Coinbase is one of the biggest crypto exchanges globally, known for its user interface and security. Its fees can be on the higher side, or maybe you’re looking to do trading arbitrage, so you may seek out another option.
Our team has over a decade of experience in testing out all the exchanges under the sun and has chosen 10 of the best Coinbase alternatives.
Quick Look
- Kraken: Best overall Coinbase alternative
- Binance: Best for outside North America
- eToro: Best for social trading
- Bybit: Best for automated trading
- OKX: Best for testing trading strategies
- Crypto.com: Best for rewards
- KuCoin: Best for advanced traders
- Bitstamp: Best for low-volume trading
- PayPal: Best for existing PayPal users
- iTrustCapital: Best for retirement investing
1. Kraken
Best overall Coinbase alternative
Kraken is a popular cryptocurrency exchange, broadly available except in select US states (New York and Washington). It has a strong reputation and proof of reserves, reassuring for any investor entrusting their money to an exchange.
Fees are on the lower side (0.1%), particularly on Kraken Pro. The trading platform offers a mix of easy beginner features and more advanced tools on their Pro plan.
Kraken is a well-rounded alternative to Coinbase for cryptocurrency traders of all levels.
Why do we like Kraken?
- Low fees
- Easy interface for beginners and advanced tools on Pro
- Proof of reserves
Cons of Kraken
- Some trading features are unavailable in the US and Canada
More details
Kraken Exchange offers a robust platform for serious crypto traders. It stands out with its diverse coin selection, advanced trading features, and competitive fees. However, its complex interface may prove challenging for beginners. Strong security measures further reinforce its reliability.
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Margin trading and staking.
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Support/chat is one of the best.
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Low trading fees to withdraw Bitcoin (BTC).
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Provides tons of resources for learning.
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Only a few fiat currencies.
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Doesn't accept debit cards or Paypal.
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Has three apps.
2. Binance
Best for outside of North America
Binance is the highest volume exchange in the world, with its main platform available in most countries globally and offering Binance.US for US traders.
Fees are on the lower end at 0.1% for spot trades, reducing with higher trade volume and Binance coin (BNB) holdings, which is their proprietary coin.
Binance has various advanced trading tools available, including automated trading bots and crypto derivatives. The capabilities and low fees Binance offers make it one of the best Coinbase alternatives.
Why do we like Binance?
- Low fees (0.1%)
- Automated trading bots
- Futures and margin trading
Cons of Binance
- Binance.US has fewer features and currencies available
- Not available in Canada
More details
Binance is a great combination of low fees, deep liquidity and multiple cryptocurrencies and trading pairs. We have tested every aspect of it and it STILL holds its reign as the top exchange in the world. In our view, it is the perfect crypto exchange for both newbies and advanced traders alike.
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Biggest exchange in the world.
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Industry's lowest trading fees.
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Advance trading options like leverage trading.
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600+ crypto options, 150+ for the US.
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Lucrative on-site staking options.
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Hiccups in account verification.
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Less regulated than some competitors.
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The corporate structure is not transparently.
3. eToro
Best for social trading
eToro is a user-friendly exchange offering traditional investment instruments alongside cryptocurrency. This is a unique opportunity to manage your entire blended portfolio on one platform.
The platform is known for its social trading feature, allowing crypto investors to copy the trades of its most successful traders.
While only 21 cryptocurrencies are available, eToro offers the most popular coins, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple.
It’s one of the best Coinbase alternatives, and it has frequent signup bonuses to get free crypto.
Why do we like eToro?
- Great interface for beginners
- Charting tools for experienced traders
- Social trading capabilities
Cons of eToro
- Higher fees (1%)
- Limited currencies available
- Not available in some US states (New York, Hawaii, Nevada, Minnesota)
More details
eToro is a popular online trading platform for crypto assets, stocks, and ETFs, featuring low fees and a user-friendly interface. With a free eToro wallet and social features like messaging boards, users can copy experienced traders and access numerous assets. Take a look at what makes this platform perfect for starting your trading journey.
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Provides an attractive, communal atmosphere.
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Offers zero commission on ETFs.
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Extensive selection of educational resources.
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Mobile app with trading features.
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Smooth account opening and bank transfer.
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Limited number of cryptocurrencies.
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Limited customer support.
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No crypto-to-crypto trading pairs.
4. Bybit
Best for automated trading
Bybit offers an extensive feature set for experienced traders, including automated trading bots, expert-managed portfolios, crypto lending, and the newly launched TradeGPT assistant.
TradeGPT can advise on the crypto market, answer questions, and be trained as a personalized trading assistant. Bybit is a market leader in automated trading solutions, with preset algorithms and fully customizable options.
Futures, margin, and derivative trading are also available for flexible investment options. Fees are on the lower side, ranging from 0.02% – 0.1%.
Why do we like Bybit?
- TradeGPT AI assistant
- Derivatives, margins, and futures trading
- Managed portfolios
Cons of Bybit
- Not available in the US
- More difficult for new traders
More details
Bybit is a leading futures trading platform globally, offering up to 100x leverage and attracting users who prefer to remain anonymous. With a presence in 180+ countries, it is renowned for its efficiency and unique features in cryptocurrency derivatives trading.
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The platform offers up to 100x leverage trading.
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Strong educational resources.
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Diverse markets for traders, spot, perp, and futures.
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Risk-free demo accounts to explore all key features.
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TradingView integration.
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The platform is difficult for beginners to navigate.
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It does not offer a quality spot trading feature.
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The NFT marketplace is limited in terms of options.
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Security is of the gold industry standard.
5. OKX
Best for testing trading strategies
OKX is one of the top Coinbase alternatives thanks to its lower trading fees (0.1%) and beneficial platform features.
They have a demo trading account for modeling trades without risking money, allowing you to test out strategies. They also offer customizable trading bots for more experienced or professional traders.
OKX is available in most countries but has a separate version for North America that has a more limited feature set because of stricter regulations.
Why do we like OKX?
- Low trading fees
- Trading bots
- Demo accounts
Cons of OKX
- More complicated interface for beginners
- Fewer features for US and Canadian traders
More details
OKX crypto exchange supports over 300 digital assets and over 80 fiat currencies. It is accessible in over 100 countries and territories across the world. It has one of the highest trading volumes in the crypto world and is a fantastic mobile app that offers all services on the go. The trading fees are very low. Its major drawback is its unavailability in certain countries.
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Supports numerous tokens.
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Great Mobile app.
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Extensive educational resources.
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Provision of multi-lingual services.
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Geographical limitation.
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KYC limitations.
6. Crypto.com
Best for rewards
Crypto.com has become well-known thanks to its celebrity and sports partnerships, including Post Malone and Aston Martin. It also gained notoriety for its metal VISA debit cards.
Using Crypto.com cards earns up to 10% cash back at over 300,000 retailers, on top of other regular rewards and promotions.
The platform is rich in features and has an enjoyable user interface. Several trade types are available, and fees are very reasonable, starting at 0.075% and going as low as zero for high-volume trading.
Why do we like Crypto.com?
- Physical VISA cards for crypto transactions
- Great rewards and cash back
- Low fees (0.075%)
Cons of Crypto.com
- Poor customer support at times
More details
Crypto.com offers a straightforward approach to cryptocurrency trading. Opening an account with crypto.com is quick and easy. It includes state-of-the-art safety measures that make it safe for users to buy and sell crypto quickly. This crypto exchange is highly recommended for anyone looking to securely trade large amounts of cryptocurrency!
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250+ cryptocurrencies to choose from.
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Firm and unparalleled security to users.
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Earn interest in crypto.
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Top-rated mobile app.
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Low fees on trading and trading fee discounts.
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Slow identity verification.
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Customer service could respond faster.
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Lack of educational resources for new users.
7. KuCoin
Best for advanced traders
KuCoin is a globally recognized exchange with one of the largest selections of cryptocurrencies (700+). If you’re an experienced trader, the platform was built with you in mind, and rich in features and charting tools.
Fees are quite low even for a low monthly trading volume, averaging 0.1%, but go even lower for active traders. Futures and margins trading is available, as well as advanced tools and trading bots.
For the more experienced traders, KuCoin is a great Coinbase alternative available in most countries.
Why do we like KuCoin?
- Low fees even for low-volume traders (0.1% and down)
- Features for professional traders like futures and trading bots
- 700+ coins available
Cons of KuCoin
- Difficult interface for beginners
More details
Kucoin stands out among other crypto exchanges due to its impressive span of 1100 markets and 600 digital currencies. This, coupled with a user-friendly interface and secure investment environment, has made Kucoin an increasingly popular choice. However, US customers can not use the trading platform.
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Ability to earn interest on crypto.
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Low fees.
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Good customer service.
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Volume discounts on fees.
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Features like margin and futures trading.
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Not licensed in the U.S.
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Lack of investment programs.
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Low trading volume.
8. Bitstamp
Best for low-volume trading
Bitstamp is an awesome alternative to Coinbase for low-volume traders thanks to its zero fees on monthly trading volumes under $1,000 USD.
The interface is easy to use for new crypto investors, who can also capitalize on no fees while starting out with smaller amounts. The platform also offers Tradeview charting tools for more experienced traders, who may want to use Bitstamp as a secondary exchange.
It’s a long-running, trusted platform in the space and is available in most countries.
Why do we like Bitstamp?
- Zero fees for monthly trade volumes under $1,000
- Easy user interface
- Staking and lending features
Cons of Bitstamp
- Fees kick in for higher volume trades, comparable to Coinbase
- No automated trading bots, even on Pro
More details
Bitstamp, with its user-friendly interface and reasonable fees, offers a good start for beginners despite a limited choice of 80+ cryptocurrencies. Though seasoned users might seek more coin diversity, Bitstamp does provide advanced order types. Moreover, it supports debit and credit card transactions in fiat currencies like USD, GBP, and EUR.
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Easy-to-use platform for beginners and pros.
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Competitive fees compared to other crypto exchanges.
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Long history of supporting cryptocurrency users.
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Earn rewards with crypto staking
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Limited list of supported currencies.
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KYC for fiat currency, deposits, and withdrawals.
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No margin trading or lending features.
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2015 hack resulted in the loss of $5.2 million
9. PayPal
Best for existing PayPal users
PayPal is a massive payment processor expanding its reach into crypto.
It offers an easy way to buy crypto with your existing payment methods, but right now, it is only focused on major coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Fees are quite a bit higher than crypto-first exchanges, running up to 1.8% plus any conversion spread.
This isn’t the best option for crypto traders and enthusiasts, but offers a good starting point for existing PayPal users to hold and use crypto. It also makes crypto transactions more accessible in your day-to-day.
Why do we like PayPal?
- Widely accepted
- Easy to use for cryptocurrency transactions
- Start quickly with an existing PayPal account
Cons of PayPal
- Only 4 cryptocurrencies are available
- High fees (1.8%)
10. iTrustCapital
Best for retirement investing
Grow your retirement savings with a combination of traditional investments and cryptocurrency on iTrustCapital.
This platform offers an easy-to-use Individual Retirement Account (IRA), which allows you to purchase crypto while taking advantage of tax benefits. Saving for retirement is an important financial responsibility, and now cryptocurrency can be part of your efforts.
Fees are higher at 1%, but saving on taxes in the long term and preparing for retirement can outweigh this, depending on your priorities.
Why do we like iTrustCapital?
- Easily use your IRA to purchase crypto
- Tax benefits
- Straightforward interface
Cons of iTrustCapital
- High fees (1%)
- A more limited selection of currencies (28)
Methodology
Choosing the best Coinbase alternatives requires extensive research, reading reviews, product tests, and user interviews. Our experts researched a wide range of exchanges and chose the best based on a series of factors.
The key factors were trading and transaction fees, region availability, cryptocurrencies, user interface, security, compliance, and customer support. We used these criteria to offer a range of options, catering to different levels of traders and priorities.
Our chosen 10 Coinbase alternatives were assessed as up to our standards and offer promising solutions for our readers.
What are the Pros of using Coinbase?
While you may be in search of Coinbase alternatives, there are several reasons that it’s one of the most popular crypto exchanges. Here are a few pros of using Coinbase as an exchange and wallet.
Great for Beginners
Coinbase has a user-friendly interface, making it a good choice for new crypto traders. The interface is simplistic and easy to navigate, with clear step-by-step processes for signing up and making initial purchases.
Coinbase also offers extensive resources to learn about cryptocurrency. They give free crypto as a reward through Coinbase Learn, incentivizing their users to be educated and make informed decisions.
Strong Reputation
Coinbase has a strong reputation in the crypto sphere as one of the most popular liquid exchanges. It’s well-regarded for its user-friendly interface, crypto trading volume, and regulatory compliance.
Using an exchange with a proven track record is typically a safe bet. Coinbase generally receives positive reviews from crypto enthusiasts, thanks to various advanced transaction types, educational resources, and robust security measures.
Secure and Compliant
Trusting a platform with your money shouldn’t be taken lightly. The platform offers a secure trading environment with industry-standard security measures and compliant practices in place.
Coinbase collects Know-Your-Customer (KYC) data, does identity verification, encrypts all data, and uses Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
Why use a Coinbase Alternative?
While Coinbase is a leading exchange, there are also valid reasons to seek out Coinbase alternatives.
It’s known to have high transaction fees, which can add up over time. Avid traders may want a crypto exchange with more competitive trading fees.
There are also advanced trading tools that Coinbase may not have and investment options like margin and derivative trading.
Some platforms offer a tax-advantaged retirement account with crypto investments, which Coinbase currently doesn’t support.
If you’re a very high-volume trader, you may also be looking for one-on-one customer support and higher rewards or bonuses.
What to look for in Coinbase Alternatives?
Low trading fees
Look for lower fees than Coinbase offers to earn more money on your crypto investments over time.
There are several types of fees to look out for: deposit, withdrawal, crypto trading, transaction, and any potential hidden fees.
Advanced trading options
If you’re more experienced with cryptocurrency trading, you may want to have access to options like staking, lending, futures, margin, and derivative trading.
Also, look for charting tools, automated bots, an available debit card if you want one, and AI-enabled tools.
Availability
Make sure the Coinbase alternative you’re considering is available in your country and state and has the digital currencies you’re interested in trading. It should also be compliant with local cryptocurrency laws to prevent future bans.
Also, consider the deposit methods, like credit cards or bank account transfers, and what fiat currencies are available.
The best overall alternative to Coinbase is Kraken, based on its reputation, security, user interface, low fees, and trading options.
Several exchanges have lower fees than Coinbase, which has higher transaction fees than average. Coinbase alternatives with low fees include Kraken, Binance, Crypto.com, and Bitstamp.
Coinbase is one of the safest exchanges, but Coinbase alternatives like Kraken have comparable and even stronger security measures.
Coinbase is better for anyone based in North America as Binance isn’t available in that market. Binance has more competitive fees and extensive features for traders located in the rest of the world.
There are both hot wallets and cold wallets, and cold wallets are physical devices that store crypto for maximum security. Some of the best online wallets are Coinbase, Binance, and Kraken.
