MetaMask vs Exodus, what is the difference?

MetaMask vs Exodus compares two self-custody wallets that were built for different jobs. MetaMask grew up as a browser wallet for Ethereum apps. Exodus grew up as a desktop and phone wallet for holding and swapping many different coins. In both, the keys stay on your device. This page compares features and does not rank them.

Exodus wallet vs MetaMask, what are the main differences?

The biggest difference is how each one connects to apps. MetaMask is designed to sign transactions for websites and dapps through its browser extension and mobile app. Exodus ended support for its Web3 Wallet browser extension on October 1, 2026. Exodus's own table shows its mobile app does not offer web3 connections, and it points extension users who want to keep using dapps toward wallets such as MetaMask.

Network coverage differs too. Exodus says it supports more than 50 networks, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Base, Solana, Polygon and TRON, plus custom tokens on several of them. MetaMask accounts hold an EVM address, a Solana address and a Bitcoin address, and the EVM address works across Ethereum and its layer 2 networks. More detail is in what is Exodus wallet and what is MetaMask.

What are the fees for Exodus vs MetaMask?

Neither wallet charges to receive crypto, and both pass network fees straight to the blockchain. Exodus says it keeps none of the network fee and charges no wallet fee of its own to send or receive.

Swaps work differently. MetaMask's support page lists a 0.875% MetaMask fee on swaps. Exodus sends your coins to third-party exchange providers inside the app, and the rate can include a spread that widens when prices move fast or liquidity is thin. Exodus says most of its swaps need no account or identity check. In both wallets the quote before you confirm shows what you will receive.

Can you move a wallet between Exodus and MetaMask?

Often, yes. Exodus lists MetaMask as a compatible wallet that can import its 12-word secret key for Ethereum, Arbitrum, Avalanche C-Chain, Base, BNB Smart Chain, Flare, Optimism, Polygon and Rootstock. For other chains, Exodus notes that some wallets need the Exodus derivation path or a separate private key, so balances may not appear automatically. The guide on using your seed phrase in another wallet covers the general rules.

How do Exodus and MetaMask handle security?

Both create a 12-word recovery phrase when you set up the wallet, and both say they cannot recover it for you. Exodus adds that its words come from the standard BIP39 list of 2,048 words. Exodus advises writing the words on paper in exact order, keeping copies in separate safe places and never sharing them. Exodus also notes that a phone's cloud backup does not include the secret key.

Because both run on internet-connected devices, they are hot wallets. Exodus lets users connect Ledger and Trezor devices for some assets, and MetaMask supports hardware wallet accounts for EVM networks. The hot wallet vs cold wallet guide explains the trade-off.