Feather Wallet is a free, open-source wallet for Monero (XMR) that runs on Windows, Linux, macOS and Tails. It is aimed at people who want to hold and send Monero from their own computer instead of relying on a web service, and who are ready to look after their own keys.
Feather Wallet for Windows is distributed under the BSD 3-Clause license and written in C++ with the Qt framework. The current version is 2.8.1, and the code was last updated on October 31, 2026. On Windows, you can install it through winget or download it directly from the official site. If you are new to Monero, it is worth learning the basics before you move any real funds.
What Is Monero and Why Use a Desktop Wallet?
Monero is a cryptocurrency built around privacy. By default, its transactions are designed to obscure the sender, the recipient and the amount, which sets it apart from chains where every transfer is publicly traceable.
A desktop wallet like Feather keeps the software and your keys on your own computer. You decide when to connect to the network, and you do not depend on a company's servers to hold your balance. Most Monero wallets connect either to a node you run yourself or to a remote node you choose in settings. Running your own node takes more disk space and time, while a remote node is quicker to start with but requires trust in whoever operates it.
That trade-off is the key idea to understand before you pick a wallet. Desktop software gives you control, but control also means responsibility for backups, updates and safe downloads.
Who Feather Wallet Is For
Feather suits several kinds of users. A long-term holder who wants to keep Monero off exchanges is one. Someone who receives Monero payments for freelance work and wants a simple desktop tool is another. Privacy-minded users who run Tails from a USB drive also have a natural fit, since the wallet supports that system.
Here is a typical scenario. A Windows user sets up Feather on a home PC, writes down the seed phrase on paper, and keeps it in a drawer. Later, they receive a payment, check the balance once the wallet finishes syncing, and send part of it to a friend. Nothing in that workflow requires a special account, which is what many people like about desktop wallets.
Feather is less suitable for someone who wants one app to handle dozens of tokens, staking or a built-in trading screen. For those needs, a multi-asset wallet is usually more convenient.
Why Open Source Matters for Crypto Software
Open-source code lets anyone read how a program handles keys, addresses and transactions. For a wallet, that transparency is valuable because the software sits between you and your funds. Independent developers and security researchers can look for problems, and users can compare the code with what they actually run.
Open source does not guarantee a program is free of bugs. It only makes review possible. Reading code takes skill, so many users rely on a project's reputation, its release history and how quickly it fixes issues. Checking when the code was last updated is another useful signal.
There is also a practical benefit. When a project publishes checksums and signed releases, you can confirm that the file you installed matches what the developers published. That check is one of the most useful habits for anyone installing wallet software.
Key features
Open-Source Code
Runs on Several Desktop Systems
Built With C++ and Qt
Free to Use
Feedback Without a GitHub Account
Simple Install With winget
Supported coins
Feather is focused on Monero (XMR). If you hold other coins, you will need a separate wallet for them, since the program is built around a single chain rather than many assets.
How to install Feather Wallet on Windows
PS> winget install FeatherWallet.Feather- 1
Download the installer
Download the program from the official website at featherwallet.org or from the Releases page of the project's GitHub repository. Sticking to these two sources keeps you away from copies that someone may have modified.
- 2
Verify the checksum
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file with the value published alongside the release. If a signature is published, verify that as well. A mismatch means the file should not be installed.
- 3
Install with winget or the installer
Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell and run winget install FeatherWallet.Feather. Alternatively, run the installer you downloaded and follow the prompts. Either way, you get the packaged program rather than a build from source.
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Create or restore your wallet
On first launch, create a new wallet or restore an existing one. Write the seed phrase on paper and store it offline. Set a strong password for the wallet file on this computer before you receive any funds.
How to use Feather Wallet
Once Feather is installed, the basic workflow is similar to most desktop wallets. Take your time on the first run, because the choices you make during setup decide how easily you can recover your funds later. The numbered steps below cover the usual path.
- Open Feather and choose whether to create a new wallet or restore one from its seed phrase.
- Set a strong password to protect the wallet file on this computer.
- Wait for the wallet to connect and finish syncing with the Monero network before you check your balance.
- To receive Monero, open the receive section, copy your address and share it with the sender.
- To send Monero, paste the recipient address, enter the amount and review the network fee.
- Confirm the transaction and keep the transaction ID until the funds show as received.
If something looks wrong, pause before you send anything else and recheck the address you entered.
Pros & cons
- Free to use, with an open-source BSD 3-Clause license
- Runs on Windows, Linux, macOS and Tails
- Bugs and feature ideas can be submitted without a GitHub account
- Easy installation with winget
- Focused on Monero, a privacy-oriented cryptocurrency
- Built around Monero, so it is not suited to holding many different coins
- Narrower focus than multi-asset wallets, so fewer built-in extras
- Using it safely means managing your own seed phrase and backups, which can be demanding for beginners
Is Feather Wallet safe?
Feather Wallet handles your keys, so treat the download as a security step. Get the installer from the official website at featherwallet.org or from the project's GitHub Releases page, and check the SHA-256 checksum or signature before you run it. The current release is 2.8.1, so check the official website for newer builds before installing. Never enter your seed phrase on a third-party website, in a chat or in an email, and never give it to anyone who asks. Keep your seed phrase on paper stored offline, because a lost seed phrase cannot be recovered by the developers.
- Official source only. Download from featherwallet.org. 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
Feather sits in a different niche from many wallets in this catalog. Coinomi and Atomic Wallet cover hundreds or thousands of assets, while Exodus adds a built-in exchange. Bitcoin Safe and Electron Cash also concentrate on a single chain, but for Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash. If Monero is your main asset and you want a lean, open-source desktop program, Feather is the more focused choice. If you need one app for many tokens, a multi-asset wallet such as Coinomi or Exodus is the better fit.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- BSD 3-Clause
- Latest version
- 2.8.1
- Last update
- 31 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Yes (available via winget)
- Official site
- featherwallet.org
- Source code
- github.com/dergigi/feather
- Install command
- winget install FeatherWallet.Feather
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Feather Wallet is free and distributed under the BSD 3-Clause open-source license. You do not pay the developers to download or use it. Network fees still apply when you send Monero, because those fees are paid to the Monero network itself.
Feather can be used safely if you take basic precautions. Download it from the official website or GitHub, check the SHA-256 checksum, and keep your seed phrase offline. Its open-source code means anyone can review it, but that does not replace your own backups and careful handling of keys.
Yes. Windows is one of the supported platforms, along with Linux, macOS and Tails. The easiest route is winget, using the command winget install FeatherWallet.Feather, though you can also install from the download page if you prefer.
Feather Wallet is built for Monero (XMR). It is not a general multi-coin wallet, so if you hold other assets you will need a different program for them. Many people keep Monero in a dedicated wallet like this one and use other apps for everything else.
Yes. Bugs and feature ideas can be submitted through GitWorkshop, and no GitHub account is needed. The project also mirrors its source and release tags with ngit on two GRASP servers, which adds redundancy to where the code can be found.
Feather is a good alternative if you only need Monero. Coinomi supports more than 1700 assets, so it suits people who hold many different coins. Feather is leaner and focused on one privacy-oriented chain, which some users prefer.
Verdict
Feather Wallet for Windows suits people who want a free, open-source Monero wallet and are willing to manage their own keys. Its BSD 3-Clause license, support for several desktop systems and easy winget install make it a practical choice for Monero holders. It is less suitable for anyone who wants one app for many coins or built-in services. Test it with a small amount first, and confirm your seed phrase backup works before you rely on it.