Storing fiat currencies is straightforward; you can use a credit card or simply carry cash. Cryptocurrencies, however, require a wallet for storage.
Cryptocurrency wallets can be accounts on centralized exchanges, where the exchange holds the keys to your crypto. Ideally, you should use a wallet where you control the private key, granting you access to your crypto. These include non-custodial software wallets and hardware wallets that store your private keys offline.
In this article, we’ll focus on non-custodial software wallets. These wallets connect to the blockchain network, displaying balances and transactions in a user-friendly interface, allowing you to transact cryptocurrencies on the go. Some wallets offer additional features to help manage your assets. Depending on your needs, crypto wallets can support a single blockchain (like MetaMask) or multiple blockchain networks simultaneously.
What is MetaMask?
Launched in 2016 by Consensys, MetaMask has support from prominent Ethereum developers. This cryptocurrency wallet supports Ethereum, its Layer 2 networks, and standalone EVM blockchains like Fantom and BNB Smart Chain. MetaMask allows users to connect to any EVM network by configuring a few parameters.
MetaMask serves as a gateway to decentralized applications, providing easy access to crypto assets. It is available as a browser extension for computers and as an app for mobile devices. With over 30 million downloads, MetaMask is widely used by cryptocurrency investors.
However, MetaMask’s decision to start collecting users’ IP addresses has raised concerns among investors. As a result, some are seeking alternatives that offer better privacy protection or better meet their needs, such as supporting multiple blockchain networks.
#1
SafePal: Comprehensive Crypto Wallet Suite
SafePal offers a comprehensive crypto wallet suite, including hardware and software wallets, as well as a browser extension. Serving over 8 million users globally, SafePal supports 55 blockchains, their tokens, and NFTs.
Hardware Wallet
100% Air-Gapped and Offline: No Bluetooth, WiFi, NFC, or other radio frequencies, ensuring your private key remains offline and secure.
Encrypted QR Code Communication: Interacts with the SafePal App through encrypted QR codes.
Security Features: Anti-tamper, self-erasing mechanism, and a true random number generator for the private key.
Support: 15 languages and 54 chains.
Compact Size: Credit card-sized for easy on-the-go management.
Mobile App
Decentralized Environment: Manage crypto assets and access dApps in a fully decentralized cellphone environment.
Cross-Chain Swaps: In-app swaps with leading CEXes and DEXes for optimal rates and convenience.
Yield Boosting and Staking: In-app yield boosting and auto-compounding staking features.
Cross-Chain Gas Converter and On-Ramp Solution: Simplifies transactions across different blockchains.
Giftbox Learn and Earn Campaigns: Collaborations with whitelisted ecosystem partners for educational rewards.
Enhanced Security: Regular updates to combat malicious or scam NFTs, tokens, domains, and more.
Browser Extension
Advanced Security: Link your SafePal hardware and mobile wallets for enhanced security.
SFP Token
Utility: Purchase SafePal products at a discount, convert to gas across chains, and reward token holders through educational programs.
SafePal’s ecosystem is designed to provide a secure, user-friendly experience for managing crypto assets
#2
Trust Wallet: Over 25 Million Users Worldwide
Trust Wallet is one of the largest wallets, comparable to MetaMask, largely due to its association with Binance. This relationship has significantly contributed to its adoption and technological advancements.
Launched in 2017 by DApps Platforms, Trust Wallet has amassed a user base of over 25 million cryptocurrency investors, as reported across its browser and mobile extensions. Since the launch of the Trust Wallet token in 2020, its community has grown to include both application users and asset-price speculators.
Trust Wallet is promoted as a secure medium for storing crypto assets, simplifying routine cryptocurrency transactions compared to hardware wallets. It also supports NFTs, allowing users to store and transact their NFTs directly from the wallet.
As a multi-chain wallet, Trust Wallet supports various cryptocurrency networks with different operational modes, ranging from payment solution blockchains to enterprise-level smart contract blockchains. As of January 2023, it supports 65 blockchains and over a million coins and tokens.
Trust Wallet also provides access to decentralized applications through an in-built browser and the WalletConnect feature. Additional features include staking programs, enabling crypto holders to stake their assets to earn rewards while securing the blockchain. The Trust Wallet ecosystem encompasses a decentralized application browser and centralized exchange integrations.
#3
MyEtherWallet (MEW) and Enkrypt: Gateway to the Ethereum Blockchain
MyEtherWallet (MEW) claims to be the original Ethereum wallet, launched in 2015 by Taylor Monahan and Kosala Hemachandra. Since its inception, MEW has consistently supported the Ethereum blockchain and provided asset custody services. The original MEW wallet supports ETH, ERC-20 tokens, NFTs, and decentralized applications.
The mobile app has over 500,000 downloads on the Google Play Store and more than 3 million total users. Through MEWConnect, users can access decentralized application platforms directly from their wallets. The swap feature allows for asset exchange within the wallet interface, supporting cross-chain exchanges at competitive rates. Users can even cash out their Ether for Euros or Swiss Francs.
With the rise of the EVM network, MEW introduced its multi-chain wallet, Enkrypt. Enkrypt supports all Ethereum-based EVM chains, Bitcoin, Polkadot, and Substrate chains, and is available as a browser extension on most popular browsers.
#4
Coin98 Wallet: The DeFi Platform
Coin98 claims that over 2 million transactions have been executed via its wallet, which has been downloaded more than 500,000 times since its launch in 2021. According to the official website, over 400,000 cryptocurrency investors use the wallet in more than 150 countries.
Coin98 is an all-in-one DeFi platform, offering a suite of products that includes a cryptocurrency wallet. This wallet is available as both a mobile app and a browser extension for desktop devices. It supports over 26 blockchain networks, making it a multi-chain and multi-asset wallet.
Users can store their crypto assets in the wallet and utilize the in-wallet exchange feature to swap their holdings across supported chains. Coin98 wallets also allow users to connect to other decentralized applications.
#5
XDEFI Wallet: “Built for NFT” Features
Since its launch in 2021, XDEFI wallet has seen consistent growth, now boasting over 150,000 cryptocurrency investors.
XDEFI is a multi-chain, multi-asset wallet that natively supports more than 16 blockchain networks, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polygon, Thorchain, and Solana. It also supports NFTs, featuring built-in NFT detection and a grid gallery display for collectibles across different chains.
The wallet allows users to swap and bridge assets directly from their wallet without needing to connect to external decentralized exchanges. According to the developers, XDEFI enables easy navigation between different networks and offers fewer restrictions for managing assets.
In an interview with Crypto Current, the CEO of XDEFI highlighted user experience (UX) issues as a major inspiration for creating the wallet. The goal is to optimize the experience for investors managing assets across various blockchain networks.
XDEFI wallet is available as a browser extension and has over 100,000 downloads on the Chrome Web Store.
#6
Frame Wallet: Enabling Users To Be “On” All Their Chains Simultaneously
Frame Wallet is web3-centric, designed primarily for interacting with decentralized applications and managing crypto assets on these platforms. Similar to MetaMask, Frame supports EVM networks and offers an interface that enhances the relationship between individual blockchain accounts and decentralized applications. It is also compatible with hardware wallets for those who prefer cold storage.
Users can install any EVM network on their Frame wallet, just like with MetaMask. Frame also supports NFTs, providing an interface that can serve as a gallery for NFT art collectors. Its Omnichain routing architecture allows dApps to route requests to any of a user’s available chains, enabling seamless operation across multiple chains.
Frame can be installed on Windows, Linux, and macOS operating systems, with a companion browser extension available for Chrome and Firefox. The Frame wallet code is open source.
While specific user statistics for Frame Wallet are not verifiable, the Chrome extension has been downloaded 8,000 times, and there are over 560 users of the Firefox extension.
#7
BlockWallet: Dedicated Security and Privacy Features
BlockWallet is a cryptocurrency wallet that prioritizes security, claiming to protect user privacy with a VPN-like protocol that conceals users’ IP addresses. Its anti-phishing feature aims to safeguard wallets from malicious links encountered on decentralized platforms.
In addition to its security and privacy features, BlockWallet enables cryptocurrency investors to manage their assets while exploring web3 opportunities. Like MetaMask, BlockWallet supports all EVM networks. Users can add new and existing EVM chains by entering network details or using the network search feature, allowing for easy switching between networks.
BlockWallet is available as an extension for Chrome and Brave browsers, with over 7,000 downloads on the Chrome Web Store.
Through the extension, investors can connect to decentralized applications. BlockWallet includes built-in dApps like asset bridges and exchanges, allowing users to swap and move assets across supported networks without leaving the wallet. Additional features include an inbuilt gas tracker, phishing protection via unique artwork, and flashbot protection to guard against front-running bots.
The BlockWallet token (BLANK) powers the ecosystem, offering rewards and privileges to holders, such as fee discounts and early access to new features.
#8
Conclution
You likely appreciate MetaMask for its sleek design, user-friendly interface, and the flexibility to add new EVM networks easily. Its security features and developer integrity also make it appealing to many users.
Cryptocurrency wallets, especially mobile ones, are continually evolving to meet the needs of everyday investors. These MetaMask alternatives aim to attract users by supporting multiple EVM and diverse blockchain networks, while adding features that enhance web3, decentralized finance, and ease of use.
No matter which wallet you choose, it’s crucial to understand how it secures your data and assets. Always keep your seed phrase secure and offline, as it grants access to your crypto holdings.