Kraken vs XTB Comparison
| 0.99 % | Fees | 0% commission on crypto Contracts for Difference; costs apply through spreads and swap fees. |
| € 9.90 | Minimum cost per €1,000 | Not comparable (spread-based) |
| 629 | Cryptos | 30+ crypto Contracts for Difference |
| SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card | Payment Methods | SEPA/bank transfer (free), credit/debit card, PayPal (0.85% fee); card fees vary by country |
| EU: MiCA USA: CFTC UK: FCA | Regulation | Regulated by the KNF (Poland), CySEC (Cyprus), FCA (UK) and others; locally supervised through its EU branches |
Cost comparison
The basis is a Bitcoin purchase worth €1,000, calculated from the disclosed trading fee. A price markup in the spread is not included, because most providers do not publish it.
| € 9.90 | Minimum cost per €1,000 | Not comparable (spread-based) |
| 0.99 % | Fees | 0% commission on crypto Contracts for Difference; costs apply through spreads and swap fees. |
| € 1.49 | Wallet transfer | - |
| Limited | Cost transparency | Variable spreads |
| € 1 | Minimum Amount | 0 € (no minimum deposit) |
| SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card | Payment Methods | SEPA/bank transfer (free), credit/debit card, PayPal (0.85% fee); card fees vary by country |
Pros & Cons
- 629 cryptocurrencies tradable, 516 of them directly against the euro (measured on 3 September 2026 via Kraken's public API)
- MiCA authorisation in the EEA through Payward Europe Solutions Limited, Ireland, supervised by the Central Bank of Ireland
- Savings plan and staking are offered
- On the market since 2011, one of the oldest crypto exchanges
- Kraken Pro at 0.40 % maker and 0.80 % taker is far cheaper than the simple buy route
- The simple buy route costs 1 % for instant and recurring trades, 1.5 % for custom orders
- The cheaper Pro rates require getting to grips with an order book interface
- Since 9 July 2026 volume tiers apply across products; the tier follows the highest of three values
- Kraken itself gives no consistent coin count, its own pages range from 200+ to 600+
- Broad multi-asset offering: 39 crypto Contracts for Differences plus more than 12,300 instruments across stocks, ETFs, forex, commodities and indices
- Long and short crypto positions with leverage up to 1:2, plus stop-loss and take-profit
- 0% commission on real stocks and ETFs up to €100,000 in monthly trading volume
- Established, publicly listed broker with 20+ years of history and multi-regulator oversight
- Locally regulated European branches with support in the local language, plus extensive educational resources
- Crypto is offered only as Contracts for Differences - no option to buy and hold real coins, so XTB suits traders seeking price exposure rather than investors wanting to own and withdraw crypto
- Because positions are Contracts for Differences, transferring crypto to a personal wallet isn't possible (expected for this product type, but a limitation if self-custody is your goal)
Score Comparison
User Experiences
AI AnalysisAccording 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.
According to the analyzed user reviews, the overall picture of XTB is mixed. Users particularly appreciate the clear, easy-to-understand interface; however, in terms of support, fees, and technical reliability, users occasionally report critical experiences.
This analysis is based on 1184 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 platform ratings (star ratings) shown refer to all reviews available there. The reviews shown reflect users’ experiences and do not represent the site operator’s own assessment. All information without guarantee. Status: March 2026. This comparison does not constitute investment advice.
Features
| ✓ | Savings plan | ✓ |
| ✓ | Staking | ✓ |
| ✓ | Wallet transfer | ✓ |
| ✓ | Cost transparency | ✓ |
| ✓ | 2FA security | ✓ |
| ✓ | Account lock | ✓ |
| ✓ | SEPA instant bank transfer | ✓ |
| ✓ | PayPal | ✓ |
| ✓ | Credit card | ✓ |
| ✓ | Mobile app (iOS/Android) | ✓ |
| ✓ | Card | ✓ |
| ✓ | Futures trading | ✓ |
| ✓ | Copy trading | ✓ |
| ✓ | Tax export | ✓ |
| ✓ | Demo mode | ✓ |
| ✓ | Education area | ✓ |
- 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
- More than 20 years on the market and over 2.5 million customers
- Interest on uninvested balances in different currencies
- XTB Card and payment account as additional features for private customers
The five areas head to head
AI AnalysisFees & Costs
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.
When it comes to fees, the user picture is rather critical: according to reviews, the fee structure is occasionally perceived as high, while some users rate the value for money positively.
Usability & User Experience
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.
Users mostly describe the app as clear, well structured, and easy to use. Verification is perceived by some users as quick, which makes getting started easier. In some cases, the registration process is described as confusing.
Features & Offering
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.
From the users’ perspective, there is above all a wish for expanded features: more indicators, a risk-reward ratio, and more flexibility when moving charts and setting take-profit/stop-loss. Some users also want partial closing of positions, a clearer presentation, and continuous trading around the clock.
Stability & Security
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.
Regarding stability and reliability, users repeatedly mention technical weaknesses of the app in their reviews. App stability is occasionally described as room for improvement, for example in the display of charts and indicators. Some users also mention a chart display that is sometimes unclear.
Customer Support
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.
In terms of support, users repeatedly describe accessibility as room for improvement; in some cases, missing responses are mentioned. The payout process is also criticized in individual reports. Overall, customer service is rated rather cautiously according to user reviews.
Details
| Payward Europe Solutions Limited | Company | XTB S.A. |
| 2011 | Founded | 2002 |
| EU: MiCA USA: CFTC UK: FCA | Regulation | Regulated by the KNF (Poland), CySEC (Cyprus), FCA (UK) and others; locally supervised through its EU branches |
| € 1 | Minimum Amount | 0 € (no minimum deposit) |
| Photo ID | KYC | Photo ID, fully digital verification |
Verdict
In our overall rating XTB leads with 4.5 against 4.2 for Kraken.
For most investors XTB is therefore the better choice.
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.
XTB stands out as an established, publicly listed multi-asset broker with more than 20 years of market experience and over 2.5 million clients. Its main strengths are a clear, easy-to-use interface and an unusually broad offering of more than 12,300 instruments - including 39 crypto Contracts for Differences alongside real stocks, ETFs, forex and commodities. The 0% commission on stocks and ETFs up to €100,000 in monthly volume, the XTB card and payment account, locally regulated European branches with support in the local language, and the depth of educational material all add to its appeal.
The key thing to understand is how XTB offers crypto: as Contract for Differences rather than as actual coins. That's a deliberate product design, not a defect - Contracts for Differences let you go long or short with leverage and built-in risk controls. But it does mean you never own the underlying crypto and can't move it to a personal wallet. If your goal is self-custody or long-term holding of real coins, a dedicated crypto platform fits better; if you want regulated, flexible price exposure within a single multi-asset account, XTB's approach is a sensible match. Some users also note room for improvement in support responsiveness and app stability.
Overall, XTB is best suited to investors who want a regulated, broadly positioned broker with locally supervised European branches, strong stock and ETF conditions, and integrated crypto Contracts for Differences trading - and who value a simple, clear and intuitive interface over direct crypto ownership.
**Contracts for Differences are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading Contract for Differences with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how Contracts for Differences work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.