Zeus

Zeus is the default privacy-respecting Lightning Network wallet for users who want sovereignty over their own node. Connect to your own LND, CLN, or Eclair node remotely (over Tor or clearnet), or use the embedded LSP for a faster get-started flow. The app is fully open-source (MIT, `github.com/ZeusLN/zeus`), available on iOS + Android + APK, and has been the canonical 'roll your own node' Lightning wallet for self-hosters since 2021.

Architecture and the two modes:

Zeus has two operating modes that map to two different threat models:

1. Remote-node mode (the original use case) — you run your own LND / Core Lightning / Eclair node somewhere (home server, VPS, OmniBolt-style box) and Zeus is a thin remote control over that node's gRPC/REST API. The app holds no keys, no funds, no channel state — everything lives on your node. Connection is via REST + macaroon or LNC (Lightning Node Connect) for NAT traversal. Tor support is built-in. This is the sovereignty-maxing mode and what earns Zeus its A grade.

2. Embedded LSP mode (the 'just works' flow) — added 2024+, Zeus runs a lightweight Neutrino client on-device with an embedded LND, and channels open via partnered Lightning Service Providers (Olympus Mobile, Lightspark, etc.). Custody of channel-state is on-device but liquidity provisioning + initial channel opens go through the LSP. This is the iOS-Phoenix-equivalent path for users who can't or won't run a node.

What you trust: in remote-node mode, only your own node infrastructure (Zeus is just a UI). In embedded mode, the integrity of the LSP relationship + on-device key custody (your phone). Both paths are non-custodial in the strict sense — your seed never leaves the device, your channels are yours.

Privacy posture: Tor-by-default for remote-node connections. No telemetry, no analytics, no signup, no email required. Zeus team is fully doxxed (Evan Kaloudis et al.) which is unusual in this space but a strength for a wallet — you know who built the code and who'll respond if there's a bug. The codebase has had third-party security review (Cure53 audit 2024).

Why we list at A: open-source MIT + non-custodial in both modes + remote-node-first design + Tor support + Cure53-audited + 5-year operating history + doxxed maintainer team + the canonical option for self-hosted LN sovereignty on mobile. There's no realistic downgrade vector unless the audit findings worsen materially or the LSP model drifts custodial.

Useful when you're running your own Lightning node and want a clean mobile UI for it, OR you want a non-custodial LN wallet for moderate sums where the on-device LSP path is acceptable, OR you want a wallet you can audit yourself before trusting with channel funds.

Compared to alternatives in the lightning subcategory:

• vs Phoenix — Phoenix is purpose-built for the embedded path (one-tap channel management via ACINQ). Zeus is the better choice if you want option (1) remote-node sovereignty. Phoenix wins on absolute UX simplicity for the no-node case.
• vs Breez — Breez is more polished for in-app POS features (point-of-sale flows, podcast streaming sats). Zeus is more polished for node operation.
• vs Alby Hub + browser extension — different threat model: Alby is browser-side WebLN, Zeus is mobile-side node-control. Compatible, not competing.

Caveats:

• Remote-node setup has a learning curve (port-forwarding, macaroon management, channel.backup hygiene). Not beginner-friendly in that mode.
• Embedded LSP mode means LSP partner can theoretically force-close on you; mitigated by on-device channel backups but worth understanding before scaling sats parked in embedded channels.
• No multi-sig support (no LN wallet has good multi-sig yet — protocol limitation, not Zeus).
• iOS App Store version trails the Android release on some experimental features (Apple review delays).

Verdict: if you care about Lightning sovereignty + Monero ecosystem alignment (the team has been vocally pro-XMR and ships features like reverse submarine swap support that bridge LN↔XMR cleanly), Zeus is the wallet to use on mobile.