As NFTs continue to surge in popularity, new businesses and mobile apps are sprouting up as a result to serve NFT users. 

So what exactly are NFTs? 

What opportunities do they hold and what’s their value?

In this article, we’re going to review what NFTs are, how they work, and then we’ll highlight the best NFT mobile apps in the market.

Table of Contents

1. What are NFTs?
2. How NFTs Work
3. NFT Mobile Apps
4. Security and Privacy Considerations
5. Pros and Cons of Current NFT Mobile Apps
6. NFT Mobile App Pros
7. NFT Mobile App Cons
8. Future Trends in NFT Mobile Apps
9. The Best Apps for NFTs
10. Meta-Mask
11. Enjin
12. OpenSea
13. Curate

Chapter #1: What Are NFTs?

NFTs are short for non-fungible tokens. 

This itself may be a somewhat confusing description, but it essentially means that the NFT cannot be replaced by anything else. In other words, they’re completely unique.

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NFTs run off of the same technology that powers cryptocurrency. Specifically, the ethereum blockchain is the one that most NFTs currently work with and work off of. 

Different cryptocurrencies can have different kinds of blockchain and NFTs will probably become more common across the board from these technologies as well.

An NFT can take the form of many different things. 

A drawing, a piece of music, a baseball card— you name it. 

NFTs of digital art are becoming popular, and many companies are leveraging this trend to sell them or offer them as part of some kind of event.

1.1 How NFTs Work

NFTs are essentially a digital receipt certifying that you have a unique copy of something that no one else can access using mundane means. 

It can also be a literal autograph from a famous person or company or creator saying that you own that artwork. 

When you buy an NFT, the certificate of ownership is registered on the blockchain, which must be kept safe in a digital wallet. We’ll get into some of these wallets later.

These NFTs are part of the Ethereum blockchain. Ethereum is a cryptocurrency, just like Dogecoin or Bitcoin, but it contains a blockchain that can support these NFTs and the extra information they store.

Some NFTs have sold for millions, which is why more and more people are trying to get in on the action.

Just like with cryptocurrencies, NFTs are bought and sold on NFT-specific platforms and marketplaces, like OpenSea.

Chapter #2: NFT Mobile Apps

Now that we understand the most fundamental element about NFTs as digital goods that are bought and sold, what are NFT mobile apps? 

How do they work, and how do you differentiate between them to discern which are the best? 

Let’s explore this topic.

NFT mobile apps, in a way, are kind of like cryptocurrency wallets or cryptocurrency apps. 

These applications on your phone, or sometimes on your computer, allow you to keep track of the NFTs you own, view them or use them, purchase NFTs, sell them, and generally interact with the NFT selling/buying process.

These apps are great for buyers, sellers, creators, collectors, and anyone else who cares about NFTs. 

Much like cryptocurrency apps—or any mobile phone app—there are better and worse versions.

The quality of these apps depend on availability, user interface, popularity, ease of use, and technical prowess, along with a few other key points. 

2.1 Security and Privacy Considerations

Navigating the NFT world requires both enthusiasm and caution, especially when it comes to security and privacy.

While mobile apps offer the convenience of trading and exploring NFTs on the go, they can also be vulnerable to hacks.

It’s important to download NFT apps only from trusted sources and steer clear of dubious links that promise access to NFT deals.

Even with the best apps, always dig a bit deeper.

A quick look into user reviews can shed light on any past security issues.

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On the privacy front, it’s key to know what data an app is collecting.

A clear and straightforward privacy policy shows that the app values user privacy and is transparent about data usage.

PRO TIP:
Always prioritize your digital safety, ensuring your assets and personal information remain protected.

Chapter #3: Pros and Cons of Current NFT Mobile Apps

While we already touched on some common issues users have with NFT mobile apps, let’s highlight the overall pros and cons of what these apps offer.

Photo Credit: forbes.com

3.1 NFT Mobile App Pros

• NFT Mobile apps generally use up-to-date or advanced technology, so things are generally secure, and, for the most part, easy to use.
• Your NFTs are secure as long as your login is. It’s extremely unlikely to suffer from some kind of scam or theft as long as your login information is secure.
• NFT mobile applications offer digital purchases on a wealth of different kinds of media-art of any kind, videos, songs, and other kinds of goods and services.
• These mobile apps are (usually) easy to sign up for and are fairly user friendly.
• The apps tend to update often with new releases and new content to improve the user experience.

3.2 NFT Mobile App Cons

• NFT mobile applications often have poor design decisions that many users complain about. Even the most popular NFT mobile apps suffer from design decisions that result in a noticeable amount of negative reviews.
• Some NFT mobile apps have compatibility issues with certain devices or platforms. Others have stringent, strange requirements of use, like being able to purchase but not view your NFTs on your mobile devices.
• Many NFT users, sellers, or buyers report poor customer service, from lack of a resolution to any response at all. This complaint in particular is extremely common.
• Failed transactions and issues with payment preferences sometimes occur. 
• Finally, though this is more of a side point, many users complain that the expected experience of the app(s) are misleading. 

So it’s clear that while NFT mobile apps have their strengths, they also have their fair share of weaknesses. 

3.3 Future Trends in NFT Mobile Apps

The NFT landscape is constantly evolving, and mobile apps dedicated to these unique digital assets aren’t far behind.

As augmented and virtual reality tech advances, we’ll likely see NFT mobile apps offering immersive experiences.

Imagine browsing your NFT art collection in a virtual gallery or attending digitized concerts, all on your phone.

With environmental concerns at the forefront, future NFT platforms may shift towards eco-friendly blockchains, addressing the current energy consumption criticism.

Meanwhile, as AI tech becomes more integrated, expect smarter NFT suggestions tailored to users’ preferences and potentially AI-generated art offerings.

Lastly, as decentralized finance gains traction, NFT apps could offer innovative financial tools, like NFT-backed loans, broadening their functionality beyond just buying and selling.

In a nutshell, the horizon for NFT mobile apps hints at more immersion, eco-consciousness, personalization, and broader financial tools.

Chapter #4: The Best Apps for NFTs 

While NFTs are still relatively new, you’ll notice that there are simply tons of NFT apps on the marketplace. 

We’re not only going to review apps for discovering NFTs but also their wallet application counterparts, which you may need to use NFTs.

We’ll cover several applications and their biggest upsides and downsides, as well as their overall average rating online on app stores for either Android devices or iPhone.

4.1 Meta-Mask

The first item on the list, Meta-Mask is considered one of the better wallet applications that can be used to purchase NFTs. 

Not all NFT mobile apps use the same payment preferences, after all, and many require something like Meta-Mask in order for you to be able to buy and sell NFTs.

To start with, Meta-Mask has a few great things going for it. 

For one, you only need basic crypto knowledge in order to set your wallet up and start buying and selling. 

Transactions that happen through this wallet are synced between both the web and mobile versions.

Meta-Mask also offers direct support when it comes to conversion of tokens between most coins based off of Ethereum blockchain technology. 

These are all great benefits, but Meta-Mask isn’t perfect.

Some of the biggest strikes against Meta-Mask come from its strengths, namely, the fact that it’s so focused on Ethereum. 

You won’t experience the same convenience and ease of use if you try to use coins that aren’t based on EVM blockchain technology. 

Even more concerning is the fact that there are suspicions of data collection agencies being able to access information on the Meta-Mask platform. 

Use this wallet if you’re primarily looking to deal with Ethereum based platforms and currencies, but always be careful with your information while doing so. 

4.2 Enjin

Enjin is another NFT/Crypto wallet that is more focused on a specific kind of NFT, namely, things related to video games, such as in-game currencies or special items, and other various kinds of digital collectibles. 

Enjin has a huge number of bonuses that come with it, arguably more than Meta Mask, though its flaws are similar as well.

To start off with, Enjin brings back an old-school concept that’s not actually that outdated—a customer support desk available on its app! 

This might sound mundane, but many other NFT wallets don’t actually feature this level of support for users, which can be frustrating especially for new users.

Enjin has a great UI, conversion features between one currency to another, and has numerous different security measures.

However, it’s completely narrow in its execution. Not only is there no desktop/web version of the application to use, you can only use Ethereum-based currencies. 

For those hoping to buy Bitcoin with Enjin, we’ll have to find another app.

Enjin is great if you’re looking to buy in-game collectible NFTs or want a really solid app-based wallet. 

It’s a very strong NFT mobile app and one of the best in 2022.

4.3 OpenSea

The previous two NFT mobile apps were wallets, but OpenSea is a legitimate NFT marketplace where users can buy, sell, and trade NFTs. 

OpenSea is one of the biggest NFT marketplaces in the world and a huge percentage of NFTs are sold and bought from it every day. 

This platform functions off of Ethereum.

The OpenSea app is Android-based and does not have an iPhone version available.

While there have been numerous reported issues with its UI, and many users report far better service and performance when utilizing the website version of the application versus the mobile version.

Overall, OpenSea delivers a great in-app experience and is well-rated on the app store.

4.4 Curate

The last major NFT Mobile App we’re reviewing today is Curate. 

Boasting the status as the first major NFT mobile app available on the Apple Store, Curate functions off of Ethereum. 

One of the biggest positives to Curate is that it is gasless, or it has no minting fees associated with creating tokens and NFTs to sell on the marketplace. 

This is a big deal if you are looking to sell on the platform and can save you money.

It also features tremendous cross-chain compatibility and is carbon-neutral. 

Compared to its competitors—which own a huge percentage of the marketplace—Curate has a lot going for it.

There aren’t many negatives to talk about with Curate except that it isn’t quite as popular as some of the other applications. 

Perhaps that will change in the future. As it stands, you might not be able to buy every type of NFT you want on Curate, which could be a big downside as a buyer.

Final Thoughts

There’s a lot of controversy about NFTs and whether they’ll boom or bust, but one thing is certain. 

NFTs are incredibly popular, so why not give NFT enthusiasts what they want with your own mobile app while the niche is still growing?

Our Simple Starter package includes exactly what you need to move forward with your mobile app ideas, including a technical writeup, wireframes, and research and analysis.

What’s currently missing in NFT mobile apps and do you think they’re worth investing in?