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. Kraken, BitMEX, and Crypto.com. We wrap up by answering what broker to use instead of Coinbase for those ready for a change.
Alternative Crypto Brokers
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- Coins: MicroBitcoin, MicroEthereum
- Platforms: WebTrader, App
- Min. deposit: $10
Trading in futures and options involves the risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone. -
- Coins: BTC
- Crypto Spread: Floating
- Regulator: NFA, CFTC, CySEC
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- Coins: BTC, LTC, ETH, XRP
- Crypto Spread: 0.12%-0.18%
- Min. deposit: $0
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- Coins: BTC, ETH, BCH
- Crypto Spread: BTC 0.75%
- Platforms: eToro Trading Platform & CopyTrader
eToro USA LLC and eToro USA Securities Inc.; Investing involves risk, including loss of principal; Not a recommendation -
- Crypto Spread: Variable
- Crypto Staking
- Platforms: AlgoTrader, Quantower
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- Platforms: Desktop Platform, Mobile App
- Min. deposit: $0
- Regulator: SEC, FINRA, MAS, SFC, ASIC, CIRO, JFSA, SC
Learn how we test brokers and why you can trust our ratings.
Here is a short summary of why we think each broker belongs in this top list:
- Plus500US 4.0/5 Plus500’s Micro-Bitcoin and Micro-Ethereum futures only allow traders to scratch the surface of crypto trading with bets on the two most popular digital assets. Importantly, you cannot buy and own the cryptos with these derivative contracts - you are speculating on their price.
- NinjaTrader 4.5/5 You can get exposure to micro Bitcoin futures through the CME Group’s centralized exchange, which is highly regulated by the US CFTC. Micro contracts allow you to trade a fractional size of one Bitcoin, giving you more risk control and order flexibility.
- Interactive Brokers 4.6/5 IBKR lets you purchase and hold Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Litecoin at competitive commission rates and without needing a crypto wallet. Additionally, there is a range of other diverse assets to explore, such as crypto indices like the NYSE Bitcoin Index, as well as futures contracts like the BAKKT Bitcoin Futures.
- eToro USA 3.4/5 eToro US offers modest tradeable cryptoassets following a September 2024 settlement with the SEC regarding unregistered securities. eToro has a 1% buying/selling fee added to the spread. Additionally, there are coins available through the broker’s proprietary wallet service. You can also practice your crypto strategies easily by switching between live and demo mode. Crypto asset investing is highly volatile and unregulated. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply.
- OKX 4.1/5 OKX continues to offer a superb selection of 400+ tokens including Bitcoin and Ripple. You can buy and sell tokens or trade cryptos on margin via derivatives, including perpetual swaps, options and futures. OKX stands out for its low fees, extensive range of tokens and speedy crypto transactions.
- Moomoo 3.2/5 Moomoo added spot crypto trading capabilities with 50+ tokens, including major names like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. It was also the first US broker to provide SEC-registered blockchain-native shares like Figure Technology Solutions’ FGRD and crypto IPO allocations such as BitGo.
Community Sentiment
See how users rate these brokers based on the average customer ratings submitted on DayTrading.com, plus ratings from Trustpilot, the Apple App Store and Google Play.
| Broker | Our Users' Rating | Trustpilot Score | Trustpilot Reviews | iOS App Rating | Android App Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plus500US | 20281 | ||||
| NinjaTrader | 1262 | ||||
| Interactive Brokers | 5577 | ||||
| eToro USA | 32446 | ||||
| OKX | 1780 | ||||
| Moomoo | 735 |
Plus500US
Plus500US stands out as an excellent choice for beginners, offering a very user-friendly platform and access to the Futures Academy to enhance trading skills. Its powerful tools and reliable service helped it scoop second place in DayTrading.com's annual 'Best US Broker' award.
Michael MacKenzie, Reviewer
Plus500US quick facts
- Coins
- MicroBitcoin, MicroEthereum
- Crypto Mining
- ✘No
- Auto Market Maker
- ✘No
- Crypto Lending
- ✘No
- Crypto Staking
- ✘No
- Platforms
- WebTrader, App
- Minimum Deposit
- $10
- Regulator
- CFTC, NFA
- Account Currencies
- USD
Pros
- The straightforward account structure, pricing model and web platform offer an easier route into futures trading than rivals like NinjaTrader
- Plus500 is a publicly traded company with a good reputation, over 33 million traders, and a sponsor of the Chicago Bulls.
- The Futures Academy is an excellent resource for new traders with engaging videos and easy-to-follow articles, while the unlimited demo account is great for testing strategies
Cons
- While Plus500US continues to broaden its investment offering, it's currently restricted to around 50+ futures with no stocks
- The proprietary platform is user-friendly but lacks advanced technical analysis tools found in third-party solutions like MetaTrader 4
- Although support response times were fast during tests, there is no telephone assistance
NinjaTrader
NinjaTrader continues to meet the demands of active futures traders looking for low fees and premium analysis tools. The platform hosts top-rate charting features including hundreds of indicators and 10+ chart types.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
NinjaTrader quick facts
- Coins
- BTC
- Crypto Mining
- ✘No
- Auto Market Maker
- ✘No
- Crypto Spread
- Floating
- Crypto Lending
- ✘No
- Crypto Staking
- ✘No
- Platforms
- NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal
- Minimum Deposit
- $0 (live trades must meet intraday margin minimums, e.g., $50 to trade micro contracts)
- Regulator
- NFA, CFTC, CySEC
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD
Pros
- NinjaTrader's ecosystem gives traders access to thousands of add-ons and applications from developers across more than 150 countries, covering indicators, strategies, and custom tools that go well beyond what the platform ships with natively
- NinjaTrader launched CME Group Single Stock futures in July 2026, allowing traders to express directional views in top U.S. companies like Nvidia, and Amazon without needing options
- Nano contracts — one-hundredth the size of standard contracts on NinjaTrader — allow traders to size positions with precision and manage risk at a much smaller scale, a meaningful advantage for those building positions gradually
Cons
- NinjaTrader was fined $250k in 2025 for failing to implement an adequate anti-money laundering (AML) program and for supervisory failures.
- Intraday margin requirements can spike by as much as four times in the 15 minutes leading up to major economic news releases, and may stay elevated for several minutes after volatility subsides — a detail that can catch underprepared traders off guard at exactly the wrong moment.
- NinjaTrader was acquired by Kraken in May 2025, and while it continues to operate independently for now, traders who value long-term stability may have reservations about how the platform's direction and pricing could shift under new ownership.
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers is one of the best brokers for advanced day traders, providing powerful charting platforms, real-time data, and customizable layouts, notably through the new IBKR Desktop application. Its superb pricing and advanced order options also make it highly attractive for day traders, while its diverse range of equities is still among the best in the industry.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Interactive Brokers quick facts
- Coins
- BTC, LTC, ETH, XRP
- Crypto Mining
- ✘No
- Auto Market Maker
- ✘No
- Crypto Spread
- 0.12%-0.18%
- Crypto Lending
- ✘No
- Crypto Staking
- ✘No
- Platforms
- Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower
- Minimum Deposit
- $0
- Regulator
- SEC, FINRA, CFTC, NFA, CIRO, FCA, CBI, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF
Pros
- The TWS platform has clearly been built for intermediate and advanced traders and comes with over 100 order types and a reliable real-time market data feed that rarely goes offline.
- The new IBKR Desktop platform takes the best of TWS while adding bespoke tools like Option Lattice and Screeners with MultiSort to create a genuinely impressive trading experience for day traders at every level.
- Interactive Brokers was named 'Best US Broker' for 2025 by DayTrading.com, recognizing its long-standing commitment to US traders, ultra-low margin rates, and global market access at minimal cost.
Cons
- TWS’s learning curve is steep, and beginners may find it challenging to navigate the platform and understand all the features.
- You can only have one active session per account, so you can’t have your desktop program and mobile app running simultaneously, making for a sometimes frustrating trading experience.
- IBKR provides a wide range of research tools, but their distribution across trading platforms and the web-based 'Account Management' page lacks consistency, leading to a confusing user experience.
eToro USA
eToro remains a top pick for traders looking for leading social investing and copy trading services. With a low deposit, zero commissions and an intuitive platform, the broker will meet the needs of newer day traders.
Jemma Grist, Reviewer
eToro USA quick facts
- Coins
- BTC, ETH, BCH
- Crypto Mining
- ✘No
- Auto Market Maker
- ✘No
- Crypto Spread
- BTC 0.75%
- Crypto Lending
- ✘No
- Crypto Staking
- ✘No
- Platforms
- eToro Trading Platform & CopyTrader
- Minimum Deposit
- $50
- Regulator
- SEC, FINRA
- Account Currencies
- USD
Pros
- A free demo account means new users and prospective day traders can try the broker risk-free
- eToro USA Securities is a trustworthy, SEC-regulated broker that is a member of FINRA and SIPC
- The eToro App Store was launched in 2026, providing algorithmic trading tools, social analytics, plus in July of the same year was followed by an AI-powered app with agentic trading.
Cons
- There's no MetaTrader 4 platform integration for traders who are accustomed to using third-party charting tools
- eToro USA was fined $1.5 million by the SEC in 2024 related to unregistered crypto offerings
- Average fees may cut into the profit margins of active traders
OKX
OKX is a top pick for crypto traders looking for emerging coins and crypto projects to invest in. Traders can also make use of the broker's copy trading service and automated bots.
William Berg, Reviewer
OKX quick facts
- Coins
- 1INCH, AAVE, ACA, ACE, ACH, ADA, AERGO, AEVO, AGLD, AIXBT, ALCX, ALGO, ALPHA, AMP, ANIME, APE, API3, APT, AR, ARB, ARG, ARKM, ARTY, ASTR, ATH, ATOM, AUCTION, AVAX, AXS, BABY, BABYDOGE, BADGER, BAL, BANANA, BAND, BAT, BCH, BERA, BICO, BIGTIME and many more
- Crypto Mining
- ✘No
- Auto Market Maker
- ✘No
- Crypto Spread
- Variable
- Crypto Staking
- ✔Yes
- Platforms
- AlgoTrader, Quantower
- Minimum Deposit
- 10 USDT
- Regulator
- FinCEN, VARA
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, INR, JPY, SGD, RUB, AED, SAR
Pros
- Active traders can expect competitive maker and taker fees, from 0.02% and 0.05%, respectively
- Traders can access historical market data for spot and futures combining OHLC data, aggregate trades and trading history
- OKX has 50 million global clients and a license from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority
Cons
- In 2025 OKX agreed to pay over $500 million in penalties for violating AML laws in the US
- The broker's platform and features may be complex for novices
- The firm offers limited regulatory oversight, though this is common among crypto exchanges
Moomoo
Moomoo remains an excellent choice for new and intermediate stock traders who want to build a diverse investment portfolio. What really stands out is the broker's user-friendly app and the low trading fees.
Jemma Grist, Reviewer
Moomoo quick facts
- Coins
- BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, DOGE, LTC, UNI, SHIB, AAVE, AVAX, BCH, BONK, ADA, DOT, LINK, COMP, OP, MATIC, ARB, CRV, WIF, ETC, PEPE, XLM, XTZ, TRUMP, HBAR, SUI, NEAR, RENDER, TIA, FET, ALGO, ATOM, SEI, FIL, INJ, LDO, GRT, ONDO and many more
- Crypto Mining
- ✘No
- Auto Market Maker
- ✘No
- Crypto Spread
- 0.49% per spot Bitcoin trade (US), 0.3% to 0.39% (Singapore)
- Crypto Lending
- ✘No
- Crypto Staking
- ✘No
- Platforms
- Desktop Platform, Mobile App
- Minimum Deposit
- $0
- Regulator
- SEC, FINRA, MAS, SFC, ASIC, CIRO, JFSA, SC
- Account Currencies
- USD, CAD, AUD, JPY, MYR, HKD, SGD, CNY
Pros
- There are reduced options contract fees from $0.65 to $0
- The broker offers access to extended pre-market trading hours
- The Moomoo AI assistant, found in the desktop software and app, provides genuinely useful market insights to inform active traders
Cons
- The account range is narrow compared to other brokerages in its class with no managed portfolios or robo-advisor solutions
- Moomoo has faced multiple regulatory penalties in recent years, including fines and orders in 2026 that stopped it temporarily accepting some Japanese and Chinese clients
- There is no negative balance protection, which is a common safety feature at top-tier-regulated brokers
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:
- Coinbase – Buy, sell, trade, and store over 150 tradable cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin.
- Wallet – Retail investors can manage and store their crypto assets without a centralized brokerage or exchange. There are options to use US dollars or other fiat currencies. Protect your digital assets with industry-leading security.
- Coinbase Pro – Formerly GDAX, Coinbase Pro is a premium service with an intuitive interface including real-time order books, charting tools, trade history, and a simple order process so you can trade from day one.
- USD Coin (USDC) – A digital stablecoin that is pegged to the United States dollar.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
- Level 1: 30-day trading volume of $0-$25,000, 0.4% maker and 0.4% taker charges
- Level 2: 30-day trading volume of $25,001-$50,000 0.35% maker and 0.35% taker charges
- Level 3: 30-day trading volume of $50,001-$100,000, 0.15% maker and 0.25% taker charges
- Level 4: 30-day trading volume of $100,001-$250,000, 0.1% maker and 0.16% taker charges
- Level 5: 30-day trading volume of $250,001-$1,000,000, 0.09% maker and 0.15% taker charges
- Level 6: 30-day trading volume of $1,000,001-$20,000,000, 0.08% maker and 0.14% taker charges
- Level 7: 30-day trading volume of $20,000,001-$100,000,000, 0.07% maker and 0.13% taker charges
- Level 8: 30-day trading volume of $100,000,001-$200,000,000, 0.06% maker and 0.12% taker charges
- Level 9: 30-day trading volume of $200,000,001+, 0.04% maker and 0.1% taker charges
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
- Trading on more than 150 cryptocurrencies
- Simple interface for new crypto investors
- Cryptocurrencies are insured
- Low minimum deposit
- High liquidity
Cons Of Coinbase
- Complicated and expensive fee structure on original Coinbase platform
- Growing list of reliable alternatives to Coinbase broker
- Lack of autonomous control on wallet keys
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, Kraken is one of the best options. It is cheap to trade with and offers a wide range of platforms and 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 Kraken, BitMEX, and Crypto.com, Kraken offers amongst 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%.
Is Coinbase Legal In The UK?
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.