Kraken
The best balance of security, regulation and all-in cost for most people in the US, UK and EU.
Base spot: 0.25% maker / 0.40% taker
Comparison · updated 24 October 2026
Best crypto exchanges in 2026
Seven established venues ranked on what a trade actually costs, how they handle security and regulation, and who each one suits. No paid placement.
Binance
Deep liquidity and low spot fees, with the widest asset list of the group. Not for US residents.
Base spot: 0.10% maker / 0.10% taker
Coinbase
The simplest onboarding and the strongest brand recognition — use Advanced Trade to keep fees sane.
Advanced: 0.40% maker / 0.60% taker
Side by side
Price your own trade
The comparison table
Base-tier spot fees. Volume discounts, token discounts and payment-method fees are not included.
| Exchange | Score | Maker / taker | Notes | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KRKrakenSecurity, US & EU users | 4.6 | 0.25% / 0.40% | Regulated in the US, UK and EU; strong record; Pro interface | Visit ↗ |
| BIBinanceLow fees, global access | 4.5 | 0.10% / 0.10% | Deepest liquidity; not available to US customers | Visit ↗ |
| COCoinbaseUS beginners | 4.4 | 0.40% / 0.60% | Simple onboarding; use Advanced Trade, not simple buy | Visit ↗ |
| OKOKXActive traders | 4.3 | 0.08% / 0.10% | Low maker fees; broad tooling; check local availability | Visit ↗ |
| GEGeminiUS compliance | 4.2 | 0.20% / 0.40% | Regulated US venue; ActiveTrader tier needed for low fees | Visit ↗ |
| BYBybitDerivatives traders | 4.2 | 0.10% / 0.10% | Strong derivatives suite; spot UX improving | Visit ↗ |
| BIBitgetCopy trading | 4.1 | 0.10% / 0.10% | Copy-trading features; wider spreads on small caps | Visit ↗ |
Fee schedules change and vary by pair, region and account tier. Confirm on the exchange before trading.
Scroll the table sideways on a small screen.
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The picks
Reviews in brief
Each review covers the fee structure, the practical experience and the main trade-off. Full scoring criteria live in our methodology.
KRKrakenBest for regulated security
Kraken is the venue we would point a cautious first-time buyer to. It is regulated in the US, UK and EU, has a long operating record, and publishes reserve information. The Pro interface is genuinely usable once you turn off the simplified view, and the fee schedule is published in full rather than hidden behind a quote.
The trade-off is that the standard Pro tier is not the cheapest on paper. At 0.25% maker and 0.40% taker, a $10,000 round trip costs meaningfully more than on Binance or OKX. For occasional buyers, the difference is a few dozen dollars — worth paying for a venue you trust with a bank transfer.
What works
- Strong regulatory footprint and security record
- Transparent fee tiers and proof-of-reserves
- Free bank deposits in supported regions
- 24/7 human support on most accounts
What to watch
- Base taker fee is higher than low-cost rivals
- Advanced UI has a learning curve
- Fewer listed long-tail assets
Visit Kraken ↗
External site · fees may change
BIBinanceBest for low fees and liquidity
Binance remains the deepest spot market in crypto. Base fees of 0.10% per side are low, and holding BNB or hitting volume tiers pushes them lower. The asset list is broader than any US-regulated venue, which matters if you trade beyond the top twenty.
The caveats are regional and practical. Binance.com is not available in the US (Binance.US is a separate, more limited product), and regulatory treatment varies by country. Support quality has improved but can still be slow during incidents. Treat it as a trading venue, not a vault.
What works
- Among the lowest base spot fees
- Deepest order books and tight spreads
- Broad asset coverage
- Mature API and order types
What to watch
- Not available to US customers
- Regional regulatory variation
- Support can lag during peak incidents
- Complex interface for newcomers
Visit Binance ↗
External site · fees may change
COCoinbaseBest for US beginners
Coinbase is the simplest place to start in the US: bank linking is clean, the app explains assets in plain language, and customer support is reachable. The catch is the fee gap between the simple buy screen and Advanced Trade. Simple buys can carry a spread and fee well above 0.6%; Advanced Trade is closer to 0.40% maker and 0.60% taker at the base tier.
For a first purchase, that convenience can be worth it. For regular trading, switch to Advanced Trade immediately and keep balances in a self-custody wallet.
What works
- Easiest onboarding in the US
- Strong regulatory position and insurance on some fiat balances
- Good learning content
- Advanced Trade lowers the cost
What to watch
- Simplified buy fees are high
- Base Advanced fees still above low-cost venues
- Smaller asset list than global exchanges
- Customer support can be slow at tax time
Visit Coinbase ↗
External site · fees may change
OKOKXBest for active traders and web3
OKX has some of the lowest maker fees among major venues and a well-built trading interface, along with a self-custody wallet that connects to its exchange. It is a strong choice for people who trade often and know what they are doing.
Availability and regulatory status differ by country, and the product surface is large. Newer users can find the number of options overwhelming, and the fee table has enough tiers to require a careful read.
What works
- Very low maker fee
- Strong charting and order tooling
- Built-in self-custody wallet
- Broad asset coverage
What to watch
- Feature density is overwhelming for beginners
- Regional availability is inconsistent
- Support quality varies by market
Visit OKX ↗
External site · fees may change
Before you sign up
Read the fee schedule, not the banner
Exchanges advertise the lowest maker fee and bury the cost that applies to you. Four lines matter:
- Taker fee on your pair. The tier table usually has a footnote for small caps and fiat pairs.
- Spread. Market orders cross it. Compare quoted price with mid-price on a $1,000 test order.
- Deposit method. Card and instant-bank on-ramps often cost 1–3%; a standard bank transfer is usually free.
- Withdrawal. A flat per-asset fee can be the largest cost on a small transfer.
How we score exchanges
All-in cost30%
Security & regulation25%
Usability20%
Assets & liquidity15%
Support10%
We do not accept payment for a higher score. Affiliate revenue is disclosed and capped at the cost of running the site.
Questions
Exchange FAQ
Which crypto exchange has the lowest fees?
On published base tiers, OKX and Binance are among the cheapest for spot trading at around 0.08–0.10% maker and 0.10% taker. The headline number is only part of the story: spread, withdrawal fees and payment-method charges can easily outweigh a 0.02% difference.
Is Binance available in the United States?
No. Binance.com does not serve US customers; Binance.US is a separate entity with a different fee schedule and fewer assets. If you are in the US, compare Kraken, Coinbase and Gemini instead.
How much do exchanges charge to withdraw crypto?
Each venue sets a flat withdrawal fee per asset, usually close to the network fee plus a margin. It is not the trading fee. Check the withdrawal page for the specific asset and network before you move funds — a cheap trade can still be an expensive transfer.
Are these exchanges safe?
All seven are established, regulated in at least one major jurisdiction, and publish proof-of-reserves or equivalent disclosures. None is risk-free: exchange failures happen, and holding long-term balances on any venue concentrates counterparty risk. Use a hardware wallet for savings.
How did you choose the rankings?
Scores weight all-in cost (30%), security and regulation (25%), usability (20%), asset coverage and liquidity (15%), and support (10%). We check published schedules, test the order flow and revisit scores quarterly. See the full methodology.