Looking for a Cryptotag, Billfodl or Cryptosteel alternative? The budget friendly solution has arrived.
The Cryptotag, Billfodl, and Cryptosteel Capsule Alternative: the BitJig.
Have you come looking for Cryptotag, Billfodl, or Cryptosteel Capsule alternatives, right? Eye-catching products but perhaps too expensive? We’re going to explain what is our alternative, and we’re aware it’s not an impartial decision, but after reading this post, you might like it too.
We are going to explain our BitJig alternative and its advantages over Cryptotag, Billfodl and Cryptosteel products. The BitJig offers revolutionary way to create mnemonic phrases on metal, bringing with it a host of advantages that surpass existing solutions.
Cryptotag, whether it’s Thor, Zeus, or Odin, boasts impressive characteristics. Crafted from titanium, these products are designed to resist water, fire, and more. However, their premium features come at a premium price. The Cryptotag Thor costs €350, Odin is priced at €200, and Zeus at €130.
But here’s the catch. Odin and Zeus have two notable disadvantages. First, they don’t engrave the seed phrase words themselves but instead mark a pre-engraved matrix of numbers representing BIP-39 codes for each word. This makes them harder to read and more tedious to use during engraving, increasing the risk of errors. Additionally, they lack a secure retention system during stamping, potentially resulting in less fine engravings. There’s even a risk of injury with Cryptotag Odin if the hexagonal bar slips while stamping near the edge. This was well explained in the Jameson Lopp review.
“You’ll want to use “anvil” that’s included in the box while you’re punching divots into the Odin. Otherwise, when you try to punch a divot near an edge of the device, the rod will rotate and you might stab yourself!“
Between Cryptotag Zeus and Odin, the only advantage of Odin is its more eye-catching design, but it’s significantly more challenging to engrave and comes at a higher price, making it less discreet as well.
Cryptotag Thor, on the other hand, provides a retention mechanism and allows you to engrave the actual private key words as it comes with its metal stamps. However, it comes with a higher price tag of €350 and a hammer that, while visually appealing, may not be as practical as a mallet due to its smaller impact surface.
BitJig vs. Cryptotag: A Cost-Effective Cryptotag Alternative
Now, let’s talk about the BitJig alternative. BitJig addresses all these shortcomings at a fraction of the cost. It features a secure retention mechanism for washers, ensuring perfect engravings. The washer release mechanism is highly effective, unlike Cryptotag Thor, which can get stuck, as explained in this review.
“Another small issue I encountered was that when I hammered with a lot of force it resulted in the CryptoTag getting stuck inside the stamping plate. I was unable to dislodge it by prying or with magnets; ultimately I had to turn the stamping plate upside down and slam it against concrete several times to get the CryptoTag out.”
BitJig provides both letter and number stamps (Cryptotag Thor only offers letters), allowing you to engrave either the specific keyword or the BIP-39 code if you prefer.
Most importantly, if you make a mistake during the engraving, the replacement cost is negligible, just cents, compared to the high cost of replacing Cryptotag variants. BitJig also allows you to engrave the entire 8-letter word, while Cryptotag Thor can only accommodate 4 letters, which, while sufficient for identification, is less visually appealing.
Another advantage of BitJig is the ability to generate extra backup keys at an incredibly low cost compared to the expensive extra plates of Cryptotag in all its models. Finally, the keys generated on BitJig’s washers can be discreetly hidden within everyday objects like pots or vases, making it a more elegant and discreet option than any other in the market.
In our view, the only advantages of choosing Cryptotag products over BitJig are the desire for a more premium look or the belief that using titanium instead of steel makes a significant difference. But this mostly serves as a marketing element since the properties of titanium over steel may not justify the substantially higher cost for this purpose (unless you really believe that a melting point of 1660ºC vs. 1450ºC makes the difference).
BitJig Starter Pack is priced at €44.99, while the cheapest Cryptotag model starts at €130, and the most expensive is €350. So if you are looking for a cryptotag alternative, the BitJig might deserve a chance.
The Billfodl is a straightforward seed phrase protection solution known for its durability against fire, water, and physical damage. It features pre-engraved metal letters for improved legibility and reduced error risk. Its easy setup, requiring no stamping, makes it a convenient solution.
Note that there are several Billfodl “clones”, for instance, Cryptosteel has the “Cryptosteel Cassette” which shares the same design. The pros and cons explained within this post would be applicable for the “clones” as well.
BitJig vs. Billfodl: A Secure and Affordable Alternative
Turning our attention to Billfodl, in our BitJig vs. Billfodl comparison, its main advantage is that it comes with pre-engraved letters, eliminating the need for self-engraving. However, despite its marketing claims, Billfodl is not as resilient as it seems, failing durability tests for both impacts and heat (demonstrated again by Jameson Lopp).
Moreover, it has a significant drawback. If you accidentally loosen the screw that secures the plate’s closure and haven’t noted the key order beforehand, the pre-engraved cells may fall out, resulting in the loss of your key since the letters are separate and the order isn’t predefined.
This issue doesn’t apply to BitJig because even if the screw nut were to loosen, and all the washers fell, each washer contains the complete word and its corresponding number. Not only is BitJig substantially more affordable (44.99€ vs 99€), but it also proves to be more robust against impacts and heat, making it a compelling choice for those seeking reliable and cost-effective seed phrase protection.
Moreover, as explained above, another advantage of BitJig is the ability to generate extra backup keys at an incredibly low cost compared to an extra Billfodl. Also, the keys generated on BitJig’s washers can be discreetly hidden within everyday objects like pots or vases.
Cryptosteel Capsule: similar to The Billfodl, but changing the shape
The Cryptosteel Capsule presents an innovative approach to securing your seed phrase. This solution involves combining letter tiles and separators, threading them onto a rod, and placing them inside a robust capsule designed to withstand fire, corrosion, and physical damage. The capsule itself is constructed from high-quality stainless steel, ensuring the utmost protection for your crucial information. Loading your seed phrase into the Cryptosteel Capsule is relatively straightforward, particularly when compared to other products that require manual stamping, it is similar to the BillFodl solution.
BitJig vs. Cryptosteel Capsule: A More Reliable and Cost-Effective Option
The case with Cryptosteel Capsule is similar to Billfodl. The letters come pre-engraved on rings that slide along a rod with separators. It shares the same issue of the mechanism getting loose, causing the letters to fall out if you’re not careful. If it’s heated or bent, it may become difficult to open. It also comes at more than double the cost of BitJig Starter Pack, €99 vs. 44.99€.
However, there are certain drawbacks to consider when comparing it to our BitJig. The letters inside the capsule may not be as robust when handled individually, but as long as they remain securely inside the capsule, they should maintain their integrity. One potential concern is the risk of losing your keys if, during the assembly or disassembly process, you accidentally drop the adjusting clip, causing the letter tiles to become mixed up. This issue doesn’t apply to BitJig, as explained before, because even if the screw nut were to loosen, and all the washers fell, each washer contains the complete word and its corresponding number.
Additionally, while it’s quite unlikely, if the capsule were to be severely bent, it could become challenging to open, as demonstrated by Jameson Lopp, and what he would do in this case:
“There is only a retention clip on the opposite end of the rod, you’d then have to be extremely careful while pulling the rod out of the tube to ensure that the tiles don’t fall off, causing data loss. Because this is clearly a suboptimal Schrödinger’s cat type of situation with the potential for data loss, I feel the need to deduct a few points.”
Despite these considerations, the Cryptosteel Capsule offers a distinctive and secure method for safeguarding your seed phrase, but in our opinion, the BitJig is a better choice.
Conclusion: The Cryptotag, Billfodl or Cryptosteel capsule perfect alternative
With all these factors in mind, BitJig emerges as a cost-effective and reliable cryptotag alternative or even a Billfodl / Cryptosteel alternative. It offers secure retention, affordability, durability, and ease of use, making it a standout choice for protecting your crypto assets.
In conclusion, whether you prioritize cost-effectiveness, security, or ease of use, the BitJig offers a comprehensive solution that excels in every aspect. It’s time to embrace a more accessible and practical alternative to traditional mnemonic phrase storage. Protect your assets with BitJig, the ultimate choice for crypto enthusiasts.