G
Coinbase vs Kraken
Pricing, features, platforms and who each one suits — side by side.
C
Choose Coinbase if…
- you want a free plan to start with
- you're in its core audience: crypto beginners, retail crypto traders
K
Choose Kraken if…
- you need an API to build on
- you work on iOS, Android
- you're in its core audience: retail crypto investors, active and leveraged traders
Side by side
Feature Coinbase Kraken
Pricing modelFreemiumPricing unknown
Starting price$4.99/mo—
Free plan
Free trial
API
Open source
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android, API
CompanyCoinbasePayward, Inc. · since 2011
Full feature lists
C Coinbase
- Buy, sell and convert cryptocurrencies
- Custodial crypto account
- Staking rewards on supported assets
- Coinbase One subscription with zero-fee trading limits
- Monthly gas credit on the Base network for members
- Account protection coverage for members
K Kraken
- 600+ crypto trading pairs
- 11,000+ stocks and ETFs (U.S. only)
- Perpetual futures with up to 10x leverage
- Staking and auto earn on assets
- Recurring buys (dollar cost averaging)
- Self-custody multi-chain wallet
- Kraken CLI for traders and AI agents
- OTC trading and institutional custody via Prime
Their home pages
What each vendor shows first: the pitch, the plans and the sign-up.
Coinbase · coinbase.com
Kraken · kraken.comWhat you'd pay
The cheapest plan that fits, per month, billed yearly where the plan offers it.
Coinbase
Coinbase accountFree
Coinbase One Basic$4.99/mo or $49.99/yr
Coinbase One Preferred$29.99/mo or $299.99/yr
Kraken
Pricing unknown. Plan details aren't published.
Strengths and limitations
Coinbase
- Free to open an account
- Subscription tiers cut trading fees for frequent traders
- Coinbase One includes account protection coverage
- Zero-fee trading on Coinbase One has monthly volume caps
- Coinbase says membership benefits may change without notice
- Subscription prices vary by region
Kraken
- Operating since 2011, with $2T+ in reported transaction volume
- Over 600 crypto pairs plus stocks and ETFs
- Trade on the web, in the mobile app, or through the API and CLI
- Publishes proof of reserves
- Stock trading is available only in the U.S. and not in every state
- Products and features vary by region because of geographic restrictions
- UK cryptoasset services are unregulated and not covered by the FSCS
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Facts from each vendor's public pages. Editorial policy