Editorial staff
Two popular options in 2025 are Tangem Wallet and Phantom Wallet. Both offer unique features, but which one is better for you? In this article, we’ll compare Tangem and Phantom across key criteria, security, ease of use, supported cryptocurrencies, blockchain compatibility, DeFi/NFT integration, cost, and user reviews. Let’s dive in!
Overview of Tangem and Phantom Wallets
What is Tangem Wallet
Tangem Wallet is a hardware wallet designed to look and feel like a credit card, making it both sleek and practical. Founded in 2017 in Switzerland, Tangem uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to connect with your smartphone, offering a secure, user-friendly way to manage crypto. It’s a cold wallet that stores private keys offline, reducing the risk of hacks. Tangem’s standout feature is its seedless design, where private keys are generated and stored on the card itself, with backup cards for recovery. It supports over 16,000 cryptocurrencies across 85+ blockchains, making it versatile for beginners and advanced users alike.
What is Phantom Wallet?
Phantom Wallet, launched in 2021, is a software-based hot wallet primarily designed for the Solana blockchain, though it now supports Ethereum, Polygon, Base, and Sui. Available as a browser extension and mobile app, Phantom is non-custodial, meaning users control their private keys. It’s popular for its seamless integration with Solana’s DeFi platforms and NFT marketplaces, offering features like token swapping and staking. Phantom is free to use, making it accessible, but as a hot wallet, it’s more vulnerable to online threats than hardware wallets like Tangem.
Comparison Criteria
To make this comparison fair and comprehensive, we’ll evaluate Tangem and Phantom based on the following criteria:
- Security: How safe is your crypto?
- Ease of Use: Is the wallet beginner-friendly?
- Supported Cryptocurrencies: How many assets can you store?
- Blockchain Compatibility: Which networks are supported?
- DeFi and NFT Integration: Can you access DeFi and NFTs?
- Cost: What’s the price to get started?
- User Reviews: What do real users say?
Let’s break down each category.
1. Security
Security is the top priority for any crypto wallet, as hacks and scams are a constant threat. In February 2025, for instance, North Korean hackers stole $1.5 billion from the Bybit exchange, highlighting the need for robust protection.
Tangem Wallet
Tangem shines in security. Its hardware-based design keeps private keys offline on a secure element chip with an EAL6+ certification, the same level used in passports and banking cards. The chip generates random private keys that never leave the card, making remote hacks nearly impossible.
Tangem’s firmware is audited by top firms like Kudelski Security and Riscure, and with over four million cards in circulation, no Tangem wallet has ever been hacked.
A unique feature is Tangem’s seedless approach. Instead of a traditional seed phrase (a 12- or 24-word recovery key), Tangem uses backup cards with identical private keys. This eliminates the risk of losing funds if a seed phrase is misplaced or stolen.
However, they also provide the option to create a wallet with seed phrases.
Phantom Wallet
Phantom, being a hot wallet, stores private keys on an internet-connected device, which inherently carries more risk. It relies on user practices like securely storing seed phrases and enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) to mitigate threats. Phantom supports hardware wallet connections for added security, but this requires additional setup and cost. While Phantom hasn’t faced major breaches, software wallets are more vulnerable to malware, phishing, and remote attacks compared to cold wallets like Tangem.
Winner: Tangem. Its offline storage, EAL6+ chip, and seedless design provide superior protection, especially for users prioritizing safety.
2. Ease of Use
A wallet’s usability can determine whether it’s a joy or a hassle to manage your crypto.
Tangem Wallet
Tangem is designed with simplicity in mind, making it ideal for beginners. Setup takes under five minutes: download the Tangem app, tap the card to your NFC-enabled smartphone, and create a wallet. The app’s intuitive interface allows you to buy, sell, swap, and stake crypto with clear navigation. The card’s credit card-like design feels familiar, bridging the gap between traditional finance and crypto. However, it requires an NFC-enabled phone, which could be a limitation for users with older devices.
Phantom Wallet
Phantom is also user-friendly, especially for Solana users. Its browser extension and mobile app offer a clean interface for managing tokens, NFTs, and DeFi platforms. Setup is quick—just install the app or extension, create a wallet, and secure your seed phrase. Phantom’s design caters to users familiar with browser-based crypto interactions, but managing seed phrases can be daunting for newcomers.
Winner: Tangem. Its hardware simplicity and seedless setup make it slightly more approachable for beginners, though Phantom is close behind for software wallet users.
3. Supported Cryptocurrencies
The number of assets a wallet supports is crucial for diversifying your portfolio.
Tangem Wallet
Tangem supports over 16,000 cryptocurrencies and tokens across 85+ blockchains, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, Avalanche, and more. It covers popular token standards like ERC-20 and BEP-20, and new assets are added regularly based on community demand. This makes Tangem a one-stop solution for managing a wide range of coins.
Phantom Wallet
Phantom initially focused on Solana but has expanded to support Ethereum, Polygon, Base, and Sui. While it handles thousands of tokens within these ecosystems, its scope is narrower than Tangem’s. For users heavily invested in Solana or Ethereum-based assets, Phantom is sufficient, but it lacks the broad coverage of Tangem.
Winner: Tangem. Its extensive support for over 16,000 assets across multiple blockchains outshines Phantom’s more limited selection.
4. Blockchain Compatibility
Compatibility with various blockchains determines a wallet’s versatility.
Tangem Wallet
Tangem supports 85+ blockchains, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Binance Smart Chain, Cardano, Cosmos, and more. This makes it a multi-chain powerhouse, allowing users to manage assets across diverse networks without needing multiple wallets. Staking is supported for networks like Solana, Polygon, and Cardano, enhancing its utility.
Phantom Wallet
Phantom is optimized for Solana but now supports Ethereum, Polygon, Base, and Sui. It integrates seamlessly with Solana’s ecosystem and offers limited support for other chains. For users focused on Solana or Ethereum, Phantom is excellent, but it’s less versatile for cross-chain portfolios.
Winner: Tangem. Its compatibility with over 85 blockchains makes it far more flexible than Phantom’s narrower focus.
5. DeFi and NFT Integration
DeFi and NFTs are key components of the crypto space, so wallet integration with these platforms is vital.
Tangem Wallet
Tangem integrates with DeFi platforms and NFT marketplaces via WalletConnect, allowing users to connect to dApps like Uniswap or OpenSea. It also supports NFT storage directly in the apps. Tangem’s staking feature supports multiple networks, and its in-app swapping and buying options add convenience.
Phantom Wallet
Phantom excels in Solana’s DeFi and NFT ecosystems, with native integration for platforms like SolSea and Metaplex. It supports Solana staking and in-app token swapping with low fees. Phantom also allows users to mint and burn NFTs directly, making it a go-to for Solana NFT enthusiasts. It's Ethereum and Polygon support extends DeFi and NFT capabilities, but it’s still Solana-centric.
Winner: Phantom. Its deep integration with Solana’s DeFi and NFT ecosystems gives it an edge for users focused on these areas.
6. Cost
Cost is a major factor, especially for beginners or budget-conscious users.
Tangem Wallet
Tangem offers a 2-card set for $54.90 and a 3-card set for $69.90, with a 25-year warranty. The Tangem Ring, a wearable option, is also available. While there’s an upfront cost, the lack of subscription fees and long lifespan make it cost-effective. In-app transaction fees (via third-party services like Mercuryo) can be higher than exchanges, but the security justifies the price for many.
Phantom Wallet
Phantom is free to download and use as a browser extension or mobile app, making it attractive for cost-conscious users. However, transaction fees on supported blockchains (like Solana or Ethereum) apply, and connecting a hardware wallet for added security incurs additional costs.
Winner: Phantom. Its free access is hard to beat, but Tangem’s affordable hardware and long-term durability make it a strong contender.
7. User Reviews
User feedback provides insight into real-world performance.
Tangem Wallet
Tangem boasts a 4.9/5 rating on Google Play and App Store, based on over 42,000 reviews. Users praise its simplicity, security, and sleek design, with comments like, “Tangem is a game-changer, so easy and secure!” Some note the NFC-only limitation and lack of desktop support as drawbacks, but overall sentiment is highly positive.
Phantom Wallet
Phantom is well-regarded, particularly among Solana users, with strong ratings for its user-friendly interface and DeFi/NFT integration. It has over 400,000 monthly users, reflecting popularity. However, some users express concerns about hot wallet vulnerabilities, and customer support is less comprehensive than Tangem’s 24/7 service.
Winner: Tangem. Its high ratings, extensive support, and enthusiastic user feedback give it a slight edge.
Final Thoughts
Both Tangem and Phantom are excellent wallets, but they cater to different needs. Tangem Wallet is the superior choice for users prioritizing security, multi-chain support, and simplicity. Its hardware-based, seedless design, EAL6+ chip, and support for over 6,000 assets across 85+ blockchains make it a versatile, beginner-friendly option. Its durability and robust security offset the upfront cost, making it ideal for long-term investors and those wary of online threats.
Phantom Wallet, while fantastic for Solana enthusiasts, is better suited for users focused on DeFi and NFTs within Solana’s ecosystem. It's free access and seamless dApp integration are appealing, but its hot wallet nature and limited blockchain support make it less secure and versatile than Tangem.
If you’re new to crypto or want a wallet that combines top-tier security with ease of use, Tangem is the way to go. Its innovative card-based design and broad compatibility make it a standout in 2025. For Solana-specific DeFi and NFT fans, Phantom is a great choice, but for most users, Tangem’s balance of security, simplicity, and affordability wins out.
Editorial staff
