To interact with the Monero blockchain, you need a secure wallet. Unlike Bitcoin, Monero is private by default. Below are the most trusted open-source wallets. We cover official desktop clients like the Monero GUI and Feather Wallet, as well as mobile solutions like Cake Wallet and Monerujo.
Desktop Wallets
1. Monero GUI Wallet
Official ClientThe Monero GUI (Graphical User Interface) is the official wallet developed by the Monero Core Team. It is the most robust way to store XMR.
- Best For: Users who want to run a full node (maximum privacy) or connect to a remote node.
- Pros: Official support, supports hardware wallets (Ledger/Trezor), highly configurable.
- Cons: Can be resource-heavy if running a full node (downloading the whole blockchain).
Installation Guide:
- 1. Download from the official GetMonero website.
- 2. Verify the SHA256 hashes (crucial for security).
- 3. Run the installer. During setup, select "Simple Mode" (bootstrapped) for faster sync, or "Advanced Mode" to run a full node.
2. Feather Wallet
Privacy FocusedFeather is a free, open-source Monero wallet that looks and feels like Electrum. It is lightweight and includes built-in Tor integration.
- Best For: Tails OS users, users with older hardware, and those who want Tor routing by default.
- Pros: Native Tor support, Coin Control (manage specific UTXOs), deterministic builds.
- Cons: Interface is utilitarian (not "modern").
Installation Guide:
- 1. Visit featherwallet.org.
- 2. Download the AppImage (Linux) or Setup.exe (Windows).
- 3. Tip: Feather includes a "Checker" tool to verify that your download has not been tampered with.
3. Monero CLI Wallet
Advanced / LinuxThe Command Line Interface (CLI) wallet offers the most control but requires using a terminal. It is often used on servers or headless Linux machines.
Quick Start Command (Linux):
./monero-wallet-cli
When running the CLI, you will need to connect to a daemon (monerod) or a remote node to sync.
Mobile Wallets
4. Cake Wallet
iOS & AndroidCake Wallet is a highly popular, open-source mobile wallet. It allows for non-custodial storage and includes a built-in exchange to swap BTC/LTC for XMR.
- Best For: iOS users and beginners.
- Features: Built-in exchange, FaceID support, supports multiple cryptocurrencies.
Note: Following the MyMonero sunset announcement, Cake Wallet is the official recommended migration partner.
5. Monerujo Wallet
Android OnlyMonerujo is a lightweight Android wallet that connects to remote nodes. It is known for its "Street Mode" and Ledger Nano S integration via OTG cable.
- Best For: Android users who want hardware wallet support on mobile.
- Unique Feature: XMR.to integration (allows you to pay Bitcoin addresses using your Monero balance anonymously).
6. MyMonero
SunsettingMyMonero is a lightweight wallet developed by core Monero members. It does not require downloading the blockchain as it parses the blockchain on a server (view-key access).
MyMonero has announced it is sunsetting its services. The backend will go offline in January 2026.
Users are strongly advised to migrate their seeds to Cake Wallet or Monero GUI immediately. Do not create new wallets on MyMonero.
Where to Spend XMR
Once you have your wallet set up, you can use these verified markets which exclusively accept Monero (XMR) for transactions.
Summary: Which one should I choose?
| Your Needs | Recommended Wallet |
|---|---|
| Maximum Security / Hardware Wallet Support | Monero GUI (Desktop) |
| Ease of use on iPhone | Cake Wallet |
| Android User / Lightweight | Monerujo |
| Darknet / Tor Usage (Tails OS) | Feather Wallet |
