Both firmwares build the same 2-of-3 multisig wallet. We ran the whole setup on each and photographed every screen.
Almost everything is the same. Creating a seed is the same. Exporting the public keys, building the wallet, reviewing a transaction and signing it are the same.
One thing is not: getting the seed off the device and somewhere safe.
On stock SeedSigner that means writing the seed down as a QR. The device shows you a 25 square grid, one magnified square at a time, and you copy each one by hand onto something that will survive. Twenty five squares, per seed. Three seeds in a 2-of-3, so seventy five.
On ShieldSigner you put a card in, choose a PIN, and the seed is on the card.
Counted in screens, for the whole 2-of-3:
stock
ShieldSigner
A: Make 3 seeds
40
40
B: Back up 3 seeds
90
24
C: Export 3 public keys & build wallet
19
19
D: Review and sign
14
14
Whole 2-of-3, total
163
97
Only B differs, and it differs by 66 screens. Every step is below, in order, so this doubles as a guide to setting up a 2-of-3 properly.
How this was done
ShieldSigner is a SeedSigner fork that adds smartcard support.
Both runs happened in the browser simulator, which runs the real SeedSigner firmware. Each device created its own seed, as it would in real use. Nothing here touches real money: these seeds were thrown away and must never hold funds.
Two screens count as the same screen when the device is showing the same screen. A different fingerprint printed on it does not make it a different screen.
A: Make 3 seeds
Identical on both. The device takes a photograph, turns the noise in it into a seed, shows you the twelve words and asks you to confirm you have them.
Step 1 · homeBoth devices start a fresh Testnet session.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 2 · seed-1-toolsTools offers New seed from an image.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 3 · seed-1-cameraThe camera preview supplies image entropy for a new seed.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 4 · seed-1-imageReview the captured image before accepting it.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 5 · seed-1-lengthChoose the number of seed words; 12 words is selected.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 6 · seed-1-word-warningThe device warns that the seed words must remain private.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 7 · seed-1-words-1Read seed words 1 to 4.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 8 · seed-1-words-2Read seed words 5 to 8.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 9 · seed-1-words-3Read seed words 9 to 12.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 10 · seed-1-word-checkThe device offers to check the written seed-word backup; this run will skip the word quiz and use the selected backup method next.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 11 · seed-1-finalizeReview the new seed fingerprint and optional passphrase choices; no passphrase is added.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 12 · seed-1-loadedThe newly created seed is loaded; its action menu includes Backup seed.Same screen class on both firmwares.
B: Back up 3 seeds
This is the difference, and it is worth reading slowly.
Per seed, stock takes thirty screens. Five of them are choices and warnings. The other twenty five are the QR, one magnified square at a time, and each of those twenty five is a square you copy by hand onto something permanent. Three seeds, so ninety screens and seventy five squares.
ShieldSigner takes eight per seed, twenty four for all three. The card says it is blank, you pick a PIN, you confirm it, you accept the label, the seed is on the card.
Both are real backups. One takes a steady hand and a long evening, the other takes a PIN.
Step 13 · seed-1-backupBoth devices show Backup Seed. Stock offers View seed words and Export as SeedQR; ShieldSigner also offers To SeedKeeper and Export as Plaintext QR.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 14 · seed-1-backup-methodStock asks Standard or Compact SeedQR, with Standard selected. ShieldSigner asks for the PIN of the inserted SeedKeeper.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner
Step 15 · seed-1-qr-warningStock warns that the SeedQR contains the private seed and must not be shared.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 16 · seed-1-qr-wholeStock shows the complete Standard SeedQR and Begin 25x25 before transcription.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 17 · seed-1-qr-zone-A-1Stock magnifies square A-1 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 18 · seed-1-qr-zone-A-2Stock magnifies square A-2 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 19 · seed-1-qr-zone-A-3Stock magnifies square A-3 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 20 · seed-1-qr-zone-A-4Stock magnifies square A-4 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 21 · seed-1-qr-zone-A-5Stock magnifies square A-5 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 22 · seed-1-qr-zone-B-5Stock magnifies square B-5 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 23 · seed-1-qr-zone-B-4Stock magnifies square B-4 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 24 · seed-1-qr-zone-B-3Stock magnifies square B-3 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 25 · seed-1-qr-zone-B-2Stock magnifies square B-2 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 26 · seed-1-qr-zone-B-1Stock magnifies square B-1 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 27 · seed-1-qr-zone-C-1Stock magnifies square C-1 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 28 · seed-1-qr-zone-C-2Stock magnifies square C-2 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 29 · seed-1-qr-zone-C-3Stock magnifies square C-3 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 30 · seed-1-qr-zone-C-4Stock magnifies square C-4 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 31 · seed-1-qr-zone-C-5Stock magnifies square C-5 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 32 · seed-1-qr-zone-D-5Stock magnifies square D-5 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 33 · seed-1-qr-zone-D-4Stock magnifies square D-4 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 34 · seed-1-qr-zone-D-3Stock magnifies square D-3 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 35 · seed-1-qr-zone-D-2Stock magnifies square D-2 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 36 · seed-1-qr-zone-D-1Stock magnifies square D-1 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 37 · seed-1-qr-zone-E-1Stock magnifies square E-1 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 38 · seed-1-qr-zone-E-2Stock magnifies square E-2 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 39 · seed-1-qr-zone-E-3Stock magnifies square E-3 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 40 · seed-1-qr-zone-E-4Stock magnifies square E-4 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 41 · seed-1-qr-zone-E-5Stock magnifies square E-5 of the 25-square Standard SeedQR transcription grid.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 42 · seed-1-qr-confirmStock offers Confirm SeedQR or Done after all 25 squares. This capture uses Done without scanning a hand-transcribed copy.
stock SeedSigner
ShieldSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
Step 43 · seed-1-card-blankShieldSigner reports Card Uninitialised and asks to set a PIN.
stock SeedSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
ShieldSigner
Step 44 · seed-1-card-new-pinShieldSigner asks for a new PIN for the blank SeedKeeper.
stock SeedSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
ShieldSigner
Step 45 · seed-1-card-confirm-pinShieldSigner asks to confirm the new SeedKeeper PIN.
stock SeedSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
ShieldSigner
Step 46 · seed-1-card-initializedShieldSigner confirms the PIN is set and seed import can proceed.
stock SeedSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
ShieldSigner
Step 47 · seed-1-card-labelShieldSigner offers the seed fingerprint as the label for the card backup.
stock SeedSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
ShieldSigner
Step 48 · seed-1-card-savedShieldSigner confirms Secret Saved on SeedKeeper A.
stock SeedSigner: no equivalent step in this backup route.
ShieldSigner
Step 49 · seed-1-readyBoth devices return to seed options after their chosen backup route; the created seeds remain loaded.Same screen class on both firmwares.
The other two seeds
A 2 of 3 needs three seeds, so everything above happens three times. The steps are the same each time, so they are not repeated in full below; where a step is a repeat, it says which step it repeats.
C and D: Export 3 public keys, build wallet, review and sign
From here the two firmwares stop differing. Reading the keys off the device, assembling the 2 of 3, checking the transaction and signing it twice: same screens, same order, on both.
Step 146 · key-1-seed-listThe loaded-seed list contains all three created seeds; choose seed 1.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 147 · key-1-signature-typeChoose the signature type for the account key export.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 148 · key-1-script-typeChoose Native Segwit for the multisig account.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 149 · key-1-qr-formatChoose the account key QR format; select Static QR next.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 150 · key-1-privacyReview the warning that sharing an account key exposes wallet activity.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 151 · key-1-detailsReview the multisig account key at m/48'/1'/0'/2'.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 152 · key-1-qrThe device displays the multisig account key as a static QR.Same screen class on both firmwares.
Steps 153 to 159 repeat steps 146 to 152 for seed 2.
Steps 160 to 166 repeat steps 146 to 152 for seed 3.
Step 167 · descriptor-reviewReview the 2-of-3 policy and the three fingerprints from this firmware session.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 168 · sign-1-selectChoose loaded seed 1 to sign this session's fabricated transaction.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 169 · sign-1-overviewReview the multisig transaction overview.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 170 · sign-1-full-spendReview the warning that this transaction has no change output.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 171 · sign-1-mathReview 100000 sats in, 90000 sats to the recipient, and a 10000 sat fee.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 172 · sign-1-recipientReview the fabricated recipient address and amount.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 173 · sign-1-approveThe device asks for approval to sign the multisig transaction.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 174 · sign-1-qrThe device displays its signed PSBT as an animated QR.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 175 · sign-2-selectChoose loaded seed 2 to sign this session's fabricated transaction.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 176 · sign-2-overviewReview the multisig transaction overview.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 177 · sign-2-full-spendReview the warning that this transaction has no change output.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 178 · sign-2-mathReview 100000 sats in, 90000 sats to the recipient, and a 10000 sat fee.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 179 · sign-2-recipientReview the fabricated recipient address and amount.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 180 · sign-2-approveThe device asks for approval to sign the multisig transaction.Same screen class on both firmwares.Step 181 · sign-2-qrThe device displays its signed PSBT as an animated QR.Same screen class on both firmwares.
What this means if you are choosing
If you are asking whether the smartcard fork changes how multisig works, it does not. Same ceremony, same keys, same descriptor, same signatures, and the screens show it.
What it changes is phase B, and only phase B: writing the seed down as a QR. Seventy five hand copied squares across three seeds is not a small ask, and it is the job people put off.
QR codes do carry error correction, and SeedQR uses level L, so a few wrong dots are recoverable rather than fatal. The device will also scan your copy back and tell you whether it reads. So the cost here is the work, not fragility: an evening of careful copying, three times over, against putting a card in and choosing a PIN.
That is the thing to weigh. Not the signing, not the wallet, not the addresses. The backup.
You can run either firmware yourself in the browser simulator and press the same buttons, with no hardware and nothing installed.
