Coinbase Fees Explained: Complete 2025 Breakdown
Coinbase has two completely different fee structures—and most people use the expensive one. Here's exactly what you'll pay and how to cut your fees by 70%+.
The Coinbase Fee Trap
Simple Trade (default): ~1.49% + spread = ~2% total
Advanced Trade (same app): 0.40-0.60% = 70% cheaper
Most users don't know Advanced Trade exists. You're using the same account—just a different interface.
Coinbase's Two Fee Structures
Simple Trade (Default)
The pretty interface most people use
$1,000 purchase = ~$20 in fees
Advanced Trade ⭐
Same account, much cheaper
$1,000 purchase = ~$4-6 in fees
💡 How to Access Advanced Trade
Desktop: Click "Advanced Trade" in the top navigation
Mobile: Tap the trading icon → Select "Advanced"
No application needed. Same account, same funds. Just a different trading screen.
Complete Fee Breakdown
| Fee Type | Simple Trade | Advanced Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Fee (Buy/Sell) | ~1.49% | 0.40-0.60% |
| Spread | ~0.5% | Market rate |
| ACH Deposit | Free | Free |
| Wire Deposit | $10 | $10 |
| Debit Card | 3.99% | N/A |
| Crypto Withdrawal | Network fee | Network fee |
| USD Withdrawal (ACH) | Free | Free |
Advanced Trade Volume Discounts
Higher volume = lower fees. Here's Coinbase's tier structure:
| 30-Day Volume | Maker Fee | Taker Fee |
|---|---|---|
| $0 - $10K | 0.40% | 0.60% |
| $10K - $50K | 0.25% | 0.40% |
| $50K - $100K | 0.15% | 0.25% |
| $100K - $1M | 0.10% | 0.20% |
| $1M+ | 0.05% | 0.10% |
Real Cost Examples
Buying $500 of Bitcoin
Simple Trade
Fee: ~$10 (2%)
You get: ~$490 of BTC
Advanced Trade
Fee: ~$3 (0.6%)
You get: ~$497 of BTC
Savings: $7 per transaction
Monthly DCA: $200/week for 1 year
Simple Trade
Annual fees: ~$208
Advanced Trade
Annual fees: ~$62
Annual savings: $146
Maker vs Taker Fees Explained
Maker (0.40%)
You "make" liquidity by placing a limit order that doesn't fill immediately. Your order sits on the order book waiting to be filled.
Example: "Buy BTC at $99,500" when price is $100,000
Taker (0.60%)
You "take" liquidity by placing a market order that fills immediately against existing orders.
Example: "Buy BTC now at market price"
💡 Pro Tip: Use Limit Orders
Set a limit order slightly below market price for buys (or above for sells). You'll often get filled quickly AND pay the lower maker fee. Even a limit order at the current price can qualify as a maker order if it doesn't fill instantly.
Hidden Fees to Watch
⚠️ Debit Card Purchases: 3.99%
Instant gratification costs 4x more. ACH bank transfers are free and only take 3-5 days. For urgent buys, use the linked bank "instant buy" feature (still cheaper than card).
⚠️ Spread on Simple Trade
Beyond the 1.49% fee, Simple Trade has a ~0.5% spread built into the price. You're paying more than the stated fee. Advanced Trade uses actual market prices.
⚠️ Coinbase One Subscription
$29.99/month for "zero trading fees" sounds good, but you still pay the spread. Only worth it if you trade $3,000+/month. Most users save more just using Advanced Trade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coinbase One worth it?
For most people, no. At $30/month, you need to trade $5,000+/month to break even vs Advanced Trade fees. The main benefits are boosted staking rewards and priority support. Calculate your actual trading volume first.
Why are Coinbase fees higher than Kraken?
Coinbase invests heavily in user experience and marketing. You're paying for the polished interface, brand trust, and customer support infrastructure. Kraken optimizes for low fees over UX. Both are valid trade-offs.
Are recurring buys cheaper?
No—recurring buys use Simple Trade pricing (~1.5%+). For DCA, you're better off manually buying via Advanced Trade weekly. More effort, but significant savings over time.
The Bottom Line
Coinbase fees are high if you use Simple Trade (~2% total) and reasonable if you use Advanced Trade (0.4-0.6%).
The #1 thing you can do to save money on Coinbase: Switch to Advanced Trade. Same account, same funds, 70% lower fees. Takes 10 seconds.
Compare All Exchange FeesLast updated: December 18, 2025