Cardano is one of the foremost blockchains in the crypto space. It was the first blockchain built based on peer-reviewed research. A Cardano wallet is a software or hardware device designed for investors to store their ADA (Cardano's native token) securely on the Cardano blockchain.

Cardano was also one of the first blockchains to use the proof of stake algorithm, which is more energy-efficient compared to proof of work. The best Cardano wallets support extra features such as staking in a pool, swapping, and DApp integrations.

Here is a look at five of the best Cardano wallets.

1. Daedalus

String of text on black background

Daedalus is a non-custodial single-asset desktop wallet created by IOHK. Charles Hoskinson, the creator of the Cardano blockchain, launched IOHK in 2015, and it houses the Daedalus wallet, among several other projects.

Daedalus serves as an open-source full-node wallet for ADA. It is a hierarchical deterministic (HD) wallet, and it comes with a full Cardano node that stores the Cardano blockchain's entire history. It functions as a validator of all blocks and transactions for a fully trustless and autonomous operation. It is one of the most popular wallets for storing ADA and is currently available on Linux, Windows, and macOS operating systems.

Daedalus provides a full set-up platform to earn via staking and has a high degree of security. As a full-node wallet, Daedalus supports the verification of transactions on the Cardano blockchain. This requires a high level of computing power compared to the other wallets because the user must run a full blockchain.

Daedalus also offers users the following:

  • The ability to have multiple wallet accounts on the same interface.
  • A hierarchical deterministic wallet, which means it uses a seed to generate a public and private key for each transaction.
  • The option to customize their preferred wallet theme.
  • Receive crypto news directly on the platform for decision-making on crypto investments.

Daedelus is the preferred wallet for ardent Cardano users because it encourages support for the blockchain while providing wallet services to the user.

Download: Daedelus for Windows | macOS | Linux (Free)

2. Eternl

String of text on black background

Eternl is a browser-based and mobile Cardano wallet that offers users real-time interaction with the Cardano blockchain, allowing users to send, receive, and store ADA. Unlike Daedalus, users don't have to download the entire blockchain. Eternl can be accessed on the web as a browser extension and as an Android or iOS application.

Eternl is compatible with all other Cardano wallets, and it comes with a couple of other features:

  • Peer-to-peer trading of ADA.
  • Staking pools for ADA with over 3,000 pools available.
  • Trading ADA through DEXs (Decentralized Exchanges)
  • NFT trading and display.

The team consists of developers from community stake pools Titan staking and AhlNet with a strong commitment to adding new features requested by the Cardano community. Future features currently under consideration include smart contract support, wallet locking, and CSV exports.

Eternl allows users to connect their wallets to Cardano DApps and become eligible for catalyst voting, a community-driven initiative for determining the Cardano ideas/projects that will receive funding. Eternl ranks high on Cardano wallets, providing a lightweight client for connecting and interacting with the Cardano blockchain without downloading the entire blockchain.

Download: Eternl for Chrome/Brave/Opera/Edge | Android | iOS (Free)

3. Yoroi

String of text on white background

Yoroi wallet is one of the best and most versatile wallets for Cardano enthusiasts. Built by the Emurgo foundation, it is a non-custodial ADA wallet that allows users to store their Cardano-based assets securely. Yoroi can be used on the desktop (Windows, Linux, and macOS) or mobile (Android and iOS).

Yoroi wallet supports the listing and trading of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). It also has a DApp connection, allowing users to interact with DApps for NFTs and DeFi (Decentralized Finance). In addition, it is a dedicated Cardano wallet and supports all NFTs created on the Cardano blockchain.

A key feature of the Yoroi wallet is that it doesn't download the entire Cardano blockchain. Instead, it connects to trusted servers that have a full copy of the blockchain, acting as a dedicated interface between the user and the Cardano blockchain. As a result, the memory consumption on the host client is also lightweight.

Download: Yoroi for Chrome | Edge | Firefox | Android | iOS (Free)

4. Typhon

String of text on black background

Typhon is another lightweight wallet for the Cardano blockchain. It is a native web and browser extension wallet for storing ADA. This wallet supports the staking of ADA into dedicated staking pools with the ability to earn passive income. NFTs can be traded and stored on the Cardano blockchain using Typhon. It also integrates with hardware wallets, such as Ledger Nano and Trezor.

Typhon has a number of key features:

  • All-in-one gateway for access to the Cardano blockchain
  • Multi-signature transaction signing.
  • Stake your ADA on multiple staking pools of your choice with multi-accounts
  • Create as many accounts as possible for storing ADA.
  • Catalyst voting for proposals.
  • Choose multiple address wallets or operate with just a single address wallet.

Typhon supports multi accounts with a single seed phrase. This allows users to stake to multiple pools with just one wallet. Users can also add metadata to their on-chain transactions.

Download: Typhon for Chrome | Edge | Brave | (Free)

5. AdaLite

String of text on white background

Formerly known as CardanoLite, AdaLite is a browser-based ADA wallet developed by VacuumLabs. Just like other wallets on this list, AdaLite supports the staking of ADA via delegated pools. It currently boasts over 30,000 stakers.

A distinct feature of AdaLite is its interoperability. It can easily synchronize with Yoroi and other Cardano-based wallets. Other features include:

  • Earn upwards of 3% for staking ADA.
  • NFT trading, storage, and management.
  • Interoperable with Yoroi and other Cardano-based wallets.
  • Ability to use 12, 15, 24, or 27-word mnemonic seed phrases when creating a new wallet or backing up an existing one.

What's Your Favorite Cardano (ADA) Wallet?

Multiple types of wallets are available on the Cardano blockchain, each varying in terms of convenience, security, and ease of use. Although most wallets function similarly, they possess key differences that give them their unique edge.

The best Cardano wallets offer a mix of trading, secure storage, and blockchain operations, making them the better choice for investors wanting to manage all of their ADA on a single platform.