Electron Wallet is a free, open-source crypto wallet for Windows users who want a desktop program they can inspect and run on their own computer. It belongs to the crypto wallet category and suits people who prefer software they control over browser-based services. The project is released under the MIT license, which gives users broad freedom to read and modify the code.
Before you install anything, note that the latest code update in the project's repository dates to August 2022. That is more than two years ago, so the program may not receive the fixes or changes that newer wallets get. Read this page with that in mind, and treat Electron Wallet as an older project rather than an actively maintained one.
What Electron Wallet Is Built For
Electron Wallet is a desktop application that keeps wallet functions on your own computer rather than in a browser tab. That distinction matters when you hold cryptocurrency, because the program handles the keys needed to sign transactions locally. Desktop wallets appeal to people who want to reduce their dependence on a web service for basic access.
For example, someone managing a small personal balance may prefer a program that lives on a dedicated Windows machine rather than a shared one. Another user might keep the wallet separate from everyday browsing and email. These habits reduce some exposure, but they also shift responsibility for backups and updates onto the user.
Think of the program as one tool in a broader toolkit. It is a way to control your own keys, with the upside and the maintenance burden that come with that control.
Who Should Consider a Desktop Wallet
The program suits Windows users who want a free wallet and are comfortable reading documentation and checking downloads. Developers who want to study how a desktop wallet is structured will find the open code useful. Students of cryptocurrency can also learn from it by comparing the code with how a wallet behaves on screen.
It is a weaker fit for people who want constant updates, a large vendor with formal support, or the newest network support. Beginners who have never handled a seed phrase may find a mainstream product with more guidance easier to start with. Matching the tool to your experience matters more than picking the most feature-rich option.
How Desktop Crypto Wallets Manage Keys
A crypto wallet does not usually store coins in the way a bank stores money. Instead, it holds private keys, which are secret values that authorize transactions, and it shows you public addresses that others can send funds to. Whoever controls the private keys controls the funds.
A seed phrase, sometimes called recovery words, is a list of words that can regenerate those keys. Writing it down and storing it offline is the most common way to protect a wallet from loss. If you lose both the computer and the recovery words, the funds may become unreachable.
Wallets that let you hold your own keys are often described as non-custodial. That model gives you control, but it also means no one can reset your access if you make a mistake.
Key features
Open source code
MIT license
Free Windows download
How to install Electron Wallet on Windows
- 1
Open the official source
Go to the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page. Download only from official sources, and avoid links shared in forums, ads or messages.
- 2
Verify the file
Check the SHA-256 checksum of the download against the value published with the release, or verify the signature if the project provides one. If the values do not match, do not run the file.
- 3
Run the installer
Launch the Windows installer, or extract the Windows build to a folder you control. Follow the prompts and accept the default location unless you have a specific reason to change it.
-
Set up your wallet
Create a new wallet or restore an existing one. Write the recovery words on paper and store them offline. Never type them into a website or send them to anyone.
How to use Electron Wallet
Electron Wallet works like most desktop wallets: you set it up once, then return to it to check balances, prepare transactions and keep your recovery words safe. Because the project is older, take extra time at each step and confirm what you see on screen.
- Open the program after installation and read any setup prompts carefully.
- Create a new wallet, or restore one using your existing recovery words.
- Write the recovery words on paper and store them in a secure offline place.
- Confirm the receive address on screen before you share it with anyone.
- Send a small test amount first to confirm the process works as you expect.
- Review each transaction, including the recipient address and amount, before approving it.
- Close the program when you finish and keep Windows and your security software updated.
A small test transfer is the simplest way to catch mistakes before they cost real money.
Pros & cons
- Free to download and use
- Released under the MIT license
- Source code is publicly available on GitHub
- Ready-made Windows build or installer, so no compiling is needed
- Last code update was in August 2022, more than two years ago
- Little visible sign of recent development activity
- Downloads need careful manual verification
Is Electron Wallet safe?
Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page, and avoid mirrors or file-sharing sites. Compare the file's SHA-256 checksum with the value published by the project, or verify its signature if one is provided. Antivirus software may flag unfamiliar wallet installers, so look into the reason before acting, but never turn protection off entirely. The last code update was in August 2022, more than two years ago, so check the latest version on the official website and keep your balance modest while you evaluate it. Never enter your seed phrase on any third-party website or in a message to anyone.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/pokt-foundation/electron-wallet. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
Electron Wallet differs from several listed alternatives mainly in scope and maintenance. Coinomi and Atomic Wallet advertise much larger asset lists, while Exodus combines a desktop wallet with a built-in exchange. Those programs focus on breadth and convenience, which many users value for daily use. Electron Cash shares a similar name, but it is a lightweight wallet focused on Bitcoin Cash, so it suits a narrower need. Frame takes a different approach as a system-level Web3 wallet for desktop. Trust Wallet works on PC through a browser extension, which makes its installation experience distinct. Electron Wallet stands out for its open-source MIT license and its older update history.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- MIT
- Latest version
- —
- Last update
- 30 Aug 2022
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/pokt-foundation/electron-wallet
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Electron Wallet is free to download and use, and its source code is released under the MIT license, which also allows free reading and modification. Being free does not mean the project is actively maintained, so weigh the August 2022 update date alongside the price.
It can be used with care, but it deserves extra caution. The code is public, which allows independent review, yet the last update dates to August 2022. Verify every download, keep your recovery words private, and never share them with a website or another person.
Get the Windows build or installer from the official source, check its checksum, and then run the setup. Create a new wallet or restore an existing one, and write the recovery words down offline before you store any funds.
Coin support is the first thing to confirm before you send funds. Check the wallet's own screens for the assets it handles, and do not assume a coin is supported just because it is popular. Sending funds on an unsupported network can cause permanent loss.
Electron Wallet is a general desktop crypto wallet, while Electron Cash is a lightweight wallet focused on Bitcoin Cash. Despite similar names, they are separate programs with different scopes. Choose based on which network you actually plan to use.
No, Electron Wallet is a wallet for managing keys and transactions, not mining software. Mining tools belong to a separate category and carry their own risks. If you need mining software, look for a dedicated product and review it carefully.
Verdict
Electron Wallet suits Windows users who want a free, open-source desktop wallet and are comfortable reviewing software themselves. Its MIT license and public code are real strengths. However, the last code update in August 2022 is a significant drawback, so it is less suitable for people who want active maintenance and frequent security fixes. If ongoing development matters to you, compare it with the alternatives listed on this page before committing funds.