MetaMask Wallet Review: How To Use MetaMask

August 11, 2025

Ethereum has grown massively since it first left the creative mind of the blockchain genius Vitalik Buterin. In Ethereum’s early days, some critics saw it as an overrated, complicated platform that might never achieve commercial adoption, it has since turned into an altcoin with the highest market cap in crypto, second only to the king coin itself.

The developers have widely adopted Ethereum’s smart contracts, virtual machine, Dapps and ERC20 protocol capabilities. And while Solidity, Ethereum’s programming language, still presents a challenge for even the most savvy of developers, the entire platform has shown that it can serve as a quality base for further crypto market development.

In its early years, one of Ethereum’s biggest hurdles to adoption was the relative user unfriendliness of its Dapps. Blockchains are designed in a way which doesn’t allow normal browsers like Chrome of Firefox to write on them, meaning that these decentralized applications cannot be accessed via one such browser. As a response to that MetaMask was created, a browser which aims to offer a simple, intuitive and easy way of using Ethereum Dapps.

What you'll learn 👉

Regular browser vs an Ethereum browser

Regular browsers that we use for everyday internet navigation utilize HTTP requests to communicate between your computer and web servers which store data. Ethereum browsers are different; they establish direct contact with the nearest trusted Ethereum node and ask it to relay requests for them.

This option isn’t ideal as it requires users to download the entire 400 gigabytes of Ethereum blockchain data. MetaMask brings these two worlds together by creating a JavaScript library which allows regular browsers to communicate with Ethereum nodes. This way users can access the Ethereum platform through their normal web browsers.

Older browsers like Chrome and Firefox cannot directly communicate with blockchains by default. MetaMask bridges this need by injecting Ethereum provider APIs (via the EIP-1193 standard) into your browser such that Dapps can talk to the blockchain without a separate Ethereum browser. MetaMask is now supported in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, and even has native mobile applications.

MetaMask also functions as a wallet for your browser, as it can store various addresses and private keys. This allows you to buy, receive and send Ethereum and ERC20 compatible tokens through the extension itself. As MetaMask stores multiple wallets for you, you can also log into multiple Dapps at the same time and use a different address for each login.

Setting up MetaMask

It is easy and fast to begin using MetaMask. You can install the mobile app on Android and iOS or use it as a browser extension on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Brave.

You will generate a 12-word secret recovery phrase-backed encrypted safe that is password-protected upon first setup. Write down this phrase offline and save it securely since it is your lifeline if you must recover your wallet.

During installation, MetaMask now gives you a few extra security options:

2FA with hardware wallets like Ledger or Trezor.
Biometric login on mobile with Face ID or fingerprint.
Built-in phishing protection that blocks known malicious sites.

Go to official MetaMask installation guides for a step-by-step procedure with screenshots.

Once you have everything in place, you can utilize native features like MetaMask Swaps, staking, and even restaking, connect to Dapps, and switch between Ethereum Mainnet and testnets such as Sepolia or Holesky from your account panel.

Using MetaMask Across Devices

MetaMask is not just for browsers anymore. The iOS and Android app enables you to connect to Dapps directly, scan QRs, and control your crypto on the go.

When you use both desktop and mobile, you can sync them securely by importing your wallet with your secret recovery phrase or by connecting via WalletConnect. It makes it easy to approve transactions on mobile when browsing Dapps on your desktop.

Built-In Portfolio & Swaps

MetaMask also now has a portfolio dashboard where you can see your ETH, ERC-20 tokens, and even NFTs all in one place. You can even trade tokens right in the wallet with MetaMask Swaps, which looks up many DEXs to get you the best rates without ever leaving your app or browser.

Sending and receiving Ether via MetaMask

You can practice sending your money by using a testnet, like the Ropsten network that is already available. Frist switch to the Ropsten network in the network selection menu. Next, let’s select “Copy Address to Clipboard” for that account.

Then, you’ll need some ETH. You can get some free test Ether from one of the faucet sites – sites made specifically for that purpose.

If you want to practice sending ETH, switch to the Sepolia or Holesky testnet from the network menu. You can get free test ETH from the official Sepolia faucet at https://sepoliafaucet.com or from your preferred provider. Test ETH is only valid on the test network and cannot be used on Ethereum mainnet

This faucet uses the real Ethereum blockchain (but on a Testnet), it can take up to a minute for the funds to arrive. The funds you receive will not be usable in transactions outside of the Testnet.

Now you need to copy the address of your original account. Then you can switch to the account on the Ropsten network with Ether and go to Send.

Here you’ll post the copied address, the amount you wish to send and additional data if desired, which is a feature enabled by the Ethereum smart contracts. Click Next and MetaMask will generate a transaction (TX) for signing and present it to you.

You can manually set your Gas Price and Gas Limit here. These are transaction fee related entries which will depend on the busyness of the network. On the Ropsten network, both values are fine at their defaults. Pressing Reject will cancel the TX and return to the previous screen, Reset will return default values if you changed anything, and Submit will send it. After a few minutes your transaction should be confirmed.

As for receiving funds, you simply need to send your account address to anyone who wants to send you cryptocurrency. MetaMask now includes direct on-ramp integrations with providers like MoonPay, Transak, and Sardine, letting you buy ETH and ERC-20 tokens with a debit card, credit card, or bank transfer without leaving the extension. You can also use MetaMask Swaps to trade tokens directly within your wallet.

MetaMask-compatible Websites and Dapps

Ethereum platform prides itself with a wide variety of Dapps spanning all walks of internet-based living. Each Dapp/website that is designed to interface with Ethereum can also communicate with MetaMask. Usually when you log into a MetaMask compatible website, you’ll be given a pop-up that will confirm your sign-in.

Once you are signed in you can start interacting with the website. The number of projects on the blockchain is huge and is increasing almost daily, therefore MetaMask has quite a lot of things to interact with:

Wallets and exchanges

MyEtherWallet is an Ethereum focused wallet which allows you to store and hold Ethereum and ERC20 tokens. MyEtherWallet is maybe the Dapp that is most often combined and used with MetaMask. While it is usable without, using it with MetaMask is the safest way of storing your keys and avoiding phishing attacks.

Popular NFT platforms such as OpenSea and Blur are MetaMask-connected, so you can log in there directly in your browser. In DeFi, we have trading places such as Uniswap, Aave, and Lido that plug directly in to swap, lend, and stake. SocialFi apps such as Lens Protocol and Friend.tech also support MetaMask for login and transactions.

Games and collectibles

An often mentioned Ethereum Dapp is definitely Cryptokitties. It is a game/collecting app where users collect, buy, sell, trade, breed and train virtual cat avatars. MetaMask is required to run this Dapp. Similar app to this one is EtherBots, where users collect robots instead of cats.

Freelancing

Ethlance is a platform that is creating a marketplace for freelancers, where anyone can get any service that is offered and pay for it in Ethereum. Once again, MetaMask simplifies the process of using this Dapp.

Final thoughts – MetaMask Review

MetaMask is a great tool which allows for commercialization of the Ethereum blockchain. It bridges the gap between the traditional internet and the decentralized blockchain economy. While the Ethereum ecosystem is currently geared towards tech-savvy people and developers, MetaMask and projects like it will ensure its mainstream adoption by making it simpler and easier to use.

Regulatory Notes

MetaMask is a non-custodial wallet, meaning you control your keys and funds, not a third party. This usually puts it outside the scope of most custodial wallet regulations.

But if you access fiat on-ramps via MetaMask (like MoonPay or Transak), you will probably be asked to undergo KYC in your area. Always check local laws before you purchase crypto.