Bring your crypto to life — securely, simply, beautifully.
Ledger Live Desktop is a polished application that connects directly to your Ledger hardware wallet so you can manage assets, check your portfolio, stake tokens, and install blockchain apps — all in one secure interface. It balances simplicity and advanced controls so both new users and seasoned builders can feel confident and in control.
Core Features
Secure Portfolio Management
Connect your Ledger device and see all your balances in one unified portfolio. Track value across hundreds of coins and tokens with live market data and clear transaction history.
Staking & Earnings
Delegate or stake supported assets directly from the desktop app to earn rewards — without giving up custody. Staking is visible, reversible, and accompanied by clear fee estimates.
App Catalog & Manager
Install blockchain-specific apps onto your Ledger hardware from Ledger Live's app manager. Each app isolates keys and simplifies transaction signing for its chain.
Security — the heart of Ledger Live
Ledger Live is designed so that your private keys never leave your hardware device. The desktop app acts as an interface to prepare transactions, display human-readable details, and prompt the device to sign. This separation ensures that even if your computer is compromised, your keys remain protected inside the hardware secure element.
- Air-gapped signing: The device authorizes transactions locally so private keys are never exposed.
- PIN & Recovery: A device PIN plus a recovery phrase keep access under your control; never type your recovery phrase into a computer.
- Firmware updates: Ledger Live notifies you of firmware upgrades; updates are signed and verified before installation.
Pro tip: Always verify the full transaction details on your Ledger device screen. Treat links and emails with caution — Ledger Live is the trusted source for firmware and app updates.
Ecosystem & integrations
Ledger Live integrates with third-party services and DApps through a curated ecosystem. Whether swapping tokens with an integrated swap provider, using DeFi dashboards, or connecting to Web3 applications, Ledger Live aims to offer smooth workflows while maintaining security guarantees. The application supports a wide and growing range of chains and tokens — new assets and features are added progressively.
Who it's for
From first-time holders who want a simple, polished interface, to power users managing many addresses and staking across networks, Ledger Live offers a mix of convenience and control. Teams and builders can also use it for quick testing with hardware-backed signing.
Getting started — quick checklist
- Download Ledger Live for your OS and install it.
- Create a new wallet on your Ledger device or recover an existing one using your recovery phrase (do this only on the device).
- Install chain apps via the App Manager in Ledger Live and add accounts for assets you want to manage.
- Explore portfolio, send/receive functions, and, if desired, stake or swap tokens with the built-in features.
If you're new to hardware wallets, read the in-app guides carefully and keep your recovery phrase offline and secure.
FAQ
Is Ledger Live free?
Yes — the desktop application is free to download and use. Transactions and network fees from blockchains still apply.
Do I need the Ledger hardware device?
Yes. Ledger Live is the companion app to manage accounts and interact with the blockchain; the hardware device is required to securely sign transactions and store private keys.