Trust Wallet vs MetaMask in comparison

Trust Wallet and MetaMask are both free self-custody wallets. With these wallets, users retain the 12-word recovery phrase, meaning neither company can move or restore funds. Trust Wallet is designed primarily for mobile use and supports more than 100 blockchains. On the other hand, MetaMask originated from Ethereum, operates as a browser extension in a wider range of browsers, and connects with a greater variety of hardware wallets. In our view, Trust Wallet is the easier pick for beginners who hold coins on many chains, while MetaMask suits readers who use Ethereum apps in a desktop browser or want to sign with a hardware wallet. We rate Trust Wallet slightly higher overall and MetaMask slightly higher for security and trust.

Apps, browsers and networks

Trust Wallet offers apps for both iOS and Android, along with a browser extension available from the Chrome Web Store. While the extension is officially compatible with Chrome, it can also be installed on other Chromium-based browsers like Brave, Edge, and Opera. There isn't a separate desktop app. According to Trust Wallet, it manages Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, BNB Smart Chain, and over 100 networks from a single wallet.

MetaMask also has iOS and Android apps, and its extension is listed for Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Edge and Opera. MetaMask supports Ethereum and other EVM networks, and it handles Bitcoin and Solana natively. Further networks such as Cosmos or Polkadot run through Snaps, plug-ins that MetaMask says are generally not built by MetaMask.

Keys, backup and code

In both wallets the keys stay with you. MetaMask states that it cannot access your Secret Recovery Phrase and cannot recover your funds if you lose it, and Trust Wallet's terms say your keys and secret phrase stay encrypted on your device. Each wallet creates a 12-word phrase by default.

An online backup option is available with both. Trust Wallet can store an encrypted version of the phrase on Google Drive or iCloud using a separate password. MetaMask allows you to sign up using a Google, Apple, or Telegram account. It splits the phrase into encrypted shards across five servers, requiring that account and your MetaMask password for recovery.

The approach to code differs between the two. Trust Wallet makes its Wallet Core library available under the Apache-2.0 license. MetaMask's code is accessible on GitHub, but ConsenSys Software Inc. owns it and restricts it to non-commercial use only.

Swap and buying fees

MetaMask applies a standard fee of 0.875% on swaps and bridging, which is included in the quote before confirmation, with the network fee added on top. There is inconsistency in Trust Wallet's documentation about whether it adds its own swap fee, so it's wise to compare the final quotes from both before executing a large swap.

Both route card purchases through outside providers that change by region. Trust Wallet names Banxa, MoonPay, Ramp, Simplex, Transak and others and charges no fee of its own on buying or selling, while MetaMask lists Banxa, Coinbase Pay, MoonPay, PayPal, Revolut, Robinhood, Transak and others. We rate the two the same for fees and costs.

Hardware wallets and security record

This is where MetaMask pulls ahead, and we rate it slightly higher for security and trust. Its extension works with Ledger, Trezor and Lattice by cable and with QR-code devices such as Keystone, NGRAVE ZERO, OneKey and AirGap Vault, and its mobile app pairs with Keystone, Ledger and NGRAVE ZERO. Trust Wallet connects only a Ledger, over USB, and only in its browser extension.

Incident reports for Trust Wallet focus on its browser extension. In December 2025, a malicious version managed to reach the Chrome Web Store through a leaked API key, and Trust Wallet counted 2,520 compromised wallet addresses with approximately $8.5 million in assets affected. Trust Wallet opted to reimburse those impacted. In 2023, it revealed that early extension versions had weak key generation that led to losses of about $170,000. The mobile app was unaffected in both cases.

Trust Wallet lists ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27701 certifications and audits by CertiK, Cure53, Halborn, Kudelski Security, and Quantstamp. Its Security Scanner simulates transactions and alerts users about known scam contracts. MetaMask sells Transaction Shield, a subscription costing $9.99 a month or $99 a year, covering up to $10,000 a month in losses on eligible transactions in the extension.

Trading and extras

MetaMask provides perpetual futures on over 270 assets with up to 50x leverage via Hyperliquid, pooled ETH staking, and a MetaMask Card issued by partners where available. Trust Wallet offers perpetual futures through Hyperliquid and Aster DEX, staking, NFTs, and a section for event markets. We rate their range of functions equally.

Ease of use and support

We rate Trust Wallet slightly higher for operation and much higher for beginner friendliness. It needs no account, sign-up or identity check, and one wallet covers all of its chains. In our view, MetaMask's handling of networks and accounts suits people who already use decentralized apps.

We rate both low for support, and the same. MetaMask has help articles, a community forum and a live chat that starts with its Fin bot and hands you to an agent when one is free; it has no phone number. Trust Wallet relies on its help center, a contact page and an email address named in its terms, and its homepage advertises real human support 24/7.

Using them in the US

Both wallets work in the US. Trust Wallet's perpetual futures are not available to users in the United States, and MetaMask's card depends on the region.

Our verdict by criterion

In our view, Trust Wallet is the better start for most phone users, and we rate it slightly higher overall. MetaMask is the pick for desktop browser users of Ethereum apps and for anyone who wants to pair a hardware wallet.

• Operation: Trust Wallet, which we rate slightly higher
• Beginner friendliness: Trust Wallet, which we rate much higher
• Security and trust: MetaMask, which we rate slightly higher
• Fees and costs: rated equally
• Range of functions: rated equally
• Support: rated equally

Which one fits you

• For a first wallet on your phone with multi-chain support: Trust Wallet.
• For Ethereum apps in Firefox or other desktop browsers: MetaMask.
• For signing with Trezor, Keystone, or another hardware wallet: MetaMask.
• No swap fee from the wallet itself: neither for sure, so compare the quotes.

Our Trust Wallet review and MetaMask review provide full coverage of each wallet. Related pages include Exodus Wallet vs Trust Wallet and SafePal vs Trust Wallet.

Questions about Trust Wallet and MetaMask

Is Trust Wallet better than MetaMask?

We think so for most beginners on a phone, and we rate Trust Wallet slightly higher overall. In our view, MetaMask is the better fit if you use Ethereum apps in a desktop browser or want hardware wallet support.

Which is safer, Trust Wallet or MetaMask?

We rate MetaMask slightly higher for security and trust, mainly because it works with many more hardware wallets. Both keep your keys on your device, and Trust Wallet's reported incidents involved its browser extension, not its mobile app.

Does MetaMask charge more than Trust Wallet?

For swaps, MetaMask specifies a standard fee of 0.875%. Trust Wallet's documentation is inconsistent about whether it applies its own fee, so it's prudent to compare final quotes in both apps.