> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.handcash.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Wallet API vs Connect

> Choose embedded wallets (WaaS) or Connect based on your users

|                         | **Wallet API**                        | **HandCash Connect**               |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| **User**                | Your user (new or embedded)           | Existing HandCash user             |
| **Onboarding**          | Email → create account in your app    | Redirect → authorize app           |
| **Wallet auth**         | Sign with user **access private key** | `authToken` from redirect          |
| **Base paths**          | `/v1/waas/*`                          | `/v3/connect/*`, `/v3/wallet/*`, … |
| **npm `@handcash/sdk`** | **Not included**                      | `Connect`, `Items`, `Users`, …     |

## Common mistake

`import { WalletService } from '@handcash/sdk'` will fail — that class is not published. Connect wallet helpers are on **`Connect`** (`Connect.pay`, `Connect.getBalances`). Wallet API requires REST + signing or an OpenAPI-generated client.

* Wallet API: [Getting started](/wallet-api/getting-started)
* Connect: [v3 Connect authentication](/v3/connect/authentication)