Ledger vs Trezor — Head-to-Head Custody Comparison

An independent, data-driven comparison of Ledger and Trezor across security, insurance, fees, regulatory compliance, and more.

Verdict

Quick Verdict

Ledger scores 6.1 vs Trezor's 6.1. Ledger leads in 1 of 8 categories.

Ledger is better suited for Individual holders, Long-term HODLers, Privacy-focused users. Trezor is better suited for Open-source advocates, Privacy-focused users, Long-term holders.

6.1

FairCustody Score

Ledger

6.1

FairCustody Score

Trezor

Scores

Score Comparison

Weighted scores across all 8 custody criteria.

Criterion	Weight	Ledger	Trezor	Winner
Security	20%	9.0	8.5	Ledger
Insurance	15%	1.0	1.0	Tie
Regulatory	15%	2.0	2.0	Tie
Fee Transparency	10%	9.5	9.5	Tie
Track Record	15%	8.5	9.0	Trezor
Withdrawal Flexibility	10%	9.5	9.5	Tie
Reporting & Audit	10%	2.0	2.0	Tie
Counterparty Diversification	5%	9.0	9.0	Tie
Overall Score	100%	6.1	6.1	Tie

Visual

Score Radar

Visual overlay of Ledger and Trezor across all categories.

LedgerTrezor

Deep Dive

Category-by-Category Analysis

A deeper look at how each provider performs in every scoring criterion.

Security (9.0 vs 8.5)

Ledger uses Secure element hardware wallet key management with 100% in cold storage and regular penetration testing. Compliance: ANSSI certified. Incident history: 2020 customer database leak (not keys). No key compromises..

Trezor uses Open-source hardware wallet key management with 100% in cold storage and regular penetration testing. Compliance: Open-source audited. Incident history: Physical extraction vulnerability (patched). No remote compromises..

Insurance (1.0 vs 1.0)

Ledger offers None — self-custody hardware via N/A. Hardware wallet. Users are fully responsible for their own security and backup.

Trezor offers None — self-custody hardware via N/A. Hardware wallet. Full user responsibility.

Regulatory (2.0 vs 2.0)

Ledger holds N/A — hardware manufacturer and is not a qualified custodian operating in France (EU). Consumer electronics company. ANSSI certified secure element.

Trezor holds N/A — hardware manufacturer and is not a qualified custodian operating in Czech Republic (EU). SatoshiLabs — consumer electronics.

Fee Transparency (9.5 vs 9.5)

Ledger charges None in annual custody fees with Network fees only per transaction. One-time device cost. No ongoing fees. Free Ledger Live software.

Trezor charges None in annual custody fees with Network fees only per transaction. One-time purchase. Fully open-source. Free Trezor Suite software.

Track Record (8.5 vs 9.0)

Ledger was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Paris, France. AUM: N/A (hardware manufacturer). Incident history: 2020 customer database leak (not keys). No key compromises..

Trezor was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic. AUM: N/A (hardware manufacturer). Incident history: Physical extraction vulnerability (patched). No remote compromises..

Withdrawal Flexibility (9.5 vs 9.5)

Ledger withdrawal fees: Network fees only. Minimum account: ~$79 (Nano S Plus) / ~$149 (Nano X). Supported assets: Bitcoin, Ethereum, 5,500+ cryptocurrencies.

Trezor withdrawal fees: Network fees only. Minimum account: ~$69 (Model One) / ~$219 (Model T) / ~$169 (Safe 3). Supported assets: Bitcoin, Ethereum, 1,800+ cryptocurrencies.

Reporting & Audit (2.0 vs 2.0)

Ledger: SOC compliance is ANSSI certified. Not classified as a qualified custodian.

Trezor: SOC compliance is Open-source audited. Not classified as a qualified custodian.

Counterparty Diversification (9.0 vs 9.0)

Ledger is a cold storage / hardware provider. Key management: Hardware wallet with secure element chip. Keys never leave the device. Companion app Ledger Live for management..

Trezor is a cold storage / hardware provider. Key management: Open-source hardware wallet. Keys stored on device. Trezor Suite for management..

Fees

Fee Comparison

Side-by-side fee breakdown for Ledger and Trezor.

Fee Type	Ledger	Trezor
Setup Fee	$79-$149 (device purchase)	$69-$219 (device purchase)
Annual Custody	None	None
Transaction	Network fees only	Network fees only
Withdrawal	Network fees only	Network fees only

Ledger: One-time device cost. No ongoing fees. Free Ledger Live software.

Trezor: One-time purchase. Fully open-source. Free Trezor Suite software.

Features

Feature Comparison

Checklist of features across both providers.

Feature	Ledger	Trezor
5,500+ asset support	✓	✗
Bluetooth (Nano X)	✓	✗
Coin control	✗	✓
Fully open-source	✗	✓
Ledger Live management app	✓	✗
NFT management	✓	✗
Secure element chip	✓	✗
Shamir backup (SLIP39)	✗	✓
Staking support	✓	✗
Tor integration	✗	✓
Touchscreen (Model T)	✗	✓
Trezor Suite desktop app	✗	✓

Recommendation

Who Should Choose Which?

Ledger is better if you…

✓Are a individual holders
✓Are a long-term hodlers
✓Are a privacy-focused users
✓Are a beginners to self-custody
✓Want: World's most popular hardware wallet
✓Want: Secure element chip — bank-grade security
✓Want: 5,500+ supported assets

Trezor is better if you…

✓Are a open-source advocates
✓Are a privacy-focused users
✓Are a long-term holders
✓Are a technically-inclined users
✓Want: First hardware wallet — longest track record
✓Want: Fully open-source firmware and software
✓Want: Shamir backup for better key security

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ledger or Trezor better for Bitcoin custody?

Ledger scores 6.1 vs 6.1 in our weighted Custody Score. Ledger leads in 1 of 8 scoring categories. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs: Ledger is best for Individual holders and Long-term HODLers, while Trezor suits Open-source advocates and Privacy-focused users.

What is the difference between Ledger and Trezor?

Ledger is a cold storage / hardware provider, while Trezor is a cold storage / hardware provider. Ledger excels in Fee Transparency, whereas Trezor is strongest in Fee Transparency.

How do Ledger and Trezor fees compare?

Ledger charges None annual custody fees with Network fees only transaction fees. Trezor charges None annual custody fees with Network fees only transaction fees.

Which is more secure, Ledger or Trezor?

Ledger scores 9.0/10 for security while Trezor scores 8.5/10. Ledger uses Secure element hardware wallet key management, and Trezor uses Open-source hardware wallet.