Kraken review

Kraken is the best all-round crypto exchange on this list because it covers both a simple app and a full trading platform, and its optional Kraken+ plan makes regular buying cheap. Without a subscription, Kraken charges a 1% fee on instant and recurring trades, 1.5% on custom orders and up to $2 on small instant trades, plus a spread. Kraken+ costs $4.99 a month after a free 30-day trial and waives trading fees on up to $10,000 of monthly volume in the Buy, Sell and Convert features, which is far more headroom than the $500 in Coinbase One Basic. Spreads and card processing fees still apply under Kraken+, and the plan does not cover Kraken Pro, futures or API trades. Kraken lists prices for more than 200 cryptocurrencies and publishes a proof of reserves report, which showed a 102.9% reserve ratio for BTC at its June 30, 2026 snapshot. Staking rewards on flexible terms carry a 30% commission.

Who it is for

Regular buyers who trade up to $10,000 a month

Price

Free account; instant buys 1%; Kraken+ $4.99 per month after a 30-day free trial waives trading fees on up to $10,000 a month.

Free 30-day trial, then just $4.99/mo.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Kraken+ waives trading fees on up to $10,000 of monthly buy, sell and convert volume
• Instant and recurring trades cost 1%, custom orders 1.5%, small instant trades up to $2
• Kraken Pro for order-book trading, plus web, mobile app and API access
• Prices for 200+ cryptocurrencies listed on its markets page
• Proof of reserves report with a 102.9% BTC reserve ratio at the June 30, 2026 snapshot

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Kraken+ zero-fee allowance of $10,000 a month is 20 times Coinbase One Basic's $500
• Strength: Kraken+ starts with a 30-day free trial
• Strength: Publishes asset-by-asset proof of reserves ratios
• Weakness: Instant buys without Kraken+ cost 1% plus a spread
• Weakness: Kraken+ does not cover Kraken Pro, futures, API or OTC trades
• Weakness: Flexible staking carries a 30% commission on rewards

Key facts

• Instant buy fee: 1% (up to $2 on small trades)
• Custom orders: 1.5%
• Kraken+: $4.99 per month, 30-day free trial
• Zero-fee allowance: $10,000 per month with Kraken+
• BTC reserve ratio: 102.9% (June 30, 2026)

Where it ranks

Kraken is No. 1 in our Best Crypto Exchanges verdict.