Crypto Exchange With Lowest Fees 2025: Complete Comparison
Trading fees can eat into your crypto profits faster than you think. A 0.50% fee on every trade means losing $500 on every $100,000 traded. Here's how the major exchanges actually stack up—including the hidden costs they don't advertise.
Quick Answer
For US traders: Kraken Pro offers the best combination of low fees (0.16% maker / 0.26% taker) and regulatory compliance. Binance.US has 0% fees on select BTC pairs but limited availability.
Globally: MEXC offers 0% maker fees, but operates in a regulatory gray zone. Choose based on your risk tolerance.
In This Guide
Crypto Exchange Fee Comparison (December 2025)
We analyzed 15 major exchanges to find the true cost of trading. This table shows base-tier fees—what you'll actually pay as a new user, not the VIP rates buried in fine print.
| Exchange | Maker Fee | Taker Fee | US Available | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEXC | 0.00% | 0.00-0.05% | ⚠️ Gray zone | Lowest fees globally, regulatory risk |
| Binance (Global) | 0.10% | 0.10% | ❌ No | 0.075% with BNB payment |
| Kraken Pro ⭐ | 0.16% | 0.26% | ✅ Yes | Best US option for active traders |
| OKX | 0.08% | 0.10% | ❌ No | Aggressive pricing, non-US only |
| KuCoin | 0.10% | 0.10% | ❌ No | 0.08% with KCS token |
| Gemini ActiveTrader | 0.20% | 0.40% | ✅ All 50 states | Only exchange in NY with full features |
| Bitstamp | 0.30% | 0.40% | ✅ Yes | Oldest exchange (est. 2011) |
| Coinbase Advanced | 0.40% | 0.60% | ✅ Yes | Coinbase One: $0 fees for $29.99/mo |
| Binance.US | 0.40% | 0.60% | ⚠️ Some states | 0% on select BTC pairs |
| Robinhood | 0% | 0% | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Hidden spread ~0.30-0.40% |
| eToro | 1.00% + spread | ✅ Yes | Social trading features | |
| Uphold | 1.4-2.95% spread | ✅ Yes | Convenience, not trading | |
* Fees shown are base tier. High-volume traders qualify for discounts. Data verified December 2025.
Best Low-Fee Exchanges for US Traders
If you're in the US, your options are more limited—but that's not necessarily bad. Regulated exchanges offer protections that offshore platforms can't match. Here's the breakdown:
1. Kraken Pro
Best Overall for US Traders
✓ Pros
- • Lowest fees among regulated US exchanges
- • Never been hacked (12+ year track record)
- • 200+ cryptocurrencies
- • Advanced trading features
✗ Cons
- • US staking halted (SEC settlement)
- • Learning curve for beginners
- • Limited fiat deposit options
2. Gemini ActiveTrader
Best for New York Residents
✓ Pros
- • Available in all 50 states (including NY)
- • SOC 2 certified security
- • FDIC insurance on USD
- • Winklevoss-backed credibility
✗ Cons
- • Higher fees than Kraken
- • Smaller coin selection (~70)
- • Must use ActiveTrader for low fees
3. Coinbase One
Best for High-Volume Beginners
✓ Pros
- • Zero trading fees up to $10K/month
- • Easiest interface for beginners
- • 250+ cryptocurrencies
- • Priority customer support
✗ Cons
- • $29.99/month subscription required
- • Only worth it if trading $5K+/month
- • Regular Coinbase fees are high (0.60%)
Maker vs Taker Fees Explained
Maker Fee (Lower)
You're a "maker" when you place a limit order that doesn't fill immediately. You're adding liquidity to the order book.
Example: BTC is at $87,000. You set a buy order at $86,500. This sits on the book until someone sells at that price.
Taker Fee (Higher)
You're a "taker" when you place a market order that fills immediately. You're removing liquidity from the order book.
Example: BTC is at $87,000. You click "buy now" at market price. You take someone else's sell order.
💰 Pro Tip: Always Use Limit Orders
On Kraken, the difference between maker (0.16%) and taker (0.26%) is 0.10%. On a $50,000 trade, that's $50 saved by using limit orders instead of market orders. Set your limit price 0.1% below market for buys—it usually fills within minutes.
5 Ways to Reduce Your Trading Fees
Use Limit Orders, Not Market Orders
Maker fees are always lower than taker fees. This alone can cut your costs by 30-50%.
Hold the Exchange's Native Token
Binance (BNB) gives 25% off. KuCoin (KCS) gives 20% off. Crypto.com (CRO) gives up to 100% off.
Consolidate Your Trading Volume
All exchanges offer volume discounts. Instead of splitting across 3 platforms, pick one and qualify for better tiers.
Avoid Credit Card Deposits
3-5% deposit fees destroy any trading fee savings. Use ACH (free) or wire transfers instead.
Consider Coinbase One (High-Volume Traders)
If you trade $5K+/month, the $29.99/mo subscription pays for itself. Zero fees up to $10K monthly volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which crypto exchange has the absolute lowest fees?
MEXC offers 0% maker fees globally, but operates in a regulatory gray zone for US users. For regulated US exchanges, Kraken Pro has the lowest fees at 0.16% maker / 0.26% taker.
Is Robinhood really free for crypto trading?
No. Robinhood charges no commission but makes money on the spread (0.30-0.40%). You're paying—it's just hidden in the price. Kraken's explicit 0.26% taker fee is often cheaper.
Why are Coinbase fees so high?
Coinbase charges a "convenience premium" for its beginner-friendly interface. Use Coinbase Advanced (same account) to drop from ~1.5% to 0.40-0.60%. Or subscribe to Coinbase One for $0 fees.
Can I use Binance in the US?
Global Binance is blocked in the US. Binance.US is the American version, but it's restricted in several states (NY, TX, VT, and others). Fees are also higher than global Binance.
The Bottom Line
For US traders, Kraken Pro offers the best balance of low fees (0.16% maker) and regulatory safety. New York residents should use Gemini. High-volume traders ($5K+/month) should consider Coinbase One's subscription model.
Internationally, MEXC and Binance offer the lowest fees—but understand the tradeoffs in regulatory protection and withdrawal options.
Compare All ExchangesLast updated: December 18, 2025
Data sources: Exchange websites, CoinLedger, Koinly, TokenTax