Unlike zkSync, Starknet does not support common wallets such as MetaMask. Therefore, before interacting with Starknet, you first need to install a Starknet specific wallet.
There are two options: Argent X and Braavos. Argent X is the first Starknet wallet, making it even more popular. According to download data, approximately 70% of Starknet users choose Argent X. I've tried both and their user experience is about the same.
However, Argent X is only available for Chrome and Firefox (Argent has an APP but that is another product and has nothing to do with Argent X). Braavos, on the other hand, is available for Brave and Microsoft Edge, as well as Android and iOS, in addition to Chrome and Firefox.
The official link to download them is:
Argent X: https://www.argent.xyz/argent-x/
Braavos: https:/ /braavos.app/download-braavos-wallet/
After setting up your Starknet wallet, the next step is to bridge your assets.
As with previous zkSync guides, you can choose an official bridge or a third-party bridge such as Orbiter. The official bridge only allows you to bridge from the Ethereum mainnet. To save gas and qualify for potential Orbiter airdrops, I recommend using Orbiter Finance as it is much cheaper to bridge from the layer 2 network to Starknet.
However, it is up to you to decide who to choose in the end. Their official link is:
Starknet official bridge: https://starkgate.starknet.io/
Orbiter Finance: https://www.orbiter.finance/
In either option, when selecting Starknet as the target, you will be prompted to connect to two wallets, one being your funding source wallet (MetaMask, etc.), and another is a Starknet wallet (Argent X or Braavos).
After connecting both wallets, select your amount and send. Again, I recommend using Orbiter and sending funds from a layer 2 network like Arbitrum as it can save you a lot of gas.
There is another interesting option, Layerswap, which allows you to send funds directly from more sources, such as non-EVM chains (Solana), exchange accounts (Binance, OKX, etc.) and zkSync Era, none of which are supported by Orbiter .
The official link of Layerswap is: https://www.layerswap.io/
Layerswap does not require you to connect your Starknet wallet. All you need is your funding source wallet and a Starknet address. You can transfer money from the zkSync Era directly to Starknet to prepare for airdrops on both networks at the same time, killing two birds with one stone.