I have been creating metadata for various public and private organizations in Washington State for a regional metadata clearinghouse. During this time, I have used just about every metadata tool in an effort to find the right tool for each contributor, and most of them have settled on either Metamaker 2 or SMMS. The problem is one is free and the other one isn't. Is free the way to go? In this paper, I will address both the positive and negative aspects of each product in an effort to assist other organizations in choosing the right tool for their needs.