Crypto Exchange Comparison: Fees, Coins, Licences
Which crypto exchange suits you? Bitvavo, Bitpanda, Coinbase, Kraken, OKX and Bybit compared by fees, coin range, licence and ways to pay.
The cheapest crypto exchange is not always the best one for you. Bitvavo, Bitpanda’s exchange and Kraken charge 0.25% to 0.40% per trade, Bybit goes as low as 0.01%. What counts in the end is the total: trading fee, spread, deposits and withdrawals. The coin range and the licence matter too. This guide compares eight providers on those points and shows how to read the numbers.
The figures were last checked in October 2026. Fees change, so check the provider’s own price list, for example the Bitpanda fee overview, before you sign up. This is not investment advice.
How do the big crypto exchanges compare?
| Provider | Trading fee | Coins | Based in | Regulator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitvavo | up to 0.25% | about 450 | Amsterdam | MiCA, AFM (NL) |
| Bitpanda | 0.25% on the exchange | about 650 | Vienna | MiCA, BaFin |
| Coinbase | up to 0.60% | about 350 | Berlin | MiCA, CSSF (LU) |
| Kraken | 0.40% | about 600 | San Francisco | MiCA, Central Bank of Ireland |
| OKX | from 0.20%, spot up to 0.35% | about 260 | Sliema (Malta) | MiCA, MFSA (MT) |
| Bybit | from 0.01%, spot up to 0.15% | n/a | Singapore | MiCA, FMA (AT) |
| Crypto.com | up to 0.50% | about 250 | St. Julian’s (Malta) | MiCA, MFSA (MT) |
| Bitstamp | up to 0.50% | n/a | London | MiCA, CSSF (LU) |
What is the difference between a broker and an exchange?
A broker quotes you a price and sells you the coin. The cost sits in the markup. An exchange matches you with other traders, and you pay a fee on each order. Bitpanda, Coinbase and Kraken run both a simple broker app and a separate exchange with lower fees: Bitpanda Fusion, Coinbase Advanced and Kraken Pro.
An example: buying Bitcoin for €500 costs €7.45 in Bitpanda’s broker app and €1.25 on Bitpanda Fusion.
What should you look at besides the fee?
- Coin range. If you only want Bitcoin and Ethereum, any provider in the table will do. For smaller coins, Bitpanda and Kraken list around 600 to 650.
- Licence. All eight providers above name a MiCA authorisation. It does not make the investment safe, but it means a regulator supervises the provider.
- Ways to pay. Bank transfer, card and PayPal are common. Bitvavo and Bitpanda list free deposits and withdrawals for customers in Germany.
- Extras. Staking and savings plans are offered by Bitpanda (from €10 per instalment), Bitvavo and Coinbase.
Which exchange fits which type of user?
If you want one simple app, a broker with support in your language is the easy start. Bitpanda is the provider we work with: it lists about 650 coins, stocks and precious metals in one place, and you get a starter bonus when you sign up through our link. The details are on the Bitpanda page.
If you trade often and pay attention to every tenth of a percent, compare Bitvavo, Kraken Pro and Bybit. If you want to store coins yourself afterwards, read our guide to Bitcoin wallets.
How do you sign up safely?
- Open the provider’s website yourself or use a link you trust.
- Create the account and switch on two-factor login right away.
- Verify your identity with an ID document. Regulated providers require it.
- Start with a small amount and check how fees show up in your statement.
Frequently asked questions
Which crypto exchange has the lowest fees?
Among the big names, Bybit lists the lowest spot fees (from 0.01% up to 0.15%), followed by Bitvavo and Bitpanda's exchange at up to 0.25%. Brokers such as Bitpanda's standard app and Coinbase's simple mode charge a markup in the price instead, which is usually higher.
Is a broker cheaper or more expensive than an exchange?
Usually more expensive. A broker builds its margin into the price, an exchange charges a fee per trade. The broker is simpler, the exchange is cheaper if you trade often.
Do I need a licence check before I sign up?
It is worth the two minutes. Since MiCA, exchanges serving EU customers need authorisation from a regulator. The provider names it on its website, usually in the footer or the legal pages.
Can I use more than one exchange?
Yes, many people do. Each one needs its own verification. Keep track of where your coins are, and don't leave larger amounts on an exchange for good.