Updated September 28, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
Coldcard vs MetaMask
Coldcard
Higher score in this comparison
MetaMask
Where Coldcard and MetaMask differ
| Compare | ColdcardReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | MetaMaskReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Wallet type | Hardware | Browser |
| Open source | YesHas it | No |
| Price | $219 to $319 | Not confirmed |
| Coins supported | 1 | Not confirmed |
| Secure element | Microchip ATECC608 and Maxim DS28C36B | Not confirmed |
| Connectivity | USB c, NFC | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Custody (Self custody), Backup options (Seed).
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Key differences
- Coldcard scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.9.
- Open source: only Coldcard.
- Founded is lower at Coldcard: 2012 vs 2016.
- Support channels: only MetaMask offers Chat.
Our verdict on each
Coldcard
Coldcard is a hardware wallet from Coinkite Inc. that suits holders who want their keys on a device they keep rather than with a provider. It scores 1.6 here, and 1 coin support makes it a Bitcoin choice rather than a broad one.
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 | Coldcard | MetaMask |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.4$219 to $319 is a single buy, ranking 110 on price out of 120 brands, against Trezor at $79. | Not confirmed |
| Offer | 8.9A narrow offer: 1 coins, seed backup, and help through email, help centre and community. | 9.3Higher |
| Trust | 9.5Higher | 8.7 |
How they place
| Ranking | Coldcard | MetaMask |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto wallets | 64 of 156 | 81 of 156 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Coldcard | MetaMask |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Self custody | Self custody |
| Legal entity | Coinkite Inc. | Consensys Software Inc. |
| Headquarters | Canada | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2012Lower | 2016 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Coldcard | MetaMask | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $219 to $319highest quarter | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Coins supported | 1lowest quarter | Not confirmed | 75 |
Median across 85 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Coldcard
Pros
- Keys stay in self custody, and Microchip ATECC608 and Maxim DS28C36B handles the signing.
- Open source, so the firmware can be read rather than trusted.
- Connects over usb c and nfc, so a cable or a tap is enough.
Cons
- Coin support is 1, far below what the hardware wallet ranking usually covers at 345.
- Price of $219 to $319 sits at 110 on price out of 120 brands, with Trezor lower at $79.
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only, so a phone line is not part of the offer.
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
Coldcard
Who it suits
- A Bitcoin holder who keeps a single chain and wants signing done on hardware.
- Security-minded buyers who read the code, since Coldcard is open source and signs on Microchip ATECC608 and Maxim DS28C36B.
- Anyone comfortable guarding a seed phrase, since recovery rests on those words.
Who should look elsewhere
- Trezor buyers on a tighter budget, since Trezor sits at $79 against $219 to $319 here.
- Bit2Me users who want a mobile wallet for everyday use rather than a device that signs for you.
- bynex users who prefer custodial keys handled by the provider instead of kept in their own hands.
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
Questions about each
Coldcard
What kind of wallet is Coldcard?+
Coldcard is a hardware wallet, so transactions are signed on a small device rather than on a phone screen. Keys are held in self custody, which means no provider holds them. It comes from Coinkite Inc., a company founded in 2012 and based in Canada.
What does a Coldcard cost, and how does that compare?+
Coldcard is a single purchase: $219 to $319 is the listed device price range. The median price across hardware wallets is €69.28, so Coldcard sits at the dearer end of that shelf. Trezor is lower at $79, and that gap shows up at the till.
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
Other matchups
Coldcard
MetaMask