Wallets and Nodes are two different things. But sometimes they are both on the same app, so maybe this is the confusion. Nodes that you use (Public node or your own node) must be online most of the time or *at least* be available when you need them.

Let me attempt to clarify...

------------------1. [Connecting to Public Nodes]

Bitcoin/Monero/Lightning:

Your wallet only needs to be online to reach a Public Node the moment you send a transaction. Or if you want to check an updated balance. If you use Phoenix Wallet for Lightning, you use their nodes, but it is self-custodial, so the end experience is much like using Bitcoin and Monero with public nodes.

------------------2. [Connecting to your own Node]

Bitcoin/Monero:

Your node must be running 24/7 or *at least* be available when you know you will need it.

Lightning:

Same thing as above, but uniquely you are risking being rugged by a channel peer if you are not running 24/7 or at given intervals (low chance, but still possible). This is not a risk with Bitcoin/Monero because once your transaction is confirmed onchain it is settled. You must also have enough capacity to transact in any lightning scenario. Another issue not present with Bitcoin/Monero.

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Personally, I don't mess with lightning at all, much less the special headaches of running a lightning node. My opinion and advice...bad user experience. Unless you want to be running a node all the time, juggling channel capacity, staying on latest updates, and praying your funds aren't "force closed"...I would just use Phoenix/Breez/Blixt wallets for lightning. Up to you though.

I suggest creating a wallet and using public nodes for now to play with everything. This is the quickest way to learn what all these words mean and conceptualize it in your mind. You will learn very quick.