Updated September 28, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
BitBox02 vs MetaMask
BitBox02
Higher score in this comparison
MetaMask
Where BitBox02 and MetaMask differ
| Compare | BitBox02ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | MetaMaskReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Wallet type | Hardware | Browser |
| Open source | YesHas it | No |
| Coins supported | from 1,500 | Not confirmed |
| Secure element | ATECC608B | Not confirmed |
| Connectivity | USB c | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Custody (Self custody), Backup options (Seed).
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Key differences
- BitBox02 scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 8.9.
- Open source: only BitBox02.
- Founded is lower at BitBox02: 2015 vs 2016.
- Support channels: only MetaMask offers Chat.
Our verdict on each
BitBox02
BitBox02 is a USB-C hardware wallet from Shift Crypto AG that keeps your keys in self-custody, which suits anyone holding coins for years rather than trading daily. It is open source, sits near the €69.28 price for this category, and backs up with a plain seed.
MetaMask
MetaMask suits anyone who wants a free browser wallet that keeps control of their own keys, with self-custody (self custody) and a seed backup (seed) as the trade-off for convenience. It suits everyday token holding, not larger balances that need a separate device.
Score breakdown
| Area | BitBox02 | MetaMask |
|---|---|---|
| Offer | 8.9 | 9.3Higher |
| Trust | 9.3Higher | 8.7 |
How they place
| Ranking | BitBox02 | MetaMask |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto wallets | 47 of 156 | 81 of 156 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | BitBox02 | MetaMask |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Self custody | Self custody |
| Legal entity | Shift Crypto AG | Consensys Software Inc. |
| Headquarters | Switzerland | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2015Lower | 2016 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | BitBox02 | MetaMask | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coins supported | from 1,500highest quarter | Not confirmed | 75 |
Median across 85 listed providers.
Pros and cons
BitBox02
Pros
- Keys stay in self custody with you rather than with an exchange or provider.
- Open source firmware built around an ATECC608B secure element.
- Coin support of from 1,500, well above the 345 across hardware wallets.
Cons
- Connection is usb c, so there is no wireless option and the device needs a computer.
- Recovery rests on a single seed backup rather than a split scheme, so one written copy carries the risk.
- Help runs on email, help centre and community, with no phone line among them.
MetaMask
Pros
- Self-custody, so the keys stay with the holder (self custody)
- Help runs through email, chat and help centre
- Operated by a named company, Consensys Software Inc.
Cons
- MetaMask is not open source, so the code cannot be read by the people running it
- A browser wallet (browser) keeps the work on the same device you browse with, so Trezor's hardware approach (hardware) is the calmer choice for larger balances
- Recovery depends on a seed phrase (seed) held by the holder
Who each suits
BitBox02
Who it suits
- Long-term holders who want their coins in self-custody rather than sitting on an exchange.
- You who read firmware and want to check the code behind the wallet.
- Desktop users with a usb c port who hold a manageable set of coins.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants someone else to hold the keys: bynex is custodial.
- Phone-only users: Bit2Me is a mobile wallet rather than a hardware device.
- Long-tail coin hunters: Trezor lists 8,000 coins.
MetaMask
Who it suits
- People who want to hold their own keys without buying a device
- Readers who want their wallet open in a browser tab rather than an app
- Anyone comfortable storing a seed phrase (seed) somewhere safe
Who should look elsewhere
- Trezor, if you would rather keep the keys in a hardware device (hardware)
- Bit2Me, if a mobile wallet (mobile) suits you better
- bynex, if you would rather the provider held the keys (custodial)
Current offers
MetaMask
Current offer
Bonus
Earn up to 4% with the Money Account: up to 4% APY
APY is variable and not guaranteed
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | BitBox02 | MetaMask |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Yes | No |
| Liechtenstein | Yes | No |
| Switzerland | Yes | No |
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
BitBox02
How much does a BitBox02 cost compared with other hardware wallets?+
It is a one-time device purchase, not a subscription. Across hardware wallets on HodlCue the median price is €69.28, with the middle of the group starting around €52.24. Coins stay in self-custody, so the device is the main outlay you make.
Who holds the coins in a BitBox02?+
You do. Custody is self custody, so the keys never sit with Shift Crypto AG, the company behind the device, which is based in Switzerland and founded in 2015. The firmware is open source, and key handling happens on an ATECC608B secure element inside the device.
MetaMask
Does MetaMask hold my coins for me?+
MetaMask is a self-custody wallet (self custody), and self-custody is also listed as a headline feature (self custody). The keys stay on your side rather than with a provider, so no account balance sits with the company, and recovery after losing the device is down to your own backup.
How do I back up a MetaMask wallet?+
The listed backup method is a seed (seed), a single set of words you write down and keep offline. Anyone planning to use self-custody needs a safe place to store that phrase, and looking after it is the holder's job rather than something a provider handles on your behalf.
Other options to compare
BitBox02
MetaMask