MetaMask vs Trust Wallet: which should you use?
Choose MetaMask if you mainly use Ethereum apps on a computer and want the widest dApp and hardware-wallet support. Choose Trust Wallet if you hold many different coins and mostly use your phone. Both are self-custody; Trust Wallet's swap fee is lower on its own figures.
At a glance
| MetaMask | Trust Wallet | |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | Consensys | Binance (since 2018) |
| Custody | Self-custody | Self-custody |
| Platforms | Browser extension, iOS, Android | iOS, Android, browser extension |
| Chains | EVM networks plus Bitcoin, Solana and Tron | 100+ blockchains (company claim) |
| Swap fee | 0.875% | 0.7% (company comparison page) |
| Hardware wallets | Ledger, Trezor and others | Ledger on the extension only; no Trezor |
| Open source | Source available | Partly (Wallet Core library) |
| Main incident | Oct 2026: infrastructure incident, staking validators exited, no wallet impact reported; heavy phishing aimed at users | Chrome extension v2.68 hijacked, 24 Dec 2025, about $7M; compensation pledged |
Sources: MetaMask support (Oct 2026); Trust Wallet comparison page (Oct 2026); The Block (27 Dec 2025).
Verdict
MetaMask wins for Ethereum and DeFi users. Almost every Ethereum app supports it first, it works with Ledger and Trezor, and the browser extension is the standard on desktop. Trust Wallet wins for phone-first users who hold many different coins, including chains MetaMask does not support. If you use both desktop DeFi and a broad mobile portfolio, using both is reasonable. Keep savings on a hardware wallet either way.
Security
Both wallets keep your keys on your device, encrypted with your password. Neither company can recover a lost recovery phrase.
Trust Wallet had a serious incident. On 24 December 2025 a malicious version 2.68 of its Chrome extension was published, and about $7M was taken from users who logged in before 26 December. Version 2.69 fixed it on 25 December, and Trust Wallet opened a claims process and said it would cover all affected losses (The Block, 27 Dec 2025). Mobile users were not affected. We give credit for the fast fix and the compensation pledge, but it was a supply-chain failure in Trust Wallet's own release process. An earlier flaw, disclosed in April 2023, made some extension wallets created in November 2022 guessable; about $170,000 was taken and Trust Wallet set up reimbursements (The Block, Apr 2023).
MetaMask's main risk is the ecosystem around it. Fake MetaMask sites, extensions and "support" accounts are everywhere, and malicious approvals signed through MetaMask are a leading cause of drained wallets. It includes transaction security alerts, but read every request carefully. See wallet drainers. On 1 October 2026 MetaMask disclosed an ongoing security incident in part of its infrastructure and began exiting validators in its staking service as a precaution. It said it had found no evidence that wallets or customer funds were affected (The Hacker News, Oct 2026).
Fees
Network fees are the same whichever wallet you use. The difference is the built-in swap fee (as of October 2026): MetaMask lists 0.875% (MetaMask support, Oct 2026), and Trust Wallet's own comparison page lists 0.7%, although its text also says fees are built into the rate and vary by provider. On a $1,000 swap that is about $8.75 versus about $7, plus network fees. You can avoid both by using a DEX directly.
Chains and features
MetaMask now goes beyond EVM chains, with Bitcoin, Solana and Tron, plus perpetual futures through Hyperliquid. Trust Wallet covers a much longer list of chains and has built-in staking for many of them. For TON, Trust Wallet's support of apps and jettons may be limited, so Keeper (formerly Tonkeeper) is the better choice there.
Ease of use
Trust Wallet feels more natural on a phone. MetaMask's extension is more natural on a desktop and handles multiple accounts and custom networks well. Beginners may find Trust Wallet's huge token list overwhelming, and MetaMask's network switching confusing.
Who should pick which
- Pick MetaMask if you use DeFi or NFTs on a computer, want hardware wallet support, or mainly hold ETH and EVM tokens.
- Pick Trust Wallet if you use crypto mainly on your phone and hold coins across many different blockchains.
- Consider instead Rabby for safer DeFi, or Exodus for a simpler multi-coin desktop app.
Frequently asked questions
Is MetaMask or Trust Wallet safer?
Both are self-custody wallets with keys on your device. Trust Wallet had a Chrome extension supply-chain hack in December 2025 (about $7M, which Trust Wallet pledged to cover), while MetaMask's main risk is phishing aimed at its users. Use a hardware wallet for savings with either.
Which has lower fees, MetaMask or Trust Wallet?
On published figures Trust Wallet is slightly cheaper: 0.7% on its own comparison page versus MetaMask's 0.875% swap fee. Network fees are the same in both.
Can I import my MetaMask wallet into Trust Wallet?
Yes. Both use standard recovery phrases, so you can import the same phrase into either app. Only type it into the genuine app, never into a website.
Does Trust Wallet support Ledger?
Only partly. Trust Wallet supports Ledger through its browser extension, but not Trezor (Coin Bureau, Feb 2026). MetaMask works with Ledger, Trezor and other devices. If hardware support matters, MetaMask is the better fit.
Who owns Trust Wallet and MetaMask?
Trust Wallet has been owned by Binance since 2018. MetaMask is built by Consensys.