Breez vs Phoenix

Q: Which has lower fees to start?

Both use native Lightning. Costs can include channel creation or resizing events (on-chain) and the Lightning route itself. Phoenix emphasizes a streamlined node on your phone; Breez adds cloud backup conveniences. Actual totals vary with usage patterns, liquidity events, and broader network conditions.

Q: Which is better for merchants?

Breez includes a Point-of-Sale mode and creator tools like podcast streaming, making it attractive for merchant and tipping scenarios. Phoenix centers on a streamlined, on-device node for everyday Lightning payments. Choose based on POS needs versus a focused personal payments experience.

Q: Which is faster or more reliable?

Both aim for quick Lightning payments. Phoenix runs a node on your phone for direct LN; Breez also uses native LN with automated management. Reliability depends on your channels, liquidity, routes, and connectivity. Either can perform well when properly funded and connected.

Updated: October 2025

Quick take

Phoenix is best if you want Lightning‑native operation with an on‑device node and optional connection to your own node, accepting on‑chain channel costs. Breez fits if you prefer a Lightning wallet with point‑of‑sale mode, streaming sats, and cloud‑backed recovery. Compare custody, Lightning behavior, recovery approach, and fee considerations.

Breez vs Phoenix — full comparison (Spend Bitcoin)
Platform	Hot Wallet Hot Wallet
Supported Networks	Bitcoin + Lightning Lightning only, but you can receive and send on-chain using swaps
Features	Self-custodial Podcast player with streaming sats Point-of-Sale mode for merchants In beta Cloud backup required for recovery Not ideal for micro payments (<100 sats) Seamless Lightning experience Runs Lightning node on device Option to connect your own node High on-chain fees for channel creation
Custody & Control	Non-custodial: you hold your own keys Non-custodial (runs Lightning node)
KYC Required	No No
Recovery Method	Seed phrase + cloud backup Seed phrase + static channel backup
Open Source	Yes Yes
User Experience	0.0 out of 5 rate (0) 0.0 out of 5 rate (0)
Interface	Mobile only Mobile only
App Ratings	iOS: 3.7 Android: N/A iOS: 4.2 Android: 4.3
Profile Founder(s)	Roy Sheinfeld Fabrice Drouin & Pierre-Marie Padiou
Company description	Breez (Misty Breez) focuses on making Lightning Network payments fast and easy. It stands out with its non-custodial mobile app, letting users control their Bitcoin, and a unique Point-of-Sale mode fo... Breez (Misty Breez) focuses on making Lightning Network payments fast and easy. It stands out with its non-custodial mobile app, letting users control their Bitcoin, and a unique Point-of-Sale mode for merchants to accept instant payments. It offers sending, receiving, and storing Bitcoin via Lightning, plus a podcast player to support creators with Bitcoin tips. Breez (Misty Breez) focuses on making Lightning Network payments fast and easy. It stands out with its non-custodial mobile app, letting users control their Bitcoin, and a unique Point-of-Sale mode for merchants to accept instant payments. It offers sending, receiving, and storing Bitcoin via Lightning, plus a podcast player to support creators with Bitcoin tips. The app has a simple interface and no-setup payments, though some users report issues with cloud backups and wallet restoration. Breez's mission is to drive Bitcoin adoption for everyday use, with a vision to expand Lightning payments across apps using its Breez SDK, a free developer tool. The app currently suits everyday payments rather than very small transactions. Beginners love its ease and merchant tools, but some find technical issues frustrating. Phoenix is designed to provide a simple, self-custodial experience for fast, low-cost Lightning transactions directly on mobile devices, emphasizing ease of use for beginners. Phoenix is designed to provide a simple, self-custodial experience for fast, low-cost Lightning transactions directly on mobile devices, emphasizing ease of use for beginners. Phoenix is designed to provide a simple, self-custodial experience for fast, low-cost Lightning transactions directly on mobile devices, emphasizing ease of use for beginners. Phoenix runs a native Lightning node on the user's device, connecting to ACINQ's node for automated channel management, eliminating the need for swaps and reducing fees for direct Lightning payments. Additionally, Phoenix allows connections to a user's own Bitcoin node for enhanced privacy. For beginners, Phoenix's intuitive UI, low-cost Lightning transactions, and self-custodial design make it ideal for those starting with Bitcoin, though channel size limitations may require occasional fee adjustments for frequent receivers. Compared to Breez's merchant-centric features or Aqua's Liquid-focused versatility, Phoenix excels in delivering a straightforward, cost-effective Lightning experience with robust privacy options.
Founded in	2018 2019
Website	breez.technology phoenix.acinq.co
Availability	Available globally Available globally

FAQs

Which has lower fees to start?

Both use native Lightning. Costs can include channel creation or resizing events (on-chain) and the Lightning route itself. Phoenix emphasizes a streamlined node on your phone; Breez adds cloud backup conveniences. Actual totals vary with usage patterns, liquidity events, and broader network conditions.

Which is better for merchants?

Breez includes a Point-of-Sale mode and creator tools like podcast streaming, making it attractive for merchant and tipping scenarios. Phoenix centers on a streamlined, on-device node for everyday Lightning payments. Choose based on POS needs versus a focused personal payments experience.

Which is faster or more reliable?

Both aim for quick Lightning payments. Phoenix runs a node on your phone for direct LN; Breez also uses native LN with automated management. Reliability depends on your channels, liquidity, routes, and connectivity. Either can perform well when properly funded and connected.