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BitBox02 vs SafePal S1

Comparing
two wallets
Decided by
Editorial rating
Last reviewed
2026-08-25
BitBox024.6

Swiss made, fully open source, sold in Multi and Bitcoin-only editions, with a Nova model that works from an iPhone.

SafePal S13.5

Budget air-gapped signer with no USB data, WiFi, Bluetooth or NFC: every transaction crosses as a scanned QR code.

Verdict: BitBox02

BitBox02 rates higher on our rubric: 4.6 against 3.5 for SafePal S1.

Criterion
Editorial rating
BitBox02
4.6
SafePal S1
3.5

BitBox02 and SafePal S1, fact by fact

Every row is from the two reviews as of their review dates, with sources on each. A check marks the side a decidable criterion favours; rows without one are information, not a score.

BitBox02 and SafePal S1 compared fact by fact from their reviews; a check marks the side a decidable criterion favours.
FactBitBox02SafePal S1
Editorial rating4.6 (favoured on this row)3.5
StatusAvailableAvailable
Made byBitBoxSafePal
PriceNot publishedNot published
Who holds the keysself-custodial, keys held in a dual chip design, certified EAL6+ on the Nova modelself-custodial, keys held offline on a device with no USB data, WiFi, Bluetooth or NFC connection
Bitcoin-onlyNoNo
Runs oniOS, Android, Windows, macOS, LinuxiOS, Android
ScreenMonochrome OLED with touch sliders; the Nova uses a more readable glass OLEDSmall color screen with a camera for reading QR codes
ConnectivityUSB-C on both models; the Nova adds Bluetooth for iPhone and iPadQR codes only: no USB data, WiFi, Bluetooth or NFC
ReleasedNot statedNot stated
Countries on the maker's listNo published listNo published list
Last reviewed2026-08-252026-08-25

Pros and cons, side by side

BitBox02

What works

  • Fully open source firmware, in a Multi edition and a true Bitcoin-only edition
  • Dual chip design, with an EAL6+ certified secure chip on the Nova
  • microSD backup makes setup and recovery fast, and writing down the words is optional
  • Three built-in on-ramps (Pocket Bitcoin, MoonPay, BTC Direct) send coins straight to the device
  • The Nova works with an iPhone or iPad over Bluetooth

What to watch

  • No touchscreen: confirmations happen on a small OLED with touch sliders
  • The original BitBox02 has no iOS support, so an iPhone user needs the Nova
  • BitBox publishes no shipping country list, only regional tiers and a duty policy
  • Shipping cost and any unpaid import duties are only shown at checkout

SafePal S1

What works

  • No USB data, WiFi, Bluetooth or NFC: the only channel in or out is a QR code on a camera
  • SafePal's budget cold storage line, positioned below the newer Bluetooth X1
  • Broad asset support with swap, buy and DeFi features for people who hold more than bitcoin
  • SafePal accepted an outside security report from Kraken Security Labs and shipped a fix

What to watch

  • Not bitcoin-only, and the companion app is a broad crypto app rather than a focused signer
  • The February 2021 Kraken disclosure showed the firmware update check could be downgraded without the user noticing
  • Verification happens on a small screen, which makes careful address checking slower
  • SafePal publishes no shipping country policy, pointing at a reseller network instead

Frequently asked questions

Is BitBox02 or SafePal S1 better?

BitBox02 rates higher on our rubric: 4.6 against 3.5 for SafePal S1. The rating follows the product rubric published on our about page; the rows above set custody, price and platforms side by side so you can check it.

Is BitBox02 or SafePal S1 bitcoin-only?

Neither: both support assets beyond bitcoin. BitBox02: Multi edition supports bitcoin plus other assets; the Bitcoin-only edition runs firmware with the rest removed. SafePal S1: Multi-asset: bitcoin among a long list of chains and tokens, managed through the SafePal app.

The full reviews: BitBox02 and SafePal S1, each with its sources, and every wallet we review.

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