WhichBrokerHead to head · data verified October 2026
Coinbase vs Kraken
Kraken wins our overall scoring by 0.4 points, but Coinbase still takes specific profiles.
Pillar scores
Side by side
| Criterion | Coinbase | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.4 | 8.8 |
| Founded | 2012 | 2011 |
| Regulation | FCA (UK): e-money institution and cryptoasset registration, FRN 900635; MiFID investment firm, FRN 1045733, US state licences, MiCA (EU) | US state licenses, FCA (UK, registered), MiCA (EU) |
| Min. deposit | No stated account minimum; US stocks from £1 | $1 equivalent |
| Fees | Simple buy/sell: a spread in the quoted price plus a Coinbase fee shown on the preview screen, with no fixed published UK rate; Coinbase Advanced: maker/taker by 30-day volume, no spread (reported as 0.25%/0.50% at entry tier for the UK from 16 Sept 2026); Coinbase One subscription removes simple-trade fees up to a monthly limit; 35% commission on standard staking rewards | Kraken Pro: 0.40%/0.80% maker/taker at entry tier, dropping with volume; instant buy 1% + spread |
| Platforms | Coinbase app (iOS, Android) and web, Coinbase Advanced, Coinbase API, Base App (self-custody wallet) | Kraken web & app, Kraken Pro, Kraken API |
| Markets | Hundreds of cryptoassets, staking, USDC rewards; for UK users also nearly 4,000 US stocks (rolling out since Aug 2026) and a ClearBank-held GBP savings account; derivatives for professional clients only | 200+ cryptocurrencies, margin, futures (where permitted), staking |
| Demo account | No | No |
| Best for | First-time crypto buyers, UK users wanting a listed, FCA-registered exchange, Crypto and US stocks in one app | Security-conscious holders, US & EU users |
Our verdict
Choose Coinbase if you want first-time crypto buyers · uk users wanting a listed, fca-registered exchange · crypto and us stocks in one app.
Choose Kraken if you want security-conscious holders · us & eu users — its standout pillar in our scoring is trust & regulation.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Coinbase or Kraken?
Kraken scores higher overall in our methodology (8.8 vs 8.4). Coinbase can still be the better pick for first-time crypto buyers.
Is Coinbase safe?
Coinbase is overseen by FCA (UK): e-money institution and cryptoasset registration, FRN 900635; MiFID investment firm, FRN 1045733, US state licences, MiCA (EU). Our trust score for it is 9.2/10 — see the full Coinbase review for the reasoning.
Is Kraken safe?
Kraken is overseen by US state licenses, FCA (UK, registered), MiCA (EU). Our trust score for it is 9.5/10 — see the full Kraken review for the reasoning.