5 Best Kraken Alternatives

What is Kraken, and how does it work?

Kraken crypto exchange is one of the oldest trading platforms in the market, known for its solid security and wide range of supported digital assets. The platform uses a maker–taker fee model, meaning costs depend on whether you add or take liquidity. 

It offers spot trading, futures, and margin services. While its global coverage is impressive, some users find the interface less intuitive compared to newer exchanges. This gap opened the door for competitors offering easier access and more modern tools.

Best Kraken Alternatives Summary

Kraken crypto exchange is one of the oldest trading platforms in the market, known for its solid security and wide range of supported digital assets. The platform uses a maker–taker fee model, meaning costs depend on whether you add or take liquidity. 

It offers spot trading, futures, and margin services. While its global coverage is impressive, some users find the interface less intuitive compared to newer exchanges. This gap opened the door for competitors offering easier access and more modern tools.

To help you compare the top Kraken alternatives side by side, we’ve compiled key details on their fee models, entry-level and high-volume pricing, asset variety, and geographical coverage. This snapshot makes it easier to see where each platform excels, from global reach to the number of supported coins.

CEX.IO

As an alternative to Kraken, CEX.IO is renowned for its market depth and unmatched liquidity.  

CEX.IO leads our list of the best Kraken alternatives for its comprehensive feature-set, global reach, and intuitive interface across its web-based platform and mobile apps for iOS and Android. 

This crypto exchange supports more than 300 coins and operates in nearly 195 countries, giving it unmatched coverage. 

For beginners, the Instant Buy feature makes tapping into crypto effortless, while seasoned traders can access Spot Trading and even Margin Trading with up to 20x leverage on selected pairs. 

Payment flexibility is another highlight, spanning credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Skrill, Neteller, bank transfers, and PayPal for U.S. customers. 

Extra perks include the CEX.IO Crypto Debit Card, available to EEA residents. This card works like a standard payment card but is linked to your exchange account, instantly converting digital assets into local currency at the point of purchase. This allows customers to spend their crypto for everyday shopping, online payments, or even ATM withdrawals, without the need to manually exchange coins in advance.

It’s not a groundbreaking feature by any means, but it’s a convenient extra that makes CEX.IO feel more practical for day-to-day use.

CEX.IO Pros and Cons

After extensively testing CEX.IO, the positives far outweigh the drawbacks. It shines in accessibility, asset coverage, and user protection standards. The only downsides are minor, mostly cosmetic, such as occasional delays in mobile notifications

Pros:

1. Global coverage (195 countries).
2. 300+ supported cryptocurrencies.
3. Intuitive and beginner-friendly platform.
4. Strong regulatory and compliance standards.
5. Integrated crypto wallet with secure storage.
6. Wide payment method availability (cards, bank, e-wallets).

Cons:

1. Mobile app notifications may lag slightly.
2. Some advanced traders may want deeper charting tools.

Why do Users like CEX.IO?

CEX.IO stands out as a crypto trading platform that blends ease of use with robust functionality. Its integrated crypto wallet provides secure, free storage, so customers can manage funds without relying on external apps. 

Access to diverse Spot Trading markets gives users the flexibility to explore both major and emerging assets. We found the design sleek and responsive across web and mobile, making navigation smooth whether you’re a beginner or an experienced trader. 

On top of that, global payment coverage, from cards and bank transfers to leading e-wallets, ensures funding and withdrawals remain fast and straightforward.

Binance

Binance remains a popular exchange globally and one of the most common Kraken alternatives.  Supporting more than 400 cryptocurrencies and serving users in over 180 countries, it remains one of the largest hubs for global trading. 

Beyond spot trading, Binance offers futures, staking, DeFi access, and even launchpad projects, giving users multiple ways to engage with the market. We found the platform especially strong in liquidity and order execution, where spreads are consistently tighter than those on Bybit, making Binance the better choice for traders with higher efficiency preferences. 

While its vast toolkit can feel overwhelming, the breadth of features is hard to beat.

Binance Pros and Cons

Based on our experience, Binance is the strongest Kraken alternative for traders who value liquidity and advanced features. However, its regulatory challenges in some regions can limit access.

Pros:

1. Extremely high liquidity across markets.
2. 400+ coins available.
3. Advanced trading tools and analytics.
4. Fee discounts with BNB token usage.
5. Wide payment and funding options.

Cons:

1. Platform complexity can intimidate newcomers.
2. Regulatory restrictions in certain regions.

Coinbase

Coinbase is another strong Kraken alternative, well known for its user-friendly interface and seamless fiat on-ramps. Supporting more than 300 coins and licensed in over 100 countries, it appeals to beginners who want a safe, straightforward path into crypto. 

Like CEX.IO, Coinbase provides an “Instant Buy” option, as well as built-in tutorials and reward programs that help users learn while trading. We also found the mobile app intuitive, with real-time price alerts and simple recurring order setup. 

Compared to Kraken, Coinbase feels far easier for first-time buyers, though its fees on smaller trades remain higher than both Kraken and CEX.IO.

Coinbase Pros and Cons

Testing Coinbase reveals a polished product with clear instructions for every step, though more advanced traders may find the charting and fee structure limiting.

Pros:

1. Beginner-friendly interface.
2. Clear licensing and regulation in major regions.
3. Wide coverage with 300+ coins.
4. Strong security track record.
5. Mobile-first design with integrated wallets.

Cons:

1. Higher fees on smaller trades.
2. Limited tools for advanced trading.

Bybit

Bybit earns a place among the Kraken alternatives for its extensive selection of assets and active trading community. With more than 700 listed coins and a presence in 160 countries, it offers deep spot markets, derivatives, and a responsive interface that feels polished. 

We appreciated the advanced charting tools and mobile app, which make monitoring positions seamless for active traders. Its VIP program also reduces fees for high-volume users, though it can be complex to navigate. 

By contrast, we found CEX.IO’s flat, volume-based schedule more straightforward, with simpler fiat on-ramps. Bybit excels at advanced trading, but CEX.IO better balances accessibility and breadth.

Bybit Pros and Cons

Among Kraken competitors, Bybit stands out with strong liquidity and innovative features. However, its focus on advanced tools may feel overwhelming for casual buyers.

Pros:

1. Wide selection with 700+ assets.
2. Competitive fees through VIP tiers.
3. High liquidity in spot and futures markets.
4. Intuitive trading interface.
5. 160-country coverage.

Cons:

1. Restricted access in some jurisdictions.
2. The interface may feel advanced for casual users.

Gemini

The Gemini service is a compliance-first exchange with a curated list of around 118 coins. Available in 60+ countries, it prioritizes regulatory clarity and institutional partnerships. 

The interface is clean and easy to navigate, and features include recurring buys and a secure custody setup. While the asset range is smaller compared to other competitors, Gemini appeals to users who prioritize trust and oversight.

Gemini Pros and Cons

As a Kraken alternative, Gemini delivers on safety and design, but falls short for users seeking the broadest coin coverage or lowest fees.

Pros:

1. Strong regulatory reputation.
2. Simple interface suited to beginners.
3. Recurring order support.
4. Custody solutions for institutions.
5. Clean, modern mobile app.

Cons:

1. Smaller selection of supported assets.
2. Fees are higher than those of some rivals.

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