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Style vs. security: Is Exodus a good crypto wallet?

Thomas Sweeney

Nov 4, 202510 min read

User interface isn’t the be-all and end-all of blockchain technology, but it makes a big difference. A National Crypto Association 2025 report found that 49% of adults in the United States feel a lack of crypto understanding is their biggest barrier to entry. To create a more beginner-friendly crypto experience, blockchain developers are now turning their attention to UI/UX, particularly with applications like wallets.

One wallet that often ranks among the best for its UI/UX design is Exodus. Founders J.P. Richardson and Daniel Castagnoli specifically designed Exodus to create a clean and simple experience so anyone can enjoy the freedom of self-custodial crypto.

So, is Exodus a good crypto wallet? Learn more about Exodus’s features to see if it’s the right fit before storing all your cryptocurrency with this software wallet.

The Exodus wallet at a glance

The Exodus wallet first launched in 2015 as part of the Omaha-based company Exodus Movement. The team continued to introduce new features over its first decade, making its wallet safer and more accessible to new users with a particular focus on creating an intuitive user experience. To raise funds for its ventures, Exodus Movement offers stock on the NYSE and collects fees from in-app services like swapping and directly buying crypto. As of 2025, Exodus reports over 1.5 million monthly active users and has a treasury consisting of Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL)

The Exodus cryptocurrency wallet is a digital application always connected to the internet, also known as a software or hot wallet. It’s self-custodial, meaning anyone who downloads it on mobile or desktop receives a unique cryptographic private key that lets them control their digital assets directly. But this agency over the wallet means users must take extra steps for strong security.

This private key is revealed during account setup as a seed phrase made of 12 English words, which can be used as a backup to redownload and restore an Exodus account. Without the seed phrase, there’s no way to regain access to an Exodus wallet. Users will lose all of the investments inside, and anyone who discovers the seed phrase for a self-custodial wallet can access the digital assets stored on the account. For these reasons, Exodus users must be particularly careful when recording and storing these 12 critical words.

To get a better sense of what the Exodus wallet offers, here’s a breakdown of their core features. 

Feature

Exodus

Type of wallet

Self-custodial software wallet

Compatible devices

Desktop, mobile, and Web3 browser extension 

Supported cryptocurrencies 

Supports thousands of cryptocurrencies across 50+ crypto networks, including altcoins, derivatives, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs)

Security features

  • Private keys stored locally on a user’s device with a 12-word recovery phrase

  • Password protection

  • Bug bounty program in partnership with HackerOne

  • Integrations with hardware wallets Trezor and Ledger

Extra features 

  • Ability to purchase crypto with a bank account, debit card, credit card, Google Pay, or Apple Pay

  • Crypto staking rewards

  • In-app Exodus exchange for swapping between supported cryptocurrencies

Fees

  • No fees to download, receive, and store crypto on Exodus

  • Variable in-app fees for services like swapping and purchasing cryptocurrency

  • Network fees for transferring crypto off Exodus, depending on the new network

Customer support options

24/7 customer support via email and live chat, plus Knowledge Base and FAQs

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A deeper dive into Exodus wallet's features and ecosystem

Exodus wallet is a popular self-custodial choice with a long track record of strong security and many attractive features. But even the best wallets aren’t going to be the right option for every user. A closer look at Exodus wallet's core offerings can help you decide whether it's worth downloading.

Exodus wallet’s safety features

No matter what blockchain technology you’re investigating, safety is paramount. Exodus has a robust history of strong user protections, plus multiple security features that establish it as a safe software wallet option:

  • Longevity and lack of hacks: The first good sign for Exodus is its age, dating back to 2015. Although there have been concerns over phishing scams and targeted exploits throughout Exodus's history, there has never been a successful attack on Exodus Movement's servers or source code – something not every crypto platform can say.
  • Local private key storage: Exodus gives users control of their private keys by generating them for local devices rather than storing them in centralized facilities. For extra protection, each Exodus wallet uses several points of encryption to protect wallet users against cyberattacks.
  • Seed phrase: Rather than sharing the entire alphanumeric private key, Exodus users gain a recovery "seed phrase" made up of 12 English words. Translating the private key into a seed phrase makes it easier to remember and record this critical information in another encrypted digital form or on paper.
  • Password protection: During wallet setup, Exodus asks users to create a password to protect their crypto account. An Exodus wallet password isn’t the same thing as a private key – it won't let users regain access to a lost wallet, for example – but it serves as a first line of defense from unauthorized access.
  • Expertise and SSDLC standards: The Exodus team has impressive credentials in cybersecurity, including top-tier status at HackerOne. Beyond their technical expertise, researchers and developers working for Exodus use a secure software development lifecycle (SSDLC) to proactively test, deploy, and maintain their systems.

Even with the Exodus wallet's solid track record and high security standards, it’s missing a few safety protections that other crypto wallets offer. One security feature that isn't available on the Exodus wallet is traditional two-factor authentication (2FA), where users get a time-sensitive, one-time use code via SMS or an app like Google Authenticator. Without the extra barrier of a 2FA code, thieves only need to know the password for a user's Exodus account to break in on a stolen cellphone or laptop.

Another potential security-related disadvantage is the Exodus wallet's partially closed-off code. Exodus does provide some components, like its mobile and desktop libraries, for public review, but it doesn't reveal its entire source code for an external audit. Some users feel more at ease with Exodus Movement's internal team conducting code reviews and patching vulnerabilities, while others may only feel comfortable when crypto wallets are entirely transparent and welcome support from the broader online community. People who feel passionately about the benefits of open-source code might want to consider other crypto storage options, such as MetaMask or Kraken Wallet.

A third security issue with the Exodus wallet is inherent to all hot wallets: They're vulnerable to hacks. Because these software wallets are online 24/7, cyberattackers always have an opportunity to break into them. Anyone who uses an Exodus wallet has to feel comfortable trading off some security to take advantage of the app's convenience and affordability. Remember, however, that Exodus has had zero serious safety breaches in its lifespan.

Exodus wallet's hardware integration

There is one way to overcome the potential safety threats of a hot wallet like Exodus: adding a hardware wallet to the system. This connection protects the user's private keys by storing them in physical hardware rather than keeping them online.

To put a buffer between an Exodus wallet and the internet, it's possible for users to link an Exodus account with hardware wallets from two of the biggest crypto manufacturers: Ledger and Trezor. Currently, Exodus supports linking its mobile app with Ledger devices and its desktop wallet with Trezor units. For crypto traders who want the conveniences and features an Exodus wallet offers without sacrificing cold storage security, this option could make Exodus more viable.

Exodus wallet's UI/UX

One area where Exodus receives near-universal praise is for its user interface. The Exodus desktop and mobile app have intuitive and minimalist layouts, which makes managing portfolios and taking advantage of opportunities like staking simple for crypto users of all skill levels. Thousands of App Store and Google Play reviewers have given Exodus four or five stars, and many note the wallet's beginner-friendly UI/UX as a key draw. The many positive Exodus reviews on Trustpilot also frequently highlight this trait.

Exodus wallet’s crypto options

Rather than specializing in one blockchain, Exodus is a multi-chain wallet with integrations for 50+ crypto networks. Users can send unlimited tokens on each blockchain Exodus supports, meaning they can manually create a custom token address even if Exodus doesn't officially list it. As of 2025, the Exodus website advertises support for over one million assets, including everything from well-established projects to niche altcoins: 

Exodus also has an NFT Gallery where users can store and display their one-of-one digital collectibles. Although the NFT Gallery works with digital assets from multiple blockchains, there are some accessibility restrictions depending on what version of the wallet traders are using (mobile, desktop, or Web3). Currently, Exodus wallet's NFT Gallery connects to the following blockchains:

  • Ethereum
  • Algorand 
  • Avalanche
  • Base
  • BNB Smart Chain
  • Cardano
  • Fantom
  • Polygon
  • Solana
  • Tezos

Exodus wallet's integration with Web3 

For crypto holders who want to explore more decentralized web opportunities, Exodus also offers a Web3 wallet browser extension for desktop and mobile. With this extension, users can link their Exodus account to supported decentralized applications (dApps) on multiple blockchains to experiment with things like decentralized finance (DeFi) services, GameFi, and NFT trading. Although the Exodus Web3 wallet links to these dApps, the user's private keys stay secure behind a layer of encryption, providing a counterparty-free online experience. 

Keep in mind that some dApps that support Exodus may not list this wallet as one of their suggested options. Even though Exodus is a high-profile self-custodial wallet, it isn't as well-established for dApps as options like MetaMask, Phantom, or Coinbase Wallet. For this reason, users may have to use the open-source protocol WalletConnect to link their Exodus Web3 wallet rather than clicking a dedicated Exodus link from the dApp itself. If you have any questions about the Exodus Web3 wallet connecting to a particular dApp, reach out to the Exodus customer service team or the dApp's official support portal.

Exodus wallet’s crypto staking capacity

Although it's possible to earn crypto rewards by connecting the Exodus Web3 wallet to staking dApps, Exodus users don't have to delve into DeFi to stake crypto. Exodus has a built-in staking portal that makes it seamless to earn crypto on select Proof-of-Stake (PoS) coins through the desktop or mobile wallet.

As of time of writing, Exodus offers in-app staking rewards for eleven digital assets, including Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and Aptos (APT). To streamline crypto staking on Exodus, there's also a Staking Rewards Calculator to estimate the expected returns and an autopilot feature to reinvest rewards for compounding gains.

Exodus wallet for buying and swapping crypto

Just like their staking simplifications, Exodus makes it easy to buy and swap cryptocurrencies on desktop and mobile interfaces. Users have a range of payment options they can use to buy crypto, including debit or credit cards, bank accounts, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Exodus lets users route these crypto payments through third-party API providers (like MoonPay, XO Pay, and PayPal), each of which has different fee structures and areas of availability. In most cases, it takes less than 20 minutes for crypto to arrive in a user's Exodus wallet after they've completed a transaction.

Swapping between tokens on Exodus is similar to buying crypto and takes place through third-party API providers. The fees to swap eligible cryptocurrencies on Exodus vary depending on the provider and the digital assets exchanged, but the app always quotes the expected fee before confirming a transaction so users can stay aware of potential costs.

Exodus wallet’s fees

It’s free to download an Exodus wallet, receive cryptocurrency, and store it in an Exodus address. But if you want to buy or swap crypto on Exodus, you’ll have to pay a percentage on each transaction. Exodus doesn’t charge any transaction fees themselves, but the blockchains and networks where the crypto originated do. For example, the fee on a BTC transaction through this wallet goes back to the Bitcoin network and its miners, not Exodus.

Every transaction cost on Exodus depends on things like the API provider, network congestion, and the types of currencies being exchanged. There are also network fees (also known as gas fees) charged when depositing or withdrawing crypto from a staking portal, using crypto in dApps, or transferring crypto out of Exodus. These gas fees are also variable and depend on current congestion and the blockchain's rules.

While you aren’t being charged more than necessary, this flexible wallet fee system means it might be a little more difficult to determine exactly how much you’ll pay ahead of time.

Exodus wallet’s customer support options

If users have questions or concerns about their Exodus wallet, the Exodus website's "Learn" tab has many FAQ pages, videos, and educational articles. For more personalized guidance, Exodus offers 24/7 customer support via live chat and email. Users can also reach out to Exodus on official social media pages like Facebook and X.

The bottom line: Who is the ideal user for the Exodus wallet? 

Exodus is a compelling self-custodial crypto wallet for people who value simplicity and multi-chain support. The majority of compliments for the Exodus wallet center around its UI/UX, making it a leading contender for the slickest and most intuitive interface in cryptocurrency. But it's not just the UI/UX that makes Exodus popular with beginners: Features like in-app staking, crypto buying, and swapping on 50+ crypto networks make managing an entire crypto portfolio in one app possible.

Although the Exodus wallet includes Web3 integration, it isn't as widely accepted on dApps as competitors like MetaMask and the Coinbase Wallet, which may be a con for more advanced DeFi traders. Users looking for a full roster of open-source code to analyze or robust safety features without adding hardware may find a better match with other wallets.

All-in-all, Exodus is a popular pick for crypto traders who prioritize convenience and want to keep coins and tokens from multiple chains in one place.

Connect every crypto wallet to CoinTracker

With links to hundreds of crypto exchanges, cold storage devices, and software wallets, CoinTracker has all the integrations you need to get a complete picture of your crypto portfolio. Whether you're taking part in DeFi or simply HODLing your crypto, our Portfolio Tracker will note every transfer in Web3 to save you time and effort during tax season. CoinTracker can also import all of this data into IRS compliant forms you could share with a CPA or send directly to tax platforms like TurboTax or H&R Block.

Stay informed and in control of your digital assets. Continue your journey with our comprehensive crypto glossary.

Disclaimer: This post is informational only and is not intended as tax advice. For tax advice, please consult a tax professional.

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