Software · head to head
FTX vs Ledger Live
The short version
- Each has a real cost: FTX the exchange collapsed and FTX Trading Ltd filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on 11 November 2022; Ledger Live ledger Live is designed to work with a physical Ledger hardware wallet plugged into the device by USB and does not function as a standalone software wallet
- They diverge on capability: FTX covers Futures Trading, Ledger Live covers Portfolio Management.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which FTX and Ledger Live actually diverge.
| Attribute | FTX | Ledger Live |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | free |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Desktop, Ios, Android |
| Founded | 2019 | 2014 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in FTX
- Futures Trading
- Options
- Leveraged Tokens
- Spot Trading
- FTT Token
- Serum DEX
- Web support
Only in Ledger Live
- Portfolio Management
- Buy/Sell Crypto
- Staking
- Swap
- NFT Gallery
- Ledger hardware wallets
- DeFi apps
- Desktop support
Both cover
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
FTX
- Exchangesnot Ledger Live
- Derivativesnot Ledger Live
- Tradingnot Ledger Live
Ledger Live
- Managing crypto assets and viewing balances alongside a Ledger hardware walletnot FTX
- Signing transactions offline through a connected hardware devicenot FTX
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
FTX
- The exchange collapsed and FTX Trading Ltd filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on 11 November 2022
- Around 130 affiliated companies including Alameda Research entered the same proceedings, with more than 100,000 creditors and assets and liabilities each between $10 billion and $50 billion
- Founder Sam Bankman-Fried resigned as CEO on the filing and was replaced by John J. Ray III
- It is not a service anyone can sign up for; the estate exists to repay creditors
Ledger Live
- Ledger Live is designed to work with a physical Ledger hardware wallet plugged into the device by USB and does not function as a standalone software wallet
Pricing, plan by plan
FTX
Free- StandardFree
- Spot trading
- Futures
- Options
Ledger Live
Free- FreeFree
- Portfolio tracking
- Buy/Sell
- Staking
Which should you pick?
Choose FTX if
- You need futures trading.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want options.
Choose Ledger Live if
- You need portfolio management.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Desktop, Ios, Android.
- You also want buy/sell crypto.
Questions people ask
- Is FTX or Ledger Live better?
- Neither clearly leads. FTX starts at Free and Ledger Live at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, FTX or Ledger Live?
- FTX starts at Free and Ledger Live at Free.
- Does FTX or Ledger Live run on more platforms?
- FTX runs on Web, Ios, Android. Ledger Live runs on Desktop, Ios, Android.
- Can I use FTX for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is FTX best used for?
- FTX is most often used for exchanges, derivatives, trading. Of those, exchanges and derivatives are not what Ledger Live is typically brought in for.
- What can FTX do that Ledger Live cannot?
- FTX covers Futures Trading, Options, Leveraged Tokens, Spot Trading. Ledger Live covers Portfolio Management, Buy/Sell Crypto, Staking, Swap. Both handle Ios support, Android support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
FTX: What happened to FTX?
FTX filed for bankruptcy on November 11, 2022, after revelations about Alameda Research's massive holdings of FTX's token (FTT) triggered a liquidity crisis. The platform collapsed within days as a competing rescue deal fell through.
SourceFTX: Can I recover funds from FTX bankruptcy?
FTX has been in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings since November 11, 2022. Customer funds have been subject to claims through the bankruptcy process, with asset recovery efforts ongoing.
SourceRelated pages
More on Ledger Live
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