8 Kraken Alternatives (Low Fees & Best Features 2025)
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Kraken at a glance
Cryptocurrency selection: 500+
Fees: 0-0.4% (Kraken Pro maker/taker for lower volumes); 1% for Instant Buy
Customer support: Help center and email support
Kraken is one of the oldest cryptocurrency exchanges, founded in 2011. The platform has a reputation for strong security, quality customer support, and low fees, which makes it one of the most popular choices for intermediate/advanced investors.
However, some users complain about withdrawal holds and large spreads on certain transactions. In addition, Kraken’s platform may be too complicated for beginners.
Why should I choose Kraken?
- Strong security reputation and proof-of-reserves
- Large list of supported assets and trading pairs
- Low fees for active traders
Kraken cons
- Higher fees on Instant Buy (around 1%) compared to Pro
- Delays on withdrawals
- Interface can feel advanced for complete beginners
Coinbase’s standard platform has received criticism for high fees, but its Advanced platform offers similar fees to Kraken Pro.
Fees: 0.00%–0.60% (Advanced Trade); higher on standard platform
Cryptocurrency selection: 275+
It’s important to note that Binance.com is not available in the United States. Binance.US is a separate platform with fewer coins (around 180+ compared to 400+ on Binance global) and different fees.
Binance.US offers some of the lowest fees on ‘tier 0’ pairs like BTC/USD, which makes it a great choice for minimizing trading costs.
Fees: 0.00–0.0095% for ‘tier 0 pairs’ (like BTC/USD), 0–0.57% on other pairs
Cryptocurrency selection: 180+ (Binance.US), 400+ (Binance global)
Crypto.com offers a wide coin selection and generous debit card rewards. However, users often complain about unresponsive customer support.
Fees: 0.00%–0.50% (lower with CRO staking)
Cryptocurrency selection: 400+
Gemini has higher fees than some competitors, but it's a great option if you're looking for an exchange with excellent security features. Gemini is one of the few exchanges available in New York, which is known for its strict requirements for cryptocurrency platforms.
Fees: 0–0.40% on ActiveTrader, 2.49% on Instant Buy
Cryptocurrency selection: 70+
Robinhood has no trading commissions, but users complain that prices include hidden spreads. It's a great option if you're looking for a simple app to trade both stocks and crypto, though the cryptocurrency selection is more limited than dedicated crypto exchanges.
Fees: 0% commission (includes spread in price)
Cryptocurrency selection: 20+
eToro has higher fees than other platforms, but it’s a great option if you’re looking for a beginner-friendly app with social trading features.
Fees: 1% buy/sell spread
Cryptocurrency selection: 100+
Swan Bitcoin charges flat fees of 1%. It's a great option if you're looking for a Bitcoin-focused platform with automatic investing features, but it doesn't support other cryptocurrencies.
Fees: 1%
Cryptocurrency selection: 1 (Bitcoin only)
iTrustCapital charges a 1% trading fee, with no monthly fee. It's a great option if you're looking for tax-advantaged crypto investing for retirement, though it’s not a good choice if you’re looking to trade in the short term.
Fees: 1% per transaction
Cryptocurrency selection: 75+
What are the advantages of Kraken?
While we’ve focused on alternatives, let's walk through some of the benefits that Kraken has to offer.
Security: Kraken has a perfect security track record, never having lost customer funds to a hack since its founding in 2011. The platform publishes regular Proof of Reserves audits and recently received a perfect score of 100 in security ratings by the security firm Kaiko in Q3 2025, higher than any other exchange.
Competitive fees: Kraken Pro offers some of the lowest trading fees among major US exchanges, with fees ranging from 0-0.4% The Kraken+ subscription ($4.99/month) offers zero-fee trading on up to $10,000 in monthly volume, which makes it a great option for frequent traders.
Advanced trading features: Kraken offers margin trading up to 10x leverage, futures trading with up to 50x leverage, and staking rewards (though features like margin trading are not available in the US and Canada).
What should I look for in a Kraken alternative?
Here’s what you should look for when choosing an exchange:
Low fees: Trading fees can significantly impact your profits, especially if you trade frequently. Look for exchanges with competitive fees. Some platforms offer volume-based discounts, while others have subscription services that reduce costs.
Customer service: Reliable customer support is important if you have issues with your account. Look for exchanges that offer 24/7 support through channels like live chat, email, and phone.
Security: Look for exchanges that offer two-factor authentication, cold storage for the majority of funds, insurance coverage, and regular security audits. The best exchanges publish Proof of Reserves and are transparent about their security practices.
Crypto selection: The number of available cryptocurrencies varies widely between exchanges. If you want to invest in altcoins or newer projects, choose a platform with a large selection. If you only trade major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, you can choose an exchange with a smaller selection.
Reputation: Choose exchanges with a proven track record and strong security measures. Read reviews from multiple sources to understand common user experiences.
Geographic availability: Make sure the exchange operates in your state or country. Some platforms have restrictions in certain locations due to regulatory requirements. Check if all features are available in your area before signing up.
What about decentralized exchanges (DEXs)?
While this article is focused on centralized exchanges, you should consider decentralized exchanges if you’re an intermediate/advanced trader.
While decentralized exchanges like Uniswap are more difficult to use for beginners, they do allow you to trade directly with other users and maintain control of your cryptocurrency. They're a great option for users who want to stay away from centralized exchanges like Kraken.
However, it’s important to remember that decentralized exchanges are more difficult to use, and they typically do not offer customer support.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I buy crypto without Kraken?
- What is the best alternative to Kraken?
- Who has lower fees than Kraken?
- Is Kraken safe?
- Who is Kraken's biggest competitor?
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