Zkool review: the successor to YWallet
Zkool is a free, MIT-licensed Zcash wallet by Hanh, the developer of YWallet, and is the recommended replacement now that YWallet is retired. It is Ironwood-ready and packed with power-user features: multiple and hidden accounts, Tor and Nym transport, FROST shielded multisig and Ledger companion support. The trade-offs are a basic interface and no automatic shielding.
YWallet was for years the go-to Zcash wallet for advanced users. Its developer, Hanh, rebuilt it from scratch as Zkool, and when YWallet was deprecated around the Ironwood upgrade, Zkool became its successor. It can import YWallet accounts directly.
Zkool at a glance
| Fact | Zkool (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Type | Desktop and mobile light wallet, Zcash only |
| Platforms | Linux (Flatpak, AppImage, Deb) documented; iOS App Store listing; Android, Windows and macOS projects in the repository but not documented as official downloads |
| Open source | Yes, MIT licence |
| Custody | Self-custody; accepts 12, 18, 21 and 24-word seeds |
| Shielded pools | Ironwood and Sapling; legacy Orchard (for exit); transparent |
| Ironwood readiness | Ready (ZecHub, Oct 2026) |
| Sync | Light client, per-account sync; connect directly or via Tor, Nym or a proxy |
| Hardware support | Ledger, as a companion wallet for the Zondax "Zcash Shielded" Ledger app |
| Status | Active |
Features
- Multiple accounts, including hidden accounts, with an encrypted wallet database.
- FROST shielded multisig with distributed key generation, so several people can control one shielded wallet.
- Network privacy options: direct, Tor, Nym or a proxy. During the Ironwood migration, turnstile amounts are public, so hiding your IP address matters more than usual.
- Imports YWallet backups, zcashd keys, viewing keys and BIP44 seeds from Ledger and Exodus.
- Transparent address rotation instead of automatic shielding.
- Ledger companion for shielded signing via the Zondax app.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| MIT-licensed and free | Basic interface; less beginner-friendly |
| Tor and Nym built in | No automatic shielding of transparent funds |
| Multisig, multi-account, hidden accounts | Official builds documented only for Linux and iOS |
| Imports YWallet, zcashd, Ledger and Exodus keys | Some features were still in development in 2025 |
| One of few desktop options with Ironwood | Run by a very small team |
Who Zkool suits
- Former YWallet users, who can import their accounts. Follow YWallet to Zkool.
- Desktop users, especially on Linux. See best desktop wallets.
- Groups and organisations that want shielded multisig.
- Privacy-conscious users who want to route sync through Tor or Nym.
- Ledger owners who want a shielded companion wallet other than Ledger Wallet.
Beginners will usually be happier with Zodl. See Zodl vs Zkool vs Zingo.
A note on transparent funds
Zkool does not automatically shield ZEC that arrives at a transparent address. If you withdraw from an exchange to Zkool's transparent address, shield it yourself afterwards. Our shielding guide explains how and what it costs (the standard fee is 5,000 zatoshi per logical action, with a minimum of 0.0001 ZEC).
Getting started with Zkool
- Install Zkool from the official GitHub releases (Linux) or the App Store (iOS).
- Create a new account, or import a seed (12, 18, 21 or 24 words), a YWallet backup, zcashd keys or a viewing key.
- Choose how to connect: direct, Tor, Nym or a proxy.
- Let the account sync, then send yourself a small test payment.
- If you hold Orchard funds, move them into Ironwood (guide).
About FROST multisig
FROST is a threshold signature scheme: for example, two of three people must approve before shielded funds can move. Zkool includes distributed key generation, so no single person ever holds the full key. It is useful for families, small organisations and community treasuries, but take time to test it with small amounts first.
Zkool vs YWallet
| Point | YWallet | Zkool |
|---|---|---|
| Ironwood | No | Yes |
| Status | Deprecated | Active |
| Network privacy | Configurable server | Direct, Tor, Nym or proxy |
| Multisig | No | FROST shielded multisig |
| Licence | Open source | MIT |
If you liked YWallet's multi-account approach, Zkool will feel familiar, with a rebuilt core and features YWallet never had.
Verdict
Zkool is the most feature-rich Ironwood-ready light wallet and the obvious home for YWallet users. It rewards people who are comfortable with a technical interface. Beginners should start with Zodl and come back to Zkool when they need multi-account, multisig or desktop use.
Safety notes
- The official sources are the GitHub project hhanh00/zkool2 and its project site hhanh00.github.io/zkool2, plus the App Store listing for iOS. Type these yourself.
- Do not download Zkool or YWallet builds from third-party APK or "mirror" sites.
- When importing a YWallet backup, do it on a trusted device, then store the recovery phrases offline.
- Hidden accounts protect against casual snooping, not against malware on your device.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zkool the new YWallet?
Yes. Zkool is built by the same developer and its repository describes it as the successor to YWallet. It can import YWallet accounts.
Is Zkool Ironwood-ready?
Yes. ZecHub lists Zkool as Ironwood-ready, and it supports Ironwood, Sapling, legacy Orchard (for migration) and transparent addresses.
Does Zkool work on Windows or Android?
The source code includes Windows, macOS and Android projects, but in October 2026 only Linux and iOS builds were documented as official. Check the official GitHub project before installing elsewhere.
Can Zkool be used with a Ledger?
Yes. Zkool can act as a companion wallet for the Zondax Zcash Shielded app on Ledger devices.