’s private, that’s huge.

In practice, NOW Wallet lets you:

• Send and receive Monero easily — the UI is clear, and you get a proper XMR address and QR code without jumping through menus.
• Swap assets directly inside the wallet — no exporting to a different app or exchange, you can convert 1200+ coins into XMR (or vice versa).
• Control privacy features — it respects Monero’s core design instead of slapping a flashy interface over a half-baked backend.
• Manage multiple accounts and addresses — handy if you want to separate savings, spending, or project funds [9].

NOW Wallet actually does the heavy lifting: real wallet control, simple backups, solid security practices, multilingual support, and enough tools to be your go-to for both basic and advanced Monero use. For people who want one wallet to rule their XMR life — from everyday spending to cautious hodling — NOW Wallet is legitimately multifunctional without the steep learning curve that comes with full-node desktop setups.

NOW Wallet reviews

App Store rating: 4.5/5 Google Play rating: 4.2/5

The community values NOW Wallet primarily for its smooth processes, user-friendly and intuitive design, and a support team that is always ready to assist in any situation. In so

Some users occasionally experience delays in receiving coins, usually due to blockchain synchronization. Another point of concern is that NOW Wallet isn’t open-source, which may matter to more privacy-conscious users. Despite these issues, the overall user feedback remains positive, highlighting its smooth experience and reliability.

Best mobile Monero wallet

The first thing you should think about when choosing Monero mobile wallet is what you want to do with it. Are you looking for a wallet that is easy to use for everyday purchases, one that protects your privacy to the fullest, or one that can hold multiple assets and exchanges in one place?

Next, we’ll break things down by platform, looking at the best wallets for iOS first, and then Android, so you can pick the one that fits your style and goals.

Best Monero wallet for Android

A Monero (XMR) wallet for Android should strike a careful balance between usability and uncompromising privacy. At a minimum, it needs strong local security, full control over private keys, reliable backup options, and features that preserve Monero’s core promise of anonymity. One of the most respected Android options that consistently meets these requirements is Monerujo.

Monerujo is a free and open-source Monero wallet built specifically for users who care about transparency and control. Because the code is publicly auditable, there is no hidden logic handling your funds or data. All Monero keys and public addresses are generated and processed locally on the device, then transmitted to the Monero network only in encrypted form. The app does not collect personal data beyond what is strictly required to function [10].

From a privacy standpoint, Monerujo goes further than most Android wallets. Street Mode allows users to hide balances and transaction history when using the wallet in public, while CrAzYpass encrypts local wallet files with an automatically generated, extremely strong password. For advanced users, CaesarSeed adds support for offset passphrases on top of standard seed phrases, significantly increasing protection against physical compromise.

Monerujo also offers flexible network control. Users can connect to trusted community nodes, add custom nodes, or rely on NodeScan, which automatically searches for available public nodes on the Monero network. Background syncing is supported without weakening device security, ensuring the wallet is always ready to transact.

On the usability side, features like PocketChange automatically create spendable outputs after each transaction, reducing waiting time between payments. OpenAlias support makes sending XMR more human-readable, and built-in QR scanning simplifies everyday use. Hardware wallet integration with Ledger Nano S devices adds another layer of security for users managing larger balances.

For those who need to move in and out of Monero, Monerujo integrates swaps via Exolix, allowing conversions without identity verification. In these cases, only the destination address, amount, and potentially the IP address are shared with the exchange provider, as clearly outlined in Monerujo’s privacy policy [8].

Monerujo Wallet reviews

• PlayStore score: 3.9/5
• Reddit opinion: mostly positive
• Main drawback: poor interface and rare updates

Reddit users have been with Monerujo for years now. Most of reviews are positive, highlighting security and nod support:

However, the big disadvantage, according to real user experience, is poor interface and rare updates:

Overall, Monerujo stands out as one of the best Monero wallets for Android thanks to its strict privacy model, open-source foundation, advanced security features, and practical design for daily use. For Android users who want full control over their XMR without sacrificing convenience, it remains a top-tier choice.

Best Monero wallet for iOS: Cake Wallet

Let’s be honest: iOS is not exactly a playground for privacy-first crypto tools. Apple prefers tidy, controlled ecosystems. Monero prefers the opposite. That’s precisely why Cake Wallet matters. It manages to exist, function well, and stay true to Monero’s principles inside Apple’s walled garden, which is no small achievement.

Cake Wallet is a non-custodial Monero wallet, meaning your private keys are created and stored locally on your device. No accounts, no sign-ups, no emails, no quiet data harvesting in the background. The project is open source, so anyone can inspect how it works. Transactions go directly to the Monero network, and the wallet itself does not collect personal data to operate.

On the security side, Cake Wallet does what iOS allows and does it well. The wallet supports PIN codes and biometric authentication, encrypts local data, and keeps sensitive information strictly on-device. You don’t get the same deep node-level control you might find on Android, but the fundamentals are solid and reliable, which is exactly what most iOS users care about [1].

Where Cake Wallet really pulls ahead is usability. The interface is clean, modern, and doesn’t punish you for not being a blockchain engineer. Sending and receiving XMR is simple, OpenAlias is supported, QR scanning works smoothly, and the app generally behaves like a polished financial product rather than an experimental crypto tool [2].

Cake Wallet also supports in-app swaps through integrated third-party exchange services, making it easy to move in and out of Monero without leaving the app. These exchanges are typically KYC-free, but swap providers and the app itself may see transaction details and IP addresses, as outlined in their own privacy policies [3].

By the way, we have a guide on swapping Monero in Cake Wallet via ChangeNOW. Enjoy!

Cake Wallet reviews

• App Store rating: 4.7/5
• Play Store rating: 4.7/5

Community feedback on Reddit is largely positive. People praise the security and flawless interface:

Main drawback: bugs and lack of other networks support.

Among Monero users, Cake Wallet has earned a reputation for being stable, well-maintained, and refreshingly easy to use.

Power users sometimes miss deeper customization options.

But most people appreciate regular updates and an interface that doesn’t feel like a side quest.

In short, Cake Wallet is the top Monero wallet for iOS right now. It offers strong privacy fundamentals, true ownership of your XMR, and an experience that feels natural on iPhone.

Best desktop XMR Wallets

When it comes to XMR desktop wallets, Monero users tend to be brutally practical. Security matters more than visuals, control matters more than convenience, and anything that feels half-baked gets ignored fast. That’s why, across Windows, macOS, and Linux, the conversation usually circles back to the official Monero wallets. They are not flashy, but they are trusted, battle-tested, and built by the people who actually develop Monero.

Best Monero wallet for Windows

For Windows users, the **Monero GUI Wallet **is widely considered the gold standard. It is an open-source desktop wallet developed by Monero itself, completely free to use, and suitable for both beginners and advanced users. That alone already sets it apart from many third-party wallets.

The key strength of the Monero GUI Wallet is flexibility without pressure. In Simple mode, the wallet automatically connects to a remote node, letting you send and receive XMR with minimal setup. You open the wallet, sync, transact, and you’re done. No deep technical knowledge required. For more experienced users, Advanced mode gives you full control over node configuration, local blockchain syncing, and privacy settings, making it suitable for serious long-term Monero users.

The wallet also includes practical extras that matter on desktop: a merchant page for accepting XMR payments, hardware wallet support for Ledger and Trezor, in-app fiat price conversion, and blockchain pruning to reduce disk usage if storage is limited. With support for over 30 languages, the Monero GUI Wallet feels like infrastructure rather than an experiment, which is exactly why Windows users trust it.

The community also appreciates the Monero GUI Wallet for being both secure and easy to use, which makes it a reliable option whether you’re just getting started or have been using Monero for years:

Best Monero wallet for Mac

On macOS, the situation is refreshingly simple. The Monero GUI Wallet is again considered the best overall choice. Unlike many crypto tools that treat Mac support as an afterthought, the official Monero wallet runs reliably on macOS and offers the same feature set as on Windows.

That said, Mac users who want a more modern, multi-asset experience often look at Stack Wallet as a strong alternative. Stack Wallet is fully open-source, non-custodial, and built with privacy as a default, not an optional setting. Private keys stay on your device, all supported privacy technologies are enabled automatically, and the wallet does not touch your funds. On macOS, Stack Wallet feels polished and approachable, while still respecting the fundamentals that privacy-focused users expect [5].

App Store rating: 4.3/5

Community sentiment: overall positive. Stack Wallet is often called a “hidden gem in the sea” thanks to its clean UI, strong security features, and support for multiple wallets.

Overall, Stack Wallet is a solid choice for macOS users who want a modern, privacy-first, multi-asset wallet without complexity.

Best Monero wallet for Linux

On Linux, the Monero GUI Wallet is still an excellent choice and works exactly as intended. However, within the Linux community, one wallet consistently stands out as a favorite: Feather Wallet.

Feather is a free, open-source Monero desktop wallet written in C++ using the Qt framework. It supports Linux, Tails, macOS, and Windows, but it has earned particular respect among Linux users for its speed, efficiency, and thoughtful defaults. Feather is lightweight, fast, and runs smoothly even on modest hardware, virtual machines, and live operating systems [6].

Despite being beginner-friendly, Feather does not limit advanced users. Its feature set is comparable to the official Monero CLI, offering strong privacy controls and configuration options for more complex or high-threat use cases. At the same time, it ships with sensible defaults that work well out of the box, reducing the risk of misconfiguration.

This wallet is also praised by the community:

Reddit users have strong opinions… and a sense of humor:

Another reason the community values Feather is its role as a testing ground for new ideas. Experimental features often appear here first before being considered for inclusion in reference wallets [7].

As a result, many Linux users consider Feather the best Monero wallet for Linux, especially if they want something fast, flexible, and deeply aligned with Monero’s technical philosophy.

XMR cold wallets: what is the best Monero hardware wallet?

Monero cold wallet is the best way to keep your privacy coin safe. Hackers, malware, and phishing attacks can't get to your private keys because these devices keep them completely offline. Trezor and Ledger are the two best places to get Monero in 2026. Both wallets are advised as top choices on Monero website.

Let's look at both XMR cold wallet families in more detail so you can see which one fits your style.

Trezor: Open-Source and Clear

For years, Trezor has been the best hardware wallet. Anyone can look at the code of its devices because they are all open-source. Public security audits also make sure that the firmware is safe. The official Monero GUI Wallet and third-party apps like Feather all work with the Model T, Safe 3, and Safe 5. They keep your keys safe and offline, let you sign transactions safely, and work for both new and experienced users [11].

If you care about being open and honest, having open-source firmware, and having full control over recovery options, Trezor is the best choice.

Ledger: Multi-Coin and Flexible

Ledger does things a little differently. Its wallets offer strong hardware security, support for multiple coins, and the option to access them from a mobile device. You can use the GUI wallet or Feather to manage multiple cryptocurrencies with the Nano X and Nano S Plus. Your keys stay offline [12].

The Nano X has Bluetooth, which makes it easy to check your balance or sign transactions on your phone. The S Plus is easier to use and less expensive, but it still keeps your Monero completely offline and safe.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both these hardware wallets that support Monero keep your coins safe, but they are better for different types of people:

• Trezor: The best choice if you want open-source transparency, a touchscreen, and a device you can check yourself.
• Ledger: The best choice if you want a sleek hardware security solution that works on mobile devices and supports multiple coins. A hardware wallet keeps your XMR offline, so you can relax and know that you have full control over your money, no matter what.

In our previous review of the best crypto wallets, we took a closer look at different hardware wallet models and compared them in more detail.

How We Compared the Best Monero Wallets

When evaluating the top Monero wallets for 2026, we focused on a combination of official guidance and real-world user experience. First, we consulted the official Monero website to ensure each wallet meets the core requirements for privacy, security, and full control over private keys. Wallets recommended by the Monero team are prioritized because they follow the protocol’s best practices and implement features like proper key management, stealth addresses, and ring signatures correctly. Check our previous article to learn about how Monero works.

In addition to official standards, we also analyzed user feedback from communities like Reddit. Real users highlight practical issues that aren’t always obvious in technical specifications. By considering these insights, we were able to assess which wallets are not just secure in theory, but also convenient and reliable in everyday use.

Finally, our comparison considered overall user experience, including setup simplicity, backup options, cross-platform support, and integrated features such as in-wallet swaps or OpenAlias support. Combining official recommendations, community feedback, and usability metrics gives a balanced picture of the wallets that perform best in both privacy protection and everyday practicality.

Conclusion: which XMR wallet to choose?

Monero wallets vary widely in functionality, security, and convenience. Mobile wallets like NOW Wallet and Monerujo are ideal for everyday users. Cake Wallet is the best iOS choice. Desktop users can rely on Monero GUI, Stack, or Feather. Cold storage with Trezor or Ledger ensures maximum safety. The key is balancing usability with privacy.

Monero Wallets FAQ

1. Is there an anonymous Monero wallet?

Yes. Monero itself is private by design, but the wallet you use still matters. Some wallets give you full control, others quietly leak metadata. Full-node options like the official Monero GUI are the gold standard for privacy, but they’re not for everyone. If you want something simpler, NOW Wallet is a solid option. It doesn’t ask for registration, emails, or personal data, and you control your keys. That makes it a practical anonymous Monero wallet for everyday use without overcomplicating things.

2. How to store Monero offline?

Yes, and it’s one of the safest ways to hold XMR long-term. Monero offline wallet or paper wallets are perfect if you want to avoid exposing private keys online. This can be done with hardware wallets, cold storage setups, or even paper wallets. Hardware wallets are the most forgiving if you’re not technical. Paper wallets work too, but one mistake with backups or storage and the funds are gone. Offline storage is best if you’re not planning to move your Monero often.

3. Can I use Monero web wallets?

Yes, there are monero web wallet and online Monero wallet options. Some light wallets offer browser access, but for maximum privacy, avoid web wallets if you store large amounts. They’re convenient for small, quick transactions.

4. What is the safest Monero wallet for beginners?

Safety for beginners is mostly about not screwing things up. NOW Wallet works well here because it’s simple, doesn’t require registration, and still gives you control over your funds. You don’t need to run a node or mess with complex settings. Everything important is explained clearly. If someone wants maximum privacy and doesn’t mind learning more, the official Monero GUI wallet is safer in theory, but it’s easier to make mistakes there if you’re new.

5. How to get a Monero wallet?

The easiest way is to install NOW Wallet on your phone or desktop. You create a wallet in a couple of minutes, write down the recovery phrase, and you’re done. No accounts, no verification. If you want full control and maximum privacy, download the official Monero GUI wallet from the Monero website. Install it, choose whether to use a full node or a remote node, and let it sync. Both options give you a real Monero wallet.

6. How to add money to Monero wallet?

Buying Monero directly with fiat has become complicated in many countries. A simple workaround is using ChangeNOW. You buy Bitcoin or USDT with fiat, then swap BTC for XMR in the same flow. After that, you send the Monero straight to your wallet. It’s fast, doesn’t require registration, and works smoothly with wallets like NOW Wallet or Monero GUI. For most users today, this is the easiest and least stressful way to get Monero.

7. How to check Monero wallet balance?

Your Monero balance only shows correctly after the wallet syncs. Monero doesn’t just “look up” balances like some other coins. It scans the blockchain for transactions linked to your keys. Mobile wallets like NOW Wallet usually handle this automatically and show your balance quickly. Desktop wallets may take longer, especially on first launch. If your balance looks wrong, it’s almost always a syncing issue, not lost funds.

8. How to sync Monero wallet?

Syncing means your wallet scans the blockchain to find your transactions. Full-node wallets download the entire blockchain, which can take hours but gives you maximum privacy. Light wallets connect to remote nodes and sync much faster. If syncing gets stuck, switching nodes, updating the wallet, or restarting the sync usually helps. Slow syncing is annoying, but normal for Monero. Without sync, the wallet can’t show balances or send XMR.

9. How to get an XMR wallet address?

Your XMR wallet address is created automatically when you create the wallet. You don’t need to generate it manually. In wallets like NOW Wallet, it’s shown in the “Receive” section and can be copied or shared as a QR code. In the Monero GUI wallet, the address is visible in the main interface once the wallet is set up. This is the address you use to receive Monero from exchanges, swaps, mining, or other people.

10. What wallets are compatible with Monero?

Most full-node wallets like Monero GUI and light wallets like NOW Wallet support Monero fully. Hardware wallets like Ledger and Trezor also count as Monero supported wallets, while Cake Wallet covers mobile users. Always check official wallet documentation to confirm compatibility.

11. Does Trust Wallet support Monero XMR?

No, Trust Wallet does not support native Monero. Trust Wallet Monero support was never an option on this platform.

12. What happened to Jaxx Wallet (Monero)?

Jaxx Wallet has rebranded and merged features into Cake Wallet for better support and privacy. If you were a Jaxx user, Cake Wallet now covers mobile XMR management with added security and modern UI.

13. Can I use Monero wallet for mining rewards?

Yes. Some wallets allow you to receive XMR from mining directly. For most users, XMR wallet for mining is just a regular wallet address that can receive mined coins. Hardware wallets and full-node wallets can also safely store mining rewards. Always check that your wallet generates a valid XMR address for mining payouts.

Sources:

1. Cake Wallet v4.2.4 Introduces New Background Sync
2. Cake Wallet GitHub Repository
3. How to Swap Monero in Cake Wallet
4. Cake Wallet Privacy Forum
5. StackWallet
6. Feather Wallet Official Site
7. Feather Wallet GitHub
8. Monerujo Privacy Policy
9. NOW Wallet Help Center
10. Monerujo Official Site
11. Trezor Monero Wallet Support
12. Ledger Monero Wallet Support
13. Monero Official Downloads