Kraken vs. Coinbase: Comparing CEX powerhouses
Nov 4, 2025・6 min read
Centralized exchanges (CEXs) offer millions of investors a convenient way to start buying, selling, and trading cryptocurrency. These corporate-controlled hubs provide a wealth of features and services that make it easy to trade between fiat currency and digital assets.
Kraken and Coinbase are two CEXs based in the United States with excellent reputations and global user bases. Not only are these CEXs praised for their wealth of features and clean UI/UX, but they have some of the strongest track records for security and transparency in the crypto industry. Their similarities work to users’ benefit: With over 10 years on the market, both Kraken and Coinbase have perfected smooth trading for new and knowledgeable users alike.
Kraken and Coinbase share many traits, but they offer slightly different experiences that may not click with everyone. Before signing up for a CEX, crypto traders should learn the distinctions of Kraken versus Coinbase to decide which platform to try next.
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How does Kraken compare to Coinbase?
Kraken and Coinbase have similar backstories as Bay Area businesses that began operations in late 2011 and early 2012, respectively. Both companies have the same core mission: to make buying and selling cryptocurrency fast, safe, and simple on their tightly regulated platforms.
In terms of metrics like average trading volume and user count, Coinbase is the bigger brand, but that doesn’t necessarily make it the superior choice. Crypto traders who want more advanced options generally find Kraken is a better fit, while Coinbase tends to attract beginners and users who are more interested in accessibility and a clean UI/UX.
Here’s a breakdown of the major differences between the two CEXs.
Kraken vs. Coinbase: Fees and features
Since Kraken and Coinbase have multiple trading portals, they don't have flat fee structures for all their products and services. Plus, these companies may adjust their fees throughout the year, so it's crucial for traders to consult the latest official schedules to accurately estimate costs.
That said, Kraken typically has lower overall fees for crypto trading, especially on its Kraken Pro platform. The maker/taker fee schedule on Kraken Pro currently depends on monthly trading values, ranging from 0.08% to 0.40% for takers and 0.00% to 0.25% for makers.
In contrast, the ranges on Coinbase Advanced are now from 0.05% to 0.60% for takers and 0.00% to 0.40% for makers. Keep in mind these fees don’t apply to the instant buy feature on standard Coinbase or Kraken accounts, both of which have fluctuating spread fees calculated at time of sale.
Coinbase and Kraken also offer optional paid subscriptions (Coinbase One and Kraken+) that offer users similar special perks, including zero trading fees. At time of writing, the cost of Kraken+ is $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year, while Coinbase One has three tiers for membership: $4.99 per month ($49.99 per year) for Basic, $29.99 per month ($299.88 per year) for Preferred, and $299.99 per month for Premium. Each tier comes with more privileges and access, such as covered trading fees and higher staking reward percentages.
Kraken vs. Coinbase: Safety standards
There are no major distinctions between Kraken and Coinbase’s longevity. While Kraken is older by a few months, both companies have been operating for over a decade – plenty of time to build robust security networks.
These CEXs both offer security features such as two-factor authentication (2FA) to provide extra protection and cold storage for the digital assets stored on their platforms. Like all CEXs, they collect know-your-customer (KYC) details, making anonymity impossible. But to make traders feel secure, Kraken advertises 24/7 armed surveillance of its cold storage facilities and real-time Proof-of-Reserves reports to highlight its commitment to maintaining equal liability. Kraken also offers 24/7 global customer support via phone and live chat in case traders have concerns. Although Kraken has never suffered a direct hack, it fell prey to a bug exploit in 2024, in which two hackers stole $3 million directly from its treasury.
As for Coinbase, hackers exploited a vulnerability in the CEX's SMS verification system in 2021. According to reports, at least 6,000 users lost money, but Coinbase reimbursed everyone impacted by the theft. More recently, Coinbase revealed that rogue agents in its customer care division leaked personal data from thousands of customers in 2024, which led to bribery attempts and social engineering exploits for affected users.
Despite these controversies, Coinbase has a few security features and insurance protections that aren’t available on Kraken. For instance, Coinbase offers FDIC insurance on USD deposits for U.S. customers, and, as an SEC-registered public company, it provides greater transparency into its operations with quarterly earnings reports. Although Coinbase doesn’t offer 24/7 customer service, it does have support lines via phone, live chat, and email.
Kraken vs. Coinbase: Ease-of-use
Kraken and Coinbase both have two primary trading portals. Beginners can use the standard Kraken or Coinbase to place instant buy and sell orders on various cryptocurrencies, while experienced traders can opt for the feature-rich Kraken Pro or Coinbase Advanced. Both platforms also offer mobile apps and self-custodial wallets if users prefer holding the private keys for their cryptocurrencies.
Since Kraken and Coinbase offer similar platforms, the "better" UI/UX experience is often a matter of personal preference. However, Kraken has a reputation as an advanced trading hub thanks to its wealth of charting tools and products like derivatives, margin, and stocks. Kraken also has a wider array of supported cryptocurrencies with over 450 coins and tokens (versus Coinbase's catalog of 250+). Although Coinbase has advanced charting tools and margin opportunities, it's best known for its beginner-friendly desktop and mobile interfaces.
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Disclaimer: This post is informational only and is not intended as tax advice. For tax advice, please consult a tax professional.
FAQ
Are Kraken fees higher than Coinbase?
Exchange fee rates are always subject to change, but Kraken typically has lower trading fees than Coinbase. For experienced traders looking for more features, Kraken Pro is more affordable than Coinbase Advanced, as of time of writing.
Kraken vs. Coinbase vs. Binance: What’s the best CEX?
Binance hasn’t been around as long as Coinbase or Kraken, but it has become the world’s leading CEX with high daily trading volumes and millions of users. Traders looking for low trading fees may enjoy Binance because its trading fee schedule is one of the lowest in the industry.
For beginners, however, Binance’s UI/UX can be intimidating, and this company only offers a portion of its services to U.S. customers through its subsidiary Binance.US. U.S. crypto traders looking for a new CEX should compare all of the features on Kraken, Coinbase, and Binance.US to determine which CEX suits their needs best.
Kraken Wallet vs. Coinbase Wallet: What’s the difference?
The Kraken Wallet and Base app (formerly Coinbase Wallet) are self-custodial software apps developed by Kraken and Coinbase, respectively. Although these wallets are connected to their parent CEXs, they give users access to their private keys directly, removing intermediary control from their digital assets.
These wallets are very similar and share the majority of features, including storage for hundreds of cryptocurrencies and seamless links to decentralized applications (dApps) – but the Base app has optional integrations with the Coinbase exchange and Base blockchain, while the Kraken Wallet can only connect to a user’s Kraken account.