Coinbase review

Coinbase is the easiest place on this list to buy a first coin, and it adds Coinbase Advanced for people who outgrow the simple buy button. The catch is cost on simple trades. Coinbase includes a spread in quoted prices, may charge a Coinbase fee of 1.875% depending on payment method, and adds a separate 1% execution fee on simple limit orders. Every fee and the spread appear on the order preview screen before you confirm. Coinbase Advanced trades directly on the order book with no spread, which is the cheaper route for regular traders. Coinbase One Basic costs $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year and waives trading fees on up to $500 a month, with $1,000 of account protection coverage; Preferred costs $29.99 a month and raises the allowance to $10,000. The zero-fee benefit does not apply to the 1% limit order fee. Staking carries a 35% standard commission on assets such as ETH and SOL.

Who it is for

First-time buyers who want the simplest app

Price

Free account; simple trades carry a Coinbase fee and spread; Coinbase One from $4.99 per month.

Zero trading fees, boosted staking rewards, and more—starting at $4.99/month.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Coinbase One Basic at $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year waives trading fees on up to $500 a month
• Coinbase One Preferred at $29.99 a month raises the zero-fee allowance to $10,000
• Coinbase Advanced trades on the order book with no spread
• Free transfers between Coinbase users' primary balances
• Lightning Network bitcoin sends at a 0.2% processing fee

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Order preview shows the spread and every fee before you confirm
• Strength: Coinbase Advanced removes the spread for active traders
• Strength: Coinbase One Basic adds $1,000 of account protection coverage
• Weakness: Simple limit orders carry a separate 1% execution fee that Coinbase One does not waive
• Weakness: Coinbase may charge a 1.875% Coinbase fee, varying by payment method
• Weakness: Standard staking commission is 35% on assets such as ETH and SOL

Key facts

• Coinbase One Basic: $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year
• Zero-fee allowance: $500 per month (Basic), $10,000 (Preferred)
• Simple limit orders: 1% execution fee
• Advanced trade spread: None, order book
• Staking commission: 35% standard

Where it ranks

Coinbase is No. 2 in our Best Crypto Exchanges verdict.