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Alternatives To Coinbase

Coinbase was founded in 2012 and is a platform for buying, selling, storing, and trading cryptocurrency. It supports over 150 cryptocurrencies and is designed for traders new and advanced. But while a popular platform, there are some excellent alternatives to Coinbase.

Read on to review and compare Coinbase vs. Binance, Kraken, BitMEX, Crypto.com, and Gemini. We wrap up by answering what broker to use instead of Coinbase for those ready for a change.

Alternative Crypto Brokers

  1. AvaTrade
  2. eToro
  3. OANDA US
  4. Eightcap
  5. Uphold

#1 - AvaTrade

Why We Chose AvaTrade

Regulated in five continents, AvaTrade offers a secure way to access crypto markets. There's a great range of digital currencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple, plus a crypto index. You can access competitive crypto spreads in the broker's wide choice of platforms as well as 1:2 leverage.

"AvaTrade offers the full package for short-term traders. There is powerful charting software, reliable execution, transparent fees, and fast account opening with a low minimum deposit."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Coins: BCH, BTC, BTG, ETH, LTC, XRP, EOS, DASH
  • Crypto Mining: No
  • Auto Market Maker: No
  • Crypto Spread: BTC <1%, ETH 2%
  • Crypto Lending: No
  • Crypto Staking: No
  • Platforms: WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
  • Regulator: ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBol, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM

About AvaTrade

AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker, established in 2006 and regulated across 9 jurisdictions. Over 400,000 users have signed up with the broker which processes over 2 million trades each month. The firm offers multiple trading platforms, including MT4, MT5, and a proprietary WebTrader. 1250+ financial instruments are available for day trading, alongside a comprehensive education center and multilingual customer support.

Pros

  • AvaTrade is a heavily regulated and trustworthy broker with licenses from the ASIC, CySEC and more
  • Day traders can access stable spreads and zero commissions with no hidden fees
  • There's a great range of fee-free deposit methods, including bank wire, credit cards and popular e-wallets like Skrill

Cons

  • Traders from the US are not accepted
  • It’s a shame that there are no rebate schemes for serious traders looking for additional perks - CMC Markets would be a better choice here
  • There’s an above-average $50 inactivity fee after three months, though this won't impact active day traders
Visit AvaTrade

#2 - eToro

Why We Chose eToro

eToro leads the way in cryptocurrency trading, offering competitive spreads and a fixed 1% commission, plus their own wallet service. The broker offers a vast list of 95+ tokens which is continually being updated. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more

"eToro's social trading platform leads the pack with a terrific user experience and active community chat that can help beginners find opportunities. There are also competitive fees on thousands of CFDs and real stocks, plus excellent rewards for experienced strategy providers."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Coins: BTC, ETH, BCH, XRP, DASH, LTC, ETC, API3, CRO, SKL, IMX, ADA, MIOTA, XLM, EOS, NEO, TRX, ZEC, BNB, XTZ, DOT, MKR, COMP, LINK, UNI, YFI, DOGE, AAVE, FIL, ALGO, ATOM, MANA, APE, LRC, ENJ, BICO, BAT, BNT, OGN, MATIC and many more
  • Crypto Mining: No
  • Auto Market Maker: No
  • Crypto Spread: BTC 1%
  • Crypto Lending: No
  • Crypto Staking: Yes
  • Platforms: eToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentral
  • Minimum Deposit: $50
  • Regulator: FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSA, FSRA, MFSA

About eToro

eToro is a top-rated multi-asset platform which offers trading services in thousands of CFDs, stocks and cryptoassets. Launched in 2007, the brand has millions of active traders globally and is authorized by tier one regulators, including the FCA and CySEC. The brand is particularly popular for its comprehensive social trading platform. Cryptoasset investing is highly volatile and unregulated in the UK and some EU countries. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply. 76% of retail accounts lose money.

Pros

  • eToro has bolstered its investment offering, most recently with new crypto assets, now offering over 90 digital currencies
  • The web platform and mobile app perform better in user reviews and app rankings than top competitors, including AvaTrade
  • Top copy traders can receive annual payments up to 1.5% of assets under copy in the broker's Popular Investor Program

Cons

  • The lack of additional charting platforms like MT4 will reduce the appeal for seasoned day traders accustomed to using third-party software
  • There are no guaranteed stop loss orders which would be a useful risk management feature for beginners
  • Traders will face currency conversion fees for account denominations other than USD
Visit eToro

#3 - OANDA US

Why We Chose OANDA US

You can speculate on the world’s biggest cryptos by market cap. Commissions are lower than many peers starting at 0.25%. Through the broker’s partnership with Paxos, clients can spot trade cryptocurrencies on the itBit exchange through the OANDA native platform.

"OANDA remains an excellent broker for US day traders seeking a user-friendly platform with premium analysis tools and a straightforward joining process. OANDA is also heavily regulated with a very high trust score."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Coins: BTC, ETH, LTC, BCH, PAXG, LINK, UNI, AAVE
  • Crypto Mining: No
  • Auto Market Maker: No
  • Crypto Spread: $100
  • Crypto Lending: No
  • Crypto Staking: No
  • Platforms: OANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Regulator: NFA, CFTC

About OANDA US

OANDA is a popular brand offering exceptional execution, low deposit requirements and advanced charting and trading platform features. The top-rated brand has over 25 years of experience and is regulated by trusted agencies, including the NFA/CFTC. Around the clock support is available for short-term traders, alongside flexible contract sizes and automated trade executions.

Pros

  • The broker offers a transparent pricing structure with no hidden charges
  • Day traders can enjoy fast and reliable order execution
  • The broker's API facilitates access to 25 years of deep historical data and rates from 200+ currencies

Cons

  • The range of day trading markets is limited to forex and cryptos only
  • It's a shame that customer support is not available on weekends
  • There's only a small range of payment methods available, with no e-wallets supported
Visit OANDA US

#4 - Eightcap

Why We Chose Eightcap

Eightcap’s crypto offering is best-in-class with 250+ crypto derivatives, surpassing that of almost every alternative. Testing also reveals Bitcoin spreads of 12 pips, coming in lower than most competitors, while it offers real-time trading ideas through the Crypto Crusher market scanner. Add in convenient deposits and withdrawals in digital currencies, and Eightcap offers the complete package for serious crypto traders.

"Eightcap delivers in every area for day traders with a growing selection of charting platforms and AI-powered tools. Now sporting 250+ crypto CFDs and the Crypto Crusher market scanner, it's also become a stand-out choice for crypto trading, winning our 'Best Crypto Broker' award two years in a row."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Coins: BTC, ETH, LTC, BCH, XRP, XMR, DSH, EOS, XLM, ADA, TRX, DOGE, BNB, DOT, MATIC, VET, AXS, NEO, SOL, UNI, AAVE, KSM, THETA, CAKE, SUSHI, ATOM, XTZ, SNX, COMP, FLOW, EGLD, PUNDIX, RAY, ZIL, QTUM, BAND, OMG, FIDA, BADGER, NEAR and many more
  • Crypto Mining: No
  • Auto Market Maker: No
  • Crypto Spread: $12 (BTC)
  • Crypto Lending: No
  • Crypto Staking: No
  • Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView
  • Minimum Deposit: $100
  • Regulator: ASIC, FCA, xCySEC, SCB

Pros

  • After bolstering its roster in 2021, Eightcap offers one of the most extensive selections of cryptocurrency CFDs in the market, with crypto/fiat pairs, crypto/crypto pairs, plus crypto indices for broader exposure to the market.
  • Eightcap stands out with a selection of powerful trading tools, including MT4 and MT5, the innovative algorithmic trading platform Capitalise.ai, and more recently the 50-million strong social trading network TradingView.
  • With tight spreads from 0 pips, low commission fees, and high leverage up to 1:500 for certain clients, Eightcap provides cost-effective and flexible trading conditions that can accommodate an array of strategies, including day trading and scalping.

Cons

  • In spite of an increasing variety of tools, Eightcap doesn't offer industry favorites like Autochartist or Trading Central, which offer cutting-edge charting analytics, live news, and market insights for short-term traders.
  • The demo account expires after 30 days and can only be extended upon request - a notable inconvenience compared to the likes of XM with its unlimited demo mode.
  • Despite a useful library of educational guides and e-books, Eightcap still trails IG’s comprehensive toolkit for aspiring traders with its dedicated IG Academy app and 18 course categories.
Visit Eightcap

#5 - Uphold

Why We Chose Uphold

You can buy and sell 250+ crypto assets with fiat currencies or in crypto pairs using the straightforward mobile app or through Uphold's browser-based account homepage. This is significantly more than many rivals. You can also earn up to 16% APY by staking one or more out of 32 valid tokens, or send tokens to an external wallet.

"Uphold remains a top choice for crypto investors looking for a one-stop-shop solution to accessing the markets. There are over 250 tokens to buy, sell and trade through flexible platform options."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Coins: BTC, BTCO, AAVE, ALCX, DYDX, INH, XYO, API3, GHST, LSK, AUDIO, GLMR, NMR, CAKE, GODS, REQ, CHR, TRB, DAO, ROOK, XRP, ETH, BAT, ADA, ALGO, ATOM, AVAX, AXS, BCH, BAL, BTG, CSPR, COMP, CRV, DASH, DCR, DGB, DOGE, DOT, EGLD and many more
  • Crypto Mining: No
  • Auto Market Maker: No
  • Crypto Spread: Up to 1.5%
  • Crypto Lending: No
  • Crypto Staking: Yes
  • Platforms: Desktop Platform, Mobile App
  • Minimum Deposit: $0

About Uphold

Uphold is a digital asset platform offering a range of services, from crypto trading and staking to payment cards that provides rewards and easy multi-currency payments. The company was established in 2015 and has enabled $4+ billion in transactions. Uphold is now active in 180+ countries and deals in 200+ crypto and fiat currencies.

Pros

  • Uphold continues to remain ahead of the industry, often being one of the first platforms to list new crypto tokens
  • Uphold is 100% reserved which helps to protect client funds
  • The proprietary app is extremely easy to use with a slick design and navigation

Cons

  • Uphold operates with limited regulatory oversight
  • The charting analysis features on the platform trail specialist exchanges
  • There is a 2.49% fee if you want to use debit or credit cards
Visit Uphold

About Coinbase

The firm is based in San Francisco and is a fully licensed and regulated cryptocurrency exchange in 45 US states. Its services are also available globally, including to investors in Australia, the UK, Europe, South America, and Africa. In fact, the crypto exchange boasts over 98 million verified users across more than 100 countries. And while our best alternatives to Coinbase have a lot to offer in terms of tools, features, and fees, few can match the global reach of the crypto exchange.

Products

Coinbase offers a wide range of products to suit beginners and professionals:

Platforms

Coinbase

Coinbase is a secure online trading platform that utilizes the US dollar to purchase a growing list of over 150 cryptocurrencies. Geared towards beginners, it has a straightforward, user-friendly interface with options to ‘buy’, ‘sell’ or ‘convert’ when placing a trade.

Coinbase substitutes
Coinbase online platform

Note, the mobile app can be accessed on Android and iOS devices.

Coinbase Pro

As outlined above, Coinbase Pro was formerly known as Global Digital Asset Exchange (GDAX). It is an in-depth platform that caters to more advanced traders. On top of the same functionalities as the original platform, it offers advanced charting functions and the ability to place market limits, stop orders, an easy order process, and detailed trade history. Investors can specify an order type or default to market.

Substitutes to Coinbase Pro platform
Coinbase Pro online platform

Fees

With the exception of Coinbase Pro, fees are expensive compared to competitors. They vary between 0.5% and 4.5% and between payment methods, cryptocurrency type, transaction size, and platform used.

There is a 1% fee to convert and withdraw your crypto to cash in addition to standard network fees. A network fee is necessary to have your transaction processed by the decentralized cryptocurrency network.

If you stake your assets with Coinbase, your reward will be determined by the protocols of the applicable network. The firm will distribute this reward after receipt, minus a 25% commission.

The exchange charges spreads of 0.5% for crypto purchases and sales. Depending on market fluctuation, rates may be higher or lower. On top of that, they also take a flat fee or variable percentage, depending on region, amount purchased, product feature, and payment type. For example, a $100 purchase of Bitcoin with a USD bank account will come with a flat fee of 1%.

Suppose you borrow USD from Coinbase or an affiliate. The brand has to sell your BTC collateral (as they are authorized to do under an applicable loan agreement). In that case, there is a flat fee of 2% of the total transaction.

On the other hand, Coinbase Pro’s fee schedule is straightforward and less expensive. It is based on monthly trading volume and a taker-maker model, which depends on the liquidity of the asset at the time of purchase. Varying between pricing tiers, taker fees are between 0.05% to 0.6%, while maker fees are between 0.00% to 0.4%.

On the basic Coinbase platform, deposits on wire transfers are $10 and $25 to withdraw. The exchange also requires a minimum of $2 to purchase and sell and is capped at $25,000 a day. Trade and balance levels are unlimited on Coinbase Pro. However, withdrawals are limited to $25,000 by default, which can be increased by request.

Best Alternatives To Coinbase

While the crypto exchange has a lot to offer, there are several strong alternatives to Coinbase. See our comparison below:

Binance

Founded in 2017, Binance’s broker terminal is a good alternative to Coinbase for those looking to buy and sell crypto instantly.

Compared to Coinbase, Binance offers a wider range of modes that suit all skill levels. They offer Classic, Advanced, Margin, Convert, and P2P. Classic provides a more traditional platform with charts and options to trade with stop loss, by market, or limit order. Advanced offers all the Classic features but with full access to trading tools. Margin allows traders to increase profits with leverage. Convert is an OTC trading platform that offers quick settlements for larger buy or sell trades. Lastly, P2P will enable you to buy and sell cryptocurrencies among fellow Binance users with zero fees.

It is also worth pointing out that Binance offers a greater range of over 600 crypto coins. Additionally, it has among the best apps for crypto trading.

Brokers like Coinbase - Binance
Binance online platform

Binance’s fee structure is less complicated and cheaper compared to Coinbase. It offers a tiered fee structure based on 30-day cumulative trading volumes. It charges 0.1% for all trades and offers a 25% discount on fees that use Binance Coin. Unlike Coinbase, Binance does not charge any deposit fees but withdrawal fees change based on the market.

Together, this makes Binance one of the best alternatives to Coinbase.

Kraken

While Kraken offers advanced trader services, it is also considered beginner-friendly. Moreover, it is a great alternative for advanced traders compared to Coinbase Pro.

Established in 2014, Kraken is a hassle-free cryptocurrency exchange. It has margin and OTC trading with over 120 coins. Unlike Coinbase, it does not offer a wallet or its own crypto coin.

Platforms include the Kraken Terminal and Cryptowatch. The Kraken terminal allows you to view markets in real-time and access customizable price charts with a live trade feed, order book, and a depth chart to help you visualize market sentiment.

Advanced features on Cryptowatch include an additional 25 crypto exchange services, automated orders, technical analysis features, and more.

Alternatives to Coinbase - Kraken
Kraken online platform

Fees on Kraken Pro are significantly cheaper than Coinbase and Coinbase Pro. The fee schedule depends on your last 30-day trading volume and is based on a taker-maker model. For example, an account with a 30-day volume of $0 to $50,000 will pay a 0.16% maker fee or 0.26% taker fee. A detailed fee schedule is available on the Kraken website.

Overall, Kraken is among the strongest alternatives to Coinbase.

BitMEX

BitMEX is a peer-to-peer (P2P) crypto trading platform that offers leveraged contracts bought and sold in Bitcoin.

Unlike Coinbase, BitMEX does not handle fiat currency but offers up to 1:100 leverage. As Coinbase has disabled margin trading due to regulatory changes (and is now only available on Coinbase Pro), BitMEX is a great alternative.

BitMEX only offers three Bitcoin products; XBT Perpetual, XBT Quarterly Future, and XBT Biquarterly Future. Instead of investing in currency directly, users simply trade contracts, which can be more volatile than traditional investing. As a result, this platform is more suited to advanced crypto traders.

Alternatives to Coinbase - BitMEX
BitMEX online platform

Since BitMEX only exchanges cryptos, it does not incur added fees for buying crypto with cash. Thus, fees are as low as 0.01% to 0.075%. It also does not charge fees on deposits or withdrawals. However, a minimum Bitcoin Network Fee is paid to the Bitcoin miner who processes your transaction (this fee does not go to BitMEX).

Ultimately, BitMEX is one of the best alternatives to Coinbase for users looking to cut costs and advanced investors.

Gemini

Gemini is more suited to advanced traders. It has similarities to Coinbase, such as the ability to buy and sell using fiat and cryptocurrencies. However, Gemini offers different buy and sell orders. On top of that, it has a wider range of platforms that suit all levels, such as a simple web interface or a more advanced ActiveTrader platform. On the downside, Gemini currently only offers around 50 cryptocurrencies.

Alternatives to Coinbase - Gemini
Gemini online platform

Importantly, investors are more likely to save on Gemini as it does not charge for deposits and only up to 3.64% when trading. With that said, the fee schedule on Gemini vastly differs depending on the products used and trades made in a 30-day period. For example, a trading volume of up to $100,000 on the ActiveTrader platform charges a 0.2% taker and 0.08% maker fee, which is cheaper than Coinbase Pro.

Overall, Gemini is one of the top alternatives to Coinbase for those looking for a wider range of cost-efficient trading platforms and tools.

Crypto.com

Monaco Technologies GmBH was the initial trade name for Crypto.com, which was founded in 2016. The owner’s goal was to accelerate the world’s adoption of cryptocurrencies. Today, the firm is headquartered in Hong Kong and has over 4,000 employees in countries such as China, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Various financial institutions regulate the firm in each of its operating nations, ensuring that it complies with monetary and risk-prevention laws, such as the FCA in the United Kingdom. And with over 50 million users across 90+ supported countries, the exchange is continually growing.

Alternatives to Coinbase - Crypto.com
Crypto.com app

Crypto.com became the first-ever official global partner of UFC in 2021, and the total number of CRO coins available is capped at 30 billion. This follows the burning of 70 billion CRO tokens, the greatest such burn in crypto history.

The trading costs on Crypto.com are both competitive and clear. Trading fees are dependent on volume, so the more you trade, the more discounts you get. And importantly, there are no hidden fees. But because the trading volumes necessary for the lower costs are so high, inexperienced investors may not be able to take advantage of this benefit.

Fortunately, staking and paying fees with CRO might help you save money. On CRO stakes, you can get a 10% p.a. bonus.

The following is a fee tier guide for trading and selling:

Because Crypto.com has over 250 tokens available, the exchange makes for a good alternative to Coinbase. Similar to Coinbse Earn, you can also complete missions. In exchange, you get diamonds which can be converted into prizes.

Pros Of Coinbase

Cons Of Coinbase

Final Word On Alternatives To Coinbase

Considered one of the top cryptocurrency exchanges in the industry, Coinbase is well-positioned to meet various investment goals and skill levels. Coinbase Pro also provides a good all-around platform for advanced traders with decent fees, while the standard solution has a simple and user-friendly interface for new traders. Unfortunately though, costs on Coinbase are quite expensive in general.

Overall, when comparing alternatives to Coinbase, Binance is one of the best options. It is cheaper to trade with and offers a wider range of platforms and over 600 coins. It also provides one of the best mobile app alternatives to Coinbase.

FAQs

What Is A Similar And Better Alternative To Coinbase?

Out of Binance, Kraken, BitMEX, Crypto.com, and Gemini, Binance offers the most similar service to Coinbase. It has competitive products such as a crypto wallet and fiat currencies. Its trading platforms also suit both new and advanced traders while offering services that Coinbase doesn’t, such as P2P and margin trading.

What Are Cheaper Alternatives To Coinbase?

Coinbase’s original trading platform has the highest and most complicated fees of all alternatives mentioned in our review. However, when comparing Coinbase Pro, the brand provides similar and competitive rates. As BitMEX only exchanges cryptocurrencies via contracts, it has the cheapest fees amongst all alternatives mentioned, with a range of 0.01% to 0.075%.

Yes – Coinbase does operate legally in the UK. It is also available in Australia, Canada, Singapore, the United States, and a number of European countries based on regulation. With that said, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) banned the sale of crypto derivatives in 2021 because of the risk to retail consumers. Coinbase is only regulated in 45 states in the US.

How Do I Buy And Sell On Coinbase Without Fees?

While it is not widely popular and known, it is possible to buy Bitcoin without fees on Coinbase Pro. This can be done as a maker or taker. To find out how, head to the official website.

Does Coinbase Sell Instantly Vs. Alternatives?

Whether you can sell instantly will depend on which region you are from. It typically takes one to two business days to complete for US customers after initiating a sell or withdrawal. However, buying and selling occur instantly for the UK and European customers as the local currency is stored within your Coinbase account. Coinbase is, therefore, in line with many alternatives.