We already know that Bitcoin is a decentralized network where every terminal or node is equal regarding hierarchy. Every node in the Bitcoin Transaction runs on a specific system called Bitcoin Client. Bitcoin Clients is an end-user software which facilitates the generation of private key and payment sending on behalf of the private key. The Bitcoin clients download the entire network of the bitcoin transaction on the node, and it takes care of all the bitcoin network communication. It connects with the user’s “Bitcoin wallet” and updates it with the outgoing and incoming funds. Bitcoin Client uses the keys generated by the Bitcoin Wallet to sign the bitcoin transactions. The protocol of Bitcoin Clients is designed in a way that the bitcoin clients cannot enforce their own rule. The nodes running the bitcoin client ensures that every node is following the same rules. The bitcoin clients are two types:
- Lightweight client: Lightweight Bitcoin Client or Thin Clients is like running MS-Outlook on your local PC. It will communicate only with the information about private keys and Bitcoin addresses. It will not download the entire history of bitcoin transactions. When they are accessed from the web browser they are called “Web clients“, and if they are accessed from the smartphone, they are called “mobile clients.”
- Full Client: Full clients are also called the full node, and they run on specialized hardware. The full client will take two days and 100 GB of storage to sync with the entire network. Some of the examples of Full Client are Bitcoin Core and Bitcoind. The full clients don’t depend on any third party service. A good analogy will run the entire email server where the server takes care of all communication and synchronizes with the bitcoin network continuously.
Top 11 Bitcoin Clients to Generate Private Keys for Bitcoin Transactions
There are several bitcoin clients available to generate the private keys for bitcoin transactions. Out of them, the top 11 bitcoin clients are listed below
1. Armory
It is the most secure and full-featured Bitcoin client to generate and store private keys. While using Armory, users don’t have to trust the Armory team and can use them with the Glacier Protocol.
2. Bitcoin Core
Bitcoin core contains both “full-node” software to validate the blockchain and bitcoin wallet.
3. libbitcoin-explorer
libbitcoin-explorer is a bitcoin command-line utility that supports Windows, OSX, and Linux.
4. Electrum
It is a lightweight Bitcoin client, based on a client-server protocol.
5. Gocoin
It is a full Bitcoin solution written in the Go language, and it provides a working solution for Litecoin.
6. GreenAddress
It brings the most advanced level of protection to your bitcoins without eliminating usability and control.
7. MultiBit
It is a bitcoin wallet for your desktop, and it is designed with high-level protection. It currently works with operating systems like Linux, Windows, and OSX. It is designed to connect directly to the Bitcoin peer-to-peer network.
8. Mycelium
Mycelium helps you to send and receive Bitcoins by using your mobile phone. The unparalleled cold storage functionality in this bitcoin client allows you to secure your funds until you are ready to spend them.
9. btcd
btcd correctly downloads validate and serves the blockchain using the exact rules for block acceptance as Bitcoin Core.
10. Airbitz
Airbitz is a powerful bitcoin client that allows users to control their bitcoin private keys with the knowledge and ease of mobile banking.
11. Blocktrail
It features unparalleled security through Multi-signature technology, which helps you to keep control of your Bitcoins at all times.
These are the top 11 bitcoin clients are available to generate private keys. For more queries about Bitcoin Clients, please comment below.
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