Kraken vs. Crypto.com (2025): Beginner's Guide

Kraken and Crypto.com are two popular cryptocurrency exchanges that allow you to buy, sell, and trade digital assets. In this guide, we'll help you understand which exchange better fits your needs.

Crypto.com vs. Kraken: Which is better?

Kraken is best for traders who want access to a wide variety of cryptocurrencies, lower trading fees, and advanced trading features. It's a great choice for intermediate and advanced traders looking for a secure platform with low fees. 

Crypto.com is best for users who want to earn rewards on everyday purchases. It's a fantastic option for crypto enthusiasts who are interested in crypto debit cards and other benefits. 

Kraken: Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Lower trading fees: Kraken has some of the lowest fees in the industry on Kraken Pro, which helps you keep more of your profits. 
• Large cryptocurrency selection: With over 500 cryptocurrencies available, you can explore both popular coins and lesser-known altcoins all in one place.
• Strong security reputation: Since it first launched in 2011, Kraken has never lost customer funds in a hack.
• Advanced trading tools: Kraken Pro offers advanced charting and futures trading for experienced traders. 

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve: The platform can feel less intuitive for beginners, especially if you’re using the platform’s advanced features.
• Limited US availability: Kraken is not available in New York or Maine, which limits access for users in those states.
• No rewards card program: Unlike Crypto.com, Kraken doesn't offer a way to earn crypto back on everyday purchases.

Crypto.com: Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Generous rewards card: The Crypto.com Visa Card lets you earn up to 5% back in CRO tokens on everyday purchases.
• Friendly mobile experience: Crypto.com’s beginner-friendly mobile app gives you access to trading, staking, and rewards in a single place.
• Staking options: With 30+ cryptocurrencies available for staking, you have more opportunities to earn passive income on your holdings.

Cons:

• Higher fees for simple purchases: Crypto.com’s fees are slightly higher than Kraken Pro’s (and some users complain that there are hidden spreads baked into the price of buying and selling crypto). 
• Card rewards require staking CRO: Some of Crypto.com ‘s best benefits are reliant on staking significant amounts of CRO (Crypto.com’s native cryptocurrency). 

User friendliness

Winner: Crypto.com

Crypto.com is the best choice if you want the easiest possible mobile experience and prefer a streamlined interface. Kraken is better suited for users who have some trading experience or are willing to spend time learning the platform. 

Kraken: Kraken offers both beginner and advanced interfaces, but the platform can feel more complex. While Kraken's standard interface is straightforward, accessing advanced features and lower fees requires switching to Kraken Pro. The learning curve may be steeper if you're new to crypto.

Crypto.com: Crypto.com was designed with mobile users in mind. The platform features an easy-to-navigate app that’s considered very beginner-friendly!

Fees

Winner: Kraken

Kraken offers some of the lowest fees in the industry. 

Kraken: Kraken Pro charges fees of 0-0.4%, while Kraken’s standard platform charges 1% fees. 

Crypto.com: Crypto.com charges fees of 0-0.5%. If you stake CRO, you may qualify for reduced fees. However, some users have complained that there are hidden spreads baked in Crypto.com’s price of buying and selling crypto. 

Security

Winner: Tie

Both exchanges are considered safe and trusted. 

Kraken: Kraken publishes Proof of Reserves monthly and goes through regular third-party security audits.The platform also offers optional security features like two-factor authentication and address whitelisting.

Crypto.com: Crypto.com uses multi-layered security with cold storage for the majority of user funds and maintains an insurance fund to protect against potential losses. The platform is ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certified and undergoes regular security audits. Crypto.com also offers two-factor authentication and address whitelisting. 

Regulatory issues

Winner: Tie

While both platforms are trusted, they each have run into regulatory issues in the past.  

Kraken: Kraken is not licensed in New York or Maine and cannot serve customers in those states. Kraken settled with the SEC in 2023 in a case regarding its staking services. 

Crypto.com: Crypto.com is available in all of the United States except New York.. In 2024, Crypto.com reached a settlement with New York regulators. 

Cryptocurrency selection

Winner: Kraken

Kraken is the best choice if you want maximum selection and the ability to trade niche cryptocurrencies. However, Crypto.com provides more than enough options for most users.

Kraken: Kraken offers over 500 cryptocurrencies, giving you access to major coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum alongside a wide range of altcoins and newer projects. 

Crypto.com: Crypto.com supports 400+ cryptocurrencies, which still includes all major coins and many popular altcoins. For most beginner and intermediate investors, this selection provides plenty of options.

Staking

Winner: Crypto.com

Crypto.com offers a wider selection of cryptocurrencies for staking. 

Kraken: Currently, Kraken offers staking for 20+ cryptocurrencies, but staking is restricted in California, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Wisconsin. 

Crypto.com: Crypto.com offers staking for 30+ cryptocurrencies, making it one of the best options for staking. 

Advanced trading 

Winner: Kraken

Both exchanges offer advanced trading platforms, but Kraken provides more comprehensive tools for experienced traders. 

Kraken: Kraken includes features for experienced investors, including professional charting with TradingView integration on Kraken Pro, futures contracts, and white glove account management. 

Crypto.com: Crypto.com offers an Advanced Trading app with professional charting. However, the app has fewer features for experienced traders than Kraken Pro. 

Customer support

Winner: Kraken

Both Kraken and Crypto.com offer 24/7 customer support through live chat and email. However, customer reviews say that Kraken generally has quicker response times and more helpful support.

Kraken: Kraken's support team is known for being one of the best in the crypto industry. The exchange also maintains an extensive help center with articles answering common questions.

Crypto.com: Crypto.com provides support through its app and website, with agents who can help with account issues. However, customers complain that responses can be slow and unhelpful. 

Mobile app

Winner: Crypto.com

Crypto.com is the best choice if you’re planning to primarily trade on mobile. 

Crypto.com: Crypto.com offers a single, comprehensive mobile app that combines all features in one place. The app provides easy access to trading, staking, card management, and rewards tracking. Crypto.com also offers an Advanced Trading app for more experienced investors. 

Kraken: Kraken offers two separate mobile apps: the standard Kraken app for basic trading and the Kraken Pro app for advanced features. While both apps are relatively to use, Kraken was designed primarily for desktop. 

Tax reporting

Winner: Tie

Both Kraken and Crypto.com allow you to export your transaction history for tax purposes. It’s also important to remember that both exchanges report to the IRS via Form 1099-DA. 

These tax forms can be inaccurate, especially if you transferred crypto between wallets or exchanges.

In these situations, you'll need to use crypto tax software like CoinLedger to generate a complete tax report. CoinLedger integrates with Kraken, Crypto.com, and hundreds of other platforms, allowing you to save hours of time and effort during tax season.

Conclusion

Kraken and Crypto.com are both fantastic exchanges. The right choice for you depends on your own unique situation. 

Choose Kraken if you want lower trading fees, access to 500+ cryptocurrencies, and advanced trading tools. Choose Crypto.com if you want to earn rewards through the Visa debit card program or prefer a beginner-friendly mobile experience.