Comparison
Kraken vs Coinbase
Side-by-side comparison of Kraken and Coinbase across fees, features, regional availability, and ratings. Across the 9 comparable factors below, Coinbase wins on more factors.
Kraken
San Francisco, USA · est. 2011
4.3
Coinbase
Wilmington, Delaware, USA · est. 2012
4.3
| Factor | Kraken | Coinbase | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot taker fee | 0.400% | 0.600% | Kraken |
| Spot maker fee | 0.250% | 0.400% | Kraken |
| Futures taker fee | 0.050% | 0.050% | Tie |
| Supported coins | 240+ | 250+ | Coinbase |
| KYC | required | required | — |
| HQ | San Francisco, USA | Wilmington, Delaware, USA | — |
| Founded | 2011 | 2012 | — |
| Liquidity rating | 4.3 | 4.4 | Coinbase |
| Security rating | 4.8 | 4.9 | Coinbase |
Verdict
Coinbase edges out Kraken on 3 of 6 comparable factors. Kraken is still a strong alternative if you value strong us regulatory standing.
For most active traders, fee differences compound quickly — the spread on perpetual taker fees alone (0.050% vs 0.050%) can move thousands of dollars per year on a meaningful position size.