Coinbase is the more user-friendly exchange with broader cryptocurrency selection and higher trading volume ($425B quarterly), making it ideal for beginners. Kraken offers lower trading fees, advanced trading tools, and stronger security features, appealing to active traders and institutions.
Coinbase vs Kraken — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
User-friendly cryptocurrency exchange and wallet platform with strong regulatory compliance globally.
Advanced cryptocurrency exchange platform with lower fees and comprehensive trading tools for professional traders.
Trading Fees. User Interface. Cryptocurrency Selection. Security Rating. Advanced Trading Tools. Monthly Active Users. Margin Trading. Institutional Support
Coinbase excels for retail investors and beginners seeking simplicity, broad asset selection, and high liquidity, while Kraken serves active traders and institutions with superior fee structures, advanced trading features, and robust security protocols. Your choice depends on experience level and trading style—Coinbase for ease, Kraken for sophistication.
Coinbase: 150+ assets | Kraken: 200+ assets
Coinbase: SEC-regulated, SOC 2 certified | Kraken: N/A
Coinbase: Very beginner-friendly | Kraken: Advanced/technical
Coinbase: Basic to intermediate | Kraken: Professional-grade
Coinbase: Industry-leading retail focus | Kraken: Enterprise-grade institutional
Coinbase: 200+ digital assets | Kraken: N/A
Coinbase: Cryptocurrencies only | Kraken: N/A
Coinbase: Higher fees on small trades | Kraken: N/A
Coinbase: Advanced Trade tier efficient for large orders | Kraken: N/A
Coinbase: Not disclosed for same period | Kraken: N/A
Coinbase: Crypto Trading Exchange | Kraken: N/A
Coinbase: US Licensed Exchange | Kraken: N/A
Coinbase: Trading fees apply | Kraken: N/A
Coinbase: 100+ Cryptocurrencies | Kraken: N/A
Coinbase: Coinbase | Kraken: ~2.5 million
Coinbase: Limited selection | Kraken: N/A
Coinbase: Fully licensed & regulated | Kraken: N/A
Coinbase: Simplified design for beginners | Kraken: N/A
Coinbase: Basic wallet, learning resources | Kraken: N/A
Coinbase: Yes | Kraken: Yes (up to 5x leverage)
Coinbase: 4-12 hours | Kraken: 2-4 hours
Coinbase: 13+ million | Kraken: 8+ million
Coinbase: 0.5-0.6% maker/taker | Kraken: N/A
Coinbase: Crypto only (+ staking/earning) | Kraken: N/A
Coinbase: Yes (up to 5x leverage on select assets) | Kraken: Yes
Coinbase: Yes (perpetual futures) | Kraken: N/A
Coinbase: 100+ countries | Kraken: 40+ countries
Coinbase: 4.6 (500K+ reviews) | Kraken: 4.4 (80K+ reviews)
Coinbase: $255 billion | Kraken: $250 million
Coinbase: N/A | Kraken: Kraken (FinCEN MSB registered)
Coinbase: N/A | Kraken: Pending approval
Coinbase: N/A | Kraken: 0% (not offered)
Coinbase: N/A | Kraken: FinCEN MSB + 7 state licenses
Coinbase: N/A | Kraken: 4.6/5 (85K reviews)
Coinbase: N/A | Kraken: 0 major incidents
Coinbase: N/A | Kraken: 5 major (USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, JPY)
Coinbase: N/A | Kraken: Money Services Business (MSB)
Coinbase: N/A | Kraken: Up to $250,000 (optional Crypto Custody)
Coinbase: N/A | Kraken: 20+ cryptocurrencies
Coinbase: N/A | Kraken: 0 major breaches
Coinbase: N/A | Kraken: BitLicense + FinCEN MSB
Coinbase: N/A | Kraken: Full access with MSB license
Coinbase: N/A | Kraken: SOC 2 Type II + ISO 27001
Coinbase: N/A | Kraken: 13+ years (since 2011)
How to choose between Coinbase and Kraken
Coinbase vs Kraken — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Coinbase vs Kraken. Contains 122 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Coinbase vs Kraken — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Coinbase vs Kraken.
Which exchange has lower trading fees in 2026?
Kraken offers significantly lower trading fees with maker fees starting at 0.16% and taker fees at 0.26%, compared to Coinbase's 0.4-0.6%. This makes Kraken more cost-effective for active traders and high-volume transactions.
Is Coinbase or Kraken better for beginners?
Coinbase is better for beginners due to its intuitive interface, extensive educational resources, and straightforward navigation. Kraken's more technical platform is suited for experienced traders seeking advanced features.
Which exchange has more cryptocurrencies available?
Coinbase offers a larger selection with 300+ cryptocurrencies, while Kraken supports 200+. Coinbase's broader asset range makes it ideal if you want access to more diverse digital assets.
Does Kraken Pro offer better tools than Coinbase?
Yes, Kraken Pro provides professional-grade trading tools including realized P&L insights, futures integration, advanced charting, and Flexline margin trading. Coinbase's tools are more suited for casual investors rather than active traders.
Both exchanges maintain industry-leading security, but with different focuses: Coinbase emphasizes retail user protection with insurance coverage, while Kraken specializes in enterprise-grade institutional security. Both are highly secure and regulated.
How to Choose Between Coinbase and Kraken
Trading Fees: Coinbase has 0.4% - 0.6% maker/taker, while Kraken has 0.16% - 0.26% maker/taker.
User Interface: Coinbase has Very beginner-friendly, while Kraken has More advanced/technical.
Cryptocurrency Selection: Coinbase has 300+ coins, while Kraken has 200+ coins.
Security Rating: Coinbase has Industry-leading, while Kraken has Enterprise-grade focus.
Advanced Trading Tools: Coinbase has Basic to intermediate, while Kraken has Professional-grade (Kraken Pro).
Monthly Active Users: Coinbase has 8.7 million, while Kraken has ~2.5 million.
Margin Trading: Coinbase has Limited availability, while Kraken has Flexline with xStocks on margin.
Institutional Support: Coinbase has Good, while Kraken has Excellent.