Monero GUI and CLI: the official wallets reviewed
The Monero GUI and CLI are the official, open-source wallets built by the Monero Project for Windows, macOS and Linux (the CLI also runs on FreeBSD and Android). They can run your own full node for the best privacy, support Ledger and Trezor, and were at version 0.18.5.4 in October 2026.
Quick steps
- Download from getmonero.org. Type getmonero.org into your browser, open Downloads and get the GUI for your system plus the hashes file.
- Verify the download. Check the SHA256 hash of your file against the hashes list and verify the list's GPG signature.
- Pick a mode. Choose simple mode for a remote node, or advanced mode to run your own node.
- Create a wallet. Create a new wallet, write the 25-word seed on paper and set a strong wallet password.
- Sync and test. Let the wallet sync, then receive a small amount and wait 10 confirmations before spending it.
Verdict
The GUI is the reference Monero wallet. It is the most conservative choice and the best way to run your own node, which removes the need to trust anyone else's. It is heavier and less beginner-friendly than Feather. The CLI is the same engine in a terminal, for advanced users, multisig and automation.
Facts at a glance
| Item | Monero GUI / CLI |
|---|---|
| Type | Desktop wallet (GUI) and command-line wallet (CLI), Monero only |
| Platforms | GUI: Windows, macOS, Linux; CLI: also FreeBSD and Android |
| Open source | Yes (Monero Project) |
| Custody | Non-custodial |
| Sync method | Local full node (monerod), or a remote node in simple mode; scanning is always local and no view key is sent |
| Hardware support | Ledger Nano S, S Plus, X; Trezor Model T, Safe 3, Safe 5 (not yet the Safe 7) |
| Status (Oct 2026) | Active; 0.18.5.4 "Fluorine Fermi" announced 16 October 2026 |
Simple, advanced and the CLI
Simple mode
Connects to a remote node so you can start quickly. The node sees your IP address and the transactions you broadcast, but never your keys. See remote nodes.
Advanced mode
Runs monerod on your computer and downloads the whole blockchain (or a pruned copy). After the first sync, you rely on nobody. This is the most private way to use Monero, and you also help the network. Guide: run a Monero node.
CLI
The command-line wallet has every feature, including multisig, and pairs with wallet RPC for shops and services (accepting Monero payments).
GUI or CLI?
| GUI | CLI | |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | Graphical, with simple and advanced modes | Text commands in a terminal |
| Best for | Everyday users, node runners | Advanced users, servers, scripts |
| Multisig | No | Yes |
| Wallet RPC for shops | No | Yes (monero-wallet-rpc) |
| Hardware wallets | Ledger, Trezor | Ledger, Trezor |
| Included node | Yes | Yes (monerod in the same download) |
Both use the same 25-word seed format, so you can open a wallet in either.
Recent releases
- 0.18.5.0 (11 May 2026): added SOCKS5 proxy support and removed UPnP. Not a hard fork.
- 0.18.5.1 (8 July 2026) and GUI 0.18.5.2 (21 July 2026).
- 0.18.5.3 (6 October 2026) and 0.18.5.4 (16 October 2026), per getmonero.org announcements.
The next network upgrade, FCMP++, was on a test network in October 2026 with no mainnet date. When it arrives, you will need a new release. See FCMP++.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Official reference software | Full node needs a lot of disk space and a long first sync |
| Can run your own node built in | Heavier and slower to start than Feather |
| Ledger and Trezor support | No mobile app |
| Signed hashes for every release | Coin control is basic in the GUI |
| CLI offers multisig and RPC | No built-in Tor (use the SOCKS5 proxy setting) |
View-only and cold wallets
The GUI and CLI can create a view-only wallet from your address and private view key. It shows incoming payments but cannot spend, which is useful for watching cold storage or for bookkeeping. Pair it with an offline computer that holds the full wallet and signs transactions, and you have a simple cold-storage setup without extra hardware. Guide: Monero cold storage.
Who it suits
- Anyone who wants maximum privacy and is willing to run a node.
- Hardware-wallet users who want the reference setup.
- Developers, merchants and miners (see mining Monero).
Security history
On 18 to 19 November 2019, getmonero.org served CLI binaries that had been swapped for coin-stealing malware for about 24 hours. Users who checked the hashes caught it; some who did not lost funds. In March 2019 a bug in the Ledger Monero app combined with GUI and CLI 0.14 caused change outputs not to be detected; funds were recovered after a patch. Both incidents explain why the steps below matter.
Safety notes
- The official download page is getmonero.org/downloads. Type it yourself or use a bookmark.
- Check the SHA256 hash of the file against the hashes list, and verify that list's GPG signature.
- Ignore emails about "updates". In May 2025 a phishing campaign used a fake getmonero update site to install ConnectWise remote-access malware.
- Never enter your seed into a website that claims to be getmonero.org. A fake site reported in September 2025 asked for exactly that.
Frequently asked questions
What is the latest Monero GUI version?
Version 0.18.5.4 'Fluorine Fermi', announced on getmonero.org on 16 October 2026.
Do I have to download the whole blockchain?
No. Simple mode connects to a remote node, and your keys still stay on your computer. Advanced mode runs a full node for the most privacy.
Is the GUI or Feather better?
Feather is lighter and adds Tor and stronger coin control. The GUI is the official reference and can run your own node. Both support Ledger and Trezor.
Does the Monero GUI support Tor?
Not built in, but version 0.18.5.0 added SOCKS5 proxy support, so you can route traffic through a Tor proxy you run.