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Best cryptocurrency exchanges for Low Cost Trading

Editorial Note: While we adhere to strict Editorial Integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for How We Make Money. None of the data and information on this webpage constitutes investment advice according to our Disclaimer.

OKX - Best crypto exchange for 2025 (United States)

Your capital is at risk.

Top cheapest cryptocurrency exchanges:

  • Bybit – spot fee 0,1%, futures fee 0,055%-0,02%;
  • Binance – spot fee 0,1%, futures fee 0,05%-0,02%;
  • OKX – spot fee 0,1-0,08%, futures fee 0,05%-0,02%;
  • HTX – spot fee 0,2%, futures fee 0,05%;
  • Kraken – spot fee 0,26%-0,16%, futures fee 0,05%.

As cryptocurrency trading continues to gain popularity among both retail and institutional investors, the costs associated with trading on different exchanges has become an important consideration. With crypto prices constantly fluctuating and trading volumes swelling daily across multiple exchanges, even seemingly small fees can eat into potential profits over time if not minimized. But with hundreds of crypto exchanges now available for trading globally, navigating the wide array of options and comparing their unique fee policies is no small task.

In this article, we analyze and benchmark the fees charged by some of the most popular cryptocurrency exchanges currently available on the market. We also include tips and strategies on reducing costs further through volume tiers, affiliate programs and exchange-specific tokens.

Best cryptocurrency exchanges for Low Cost Trading

Cryptocurrency Exchanges With Lowest Crypto Trading Fees

In this article, we compared the fees of leading cryptocurrency exchanges for both spot and futures trading. It is important to note that the table reflects the basic fee levels; however, most top exchanges offer significant discounts for traders with high trading volumes and for holders of the exchange's native token. For makers, these fees can, in some cases, drop to zero.

Spot trading fees compared
Spot Maker Fee, % Spot Taker fee, % Spot leverage Volume-based discounts Coins Supported Open an account

OKX

0,08 0,1 1:10 Yes 329 Open an account
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Kraken

0,25 0,4 1:5 Yes 278 Open an account
Your capital is at risk.

Crypto.com

0,25 0,5 1:3 Yes 250 Open an account
Your capital is at risk.

CoinMetro

0,1 0,2 1:5 Yes 72 Open an account
Your capital is at risk.

Ledger Wallet

0 0 No Yes 1817 Open an account
Your capital is at risk.

Coinbase

0,5 0,5 1:3 Yes 249 Open an account
Your capital is at risk.

Cryptohopper

0 0 No Yes 1000 Open an account
Your capital is at risk.

What are the cheapest futures crypto exchanges?

Futures trading fees compared
Futures Maker Fee, % Futures Taker Fee, % Futures leverage 1: Volume-based discounts

OKX

0,02 0,05 125 Yes

Kraken

0,02 0,05 50 Yes

Crypto.com

0 0,05 50 Yes

CoinMetro

0 No No Yes

Ledger Wallet

0 0 No Yes

Coinbase

0,04 0,02 10 Yes

Cryptohopper

0 0 No Yes

What about P2P and withdrawal fees?

We also compared the following parameters for exchanges that offer P2P trading:

  • P2P fees

  • Withdrawal fees

P2P (peer-to-peer) exchange is a popular feature because it allows users to trade directly with each other without the need for an intermediary. This can lead to better rates and lower fees compared to traditional exchanges. Many traders use P2P trading to:

  • Obtain more favorable exchange rates.

  • Avoid fees associated with centralized exchanges.

  • Enjoy greater privacy and security in their transactions.

  • Access a wider variety of payment methods.

What Are Cryptocurrency Exchange Typical Fees?

Understanding and managing fees on cryptocurrency exchanges is crucial for maximizing your trading profitability. Here are the primary types of fees and realistic figures based on an analysis of over 100 major exchanges:

Trading Fees

Trading fees are the costs you incur to execute trades. These fees vary widely among exchanges and depend on whether you're a maker (adding liquidity) or a taker (removing liquidity).

Typical Costs

Most cryptocurrency exchanges charge between 0.10% and 0.50% per trade. The exact fee depends on whether you're a maker or a taker.

Example

If you trade $1,000 worth of cryptocurrency, your trading fees would range from $1 to $5.

Maker and Taker Fee Difference

Maker-taker fees encourage liquidity. Makers place limit orders that aren't immediately matched, while takers place orders that are immediately matched.

Fee Comparison

Typically, maker fees are lower than taker fees. For instance, an exchange might charge a 0.10% maker fee and a 0.20% taker fee.

Example

On a $1,000 trade, a 0.10% maker fee would cost you $1, while a 0.20% taker fee would cost you $2, incentivizing you to add liquidity to the market.

Deposit and Withdrawal Fees

Deposit and withdrawal fees vary by exchange and the type of currency.

Deposit Fees

Most exchanges do not charge fees for cryptocurrency deposits, but some charge for fiat deposits.

Withdrawal Fees

Withdrawal fees are often a flat rate, regardless of the amount withdrawn, and typically range from 0.0004 BTC to 0.0005 BTC.

How to Reduce Crypto Trading Fees?

Here are seven expert recommendations to reduce crypto trading fees, with examples of potential savings:

1. Choose the Right Exchange

  • Fee Structure: Opt for exchanges with competitive fee structures. For example, if Exchange A charges 0.1% per trade and Exchange B charges 0.2%, trading $10,000 on Exchange A would save you $10 per trade.

  • Volume-Based Discounts: most exchanges offer fee reductions for high-volume traders. For instance, trading over 50 BTC per month can reduce fees by up to 20%, saving $200 on a $10,000 trade.

2. Utilize Native Tokens

  • Exchange Tokens: Using an exchange’s native token (e.g., BNB on Binance) for fee payments can reduce fees by 25%. For example, on a $10,000 trade, instead of paying $10 in fees, you would pay $7.50, saving $2.50.

3. Place Maker Orders

  • Maker vs. Taker Fees: Maker fees are often lower than taker fees. For example, if the taker fee is 0.2% and the maker fee is 0.1%, placing maker orders instead of taker orders on a $10,000 trade would save you $10.

4. Take Advantage of Promotions

  • Fee Discounts and Promotions: Exchanges frequently offer promotional discounts. For example, a 50% discount on fees during a promotional period can save you $5 on a $10,000 trade.

5. Use lower-fee payment methods

  • Deposit & Withdrawal Fees: Some payment methods incur high deposit or withdrawal fees. For example, using a bank transfer instead of a credit card could reduce costs from 3% to 0.5%, saving $25 on a $1,000 deposit. Crypto Transfers: Withdraw funds in cryptocurrencies with lower network fees. For instance, using Litecoin (LTC) instead of Ethereum (ETH) can significantly cut withdrawal costs.

6. Explore P2P Trading

  • Peer-to-Peer Marketplaces: P2P platforms often have lower fees. For example, if a centralized exchange charges 0.1% per trade and a P2P platform charges 0.05%, trading $10,000 would save you $5 in fees.

7. Utilize Referral Programs

  • Referral Discounts: Many exchanges offer fee discounts through referral programs. For example, referring friends can earn you fee rebates of up to 20%. If you earn a 20% rebate on a $10,000 trade with a 0.1% fee, you would save $2 in fees.

How to Choose a Low Commission Cryptocurrency Exchange

There are many types of cryptocurrency exchanges available to choose from. But if you’re trying to minimize your trading fees as much as possible, how can you find exchanges that offer low commissions?

We’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help you find cryptocurrency exchanges with the lowest fees on the market.

Step 1

Research different cryptocurrency exchanges that are available in your country. Make a list of possible exchanges.

Step 2

Go on each exchange’s website to look at their fees. Under each exchange, write down their fee structures. This might include commissions, trading fees, maker-taker fees, or margin trading fees. Other fees you might consider are potential liquidation fees. Also, if withdrawal and deposit fees are something you’re concerned about, check whether potential exchanges charge these fees.

Step 3

Using the information you’ve gathered about potential exchanges, create a comparison table. List out the different exchanges.

Create columns/rows for different fee categories, including commissions, trading fees, maker vs. taker fees, any margin trading fees, liquidation fees, or deposit and withdrawal fees.

Looking at the comparison table, determine which platforms offer the most favorable trading conditions and the lowest fees.

It’s a good idea to eliminate the ones that offer trading fees higher than 1.5%. Anything lower than 1.5% is considered low when it comes to trading fees. So, by sticking to this rule, you can narrow down your choices to just a few exchanges.

Step 4

Consider if the different platforms offer tiered accounts, which provide you with opportunities to decrease your trading fees.

Some crypto exchanges offer professional accounts that allow you to get discounts for your trading fees. However, other platforms don’t offer these opportunities. So, be sure to do your research and compare.

Step 5

Some crypto exchanges have their own native coin like Binance (BNB), OKEx (OKB), Huobi Global (HT), and many more.

Usually, these platforms allow you to reduce your trading fees by staking a certain amount of their native coins.

The more coins you stake, the more you can save in trading fees. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, be sure to keep this factor in mind when considering low commission crypto exchanges.

Step 6

As you consider the many factors in regards to trading fees for different cryptocurrency exchanges, you might come across a few with a similar fee structure.

To help you narrow your list down further, you can consider other features beyond trading fees. There are other things that can make your trading experience a positive one.

For example, a platform’s ease of use, security, the number of supported cryptocurrencies, whether the platform offers margin trading, whether the exchange is under regulation by financial authorities, the available trading platforms, and the method of purchasing coins.

You might also consider the minimum amount you can deposit to open your account. Some platforms have high deposit minimums, while others allow you to deposit a small amount of money to get started. Maybe, you also interested in information how to turn $100 into $1000 in crypto trading.

You can also see if the exchanges you’re considering have sign-up offers and other deals that give you access to free cryptocurrency.

For example, some exchanges may offer a certain number of free Bitcoin or even give you money upon creating a new account. This will, in turn, reduce the fees in your portfolio balance.

With these features, you can create another comparison table. Only this time, you’ll be listing out the exchanges you’ve narrowed down. And the columns and rows will have the different features offered by each platform that doesn’t have to do with trading fees. This can help you narrow down your choice further.

Step 7

Looking at the comparison table, consider which features mean the most to you. For example, if you’re interested in margin trading, and only one platform in your list offers it, then choose that platform.

Follow the same principle for features that you’re most likely to use. From there, you should be able to settle on one or two exchanges.

How Do I Exchange Cryptocurrencies Without Fees or With Low Fees?

There are several ways to trade crypto with low fees including:

  • Using peer-to-peer trading platforms where you can trade and purchase crypto directly from others without the need for a centralized authority.

  • Use decentralized exchanges such as Uniswap, PancakeSwap, Sniper Swap, which operate on blockchain technology and allow users to trade crypto directly without a centralized authority.

  • Look out for promotions and referral programs. Most exchanges will offer promotions and referrals to gain and keep clients. These can help you lower fees when trading crypto.

  • Instead of placing market orders, which can incur higher fees, use limit orders to buy or sell at a specific price. Limit orders can help you save on fees and get a better price.

  • Some exchanges offer rebate programs that refund a portion of the fees you pay. Take advantage of these programs to earn back some of your fees.

  • Use a native token. Many cryptocurrency exchanges offer a discount on trading fees if you use their native token to pay for fees.

  • Consider using a trading bot. Trading bots can help you automate your trading and reduce the fees associated with overtrading.

  • Most exchanges offer tiered fee structures where traders pay less the more they trade within a specific period, often 30 days. Aggressively increasing monthly volume can help unlock better fee tiers.

Expert Opinion

Anastasiia Chabaniuk Author, Financial Expert at Traders Union

This ranking of cryptocurrency exchanges for cost-effective trading was compiled not only with regard to commission policies. The research also considered important indicators such as the variety of trading instruments, entry thresholds, security guarantees, and the presence of profit withdrawal limits. The rating aims to assist traders in identifying a suitable option that corresponds to their financial goals and trading style. Executing transactions on platforms with low commissions indeed helps significantly reduce expenses and maximize profits, but it's essential not to rush the choice. It's better to carefully assess all aspects and make an informed decision.

Methodology for compiling our ratings of crypto exchanges

Traders Union applies a rigorous methodology to evaluate crypto exchanges using over 100 quantitative and qualitative criteria. Multiple parameters are given individual scores that feed into an overall rating.

Key aspects of the assessment include:

  • User reviews. Client reviews and feedback are analyzed to determine customer satisfaction levels. Reviews are fact-checked and verified.

  • Trading instruments. Exchanges are evaluated on the range of assets offered, as well as the breadth and depth of available markets.

  • Fees and commissions. All trading fees and commissions are analyzed comprehensively to determine overall costs for clients.

  • Trading platforms. Exchanges are assessed based on the variety, quality, and features of platforms offered to clients.

  • Extra services. Unique value propositions and useful features that provide traders with more options for yield generation.

  • Other factors like brand popularity, client support, and educational resources are also evaluated.

Summary

There are a variety of low-cost cryptocurrency exchange options available for traders looking to minimize their trading fees. While the top-tier centralized exchanges generally offer the widest choice of coins and the deepest liquidity, some smaller alternative platforms have more competitive fee structures.

Traders need to carefully evaluate their individual trading requirements, preferences, location, and other important considerations beyond just fees to identify the optimal exchange match. Aspects like available payment methods, user experience, research tools, regulatory approvals, and customer support quality also warrant close attention.

Leveraging strategies such as maintaining loyalty token balances, increasing monthly volumes, and using limit orders can further help reduce costs on any given exchange. Referral promotions should also be utilized during account signups where possible.

For most traders, especially beginners, established names like Bybit, Binance, and OKX remain sound choices due to their overall quality and ease of use. However, experienced volume-focused clients may benefit more from other futures and derivatives platforms with finely-tuned maker-taker fee models.

With the right research and strategy, it is certainly possible to minimize trading fees in the cryptocurrency space. Even tiny improvements in overall costs compound tremendously over time. Choosing the exchange, and employing techniques to optimize rates, should therefore remain an ongoing focus for all market participants.

FAQs

How do I calculate trading fees?

To calculate trading fees, you need to check the fee structure of the exchange you're trading on. Then multiply the taker or maker fees rate with the notional value of your trade.

Do exchanges charge monthly fees?

Most crypto exchanges do not charge monthly or yearly maintenance fees. Their primary revenue comes from trading commissions charged on each buy and sell order.

How can I reduce trading fees?

Holding an exchange's native token, trading in large volumes, using promo codes or signing up through affiliate links can help lower your trading fees.

Are withdrawal fees charged flat or percentage?

Crypto withdrawal fees are usually charged as a flat amount in the currency being withdrawn, while fiat withdrawal fees can be a percentage of the amount.

Team that worked on the article

Parshwa Turakhiya
Author at Traders Union

Parshwa is a content expert and finance professional possessing deep knowledge of stock and options trading, technical and fundamental analysis, and equity research. As a Chartered Accountant Finalist, Parshwa also has expertise in Forex, crypto trading, and personal taxation. His experience is showcased by a prolific body of over 100 articles on Forex, crypto, equity, and personal finance, alongside personalized advisory roles in tax consultation.

Chinmay Soni
Developmental English Editor

Chinmay Soni is a financial analyst with more than 5 years of experience in working with stocks, Forex, derivatives, and other assets. As a founder of a boutique research firm and an active researcher, he covers various industries and fields, providing insights backed by statistical data. He is also an educator in the field of finance and technology.

As an author for Traders Union, he contributes his deep analytical insights on various topics, taking into account various aspects.

Mirjan Hipolito
Cryptocurrency and stock expert

Mirjan Hipolito is a journalist and news editor at Traders Union. She is an expert crypto writer with five years of experience in the financial markets. Her specialties are daily market news, price predictions, and Initial Coin Offerings (ICO).

Glossary for novice traders
ECN

An ECN, or Electronic Communication Network, is a technology that connects traders directly to market participants, facilitating transparent and direct access to financial markets.

Ethereum

Ethereum is a decentralized blockchain platform and cryptocurrency that was proposed by Vitalik Buterin in late 2013 and development began in early 2014. It was designed as a versatile platform for creating decentralized applications (DApps) and smart contracts.

Investor

An investor is an individual, who invests money in an asset with the expectation that its value would appreciate in the future. The asset can be anything, including a bond, debenture, mutual fund, equity, gold, silver, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and real-estate property.

Bitcoin

Bitcoin is a decentralized digital cryptocurrency that was created in 2009 by an anonymous individual or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. It operates on a technology called blockchain, which is a distributed ledger that records all transactions across a network of computers.

P2P trading

Trading crypto P2P (peer-to-peer) allows the buyer and seller to interact with each other directly instead of in the presence of a third party or an intermediary.