Zeus Review
Self-custodial Lightning wallet with embedded node, remote node management, and privacy-preserving Lightning addresses.
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Why We Recommend Zeus
ZEUS stands out as one of the most capable self-custodial Lightning wallets available, offering a rare combination of beginner accessibility and advanced node control in a single app. The embedded Lightning node option means users can run a full Lightning node directly on their phone without external hardware, while the remote node management supports LND, Core Lightning, and popular full-node stacks like Umbrel, StartOS, and RaspiBlitz. The app is fully open-source under AGPLv3 with all releases cryptographically signed, and the project has built a strong reputation among Bitcoin power users who prioritize sovereignty over convenience.
The LSP pricing is competitive for the Lightning ecosystem: 10,000 sats flat for channels up to 1 million sats, or 1% for larger channels up to 5 million sats in normal fee environments. ZEUS Pay offers free self-custodial Lightning addresses using a clever hodl invoice and Nostr-based attestation system that lets users receive payments even when offline. The no-KYC stance is genuine and consistent throughout the product, making it appealing for privacy-conscious users who want Lightning functionality without identity verification.
Best For
ZEUS is ideal for Bitcoin users who already run or want to run their own Lightning node and need a powerful mobile interface for managing channels, liquidity, and routing. If you have an Umbrel, StartOS, or similar home node setup, ZEUS provides seamless remote access with features like coin control, external signer support, and watchtower integration. The app grows with your expertise—start with the embedded node for simplicity, then graduate to managing your own infrastructure.
Merchants and content creators benefit from the built-in point-of-sale mode and self-custodial Lightning addresses that work without requiring always-on servers. The ZEUS Pay feature is particularly valuable for accepting donations or payments to a static address while maintaining full custody of funds. Nostr integration allows importing contacts directly, which appeals to users active in that ecosystem.
Power users who want maximum control over their Bitcoin payments will appreciate features like PayJoin support, Taproot, LNURL capabilities, and the ability to connect multiple nodes from a single app interface. The privacy-focused design includes Tor support, duress PIN functionality, and lurker mode for hiding balances in public.
Services & Features
Considerations
The learning curve is steep for newcomers, especially when configuring remote nodes and managing channel liquidity. Documentation could be more beginner-friendly, and some users report occasional bugs or crashes that reflect the trade-off between power and polish.
