MetaMask is the most widely used wallet in the world, and its SDK allows developers to connect users to the MetaMask app. However, for developers building modern, embedded experiences—especially in gaming or consumer apps—relying on a standalone wallet app can add friction. Users often prefer seamless, in-app wallets (embedded wallets) over being redirected to a separate app to sign transactions.
If you are looking for alternatives that offer a smoother user experience, embedded capabilities, or more control over the wallet lifecycle, here are the top choices in 2025.
1. Openfort
Openfort (that's us 👋) is an open-source wallet infrastructure solution that provides powerful wallet capabilities to abstract crypto complexity for both users and developers. Its platform allows developers to plug and play any signer (including OpenSigner) and contract they prefer, simplifying the whole vertical use case—from cross-app ecosystems and AI agents to fintech and DeFi.
Key Features
- If you're currently using MetaMask SDK and hitting limits around user friction (popups, app switching), need gas sponsorship to pay for user transactions, or want to enable session keys for uninterrupted gameplay.
- Open source, Self-hosting option, Vendor neutrality: Openfort is fully open-source and self-hostable, ensuring you aren't dependent on a single wallet provider's infrastructure. Learn more about how to avoid wallet vendor dependency.
- Concrete example: You want to build a mobile game where players have an invisible embedded wallet that signs transactions in the background using session keys, without ever leaving the game to approve a signature in MetaMask.
Comparison Table: Openfort vs. MetaMask SDK
| Feature | Openfort | MetaMask SDK |
|---|---|---|
| Wallet Type | Embedded Smart Wallet | External EOA Connection |
| User Experience | In-App, Invisible | App Switching / Popup |
| Open Source | ✅ (OpenSigner) | ❌ (SDK is open, backend is not) |
| Gas Sponsorship | ✅ Native Paymasters | ❌ (User pays ETH) |
| Session Keys | ✅ Native Support | ❌ |
| Account Recovery | ✅ Flexible (Social, Email) | ❌ Seed Phrase only |
| Multi-chain | ✅ EVM, SVM | ✅ EVM |
| Vendor Lock-in | ❌ None | ⚠️ High (MetaMask ecosystem) |
Scaling Considerations
- High User Volume, Low Transaction Volume: MetaMask SDK is free to use, but the friction causes high user drop-off (churn). Openfort's free tier (1k MAUs and 500 transactions) allows you to onboard users seamlessly without cost, likely increasing your retention significantly.
- Transaction Orchestration: MetaMask SDK relies on the user's wallet and external providers for transaction execution. Openfort orchestrates the entire transaction lifecycle (bundling, sponsorship) natively, giving you control over the experience that MetaMask SDK cannot provide.
- Low User Volume, High Transaction Volume: With MetaMask, users pay gas, which is a barrier. With Openfort, you can sponsor gas. While this adds a cost to you, the "transaction-based" pricing model of Openfort ensures you only pay for successful activity, and the improved UX often leads to higher LTV.
Why developers choose Openfort
Developers switch from MetaMask SDK to Openfort when they realize that popups kill conversion. They choose Openfort to provide an invisible, "web2-like" experience while keeping the security of self-custody.
2. Coinbase Wallet SDK (Base Smart Wallet)
Coinbase Wallet SDK offers a bridge to the Coinbase ecosystem. It's a direct competitor to MetaMask's dominance, often offering a smoother mobile experience.
Comparison Table: Coinbase vs. MetaMask SDK
| Feature | Coinbase SDK | MetaMask SDK |
|---|---|---|
| Onboarding | Smart Wallet / App | App Only |
| Gas | Sponsorship (Base) | User Pays |
| Passkeys | ✅ Supported | ❌ |
| Ecosystem | Coinbase | ConsenSys |
| Mobile UX | ✅ Deep Linking | ⚠️ App Switching |
Scaling Considerations
Both are free.
- UX: Coinbase's Smart Wallet (embedded via passkeys) offers a significant UX upgrade over MetaMask's traditional mobile linking.
Why developers choose Coinbase Wallet SDK
To tap into Coinbase's massive user base and leverage the new Smart Wallet passkey flow.
3. Privy
Privy (acquired by Stripe) is the leader in embedded wallets for consumer apps. Privy replaces the need for MetaMask entirely by creating a wallet for the user behind the scenes.
Comparison Table: Privy vs. MetaMask SDK
| Feature | Privy | MetaMask SDK |
|---|---|---|
| Wallet Model | Embedded | External |
| Onboarding | Email / Social | Seed Phrase |
| Conversion | ✅ High | ⚠️ Low |
| Cost | Paid ($299/mo+) | Free |
| Recovery | Automatic | Manual (Seed Phrase) |
Scaling Considerations
Privy is expensive ($299/mo+), whereas MetaMask SDK is free.
- Trade-off: You pay Privy to fix your conversion funnel. If your drop-off rate with MetaMask is high, Privy pays for itself.
Why developers choose Privy
To eliminate the "install extension" step that kills user onboarding.
4. Dynamic
Dynamic (acquired by Fireblocks) offers a powerful wallet adapter and embedded wallet solution. Dynamic provides a "best of both worlds" – it can connect to MetaMask or create an embedded wallet.
Comparison Table: Dynamic vs. MetaMask SDK
| Feature | Dynamic | MetaMask SDK |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | Connect OR Embedded | Connect Only |
| Multi-chain | ✅ EVM, SVM, Cosmos | ✅ EVM |
| UI | ✅ Pre-built Widget | ❌ None |
| Auth | Socials + Wallets | Wallets Only |
| Pricing | $249/mo+ | Free |
Scaling Considerations
Dynamic charges for MAUs.
- Value: Dynamic replaces the need to build your own "Connect" modal and auth logic, saving engineering time vs using raw MetaMask SDK.
Why developers choose Dynamic
For a polished, all-in-one login modal that handles both existing crypto users (MetaMask) and new users (Email).
5. Web3Auth
Web3Auth (acquired by Metamask) enables social login for wallets. It's often used to build a "MetaMask alternative" where users login with Google.
Comparison Table: Web3Auth vs. MetaMask SDK
| Feature | Web3Auth | MetaMask SDK |
|---|---|---|
| Login | Google / Twitter | Wallet App |
| Key Mgmt | MPC (No Seed) | Seed Phrase |
| UX | Web2-like | Web3 Native |
| Cost | $69/mo+ | Free |
| Custody | Non-custodial | Non-custodial |
Scaling Considerations
Web3Auth is affordable ($69/mo).
- Target: Perfect for apps targeting mainstream users who don't have MetaMask installed.
Why developers choose Web3Auth
To onboard non-crypto natives who will never install a browser extension.
7. ReOwn
ReOwn is a wallet infrastructure platform that powers most wallet connections. AppKit (formerly Web3Modal) is their full-featured toolkit.
Comparison Table: ReOwn vs. MetaMask SDK
| Feature | ReOwn | MetaMask SDK |
|---|---|---|
| Reach | 300+ Wallets | MetaMask Only |
| Protocol | Open Standard | Proprietary |
| Features | On-ramp, Swaps | Connection |
| UI | ✅ AppKit | ❌ |
| Cost | Free (Basic) | Free |
Scaling Considerations
ReOwn is the industry standard.
- Reach: Using ReOwn gives you access to every wallet user, not just MetaMask users.
Why developers choose ReOwn
To support every wallet via WalletConnect, not just MetaMask.
Building In-House Wallet Product
If you want the embedded experience of Openfort or Privy but want to build it yourself.
Pros
- UX Control: No popups, total control.
- Cost: No SaaS fees.
Cons
- Security: You become responsible for key security.
- Complexity: Building MPC or smart account infrastructure is extremely hard.
For a deeper dive into the trade-offs, check out our guide on building vs buying wallet infrastructure.
FAQ
1. Is MetaMask SDK deprecated? No, but the industry is moving towards "embedded wallets" for consumer apps and "WalletConnect" for general dApps.
2. Can Openfort connect to MetaMask? Openfort focuses on creating wallets for users. However, you can use Openfort alongside a connector like RainbowKit to support both: Openfort for new users (embedded), RainbowKit for existing users (MetaMask).
3. Why is embedded wallet better than MetaMask? Embedded wallets (like Openfort) don't require the user to leave your app to sign transactions. This reduces friction and increases conversion rates by up to 400%.
Conclusion
MetaMask SDK is great for connecting existing crypto power users.
However, if you want to onboard mainstream users, eliminate popups, and create a seamless in-app experience, Openfort is the best alternative for building secure, embedded smart wallets.
Check out Openfort's documentation to learn more.