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Ledger Nano S Plus vs BitBox02 Nova

BitBox02 Nova stands out with open-source code. Ledger Nano S Plus is a solid alternative — Ledger Nano S Plus costs $80 less.

2 wallets
Open-source vs Closed
$80 price gap
Quick Verdict Updated 2026
Ledger Nano S Plus
Ledger Nano S Plus
Best overall
76 /100
Good
BitBox02 Nova
BitBox02 Nova
BitBox
75 /100
Good
Open-formula rating 40+ criteria analyzed Last updated June 2026 No sponsored rankings

Key Takeaways

  • Security scores are close (within 3 points)
  • Usability scores are close (within 2 points)
  • Ledger Nano S Plus is more affordable ($69)
  • Best for beginners: BitBox02 Nova (easier setup)

Ledger Nano S Plus vs BitBox02 Nova: Key Differences

Both Ledger Nano S Plus and BitBox02 Nova 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: Ledger Nano S Plus (Ledger) lands at 76/100, BitBox02 Nova (BitBox) at 75/100. The $80 gap between $69 and $149 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

Security
Tie
Ledger Nano S Plus97/100
BitBox02 Nova94/100
Ease of Use
Tie
Ledger Nano S Plus67/100
BitBox02 Nova65/100
Price
Ledger Nano S Plus$69
BitBox02 Nova$149
Coin Support
Ledger Nano S Plus70+
BitBox02 Nova8+
Privacy
Ledger Nano S Plus50/100
BitBox02 Nova96/100
Beginner Friendly
Tie
Ledger Nano S Plus67/100
BitBox02 Nova65/100
Comparing:
Ledger Nano S Plus
BitBox02 Nova

Comparison Table

Key specifications for your decision

Ledger Nano S Plus vs BitBox02 Nova — Common
Criteria
Ledger Nano S Plus
Ledger Nano S Plus
Ledger
$69
View Best Price
BitBox02 Nova
BitBox02 Nova
BitBox
$149
View Best Price
Overall Rating
76/10075/100
Security
97/10094/100
Usability
67/10065/100
Price
$69$149

EAL Certification (Evaluation Assurance Level) from Common Criteria rates the security of hardware components, like secure chips in crypto hardware wallets. Higher levels, such as EAL5+ or EAL6+, indicate stronger resistance to attacks.

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YesYes

Open Source Firmware refers to firmware in hardware devices, like wallets, where the source code is publicly available, allowing transparency, auditability, and customization.

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NoYes

Bluetooth Connectivity enables wireless communication between devices, like hardware wallets and smartphones, using Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for secure data transfer.

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NoNo
USB
YesYes
Networks
70+8+

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.

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YesYes

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.

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Monochrome OLEDOLED

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.

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24-word seed24-word seed
Setup Time
~10 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.

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NoneNone

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Our Verdict: Ledger Nano S Plus or BitBox02 Nova?

Choose Ledger Nano S Plus if...

  • You trust third-party audits (Ledger internal + third-party (ANSSI CSPN, EAL evaluation)) over open-source review
  • You want to save $80 without sacrificing core security
  • You actively use DeFi and WalletConnect dApps

Skip Ledger Nano S Plus if...

  • × Open-source firmware is non-negotiable for you

Choose BitBox02 Nova if...

  • You want verifiable, open-source firmware and software
  • You use Bitcoin and care about privacy (CoinJoin, coin control)
  • You run your own Bitcoin full node

Skip BitBox02 Nova if...

  • × Budget is tight — you'd be better served by a cheaper option in this comparison

Our pick for most users

Both wallets score similarly (76 vs 75/100) — your choice depends on which features matter most to you.

Bottom line: Both wallets are tightly matched on security and ease of use. The decision comes down to specifics: form factor, supported coins, and how each one fits your daily flow. If budget is real, Ledger Nano S Plus comes in $80 cheaper without giving up the basics.

Price: Ledger Nano S Plus vs BitBox02 Nova

Ledger Nano S Plus costs $69, while BitBox02 Nova is priced at $149 — a $80 difference. The extra cost of BitBox02 Nova gets you a -1-point higher overall rating. For budget buyers, Ledger Nano S Plus offers solid security at a lower price point.

Who Should Pick Which Wallet

Recommendations based on real-world use cases

Ledger Nano S Plus

$69
AffordableGreat priceCoin controlWalletConnect support
Pros
  • +CC EAL6+ certified ST33K1M5 secure element — highest rating among sub-$100 wallets
  • +Supports 5,500+ tokens across 50+ networks without third-party apps
  • +24-word BIP39 seed with optional passphrase adds hidden wallet layer
  • +Coin control feature enables manual UTXO selection for privacy-conscious users
Cons
  • Closed-source firmware — independent security audits are not publicly possible
  • No Bluetooth or NFC; USB-only connectivity excludes iOS devices entirely
  • No Shamir Secret Sharing — single seed backup point remains a loss risk
  • 0.9-inch monochrome OLED makes verifying long contract data tedious

BitBox02 Nova

$149
Better privacy featuresCoin controlCoinJoin supportTor support
Pros
  • +ATECC608B secure element with secure boot prevents firmware tampering
  • +Fully open-source firmware with reproducible builds for independent verification
  • +Genuine device attestation check built into BitBoxApp on every connection
  • +Encrypted microSD card backup eliminates single-point seed exposure risk
Cons
  • No Bluetooth or NFC — requires physical USB connection for every transaction
  • No Shamir Secret Sharing; seed backup is all-or-nothing unlike Trezor Model T
  • 0.96-inch OLED screen is smaller than competitors like Ledger Flex or Keystone
  • No iOS compatibility limits mobile use to Android devices only

Pre-Purchase Checklist

Important points to verify regardless of your choice

All wallets ship from official manufacturer stores with full warranty.

Ledger Nano S Plus vs BitBox02 Nova: Frequently Asked Questions

Answers about Ledger Nano S Plus vs BitBox02 Nova

Is Ledger Nano S Plus better than BitBox02 Nova?
On the numbers, Ledger Nano S Plus comes out ahead — 76/100 vs 75/100 — but 'better' isn't quite the right frame. BitBox02 Nova has fully open-source firmware, which matters more for some buyers than overall score does. If overall rating is what you actually weigh first, take Ledger Nano S Plus. If transparency is the constraint that shapes your decision, BitBox02 Nova is the smarter buy. Either way, both are real hardware wallets — neither is a mistake.
How much do Ledger Nano S Plus and BitBox02 Nova cost?
Ledger Nano S Plus costs $69, BitBox02 Nova costs $149. These are list prices for the standard edition from official manufacturer stores. A few things worth knowing: hardware wallet prices barely move during the year, so 'waiting for a sale' rarely pays off — Black Friday is the one exception, with 10–20% off being typical. Avoid third-party listings even if they're cheaper; the supply chain risk on a tampered device wipes out any savings the first time you load funds. And don't buy a 'used' hardware wallet, ever — even if it claims to be reset.
Which wallet is better for DeFi and Web3: Ledger Nano S Plus or BitBox02 Nova?
Ledger Nano S Plus — and the gap is bigger than the spec sheets make it look. Ledger Nano S Plus has WalletConnect built in, which means you sign DeFi transactions directly from a hardware wallet without exposing keys to a hot wallet. BitBox02 Nova can technically work with DeFi via third-party software, but every extra step is one more place an attacker can intercept the transaction you're approving. If you're going to be clicking 'Sign' on smart contracts more than once a month, the difference compounds fast.
Is BitBox02 Nova more secure than Ledger Nano S Plus because it's open-source?
Not automatically — and this is a more nuanced question than the marketing suggests. Open-source (BitBox02 Nova) lets anyone (researchers, hobbyists, paranoid users) read the firmware and verify there are no backdoors. That's the strongest possible trust signal. Ledger Nano S Plus keeps source code private but compensates with paid third-party audits from Ledger internal + third-party (ANSSI CSPN, EAL evaluation) and certifications like CC EAL5+/EAL6+ on the secure element. Open-source is the more transparent posture; audited closed-source can still be cryptographically airtight. Our honest take: if open-source is the deciding factor for you philosophically, pick BitBox02 Nova — but don't dismiss Ledger Nano S Plus as 'less secure' purely on that basis.
Where to buy Ledger Nano S Plus at the best price?
Always buy Ledger Nano S Plus from the official Ledger store — never from Amazon, eBay, or third-party marketplaces, even if the price looks better. Hardware wallets have been physically tampered with in the supply chain before (compromised devices shipped to unsuspecting buyers, then drained the moment funds were loaded). Buying direct from Ledger gets you a sealed unit with full warranty, firmware integrity, and a clean chain of custody. Free shipping and occasional discounts at the source make the price difference negligible anyway.
Do Ledger Nano S Plus and BitBox02 Nova come with a warranty?
Yes — both ship with a manufacturer warranty (typically 1–2 years) when bought from the official store. That said, a hardware wallet warranty is mostly about hardware defects, not lost funds. If the device fails, the manufacturer will replace it — but your seed phrase or backup cards are what actually restore your crypto onto the new device. The warranty is real but secondary; what protects your funds is your backup discipline, not a piece of paper from {{wallet1}} or {{wallet2}}.

Made your decision?

Check out full reviews or find the best price from official vendors.

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