How we check fees
Every fee on the comparison table comes from the exchange's own published fee schedule, or a named news report when the exchange announces a change. Next to each number is the date we checked it and a link to the source.
We compare the starting tier, the rates a brand-new account pays, because that's what most readers will pay. We also separate the two ways most exchanges let you buy:
- The advanced screen (Kraken Pro, Gemini ActiveTrader, Coinbase Advanced) charges a maker or taker fee per trade.
- The simple "Buy" button usually adds a convenience fee and a spread on top. On Kraken, for example, instant buys in the app cost 1% plus a spread, while Kraken Pro starts at 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker.
What we won't publish
- Fee numbers we can't trace to a source. If an exchange only shows rates after you log in, we say that instead of guessing.
- Sign-up bonuses or promotions we haven't confirmed are live.
- Star ratings, "trust scores" or app-store numbers we didn't collect ourselves.
Why Kraken is our pick
Kraken is our recommendation for most US buyers, but not because it's the cheapest. Binance.US posts lower spot fees right now, and the table says so. We pick Kraken for the overall package: it was founded in 2011, it publishes proof-of-reserves reports, Kraken Pro is included with every account, and it lists 200+ coins for US customers. It isn't available to residents of New York or Maine.
How we make money
Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you open an account through one, we may earn a commission. You don't pay more because of it, and it never changes the fee numbers we publish. The details are on our affiliate disclosure page.
SideBySide Crypto is published by Scout Theory LLC, an independent web publisher. We aren't owned by, and don't take payment for placement from, any exchange.
About older guides
Exchanges change their fee schedules often. Some guides on this site were written under older schedules and are being re-checked against current numbers. When a guide and the comparison table disagree, trust the table, and if you spot something stale, tell us.
A note on risk
Cryptocurrency prices are volatile, and you can lose some or all of what you put in. This site compares exchanges; it doesn't tell you what to buy, when to buy it, or whether to buy crypto at all. Nothing here is financial, investment or tax advice.
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