What is Metamask?
MetaMask is a cryptocurrency software wallet, but also a web browser extension (available in Chrome, Firefox and Brave) used to store, send and receive Ethereum and ERC20. In other words, it allows users to perform Ethereum transactions through regular websites. MetaMask can only be used to store keys for Ethereum cryptocurrencies.
Why do you still need a hardware wallet?
When you own cryptocurrencies, you actually own a “private key,” an important piece of information used to authorize outgoing transactions on the blockchain network. Anyone who knows this key can spend the funds associated with it. Hence the famous expression “not your key, not your Bitcoins”. Owning the private key thus gives you more power and control.
Metamask is compatible with Ledger hardware wallets
With a third-party Metamask wallet, you can connect a Ledger device to the platform, allowing you to securely view account balances and manage transactions.