What are the different types of digital wallets?

From closed to crypto, e-wallets can make your day-to-day a bit easier.

By Yoni Yardeni Oct. 24, 2026 6:30 pm EST Stockinq/Shutterstock Add Engadget on Google: Google Discover

While the days of toting a physical wallet around aren't fully behind us, digital wallets have surely made life easier for many. But the differences between various types of digital wallet are a bit more nuanced than those between, say, a bifold and a trifold. 

Some are intended solely for specific merchants to keep your spending budget allocated in one ecosystem, while the Apple Wallets and PayPals of the world offer far more flexibility and freedom.