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Crypto · head to head

FTX vs Ledger Live

FTX logo

FTX

Crypto

Cryptocurrency derivatives exchange

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ledger Live logo

Ledger Live

Crypto

Manage your crypto securely

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which FTX and Ledger Live actually diverge.

Attributes where FTX and Ledger Live differ
AttributeFTXLedger Live
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidDesktop, Ios, Android
Founded20192014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Crypto).

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.
FTX review

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.
Ledger Live review

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.

Source
Ledger Live: Is Ledger Live free to use?

Yes. Ledger Wallet (the app behind Ledger Live) is available free for download on desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux) and mobile (iOS, Android).

Source
FTX: 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.

Source
Ledger Live: Are there costs for crypto transactions through Ledger Live?

Crypto transaction services are provided by third-party providers, not Ledger. Ledger provides no advice on these services, and costs depend entirely on the third-party provider used for each transaction.

Source
Ledger Live: What promotional offers are currently available?

Ledger offers up to $70 of BTC available to swap, stake, spend and more via the Ledger Wallet with a new Ledger signer.

Source
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