Ellipal X Card vs Ledger Nano S Plus
An objective comparison focused on what actually matters: security, usability, price and real-world use cases.
Security notice ·
October 2026: tampered Ledger devices sold through a reseller
On 9 October 2026 Ledger began investigating fund losses reported by people who had bought devices from CryptoBilis, a Southeast Asian reseller, and asked the reseller to stop selling and shipping them. On 13 October Ledger’s Donjon security team described what it found inside an affected device: a separate circuit hidden in the enclosure that read the recovery phrase off the screen during setup and sent it out over LTE through an eSIM.
According to Ledger, the implant did not modify the Secure Element, the operating system, transactions or signatures, and there is no indication that Ledger’s own systems were compromised. Ledger’s support documentation notes that Genuine Check cannot detect an added component when the original Secure Element is intact. Every confirmed loss involved a device sold by CryptoBilis; Ledger said it was still examining reports of implants in devices bought elsewhere. MediaMarkt Saturn suspended Ledger sales in Europe after a customer in Germany reported a tampered unit. On-chain researchers estimated losses above $86 million; Ledger has not verified that figure.
If you are buying or already own a Ledger device:
- Buy from Ledger directly or from a reseller on Ledger’s authorized list.
- Do not set up a device bought from CryptoBilis. If you already did, Ledger advises moving your assets to a new device with a newly generated recovery phrase.
- If you lost funds, Ledger asks you to contact law enforcement before opening the device.
The incident concerns how devices reached buyers, not the device design, so it does not change our ratings. We will update this notice as Ledger publishes its findings.
Sources
Key Takeaways
- Ledger Nano S Plus wins in security (75/100)
- Ellipal X Card wins in ease of use (70/100)
- Ledger Nano S Plus is more affordable ($69)
- Both support 45+ cryptocurrencies
- Best for beginners: Ellipal X Card (easier setup)
Ellipal X Card vs Ledger Nano S Plus: Key Differences
Both Ellipal X Card and Ledger Nano S Plus can keep your crypto safe — the real question is which one fits the way you actually use it. We've put both through our open-formula scoring on 40+ criteria: Ellipal X Card (Ellipal) lands at 60/100, Ledger Nano S Plus (Ledger) at 68/100. The $0 gap between $69 and $69 isn't arbitrary — these are two different bets on what matters in a hardware wallet, and the right pick depends on which bet you'd take.
Winner by Category
Which wallet leads in each area
Comparison Table
Key specifications for your decision
| Criteria | ![]() Ellipal X Card Ellipal $69 | ![]() Ledger Nano S Plus Ledger $69 |
|---|---|---|
Overall Rating | 60 | 68 |
Security | 66 | 75 |
Usability | 70 | 59 |
Price | $69 | $69 |
A secure element is a tamper-resistant chip built to store secrets and resist physical attacks such as side-channel analysis and fault injection. Learn more — Secure Element | Yes | Yes |
Open Source Firmware refers to firmware in hardware devices, like wallets, where the source code is publicly available, allowing transparency, auditability, and customization. Learn more — Open Source | No | Firmware, in part |
Bluetooth Connectivity enables wireless communication between devices, like hardware wallets and smartphones, using Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for secure data transfer. Learn more — Bluetooth | No | No |
USB | No | Yes |
Networks | 45+ | 100+ |
A passphrase is an additional security layer for cryptocurrency wallets, acting as a 25th word in the BIP39 seed phrase, protecting access to hidden wallets. Learn more — Passphrase | Yes | Yes |
A touchscreen display is a screen that allows users to interact with a device by touching the surface, commonly used in hardware wallets for easy navigation and transaction confirmation. Learn more — Display | None (No Screen On The Card; Transactions Reviewed In The Phone App) | Monochrome OLED |
Recovery is the process of restoring access to a cryptocurrency wallet using its seed phrase or mnemonic backup if the original wallet is lost or inaccessible. Learn more — Backup Method | Multi-card | 24-word seed |
Setup Time | ~3 min | ~10 min |
IP Rating refers to the level of protection a device has against dust and water, often used for hardware wallets to indicate their durability in various environments. Learn more — Water Resist | Yes | None |
Our Verdict: Ellipal X Card or Ledger Nano S Plus?
Choose Ellipal X Card if...
- You prefer seedless backup via multiple linked cards
- You need iPhone (iOS) compatibility
- You want wireless NFC connectivity — no cables needed
- You want a quick ~3-minute setup
Skip Ellipal X Card if...
- ×You manage crypto from a desktop (no Windows, macOS, or Linux app)
Choose Ledger Nano S Plus if...
- You are comfortable managing a seed phrase
- You need full desktop support (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- You prefer USB-only connection for maximum security
- You run your own Bitcoin full node
Skip Ledger Nano S Plus if...
- ×You manage crypto from an iPhone (no iOS app here)
- ×You want wireless NFC connection — no cables
- ×You want a seedless backup design instead of a 12/24-word phrase
Our pick for most users
Based on the overall rating, Ledger Nano S Plus scores 68/100 and offers the best balance of security, usability, and value in this comparison.
Bottom line: Ledger Nano S Plus is the safer bet on security; day to day, Ellipal X Card is the easier driver. Prices are close enough that they shouldn't drive the decision.
Price: Ellipal X Card vs Ledger Nano S Plus
Ellipal X Card costs $69, while Ledger Nano S Plus is priced at $69 — a $0 difference. At similar price points, the choice comes down to features rather than budget — compare the specific capabilities above.
Who Should Pick Which Wallet
Recommendations based on real-world use cases
Ellipal X Card
$69- +Always creates a standard BIP39 seed phrase, so recovery does not depend on Ellipal or on the cards
- +Credit-card format with no battery, cable or charging; signs by tapping an iPhone or Android phone
- +Secure chip that Ellipal describes as CC EAL6+, with keys generated by its hardware random number generator
- +Optional duplicate cards and passphrase (hidden wallet) support
- −No screen on the card: addresses and amounts are checked only in the phone app
- −Firmware is locked at the factory and can never be updated, so a flaw could not be patched
- −No published chip model, certificate or independent audit; security claims are Ellipal's
- −No desktop app: phone with NFC only
Ledger Nano S Plus
$69- +ST33K1M5 secure element with CC EAL6+ chip certification, the same chip as in the Stax, Flex and Gen5
- +Priced at $69, the lowest entry point to Ledger's hardware and app ecosystem
- +USB-C only, with no Bluetooth or NFC radio; works with Windows, macOS, Linux and Android
- +Ledger Wallet app and the device apps are open source and published on GitHub
- −No published device-level certification or audit; only the chip's CC EAL6+ is documented
- −Ledger OS on the secure element is closed source and has no reproducible builds
- −No tamper-evident seal; Genuine Check cannot detect added hardware, as the Oct 2026 reseller case showed
- −Small 1.1-inch OLED screen (128 x 64 px) shows long addresses and contract data in several steps
Best for These Profiles
Pre-Purchase Checklist
Important points to verify regardless of your choice
All wallets ship from official manufacturer stores with full warranty.
Ellipal X Card vs Ledger Nano S Plus: Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about Ellipal X Card vs Ledger Nano S Plus
Is Ellipal X Card better than Ledger Nano S Plus?
How much do Ellipal X Card and Ledger Nano S Plus cost?
Can Ledger Nano S Plus be used on iPhone (iOS)?
What happens if I lose all my Ellipal X Card cards?
Which wallet is better for DeFi and Web3: Ellipal X Card or Ledger Nano S Plus?
Ellipal X Card vs Ledger Nano S Plus: which has better backup options?
Can Ellipal X Card be used with a desktop computer?
Where to buy Ellipal X Card at the best price?
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