The Bitcoin Lightning Network is a layer-2 payment system built on Bitcoin that can process millions of transactions per second. It offers fast settlement and very low fees. Thanks to these advantages, Lightning has already been adopted overseas for everyday micro-payments—from buying a cup of coffee to paying at retail shops.
Now, it’s the right time for small businesses in Korea to start introducing Lightning payments, too.
To register your store on AkaSha and accept Lightning payments, a Lightning wallet app is essential.
In this article, we compare four representative Lightning wallets—Breez, Phoenix, Muun, and Wallet of Satoshi (WOS)—to explore how store owners can easily receive Bitcoin through QR codes. We’ll look at each wallet’s unique features, fee structures, QR code/POS usability, beginner-friendliness, app stability and support, global user base, and then recommend the most suitable options for small business owners.
Custodial vs. Non-Custodial Wallets
Lightning wallets can be divided into non-custodial and custodial types.
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Non-custodial wallets: You hold your own keys—“Not your keys, not your coins.”
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Custodial wallets: A service provider holds the Bitcoin for you, making setup fast and simple.
Among the wallets compared here:
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Breez, Phoenix, Muun → Non-custodial (self-custody)
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Wallet of Satoshi (WOS) → Custodial
Wallet Overviews
Breez – breez.technology
Breez runs a Lightning node directly on your smartphone, with no channel management or setup fees. It features a POS (Point-of-Sale) mode, letting merchants register product lists and generate Lightning invoices instantly—ideal for retail shops.
Muun – muun.com
Muun uniquely integrates on-chain Bitcoin and Lightning into one balance. Using submarine swaps, it allows seamless payment whether the invoice is on-chain or Lightning. Fees can be as low as 1 satoshi, though large payments may occasionally incur higher on-chain fees.
Wallet of Satoshi – walletofsatoshi.com
Known as the “world’s simplest Lightning wallet,” WOS is fully custodial. It requires only an email login and is extremely beginner-friendly. With automatic invoice recognition and a massive user base worldwide, WOS is often considered the market leader.
Phoenix – phoenix.acinq.co
Developed by French startup ACINQ, Phoenix automates channel management and integrates advanced features like Pay-to-Open and Turbo Channels. It offers a simple backup system and is connected to ACINQ’s large Lightning node for stable payments.
Fee Structures
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Breez: No fixed fees. Users pay only routing fees (a few sats). Receiving is free; only miner fees apply when converting on-chain BTC to channels.
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Phoenix: Sending costs 0.4% + 1 sat. First-time receiving (or when capacity is low) incurs a 1% fee (min. 3,000 sats) for channel opening.
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Muun: Appears nearly free (~1 sat per Lightning payment). However, because it uses on-chain swaps in the background, larger payments may incur hidden on-chain fees and delays.
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WOS: Lightning transactions are essentially free (only routing fees). However, on-chain deposits incur ~0.5% conversion fee, and on-chain withdrawals cost about 1.95% + fixed fee.
Summary:
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WOS is cheapest if you only use Lightning (avoid on-chain).
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Breez is cost-efficient and merchant-friendly with its built-in POS.
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Phoenix has transparent fees but slightly higher costs for opening channels.
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Muun is user-friendly but can carry hidden costs on larger transactions.
Recommendation for Merchants
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Best for beginners and merchants: Breez (built-in POS, receipts, and reports—perfect for retail use).
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Simple and instant setup: Wallet of Satoshi (great for non-technical users).
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Advanced users: Phoenix or Muun (for those who want non-custodial control with advanced features).
Once you create your Lightning wallet, you’ll have your own Bitcoin Lightning address. Enter this when registering your store on AkaSha, and you’ll be ready to meet Bitcoiners from all over the world!
How to Register Your Store on AkaSha
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During the pre-registration period, simply provide your store information and Lightning wallet address on the registration page.
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Once the official launch begins, sign up as a member and switch to a merchant account from “My Page.”