ICP custody options

Do you want maximum control of your keys?

No, then use 3rd party custody solutions

3rd party custody solutions allow you to interact your ICP and trade-off consumer experience for control. The trade-off is simple: if you do not feel comfortable managing your own keys and are willing to have a third party have access to your keys for the sake of being hand-held through the process, then 3rd party solutions can be the right choice for you.

Here are some examples:

Yes, then use self-custody

ICP Custody with NNS frontend dapp
ICP custody with Ledger Nano
ICP Custody with Quill (Minimalistic ledger and governance toolkit for cold wallets) Networked computer
ICP custody with seed phrase and air-gapped machine

Self-custody: maximum ease or maximum control

Sef-custody: Maximum Ease Option

If you choose self-custody, the option which maximizes ease is: ICP Custody with NNS frontend dapp.

It consists of Internet Identity with the NNS frontend dapp.

Traits

Most convenient. Entirely web-based. No need to download or install anything.
NNS frontend dapp has all the functionality you need
This is a very common method
Ideal for people who want to want the easiest path to control their ICP
This custody solution has staking built-in if you want to stake as well

Sef-custody: Maximum Control Option

If you choose self-custody, the option which maximizes control is:

You can use your seed phrase directly with a few options for self-custody tools.

Traits

This option requires more technical understanding
User has the most control over their ICP.
This is the safest option from a software point of view because the user is relying on less software surface area, but it is the riskiest from a human point of view in that it puts the risk of the user's seed phrase and private key custody on them.
Ideal for people who want as much control over their ICP as possible
This custody solution has staking built-in if you want to stake as well