Ledger Live Desktop represents the pinnacle of cryptocurrency management software, providing a comprehensive desktop environment for managing your Ledger® hardware wallet ecosystem. This sophisticated application transforms your computer into a secure command center for your digital assets, offering advanced features that go far beyond basic transaction management while maintaining the hardware-level security that defines the Ledger® experience.
Unlike web-based interfaces or mobile applications, Ledger Live Desktop delivers full-featured cryptocurrency management with enhanced security protocols, offline transaction preparation capabilities, and comprehensive portfolio analytics. The application operates in perfect harmony with your Ledger® hardware device, ensuring private keys remain permanently isolated in the secure element while providing intuitive access to sophisticated financial operations and market tools.
Real-time portfolio tracking with interactive performance charts, detailed asset allocation analytics, and comprehensive balance monitoring across 5,500+ supported cryptocurrencies and digital assets with historical performance data.
Send and receive cryptocurrencies with hardware-level security verification. All transactions require physical device confirmation through the Ledger Live Login process, ensuring maximum protection against unauthorized access and malicious attacks.
Participate in proof-of-stake networks and decentralized finance protocols directly through Ledger Live Desktop, earning rewards and yields while maintaining full custody of your assets with your hardware device security.
Swap cryptocurrencies through integrated partner exchanges directly within the application environment, eliminating the security risks of transferring assets to external platforms while maintaining competitive market rates.
Full-featured desktop application with complete wallet management, advanced trading capabilities, staking operations, and comprehensive device configuration tools for maximum functionality.
Mobile companion application for portfolio monitoring and basic operations, synchronized with desktop data but requiring hardware connection for sensitive transaction authorization.
Browser-based access through Ledger.com/start for initial device setup and firmware management with limited ongoing operational capabilities.
| Platform | Minimum Requirements | Recommended Specifications | Installation Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | Windows 10/11 64-bit, 4GB RAM | Windows 11, 8GB RAM, SSD | ~150MB |
| macOS | macOS 10.14+, 4GB RAM | macOS 12+, 8GB RAM, SSD | ~180MB |
| Linux | Ubuntu 18.04+, 4GB RAM | Latest LTS, 8GB RAM, SSD | ~160MB |
Connect securely to decentralized applications and DeFi protocols through Ledger Live Desktop's advanced Web3 capabilities, providing hardware-level security for your decentralized finance activities while maintaining seamless access to the rapidly expanding ecosystem of dApps, smart contracts, and decentralized services.
View, manage, and interact with your NFT collections directly within Ledger Live Desktop, with native support for major NFT standards and marketplace integrations. Maintain hardware-level security for your digital collectibles while enjoying sophisticated portfolio management and visualization tools designed for the NFT ecosystem.
Create and manage multiple accounts for each cryptocurrency, organize assets by specific purposes (long-term savings, active trading, staking reserves), and maintain completely separate transaction histories for different financial strategies and organizational frameworks within a unified interface.
No, Ledger Live Desktop is architecturally designed to work exclusively with Ledger® hardware devices. While you can download and explore the interface without a connected device, full operational functionality requires a connected Ledger Nano X, Nano S Plus, or other supported hardware wallet. The application relies fundamentally on the hardware device for private key storage and transaction signing to maintain its security model. For software-only desktop solutions, alternative wallet applications would be more appropriate.
Ledger Live Desktop provides comprehensive functionality including complete transaction signing, advanced application management, sophisticated staking operations, integrated exchange features, and full portfolio analytics. The Ledger Live App for mobile platforms focuses primarily on portfolio monitoring, receive address generation, and basic account management. While offering convenient mobile monitoring capabilities, most sensitive operations and advanced features require connection to your hardware device through the desktop application to maintain security standards and access the complete feature set.
Ledger Live Desktop offers significantly enhanced security compared to web interfaces through multiple critical advantages: offline transaction preparation capabilities, complete independence from browser security models, automatic cryptographic update verification, and superior protection against sophisticated phishing attacks. The desktop application operates with system-level security features that web interfaces cannot provide, while both platforms maintain the fundamental security principle that private keys never leave your hardware device under any circumstances.
Yes, you can securely install and operate Ledger Live Desktop on multiple computers and utilize the same Ledger® hardware device across all installations. Your cryptocurrency assets and private keys remain exclusively protected on your hardware device, not within any application installation. Each computer maintains its own local cache of transaction history and configuration settings unless you actively employ the encrypted backup functionality. This architectural flexibility enables convenient portfolio management from different locations while maintaining consistent security standards across all access points.
Your digital assets remain completely secure and accessible regardless of computer system status, since they're controlled exclusively by your Ledger® hardware device and recovery phrase, not the Ledger Live Desktop application installation. If you need to reinstall or migrate to a new computer system, simply install the application on the replacement system, connect your hardware device, and your accounts will be fully accessible. If you've utilized the encrypted backup feature, your transaction history and application settings can be restored, but your funds remain perpetually accessible through your hardware device independent of any specific computer installation.
No, Ledger Live Desktop is completely free with no subscription fees, hidden costs, or premium tiers required for core functionality. All essential features including comprehensive portfolio management, secure transaction signing, advanced device configuration, and basic integrated trading are available without financial obligation. While Ledger may introduce optional premium services in the future, the core desktop application functionality remains completely free for all hardware wallet users as part of Ledger's fundamental commitment to accessible cryptocurrency security solutions.