Crypto hardware wallet comparison KeepKey vs Trezor Model T
Our impressions
KeepKey
Trezor Model T
- Has a great community and (d)app ecosystem
- Very high usability through the touch-screen
- Future-proof USB-C port
- Uses the BIP-39 standard, which allows wallet recovery even without hardware
- Open source firmware that can be audited by the community
- Can be used as a secure key, providing additional value outside crypto use-cases
- Also includes unique features for highly advanced users, like Shamir backup
- Outdated microUSB port
- Needs constant USB connection
- Requires constant USB connection to operate
- Key extraction vulnerability (if an attacker with the right tools and knowledge has physical access to the hardware wallet)
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.
In our opinion currently one of the best hardware wallets on the market. We especially love the usability that comes with the touch screen. Make sure to use a passphrase if you are worried about key extraction attacks. Read more about the vulnerability
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
Trezor Model T
2015
2018
Supports multiple coins
Supports 7.000+ assets on 340+ blockchains
Supports multiple coins, Bitcoin-only mode available
- BTC, ETH, ADA, XRP, LTC, XLM, DOGE, DASH, XMR
- and a thousand others. See a full list at trezor.io/coins
- Firmware
- Companion software
- Firmware
- Companion software
- BIP-39 (Mnemonic phrase)
- Passphrase
- BIP-39 (Mnemonic phrase)
- SLIP-39 (Shamir backup)
- Passphrase
- 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)
- On device PIN entry
- Factory reset with wrong PIN
- Factory reset with decoy PIN
- On device passphrase entry
- On device recovery
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- Android
on Linux make sure to add udev rules
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- Android
- iOS
- ChromeOS
Chrome OS is not officially supported and relies on WebUSB in the Chrome browser. This means that, i.e., it’s not possible to set up a freshly unboxed Trezor T, you need to perform the first-time firmware installation on a PC or Mac.
- FIDO U2F
- FIDO2 Webauthn
- SSH
can be used in conjunction with the companion app to store TOTP secrets and generate codes for TOTP based 2FA
- supports GPG encryption
- microSD card slot
- Password Manager
Technical specifications
KeepKey
Trezor Model T
94 mm x 38.4 mm x 12.2 mm
3.7 in x 1.51 in x 0.48 in
64 mm x 39 mm x 10 mm
2.52 in x 1.54 in x 0.39 in
52 g
1.83 oz
16 g
0.56 oz
- Monochrome
- OLED
256×64 pixels
- Color
- Touchscreen
Full color LCD touchscreen
240 x 240 px
- micro USB
- USB-C
- microSD card
SD card can be used to secure PIN (device can not be unlocked unless the correct SD card is present)
SD card not yet used in any other capacity, other than protecting PIN
168 MHz Cortex-M4
CE and RoHS certifications
Airplane and X-ray safe
Black plastics and Anodized Aluminum
Robust plastics
Available in black
Silicone protection case in multiple colors available