Clams
Privacy-first Bitcoin accounting layer for individuals and enterprises with full Lightning support.
Why We Recommend Clams
Clams is a non-custodial accounting software that never holds user funds or private keys. All financial data is stored locally on your device with no cloud uploads, no tracking, no telemetry, and no account required. The software works completely offline after initial wallet synchronization, ensuring your transaction data never leaves your machine unless you explicitly choose managed hosting.
The platform has evolved based on feedback from over 2,500 users including individuals, businesses, institutions, and professionals like CFOs, miners, and accountants. For enterprises requiring managed deployments, Clams operates dedicated instances with backups and uptime guarantees while maintaining data isolation.
Best For
Individual Bitcoiners who want accurate, privacy-preserving tracking of their Bitcoin holdings for tax preparation and portfolio analysis. The software handles on-chain, Lightning, and multisig transactions with proper cost basis and capital gains calculations.
Businesses and corporate treasuries benefit from double-entry accounting, automated reconciliation, and audit-ready reports. The platform scales to handle millions of transactions without performance degradation.
Exchanges and custodians can use Clams to aggregate balances across wallet tiers (hot, warm, cold), detect internal transfers automatically, and maintain complete audit trails. Lightning node operators get native support for LND and Core Lightning with proper journal entry conversion for channel operations.
Accountants and finance teams can deploy managed instances to serve multiple clients with enterprise licensing and dedicated support.
Services & Features
- Double-entry Bitcoin accounting
- Full Lightning Network support (LND, CLN)
- On-chain and multisig tracking
- Capital gains and cost basis calculations
- Audit-ready report generation
- Enterprise REST API and CLI
- Local, self-hosted, or managed deployment
- Smart transfer matching across wallets
Considerations
Bitcoin-only—no support for other cryptocurrencies. Free for individuals and businesses under $1M annual revenue; enterprise license required above that threshold. Not a wallet and cannot send or receive funds. Desktop software only with no mobile apps. Local and self-hosted deployments require technical setup and maintenance. Tax document generation only—does not file directly with tax authorities.
