Updated September 28, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
Coldcard vs Exodus
Coldcard
Exodus
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | ColdcardReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | ExodusReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Wallet type | Hardware | Software |
| Coins supported | 1 | from 1,000,000 |
| Price | $219 to $319 | Not confirmed |
| Secure element | Microchip ATECC608 and Maxim DS28C36B | Not confirmed |
| Open source | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Connectivity | USB c, NFC | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Custody (Self custody), Backup options (Seed).
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Key differences
- Exodus scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.0.
- Founded is lower at Coldcard: 2012 vs 2015.
- Support channels: only Coldcard offers Email.
- Support channels: only Exodus offers Chat.
Our verdict on each
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.
Exodus
Exodus is a software wallet that keeps your coins in self-custody, so it suits anyone who wants control of their funds without handing them to an exchange. Support runs through a help centre, chat and a community, and the wallet covers from 1,000,000 coins.
Score breakdown
| Area | Coldcard | Exodus |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.4$219 to $319 is a single buy, ranking 110 on price out of 120 brands, against Trezor at $79. | Not confirmed |
| Offer | 8.9A narrow offer: 1 coins, seed backup, and help through email, help centre and community. | 9.3Higher |
| Trust | 9.5Higher | 9.4 |
How they place
| Ranking | Coldcard | Exodus |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto wallets | 64 of 156 | 24 of 156 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Coldcard | Exodus |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Self custody | Self custody |
| Legal entity | Coinkite Inc. | Exodus Movement, Inc. |
| Headquarters | Canada | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2012Lower | 2015 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Help centre, Chat, Community |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Coldcard | Exodus | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $219 to $319highest quarter | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Coins supported | 1lowest quarter | from 1,000,000highest quarter | 75 |
Median across 85 listed providers.
Pros and cons
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.
Exodus
Pros
- Self-custody, so the keys and the balance stay with you: self custody.
- Software rather than hardware, so it runs on the devices you already use: software.
- Coin coverage of from 1,000,000, spanning major assets and the long tail alike.
Cons
- Support runs on help centre, chat and community only, with no phone line among them.
- A seed backup concentrates the balance behind a single phrase.
- Software wallets keep keys on a device you control, where Trezor is a hardware wallet.
Who each suits
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.
Exodus
Who it suits
- People who want their own keys and self-custody: self custody.
- Holders of small-cap and niche assets, with from 1,000,000 supported.
- Users content to write down and guard a seed themselves.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants keys to sit on a dedicated device: Trezor is a hardware wallet.
- Phone-first users: Bit2Me is a mobile wallet.
- Readers who prefer a company to look after the balance: bynex is custodial.
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
Questions about each
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.
Exodus
Who runs Exodus?+
Exodus is run by Exodus Movement, Inc., a company founded in 2015. It builds the wallet as a software product, so the company ships app updates rather than a device. Support and documentation sit with the same company.
Does Exodus hold my coins for me?+
No. Exodus is self-custody: self custody, and that is the feature it is built around: self custody. Keys stay with you, so a lost seed or a failed device falls to you to recover, and no outside party steps in to restore a balance.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Coldcard
Exodus