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Bitcoin Core vs Electrum: catalog facts
Bitcoin Core	Electrum
Best for: Run a Bitcoin node that independently validates the blockchain	Best for: Bitcoin holders who want a verifiable, open-source desktop or Android wallet
Free The open-source software is available without a license fee. Hosting, hardware and external services are separate.	Free Free and open-source software.
Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Includes wallet functionality and a graphical interface.	Reproducible builds signed by several independent builders Available on desktop and Android, including F-Droid All 4 strengths for Electrum Reproducible builds signed by several independent builders Available on desktop and Android, including F-Droid Portable Windows version and runnable from Python source Long development history since 2011
Initial synchronization requires substantial storage, bandwidth and time.	Bitcoin only, no other coins No iOS version
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: MIT	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Bitcoin Core github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin Catalog checked September 22, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Electrum electrum.org Catalog checked September 23, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.