Hot wallet
MetaMask vs Phantom
Same kind of product, two profiles. Affiliate status is not how this page is ordered.
MetaMask
MetaMask is a self-custody wallet aimed at Ethereum and other EVM networks. Network fees are paid to the chain, not to MetaMask. Any in-wallet swap fee was not re-verified, so it is not quoted here.
Phantom
Phantom is a hot wallet best known on Solana, with support it has extended to other networks. Fees for in-app swaps were not verified, so this profile does not quote one.
Facts
| Fact | MetaMask | Phantom |
|---|---|---|
| Custody | MetaMask describes the app as self-custodial: you keep control of the money and the keys. Verified 2026-10-26 | Phantom says recovery-phrase wallets and Google or Apple sign-in wallets are both self-custodial. Phantom does not hold the recovery phrase or the private keys. Verified 2026-10-26 |
| Platforms | MetaMask says the app is free on iOS, Android, and web. Verified 2026-10-26 | Free on iOS, Android, and as a browser extension. Verified 2026-10-26 |
| Source | The browser extension's source is published as MetaMask/metamask-extension. Verified 2026-10-26 | — |
| Recovery | — | A recovery-phrase wallet uses a 12-word phrase. Phantom says that phrase is the root of the private keys, and that a device password or biometrics does not replace it. Verified 2026-10-26 |
MetaMask sources
- Custody
Verified 2026-10-26
MetaMask describes the app as self-custodial: you keep control of the money and the keys.
- Platforms
Verified 2026-10-26
MetaMask says the app is free on iOS, Android, and web.
- Source
Verified 2026-10-26
The browser extension's source is published as MetaMask/metamask-extension.
Phantom sources
- Custody
Verified 2026-10-26
Phantom says recovery-phrase wallets and Google or Apple sign-in wallets are both self-custodial. Phantom does not hold the recovery phrase or the private keys.
- Platforms
Verified 2026-10-26
Free on iOS, Android, and as a browser extension.
- Recovery
Verified 2026-10-26
A recovery-phrase wallet uses a 12-word phrase. Phantom says that phrase is the root of the private keys, and that a device password or biometrics does not replace it.
Order on this site follows published fees. An Affiliate tag does not change it.