Software · head to head
Ledger Live vs FTX
The short version
- Each has a real cost: 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; FTX the exchange collapsed and FTX Trading Ltd filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on 11 November 2022
- They diverge on capability: Ledger Live covers Portfolio Management, FTX covers Futures Trading.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Ledger Live and FTX actually diverge.
| Attribute | Ledger Live | FTX |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | freemium |
| Platforms | Desktop, Ios, Android | Web, Ios, Android |
| Founded | 2014 | 2019 |
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 Ledger Live
- Portfolio Management
- Buy/Sell Crypto
- Staking
- Swap
- NFT Gallery
- Ledger hardware wallets
- DeFi apps
- Desktop support
Only in FTX
- Futures Trading
- Options
- Leveraged Tokens
- Spot Trading
- FTT Token
- Serum DEX
- Web support
Both cover
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Ledger Live
- Managing crypto assets and viewing balances alongside a Ledger hardware walletnot FTX
- Signing transactions offline through a connected hardware devicenot FTX
FTX
- Exchangesnot Ledger Live
- Derivativesnot Ledger Live
- Tradingnot Ledger Live
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Ledger Live
Free- FreeFree
- Portfolio tracking
- Buy/Sell
- Staking
FTX
Free- StandardFree
- Spot trading
- Futures
- Options
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose FTX if
- You need futures trading.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want options.
Questions people ask
- Is Ledger Live or FTX better?
- Neither clearly leads. Ledger Live starts at Free and FTX at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Ledger Live or FTX?
- Ledger Live starts at Free and FTX at Free.
- Does Ledger Live or FTX run on more platforms?
- Ledger Live runs on Desktop, Ios, Android. FTX runs on Web, Ios, Android.
- Can I use Ledger Live for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Ledger Live best used for?
- Ledger Live is most often used for managing crypto assets and viewing balances alongside a ledger hardware wallet, signing transactions offline through a connected hardware device. Of those, managing crypto assets and viewing balances alongside a ledger hardware wallet and signing transactions offline through a connected hardware device are not what FTX is typically brought in for.
- What can Ledger Live do that FTX cannot?
- Ledger Live covers Portfolio Management, Buy/Sell Crypto, Staking, Swap. FTX covers Futures Trading, Options, Leveraged Tokens, Spot Trading. 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.
Source