Electrum vs Sparrow: which Bitcoin wallet to install

Both are serious Bitcoin desktops. The download jobs differ: Electrum’s download.electrum.org + ThomasV GPG vs Sparrow’s GitHub-signed assets.

Comparisons · 8 min · Updated Aug 2026 · Expert

Electrum vs Sparrow is a Bitcoin-desktop choice with two official download graphs: Electrum from electrum.org / download.electrum.org with ThomasV GPG, Sparrow from sparrowwallet.com or sparrowwallet/sparrow releases.

This is not a coin-control tutorial. Hash the installer for the product you picked. Switch the verifier preset when you switch brands.

Do this now

  1. Choose the official host for that wallet. Electrum: electrum.org. Sparrow: sparrowwallet.com. Do not use a pack that claims to include both.
  2. Hash that brand’s file here. Default preset is electrum_windows. Change to sparrow_windows if the file is Sparrow-2.1.3.exe.
  3. GPG-verify on the OS. Electrum: gpg --verify the .asc. Sparrow: the signature files next to the GitHub asset. Then connect to a server or node you intend to use.

Bitcoin desktop install matrix

Electrum 4.5.5Sparrow 2.1.3
Siteelectrum.orgsparrowwallet.com
Binary hostdownload.electrum.orgGitHub release assets
Hash presetelectrum_windowssparrow_windows
AuthenticityThomasV 0x6694D8DE7BE8EE56Key on sparrowwallet.com/download
Typical fakeelectrum-wallet.com + search ads“Sparrow portable” zip with a config
Neither wallet should ever ask you to type the seed into a web form to “upgrade the database.”

What this vs page cannot do

It cannot pick your privacy model (public Electrum server vs own node). It cannot replace coin control practice. It gets the right binary onto disk.

WalletGuard does not run Bitcoin Core.

Electrum GPG: GPG-verify Electrum. Sparrow GPG: GPG-verify Sparrow.
Live artifact · preset electrum_windows

Catalog hash loads from WalletGuard’s wallet database. Confirm the same string on the developer’s signed release before you install.

Hash this file in the browser

Nothing is uploaded. Web Crypto SHA-256 stays on this device.

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SHA-256

Compare to the catalog hash

This page pre-selects electrum_windows. Switch wallets if you grabbed a different build.

Preset hash: loads from catalog

No file selected yet.

Open the full verifier with this preset →

Frequently asked questions

Should I install Electrum or Sparrow?

Install the one whose workflow you will actually use — but only from its official host. Electrum: download.electrum.org plus GPG. Sparrow: sparrowwallet.com / official GitHub plus GPG. Hash the file either way.

Can I verify both with the same preset?

No. electrum_windows and sparrow_windows are different catalog digests. Select the wallet that matches the file name.

Is one more often faked?

Electrum has a longer history of typosquat domains. Sparrow fakes show up as “preset” zip packs. Both require official hosts, not search ads.

Open verifier · electrum_windows