Neon Wallet is a free, open-source light wallet for the NEO blockchain, aimed at users who hold NEO and GAS and want a simple desktop tool for everyday transfers. It runs as a desktop application on Windows and handles the core tasks most holders need: creating or importing accounts, checking balances, and sending assets.
Because it is a light wallet, it does not download the full blockchain. Instead it connects to network nodes to read balances and submit transactions. That keeps setup quick, though it also means you rely on the nodes you connect to. The project is open source, and the code is published on GitHub, which lets technically minded users inspect what the software does before trusting it with funds.
What Is NEO and Why Use a Dedicated NEO Wallet?
NEO is a blockchain platform that was designed to support smart contracts and digital assets. Its native token, NEO, represents governance and voting rights, while GAS is the utility token used to pay network fees and is generated over time by holding NEO.
Because NEO uses its own address format and token standards, a wallet built for the chain handles these details natively. A general-purpose multi-currency wallet may not display NEP5 tokens or NEP6 files correctly, which is why chain-specific wallets like Neon Wallet remain popular among NEO holders.
Who Is Neon Wallet For?
Neon Wallet is best suited to people who already hold NEO or GAS and want a straightforward desktop tool. It is a reasonable fit for users who value open-source code and want control over their own keys rather than leaving funds on an exchange.
It is less suited to someone who wants to manage dozens of unrelated cryptocurrencies in one place. The wallet focuses on the NEO ecosystem, so users who need broad multi-chain coverage will be better served by a different tool.
Common Use Cases for a Light NEO Wallet
A typical scenario is a holder who receives GAS as a reward and wants to move part of it to an exchange. The wallet lets them check the balance, enter the destination address from the address book, and send the transfer without running a full node.
Another use is paying several people at once. A small team that pays contractors in NEO or NEP5 tokens can use multi-recipient sending to prepare one batch instead of sending separate transactions. Users who want to test a workflow first can switch to the Test network and practice with no real value at stake.
How Light Wallets Work and What They Trade Off
A light wallet, sometimes called a thin client, does not store the full history of the blockchain. It asks remote nodes for the information it needs, such as balances and transaction status, and signs transactions locally with your key.
This approach saves disk space and start-up time, but it introduces a dependency on the nodes. If a node returns wrong data, the wallet may show incorrect balances, so it is worth checking important transactions in a block explorer. Signing still happens with your key, which is why protecting that key matters more than anything else.
Key features
Wallet creation and key encryption
Multiple login methods
NEP6 import and export
Balance and price views
Sending NEO, GAS and NEP5 tokens
Address book
Network switching
NEP9 QR support
Supported coins
Neon Wallet works with the NEO blockchain, including its native NEO and GAS tokens and NEP5 tokens on the same network. It also supports sending to multiple recipients and switching between the Test and Main networks. The wallet is focused on the NEO ecosystem rather than on many unrelated blockchains.
How to install Neon Wallet on Windows
- 1
Download the Windows build
Go to the official Neon Wallet project page or the GitHub Releases page for the cityofzion/neon-wallet repository. Download the Windows installer or build for the latest release, v3.0.4. Avoid mirrors and third-party download sites.
- 2
Verify the file
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file with the value published on the release page. If the project provides a signature, verify it as well. A mismatch means the file should not be run.
- 3
Run the installer
Open the installer and follow the prompts. Choose an installation folder you control. If Windows SmartScreen or your antivirus flags the file, check the checksum again rather than disabling protection.
- 4
Create or import an account
On first launch, create a new wallet or log in with an existing key. Set a strong password for the encrypted key, and write down the recovery information on paper. Do not store it in a screenshot or cloud note.
-
Connect a Ledger device (optional)
If you use a Ledger hardware wallet, connect it via USB, unlock it, open the NEO app on the device and choose Ledger as the login method in Neon Wallet. Confirm each transaction on the device screen.
System requirements
- Windows operating system with a standard desktop environment
- Internet connection to reach NEO network nodes
- USB port if you plan to use a Ledger hardware wallet
How to use Neon Wallet
Neon Wallet is designed to be used in a few clear steps. Start on the Test network if you are new, so mistakes cost nothing, and move to the Main network once you are comfortable with the interface. Keep your private key or encrypted file backed up before you add any real funds.
- Launch the wallet and choose to create a new account or log in with an existing one.
- Set a strong password and confirm that the encrypted key is saved somewhere safe.
- Check your NEO, GAS and token balances on the main screen.
- Open the address book and add the addresses you pay most often, with clear labels.
- To send a payment, select the asset, enter or scan the recipient address, and type the amount.
- For several payments at once, add each recipient and amount in the multi-recipient view.
- Review the fee and the destination address carefully, then confirm the transaction.
- Wait for the transaction to appear on a block explorer before assuming it has completed.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, with code published on GitHub
- Supports Ledger hardware wallets for safer signing
- Handles NEO, GAS and NEP5 tokens in one interface
- Multi-recipient sending saves time on batch payments
- Test network mode for practice without real value
- NEP6 import and export for wallet portability
- Focused on the NEO ecosystem, so not suited to many other chains
- Available as a desktop application without a dedicated mobile version
- Light-wallet design relies on the network nodes it connects to
- Hardware wallet support is limited to Ledger
- Requires care with key backups since recovery depends on the user
Is Neon Wallet safe?
Neon Wallet handles private keys, so treat installation as a security task. Download the software only from the official project website or the GitHub Releases page, and never from links in messages or ads. Check the SHA-256 checksum of the installer against the published value before running it. If a signature is provided, verify that too.
Never enter your seed phrase, private key or encrypted key file on any third-party website, even one that looks like the official wallet. Antivirus software sometimes flags wallet executables, but you should investigate a warning by re-checking the checksum rather than turning protection off. For larger balances, use a Ledger device so signing stays on the hardware. Note that the project's last code update was in May 2025, so review its release page for the latest status before relying on it.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/cityofzion/neon-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
Neon Wallet differs from most of the wallets in this catalog because it is built around one blockchain. Coinomi, Atomic Wallet and Trust Wallet cover hundreds or thousands of assets across many networks, which suits users with diverse holdings. Exodus combines a wallet with built-in exchange features, a convenience that Neon Wallet does not aim to provide.
If your goal is simply to hold and move NEO and GAS with an open-source tool, Neon Wallet is the more focused choice. Electron Cash is also a single-chain wallet, but for Bitcoin Cash rather than NEO. Frame is a system-level Web3 wallet for developers, while Greenery targets bookkeeping. Compare the networks each tool supports before choosing.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v3.0.4
- Last update
- 8 May 2025
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/cityofzion/neon-wallet
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Neon Wallet is free. It is an open-source project, and its source code is published on GitHub. You do not pay to download or use the wallet, but blockchain network fees apply to each transaction you send.
Yes, Neon Wallet is available for Windows as an installer or a ready build. Download it from the official project page or the GitHub Releases page, verify the checksum, and then run the installer like any other desktop application.
Yes, the wallet can send GAS, NEO and any NEP5 token. Balances for these assets appear on the main screen. Make sure you are on the correct network, as tokens shown on the Test network are not the same as those on the Main network.
Yes, you can log in using a Ledger device. Connect the device by USB, unlock it, open the NEO app, and select Ledger as the login method. Transactions are then confirmed on the hardware device screen, which keeps the private key offline.
It can be, provided you download it only from official sources, verify the checksum, and protect your keys. The code is open source, which allows independent review. Be aware that the last code update was in May 2025, so check the project status before storing large amounts.
A private key is the raw secret that controls your account. An encrypted private key is the same secret protected by a password, so someone with the file still cannot use it without that password. Neon Wallet lets you store keys in encrypted form.
Switch the wallet to the Test network before sending anything. Test coins have no market value, so you can practice creating accounts, sending payments and using the address book safely. Move to the Main network only when you understand each step.
Yes, if the other tool supports the NEP6 standard. You can export the account from Neon Wallet in NEP6 format and import it elsewhere. Keep the export file and its password safe, since anyone with both can access the funds.
Verdict
Neon Wallet suits NEO and GAS holders who want a free, open-source desktop wallet with a clear focus on one blockchain. It covers the essentials well: encrypted keys, Ledger support, NEP5 tokens, multi-recipient sending and a Test network for practice. Its narrow scope is a strength for NEO users and a limitation for anyone managing many different assets. Before relying on it for significant funds, confirm the latest release status on the official website.