Coinbase vs Kraken (2026): Fees, Coins, Staking and Which to Choose

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Coinbase and Kraken are the two biggest US-based crypto exchanges, and both are long-running, regulated and secure. The difference comes down to what you value most: Coinbase is the easiest place to start, while Kraken usually costs less once you’re buying regularly. Here’s how they compare in 2026.

Quick answer: Coinbase is better for beginners who want the simplest app, the most coins and a new-user bonus. Kraken is better for cost-conscious investors and stakers, with Kraken Pro fees starting at 0.40% maker / 0.80% taker and a strong security record. Both are safe, US-regulated exchanges. Many investors start on Coinbase and add Kraken to cut fees as they buy more. Note that Kraken isn’t available in New York or Washington.

Fees and availability were checked in October 2026 and change often. Confirm current details on each exchange’s site.

Coinbase vs Kraken at a glance

	Coinbase	Kraken
Best for	Beginners and the widest coin choice	Low fees, staking and active traders
Founded	2012	2011 (launched 2013)
Public company	Yes, NASDAQ: COIN	No (filed confidentially for an IPO in 2025)
Low-fee platform	Coinbase Advanced	Kraken Pro, from 0.40% / 0.80%
Simple-buy cost	Spread plus a fee	1% fee plus a spread
Coins	Hundreds	Hundreds
Staking	Yes, many coins (varies by state)	Yes, 20+ assets in most states
US availability	Nearly every state	Most states, not New York or Washington
New-user bonus	Yes, paid in Bitcoin	Check for current offers

Exchange	Best for	Highlights
Coinbase Best for beginners	First-time buyers	Simplest app, hundreds of coins, new-user bonus	Open account
Kraken Best for low fees	Regular buyers and stakers	Kraken Pro fees, 20+ stakeable assets, proof of reserves	Visit Kraken

Fees

Both exchanges charge more on their simple Buy buttons than on their advanced platforms. Kraken’s simple app charges 1% on instant buys plus a spread, while Kraken Pro starts at 0.40% for makers and 0.80% for takers and gets cheaper with volume. Coinbase’s simple Buy includes a spread and a fee, and Coinbase Advanced uses maker-taker fees that drop as your 30-day volume grows.

In practice, Kraken Pro is usually the cheaper of the two for smaller and mid-size traders, which is why many cost-conscious investors prefer it. Both offer subscriptions (Coinbase One and Kraken+) that waive some fees if you trade often. Whichever you choose, fund with a bank transfer and place limit orders on the advanced screen.

Coins and features

• Coin selection: both list hundreds of cryptocurrencies. Coinbase tends to list newer tokens, especially on its Base network, while Kraken is more selective.
• Staking: Coinbase supports staking on many coins with a polished in-app experience. Kraken offers 20+ stakeable assets with flexible and bonded options. Availability varies by state on both.
• Self-custody: Coinbase has its own self-custody wallet, Coinbase Wallet. Kraken also offers a self-custody Kraken Wallet app.
• Advanced trading: Kraken Pro is a favorite of active traders. Coinbase Advanced has improved and is simple to switch to from the main app.
• Extras: Coinbase offers a debit card and Coinbase One. Kraken acquired the US futures platform NinjaTrader in 2025.

Ease of use

Coinbase has the most beginner-friendly onboarding in crypto, with a clean app, clear prompts and educational content. Kraken’s app is also simple for basic buys, but Kraken Pro’s order book takes some getting used to. If you’ve never bought crypto before, Coinbase is the gentler start.

Open a Coinbase account

Security and trust

Both are among the most secure exchanges in the world. Kraken has never suffered a major exchange hack and publishes regular proof-of-reserves reports. Coinbase is a public company with audited financials and keeps most customer funds in cold storage. In May 2025, Coinbase disclosed that bribed support contractors leaked some customer data, which scammers used for impersonation; no passwords or keys were exposed.

On the regulatory side, the SEC dropped its lawsuits against both exchanges in 2025. Whichever you use, protect your account with an authenticator app or security key, and move long-term holdings to a hardware wallet.

Visit Kraken

Staking compared

If you plan to stake, check your state first. Coinbase staking is widely available but excluded in some states. Kraken staking relaunched for US customers in 2025 but isn’t available in states such as California, New Jersey, New York and Washington. Both take a commission on rewards, and rates change constantly. See the best staking platforms.

Customer support

Kraken offers 24/7 live chat and is generally rated well for support. Coinbase offers help center articles, chat and phone callbacks for account issues, though response times can stretch during busy markets. Neither will ever call you unexpectedly or ask you to move funds; if someone does, it’s a scam. See our guide to crypto scams.

Pros and cons

Which should you choose?

• Choose Coinbase if you’re new to crypto, want the simplest app, live in New York or Washington, or want access to newer tokens.
• Choose Kraken if you want lower fees, plan to buy regularly or stake in a supported state, and value a long security record.
• Use both if you want the easiest onboarding plus cheaper trading. Many investors buy on Kraken Pro and keep a Coinbase account for its coin selection.

Compare more options in the best crypto exchanges, Gemini vs Coinbase and Kraken vs Gemini.

The bottom line

Coinbase is the best starting point for most beginners, and Kraken is the better long-term home if you care about fees. Both are safe, regulated and trusted. Start where you’re comfortable, fund with a bank transfer, and use the advanced trading screen once you’re ready to save.

Frequently asked questions