MetaMask review 2026: fees, safety and features
MetaMask is still the default self-custody wallet for Ethereum and EVM apps, and it now also handles Bitcoin, Solana and Tron. It is free to install, but its 0.875% swap fee is one of the higher ones around. Use it for dapps and small to medium amounts, and pair it with a hardware wallet for savings.
Status as of October 2026
- Name: MetaMask (unchanged).
- Owner: Consensys Software Inc. On 9 Sep 2026 Consensys announced it will split in two. MetaMask becomes its own company, with Joe Lubin as chairman and CEO, and a new Consensys keeps Linea and the institutional business. The split is expected to be official by the end of 2026 (The Block, 9 Sep 2026).
- IPO: Consensys pushed a possible US listing back to autumn 2026 at the earliest (CoinDesk, 13 May 2026). We found no confirmed listing as of 25 Oct 2026.
- Token: MetaMask had not launched a MASK token as of late September 2026 (Tron Weekly, 30 Sep 2026). Treat any "MASK airdrop" site as a scam until the wallet itself announces a token.
- Latest security news: On 1 Oct 2026 MetaMask disclosed an "ongoing security incident" in part of its infrastructure. It said it had found no evidence that wallets or customer funds were affected (The Hacker News, 1 Oct 2026). More on this below.
Verdict
MetaMask is the wallet most Ethereum apps are built and tested against, so it rarely lets you down when you connect to a dapp. Since 2025 it has grown well beyond Ethereum: Solana, native Bitcoin (added 16 Dec 2025, per Cointelegraph) and Tron now sit next to the EVM networks, along with perpetual futures, a payment card and a yield-bearing "Money Account".
The trade-offs are cost and complexity. Swaps carry a 0.875% MetaMask fee, the app is busier than it used to be, and like any browser wallet it is a target for phishing. MetaMask says it has more than 100 million downloads in roughly 190 countries (MetaMask via The Block, 9 Sep 2026).
At a glance
| Item | Details (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Type | Software (hot) wallet: browser extension and mobile app |
| Custody | Self-custody. You hold a 12-word Secret Recovery Phrase |
| Chains | Ethereum and EVM networks (Linea, Base, Arbitrum, OP, Polygon, BNB Chain, Avalanche, zkSync Era, Monad, Sei and more), plus Solana, Bitcoin and Tron |
| Platforms | Extension for Chrome, Firefox and other Chromium browsers; iOS and Android apps |
| Open source | Partly. The code is public, but since 20 Aug 2020 it uses a custom licence rather than the MIT licence it started with |
| Hardware wallets | Extension: Ledger, Trezor and Lattice by USB, plus QR devices such as Keystone, NGRAVE ZERO and OneKey. Mobile: Keystone, Ledger and NGRAVE ZERO only (MetaMask support pages) |
| Price | Free |
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| In-app swaps | 0.875% | Listed as the "MetaMask fee" in the quote (MetaMask support, checked Oct 2026) |
| Bridging | Fee included in quote | A rival wallet's comparison reports the same 0.875% on bridges and stablecoin pairs (Vultisig, 9 Oct 2026). Check the quote screen |
| Network (gas) fees | Varies by chain | Gasless swaps, where gas is paid in the token you swap, work on Ethereum, BNB Chain, Linea, Arbitrum and Base (Base on the extension only) |
| Buying crypto | Set by the provider | Card and bank purchases go through third-party on-ramps |
| Money Account (mUSD) | No conversion charge | Supported stablecoins swap 1:1 into mUSD, and MetaMask sponsors gas on Monad (Blockonomi, 30 Jun 2026) |
| Wallet itself | Free | No subscription |
Fees as of 25 Oct 2026. Swap aggregators often beat a 0.875% fee on large trades, so it is worth comparing. Our wallet fees comparison puts the numbers side by side.
Is MetaMask safe?
MetaMask's core model is sound. Your keys are created and encrypted on your device, MetaMask never holds them, and anyone with your recovery phrase can take your funds. That means the biggest risks are phishing, fake apps and signing malicious approvals, not MetaMask "being hacked".
Built-in protections include transaction security alerts, developed with Blockaid, which warn before you sign a known malicious request. You can also review and revoke site connections. Privacy-minded users should know that some analytics are on by default (you can switch them off) and that MetaMask relies on Consensys's Infura by default, which critics see as centralisation.
Incident history
| Date | What happened | Response |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Apr 2022 | A scammer took over a user's Apple ID and used the iCloud backup of his MetaMask vault to drain about $650,000 (claimed) | MetaMask warned users and published steps to turn off iCloud backup for the app (Decrypt, Apr 2022) |
| 16 Jun 2022 | Halborn's "Demonic" disclosure: browser session-restore files could store recovery phrases unencrypted on disk. No losses reported | MetaMask shipped a fix (The Block, Jun 2022) |
| 1 Oct 2026 | "Ongoing security incident" in part of MetaMask's infrastructure | As a precaution, MetaMask exited validators in its non-custodial staking service, including those in Lido. It said there was no evidence wallets or funds were affected. Details had not been published as of 25 Oct 2026 |
MetaMask is also one of the most impersonated brands. Kaspersky reported 26 fake wallet apps on Apple's App Store in April 2026, MetaMask among the brands copied. See our security incident tracker and the guide to fake wallet apps.
Key features
- Multichain accounts: EVM, Solana, Bitcoin and Tron in one wallet. Bitcoin lets you buy, swap, send and receive BTC without wrapped tokens.
- Swaps and bridging across about 20 networks, with gasless swaps on several of them.
- Perpetual futures through Hyperliquid, inside the app. Leverage is high risk and availability depends on where you live.
- Money Account and mUSD: MetaMask's stablecoin earns a variable yield of up to 4% APY after fees through third-party vaults, starting with Morpho. It is not offered in the UK (Blockonomi, 30 Jun 2026). Yield is not a bank deposit and is not guaranteed.
- MetaMask Card: a Mastercard that spends from your wallet. It went nationwide in the US on 26 Feb 2026, with 1% cashback, or up to 3% on the first $10,000 a year for premium holders, paid in mUSD. UK and EU versions existed earlier (The Block, 26 Feb 2026).
- Rewards: points for swaps, bridging and referrals. Season 1 ran from October 2025 to January 2026.
- Hardware wallet support for the widest range of devices of any wallet we review.
Setting up MetaMask safely
- Type
metamask.ioyourself or use a bookmark. Fake MetaMask sites are common. - Install the extension only from the store link on that site, and the mobile app only from the official App Store or Google Play listing. Check the developer name and the download count before installing.
- Write the 12-word recovery phrase on paper or metal. Never type it into a website, a "support" chat or a form. MetaMask will never ask for it.
- On iPhone, decide whether you want the wallet in your iCloud backup. If you keep it, protect your Apple ID with a strong password and two-factor authentication.
- Leave security alerts switched on, and check connected sites and token approvals now and then (see token approvals).
- For larger amounts, connect a hardware wallet and keep only spending money in a hot account.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Works with almost every Ethereum and EVM dapp.
- Now covers Bitcoin, Solana and Tron as well.
- Broad hardware wallet support on the extension.
- Free, self-custodial, with code you can inspect.
- Built-in transaction security alerts.
Cons
- 0.875% swap fee is high next to rivals such as Rabby.
- Not open source in the strict sense since the 2020 licence change.
- Heavily phished and impersonated.
- Corporate changes (company split, unresolved token talk, a possible IPO) and an undisclosed October 2026 infrastructure incident.
- Fewer hardware options on mobile.
Who it suits, and who should look elsewhere
Good fit: people who use Ethereum, Layer 2s and DeFi apps; anyone who wants one familiar wallet that also holds some Bitcoin and Solana; and hardware wallet owners who want a friendly front end.
Look elsewhere if: you swap often and care about fees, you mainly hold Bitcoin, you want a wallet that simulates every transaction in detail (try Rabby), or you are a complete beginner who wants the simplest possible app.
Alternatives
- Rabby: built for DeFi users, with transaction previews and a lower swap fee. See MetaMask vs Rabby.
- Trust Wallet: mobile-first and covers more chains. See MetaMask vs Trust Wallet.
- Phantom: a better fit if Solana is your main chain.
- Ledger or Trezor: hardware wallets that keep your keys offline and work with MetaMask.
For a wider view, see the best Ethereum wallets.
Frequently asked questions
Is MetaMask safe to use in 2026?
Yes, for most people, if used carefully. MetaMask never holds your keys. Most losses come from phishing, fake apps and malicious approvals. MetaMask disclosed an infrastructure incident on 1 Oct 2026 but said it found no evidence that wallets or funds were affected.
How much does MetaMask charge for swaps?
MetaMask adds a 0.875% fee to in-app swaps, shown in the quote, plus the network fee. The wallet itself is free.
Does MetaMask support Bitcoin and Solana?
Yes. MetaMask added Solana in 2025 and native Bitcoin on 16 Dec 2025, and Tron also appears among its supported swap networks.
Is there a MetaMask token?
Not as of late September 2026. Consensys has discussed a MASK token, but none had launched. Any site offering a MASK airdrop should be treated as a scam unless the wallet itself announces it.
Can I use MetaMask with a Ledger or Trezor?
Yes. The extension supports Ledger, Trezor and Lattice by USB plus several QR-code wallets. The mobile app supports Ledger, Keystone and NGRAVE ZERO.
Who owns MetaMask?
Consensys. In September 2026 Consensys announced that MetaMask will become a separate company led by Joe Lubin, with the split expected by the end of 2026.