MetaMask vs Phantom

MetaMask vs Phantom is the self-custody choice between the wallet that defined Ethereum and the wallet that owns Solana. Both are free, non-custodial browser and mobile wallets, so the real question in any MetaMask vs Phantom review is which chains you live on and whether you should use MetaMask or Phantom as your daily driver.

MetaMask vs Phantom at a glance

Key differences

• Chains: MetaMask is EVM-only (Ethereum, Polygon, Base and more); Phantom spans Solana, Ethereum, Polygon and Bitcoin in one app.
• Design: Phantom is the more polished, beginner-friendly app; MetaMask is more utilitarian but universally supported.
• dApps: MetaMask connects to essentially every EVM dApp; Phantom leads on Solana dApps and NFT marketplaces.
• NFTs and staking: Phantom has a full NFT gallery with spam filtering and native SOL staking; MetaMask shows NFTs and stakes through third-party dApps.
• Hardware: MetaMask supports Ledger and Trezor; Phantom supports Ledger only.
• Open source: MetaMask is open source and auditable; Phantom is closed.

Which chains you live on

The heart of the MetaMask vs Phantom decision is your chains. MetaMask is EVM-first, built for Ethereum and its EVM-compatible layer-2s such as Polygon and Base, with the deepest dApp compatibility on those networks. Phantom began as the default Solana wallet and now also supports Ethereum, Polygon and Bitcoin, so it reaches more chains than MetaMask from a single app. If your world is Ethereum DeFi, MetaMask connects to almost everything; if you are on Solana, or want Solana plus EVM and Bitcoin together, Phantom is stronger. Our full MetaMask review and Phantom review break down the supported networks in detail.

NFTs, staking and daily features

Beyond raw chain support, the two wallets differ in daily features. Phantom ships a full NFT gallery that groups collections and automatically filters spam NFTs, plus native SOL staking directly in the wallet and a built-in dApp browser, which is why Solana NFT and DeFi users lean toward it. MetaMask shows NFTs in a more basic view but lets developers mint in-app, and it stakes through third-party dApps rather than natively. Both wallets offer in-app token swaps: MetaMask runs a swap aggregator across EVM chains and adds a service fee on top of gas, while Phantom routes cross-chain swaps and keeps fees close to the underlying DEX. Token auto-detection and phishing alerts are built into both.

Security, custody and fees

Both MetaMask and Phantom are self-custodial, non-custodial wallets: your seed phrase and private keys stay on your device, and neither company can move your funds. For extra safety, MetaMask connects to Ledger and Trezor hardware wallets while Phantom supports Ledger, so either can pair with cold storage for larger balances. The bigger practical risk with either is phishing and malicious approvals, not a flaw in the app, so use the built-in warnings and revoke stale token approvals. Both charge an in-app swap fee or spread, so compare the quote before trading. If self-custody software is not enough for serious holdings, see our best crypto wallets and best cold storage guides.

MetaMask or Phantom: which should you buy?

For a MetaMask or Phantom decision, let your chains decide: MetaMask for deep Ethereum and EVM DeFi, Phantom for Solana or a cleaner multichain app that now includes Bitcoin. Many active users keep both, with Phantom for Solana and MetaMask for EVM sites that expect it.

Choose the MetaMask if you:

• Are an Ethereum or EVM DeFi user who wants maximum dApp compatibility
• Prefer open-source software you can audit
• Already use MetaMask across many EVM sites

Choose the Phantom if you:

• Use Solana, or want Solana, Ethereum and Bitcoin in one app
• Want the cleaner, more beginner-friendly interface
• Value built-in transaction previews on mobile

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