Exchange
Coinbase vs Kraken
Same kind of product, two profiles. Affiliate status is not how this page is ordered.
On the published entry rate this comparison sorts by, Kraken is lower (0.40% maker / 0.80% taker).
Coinbase
Coinbase runs a simple buy flow, where the fee and spread are shown before you confirm, and Coinbase Advanced, an order-book product with a published maker/taker schedule. The Advanced intro tier is the number to compare. The simple-trade fee is not a single published percent.
0.50% maker / 0.90% taker
Kraken
Kraken Pro uses a maker/taker schedule. From 9 July 2026 the tier is the better of 30-day spot volume or assets held on the platform. Instant Buy volume does not count toward that volume, and Instant Buy is a quoted price rather than the Pro schedule.
0.40% maker / 0.80% taker
Facts
| Fact | Coinbase | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced intro spot fee | 0.50% maker and 0.90% taker at the Intro tier (from $0 volume). Verified 2026-10-18 | — |
| US entry rate | US traders were quoted 0.50% maker and 0.90% taker at entry after the 16 September 2026 Advanced change. EU/UK entry was quoted lower. Verified 2026-10-18 | — |
| Simple trade fee | Coinbase shows the fee on the trade preview. A spread is included in the quoted price. There is no single published simple-trade percent. Verified 2026-10-18 | — |
| Custody model | Custodial. Coinbase holds the assets in the exchange account unless you withdraw to a wallet you control. Verified 2026-10-18 | Custodial while assets sit on Kraken. You can withdraw to an address you control; network fees still apply. Verified 2026-10-18 |
| Full asset and chain list | Not copied here. The supported list changes and was not enumerated from a stable official table on the verification date. Unverified | — |
| Pro entry fee | — | Tier 1 is 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker from $0 of 30-day spot volume. Verified 2026-10-18 |
| How the tier is chosen | — | From 9 July 2026 the tier is the better of 30-day spot volume or assets on platform. Instant Buy volume is excluded. Verified 2026-10-18 |
| US state availability | — | Kraken serves many US customers, but the current state-by-state list was not verified on this date. Unverified |
Coinbase sources
- Advanced intro spot fee
Verified 2026-10-18
0.50% maker and 0.90% taker at the Intro tier (from $0 volume).
The same US entry rates were described in Coinbase's 16 September 2026 fee change.
- US entry rate
Verified 2026-10-18
US traders were quoted 0.50% maker and 0.90% taker at entry after the 16 September 2026 Advanced change. EU/UK entry was quoted lower.
- Simple trade fee
Verified 2026-10-18
Coinbase shows the fee on the trade preview. A spread is included in the quoted price. There is no single published simple-trade percent.
- Custody model
Verified 2026-10-18
Custodial. Coinbase holds the assets in the exchange account unless you withdraw to a wallet you control.
- Full asset and chain list
Unverified
Not copied here. The supported list changes and was not enumerated from a stable official table on the verification date.
Kraken sources
- Pro entry fee
Verified 2026-10-18
Tier 1 is 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker from $0 of 30-day spot volume.
- How the tier is chosen
Verified 2026-10-18
From 9 July 2026 the tier is the better of 30-day spot volume or assets on platform. Instant Buy volume is excluded.
- Custody model
Verified 2026-10-18
Custodial while assets sit on Kraken. You can withdraw to an address you control; network fees still apply.
- US state availability
Unverified
Kraken serves many US customers, but the current state-by-state list was not verified on this date.
Order on this site follows published fees. An Affiliate tag does not change it.