Updated September 28, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
BitBox vs Coldcard
BitBox
Higher score in this comparison
Coldcard
Where BitBox and Coldcard differ
| Compare | BitBoxReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | ColdcardReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €149 to €175 | $219 to $319 |
| Coins supported | 1,500Higher | 1 |
| Secure element | Dual-chip design with EAL6+ certified secure chip | Microchip ATECC608 and Maxim DS28C36B |
| Connectivity | USB c, Bluetooth | USB c, NFC |
Same on both: Wallet type (Hardware), Custody (Self custody), Open source (Yes), Backup options (Seed).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- Founded is lower at Coldcard: 2012 vs 2015.
- Coins supported is higher at BitBox: 1,500 vs 1.
- Connectivity: only BitBox offers Bluetooth.
- Connectivity: only Coldcard offers NFC.
Our verdict on each
BitBox
BitBox suits readers who want their own keys on a hardware device with open-source firmware and self custody, not an account balance. It is a Swiss build from Shift Crypto AG, covering 1,500 coins, and the trade-off is a higher ticket price with support on email, help centre and community.
Coldcard
Coldcard is a hardware wallet from Coinkite Inc. that suits holders who want their keys on a device they keep rather than with a provider. It scores 1.6 here, and 1 coin support makes it a Bitcoin choice rather than a broad one.
Score breakdown
| Area | BitBox | Coldcard |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.5HigherPaid once at €149 to €175, above Trezor at $79 and the €69.28 hardware median. | 8.4$219 to $319 is a single buy, ranking 110 on price out of 120 brands, against Trezor at $79. |
| Offer | 9.2HigherSelf-custody, open-source firmware and 1,500 coins, ranked 12 of 108 on coins. | 8.9A narrow offer: 1 coins, seed backup, and help through email, help centre and community. |
| Trust | 9.3 | 9.5Higher |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | BitBox | Coldcard |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto wallets | 60 of 156 | 64 of 156 |
| Hardware and cold wallets | 11 of 58 | 12 of 58 |
Side by side, item by item
| Connectivity | BitBox | Coldcard |
|---|---|---|
| USB c | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Backup options | BitBox | Coldcard |
|---|---|---|
| Seed | Yes | Yes |
Also worth a look
Trezor has coins supported at 8,000, against 1,500 for BitBox and 1 for Coldcard.
Trezor reviewSources behind this comparison
BitBox
- bitbox.swiss: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- shop.bitbox.swiss: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Coldcard
- coldcard.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- store.coinkite.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | BitBox | Coldcard |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Self custody | Self custody |
| Legal entity | Shift Crypto AG | Coinkite Inc. |
| Headquarters | Switzerland | Canada |
| Founded | 2015 | 2012Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Email, Help centre, Community |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | BitBox | Coldcard | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coins supported | 1,500highest quarter | 1lowest quarter | 75 |
Median across 85 listed providers.
Pros and cons
BitBox
Pros
- A Dual-chip design with EAL6+ certified secure chip keeps signing on the device.
- Self-custody with open-source firmware, so you can inspect what holds your keys.
- usb c and bluetooth lets you pair by Bluetooth or plug in.
Cons
- The device costs €149 to €175, above the €69.28 median for hardware wallets, so you pay for coin reach rather than value.
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only, with no phone line or live chat.
- Recovery leans on a seed phrase you store yourself, and self-custody means nobody can reset it for you.
Coldcard
Pros
- Keys stay in self custody, and Microchip ATECC608 and Maxim DS28C36B handles the signing.
- Open source, so the firmware can be read rather than trusted.
- Connects over usb c and nfc, so a cable or a tap is enough.
Cons
- Coin support is 1, far below what the hardware wallet ranking usually covers at 345.
- Price of $219 to $319 sits at 110 on price out of 120 brands, with Trezor lower at $79.
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only, so a phone line is not part of the offer.
Who each suits
BitBox
Who it suits
- Holders of long coin lists who want their own keys rather than a custodial balance.
- Readers who value open-source firmware and a Dual-chip design with EAL6+ certified secure chip over the lowest ticket price.
- Trezor users who want usb c and bluetooth and can stretch past $79.
Who should look elsewhere
- Bit2Me readers who would rather use a mobile app wallet with no device to buy.
- Anyone happier in a custodial account than managing a seed phrase themselves.
- Trezor buyers on a tight budget, since Trezor is priced at $79.
Coldcard
Who it suits
- A Bitcoin holder who keeps a single chain and wants signing done on hardware.
- Security-minded buyers who read the code, since Coldcard is open source and signs on Microchip ATECC608 and Maxim DS28C36B.
- Anyone comfortable guarding a seed phrase, since recovery rests on those words.
Who should look elsewhere
- Trezor buyers on a tighter budget, since Trezor sits at $79 against $219 to $319 here.
- Bit2Me users who want a mobile wallet for everyday use rather than a device that signs for you.
- bynex users who prefer custodial keys handled by the provider instead of kept in their own hands.
Current offers
Coldcard
Current offer
Discount code
Save 10% with Bitcoin at checkout: 10% with promo code CKBTC
On-chain payments only
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | BitBox | Coldcard |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Yes | No |
| Liechtenstein | Yes | No |
| Switzerland | Yes | No |
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
BitBox
How much does a BitBox cost?+
BitBox hardware costs €149 to €175 for the device itself, above the €69.28 median across hardware wallets. Trezor sits lower at $79. That gap puts BitBox in the dearer part of the field, so the wide coin list and the open-source firmware are what you pay for. The outlay is a one-off hardware cost.
Who holds my coins on a BitBox?+
You do. BitBox is a hardware wallet built on self custody, so your keys never sit with an operator and no account balance is held for you. Recovery depends on a seed phrase you write down and store, which puts the responsibility for access squarely with you.
Coldcard
What kind of wallet is Coldcard?+
Coldcard is a hardware wallet, so transactions are signed on a small device rather than on a phone screen. Keys are held in self custody, which means no provider holds them. It comes from Coinkite Inc., a company founded in 2012 and based in Canada.
What does a Coldcard cost, and how does that compare?+
Coldcard is a single purchase: $219 to $319 is the listed device price range. The median price across hardware wallets is €69.28, so Coldcard sits at the dearer end of that shelf. Trezor is lower at $79, and that gap shows up at the till.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
BitBox
Coldcard