Last reviewed: 2026-06-29

Key facts

Overview

MetaMask is the most widely used self-custody software wallet for Ethereum and EVM-compatible chains, available as a browser extension and mobile app. It is the default gateway to DeFi and dApps, supports hardware-wallet pairing, and is free. Its built-in swap charges a service fee on top of gas. As a self-custody wallet, security depends on the user safeguarding their seed phrase and approving only trusted dApps.

Availability

MetaMask is available in: Global. Always confirm availability for your country on the official site, as regional support changes. Availability, regulation and tax treatment vary by country. Check your local laws before trading, and confirm current details on the official site. Regional note — India: Indian residents face 30% tax on crypto gains and 1% TDS on transactions above ₹50,000 per the Finance Act 2022.

Fees deep-dive

MetaMask itself is free to install and use as a wallet — there's no purchase price or subscription. Its main direct cost is the built-in Swaps feature, which charges MetaMask's own service fee of 0.875% on top of whatever network gas and DEX/liquidity-pool costs the underlying swap route incurs; total cost to the user is therefore usually higher than 0.875% once gas and routing spread are included. Simply holding assets, receiving funds, or sending a direct transfer only costs network gas — MetaMask takes no cut of that. Compared with hardware wallets like Ledger ($59-$399 one-time) and Trezor ($49-$249 one-time), MetaMask has zero upfront cost, which is exactly the trade-off for being a hot (internet-connected) rather than cold-storage wallet.

Security architecture

MetaMask has no history of a protocol-level or smart-contract breach of the wallet itself; its documented risk profile is almost entirely user-facing — phishing sites, fake browser extensions, malicious dApp approval requests, and seed-phrase theft via social engineering or malware, rather than any compromise of MetaMask's own code or infrastructure. It supports pairing with a hardware wallet (Ledger, Trezor and others) so private keys can be kept offline while still using MetaMask's interface for DeFi and dApp interactions — this is the recommended setup for larger balances. Because it is a hot wallet by default (keys are encrypted but held on an internet-connected device), it lacks the offline key-isolation that Ledger and Trezor provide out of the box, and its open dApp-approval model means a single careless "approve" transaction can expose token allowances to a malicious contract. MetaMask has continued to add safeguards (transaction simulation/preview, phishing-site blocklists) but security still depends heavily on user vigilance.

KYC & verification

MetaMask itself requires no KYC or identity verification to create a wallet, hold assets, or interact with dApps — it is purely self-custody software. KYC only becomes relevant when using a built-in fiat on-ramp/off-ramp or the MetaMask Portfolio's buy/sell partner integrations, where the third-party provider applies its own verification requirements, which vary by provider and jurisdiction.

Mobile app

MetaMask Mobile holds roughly a 4.4/5 rating on both the iOS App Store and Google Play as of September 2026 (Google Play shows around 4.5 stars from roughly 472,000 reviews). User reviews are generally positive on functionality but consistently flag a confusing onboarding flow for newcomers, and MetaMask's ratings run somewhat behind more mobile-first competitors like Trust Wallet on ease-of-use sentiment specifically. The mobile app supports the core functions — sending, receiving, swapping, dApp browsing via WalletConnect or its built-in browser, and NFT viewing — closely mirroring the browser-extension feature set.

Customer support

MetaMask (via Consensys) offers support primarily through a help-centre knowledge base and community/social-support channels rather than direct live agents for most users; there is no phone support. Response times for community-routed support requests are typically slower than for a custodial exchange's ticketing system. As with any self-custody wallet, MetaMask cannot recover a lost seed phrase, reverse a signed transaction, or refund funds sent to a malicious contract — support can only help with app-level issues, not custody mistakes.

Who it is for

• Best for: Ethereum/EVM users interacting with DeFi and dApps.
• Avoid if: You mainly hold Bitcoin or non-EVM chains.

Verdict

The default EVM/DeFi wallet; pair with a hardware wallet for larger balances.

Alternatives

• Trust Wallet — Broader native multi-chain support (not just EVM) and a more mobile-first design; MetaMask remains the deeper EVM/DeFi-native tool.
• Ledger — Offline key storage via hardware, which MetaMask can pair with for security beyond what a pure hot wallet offers.
• Rabby Wallet — An EVM-focused alternative with built-in transaction-simulation and multi-chain balance views aimed at reducing approval-related risk.

User reviews

Real reader reviews — separate from FlixoCrypt's own editorial rating above. Every submission is moderated before it appears here.

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Related

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MetaMask FAQ

What is MetaMask? +

MetaMask is the most widely used self-custody software wallet for Ethereum and EVM-compatible chains, available as a browser extension and mobile app. It is the default gateway to DeFi and dApps, supports hardware-wallet pairing, and is free. Its built-in swap charges a service fee on top of gas. As a self-custody wallet, security depends on the user safeguarding their seed phrase and approving only trusted dApps.

Is MetaMask safe? +

MetaMask is lightly regulated or non-custodial. No protocol breach; user risk is phishing, seed-phrase theft and malicious dApp approvals. As with any platform, use strong security and only hold what you need on it.

Does MetaMask require KYC? +

No — KYC is not required (non-custodial or minimal verification), which shifts custody and compliance responsibility to you.

What are MetaMask's fees? +

MetaMask fees: maker n/a, taker Built-in swap fee ~0.875% + gas; withdrawals: Network gas only. Always confirm current fees on the official site, as crypto fees change often.

Is MetaMask available in my country? +

Available globally, with some regional restrictions. Availability, regulation and tax treatment vary by country. Check your local laws before trading, and confirm current details on the official site. Regional note — India: Indian residents face 30% tax on crypto gains and 1% TDS on transactions above ₹50,000 per the Finance Act 2022.

What is MetaMask best for? +

Ethereum/EVM users interacting with DeFi and dApps.

When should you avoid MetaMask? +

Avoid MetaMask if: You mainly hold Bitcoin or non-EVM chains.

What are the main pros and cons of MetaMask? +

Pros: The standard EVM wallet for DeFi and dApps; Self-custody, free, open ecosystem; Hardware-wallet integration. Cons: EVM-focused (limited non-EVM support); Built-in swap fees are high; Phishing target — user must stay vigilant.

Is MetaMask regulated? +

No / limited. Self-custody software

When was this MetaMask review last verified? +

This review was last verified on 2026-06-29 against the official site.

Sources

• MetaMask — official site — verified 2026-06-29