SideBySideCrypto
Advanced Trading December 18, 2025

Best Crypto Exchange for Limit Orders 2025

Limit orders let you control exactly what price you pay. Here's where to get the best execution with the lowest fees.

Quick Verdict

Kraken wins for limit order traders with 0.16% maker fees, advanced order types (stop-loss, take-profit, trailing stops), and a platform built for precision trading. Binance.US comes close at 0.10% fees with strong liquidity. Avoid the basic Coinbase interface—it doesn't even support true limit orders.

Why Limit Orders Matter

Market orders execute immediately at whatever price is available. Limit orders let you specify the maximum you'll pay (or minimum you'll accept when selling). In a volatile market, this difference can save you 1-3% per trade—far more than the fee difference between exchanges.

But not all exchanges treat limit order traders equally. Some charge the same fees regardless of order type. Others reward "makers" who add liquidity with limit orders by charging lower fees than "takers" who use market orders.

Exchange Comparison: Limit Order Features

Exchange Maker Fee Taker Fee Advanced Orders Best For
Kraken Pro 0.16% 0.26% ✅ Full suite Serious traders
Binance.US 0.10% 0.10% ✅ OCO, Stop-Limit Lowest fees
Coinbase Advanced 0.40% 0.60% ✅ Stop, Limit US trust/liquidity
Gemini ActiveTrader 0.20% 0.40% ✅ Stop, Limit Security focus
Crypto.com 0.075%* 0.075%* ✅ Stop, Limit CRO stakers

*With maximum CRO staking discount applied. Base fees are higher.

Order Types Explained

Basic Limit Order

You set a specific price. The order only executes if the market reaches that price. Example: BTC is at $85,000 and you set a limit buy at $82,000. Your order sits on the book until Bitcoin drops to $82,000.

Stop-Limit Order

Two prices: a stop price that triggers the order, and a limit price for execution. Useful for protecting profits or limiting losses. Kraken, Binance.US, and Gemini all support this.

OCO (One-Cancels-Other)

Set both a take-profit and stop-loss simultaneously. When one triggers, the other cancels. Only Binance.US and Kraken offer true OCO orders in the US market.

Trailing Stop

A dynamic stop that follows the price up (for longs) by a set percentage or dollar amount. If BTC rises from $85,000 to $90,000 with a 5% trailing stop, your stop rises from $80,750 to $85,500. Kraken offers this; most US exchanges don't.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Kraken Pro

The most complete order type support in the US market. 0.16% maker fees reward limit order traders, and the advanced interface gives you the precision tools you need. Never been hacked in 13+ years of operation.

✓ Trailing stops ✓ OCO orders ✓ 0.16% maker fee
Lowest Fees

Binance.US

Flat 0.10% fees for both maker and taker orders. Great liquidity on major pairs. State restrictions apply (not available in NY, TX, and a few others), but if you have access, the fees are unbeatable.

✓ 0.10% flat fee ✓ OCO available ⚠ State restrictions
Most Trusted

Coinbase Advanced

Higher fees (0.40% maker) but unmatched liquidity and trust. The standard Coinbase app only offers "instant" orders with spreads baked in—you must use Coinbase Advanced for real limit orders.

✓ Best liquidity ✓ NASDAQ listed ✗ Higher fees

Tips for Limit Order Success

Check order book depth. A thin order book means your limit order might not fill even if the price briefly touches your level. Coinbase and Kraken generally have the deepest books for BTC and ETH.

Use maker fees to your advantage. On Kraken, placing limit orders costs 0.16% vs 0.26% for market orders. That's a 38% fee reduction just for being patient.

Set realistic prices. A limit buy 10% below current price might never fill in a bull market. Use support levels from charts to set strategic entry points.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between limit and market orders? +
Market orders execute immediately at the best available price. Limit orders only execute at your specified price or better. Market orders guarantee execution; limit orders guarantee price.
Why are maker fees lower than taker fees? +
Makers add liquidity to the order book; takers remove it. Exchanges reward makers with lower fees because liquidity makes the exchange more attractive to all traders.
Can limit orders expire? +
Yes, most exchanges offer GTC (Good-Till-Canceled) and day orders. GTC orders remain open until filled or canceled. Day orders expire at the end of the trading day. Kraken also offers GTD (Good-Till-Date) for custom expiration.
Do I need Coinbase Advanced for limit orders? +
Yes. The regular Coinbase app doesn't offer true limit orders—only "instant" buys that include hidden spreads. Coinbase Advanced is free to use within the same account and provides real limit order functionality.

The Bottom Line

For serious limit order trading, Kraken offers the best combination of low maker fees and advanced order types. Binance.US wins on raw fee percentage if it's available in your state. Skip the basic Coinbase app—its "instant" orders hide significant costs.

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