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Head to head

Exodus vs MetaMask

Exodus

Hot wallet (software)
7.9/10
★★★★☆
Free
Read review →
Higher mark

MetaMask

Hot wallet (software)
8.3/10
★★★★☆
Free
Read review →
The short answer

Which should you buy?

On our fixed standard, MetaMask earns the higher mark, 8.3 to 7.9. But the right pick depends on what you want: Exodus is our call for best-looking desktop hot wallet, while MetaMask is the one to get for best wallet for Ethereum and DeFi.

Choose Exodus if you

  • Want the most polished desktop wallet
  • Value one synced app across desktop and mobile
  • Will pair a Trezor or Ledger for security
  • Like built-in swaps and staking
Read Exodus review →

Choose MetaMask if you

  • Use Ethereum, EVM chains or DeFi regularly
  • Want the wallet every dApp supports
  • Will pair it with a hardware wallet for savings
  • Want EVM, Solana and Bitcoin in one app
Read MetaMask review →
Side by side

Full comparison

Green marks the winner of each row
Exodus MetaMask
Our score 7.9 / 10
8.3 / 10
TypeHot wallet (software)Hot wallet (software)
Price Free Free
Security 6.8 7.6
Ease of use 9.3 8.8
Assets 8.6 9.0
Value 8.4 8.6
Support 8.2 7.9
Recovery 8.0 8.0
Best forBest-looking desktop hot walletBest wallet for Ethereum and DeFi
MakerExodus MovementConsensys

Exodus vs MetaMask pits a beautifully designed multichain wallet against the wallet that defined Ethereum. Both are free and non-custodial. This Exodus vs MetaMask review shows which suits how you use crypto and whether to choose Exodus or MetaMask.

Exodus vs MetaMask at a glance

 ExodusMetaMask
TypeMultichain software walletEVM software wallet
Main chainsBitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, many moreEthereum, EVM layer-2s, Polygon
PriceFreeFree
CustodySelf-custodial, seed phraseSelf-custodial, seed phrase
PlatformsDesktop, mobile, extensionExtension and mobile
Built-in exchangeYesSwap aggregator
Open sourceNo (closed)Yes
Hardware walletsTrezorLedger and Trezor
Our score7.9 / 108.3 / 10

Key differences

  • Chains: Exodus is multichain (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and more); MetaMask is EVM-only.
  • Design: Exodus is polished and beginner-friendly with a built-in exchange; MetaMask is deeper for EVM DeFi.
  • Open source: MetaMask is open source; Exodus is closed source.
  • Platforms: Exodus syncs desktop, mobile and a browser extension; MetaMask is extension and mobile.
  • Hardware: Exodus pairs with Trezor; MetaMask supports Ledger and Trezor.

Chains and scope

Exodus is multichain, supporting a wide range of assets across many networks including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana, with desktop, mobile and a browser extension that sync together and a built-in exchange. MetaMask is EVM-first, focused on Ethereum and its layer-2s. If you want one wallet that holds Bitcoin alongside your EVM tokens, Exodus fits; if your center of gravity is Ethereum DeFi, MetaMask connects to more of it. Our Exodus review and MetaMask review cover the supported assets.

Design, interface and fees

Exodus is known for the cleanest, most beginner-friendly interface of any software wallet, with a built-in exchange, portfolio charts and strong support, which makes it a favorite for people new to crypto and self-custody. MetaMask has a simpler, more utilitarian interface that suits experienced users, and its browser extension is the most popular way to connect to dApps. The trade-off in this Exodus vs MetaMask review is openness: Exodus is closed source, so its code cannot be fully audited, while MetaMask is open source. Both earn from an in-app swap or exchange spread on top of network fees when you trade tokens, so compare the quote first. For the wider field of crypto wallets, see our best crypto wallets guide.

Security, custody and hardware

Both are self-custodial, non-custodial wallets with a standard seed phrase, so your private keys stay on your device and neither company can move your crypto. Exodus offers strong local encryption and optional password protection on its desktop and mobile apps, while MetaMask's browser-extension format is slightly more exposed to phishing and malware, so security here is as much about user habits as the wallet. For extra protection, both connect to a Trezor hardware wallet for cold storage, and MetaMask also connects to Ledger and other devices, which matters if you plan to pair cold storage with your everyday wallet. For larger cryptocurrency balances, our best cold storage guide compares dedicated devices.

Which crypto and tokens each handles

The two wallets treat your crypto differently. Exodus is a true multi-currency wallet: it natively holds Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Monero and thousands of other cryptocurrencies and tokens in one dashboard, with a clean interface and per-asset charts, which is why beginners rate its user experience so highly. MetaMask treats Bitcoin as a second-class citizen, reachable only through add-ons, and centers on Ethereum and EVM tokens, but in return it is the wallet nearly every dApp and NFT marketplace expects, and its browser extension is the standard way to sign a transaction on the web. So the split is simple: if you want one wallet to hold a wide range of cryptocurrencies with the friendliest interface, Exodus fits; if your tokens live in Ethereum DeFi and you value open-source transparency, MetaMask is the pick. Neither charges to hold crypto; both take a small fee only when you swap tokens.

Exodus or MetaMask: which should you buy?

For an Exodus or MetaMask decision, choose Exodus for a polished multichain wallet with a built-in exchange and the easiest onboarding, and MetaMask for open-source software and the deepest EVM dApp support.

Choose the Exodus if you:

  • Want a polished multichain wallet with a built-in exchange
  • Are new to self-custody and want easy onboarding
  • Hold Bitcoin alongside EVM tokens in one app

Choose the MetaMask if you:

  • Are an EVM DeFi user who wants the deepest dApp support
  • Prefer open-source software you can audit
  • Want both Ledger and Trezor hardware support

Want the detail behind the scores? Read our full Exodus review and MetaMask review. You may also want to compare MetaMask vs Phantom, MetaMask vs Trust Wallet, the best crypto wallets.

Questions

Exodus vs MetaMask FAQ

The questions buyers ask most, answered plainly.

Is Exodus or MetaMask better?

Exodus is better as a polished, multichain wallet with a built-in exchange and easy onboarding. MetaMask is better for Ethereum and EVM DeFi and is open source. The main trade-off is Exodus's design and reach against MetaMask's openness and dApp depth.

Does Exodus support more coins than MetaMask?

Yes. Exodus is multichain and supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and many other assets, while MetaMask is EVM-only. For holding coins across many networks in one app, Exodus reaches more.

Is MetaMask open source and Exodus not?

Yes. MetaMask is open source, so its code can be independently reviewed. Exodus is closed source, which is a common criticism despite its strong design and support.

Are Exodus and MetaMask self-custody?

Yes. Both are non-custodial with a standard seed phrase, so your keys stay on your device. Both also connect to Trezor hardware wallets.

Do Exodus and MetaMask charge fees?

Both earn from an in-app exchange or swap spread on top of network fees when you trade. Sending and receiving cost only network fees. Compare the quote before swapping in either.

Read the full verdicts

The full reviews

Best-looking desktop hot wallet
7.9

Exodus

A beautifully designed desktop and mobile wallet with a built-in exchange, from a US-liste...

Read full review →
Best wallet for Ethereum and DeFi
8.3

MetaMask

The default gateway to Ethereum and Web3, now genuinely multichain across EVM, Solana and...

Read full review →
The verdict

MetaMask takes it

MetaMask earns the higher mark on our standard, but read both reviews before you decide.