The article compares two leading cold wallets for 2025, Tangem and SafePal, focusing on their approaches to security, usability, and backup. Tangem stands out for its seedless, NFC-based system, offering simple setup, strong security, and no need for written recovery phrases, making it ideal for beginners and everyday users. In contrast, SafePal uses a traditional seed phrase and QR-code workflow, which is more complex and introduces additional security risks, making Tangem the recommended choice for most users.
You’ve just bought Ethereum—or some other newbie coin—for the first time. The price is climbing, your friends are buzzing about crypto, and you feel like you’re part of the future of money for the first time. But then you wonder, where do you keep it safe? You've heard horror stories of lost seed phrases, exchanges like FTX disappearing, and wallets that lock people out forever.
This is where the cold wallet really shines. In our hardware crypto wallet comparison series, we compare Tangem Wallet with other popular options, this time focusing on SafePal.
Both wallets are built for one purpose: keeping your crypto out of hackers’ reach. But the real question for 2025 is which is better, especially if you’re starting your journey today?
Let’s break down Tangem vs SafePal and find out which cold wallet truly deserves to be called the safest, simplest choice for this year and beyond.
Tangem wallet: the tap-to-use cold wallet
Tangem is a next-generation hardware wallet that resembles a bank card. Instead of dealing with screens, cables, or seed phrases, you simply tap the card on your smartphone to sign transactions.
It’s fully seedless by default, so there's no need to worry about losing a recovery phrase; you can easily create backup cards for added security.
Tangem supports over 16,000 coins and tokens, works with dApps, and uses a secure element (EAL6+) to keep your private keys permanently offline. For beginners, it’s one of the simplest and most secure ways to gain full control of crypto.
SafePal wallet: the QR code-based hardware wallet
SafePal is a popular crypto wallet brand that combines a hardware device with a mobile app. Its main feature is a QR code signing system, where you scan codes between the device and your phone to approve transactions.
This feature also keeps the wallet air-gapped, since it doesn’t need USB or Bluetooth connections.
SafePal supports 10,000+ assets across many blockchains and integrates with its own software wallet and dApp marketplace. While powerful, SafePal still relies on traditional seed phrases for backup, which can be intimidating for beginners.
Tangem vs SafePal: Key Features Compared
Here’s a short, beginner-friendly head-to-head comparison table.
Feature
Tangem Wallet
SafePal Wallet
Design & use
Credit card–style, just tap with your phone (NFC)
Small device that works with QR code scanning
Setup
No seed phrase by default, backup with extra cards. Optional seed phrase available
Requires seed phrase backup
Ease of use
Extremely simple, feels like tapping a bank card at a POS terminal.
More steps, scanning QR codes each time
Connectivity
NFC tap-to-sign, no cables or screens
QR code only (no USB or Bluetooth)
Security
Bank-grade EAL6+ secure element, fully offline
Air-gapped device with QR verification
Supported assets
16,000+ coins & tokens
10,000+ assets
Best for
Users who want maximum security with no hassle
Users who want a large asset range and don’t mind QR codes
Pricing
~ $50
~ $49–$89
Open Source
✅ Yes
❌ Partial
SetuP
3-minute setup through mobile app
App + QR configuration
Tangem delivers a faster, simpler, and seedless cold storage experience, while SafePal keeps the traditional QR + seed phrase model at a similar price point.
Backup & recovery
Tangem offers a chip-based multi-card recovery system, so you don’t need written phrases. As a seedless hardware wallet, it keeps your private keys safe from exposure through paper, screenshots, or cloud storage. If a backup card is lost, you can still recover your funds easily. This design makes Tangem a truly no-seed phrase crypto wallet, combining convenience with enhanced security.
SafePal uses the traditional 12/24-word seed backup. While this method works well, it also has its risks. Seed phrases can be stolen, copied, or phished. If someone gets hold of your recovery phrase, they can access your assets. That makes SafePal’s recovery system more vulnerable to digital scams and physical theft.
Security comparison
Tangem keeps things simple and secure by operating without connectors, Bluetooth, or data transfer ports. You just tap your card to your smartphone, and the EAL6+ certified chip ensures your private keys stay protected. The firmware has been carefully fixed and verified by auditors, making the wallet tamper-resistant and quite resilient against remote exploits.
SafePal, on the other hand, uses a QR-code signing system and a secure element chip. Though it’s air-gapped, it still involves scanning codes with your mobile camera, which can introduce a few extra steps. This means there’s a slight chance for malware or fake QR codes to try to trick users.
Tangem also boosts security by removing seed phrases, ports, and firmware updates entirely, reducing potential attack points. SafePal, while generally secure, still faces some risks, especially from social engineering related to seed phrase management and QR-code scanning.
Usability & setup
Using Tangem is relatively simple—just tap the card to your phone, and no cables, Bluetooth, or complicated steps are involved. The mobile app takes you through the setup in less than two minutes, so learning it is almost effortless.
On the other hand, SafePal involves scanning a QR code, connecting to an app, and manually backing up a seed phrase. While it works well, this process can seem more technical and time-consuming, especially for new users. Overall, Tangem stands out with its simplicity and ease of onboarding, making it a friendlier choice for those just starting out.
Price & value
Tangem costs around $50 and typically comes in packs of 1–3 cards, so backup is included in the base kit. You don’t need accessories, cables, or add-ons to stay secure. SafePal is in a similar price range ($49–$89) but requires more setup steps and still needs the user to store seed phrases. Tangem offers more value because it provides security, backup, and ease of use in one purchase.
Ideal user profiles
Tangem is the top choice for new users, travelers, everyday holders, and those gifting crypto. Its seedless design and instant usability make it ideal for anyone seeking hassle-free security. SafePal appeals more to privacy-minded and advanced users who prefer a QR-code-based process and don’t mind managing a traditional seed phrase.
FAQs: Tangem vs SafePal
Is Tangem safer than SafePal?
Yes. Tangem is a seedless hardware wallet with an EAL6+ chip and no ports, making it less vulnerable than SafePal’s QR-based setup with a seed phrase.
Can SafePal be used without a smartphone?
No. SafePal requires its companion mobile app for QR-code signing and account management.
Is SafePal fully open-source?
Not entirely. While some components are open, SafePal does not provide the same level of transparency as Tangem.
Which wallet is better for beginners?
Tangem. Its tap-to-phone setup and no-seed-phrase crypto wallet design make onboarding effortless.
What’s the best wallet for travel and on-the-go use?
Tangem. Its card form factor, mobile integration, and ease of use make it ideal for travelers and everyday holders.
Is Tangem better than SafePal?
Yes, especially for beginners. While SafePal mixes mobile apps with hardware, it still requires QR code scanning and seed phrases. Tangem simplifies everything with cards and a seedless backup system. It’s faster, easier, and less error-prone, making it the smarter option for first-time users.
Is a seedless hardware wallet good for beginners?
Definitely. A seedless wallet like Tangem is safer and easier because you don’t risk losing a recovery phrase. Instead, Tangem uses backup cards, which are more practical for beginners and just as secure.
What do Tangem cold wallet reviews say?
Reviewers consistently rank Tangem as one of the most beginner-friendly cold wallets. Highlights include its sleek design, low price, and innovative seedless backup.
Which is the best cold wallet for beginners?
The best cold wallet for beginners is Tangem Wallet. It removes the hassle of seed phrases and complex QR code scanning, which SafePal still requires. Tangem makes self-custody simple with a card that works just like tapping your bank card on a reader.
Why is Tangem better than SafePal?
Tangem is better than SafePal because it prioritizes simplicity. SafePal’s QR code system and seed phrases create extra steps that confuse new users.
Top SafePal alternatives
If you’re looking for alternatives to SafePal, Tangem is your guy. It offers the same cold storage security without QR-code friction or reliance on seed phrases. Other options like Ledger and Trezor exist, but Tangem is the only wallet designed to be both ultra-secure and beginner-friendly.
What are the best no-seed phrase crypto wallets?
Tangem leads the category of non-seed phrase wallets. SafePal doesn’t qualify here, since it still relies on seed phrases. Tangem’s backup card system is unique, secure, and far easier for beginners to manage.
What is a QR code-based crypto wallet?
QR code wallets, like SafePal, require users to scan codes between the app and the device to approve transactions. While secure, this process can feel slow.
What do SafePal wallet reviews say?
SafePal reviews often highlight good security but also note the steep learning curve and reliance on QR scanning.
What is the top mobile crypto wallet comparison?
For mobile use, Tangem is superior. SafePal requires QR scanning, Trust Wallet and MetaMask are hot wallets (less secure), while Tangem works seamlessly via NFC. You just tap your card on your phone, combining the mobility of an app with the security of cold storage.
Final Thoughts: Tangem vs SafePal
When comparing Tangem vs SafePal, both wallets offer strong mobile-friendly cold storage. SafePal is a good option for privacy-focused users comfortable with QR workflows, but it carries the burden of seed phrase management and a steeper learning curve.
Tangem, on the other hand, stands out as the best crypto cold wallet 2025 for most users. It removes complexity, eliminates seed phrases, and delivers proper cold storage in a simple, secure design. Is Tangem better than SafePal? Absolutely. For beginners, travelers, and everyday holders, Tangem is the most secure and beginner-friendly choice in 2025—Get Tangem Wallet – Seedless, Secure & Simple.
