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Crypto · head to head

Alchemy vs MetaMask

Alchemy logo

Alchemy

Crypto

The web3 development platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MetaMask logo

MetaMask

Crypto

The crypto wallet for DeFi, Web3 dApps and NFTs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Alchemy the free tier is capped at 30M compute units a month and 25 requests per second; MetaMask metaMask's source code is publicly viewable on GitHub but is covered by a proprietary ConsenSys license that prohibits redistribution, modification, merging, or reverse engineering; it is not open source
  • They diverge on capability: Alchemy covers Node APIs, MetaMask covers Wallet Management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Alchemy and MetaMask actually diverge.

Attributes where Alchemy and MetaMask differ
AttributeAlchemyMetaMask
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsApi, WebWeb, Ios, Android, Chrome, Firefox
Founded20172016

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Crypto).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Alchemy

  • Node APIs
  • Enhanced APIs
  • NFT API
  • Webhooks
  • Mempool
  • 35+ chains
  • SDKs
  • Api support

Only in MetaMask

  • Wallet Management
  • Token Swaps
  • Bridge
  • dApp Browser
  • Portfolio View
  • Ethereum
  • EVM chains
  • Hardware wallets

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Alchemy

  • Hosted blockchain node access across mainnets and testnetsnot MetaMask
  • Backing a production web3 application without running nodesnot MetaMask
  • Webhook-driven notifications for on-chain eventsnot MetaMask
  • Scaling read throughput beyond self-hosted node limitsnot MetaMask

MetaMask

  • Walletsnot Alchemy
  • Web3not Alchemy
  • Browser Extensionnot Alchemy

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Alchemy

  • The free tier is capped at 30M compute units a month and 25 requests per second
  • Free accounts are limited to 5 apps and 5 webhooks
  • Beyond the free allowance it is $0.45 per 1M compute units for the first 300M a month
  • Request cost varies by call complexity, from around 10 compute units to over 100, so spend is hard to predict from request counts alone
  • Signed SLAs and priority support require an Enterprise contract

MetaMask

  • MetaMask's source code is publicly viewable on GitHub but is covered by a proprietary ConsenSys license that prohibits redistribution, modification, merging, or reverse engineering; it is not open source

Pricing, plan by plan

Alchemy

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 300M compute units
    • 5 apps
    • Core APIs
  • Growth$49/month
    • 400M compute units
    • 15 apps
    • Enhanced APIs
  • Scale$199/month
    • 1B compute units
    • Unlimited apps
    • Premium support

MetaMask

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Wallet
    • Swaps
    • Bridge

Which should you pick?

Choose Alchemy if

  • You need node apis.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Api, Web.
  • You also want enhanced apis.
Alchemy review

Choose MetaMask if

  • You need wallet management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Chrome, Firefox.
  • You also want token swaps.
MetaMask review

Questions people ask

Is Alchemy or MetaMask better?
Neither clearly leads. Alchemy starts at Free and MetaMask at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Alchemy or MetaMask?
Alchemy starts at Free and MetaMask at Free.
Does Alchemy or MetaMask run on more platforms?
Alchemy runs on Api, Web. MetaMask runs on Web, Ios, Android, Chrome, Firefox.
Can I use Alchemy for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Alchemy best used for?
Alchemy is most often used for hosted blockchain node access across mainnets and testnets, backing a production web3 application without running nodes, webhook-driven notifications for on-chain events, scaling read throughput beyond self-hosted node limits. Of those, hosted blockchain node access across mainnets and testnets and backing a production web3 application without running nodes are not what MetaMask is typically brought in for.
What can Alchemy do that MetaMask cannot?
Alchemy covers Node APIs, Enhanced APIs, NFT API, Webhooks. MetaMask covers Wallet Management, Token Swaps, Bridge, dApp Browser. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Alchemy: How much does Alchemy cost?

Alchemy offers a free tier with 30M compute units monthly, and a pay-as-you-go model at $0.45 per 1M compute units for the first 300M monthly, then $0.40 per 1M compute units thereafter. Enterprise plans with custom pricing and volume discounts are available for high-volume users.

Source
MetaMask: What is the APY rate for MetaMask's Money account?

The Money account offers up to 6% variable APY through September 30, 2024, then up to 4% variable APY after the promotional period. Rates are variable and not guaranteed, fluctuating based on market conditions.

Source
Alchemy: Does Alchemy have a free version?

Yes, Alchemy's Free plan provides 30M compute units monthly at no cost, with access to all mainnets and testnets, up to 15 requests per second, and support for 5 apps and 5 webhooks.

Source
MetaMask: Are there fees to open or maintain a MetaMask Money account?

No, account opening and account maintenance are free. Stablecoin to mUSD conversion happens at 1:1 parity with no conversion fees, though other conversions and additional services may have fees.

Source
Alchemy: What is the difference between Alchemy's Free and Pay As You Go plans?

The Free plan offers 30M compute units monthly at no cost with 15 requests per second throughput and supports up to 5 apps. Pay As You Go provides higher throughput (300 requests per second), more apps (30) and webhooks (100), and premium endpoints with priority support, charged at $0.45 per 1M compute units.

Source
MetaMask: Can I withdraw funds from MetaMask Money without penalties?

Yes, there are no withdrawal fees from MetaMask, no lockups, no notice periods, and no penalties for withdrawal. However, users are responsible for gas fees and applicable taxes.

Source
MetaMask: Is MetaMask Money available globally?

MetaMask Money is available globally except in the UK and countries on the USA sanctions list.

Source
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