Bitpanda vs Kraken Pro Comparison
| 0.99 % | Fees | 0.4 % |
| € 9.90 | Cost for €1,000 | € 4.10 |
| 650+ | Cryptos | 629 |
| SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal | Payment Methods | SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card |
| MiCA authorisations in Austria (FMA), Germany (BaFin) and Malta | Regulation | - EU: MiCA - USA: CFTC - UK: FCA |
Cost comparison
The basis is a Bitcoin purchase worth €1,000, including all fees and spreads.
| € 9.90 | Cost for €1,000 | € 4.10 |
| 0.99 % | Fees | 0.4 % |
| € 2.91 | Wallet transfer | € 1.49 |
| Yes | Cost transparency | Yes |
| € 1 | Minimum Amount | € 5 |
| SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal | Payment Methods | SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card |
On a €1,000 purchase you pay €5.80 less at Kraken Pro.
Pros & Cons
- Over 650 cryptocurrencies available
- BaFin license for custody and proprietary trading available
- Savings plans and staking are offered
- Stocks, ETFs, and precious metals also tradable on one platform
- Wide range of payment methods: SEPA, SEPA instant transfer, credit card, and PayPal
- Minimum investment possible from 1 €
- Trading fees of 0.99 % are room for improvement compared with some competitors
- Total costs of 9.90 € per trade occasionally criticized
- Security features beyond 2FA (TOTP) are room for improvement
- Volume-based maker/taker fees from 0.25% / 0.40%
- Pro order types: stop-loss, take-profit, trailing stop, iceberg, OCO
- Margin trading up to 5x (selected pairs up to 10x)
- Full-featured API: REST and WebSocket v2 incl. Level 3 order book
- Shared account with standard Kraken -- no transfer required
- Active in the market since 2011 with unchanged security record
- Learning curve compared to the standard interface has room for improvement
- Margin availability regionally restricted within the EEA
- Futures run on a separate derivatives platform with own onboarding
- Lowest fee tiers only reachable from high 30-day volume onward
User Experiences
AI AnalysisAccording to reviews, Bitpanda is frequently praised for its clear design and intuitive app. Users also report that the platform is perceived as easy to use. In reviews of the costs, it repeatedly stands out that they are described as high or too expensive. Support also receives frequent praise from many users for quick replies and prompt help, while occasionally there is also critical feedback about response times.
No separate analysis -- based on Kraken.
This analysis is based on 1930 user reviews evaluated by AI from the Apple App Store, Trustpilot, and Google Play Store. The total number of reviews on the respective platforms may be higher — the displayed platform ratings (star ratings) refer to all reviews available there. The ratings shown reflect users’ experiences and do not represent the website operator’s own assessment. All information without guarantee. As of March 2026. This comparison does not constitute investment advice.
Features
| ✓ | Savings plan | ✓ |
| ✓ | Staking | ✓ |
| ✓ | Wallet transfer | ✓ |
| ✓ | Cost transparency | ✓ |
| ✓ | 2FA security | ✓ |
| ✓ | SEPA instant transfer | ✓ |
| ✓ | Credit card | ✓ |
| ✓ | PayPal | ✓ |
| ✓ | Mobile app (iOS/Android) | ✓ |
| ✓ | Web platform | ✓ |
| ✓ | Maker/Taker Model | ✓ |
| ✓ | Margin Trading | ✓ |
| ✓ | Futures/Derivatives | ✓ |
| ✓ | Order Types | ✓ |
| ✓ | API | ✓ |
| ✓ | Charts | ✓ |
| ✓ | Mobile App (Pro Mode) | ✓ |
| ✓ | Asset Selection | ✓ |
| ✓ | 2FA Security | ✓ |
| ✓ | Cold Storage | ✓ |
- One of the few EU-based exchanges with a BaFin license
- Multi-asset platform: crypto, stocks, ETFs, and precious metals in one place
- Savings plans available from a 1 € minimum amount
- Investment in fractional shares possible
- Volume-based fee model from 0.25% maker / 0.40% taker
- Pro order types including iceberg and OCO bracket
- Margin trading with up to 5x leverage across 150+ markets
- API access for REST and WebSocket v2
The five areas head to head
AI AnalysisFees & Costs
According to reviews, users often express criticism regarding fees and costs. The fees are repeatedly described as high or too expensive. Overall, users tend to perceive the cost area rather negatively in the reviews.
No separate analysis -- based on Kraken.
Usability & User Experience
Users especially appreciate Bitpanda’s clear interface and intuitive app. According to reviews, the platform is often described as easy to use, which is highlighted particularly positively when getting started. However, some users occasionally report that the app does not always work smoothly.
No separate analysis -- based on Kraken.
Features & Offering
Users would like an iPad app, a chart widget, the display of the average price, as well as limit buys. In addition, some users suggest a larger coin selection. An Apple Watch widget and a widget for favorites are also occasionally requested.
No separate analysis -- based on Kraken.
Stability & Security
According to user reports, there is occasional criticism of Bitpanda’s app functionality. Some users report that the app does not always work or crashes in individual cases. In addition, some users describe experiences with a blocked account.
No separate analysis -- based on Kraken.
Customer Support
Support is frequently praised by users for quick help, prompt replies, and competent feedback. According to reviews, many users report positive service experiences, especially regarding response speed. However, it is occasionally criticized that inquiries are not answered or that support does not respond as expected.
No separate analysis -- based on Kraken.
Details
| Bitpanda GmbH | Company | Payward Europe Solutions Limited |
| 2014 | Founded | 2011 |
| MiCA authorisations in Austria (FMA), Germany (BaFin) and Malta | Regulation | - EU: MiCA - USA: CFTC - UK: FCA |
| € 1 | Minimum Amount | € 5 |
| eID, Photo ID | KYC | Photo ID, VideoIdent |
Verdict
Both providers are practically level in our overall rating (4.3 to 4.4).
On a €1,000 purchase you pay €5.80 less at Kraken Pro.
Bitpanda is considered one of the most established crypto platforms in the German-speaking region. With over 650 tradable cryptocurrencies, a BaFin license for custody and proprietary trading, as well as access to stocks, ETFs, and precious metals, the platform is valued by many users as a versatile all-in-one solution. The option to invest from just 1 € and set up savings plans is rated especially positively by beginners.
The fee structure, with 0.99 % trading fees and total costs of 9.90 € per trade, is room for improvement compared with cheaper providers. Nevertheless, the transparent cost overview and the variety of payment methods — including SEPA, credit card, and PayPal — are seen as an advantage. The security features beyond 2FA are considered in need of improvement.
Overall, Bitpanda is especially regarded as suitable for investors who want to invest not only in cryptocurrencies but also in other asset classes, while placing value on a regulated, EU-based platform with a BaFin license.
Kraken Pro is the separate trading interface from Kraken (pro.kraken.com and Pro mode in the mobile app) and is aimed at active traders. Unlike the standard platform with flat 0.99% fees, the volume-based maker/taker model applies here, starting at 0.25% maker and 0.40% taker, decreasing as 30-day volume rises. Account, verification, and asset balances are shared between both interfaces.
The order set covers market, limit, stop-loss, take-profit, trailing stop, iceberg orders, and bracket/OCO combinations. Margin trading is offered with up to 5x leverage depending on the pair, with selected assets reaching 10x. The availability of margin and derivatives is tied to MiFID II requirements in some EEA countries and is handled via Payward Europe Digital Solutions. Charts, order book, and API access (REST and WebSocket v2) are described in user reviews as sufficient for active strategies; the learning curve compared to the standard interface is occasionally criticized.
Kraken Pro is considered particularly suitable for active traders who value pro order types, lower volume-based fees, and margin features. Those primarily looking for savings plans or simple spot investing will find a more fitting setup on the standard interface. This comparison does not constitute investment advice.