Coinbase vs Kraken
Choose Coinbase if you want crypto trading alongside its Base app and Coinbase One benefits; choose Kraken if a larger fee-free trading allowance at the entry subscription price, direct TradingView order placement, or an installable trading desktop matters more. Both offer simple and advanced crypto trading, U.S. stock trading for eligible customers, staking, and separate self-custody wallets. Availability and fees depend on your location and the feature you use.
Last updated October 27, 2026.
At a glance
| Dimension | Coinbase | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Entry paid-plan fee waiver | Coinbase One Basic: up to $500/month in qualifying trades | Kraken+: up to $10,000/month in qualifying trades |
| Paid-plan price | Coinbase One Basic: $4.99/month or $49.99/year | Kraken+: $4.99/month or $49.99/year |
| Entry U.S. advanced spot fees | Coinbase Advanced: 0.50% maker; 0.90% taker | Kraken Pro: 0.40% maker; 0.80% taker |
| Trading platforms | Web and mobile app with Advanced mode | Web, mobile apps and installable Kraken Desktop |
| TradingView | TradingView-powered charts in Coinbase Advanced | Charts and direct order placement through TradingView |
| U.S. stocks and ETFs | Thousands of stocks; $0 stock-trade commission | 11,000+ stocks and ETFs; $0 commission |
| Separate self-custody wallet | Base app with user-controlled wallets | Kraken Wallet with seed-phrase and embedded wallets |
| Staking | Eligible-asset staking; Coinbase One reward boosts | Eligible-asset flexible and bonded staking |
| Trading APIs | Advanced Trade REST API and WebSocket market data | Kraken trading API |
| Priority support on entry paid plan | Not included with Coinbase One Basic | Faster support with Kraken+ |
| Simple-trade pricing | Fees and any spread shown before confirmation | 1% instant or recurring fee; 1.5% custom-order fee, plus applicable costs |
Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.
Which should you choose?
Choose Coinbase if
- People who want Coinbase trading and a separate Base self-custody app
- Buyers seeking Coinbase One staking boosts and account-protection benefits
- Traders who prefer Coinbase Advanced without a subscription
Choose Kraken if
- Subscribers whose qualifying simple trades exceed $500 per month
- Traders who place orders directly from TradingView
- Active traders who want an installable Windows, macOS, or Linux terminal
- U.S. investors seeking access to Kraken’s published 11,000-plus stock and ETF selection
The verdict
The clearest deciding factor is how you trade. At $4.99 per month, Kraken+ waives qualifying simple-trade fees on up to $10,000 in monthly volume, versus $500 on Coinbase One Basic; spreads and other applicable charges can still apply. Kraken also offers a desktop terminal and order placement through TradingView. Coinbase is the better fit if you prefer its Base app, Coinbase One’s staking and account-protection benefits, or its broader set of membership tiers. Compare the order preview for your actual trade rather than treating a fee waiver as a zero-cost trade.
Coinbase vs Kraken: common questions
- Are Coinbase and Kraken both still available for new customers?
- Yes. Both vendors currently offer account sign-up and active crypto trading products, so this is a viable comparison.
- Which $4.99 monthly plan covers more trading?
- Kraken+ waives trading fees on up to $10,000 per month of qualifying simple trades; Coinbase One Basic covers up to $500 per month. Neither waiver eliminates every possible cost: spreads and applicable payment charges can remain.
- Is Kraken Pro cheaper than Coinbase Advanced?
- At their published entry U.S. spot tiers, Coinbase Advanced lists 0.50% maker and 0.90% taker fees, while Kraken Pro lists 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker fees. Your applicable tier, trading pair and location can change the comparison.
- Do the subscriptions waive advanced trading fees?
- No. Kraken+ does not cover Kraken Pro trades. Coinbase One Basic does not include Advanced trade fee rebates; Coinbase One Preferred and Premium list separate Advanced spot-fee benefits.
- Can I trade stocks as well as crypto on Coinbase and Kraken?
- Yes, for eligible customers. Coinbase advertises access to thousands of U.S. stocks, while Kraken advertises more than 11,000 U.S. stocks and ETFs. Securities trading is separate from crypto services, and eligibility varies.
- Which exchange works with TradingView?
- Coinbase Advanced includes TradingView-powered charts. Kraken Pro also lets customers connect to TradingView’s broker panel to place supported orders directly from its charts.
- Do Coinbase and Kraken offer self-custody wallets?
- Yes. Coinbase offers user-controlled wallets through its separate Base app. Kraken Wallet offers self-custody through seed-phrase or embedded wallets. Assets held in an exchange account use a different custody model.
- Is Coinbase Pro still the advanced trading product?
- No. Coinbase says Coinbase Advanced replaced Coinbase Pro. Kraken Pro remains an active Kraken trading product.