Coinbase vs Kraken
The two big regulated US venues. One is easier, one is cheaper and older.
Coinbase
The most regulated, most beginner-friendly and most expensive way in.
Kraken
The security-first veteran, and the safest on-ramp for large fiat amounts.
For a US resident this is usually the real decision, because the offshore venues are off the table. Both are regulated, both have long clean custody records, and the gap between them is fees against friction.
Side by side
| Coinbase | Kraken | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.2 | 8.4 |
| Spot maker | 0.6% | 0.4% |
| Spot taker | 1.2% | 0.8% |
| Futures maker | 0.02% | 0.02% |
| Futures taker | 0.05% | 0.05% |
| Assets listed | 280+ | 240+ |
| Founded | 2012 | 2011 |
| Proof of reserves | No | Yes |
| Copy trading | No | No |
| Options | No | No |
| Restricted in | None tracked | None tracked |
Which one, for whom
First-time buyers
Coinbase
The smoothest path from bank account to first purchase anywhere in the market.
Anyone trading more than occasionally
Kraken
Kraken Pro at 0.40%/0.80% is still a third cheaper than Coinbase Advanced at 0.60%/1.20% at entry tiers — a narrower gap than it was before Kraken raised Tier 1 in July 2026.
Large fiat transfers
Kraken
Broader wire and international rails, and the longest unbroken custody record in the sector.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kraken cheaper than Coinbase?
Yes, but by less than it used to be. Kraken Pro Tier 1 is 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker after the July 2026 fee-tier change; Coinbase Advanced starts at 0.60% and 1.20%. Two things can flip the answer: Coinbase One, a monthly subscription, narrows the gap for frequent traders, and Kraken now sets your tier on the better of trading volume or assets held on the platform, so a large balance can move you below Tier 1 without trading.
Are both available across the US?
Both serve the great majority of US states, but product availability — staking and futures in particular — varies by state. Check the availability table on each review before you plan around it.
Keep researching
Full reviews
- Coinbase review
The most regulated, most beginner-friendly and most expensive way in.
- Kraken review
The security-first veteran, and the safest on-ramp for large fiat amounts.
Other comparisons
Still deciding? Compare the cost on your own trade size with the fee calculator.