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Crypto exchanges compared on fees, security and features
SideBySide Crypto compares 25+ cryptocurrency exchanges on the things that separate them: real trading fees, security ratings and which coins you can actually buy. It's for anyone about to open an exchange account to buy Bitcoin, Ethereum or any of 1,000+ other cryptocurrencies.
Fees are where we spend most of our time
Advertised fees and real fees are rarely the same thing. An exchange can promote zero-fee trading and make its money on the spread, charge different maker and taker rates, or add costs at deposit and withdrawal. We track the real trading fees and write about the hidden ones, so a comparison between Kraken's 0.16% and Binance.US's 0.10% is read alongside the costs that never appear on a pricing page.
Security and availability get equal weight
Security ratings are compared for every exchange, because low fees mean nothing on a platform you can't trust with a deposit. We also pay attention to where an exchange is available: some platforms don't officially serve US residents at all, and only a few operate in all 50 states including New York. The tables and guides flag this so you don't open an account you can't use.
Top exchanges by category
The home page sorts the field by fit rather than crowning one winner, so a first-time buyer and a high-volume trader each land on a different shortlist.
The blog runs to 75 posts and does the work the tables can't: head-to-head reviews such as Kraken vs Gemini and eToro vs Coinbase, single-exchange reviews like our look at Robinhood's spread costs, and practical guides on maker and taker fees, hidden costs and the cheapest way to buy Bitcoin.
- Beginners: Coinbase, 280+ cryptocurrencies
- Low fees: Kraken, 0.16% fee, 200+ cryptocurrencies
- Most cryptocurrencies: Binance.US, 150+ coins at 0.10%
- Security: Gemini, 70+ cryptocurrencies
- Mobile app: Crypto.com, 350+ cryptocurrencies
- Easiest to use: Robinhood, 0% fee, 15+ cryptocurrencies
A note on risk
Cryptocurrency is volatile and risky. Never invest more than you can afford to lose. This site compares exchanges; it does not tell you what to buy or when, and nothing here is investment advice. Fees and features change often, so the tables are updated daily and the exchange's own terms are the final word.
Who is this for? Someone buying a first coin who wants the simplest app, a regular trader who wants the lowest maker fee, and everyone in between. The comparison is the same; what changes is which column you sort by. Questions and corrections are welcome through the contact page.