Aqua vs Breez

Updated: January 2026

Quick take

Breez is best if you want a Lightning‑first wallet with point‑of‑sale mode and streaming sats, using a cloud backup for recovery. Aqua fits if you prefer multi‑network flexibility (Bitcoin, Lightning, and Liquid) with privacy benefits on Liquid and a 12‑word seed backup. Compare custody, Lightning behavior, recovery, and mobile features below.

Aqua vs Breez — full comparison (Spend Bitcoin)
Platform	Mobile Wallet (Layer 2) Lightning Node (Mobile)
Supported Networks	Bitcoin, Lightning, and Liquid with USDt swaps via partners Lightning only, with on-chain deposits and withdrawals via submarine swaps
Features	Bitcoin, Lightning, and Liquid in one balance Confidential Liquid transactions for added privacy Direct peg-in turns on-chain BTC into L-BTC without extra steps Lightning depends on Boltz swaps Swaps can cost more than native Lightning wallets Runs a full Lightning node on your phone Built-in POS mode and Podcasting 2.0 streaming Automatic channel setup—no manual work Requires continuous encrypted cloud backups
Custody & Control	Non-custodial (keys stored on your device) Non-custodial (LSP-backed)
KYC Required	No No
Recovery Method	12-word seed created in-app (optional passphrase) Encrypted cloud backup + Breez recovery key
Open Source	Core wallet is open source; marketplace modules are closed Yes
User Experience	N/A N/A
Interface	Mobile only Mobile only
App Ratings	iOS: 4.2 Android: 4.5 iOS: 3.6 Android: 3.5
Profile Founder(s)	Samson Mow Roy Sheinfeld
Company description	Aqua is JAN3's mobile wallet that keeps Bitcoin, Liquid, and Lightning funds in one place. The app is self-custodial, so you write down a 12-word seed and control every transaction. Aqua is JAN3's mobile wallet that keeps Bitcoin, Liquid, and Lightning funds in one place. The app is self-custodial, so you write down a 12-word seed and control every transaction. Aqua is JAN3's mobile wallet that keeps Bitcoin, Liquid, and Lightning funds in one place. The app is self-custodial, so you write down a 12-word seed and control every transaction. Aqua leans on Liquid for privacy and low fees, while Boltz swaps unlock Lightning spending without running your own channels. You can peg-in on-chain BTC, hold USDt on Liquid, and bridge to other networks when required. Optional extras such as the Dolphin Card and future marketplace services build on the same wallet, so newcomers can start with simple payments and grow into more advanced features as they get comfortable. Breez is a beginner-friendly Lightning wallet designed to make everyday bitcoin payments effortless on mobile. The app runs a Lightning node behind the scenes, pairing a simple interface with automati... Breez is a beginner-friendly Lightning wallet designed to make everyday bitcoin payments effortless on mobile. The app runs a Lightning node behind the scenes, pairing a simple interface with automatic channel management so anyone can spend or receive sats in seconds. Breez is a beginner-friendly Lightning wallet designed to make everyday bitcoin payments effortless on mobile. The app runs a Lightning node behind the scenes, pairing a simple interface with automatic channel management so anyone can spend or receive sats in seconds. Beyond standard wallet features, Breez adds a merchant-focused Point-of-Sale mode, podcast streaming with bitcoin tips, and one-tap Lightning addresses. Instant channel setups and automatic swaps keep the experience seamless while Breez encrypts your channel data to your cloud account after every payment. Compared with Phoenix's recovery phrase backups or Muun's dual on-chain approach, Breez focuses on automation: it handles all the technical channel work for you, but requires encrypted cloud backups and charges a 0.4% setup fee when new receiving capacity is needed.
Founded in	2024 2018
Website	aquawallet.io breez.technology
Availability	Available globally Available globally

FAQs

Is Aqua a Lightning wallet?

Aqua is a non-custodial wallet focused on Bitcoin and Liquid. Lightning payments are supported via non-custodial Boltz swaps rather than native channels. That enables Liquid features and privacy benefits, with Lightning executed through swap transactions instead of on-device channel management.

Is Breez custodial?

No. Breez is a self-custodial Lightning wallet. It automates channel management behind the scenes and uses a cloud backup to restore wallet and Lightning state. Some users appreciate the convenience; funds remain in your control with seed-based recovery and automated infrastructure support.

Which has lower fees for small payments?

For pure Lightning, Breez’s native LN avoids swap steps. Aqua’s Lightning sends use Boltz swaps, which can add swap and on-chain components at times. Actual costs vary with network conditions and usage. Compare features, custody model, and recovery approach in the table.