Arqma Wallet types compared

Quick comparison

All four are non-custodial — you hold the keys in every case. The differences are about how the keys are stored and what surfaces an attacker can reach.

GUI wallet (desktop)

The graphical desktop app. This is the recommended starting point for nearly everyone. It bundles a full node (or a remote-node option), shows balances and transactions visually, and handles backup prompts so you don’t miss a step.

• Use it for: any balance, daily use, anyone who finds a terminal scary.
• Avoid if: you only have a phone and no computer.

Install guides: Windows, macOS, Linux. Get the binary from our download page.

CLI wallet (advanced)

A command-line wallet for users who want scripted control, headless server use, or the minimum-footprint install. It supports the full set of wallet operations, including features the GUI hasn’t surfaced yet (multisig, custom RPC, automated payouts).

• Use it for: exchanges, mining pool payouts, scripts, very security-conscious setups on a clean machine.
• Avoid if: you’re uncomfortable in a terminal — the failure modes are quieter and easier to misread.

Mobile wallet

iOS and Android apps that put a spending balance in your pocket. Mobile is great for paying, receiving, and checking — not for storing large balances long-term.

• Use it for: day-to-day spending, point-of-sale, small balances.
• Avoid for: your entire net worth. Phones get lost, factory-reset, and updated in ways that can wipe local data.

Setup walkthrough: mobile wallet setup.

Web wallet

A browser-based wallet served from wallet.arqmawallet.com. No install, instant access. The trade-off is inherent: the wallet code is delivered over the network on every load, which makes it harder to verify than a binary you installed once and pinned.

• Use it for: a tiny convenience balance, public/shared computers (with a wallet you don’t mind losing).
• Avoid for: savings, large transfers, anything you couldn’t cheerfully lose.

Full honest assessment: web wallet info.

How to choose

Two questions narrow it down fast:

1. How much are you storing? Pocket money → mobile or web. Anything bigger → desktop.
2. How comfortable are you with technical tools? Beginners → GUI. Power users → CLI.

If you’re still unsure, default to the desktop GUI. It’s the safest sane starting point, and you can add mobile later for spending.

Mixing wallet types is fine

You can restore the same seed phrase into multiple wallets — your GUI on your laptop and your mobile app see the same balance. They’re views of the same underlying keys. That’s the simplest way to have both a savings setup and a spending setup without managing two seeds.

Want two truly separate wallets (e.g. personal vs. business)? Create two seed phrases, two backups, two everything. See getting started.