Electrum Wallet
The classic Bitcoin desktop wallet (since 2011). Python, lightweight, mature.
Repo: github.com/spesmilo/electrum.
Features
- Multi-platform: Linux, macOS, Windows, Android.
- Light-client by default (Electrum protocol → ElectrumX, electrs, or Fulcrum servers).
- Hardware wallet support: Trezor, Ledger, Coldcard, KeepKey, BitBox.
- Multisig support.
- Lightning (in newer versions, optional).
- Plugin system.
- 2FA via TrustedCoin (custodial 2-of-3 multisig service).
Server choice
By default connects to public ElectrumX servers. For privacy:
- Run your own electrs / Fulcrum.
- Configure Electrum to connect:
Tools → Network → Server.
Compared
| Aspect | Electrum | Sparrow | Specter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maturity | Oldest (2011+) | Newer (2020+) | 2018+ |
| Lightning | optional | partial | yes |
| Detailed PSBT | basic | best | rich |
| Multi-sig | yes | yes | yes |
| HW support | partial | best | rich |
| Mobile | yes (Android) | no | no |
Use cases
- Long-time users familiar with Electrum.
- Mobile (Android) — one of few options.
- Mature stable wallet for daily use.
Common issues
- Default public Electrum servers reveal your address history → use Tor or self-hosted server.
- Plugin compatibility: some plugins outdated.
- Lightning is experimental in Electrum compared to LND/CLN.