Coinbase vs Kraken Comparison
| 1.49 % | Fees | 0.99 % |
| € 14.90 | Cost for €1,000 | € 9.90 |
| 260+ | Cryptos | 380+ |
| SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal | Payment Methods | SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card |
| First company with BaFin crypto license. Deficiencies flagged in 2022, since remediated. MiCA via Luxembourg. | Regulation | EU: MiCA USA: CFTC UK: FCA |
Cost comparison
The basis is a Bitcoin purchase worth €1,000, including all fees and spreads.
| € 14.90 | Cost for €1,000 | € 9.90 |
| 1.49 % | Fees | 0.99 % |
| € 0.24 | Wallet transfer | € 1.49 |
| No | Cost transparency | Limited |
| € 1 | Minimum Amount | € 1 |
| 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 €5.00 less at Kraken.
Pros & Cons
- First company with a crypto license from BaFin
- Over 260 cryptocurrencies available
- Savings plan and staking are offered
- Payment methods: SEPA instant transfer, credit card, and PayPal
- Educational program with cryptocurrency rewards for completed modules
- Minimum investment possible from 1 €
- Trading fees of 1.49 % are room for improvement compared with competitors
- Total costs of 14,90 € per trade are occasionally criticized
- Cost transparency is rated as limited
- Over 380 cryptocurrencies available
- Savings plan and staking offered
- On the market since 2011 – one of the oldest crypto exchanges
- Payment methods: SEPA instant bank transfer, PayPal, and credit card
- Wallet transfer fees of approx. €1.49
- Minimum investment possible from €1
- Trading fees of 0.99% could be improved compared with cheaper exchanges
- Total costs of €9.90 per trade occasionally criticized
- Cost transparency is assessed as limited
- No EU regulation or BaFin license available
Score Comparison
User Experiences
AI AnalysisAccording to the analyzed user data, Coinbase is described by many users as intuitive, clear, and particularly suitable for a quick start. At the same time, users repeatedly report high fees as well as support and access issues.
According to the analyzed user reviews, Kraken is often described as simple and easy to understand, especially with regard to the app and basic usability. At the same time, users mainly report criticism of support-related topics and costs, so the overall picture from a user perspective is mixed.
This analysis is based on 1317 user reviews analyzed by AI from the Apple App Store, Trustpilot, Google Play Store. The total number of reviews on the respective platforms may be higher — the platform ratings shown (star ratings) refer to all reviews available there. The ratings shown reflect user reviews and do not constitute our own assessment by the website operator. All information without guarantee. Status: 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 | ✓ |
| ✓ | Account lock | ✓ |
| ✓ | SEPA instant bank transfer | ✓ |
- First crypto license from BaFin in Germany
- Educational program with crypto rewards for completed learning modules
- Low wallet transfer fees of approx. 0,24 €
- On the market since 2012 – one of the oldest crypto companies
- On the market since 2011 with a significant market presence
- Comprehensive security protocols incl. 2FA and account lock
- 380+ cryptocurrencies tradable
- Savings plan and staking on one platform
The five areas head to head
AI AnalysisFees & Costs
When it comes to fees, many users report high costs. In the reviews, this point is repeatedly criticized.
The reviews present a mixed picture when it comes to fees and costs: on the one hand, low fees are mentioned positively several times; on the other hand, users criticize high fees. According to user reviews, the perception of costs is therefore not consistent.
Usability & User Experience
Users especially appreciate Coinbase for its intuitive app as well as its simple and clear experience. According to reviews, beginners in particular find the interface easy to use, as many processes are described as fast and user-friendly. However, some users occasionally report login issues.
Users particularly appreciate Kraken’s intuitive app and clear design, which are repeatedly described in reviews as easy to use. According to the reviews, getting started is quick for many users, and overall navigation is also mentioned positively. Some users report that the app does not open immediately, which makes usability appear limited from the perspective of individual reviews.
Features & Offering
According to reviews, many users describe the basic offering as easy to access. At the same time, users want more exchange features, candlestick charts, and a larger selection of smaller coins. Additional functions such as customizable notifications, adding a beneficiary, Cash App/Apple Pay, more crypto services, and a dust button are also mentioned.
In the analyzed user reviews, there are only a few recurring statements about features and the offering, which is why this area mainly reveals individual requests. Among other things, users want a candlestick chart, a prediction market, an auto-sell function, a 72-hour timer, and a widget for the app. In addition, some users would like more support for beginners and a calendar. Overall, the feedback mainly shows additional feature requests.
Stability & Security
Regarding stability, users occasionally report that the app does not start, freezes, or cannot be opened. Login issues are also mentioned in the reviews.
Regarding stability and reliability, the analyzed user data mainly contains individual critical feedback. Some users report that the app cannot be opened immediately or that withdrawals are perceived as delayed. Overall, however, the available data is not sufficient, according to the reviews, to derive a clearly reliable user picture for this area.
Customer Support
Regarding support, users repeatedly report difficulty reaching customer service in the reviews. According to user data, it is also mentioned that help does not come in a timely manner or that responses are missing.
When it comes to support, users comparatively often report longer waiting times or no response at all. According to the reviews, missing help and slow reactions are repeatedly criticized, making this area clearly viewed critically from a user perspective. Individual feedback also suggests that issues are not always resolved promptly.
Details
| Coinbase Global, Inc. | Company | Payward Inc. |
| 2012 | Founded | 2011 |
| First company with BaFin crypto license. Deficiencies flagged in 2022, since remediated. MiCA via Luxembourg. | Regulation | EU: MiCA USA: CFTC UK: FCA |
| € 1 | Minimum Amount | € 1 |
| eID, VideoIdent | KYC | Photo ID |
Verdict
In our overall rating Coinbase leads with 4.8 against 4.2 for Kraken.
On a €1,000 purchase you pay €5.00 less at Kraken.
For most investors Coinbase is therefore the better choice.
Coinbase is regarded as one of the best-known crypto exchanges worldwide and is valued for obtaining the first BaFin crypto license in Germany. With over 260 tradable cryptocurrencies, a savings plan, and staking, the platform offers a solid range of services. In particular, the educational program, in which users receive crypto rewards for completing learning modules, is viewed positively as an innovative addition.
The trading fees of 1.49 % and total costs of 14,90 € per trade are room for improvement compared with cheaper providers. The limited cost transparency is also occasionally criticized. On the other hand, the low wallet transfer fees of approx. 0,24 € and the variety of payment methods are seen as advantages.
Coinbase is especially considered suitable for beginners who prefer a BaFin-regulated platform with educational offerings and easy-to-use features and who can accept compromises on trading fees.
Kraken is considered one of the oldest and most established crypto exchanges and has been active in the market since 2011. With over 380 tradable cryptocurrencies as well as savings plan and staking features, the platform is appreciated by long-term investors. The extensive security protocols, including 2FA and account lock, are rated positively.
The trading fees of 0.99% and total costs of €9.90 per trade are in the middle range compared with cheaper providers. The lack of EU regulation or a BaFin license is occasionally criticized. Cost transparency is regarded as limited, which some users see as room for improvement.
Kraken is considered particularly suitable for investors who value a long-established platform with a wide coin selection and want to use savings plans and staking — even without EU regulation.