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Top 8 Best Crypto Exchanges for Beginners in April 2025
In this guide
- 1. Top 8 Best Crypto Exchanges for Beginners in April 2025
- 2. The best cryptocurrency exchanges (with lowest fees) April 2025
- 3. Expert picks: our top 3 crypto trading platforms
- 4. Review & compare the top crypto trading platforms
- 5. What is a crypto exchange?
- 6. Are crypto exchanges safe?
- 7. How much do crypto exchanges cost?
- 8. What should I look for in a crypto exchange?
- 9. Top crypto exchanges for your needs
- 10. Your verdict: top crypto trading platforms user reviews
- 11. Methodology: How did we choose the best cryptocurrency exchanges?
- 12. FAQs
Trade your favourite markets with our top-rated broker,
.eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
New to crypto, intrigued by the latest bull market? Or an experienced campaigner, looking for a new way to buy crypto? This guide is for you, whatever your experience or background.
We know there are a lot of options out there, with each exchange promising the best value, the most secure storage, the widest range of coins and markets.
I’ve been using using exchanges to buy and sell crypto for over a decade (I even remember Mt. Gox). Between me and the rest of the Invezz team, we’ve tried and tested hundreds of exchanges over the years.
Now, we’ve pulled all that experience together into one extensive guide, designed to find the best crypto exchange for you.
This guide is for everyone, so each exchange we tested was assigned a score based on what we believe are the most important considerations for a new user:
- The cost of trading
- Exchange security features (such as SEC regulation, deposit insurance, and two factor authentication)
- Ease of use and accessibility for beginners
- Supported crypto assets (total number of cryptocurrencies, derivatives, and other assets)
- Number of different payment methods accepted
- User reviews and feedback from survey respondents
Along with that, each of us has our own particular interests, based on our own unique experience.
We’ve included recommendations based on these factors as well, because someone like me, who’s been trading a while, is going to have a different perspective compared to a recent crypto convert.
Without further ado, let’s dive in – but if you want to learn more about our methodology and reviewing panel first, read our review process.
The best cryptocurrency exchanges (with lowest fees) April 2025
Copy link to sectionExpert picks: our top 3 crypto trading platforms
Copy link to sectioneToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
Plus500
This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorized by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe, such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.
Coinbase
Review & compare the top crypto trading platforms
Copy link to sectionWe found 23 crypto platforms for users based in
1. eToro. Best for beginners, copy-trading & demo-account
Copy link to sectionOverview
We love eToro because it’s a trading platform built with beginners and casual traders in mind. The platform combines an interactive, social trading experience with an easy-to-use interface, making it ideal for novice traders.
The far-reaching catalog of more than 5,500 stocks and ETFs includes big names like Apple and Tesla, as well as smaller companies with high growth potential. You can start trading with as little as $10 using fractional shares if you’re on a tight budget.
One feature we particularly appreciate is the ability to interact with eToro’s 35 million users on any asset, market, or portfolio page. If you find traders whose strategies match your risk tolerance, you can copy their portfolios automatically using eToro’s flagship copy trading functionality. This is a great way to learn and potentially benefit from the expertise of more experienced traders.
If you don’t feel comfortable investing your cash straight away, you can use a free demo account, credited with $100,000 virtual dollars. This offers plenty of opportunities to try out a trading strategy that works for you across stocks, crypto, and options trading markets.
Highlights
No. of tradable assets | 3600+ |
Min. Deposit | $100 |
ID verification required | Yes |
Free demo account | Yes |
Supported assets | Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Index CFDs, Commodity CFDs, NFTs, Crypto |
Mobile trading app | Yes |
Web trading platform | Yes |
Regulatory bodies | ASIC, FCA, CySEC, FinCEN |
Fees & Costs
Trading fees | Yes, on certain assets |
Inactivity fees | Yes |
Rollover/overnight fees | Yes, on CFDs |
Withdrawal fees | Yes |
Spreads | Yes, on certain assets |
Conversion fees | Yes, for non-USD currencies |
Pros & Cons
eToro offers real assets only, no CFD products. eToro securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (‘the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. Invezz.com is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the BD.
2. Plus500. Best for international trading*
Copy link to sectionOverview
We love Plus500 because it is one of the industry’s most transparent and reliable brokers. Its fees are clear and you’ll know exactly what you will be paying before you make a trade. Its technology driven platform gives access to futures contracts for some of the biggest indices.
Plus500 has something for all types of traders, no matter what level of experience. Its low margin requirements (starting at $100) and different contracts make it a top choice for day traders. At the same time, its trading academy is packed with educational content, perfect for beginners just starting.
For accurate instrument availability, visit plus500.com.
The fees: Plus500 charges a commission of $0.49 per Micro contract and $0.89 per Standard contract (per side). There is an Auto-Liquidation fee of $10 per contract. Other exchange fees may be applicable and can be found on the CME group website.
*Based on a comparison of 60+ leading brokers and trading platforms.
Highlights
No. of tradable assets | 2800+ |
Min. Deposit | $100 |
ID verification required | Yes |
Free demo account | Yes |
Supported assets | Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Index CFDs, Commodity CFDs |
Mobile trading app | Yes |
Web trading platform | Yes |
Regulatory bodies | FSA, ASIC, FMA, FCA, CySEC |
Fees & Costs
Trading fees | No |
Inactivity fees | Yes |
Rollover/overnight fees | Yes |
Withdrawal fees | No |
Spreads | Yes |
Conversion fees | Yes |
Pros & Cons
This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorized by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe, such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.
3. Coinbase. Best secure trading platform for all types of trader
Copy link to sectionOverview
We love Coinbase because it’s the leading public crypto platform. Coinbase offers more than 170 cryptocurrencies to trade, a secure wallet to store your coins in, and automatic staking rewards on 10+ cryptos through Coinbase Earn.
Coinbase’s user-friendly platform simplifies the buying, selling, and trading processes, making it one of the top crypto exchanges for all levels of trader. But, Coinbase isn’t just an easy to use platform, it’s one of the safest and most secure.
A public company brings transparency and renown, so you can trust that any money on Coinbase is safe and you’re sharing the platform with over 100 million other users. It stores 98% of customer assets offline in cold storage, minimizing the risk of theft. There is also insurance on all cash balances up to $250,000
The fees: Trading fees start from 0.6% but reduce the higher your trading volume. Bank transfer deposits and withdrawals are free, other payment methods may be charged. There is no fee for wallet-to-wallet crypto transactions but you will have to pay blockchain fees. Coinbase charges a 25% fee for its staking services.
Highlights
No. of tradable assets | 150+ |
Min. Deposit | $10 |
ID verification required | Yes |
Free demo account | No |
Supported assets | Crypto, NFTs |
Mobile trading app | Yes |
Web trading platform | Yes |
Regulatory bodies | FSA, FCA, NFA |
Fees & Costs
Trading fees | Yes |
Inactivity fees | No |
Rollover/overnight fees | No |
Withdrawal fees | Yes |
Spreads | Yes |
Conversion fees | Yes |
Pros & Cons
4. Kraken: Best for simple, global cryptocurrency trading from your phone
Copy link to sectionOverview
We love Kraken because it’s a beginner-friendly crypto trading platform, one that’s designed to make it quick and convenient to buy and sell crypto on the go. The Kraken mobile app provides access to over 200 cryptocurrencies making it one of the most diverse platforms around.
With an intuitive interface and many advanced features, the Kraken crypto app is suitable for those just starting, or experienced traders wanting to enhance their trading experience. The Kraken mobile app caters to different trading styles and preferences with spot, margin, and futures all available.
Kraken’s mobile app also supports up to 5:1 leverage allowing you to amplify your position and potentially increase your returns. With such a wide selection of tokens available and a solid range of features and tools, the Kraken app is one of the top cryptocurrency trading platforms while on the go.
The fees: Kraken charges a fee of between 0-0.26% on every crypto trade. There are no costs to set up an account and no flat trading fees.
Highlights
No. of tradable assets | 200+ |
Min. Deposit | £10 |
ID verification required | Yes |
Free demo account | Yes |
Supported assets | Crypto, NFTs |
Mobile trading app | Yes |
Web trading platform | Yes |
Regulatory bodies | FSA, AUSTRAC, FCA, MiFID II, FinCEN, FINTRAC |
Fees & Costs
Trading fees | Yes |
Inactivity fees | No |
Rollover/overnight fees | No |
Withdrawal fees | No |
Spreads | Yes |
Conversion fees | Yes |
Pros & Cons
5. Uphold. Best for building long term wealth
Copy link to sectionOverview
We love Uphold because it’s a regulated and transparent digital asset platform. Uphold is an excellent platform for discovering important new tokens early, making it ideal for investors looking to get in on the ground floor of emerging cryptocurrencies.
Uphold offers a broad selection of coins, with over 250 tokens available catering to both seasoned and novice crypto traders. The platform regularly adds new assets allowing users to invest in promising projects before they gain mainstream attention.
Uphold isn’t just a platform for investing early. One of the main advantages of using Uphold is its transparent and competitive fee structure. The platform does not charge for deposits or withdrawals, and trading fees are clearly stated. You can also trade between different asset classes including fiat currencies.
The fees: Crypto spreads start from 0.9% and are usually lower than 1.3% for BTC and ETH. Other cryptocurrency spreads are higher. Average spreads on fiat currency are 0.2%. There is a $0.99 fee for transactions under $100 made with the Uphold card.
Highlights
No. of tradable assets | 250+ |
Min. Deposit | $1 |
ID verification required | Yes |
Free demo account | Yes |
Supported assets | Crypto, Commodities, |
Mobile trading app | Yes |
Web trading platform | Yes |
Regulatory bodies | FSA, FinCEN |
Fees & Costs
Trading fees | No |
Inactivity fees | No |
Rollover/overnight fees | Yes |
Withdrawal fees | No |
Spreads | Yes |
Conversion fees | Yes |
Pros & Cons
Terms Apply. Cryptoassets are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk.
6. Public. Best for AI analysis
Copy link to sectionOverview
We love Public because it makes use of cutting-edge AI technology to enhance your trading and investing experience. Public’s AI-powered feature, Public Alpha offers personalized insights and recommendations through its natural language interface in real time.
Public’s AI technology helps you make more informed decisions by analyzing massive amounts of data and providing actionable insights. These AI-driven insights are easily accessible and give users access to the latest advancements in financial analysis and trading.
Not only do can you use AI to help your investments, Public is one of the lowest cost brokerage firms out there. You can invest in stocks and ETFs commission free. You can also buy and trade fractional shares and if you want to diversify, you can explore a range of alternative investments including music and film royalties.
The fees: There are no fees for investing in stocks during regular trading hours in the US – 9.30am-4pm EST. There is a $2.99 fee for trades outside of regular hours.
Highlights
No. of tradable assets | 9,000 + |
Min. Deposit | $20 |
ID verification required | Yes |
Free demo account | No |
Supported assets | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, , , |
Mobile trading app | Yes |
Web trading platform | Yes |
Regulatory bodies | SEC, FINRA, SIPC |
Fees & Costs
Trading fees | Yes |
Inactivity fees | Yes |
Rollover/overnight fees | No |
Withdrawal fees | No |
Spreads | Yes |
Conversion fees | Yes |
Pros & Cons
7. KuCoin. Best social trading altcoin exchange
Copy link to sectionOverview
We love KuCoin because it’s a great place for beginners to trade more than 700 altcoins. Kucoin offers a vast range of cryptocurrencies including all the big names like Bitcoin and Ethereum, together with hundreds of altcoins and newly released tokens.
The exchange gives you multiple ways to trade and invest in crypto, including spot trading, futures trading, margin trading, and staking. This choice allows you to choose the method that best suits your trading strategies and risk tolerance.
Kucoin is a top platform for both beginners and experienced traders. Its intuitive interface is easy to get to grips with and its advanced trading features mean even high volume traders can make use of it. Kucoin also offers an earn feature, where you can generate passive income through staking and lending, making it one of the best all round crypto exchanges.
The fees: Trading fees are charged on a sliding scale. Fees are 0.1% on trading volumes below 50 BTC in a 30 day period. Discounts are available if you pay fees in KCS or store more than 1000 KCS in your account.
Highlights
No. of tradable assets | |
Min. Deposit | |
ID verification required | No |
Free demo account | No |
Supported assets | |
Mobile trading app | No |
Web trading platform | No |
Regulatory bodies |
Pros & Cons
8. Paybis. Best crypto platform for choice of payment methods
Copy link to sectionOverview
We love Paybis because it is one of the simplest crypto platforms to use, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced traders. The intuitive interface makes the process of buying and selling cryptocurrencies smooth, fast, and hassle-free.
Paybis offers a good selection of coins to buy and sell including popular options like Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as many altcoins. With such a wide range of tokens, you’ll be able to diversify your portfolio and take advantage of market opportunities very quickly.
One of the best features of Paybis is its selection of payment options. Not only can you buy Bitcoin with a credit or debit card using USD, but you can also choose from several payment apps and digital wallets.
The fees: How much you will pay will depend on the payment option you use. Paybis provides detailed information on the types of fees applied. You can expect competitive rates, with clear outlines of transaction and network fees, before buying or selling.
Highlights
No. of tradable assets | 90 |
Min. Deposit | $4 |
ID verification required | Yes |
Free demo account | No |
Supported assets | Crypto |
Mobile trading app | Yes |
Web trading platform | Yes |
Regulatory bodies | MAS, FinCEN |
Fees & Costs
Trading fees | Yes |
Inactivity fees | No |
Rollover/overnight fees | No |
Withdrawal fees | Yes |
Spreads | Yes |
Conversion fees | No |
Pros & Cons
What is a crypto exchange?
Copy link to sectionA crypto exchange is an online marketplace where you can buy and sell cryptocurrency. Typically, it allows you to swap your fiat currency (i.e. your US Dollars) for a cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, or any one of thousands of others).
There are two types of crypto exchange, ‘centralized’ and ‘decentralized’. We’re only going to concern ourselves with centralized exchanges here. These are the most common, well-known platforms, like Binance or Kraken, that most people are looking for when they search for a crypto exchange.
The vast majority of users (beginners especially) are much better off using a centralized exchange, and it’s easier to get to grips with them alone rather than concerning yourself with the different types of exchange out there.
If you want to learn more about decentralized services – you might have heard of Uniswap, for example, and what to find out about other platforms – then read our guide to the best decentralized exchanges.
How do crypto exchanges work?
Copy link to sectionBy matching users who want to buy with users who want to sell cryptocurrency. Imagine an auction house where both buyers and sellers are submitting bids and asking prices simultaneously, and as soon as a pair agrees on a price the coins change hands.
This is what happens behind the scenes on a crypto exchange, and it’s very similar to how a stock exchange works. Back in the day, this would involve a lot of telephones, with traders taking orders and screaming them out across the room (think The Wolf of Wall Street!).
Now, it all takes place automatically through an online ‘order book’. Every time a user submits a bid to buy or places coins up for sale, it’s added to the order book. The exchange constantly matches the bids in the order book together to make transactions.
In practice, the way it works for you is that you deposit your money onto the platform, and then use it to buy and sell cryptocurrency in the way laid out above. All your money, both fiat and crypto, is stored on the exchange until you withdraw it.
Are crypto exchanges safe?
Copy link to sectionTypically, yes. The majority of exchange platforms are perfectly safe and secure. You just need to be aware of any potential red flags, learn how to spot them, and be prudent with how you store your money.
In the US, crypto exchanges have to register with FinCEN (the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network)
1
www.finra.org
https://www.finra.org/investors/investing/investment-products/digital-assets#buying-and-selling
, which sets out a framework that an exchange must abide by in order to operate.
This doesn’t offer loads of protection (for example, when I use a stock trading platform, my deposits are insured up to $250,000 under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
2
www.fdic.gov
https://www.fdic.gov/resources/deposit-insurance
, but crypto assets are specifically excluded from this scheme
3
www.fdic.gov
https://www.fdic.gov/sites/default/files/2024-03/fil22035b.pdf
).
However, in my experience any exchange that registers with FinCEN is much more transparent and secure than one that doesn’t. It means more precautions, audited reserves, and much less chance of fraudulent activity, all good things for you and me.
You shouldn’t use any exchange that isn’t licensed to operate by FinCEN.
Crypto exchange regulation
Copy link to sectionIn the US, it’s very difficult for an unregulated exchange to operate, but at the same time the rules are not that easy to follow (which may not be a surprise to anyone familiar with US government agencies).
Overall crypto regulation is laid out by the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission). Crypto exchanges must register with FinCEN, as laid out above. But any exchange that offers crypto derivatives trading (this usually means futures markets) has to be registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
4
www.britannica.com
https://www.britannica.com/money/cryptocurrency-regulation
.
The CFTC and SEC have both clamped down on unregulated or fraudulent exchanges
5
www.cftc.gov
https://www.cftc.gov/LearnAndProtect/AdvisoriesAndArticles/watch_out_for_digital_fraud.html
. You can use their enforcement history (for example, by using the RED List) to check your exchange is legit before you sign up.
This can all seem a bit overwhelming. To simplify things, I usually approach these exchanges with a sceptical eye and try to steer through the marketing material that greets you whenever you head to the website.
The most important things I look for are:
- Clear proof of reserves, audited by an independent company (this is easy to spot, if an exchange does it, they’ll shout about it).
- A regulatory license to operate (there is usually a Licenses and Registrations page, like this one from Binance. You can find it in the footer)
- A range of security methods to keep my account safe, such as 2FA and high-level encryption to protect my money and my transactions. Coinbase is excellent in this regard.
Can I sign up to a crypto exchange without ID?
Copy link to sectionNot normally. Most crypto exchanges require you to verify your identity when you register an account before you are even allowed to trade.
You have to verify your account by providing your address and a form of photo ID. These fraud prevention measures, such as Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations, have been introduced on more and more exchanges in recent years in response to an SEC drive to regulate crypto in general and protect us from malicious activity.
How much do crypto exchanges cost?
Copy link to sectionThere’s no cost to sign up for an exchange, but there are a few different types of fees once you start using one.
The simplest way to explain it is to say that you will definitely have to pay trading fees, you probably have to pay deposit/withdrawal fees, and you might have to pay blockchain fees.
Trading fees are the ones you’ll encounter most often. These range from 0.005% of your transaction all the way up to about 0.8%, so it can vary dramatically depending on which platform you use.
Asset | eToro fees | Plus500 fees | Coinbase fees |
---|---|---|---|
Crypto | 1% | From 2% | Up to 0.6% |
Commodities | From 2 pips | From 0.04% | – |
Forex | From 1 pip | – | – |
Index prices | From 0.75 pts | From 0.7% | – |
Stocks | 0% commission | From 0.08% | – |
Stock CFDs | 0.15% | – | – |
ETF CFDs | 0.15% | – | – |
View more > | eToro > | Plus500 > | Coinbase > |
The trading fees you have to pay depend on whether you’re a ‘maker’ or a ‘taker’.
A maker is someone who offers a trade. So if I’m feeling bullish and place an order to buy $100 worth of Bitcoin at $70,000, I have created liquidity: if someone wants to sell at that price, they can.
A taker is someone who, for example, who wants to buy $100 worth of Bitcoin right now, at any price.
Makers typically pay much less in fees. If you’re well-organised and disciplined, you can benefit from this by planning your buy and sell prices in advance, then waiting for the market to move to you.
I’ve found this to be a great way to reduce stress as well as the costs of trading. When Tesla announced it was buying Bitcoin and accepting it as payment in early 2021
6
www.cnbc.com
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/08/tesla-buys-1point5-billion-in-bitcoin.html
, I (fortunately) had buy orders in place, ready to execute. This meant I didn’t miss the big market move, and I got cheaper trading fees as well. Result!
Most exchanges also charge you for making deposits and withdrawals. Bank transfers and credit card deposits are generally the cheapest ways to make a deposit, but other methods can be quite expensive.
Blockchain or transaction fees refer to the cost of sending money from one address to another on the blockchain
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wirexapp.com
https://wirexapp.com/help/article/what-is-a-blockchain-fee-1245
. You only have to pay these if you withdraw your money to a crypto wallet. The fee depends on the cryptocurrency, how busy the network is, and how much you want to move.
What should I look for in a crypto exchange?
Copy link to sectionA crypto exchange account should offer an easy and inexpensive way to invest. It should also offer other basic features, such as the ability to invest in any coin you want.
Below is a list of the most important features for crypto traders to look out for when choosing the best cryptocurrency exchange.
1. Low trading fees
Copy link to sectionAs we’ve discussed above, fees can vary a lot between platforms and they depend on how much you trade. It is absolutely worth shopping around to find the best value.
If you keep track of how much you trade over the course of a couple of weeks or so, you can work out your trading costs and then compare which exchange might suit your style best.
Some crypto exchanges offer a more competitive trading fee for high volume traders, or if you own some of their own cryptocurrency.
I love to use Binance, for example, because it offers 5% off the trading fees if you pay with Binance coin (BNB)
8
www.binance.us
https://www.binance.us/fees
– one of my favourite coins to own
There are plenty of perks like this. At the very least, I recommend buying some of an exchange’s own cryptocurrency if it exists, as a lot of platforms offer something similar to Binance (just make sure you trust the platform: those of us who owned FTX’s token got burned along with everybody else when it went down).
You also typically get trading discounts for trading higher volumes. To use Binance as an example again, the fees are determined on a 30-day rolling basis, so you can get some sweet discounts if you trade a lot.
2. Regulatory protection
Copy link to sectionWhere a crypto exchange is based can greatly influence the level of protection you’re offered as a trader. A cryptocurrency exchange registered in the US must meet much stricter collateral requirements than those based elsewhere.
It is a sad fact that users need to be protected against bad actors in all financial trading, and we’ve seen some high-profile cases of cryptocurrency exchanges going bust or making off with their customers’ money.
Sam Bankman-Fried was ultimately sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in the demise of his FTX exchange
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invezz.com
https://invezz.com/news/2024/03/28/sam-bankman-fried-sentenced/
, but the fact users in the US were largely protected from the fallout because of stricter regulations in the US shows the virtues of signing up to an exchange with this sort of protection.
3. Simple design that’s easy to use
Copy link to sectionAn important consideration when choosing a cryptocurrency trading platform is how well designed the website is. The best crypto exchanges let you focus on buying the coins, not figuring out how the site functions, so find an exchange you’re comfortable using.
Usability varies depending on who the main target market is. For instance, Wirex comes with a user-friendly interface to help beginners invest in crypto, whereas other sites are designed for advanced users, with detailed graphs, more complex markets, and professional-style trading tools.
This is purely down to personal preference. Kraken is one of my favourite exchanges from a usability standpoint, because the interface suits my eye a lot better than something like Binance. But of course, you might have to settle on a trade-off between how nice and easy a platform is to use versus the features it offers.
I still use Binance because it’s good value and it offers so many different ways to trade. But in a completely equal world, I’d choose Kraken for how much I enjoy using it.
4. A large range of cryptocurrencies
Copy link to sectionMake sure that any crypto exchange you sign up to offers the crypto assets you want to buy. This information is usually easy to find on the exchange website but it is worth looking into, as not every cryptocurrency is available on every exchange.
The largest exchanges – Binance, Coinbase, Kraken – offer hundreds, sometimes thousands of coins, but there are others, like Public, which only offer 20 or so.
I’m the sort of person who likes to spend a few dollars on the latest trending altcoin, or invest in a few long shots that can make me a lot of money if they succeed. So the range of coins is very important to me.
If you’re only interested in the top of the market, then you don’t need to worry too much about this. Every platform lets you buy and sell Bitcoin and Ethereum, and it’s perfectly possible to get along happily just trading a small handful of coins.
A related feature to look out for is the pairs available for each coin. This shows you which coins or currencies you can swap for any particular crypto so if you see BTC/USD, that means you can swap your US Dollars for Bitcoin (and vice-versa).
5. Available where you live
Copy link to sectionAccess to some crypto exchanges is limited depending on where you live. Platforms such as Binance and Coinbase are available to US users but may not be available everywhere.
Binance, in particular, has been forced to restrict access to users in certain countries in response to tighter regulations, while it is only able to operate in the US after its owner and former CEO, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), resigned his position in 2023
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www.coindesk.com
https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2023/11/28/changpeng-cz-zhao-steps-down-from-binanceus-board/
.
Check that the exchange you want to use is available where you are before creating an account. The rules might also vary by state, so it’s important to check the laws where you live.
6. Available payment methods
Copy link to sectionPayment options vary across crypto trading platforms, but most let you deposit via a bank transfer or credit/debit card payment.
Other payment options, such as PayPal or Cash App, are available on some platforms. PayPal is by far the most common, and we have a separate guide to the best crypto exchanges that accept PayPal.
7. Futures markets and leverage
Copy link to sectionSome exchanges offer derivative markets, most commonly futures markets. You can use these to predict future price movements.
These markets are more difficult to understand, and I don’t recommend them for beginners. Even I don’t trade futures, and I’ve been trading crypto for a while now. But if you are interested, then you need to find an exchange that offers these markets.
Top crypto exchanges for your needs
Copy link to sectionWe often get requests from our readers asking us to recommend an exchange to them. We try to offer up advice based on each person’s specific needs, but over the last few years we’ve had the same questions come in over and over.
So we’ve put together this list of the most common types of investor who’s looking for advice. Hopefully this helps you – feel free to skip down to the question that’s most relevant to your situation.
What is the best crypto exchange for beginners?
Copy link to sectionFor me, it’s definitely eToro. You can practice crypto trading on a demo account to start with. It’s easy to sign up, the trading fees are low, and it’s trusted by millions of users around the world. Here are some other beginner crypto exchanges:
Crypto exchange | Fees | No. of assets |
---|---|---|
eToro | 1% | 73+ |
Coinbase | 1% | 200+ |
Binance | From 0% | 600+ |
What is the crypto exchange with lowest fees?
Copy link to sectioneToro is the cheapest crypto exchange. It adds a flat 1% fee added to the market price of each digital asset. The fee is part of the spread, so there are no surprises. Here is a breakdown of the lowest fee crypto exchanges:
Asset | eToro fees | Plus500 fees | Coinbase fees |
---|---|---|---|
Crypto | 1% | From 2% | Up to 0.6% |
Commodities | From 2 pips | From 0.04% | – |
Forex | From 1 pip | – | – |
Index prices | From 0.75 pts | From 0.7% | – |
Stocks | 0% commission | From 0.08% | – |
Stock CFDs | 0.15% | – | – |
ETF CFDs | 0.15% | – | – |
View more > | eToro > | Plus500 > | Coinbase > |
What is the safest crypto exchange?
Copy link to sectionCoinbase is the most secure crypto exchange. Coinbase is a large, public company that has to be transparent in order to comply with stock market regulations. Here are the crypto trading platforms that came out with our top security score:
Region | eToro regulators | Plus500 regulators | Coinbase regulators |
---|---|---|---|
Africa | – | FSA | – |
Asia | – | – | FSA |
Australasia | ASIC | ASIC, FMA | – |
Europe | FCA, CySEC | FCA, CySEC | FCA |
International | – | – | – |
North America | FinCEN | – | NFA |
South America | – | – | – |
View more > | eToro > | Plus500 > | Coinbase > |
What is the best crypto exchange for staking coins?
Copy link to sectionNexo is the best place to go if you want to stake, or earn interest on, your cryptocurrency. Many exchanges have some form of staking system now, but the likes of Nexo are more like interest paying bank accounts and come with fewer charges than regular crypto exchanges. Here are more top staking platforms:
Cryptocurrency exchange | No. of stakable assets |
---|---|
Nexo | 60+ |
Kucoin | 750+ |
Uphold | 220+ |
Read more: best crypto staking platforms
What is the best crypto exchange for altcoins?
Copy link to sectionBinance offers more than 500 cryptocurrencies, which makes it the best place to go to buy your favourite altcoin. With a minimum deposit starting from just $1, it’s the ideal place for beginners or casual traders to start trading altcoins. Here are more exchanges with lots of altcoin options:
Crypto exchange | Trading fees | No. of altcoins |
---|---|---|
Binance | From 0% | 600+ |
Kucoin | From 0% | 750+ |
OKX | From 0.6% | 340+ |
Read more: best altcoin exchanges
What is the best crypto exchange for day trading?
Copy link to sectionBitstamp has the best tools for fast intraday trading. It boasts industry-leading uptime and a professional account where you can access high liquidity and instant order execution. Here are some other top day-trading crypto platforms:
Crypto trading platform | Trading fees | No. of assets |
---|---|---|
Bitstamp | From 0% | 80+ |
OKX | From 0.6% | 340+ |
eToro | 1% | 73+ |
What is the best fiat-to-crypto exchange?
Copy link to sectionBinance is designed for convenience, so it makes it easy to swap between fiat and crypto currency. Large, popular crypto exchanges that target casual traders are ideal for fiat-crypto conversions. Here are some other top fiat-to-crypto exchanges:
Crypto exchange | Fiat trading pairs | No. of assets |
---|---|---|
Binance | USD, GBP, EUR, AUD | 600+ |
Coinbase | USD, GBP, EUR | 200+ |
Uphold | USD, GBP, EUR | 220+ |
Read more: best fiat-to-crypto exchanges
What is the best no-fee crypto exchange?
Copy link to sectionThere aren’t many genuinely free crypto exchanges. More often, only parts of the service are free, such as Bitcoin or stablecoin trading. Here are the best crypto exchanges that offer some form of free trading:
Crypto exchange | Fees | No. of assets |
---|---|---|
Kucoin | From 0%* | 750+ |
Binance | From 0%* | 600+ |
Bitstamp | From 0%* | 80+ |
*0% on certain assets only
What is the best crypto derivatives exchange?
Copy link to sectionBinance offers the best range of derivative markets. It’s a futures exchange, and options exchange, and the best exchange to short crypto, all rolled into one. Here are other crypto trading platforms where you can access derivatives:
Crypto exchange | Fees | No. of assets |
---|---|---|
Binance | From 0% | 600+ |
KuCoin | From 0% | 750+ |
OKX | From 0.6% | 340+ |
Your verdict: top crypto trading platforms user reviews
Copy link to sectionBefore signing up to any platform, it’s always useful to see what other people’s experiences of the service have been. You may find other users offering up viewpoints you hadn’t considered before, or it can serve as a final test to ensure the exchange can be trusted with your money.
Below we’ve gathered user feedback for each of our top rated crypto exchanges, so you have the complete picture to make your final decision.
Review source | eToro rating | Plus500 rating | Coinbase rating |
---|---|---|---|
Trustpilot | 4.4 | 4 | – |
Google Play Store | 4.1 | 4.3 | – |
App Store | 3.8 | 4.1 | – |
View more > | eToro > | Plus500 > | Coinbase > |
Methodology: How did we choose the best cryptocurrency exchanges?
Copy link to sectionHelping people make better financial decisions is at the heart of our mission at Invezz.
We periodically test more than 48 cryptocurrency exchanges to provide our users with clear, accessible guidance on the investing options available. All testing is carried out by our panel of crypto experts, analysts, and active traders who sign up to each exchange, conduct research, and score each service.
Our tests are designed to find crypto exchange platforms that offer a beginner-friendly, secure trading experience at a fair price. To supplement our practical testing and experience, we research each exchange to gather any further relevant information. We read online customer reviews, app reviews on the Play Store and App Store, and conduct user surveys to get feedback from real people about what works, and what doesn’t.
Each crypto exchange is awarded a final score based on 130+ data points across 8 ranking categories: cost, reliability, user experience, deposit & withdrawals, investing options, range of products/markets, research & analysis tools, and the availability of educational & learning resources.
We work closely with individual crypto brands to ensure all factual information displayed here is accurate. All data is then fact-checked by an independent reviewer. You can learn more about our expert panel and how we test, rate, and review platforms in our review process.