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  3. Shell vs Shield Lite

Keycard Shell vs Specter Shield Lite

What Shell does better (7) and where Shield Lite wins (14) — every spec side by side.

Keycard Shell
Keycard · 2025Shell
5.0Score
7 advantages≈ €110
vs
Specter Shield Lite
Specter · 2020Shield Lite
8.2Score
14 advantages≈ €190
Higher score
9.2Security7.2
5.9Open source5.9
2.6Bitcoin features5.2
4.0Ease of use6.6
9.2Connectivity4.6

Why is Shell better than Shield Lite?

  1. Anti-klepto (anti-exfil) signingYes · Shield Lite: No
  2. Duress PIN / decoy walletYes · Shield Lite: No
  3. Shamir backup (SLIP-39)Yes · Shield Lite: No
  4. USB-CYes · Shield Lite: No
  5. NFCYes · Shield Lite: No
  6. Built-in batteryYes · Shield Lite: No
  7. Thickness19 mm vs 26 mm+37%

Why is Shield Lite better than Shell?

  1. 100% air-gappedNo · Shell: Yes
  2. TaprootNo · Shell: Yes
  3. MiniscriptNo · Shell: Yes
  4. Screen size2″ vs 4″2×
  5. TouchscreenNo · Shell: Yes
  6. Compatible third-party wallets7 vs 11+57%
  7. Bitcoin-only firmware / editionNo · Shell: Yes
  8. Anti-phishing wordsNo · Shell: Yes
  9. BIP85 child seedsNo · Shell: Yes
  10. microSD backupNo · Shell: Yes
  11. User-added entropy (dice)No · Shell: Yes
  12. Message signingNo · Shell: Yes
Specifications

Side by side

Keycard ShellKeycard Shell≈ €1105.0
Specter Shield LiteSpecter Shield Lite≈ €1908.2
Security
Secure Element chipYesYes
Secure Element certificationEAL6+—
Air-gapped signingYesYes
100% air-gappedNoYes
Supply-chain & tamper protectionYesYes
Secure bootYesYes
Anti-klepto (anti-exfil) signingYesNo
Firmware & open source
Open-source firmwareYesYes
Source code availableYesYes
Reproducible buildsYesYes
Firmware licenceMITMIT
Upgradable firmwareYesYes
Firmware update viaUSBmicroSD
Bitcoin-only firmware / editionNoYes
Device lock
PIN lockYesYes
PIN entered on the deviceYesYes
Fingerprint unlockNoNo
Duress PIN / decoy walletYesNo
Brick / wipe PINNoNo
Wipe after failed attemptsYesYes
Time-delayed unlockNoNo
Anti-phishing wordsNoYes
Keys & backup
BIP39 passphraseYesYes
Shamir backup (SLIP-39)YesNo
Seed XORNoNo
BIP85 child seedsNoYes
24-word seedYesYes
SeedQR backupYesYes
microSD backupNoYes
NFC backup cardYesYes
User-added entropy (dice)NoYes
Stateless use (no stored keys)YesYes
Multiple seeds on one deviceYesNo
Bitcoin features
MultisigYesYes
TaprootNoYes
MiniscriptNoYes
Message signingNoYes
Coin controlYesYes
Own node connectionYesYes
Tor supportYesYes
Replace-by-feeYesYes
Silent PaymentsNoNo
Spending limitsNoNo
TestnetYesYes
Supported assets
Altcoins & tokensYesNo
Bitcoin onlyNoYes
Connectivity
Signing connectivityUSB-C, NFC, QR codeUSB, QR code, microSD
USBYesYes
USB-CYesNo
BluetoothNoNo
NFCYesNo
QR code cameraYesYes
Animated QR (UR)YesYes
microSD signingNoYes
Screen & input
ScreenYesYes
Screen size2″4″
Screen typeTFT IPSLCD
Screen resolution240 × 320800 × 480
TouchscreenNoYes
Colour screenYesYes
Gorilla GlassNoNo
ControlsButtonsTouch Screen
QWERTY keyboardYesYes
Battery & power
Built-in batteryYesNo
Battery capacity800 mAh—
Removable batteryYes—
Wireless chargingNoNo
Design
Weight—248 g
Length105 mm134 mm
Width65 mm67 mm
Thickness19 mm26 mm
MaterialsABS PlasticPlastic
Water / dust resistance—No
Several colours availableNoYes
Warranty (months)0—
Assembled inChina—
DIY build possibleYesYes
Apps
Official apps—Windows, macOS, Linux
Desktop appNoYes
Mobile appNoNo
Works with wallet appsBitcoin Safe, Nunchuk, Cove, Sparrow, Specter Desktop, BlueWallet, BullBitcoin Safe, Wasabi, Nunchuk, Cove, Electrum, Sparrow, Specter Desktop, BlueWallet, Bitcoin Keeper, Bull, Liana
Compatible third-party wallets711
Other features
FIDO2 / U2F security keyNoNo
Password managerNoNo
To compare: 0up to 4 models
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