Kraken vs Coinbase

Detailed comparison of Kraken and Coinbase - fees, features, security, and more to help you choose the right exchange.

Overview Comparison

Metric Kraken Coinbase
Rating 4.6/5 4.5/5
Trust Score 10/10 10/10
Maker Fee 0.16% 0.4%
Taker Fee 0.26% 0.6%
Supported Coins 200+ 200+
Founded 2011 2012
Headquarters San Francisco, USA San Francisco, USA
Exchange Type centralized centralized

Features

Feature Kraken Coinbase
Spot Trading
Futures Trading
Margin Trading
Staking
NFT Marketplace
Debit Card
P2P Trading

Security

Security Feature Kraken Coinbase
Two-Factor Auth
Cold Storage
Insurance Fund
Regulated In USA, UK, EU +3 USA, UK, EU +3
K

Kraken Pros & Cons

Pros

  • One of the oldest and most trusted exchanges
  • Excellent security track record
  • Competitive fees for active traders
  • Supports margin and futures trading

Cons

  • Interface less intuitive than competitors
  • Limited payment options in US
  • No debit card offering
C

Coinbase Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Most trusted US-based exchange
  • Publicly traded company (COIN)
  • FDIC insurance on USD balances
  • Very beginner-friendly interface

Cons

  • Higher fees than competitors
  • Limited cryptocurrency selection
  • No margin trading for retail

Our Verdict

Kraken edges out Coinbase with a higher overall rating (4.6 vs 4.5). It also offers lower trading fees (0.16% vs 0.4%).