Zodl vs Zkool vs Zingo!: which shielded Zcash wallet?
All three are open-source, self-custody wallets that support the Ironwood shielded pool. Zodl (formerly Zashi) is the easiest for beginners and pairs with Keystone; Zkool (YWallet's successor) suits power users who want multi-account, Ledger, FROST multisig or a desktop app; Zingo! is a lean mobile wallet with memo messaging and TEX support.
These are the three Zcash-focused wallets most people consider in 2026. All three are listed as Ironwood-ready by the ZecHub wallet directory (October 2026), keep your keys on your device and sync as light clients. They differ in who they are built for.
Side-by-side comparison
| Zodl | Zkool | Zingo! | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formerly | Zashi (rename announced 16 Feb 2026) | Successor to YWallet | - |
| Built by | Zcash Open Development Lab (former ECC wallet team) | Hanh, the YWallet developer | Zingo Labs |
| Platforms | iOS, Android (incl. F-Droid) | Linux (Flatpak, AppImage, Deb), iOS; other builds less documented | iOS, Android, desktop command line (zingo-cli) |
| Ironwood | Yes (since v3.8.0, 28 Jul 2026) | Yes | Yes |
| Sapling and transparent | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Orchard migration | Guided gradual migration (v3.9.0) | Supports legacy Orchard funds | Not documented |
| Auto-shielding | 1-click shielding of transparent funds | No; rotates transparent addresses | Not documented |
| Hardware wallet | Keystone 3 Pro | Ledger (Zondax Zcash Shielded app) | None documented |
| Built-in swaps | Yes (NEAR Intents), plus CrossPay | None documented | None found |
| Network privacy | Optional Tor | Tor, Nym or proxy | Choose your own server |
| Accounts | Single wallet | Multi-account, hidden accounts, FROST multisig | Single wallet, address book |
| Seed | 24 words + birthday height | 12/18/21/24 words; imports YWallet, zcashd, BIP44 seeds | Seed phrase |
| Open source | Yes (public GitHub, F-Droid build) | Yes (MIT licence) | Yes (source on GitHub) |
| Best for | Beginners, phone users, Keystone owners | Power users, desktop, Ledger, YWallet movers | Minimalists, memo messaging, TEX payments |
Zodl: the easy default
Zodl is the wallet the former Electric Coin Company team built as Zashi. After the team left ECC on 7 January 2026 and formed Zcash Open Development Lab, the app was renamed Zodl by an in-app update (announced 16 February 2026); you did not need a new download. It enabled Ironwood on launch day (v3.8.0, 28 July 2026), and v3.9.0 (7 August 2026) added a guided migration that moves old Orchard funds gradually to protect privacy. On Android this runs in the background; on iOS you need to reopen the app.
Strengths: a simple shielded-by-default interface, 1-click shielding, swaps to and from shielded ZEC via NEAR Intents, CrossPay (pay in shielded ZEC while the recipient receives BTC or a stablecoin), and Keystone hardware support. Weaknesses: mobile only, and Tor sync can be slow.
Warning: there is no Zodl web wallet. A phishing site, myzodl.com, posed as one in August 2026. Type zodl.com yourself or use a bookmark, and install only from official app stores.
Zkool: the power-user toolkit
Zkool replaces YWallet, which dropped Zcash support after the Ironwood upgrade. It imports YWallet accounts directly (see YWallet to Zkool), as well as zcashd and BIP44 seeds from Ledger or Exodus, and viewing keys.
Strengths: multiple and hidden accounts, an encrypted wallet database, FROST shielded multisig, Ledger support through the Zondax app, and a choice of Tor, Nym or a proxy for network privacy. Weaknesses: a basic interface, no automatic shielding, and platform builds beyond Linux and iOS are not well documented.
Zingo!: lean and message-friendly
Zingo! comes from Zingo Labs. Its "pepper-sync" engine lets you spend before sync finishes, you can choose your own light-wallet server, and it treats encrypted memos almost like private messages. It supports TEX addresses, which matters if you pay an exchange tex1 deposit address. A command-line version, zingo-cli, runs on desktop.
Weaknesses: a smaller team and fewer integrations, with no built-in swaps or hardware wallet support documented.
What all three share
- Self-custody: you hold the seed. Write down the words and the birthday height offline (see restoring a Zcash wallet).
- Light-client sync: the server cannot see your balances, but it can see your IP address and when you sync. Tor or Nym help.
- Standard fees: 0.0001 ZEC for a simple shielded payment under ZIP-317.
- Unified addresses: your
u1address did not change with Ironwood.
Which should you choose?
- New to Zcash, using a phone: Zodl. It is the most polished and does the shielding for you.
- Coming from YWallet, using Ledger, or wanting multisig or a desktop app: Zkool.
- Want a minimal wallet, private memos, or to pay TEX exchange addresses: Zingo!
You can run more than one: many users keep spending money in Zodl and savings in Zkool with a Ledger, or in Zodl with a Keystone. See the best Zcash wallets and the full wallet matrix for other options.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zodl the same as Zashi?
Yes. Zashi was renamed Zodl through an in-app update (announced 16 February 2026) after its developers left ECC and formed Zcash Open Development Lab.
What replaced YWallet?
Zkool, by the same developer. YWallet is not Ironwood-ready. Zkool can import YWallet accounts.
Which of the three has a desktop app?
Zkool has Linux builds (Flatpak, AppImage, Deb). Zingo! has a command-line client. Zodl is mobile only.
Do they support hardware wallets?
Zodl works with Keystone 3 Pro, and Zkool works with Ledger through the Zondax Zcash Shielded app. Zingo! has no documented hardware support.
Is there a Zodl web wallet?
No. Zodl is a mobile app only. Websites offering a Zodl web wallet are phishing.