Ledger combines a hardware signer with the Ledger Wallet app, formerly called Ledger Live. The device generates and holds the private keys used to approve transactions, while the desktop or mobile app provides the interface for accounts, balances and supported services.
What Ledger lets you do
After pairing a compatible device, users can install network apps, add accounts, send and receive supported assets, review portfolio values and approve transactions on the device. Ledger Wallet also exposes buy, swap and staking services from third-party providers, NFT management for supported networks and connections to compatible dApps or third-party wallets. Availability depends on the asset, country and provider.
Who it suits
Useful for: keeping transaction approval on a separate hardware device while managing several supported networks from one app.
Less suitable for: users who want a software-only wallet, people planning to use a Nano S Plus with an iPhone, or anyone who needs the same buy, swap or staking options for every asset.
Account required: no email address or password is required for the core Ledger Wallet app. Optional third-party services may impose their own account or identity checks.
Wallet required: a compatible Ledger device is required to use Ledger Wallet as intended. The recovery phrase created by the device is the backup for restoring the wallet.
Compatibility and costs
Ledger Wallet is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. Mobile compatibility varies by device: Nano S Plus works with Android but not iPhone, while current Bluetooth models support both mobile platforms. Supported networks include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, BNB Chain, Polygon, Base, TRON, Cardano and Sui, among others.
The app is free to download, but the hardware device is a paid purchase. Network fees and any fees charged by third-party buy, swap or staking providers are separate.
Main limits: a supported asset may not support every action inside Ledger Wallet; some assets require a compatible third-party wallet. Device, operating-system, country and provider availability can also limit particular workflows.