If you’re serious about safeguarding your cryptocurrency investments, securely storing your seed phrases is absolutely essential.
Your seed phrase is the master key to your crypto wallet – if it falls into the wrong hands, your digital assets could be stolen in an instant. But if you lose your seed phrase, your crypto is gone forever. That’s why it’s critical to back up your seed phrase using a method that protects against both unauthorised access and physical damage or destruction.
Several popular products on the market aim to provide a robust solution for seed phrase storage:
- Cryptotag Zeus – uses engraved titanium plates which you then mark yourself with bip39 word numbers.
- Billfodl – relies on stainless steel tiles stamped with letters, which you slide and arrange to spell out your seed phrase.
- Cryptosteel Capsule – also uses stainless steel tiles but is housed inside a bullet-shaped capsule.
While all of these offer a huge step up in security compared to paper backups, one seed phrase storage device stands out from the rest: Coinplate Alpha. With its ultra-durable construction, easy-to-use design, and unbeatable value, Coinplate Alpha provides the ultimate peace of mind for protecting your precious seed phrases.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at how all these options compare and what is the best choice for anyone who refuses to compromise on the safety of their crypto investments.
Cryptotag Zeus Review – A Costly Option With Issues
The Cryptotag Zeus is a seed phrase backup device made from titanium plates. It provides a secure way to store your 12 or 24-word recovery seed to protect your crypto assets against loss or damage. It costs $129 for a single set (โฌ129)
Key features of the Cryptotag Zeus include:
- Durable 6mm thick titanium construction that is fireproof up to 1667ยฐC/3032ยฐF
- Compact design measuring 11.3 x 6.8 x 0.6 cm (5.7 x 4.7 x 1.2 in) and weighing 410 grams (14.1 oz)
- Starter kit comes with 2 plates to back up 24 seed words (or 2 sets of 12 words)
- Compatible with BIP39 standard used by hardware wallets like Ledger, Trezor, and Keepkey
- Set up by finding the numbers corresponding to your Bip39 seed words and punching them into the plates with the included tools
Cryptotag Zeus Pros:
- Durable and light titanium
- Compact size makes it portable and easy to store securely
- Supports the commonly used BIP39 standard
Cryptotag Zeus Cons:
- Expensive compared to other options: $129 USD for a single set.
- The engraved markings are only surface marked and will fade out under heat or unfavourable conditions (see the photo below)
- The setup process is complicated, it requires finding and marking the numbers of your bip39 words.
- Large and visible logo marked on the top of the product, everyone who finds it can easily find out what it is and whatโs inside
- The clamps that hold the plates together are not sturdy
Cryptotag has performed rather poorly in the independent stress tests performed by Jameson Lopp. You can see that the layout marked on the plate faded out and is hard to read. This could make your seed phrase irreversibility lost.
Cryptotag Zeus vs Coinplate Alpha – A Cheaper, More Robust Alternative
Compared to the Coinplate Alpha, the Cryptotag Zeus has some serious disadvantages.
Coinplate Alpha uses much easier to use letter layout, where you simply spell your words out. You make a mark at a corresponding letter box, engraved on the plate. This is much more straightforward than having to convert the words to numbers and punch them in like with the Zeus. It is therefore much less prone to error when making the backup. However, if you are looking for a better solution that also uses seed phrase word numbers โ look for Coinplate Grid
Cryptotag Zeus uses surface marking for the plate layout while Coinplate Alpha uses deep engraving into the plates. This makes Coinplate Alpha’s layout super durable to corrosive agents, heat and even physical damage.
Advantages of Coinplate Alpha against Cryptag Zeus:
- Easier to use
- Deep engraved layout
- No engraved logos or product names. Coinplate Alpha only has an easy-to-remove sticker with a small logo. This makes it much easier to hide the backup.
- Much better value โ Coinplate Alpha costs $89 for a single set. There are great value packages available for bigger sets.
- Sturdy screws that hold the plates tight together, made from stainless steel.
- Stellar stress test results
- Holes to secure the plates to furniture or house construction (screws included).
- Full set of accessories: tamper-evident stickers, punch tool, key.
So while the Cryptotag Zeus is a costly option, the Coinplate Alpha edges it out with its superior craftsmanship, sturdier construction, and more foolproof setup. The heavy duty design and simpler design make the Coinplate Alpha the top choice for securely backing up your seed phrase.
Billfodl Review: A Popular Choice, But Not Secure Enough
The Billfodl is a popular stainless steel device for storing your crypto seed phrase to protect it against loss or damage. It consists of a set of small tiles engraved with letters and numbers that you arrange to spell out your 12 or 24-word recovery phrase.
Here’s how Billfodl works:
- Using the included tweezers, remove the tiles corresponding to the first four letters of each word in your seed phrase.
- Slide the tiles into the Billfodl’s rails in the correct order to recreate your seed phrase.
- Use the bolt to lock the tiles in place, close with the top sheet.
- Store your assembled Billfodl.
Billfodl Strengths:
- Made from 316 stainless steel to withstand fire, flood, and corrosion
- Compact size of 104mm ั 58 mm ั 5mm (4.1in ั 2.3in ั 0.2in) makes it easy to store securely
- Works with 12 or 24-word seed phrases and supports BIP39 standard
Billfodl Weaknesses:
- Assembly can be fiddly and time-consuming with small tiles and tiny text
- Tiles could get lost during assembly, compromising your seed phrase
- The tiles will fall out when the device is heated or bent (see the photo below)
- Not as intuitive as some other seed phrase backup methods
- Pricier than some competitors at $99 for the base model
- Engraved product name indicates clearly what it is and what it holds to anyone who finds it.
- Catastrophic results of independent stress tests
… the heat managed to warp the tray enough to loosen the letters and a bunch of them fell out. I have to consider this a catastrophic failure. … even slight deformation results in letters falling out of their slots.
Jameson Lopp
Billfodl has performed very badly in the independent stress tests performed by Jameson Lopp. You can see that the tiles fell out when heated or bent, which will make your seed phrase irreversibility lost.
Please note, that there are also numerous devices built similarly to Billfodl (incl. Cryptosteel Cassette, Safepal, Keystone, SecuX) and they all share the same design flaws.
Billfodl vs Coinplate Alpha: A Heavy-duty Alternative
When compared to the Coinplate Alpha, the Billfodl falls short in a few key areas.
The Coinplate Alpha boasts a sturdier construction, with two 5mm thick stainless steel plates that are much thicker than the Billfodl’s thin sheets. This extra heft makes the Coinplate Alpha even more resistant to damage. Coinplate Alpha will hold your seed phrase even if bent or hit. It is a very heavy-duty design.
The Coinplate Alpha is also easier to use than the Billfodl. Rather than fiddling with dozens of tiny tiles, the Coinplate Alpha uses large, laser-engraved plates that you simply mark up to spell out your seed phrase. The process is intuitive and minimizes the risk of making mistakes.
Advantages of Coinplate Alpha against Billfodl:
- Easier to use with engraved layout
- Heavy-duty design and materials, It protects your seed phrase against almost any disaster.
- No engraved logos or product names. Coinplate Alpha only has an easy-to-remove sticker with a small logo. This makes it much easier to hide the backup.
- Much better value โ Coinplate Alpha costs $89 for a single set. There are value packages available for bigger sets.
- Sturdy screws that hold the plates tight together, made from stainless steel.
- Holes to secure the plates to furniture or house construction (screws included).
- Stellar stress test results
- Full set of accessories: tamper-evident stickers, punch tool, key.
While the Billfodl even if unsafe is a somewhat popular seed phrase backup solution, the Coinplate Alpha’s superior design and construction make it the better choice for most users. Its thicker plates and foolproof assembly give you greater peace of mind that your seed phrase will be safe from harm and easy to recover when you need it.
Cryptosteel Capsule Review: Nice Design, Unreliable Tiles
The Cryptosteel Capsule is a stainless steel device designed for securely storing your cryptocurrency seed phrase. It consists of a small cylindrical capsule that houses a core onto which you place letter tiles to spell out your recovery words.
The Capsule aims to provide a fireproof, waterproof, and shockproof way to back up your seed phrase for the long term. It’s made from solid stainless steel to withstand unfavourable conditions.
Benefits of the Cryptosteel Capsule include:
- Stainless steel construction
- Compact size of 102mm long x 16mm diameter
- Supports various formats like BIP39 seeds, private keys, and passwords
- Reusable, as you can swap out the tiles
However, the Capsule does have some notable drawbacks:
- Relatively expensive at $99 for single set
- Fiddly to assemble with tiny tiles that could get lost
- Can’t verify if your seed letters are in a correct order
- The capsule design makes it impossible to open when bent or hit (see the photo below)
- Unfavourable results of independent stress tests
Because the end of the rod is permanently affixed to the screw-on cap, itโs now impossible to unscrew the device. … youโd want to somehow cut through the tube … youโd then have to be extremely careful while pulling the rod out of the tube to ensure that the tiles donโt fall off, causing data loss.
Jameson Lopp
Crypstosteel Capsule has done rather poorly in the independent stress tests performed by Jameson Lopp. During the test, the capsule was bent which make it very hard to open the device. The only possible way to open it would be to use power tools such as angle grinder, which will surely make all the tiles messed up. This also makes the seed phrase irreversibly lost.
Cryptosteel Capsule vs Coinplate Alpha: More Straightforward And Secure Option
In contrast, the Coinplate Alpha offers several advantages over the Cryptosteel Capsule. The Alpha is made from much thicker 5mm stainless steel plates, making it even more durable and resistant to damage.
Rather than small, easy-to-lose tiles, the Alpha uses a simpler design with letter and word spaces engraved directly into the plates. You mark your seed phrase by punching dents into the steel with the included tool. This process is more straightforward and foolproof compared to fiddling with tiny tiles.
The Coinplate Alpha also provides better value for the price. At $89, it costs less than the Cryptosteel Capsule while offering superior materials and construction. The thicker plates and simpler marking method make the Alpha more reliable for long-term seed phrase storage.
Advantages of Coinplate Alpha against Cryptosteel Capsule:
- Easier to use with engraved layout
- Heavy-duty design and materials,
- Much better value โ Coinplate Alpha costs $89 for a single set. There are value packages available for bigger sets.
- Ability to open the device once it was bent or smashed.
- No small tiles which could get mixed up.
- Holes to secure the plates to furniture or house construction (screws included).
- Stellar stress test results
- Full set of accessories: tamper-evident stickers, punch tool, key.
While the Cryptosteel Capsule is a robust backup solution, the Coinplate Alpha edges it out in durability, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness. For most users looking to safeguard their seed phrase against anything life throws at it, the Coinplate Alpha is the optimal choice.
Coinplate Alpha Review: The Ultimate Seed Phrase Storage
Now let’s take a closer look at the Coinplate Alpha and see why it’s the top choice for securely storing your crypto seed phrase.
The Coinplate Alpha is constructed from two 5mm thick 304 stainless steel plates. The plates are laser-engraved with a 26-letter layout for all 24 words. This allows you to easily record your 12, 18, or 24-word BIP39 recovery phrase by making dents in the corresponding letters using the included punch tool. The process is simple, quick, and requires no technical expertise.
The entire process takes just a few minutes and requires no technical skills. The large and simple layout together with a simple dent marking method make it easy to record your seed phrase accurately without the risk of mixing up small tiles.
Once your seed phrase is marked, the Coinplate Alpha provides unparalleled security and damage resistance. You can easily trust this 3/8โ (10mm) thick stainless steel sandwich to protect your data from all possible accidents and disasters.
Coinplate backups can survive almost anything you can encounter like a house fire or collapse, floods, acids, rust and impact while being perfectly readable even in 20 years.
Coinplate Alpha performed admirably (Triple A rating) in the independent stress tests performed by Jameson Lopp.
One thing Iโll note about the Coinplate devices – they are hefty. … there are no problems punching the divots into it … both the template and data remain deeply etched and intact.
Jameson Lopp
At just $89, the Coinplate Alpha offers unbeatable value for the level of security and durability it provides. That’s less than many competing products made from thinner, less durable materials. Considering the priceless value of your crypto seed phrase, the Coinplate Alpha is a smart investment in the ultimate peace of mind. It’s a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with knowing your crypto seed phrase is protected against any potential hazards.
In summary, the Coinplate Alpha is the ultimate solution for securely storing your cryptocurrency seed phrase. Its foolproof design, indestructible construction, and exceptional value make it the top choice for savvy investors who demand the best protection for their digital assets.
Conclusion: Coinplate Alpha – The Clear Choice As An Alternative To Cryptosteel, Billfodl, Cryptotag
After comparing the top seed phrase backup products on the market, it’s clear that the Coinplate Alpha stands out as the best option for most cryptocurrency investors.
Its ultra-durable construction from 5mm thick stainless steel plates provides unparalleled protection against fire, flooding, crushing force, and corrosion. The simple laser-engraved design and foolproof dent marking method make it easy to set up your seed phrase backup accurately in just minutes.
Compared to alternatives like the Cryptotag Zeus, Billfodl, and Cryptosteel Capsule, the Coinplate Alpha offers a more robust, reliable, and user-friendly solution. It eliminates the risk of losing tiny tiles or making mistakes during assembly, giving you greater peace of mind that your seed phrase will be there when you need it.
At just $89, the Coinplate Alpha also provides exceptional value for the price. Its premium materials and construction quality surpass many more expensive competitors, making it a smart investment in the security of your crypto assets.
Ultimately, choosing the right seed phrase backup is a critical decision that can determine the fate of your cryptocurrency holdings. With its unbeatable combination of durability, simplicity, and affordability, the Coinplate Alpha is the clear choice for anyone who refuses to compromise on the safety of their digital wealth.
If you’re serious about protecting your crypto investments for the long term, don’t settle for inferior seed phrase backup methods. Check out the Coinplate Alpha today and experience the ultimate peace of mind that comes with knowing your seed phrase is safe from anything life throws at it.
