Software · head to head
MetaMask vs Rainbow
The short version
- Each has a real cost: 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; Rainbow free instant deposits and fee auto-compounding are gated behind the paid Rainbow Black tier; the vendor's own site states "Upgrade to Rainbow Black for free instant deposits, bigger rewards, and up to 100% of your trading fees auto-compounded", implying standard accounts pay deposit and trading fees
- They diverge on capability: MetaMask covers Wallet Management, Rainbow covers Ethereum Wallet.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which MetaMask and Rainbow actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 MetaMask
- Wallet Management
- Token Swaps
- Bridge
- dApp Browser
- Portfolio View
- EVM chains
- Hardware wallets
- Web support
Only in Rainbow
- Ethereum Wallet
- NFT Gallery
- ENS Integration
- Layer 2 Support
- Swaps
- Optimism
- Arbitrum
- Base
Both cover
- Ethereum
- Ios support
- Android support
- Chrome support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
MetaMask
- Wallets
- Web3not Rainbow
- Browser Extensionnot Rainbow
Rainbow
- Wallets
- Ethereumnot MetaMask
- Mobilenot MetaMask
Both are used for wallets, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Rainbow
- Free instant deposits and fee auto-compounding are gated behind the paid Rainbow Black tier; the vendor's own site states "Upgrade to Rainbow Black for free instant deposits, bigger rewards, and up to 100% of your trading fees auto-compounded", implying standard accounts pay deposit and trading fees
Pricing, plan by plan
MetaMask
Free- FreeFree
- Wallet
- Swaps
- Bridge
Rainbow
Free- FreeFree
- Ethereum wallet
- NFTs
- ENS
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose Rainbow if
- You need ethereum wallet.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Ios, Android, Chrome.
- You also want nft gallery.
Questions people ask
- Is MetaMask or Rainbow better?
- Neither clearly leads. MetaMask starts at Free and Rainbow at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, MetaMask or Rainbow?
- MetaMask starts at Free and Rainbow at Free.
- Does MetaMask or Rainbow run on more platforms?
- MetaMask runs on Web, Ios, Android, Chrome, Firefox. Rainbow runs on Ios, Android, Chrome.
- Can I use MetaMask for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is MetaMask best used for?
- MetaMask is most often used for wallets, web3, browser extension. Of those, web3 and browser extension are not what Rainbow is typically brought in for.
- What can MetaMask do that Rainbow cannot?
- MetaMask covers Wallet Management, Token Swaps, Bridge, dApp Browser. Rainbow covers Ethereum Wallet, NFT Gallery, ENS Integration, Layer 2 Support. Both handle Ethereum, Ios support, Android support, Chrome support.