Trezor Model One
Trezor was the first mainstream hardware wallet, and it's stayed committed to full transparency — every line of firmware is publicly auditable, unlike devices that rely on a closed-source secure element. For anyone who wants to verify rather than trust, that openness is the whole pitch.
Fees
| Device cost | $69 (Model One) – $219 (Model T) |
| Trezor Suite usage | Free |
Security
Because there's no closed-source secure element, Trezor's entire security model can be independently verified by anyone with the technical background to read the firmware. It has a long track record with no reported compromises of the signing process itself; physical theft combined with a weak PIN remains the main practical risk.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fully open-source firmware and hardware design
- No secure-element trust requirement — code is fully auditable
- Established track record since 2014
Cons
- Smaller, dimmer screen than newer competitors
- No Bluetooth (some see this as a pro for security)
- Slower transaction confirmation flow
Verdict
Open-source firmware you can actually audit, which counts for a lot here. The screen and buttons feel dated next to newer devices, but nothing about the security model has aged.
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