Ledger vs Keepkey


There are many choices out there for hardware crypto wallets. I have chosen to review 2 of the top wallets available. Each have their own chrome apps, the Ledger uses Ledger Manager, and the Keepkey uses Keepkey Client. We'll make a complete comparison of the Ledger vs Keepkey in some of the key areas. Keep in mind hardware wallets, in general, are the safest form of protection for your cryptocurrencies out there. Both the Ledger and the Keepkey are excellent wallets that will keep your cryptocurrencies safe, but even a wallet can't protect against negligence. So, don't advertise that you own crypto and don't hold your hardware wallets in any easily accessible locations. Make sure that the pin code for each is unknown by others and don't use any hardware wallet in a public location.

I would suggest using the hardware wallets and accessing any crypto related sources such as a broker on a clean computer that you use strictly for cryptocurrency access. The wallets will be safe regardless of whether you use this secure computer or not, but other sources of crypto may not be. This source includes online brokers, online wallets such as Exodus or even stores accepting bitcoin. Use a VPN when online and accessing crypto related platforms.

Just a quick lesson as to what a hardware wallet does: 

  • you access your particular crypto currency through a private key (an extra long encrypted password)
  • accessing means being able to withdraw the cryptocurrency and determine how much is in storage on the block chain
  • this key needs to be protected but easily accessed
  • the Ledger or Keepkey protects and stores your private keys so that only you can access them 
  • the Ledger or Keepkey has it own password chosen by you
  • the Ledger or Keepkay information is recoverable as long as you have the original generated seed phrases

 

Keepkey Features

The Keepkey is one of the sharpest-looking hard wallets of all. Its broad face and clear digital interface make it one of my favourites. There’s no difficulty seeing what exactly transpires on the interface compared to its smaller competitors.

 

It’s designed similarly to the other major hardware wallets; you must first store a Chrome extension on your Chrome browser. This extension allows you to initialize and send transactions. You’re first promoted to set up a pin number, and then you’re given your recovery phrases for one time only. These phrases are essential since they allow you to reset your device or set up a new machine to reaccess your keys.

The Keepkey device well protects these keys, and you can write down the phrases that help access your private keys as a backup. You should secure at least two copies of this phrase in a very secure place. These phrases should be shown to no one else since they give complete access to the private keys. The private keys control everything and allow you to transfer your cryptocurrency to other wallets.

 

KeepKey Security 

I haven’t found out as much about the Keepkey’s security as I’d like, but I’ll keep this updated as I learn more. The Keepkey is well respected and considered one of the most highly secured wallets. It has a plethora of security features.

The Keepkey uses the STM32F205RGT6 chip from STMicroelectronics. It’s been certified in such respected publications as FIPS PUB 140-2, and FIPS PUB 180-2.

The chip uses limited rules to communicate with computers, and therefore the private keys needed to access your crypto are never attainable by hackers.

Ledger Nano S Features

The Ledger is a sleeker version of the 2 wallets. It’s about 1/5 the size of the Keepkey and looks more like a USB stick than the device for storing many of the renowned cryptocurrencies. It has a smaller screen and is more difficult to view than the Keepkey. Whereas the Keepkey has one button, the ledger has two. It is still relatively easy to use, depending on a Chrome app or other apps such as myetherwallet for access

Like the Keepkey, you can access Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum and Litecoin. The Keepkey now boasts an even more extensive list of cryptocurrencies and is growing. However, the Ledger Nano S’ list of cryptocurrencies that can be stored is even more extensive.

The Ledger Nano S is protected similarly to the Keepkey. When the Ledger is first accessed, it displays the seed phrases that allow you to reset the wallet just as the Keepkey does. These seed expressions should be written down and stored as they allow a complete wallet restoration or permit the same wallet to open on a second Ledger. The Ledger and Keepkey are called hardware wallets but enable access to the wallet stored on the blockchain.

A pin number is expected to be entered once the seed phrases are written down in order. This pin number is what you’ll use to access the wallet through the Ledger. Don’t lose the seed phrases or the pin.

If you lose the seeds, it can be game over. Your “coins” will be lost in the crypto land forever.

 

Ledger Nano S  Security

Ledger created its own operating system called BOLOS to support crypto assets. This is continually improved with regular updates, again for your peace of mind.

Ledger vs Keepkey: a Comparison

I’ve already mentioned some differences between the Keepkey and the Ledger, but I would like to summarize these in some charts. First of all, the prices are close and change over time. Presently the Keepkey costs $128, and the Ledger costs $99. Again, the Keepkey stores several cryptos but the Ledger stores so many more. This selection may change with time since the two wallets are always being updated.

They’re both considered some of the best out there regarding security. I will explore the finer details in future updates. 

Here is a comparison table showing some of the coins offered for both. These are not extensive since the Ledger allows even greater access through the app Myetherwallet:

        Device App

             Ledger Nano

                  Keepkey

         Bitcoin

         Bitcoin Cash

         Bitcoin Gold

         Ethereum

         Ethereum Classic

         Litecoin

         Dodgecoiin

         Zcash

         XRP

         Dash

        Argon

        Augur

         Ark

         Basic Attention Token

         Bancor

         Civic

         DigixDAO

         Disrixox

         Edgeless

         Expanse

         First Blood

         Funfair

         Gnosis

         Golem

         Iconomi

         IExec

         Komodo

         Matchpool

         Melon

         Metal

         NEO

         Numeraire

         Omisego

         Ripio Credit Network

         Salt

         SingularDTV

         Status

         Stealth

         Stellar

         Storj

         SwarmCity

         TenX

         WeTrust

         Wings

         Ox

         Ubiq

         Verticoin

         Viacoin

Compatability


Again, both wallets are easy to set up. Both require a micro USB and a pin code plus a recovery set of seed phrases.


Both are secured by a minicomputer system or set of chips. 


Software Compatibility for each  wallet is slightly different:


For the Keepkey:

Myclenium, Electrum, Green Address, Green Bits, Multi bit HD, Copay,Keepkey Chrome,


For the Ledger Nano S:

same as above except for 

the Multi Bit and the Ledger Chrome instead


Ledger vs Keepkey: the Winner

The winner between Ledger vs Keepkey, in my opinion, is the Ledger. The Ledger Nano S allows even more access to different coins than what is shown in the above table, all through a separate app known as Myetherwallet. The Ledger will allow more direct access to altcoins in a later update through the Ledger Live Manager. The Leger Nano S is cheaper, easier to store, has more software that it's compatible with, and stores more coins. The Ledger Nano S is a top favorite because it is well known in the industry followed by the Trezor. Ledger also has simplified things by integrating its app Ledger Manager with a more inclusive app, Ledger Live. 

Until Keepkey catches up to the number of coins offered it's going to fall behind those who are interested in the altcoin markets. The Alt coin markets will grow because they provide utility whereas some of the other coins like bitcoin don't. There will come a time when utility coins such as XRP will surpass Bitcoin.

Despite what some may think, institutional money will salivate at the feet of XRP and only pay homage to Bitcoin. It's better to own a wallet that accounts for this competition and allows XRP deposits and withdrawals. The Ledger allows both.

For those interested in a larger more easily viewed screen with less emphasis on alt coins, the Keepkey will be the way to go.

Conclusion

The choice of a hardware wallet is up to you, but you should be safe with either of these just reviewed. The Ledger and Keepkey are both excellently designed and account for many of the sales of hardware wallets. The Trezor ranks up there as well, but I leave that for another review.

The Keepkey allows access through its Chrome app. The Ledger Nano allows access through separate apps such as the Ledger Bitcoin wallet app, Ledger Ripple wallet app, Ledger Litecoin wallet, Ledger Ethereum wallet app or the Ledger Live Manager. 

If you have any questions please ask under the comments below.

The above chart shows that the storage of many coins is available. If you're interested in buying either the Ledger Nano S or Keepkey, please try my affiliate links below:

The previous article was a review of products of which I am genuinely very supportive. I may receive compensation if you click on any of the Ledger Nano or Keepkey links.

PLEASE SHARE AND CONSIDER PURCHASING A WALLET FROM ONE OF MY AFFILIATE LINKS BELOW, THANK YOU:

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