Coinbase vs. Coinbase Pro: Which platform is right for you?
Nov 4, 2025・6 min read
Coinbase is a popular cryptocurrency platform for beginners. It started as a simple crypto exchange created by Brian Armstrong and Fred Ehrsam in 2012, but has grown into a full-featured platform with over 100 million users worldwide.
Through the Coinbase exchange, less experienced users can buy and sell digital assets with little or no knowledge of how crypto works. But with more people trading daily and the expansion of digital assets, Coinbase saw a need for advanced features that would support experienced traders, and that weren’t siloed off in a separate dashboard.
Thus Coinbase Advanced Trade was born, created to replace the old Coinbase Pro platform and instead offer professional-grade features within the main app itself. In this article, we’ll look at Coinbase versus Coinbase Pro (now Coinbase Advanced Trade), covering their pros, cons, and best use cases.
An introduction to Coinbase
Coinbase is a crypto platform built to attract people who are just starting their trading journeys. The user-friendly layout makes it easy to find and buy your first Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH), without having to analyze charts or use complex tools.
This trading platform also supports fiat on-ramps. This means you can buy crypto with traditional currencies like USD, EUR, and GBP through bank transfers and credit/debit cards. You can even do all your trading through the mobile app, which mirrors the desktop dashboard.
To further encourage participation, the Coinbase Earn feature rewards users for completing educational lessons about various blockchain projects. And if you want to spend your crypto, there’s a custom Coinbase Card that allows everyday purchases directly from your balance.
The main trade-off for all of this simplicity and convenience is cost. The basic Coinbase platform charges higher fees than Coinbase Advanced and many other popular exchanges. For example, when you purchase crypto with a card or through instant buys, you can expect up to a 3.99% fee. Smaller trades often include flat fees, such as $0.99 for transactions under $10, plus a variable spread fee. This can be a drawback for frequent or high-volume traders.
On the other hand, Coinbase strongly emphasizes security. It implements encryption on every trade, requires two-factor authentication (2FA) from all users, and stores most assets offline using a custodial cold storage system. In addition, the Coinbase Wallet feature provides a non-custodial option (similar to Trust Wallet) that lets you hold your own private keys safely.
Although it’s generally considered safe, like any platform Coinbase does have occasional security issues. But its team responds to threats quickly and creatively. For example, when a security incident in 2025 exposed some user data, Coinbase created a $20 million reward fund to help find those responsible instead of immediately paying the requested ransom.
Pros and cons of Coinbase
The Coinbase platform offers plenty of advantages, including that it’s:
- Easy to use and designed for beginners
- Highly regulated in the United States, with strong security features
- Convenient, allowing users to buy crypto directly with bank accounts or cards
- Approachable thanks to Coinbase Earn, which rewards users for learning
On the other hand, there are a few notable downsides:
- High and non-transparent fees
- Lack of advanced trading tools and charts
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An overview of Coinbase Pro (now Coinbase Advanced Trade)
Coinbase Pro was once GDAX, an advanced trading crypto platform for users who wanted more of everything – faster execution, lower fees, and tools that go beyond simple buy and sell buttons. The Pro version provided users with access to real-time market data and advanced order options like limit and stop trades.
Limit orders set the exact price at which you want to buy a currency like BTC. Your trade will automatically go through if and when BTC reaches that price. A stop order, on the other hand, will automatically sell your crypto once it drops to a specific level, helping you limit potential losses. These features, inherited from GDAX, made Coinbase Pro popular among professional traders who needed more precision and a hands-on approach.
In 2022, Coinbase sunsetted the Pro platform and folded its advanced tools into the main app under a new name: Coinbase Advanced Trade. The goal was to make the transition between beginner and advanced trading smoother, without forcing users to switch between different platforms or accounts.
Coinbase Advanced keeps what made Pro valuable – competitive fees, strong liquidity, and in-depth analytics – but now everything lives under one Coinbase account. Fees are usually the reason people switch to the Advanced option, because it uses a maker-taker fee model that starts at 0.40% for makers and 0.60% for takers.
Over time, Coinbase Advanced’s layout has become more tailored to experienced traders, with charts and detailed data that might overwhelm newcomers. Some users prefer the in-depth experience and lower fees, while others have been critical of the merger.
Pros and cons of Advanced Trade
When compared to the entry-level Coinbase option, Advanced Trade offers:
- Lower maker-taker fees
- Access to real-time charts and advanced order types
- More features for active and high-volume traders
Its main drawbacks are:
- A complex interface that may overwhelm and confuse beginners
- Features that require trading knowledge to use effectively
Key differences between Coinbase and Advanced Trade
If you’re not sure which flavor of this platform is right for you, here’s a comparison of crypto exchange fees and other key features, so you can see how Coinbase and Coinbase Advanced Trade stack up.
When to use Coinbase vs. Advanced Trade
The choice between Coinbase versus Coinbase Pro is easiest for beginners. The standard Coinbase platform is usually the better starting point, as it’s designed specifically with newcomers in mind. Coinbase is simple and secure, and it helps first-time investors buy BTC or ETH without learning advanced tools right away.
Once you gain some experience and want more control over your trades, Coinbase Advanced Trade is the natural next step. It offers lower fees, advanced order types, and detailed market data. Plus, since both platforms are linked, it’s easy to move from Coinbase to Advanced when you’re ready for more active trading.
Combine Coinbase and CoinTracker for effortless crypto trading
Coinbase is a great place to start your crypto trading off right. It’s built for beginners, and offers features and learning experiences that ease you into a complex world. Once you grow more comfortable – or if you ’re already a frequent trader – Advanced Trade provides lower fees and a more robust, flexible platform.
Navigating the crypto world can be challenging, but CoinTracker makes it easy. With automatic tracking of over 50,000 cryptocurrencies and integration with all of the top exchanges, we bring everything into one dashboard. Sign up for free and start your crypto journey with CoinTracker.
Disclaimer: This post is informational only and is not intended as tax advice. For tax advice, please consult a tax professional.
FAQ
Are Coinbase and Coinbase Pro the same company?
Yes, both Coinbase and Coinbase Pro are created and operated by Coinbase Global Inc. However, Coinbase Pro was discontinued as a separate exchange and replaced by Coinbase Advanced Trade, which is now part of the broader Coinbase platform.
Do Coinbase Pro fees really save you money?
Frequent traders can save money by using Coinbase Pro (now Advanced Trade), because it offers a more affordable maker-taker fee structure.
Is Coinbase Pro safe for beginners?
Coinbase Pro (now Advanced Trade) is secure for all users, but it’s not ideal for beginners. While safety features are the same between Coinbase and Advanced Trade, the layout and order types in the latter platform can be confusing for new users, leading to less favorable transactions.
What's better, Coinbase or Coinbase Pro?
Coinbase is better for convenience and learning about crypto trading, while Coinbase Pro (now Advanced Trade) is better for lower fees and professional trading options.
Is Coinbase Pro being phased out?
Coinbase Pro was officially sunset in 2022 in favor of Advanced Trade, which now combines all the platform’s features under one Coinbase account.