Crypto hardware wallet comparison Trezor Model T vs Keystone 3 Pro
Our impressions
Trezor Model T
Keystone 3 Pro
- 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
- Supports 3 concurrent seed phrases
- Convenient user experience with the huge touchscreen
- Completely autonomous device with long lasting battery lifetime (should be at least 100+ hours in sleep mode when using the device a couple times per day, 18+ months when turned off)
- Easy process for online Device Verification
- 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 airgapped QR code paradigm requires a camera on the paired device for certain interactions
- We love their dedication to open source “EVERY SINGLE LINE” of code they write, including their hardware designs. As long as they do not deliver on their promise, it sadly still is a closed source product.
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
The Keystone 3 Pro is a device that we can see in a “broad adoption of everyday Crypto financial transactions” scenario. It is a fully air-gapped, autonomous device that has great battery life with an easy to use interface on a convenient 4-inch touchscreen. We would add it to our everyday carry in an instant, in a world where QR code based Crypto payments are available at every shop and venue.
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
Trezor Model T
Keystone 3 Pro
2018
2023
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
Supports multiple coins
5000+ Coins Supported (Bitcoin & EVM chains)
Bitcoin-only Firmware is supposedly in the works, with an estimated release date some time before the next Bitcoin halving
Source: Comment on reddit.com
- Firmware
- Companion software
- Planned
The Keystone team is working on also open sourcing “EVERY SINGLE LINE of code we’ve written”, including their hardware design, with an announced release date in November 2023. The announcement is worded in a way that it leaves some room of what we really can expect to be released and if they can meet their own release date.
Source: Official blog post concerning Open Source
As the focus of the Keystone 3 series is on 3rd party app compatibility the previous companion software will be faded out in the future.
Source: second hand user comment on reddit.com
- BIP-39 (Mnemonic phrase)
- SLIP-39 (Shamir backup)
- Passphrase
- BIP-39 (Mnemonic phrase)
- SLIP-39 (Shamir backup)
- Passphrase
- Multiple seedphrases on one device
- On device PIN entry
- Factory reset with wrong PIN
- Factory reset with decoy PIN
- On device passphrase entry
- On device recovery
- Secure element
- On device PIN entry
- Factory reset with wrong PIN
- On device passphrase entry
- On device recovery
- Fingerprint sensor
- Air-gapped QR code
Triple Secure Element Chips
USB & MicroSD Card Firmware Upgrading
PCI Anti-tamper Feature
- 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.
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- Android
- iOS
- ChromeOS
- FIDO U2F
- FIDO2 Webauthn
- SSH
- supports GPG encryption
- microSD card slot
- Password Manager
Technical specifications
Trezor Model T
Keystone 3 Pro
64 mm x 39 mm x 10 mm
2.52 in x 1.54 in x 0.39 in
62.44 mm x 103.9 mm x 12.08 mm
2.46 in x 4.09 in x 0.48 in
16 g
0.56 oz
103 g
3.63 oz
- Color
- Touchscreen
Full color LCD touchscreen
240 x 240 px
- Color
- Touchscreen
4-Inch LCD TFT Touchscreen
480 x 800 pixels
- USB-C
- USB-C (limited to charging and firmware updates)
- Bluetooth
- 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
- microSD card
168 MHz Cortex-M4
n/a
CE and RoHS certifications
Airplane and X-ray safe
PCI security standards
Robust plastics
Available in black
Silicone protection case in multiple colors available
Black plastics (PC + ABS)