# Alternatives to Cypherock

Seedless hardware wallet with card-based backup

Cypherock ranks #9 of 12 in Hardware wallets, with an Alt Score of 70. It is licensed under MIT (with Commons Clause License Condition v1.0), sold as a one-time purchase from $99 USD and available on Windows, macOS and Linux. 12 of 12 checklist rows are verified against a public source.

Source: https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/cypherock/
Category: Hardware wallets

## Where Cypherock stands out

- **Companion desktop app** — 6 of 12 apps with a verified answer have this

## Overview

- **Who it's for**: Crypto holders who want a seedless cold-storage wallet — no single paper seed phrase to write down or lose — and are comfortable trading the extra physical parts (a vault plus four cards) for the resilience of Shamir Secret Sharing across EAL6+ certified secure elements.
- **What you get**: The Cypherock X1 Vault (USB-C, open-source firmware, small on-device screen) plus 4 tap-to-use X1 Cards, each holding an EAL6+ certified secure element. Your private key is split into 5 Shamir Secret Sharing shards (1 on the Vault, 4 on the Cards) using a 2-of-5 threshold, so no complete seed phrase ever exists in one place. Comes with the cySync desktop companion app (Windows/macOS/Linux) supporting 19000+ coins/tokens, WalletConnect for dapps, passphrase/hidden wallets, and BIP-39 import/export for compatibility with other wallets like MetaMask, Ledger, or Phantom.
- **How it works**: You generate a new wallet directly on the X1 Vault, which splits the private key into 5 cryptographic shards via Shamir Secret Sharing and writes one shard to each of the 4 X1 Cards (tapped via NFC) plus keeps one on the Vault itself. Day to day, you plug the Vault into a computer via USB-C, manage assets, send/receive, and connect to dapps through the cySync desktop app, tapping an X1 Card when a signature is needed. To recover, any 2 of the 5 shards (e.g., the Vault plus 1 card, or any 2 cards) reconstruct the wallet — no seed phrase backup required.

## Profile

- **License**: MIT (with Commons Clause License Condition v1.0) (verified 2026-07-12)
- **Pricing model**: One-time (verified 2026-07-12)
- **Starts at**: $99 USD (verified 2026-07-12)
- **Platforms**: Windows, macOS, Linux
- **Status**: active (verified 2026-07-12)

## Ranked alternatives

| # | App | Alt Score | Licence | Platforms |
|---|-----|-----------|---------|-----------|
| 1 | [OneKey](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/onekey.md) | 93 | GPLv3 (firmware); companion apps under OneKey Source License v1.1 (non-OSI) | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS |
| 2 | [Trezor](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/trezor-suite.md) | 89 | GPLv3 | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS |
| 3 | [Keystone](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/keystone.md) | 85 | MIT | iOS, Android |
| 4 | [Blockstream Jade](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/blockstream-jade.md) | 81 | MIT | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS |
| 5 | [Ledger](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/ledger-live.md) | 81 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS |
| 6 | [BitBox02](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/bitbox02.md) | 78 | Apache License 2.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| 7 | [Ellipal](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/ellipal.md) | 78 | Proprietary | iOS, Android |
| 8 | [SafePal](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/safepal.md) | 78 | GNU General Public License v3.0 | iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| 9 | [Coldcard](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/coldcard.md) | 66 | MIT (with Commons Clause License Condition v1.0) | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS |
| 10 | [GridPlus Lattice1](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/gridplus-lattice1.md) | 59 | Proprietary | Web, Browser extension |
| 11 | [Tangem](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/tangem.md) | 55 | Proprietary (source-available) | iOS, Android |

Alt Score = Verified coverage (90%) + Visibility (10%). See https://altcatalog.com/how-alt-score-works/

## Feature comparison

Legend: Yes / No / Partial / ? (not verified).

| Hardware wallets checklist | Cypherock | OneKey | Trezor | Keystone | Blockstream Jade | Ledger |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | One-time | One-time | One-time | One-time | One-time | One-time |
| Starts at | $99 USD | $79 | $59 USD | $149 | $79.00 USD | $59 USD |
| License | MIT (with Commons Clause License Condition v1.0) | GPLv3 (firmware); companion apps under OneKey Source License v1.1 (non-OSI) | GPLv3 | MIT | MIT | Proprietary |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web, Browser extension | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web | iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Secure element (certified) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Air-gapped / QR signing | No | Partial | No | Yes | Partial | No |
| Bluetooth connectivity | No | Partial | Partial | No | Yes | Partial |
| Supported coins & chains count | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes |
| Open-source firmware | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Companion desktop app | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Companion mobile app | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| On-device screen verification | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Passphrase / hidden wallet | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multisig support | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Connects to software wallets (MetaMask, etc.) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes |
| Recovery (seed / Shamir backup) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |

## Sources

Sources for Cypherock. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.

- **License**: MIT (with Commons Clause License Condition v1.0) — <https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Cypherock/x1_wallet_firmware/main/LICENSE.md> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Note: The X1 Vault firmware repo's LICENSE.md is MIT text plus a "Commons Clause" License Condition v1.0 restricting selling the software. The X1 Cards' firmware is proprietary/closed-source (see EAL6+ secu
  - Quote: “Software: All X1Wallet associated files. License: MIT”
- **Pricing model**: One-time — <https://api-commerce.cypherock.com/api/products> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Note: sku":"PROD-001","name":"Cypherock X1","category":"product","variant":"basic","price":99,"currency":"USD"" — Physical device sold as a flat one-time purchase via the Cypherock store; no subscription pricing found.
- **Starts at**: $99 USD — <https://api-commerce.cypherock.com/api/products> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Note: sku":"PROD-001","name":"Cypherock X1","variant":"basic","price":99,"currency":"USD"" — Entry-level 'Basic' X1 bundle (1 X1 Vault + 4 X1 Cards + USB Kit) at $99 USD, fetched from the store's commerce API (www.cypherock.com/store renders this data client-side via JS, so the underlying API
- **Platforms**: Windows, macOS, Linux — <https://api.github.com/repos/Cypherock/cysync-desktop/releases> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Note: cySync is a desktop-only Electron app (Windows/macOS/Linux release assets from the official Cypherock/cysync-desktop GitHub releases API). No iOS/Android app currently exists (see 'Companion mobile ap
  - Quote: “Cypherock.CySync-1.2.262.Setup.exe, cypherock-cysync-1.2.262-x64.dmg, cypherock-cysync-1.2.262-arm64.dmg, cypherock-cysync-linux-x64-1.2.262.zip, cypherock-cysync_1.2.262_amd64.deb”
- **Status**: active — <https://api.github.com/repos/Cypherock/x1_wallet_firmware> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Note: pushed_at": "2026-06-12T08:58:11Z", "updated_at": "2026-07-02T12:45:39Z"" — Firmware repo updated within the last month; cysync-desktop repo also pushed 2026-06-27 with latest release v1.2.262. Company also actively runs a bug bounty program (cypherock.com/bug-bounty).
- **Secure element (certified)**: Yes — <https://docs.cypherock.com/cypherock-x1-features/open-source-with-secure-elements> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Note: The 4 X1 Cards use EAL6+ certified secure elements; the X1 Vault uses an ATECC608A secure element (no NDA required).
  - Quote: “the X1 cards possess an EAL6+ secure element which does require NDAs to be signed by Cypherock but is significantly proven to be more secure”
- **Air-gapped / QR signing**: No — <https://docs.cypherock.com/design-decisions/cypherock-x1-hardware-architecture/choosing-usb-vs-qr-code> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Note: Cypherock explicitly rejected QR/air-gapped signing in favor of USB-C connectivity.
  - Quote: “Our conclusion is that air-gapped communication offers little-to-no added hardware wallet security while degrading the user experience.”
- **Bluetooth connectivity**: No — <https://docs.cypherock.com/design-decisions/cypherock-x1-hardware-architecture/choosing-usb-vs-qr-code> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Note: X1 Vault connects only via USB-C; no Bluetooth is mentioned anywhere in Cypherock's docs or product pages.
  - Quote: “here are some points that were considered while choosing to move forward with USB connectivity”
- **Supported coins & chains count**: Yes — <https://www.cypherock.com/coin-support> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Note: 19000+ coins/tokens supported per the coin-support page title (cySync app page separately states 18000+).
  - Quote: “Cypherock Wallet Coin Support - 19000+ Cryptocurrency tokens Compatibility”
- **Open-source firmware**: Yes — <https://docs.cypherock.com/cypherock-x1-features/open-source-with-secure-elements> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Note: X1 Vault firmware is open source (MIT + Commons Clause, github.com/Cypherock/x1_wallet_firmware); the 4 X1 Cards' firmware is proprietary/closed-source by design.
  - Quote: “Making the X1 Vault open source ensures that anyone can verify the wallet operations performed with the private keys”
- **Companion desktop app**: Yes — <https://docs.cypherock.com/getting-started/generate-a-new-wallet-with-cypherock-x1> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Note: cySync desktop app for Windows/macOS/Linux.
  - Quote: “This name will also reflect on CySync desktop app once you have synced the wallet with it.”
- **Companion mobile app**: No — <https://www.cypherock.com/faq> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Note: No mobile app exists at time of research; company states one is planned.
  - Quote: “Cypherock X1 does not have an IOS / Android app currently. We are in the process of launching a mobile app soon.”
- **On-device screen verification**: Yes — <https://www.cypherock.com/features/vault> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Note: X1 Vault has an on-device (small OLED) screen used to verify seed phrase words and wallet operations.
  - Quote: “You will be prompted by the X1 device to verify your seed phrase. Please ensure that the words that are selected are accurate to your current seed phrase backup, and are in order.”
- **Passphrase / hidden wallet**: Yes — <https://www.cypherock.com/faq> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Note: FAQ confirms wallets support a passphrase.
  - Quote: “Yes, you can include your wallet passphrase in the message field within Estate Recovery, allowing your designated nominee to recover your crypto assets.”
- **Multisig support**: No — <https://docs.cypherock.com/design-decisions/using-shamir-secret-sharing-vs.-multi-sig> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Note: Cypherock deliberately chose Shamir Secret Sharing instead of implementing on-chain multisig; the linked design-decision doc explains why multisig was not adopted.
  - Quote: “Method-wise it is very similar to Multi-sig, but SSS is carried out off-chain whereas Multi-sig is completely implemented on-chain.”
- **Connects to software wallets (MetaMask, etc.)**: Yes — <https://www.cypherock.com/features/four-wallets> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Note: cySync app also supports WalletConnect to connect to dapps/software wallets (cypherock.com/cysync).
  - Quote: “Track your portfolio across any BIP-39 compatible wallet like Ledger, Metamask, Phantom in a single place”
- **Recovery (seed / Shamir backup)**: Yes — <https://docs.cypherock.com/design-decisions/using-shamir-secret-sharing-vs.-multi-sig/how-is-shamir-secret-sharing-implemented-within-cypherock-x1> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Note: Seedless recovery via Shamir Secret Sharing card-cluster: any 2 of the 5 shards (X1 Vault + 4 X1 Cards) reconstruct the wallet; no single seed phrase to back up.
  - Quote: “The sharing scheme that is used in X1 Vault is (2, 5)-threshold scheme or 2-of-5 sharing scheme, wherein, any two of the cryptographic parts from the 5 generated parts can be used to retrieve the orig”

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