Crypto hardware wallet comparison KeepKey vs GridPlus Lattice1
Our impressions
KeepKey
GridPlus Lattice1
- Has a great community and (d)app ecosystem
- Very high usability through the 5-inch touch-screen
- Does not require USB connection
- Uses the BIP-39 standard, which allows wallet recovery even without hardware
- Open source software that can be audited by the community
- Supports SSH access to control the Linux environment of the device (ideal for advanced users / tinkerers)
- Outdated microUSB port
- Needs constant USB connection
- Not very portable (yet… there are hints from the GridPlus team that they might work on a portable version that supports SmartCards)
- Supports only one non-mainstream wallet app on smartphones
- Requires it’s own power supply and Internet connection (supports Ethernet and WLAN)
The product has a nice build quality and finish, a solid (d)app ecosystem, and a great community. The product launched in 2015 and it shows its age, compared to newer hardware wallet products. Most notably it has no secure element, a microUSB port, and limits itself to a single button for on-device input.
That being said, we would still prefer it over any software wallet, though.
The GridPlus Lattice1 features a very unique SmartCard concept. The base station stays on your desktop and you just carry your wallet on a SmartCard that has the same dimensions like any other credit card. In our mind this seems like the perfect setup in professional workplace environments. The 5-inch touch screen will also appeal to private users, as it really makes interactions much more comfortable in comparison to other hardware wallet products.
Support of Ethereum and EVM based chains is very good, especially on Desktop PCs and Notebooks on Windows, MacOS, and Linux. Smartphone support is a bit lacking as there are not yet a lot of apps to choose from. Bitcoin support is limited to the Lattice Manager application, which does support sending and receiving BTC. Also portability might be an issue, if you do not own multiple devices. It seems like the GridPlus is already working on a product addressing this though.
In conclusion: In terms of security the device features many thought-through anti-tempering and security features. Integration into the Ethereum / EVM ecosystem is very mature and offers a very high level of usability. Depending on your use-case this might be the perfect form factor for you.
Disclaimer: Our impressions are based on a compilation of factors tailored to the average user’s perspective. It is also important to note that whether a feature is a “pro” or “con” can depend on your situation and preferences. What may be an advantage in one scenario could be a challenge in another, and vice versa. Therefore, while reviewing these points, it’s essential to consider your unique requirements and circumstances when making decisions. This list aims to provide an idea of what to anticipate, but it is not the ultimate guide to determining whether something will work for you or not.
Key features
KeepKey
GridPlus Lattice1
2015
2020
Supports multiple coins
Supports 7.000+ assets on 340+ blockchains
Supports multiple coins
Supports Bitcoin and Ethereum (including EVM based blockchains and ERC-20 tokens)
- Firmware
- Companion software
- BIP-39 (Mnemonic phrase)
- Passphrase
- BIP-39 (Mnemonic phrase)
- Passphrase
- Multiple seedphrases on one device
- On device PIN entry
after 3 wrong PIN entries an increasing timeout is applied for each wrong PIN (we stopped testing at 256 seconds around wrong PIN #8 or so)
- Secure element
- On device PIN entry
- On device passphrase entry
- On device recovery
One seedphrase per SafeCard
The security architecture of the Lattice1 combines two separate hardware environments within a single device and features many different protections (CLDS Tamper Detection Mesh, Internal Secure Enclave, Secure Computing Environment, Secure Mailbox, Integrated PCB Security Mesh, Compressed Elastomer Intrusion Detection, Logic Power Isolation, Read-Only Partition, Security Battery). Learn all about the security features: Official Documentation
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- Android
on Linux make sure to add udev rules
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- Android
- iOS
Very limited app choice for smartphones
can be used in conjunction with the companion app to store TOTP secrets and generate codes for TOTP based 2FA
Technical specifications
KeepKey
GridPlus Lattice1
94 mm x 38.4 mm x 12.2 mm
3.7 in x 1.51 in x 0.48 in
52 g
1.83 oz
- Monochrome
- OLED
256×64 pixels
- Color
- Touchscreen
5-inch TFT Display
480 x 800 pixels
Multipoint Capacitive Touch Panel
- micro USB
- WiFi
64GB Internal Storage
Black plastics and Anodized Aluminum
Black plastics