Comparison

Blink (Bitcoin Wallet) vs Phoenix Wallet

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Blink (Bitcoin Wallet)

This app provides a secure and user-friendly platform for managing Bitcoin transactions. It offers instant payments, low fees, and multiple ways to receive Bitcoin, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced users. Advanced features and educational tools are also included.

Highlights
  • Manage Bitcoin & Dollar Accounts
  • Instant Bitcoin Payments
  • Low Transaction Fees
  • Multiple Payment Reception Options
  • Point of Sale for Merchants
  • Built-in Bitcoin Education
  • API Integration
Features
Read full description

Blink 3.0 — now with non-custodial accounts. Hold your own keys with the same simple experience Blink is known for. Blink is the Bitcoin wallet trusted across the Bitcoin ecosystem for ease of use, accessibility, and exceptional payment reliability. With version 3.0, you can now create a non-custodial account — your Bitcoin, secured by your own recovery phrase, with no one else able to touch your funds. Not even us. Non-Custodial / Self-Custody: - Your keys, your Bitcoin. Secured by a 12-word recovery phrase that only you hold. - Built on the Spark protocol with a unilateral exit path to the Bitcoin main chain. - Portable — access your funds in any Spark-compatible wallet with your recovery phrase. - iCloud backup so self-custody fits your life. - Non-custodial Dollar Balance — hold USD-equivalent value alongside your Bitcoin, all under your control. The Same Blink Experience: - Instant Bitcoin payments over Lightning or on-chain, powered by highly reliable infrastructure. - Keep your existing username@blink.sv Lightning address — nothing changes for the people paying you. - Low fees, with zero fees for Blink-to-Blink transfers. - Receive Bitcoin via QR codes, NFC, LNURL, Lightning addresses, and vouchers (Azteco, Lightsats). - Available in 20+ languages worldwide. Choose What Works for You: - Create a non-custodial account for full self-custody, or keep using your existing custodial account — it's your choice. - Switch between accounts seamlessly within the app. - Migration path from custodial to non-custodial coming soon. For Merchants & Developers: - Web-based Point of Sale system to accept Bitcoin payments. - Blink Dashboard & API for integrations with BTCPay Server, LNBits, Alby, WooCommerce, and more. - Local Bitcoin merchant map to discover businesses accepting Lightning payments nearby. Built for Trust: - Open source (FOSS). Verify the code yourself. - Battle-tested Lightning infrastructure with exceptionally high payment success rates. - Built-in Bitcoin education tools for new users. Download Blink and take full control of your Bitcoin — with the simplest wallet experience in the ecosystem.

About

Phoenix Wallet

This app offers a fast, easy, and secure way to manage Bitcoin. It leverages the Lightning Network for near-instantaneous payments with minimal fees, making it ideal for everyday transactions like buying coffee. It's a non-custodial, open-source wallet designed for user-friendliness.

Highlights
  • Instant Bitcoin payments
  • Minimal transaction fees
  • Secure Bitcoin storage
  • Automatic Lightning channel management
  • Non-custodial wallet
  • Open source
Features
Read full description

Phoenix makes using bitcoin easy, fast and safe. Payments are nearly instantaneous, and fees are minimal. You can use it to send payments (e.g. buy a cup of coffee), receive payments, and store your bitcoin safely for day-to-day spending. The bitcoin lightning network means faster payments and smaller fees. Lightning is 100% bitcoin - an open standardized payments layer, engineered to improve speed while maintaining security and decentralization. And Phoenix makes it possible for everyone to use. Lightning channels are managed for you automatically. And inbound liquidity is automatically handled too. If you don't know what any of that means, then this is the wallet for you! Phoenix is a non-custodial wallet, and is fully open source. It was created by ACINQ, one of the pioneering companies in the bitcoin lightning network. And the same company that runs the largest lightning node in the world. Bitcoin is for everyone. Enjoy.

Screenshots

Blink (Bitcoin Wallet)4 screens
Phoenix Wallet4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Blink (Bitcoin Wallet) at 4.8 against Phoenix Wallet's 4.2. Blink (Bitcoin Wallet) also leads on review sentiment (72% vs 57%) and ratings volume (261 vs 75). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Blink (Bitcoin Wallet) holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 261 and 75 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of Blink (Bitcoin Wallet)'s written reviews are positive against 57% of Phoenix Wallet's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Blink (Bitcoin Wallet) ships an update every 3 weeks, Phoenix Wallet monthly. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Blink (Bitcoin Wallet) versus Phoenix Wallet: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBlink (Bitcoin Wallet)Phoenix Wallet
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (261 ratings) — better4.2 (75 ratings)
Positive reviews72.3% of reviews — better57.1% of reviews
Number of ratings261 — better75
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size95 MB61 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBlink El Salvador Sociedad Anonima de Capital VariableACINQ

Customer experience

Blink (Bitcoin Wallet)

All ratings264 ratings
Positive95.5%
Neutral0.8%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews47 reviews
Positive72.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative27.7%

Phoenix Wallet

All ratings75 ratings
Positive77.3%
Neutral5.3%
Negative17.3%
Written reviews70 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral7.1%
Negative35.7%

User reviews

Blink (Bitcoin Wallet)

From 261 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 User-friendly interface
  • 🚀 Fast transactions
  • 💡 Innovative features like Stablesats
  • 🧡 Easy to use for beginners
  • 🤩 Solid and reliable product

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Verification code issues
  • 🐛 App crashes
  • ⚠️ Accusations of scamming
  • ❌ Cannot sell or withdraw
  • 📞 Suspicious international calls/messages

Phoenix Wallet

From 75 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Fast transactions
  • 💡 Innovative features (splicing, client-side keys)
  • 🔒 Non-custodial
  • ✅ Reliable performance

Room to improve

  • 💸 High fees
  • 🐛 Funds stuck/not received
  • ⚠️ Scam accusations
  • 🤷‍♂️ Confusing for new users
  • ❌ App not opening/crashing

Bugs and requests

Blink (Bitcoin Wallet)

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • Verification code not valid
  • App crashes on iPhone
  • Transactions not appearing
  • Cannot sell or withdraw funds
  • Suspicious international calls and WhatsApp messages after installation
Show 6 more
  • Learning sections show 'question already answered' and no sats earned
  • Stablesats conversion button missing
  • Not all phone carriers supported for quiz
  • App is buggy, especially regarding earning free satoshi
  • Previous version was better
  • Interface is only in Arabic for some users

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add Bitcoin-backed fiat loans
  • Dedicated tab for Web3 Bitcoin Lightning dapps
  • More features and continuous updates

Phoenix Wallet

Reported bugs

18 issues
  • Money not reflecting in account
  • Crypto locked in wallet
  • Bitcoin sent without user action
  • App not opening on iOS
  • Funds never arrived after transaction
Show 13 more
  • UI display incorrect for amounts
  • Transaction pending for over 30 hours
  • Seed backup to iCloud not resolved
  • Funds stuck for months
  • App deleted wallet after upgrade
  • Restoring connections indefinitely
  • Sat incoming message with 3 z
  • Ghost notification badge
  • V2 broken, 'restoring connections'
  • Receiving not working for days
  • Transactions not going through
  • App offline, no internet message
  • Malware activity warnings

Requested features

7 requests
  • Add LN Address
  • Show preimage in detail
  • Add Portuguese language
  • Add CZK fiat currency
  • Option to connect via TOR on iOS
Show 2 more
  • Ability to open own channels
  • QR code receiving for bleskomat

In-app purchases

None

Blink (Bitcoin Wallet)

No in-app purchases

None

Phoenix Wallet

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Blink (Bitcoin Wallet) free?
Blink (Bitcoin Wallet) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Phoenix Wallet free?
Phoenix Wallet is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Blink (Bitcoin Wallet) or Phoenix Wallet?
Blink (Bitcoin Wallet) is rated higher. Blink (Bitcoin Wallet) averages 4.8 out of 5 from 261 ratings, while Phoenix Wallet averages 4.2 from 75 ratings.
Do Blink (Bitcoin Wallet) or Phoenix Wallet have ads?
Neither Blink (Bitcoin Wallet) nor Phoenix Wallet shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Blink (Bitcoin Wallet) or Phoenix Wallet?
Blink (Bitcoin Wallet) ships an update every 3 weeks, and Phoenix Wallet monthly. Most recently, Blink (Bitcoin Wallet) was updated on November 3, 2026 and Phoenix Wallet on November 3, 2026.

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