Binance typically has the lowest fees at around 0.10%, with MEXC and Bitget going even lower at 0% maker and 0.05% taker, though both have geographical restrictions. Kraken Pro sits in the middle at roughly 0.16% to 0.26% and offers a strong balance of cost and reliability.
Stated fees do not tell the full story. Spread, which is the gap between your execution price and the true market price, can quietly push real costs well above what the fee schedule suggests. Exchanges with lower liquidity tend to have wider spreads, and withdrawal fees can further erode any savings you expected.
For small trades the fee differences between exchanges are often negligible, so reliability and clean execution matter more than chasing the lowest rate. Decentralized exchanges like Hyperliquid can offer lower fees and tighter spreads, but they are harder to use and less beginner-friendly.
Lowest fee exchanges
BinanceAround 0.10% per trade, even lower with BNB discounts
MEXC0% maker and 0.02% to 0.05% taker, geo-restricted in places like the US
BitgetVery low maker/taker fees but limited in some regions
Kraken Pro0.16% to 0.26% per trade, reliable with reasonable withdrawal fees
Coinbase AdvancedLower than standard Coinbase, which runs 0.4% to 0.6%
Hyperliquid (DEX)Lower fees and spreads but harder to use
Exchanges with Lowest Fees
Binance typically has fees around 0.10%, making it one of the most competitive among major exchanges, especially with BNB discounts. "Binance usually has the lowest fees overall, especially if you use BNB to pay for trading fees."
MEXC and Bitget offer very low maker/taker fees, sometimes as low as 0% maker and 0.05% taker, but may have geographical restrictions. "MEXC. 0.0% Maker and 0.02% taker."
Kraken Pro offers a good balance of low fees (around 0.16%–0.26%) and reliability. "Kraken Pro = good balance"
Factors Beyond Stated Fees
Spread significantly impacts the actual cost, even with low stated fees; exchanges with lower liquidity often have higher spreads. "But not many people talk about the spread, which determines how far your execution price is from the true price."
Withdrawal fees can add to the total cost, making some exchanges less economical despite low trading fees. "I ended up sticking with kraken pro after reading the comments about spread and withdrawal fees."
Geographical restrictions mean some exchanges with the lowest fees may not be available in all regions, such as the US. "Be sure that your country isn't prohibited before using Mexc or your funds could be frozen. The USA for instance is on the prohibited list."
Other Considerations
Small trades often see minimal fee differences, so reliability and clean execution can be more important than optimizing for cents. "for small trades, don’t over-optimize fees. Clean execution + reliability matters more than saving a few cents."
Coinbase is generally considered user-friendly but has higher fees (0.4%–0.6%), though Coinbase Pro (now Advanced) offers lower rates. "Coinbase = highest fees but beginner-friendly"
Decentralized exchanges (DEXs) like Hyperliquid can offer lower fees and spreads but are often less straightforward to use. "Decentralized venues at least 82.5% less fees, with much lower spreads. The only issue is that they're not simple to use."
Are you looking for an exchange that supports specific cryptocurrencies or fiat currencies?
Bottom line
Users suggest Binance and Kraken Pro generally offer competitive fees, but the cheapest exchange depends on location, trading volume, and specific transaction types.
FAQ
Which crypto exchange has the lowest fees?
Binance generally has the lowest fees among major exchanges at around 0.10%, and even lower if you use BNB to pay for trading fees. MEXC and Bitget can go as low as 0% maker and 0.05% taker, but they have geographical restrictions that may block users in certain countries.
What are Kraken Pro's trading fees?
Kraken Pro charges roughly 0.16% to 0.26% per trade. Users consider it a good balance of low fees and reliability, especially after factoring in spread and withdrawal costs.
Are MEXC fees really zero percent?
MEXC can offer 0% maker fees and around 0.02% to 0.05% taker fees. However, the platform is prohibited in some regions, including the US, and using it from a restricted country could result in frozen funds.
Why do spreads matter when comparing exchange fees?
Spread is the difference between your execution price and the true market price of an asset. Even if an exchange advertises low fees, a wider spread can make trading more expensive overall, especially on platforms with lower liquidity.
Is Coinbase more expensive than other exchanges?
Yes. Coinbase charges around 0.4% to 0.6% per trade, making it one of the pricier options. It is beginner-friendly, and Coinbase Advanced offers lower rates for more experienced users.
Do decentralized exchanges have lower fees?
Decentralized exchanges like Hyperliquid can offer significantly lower fees and tighter spreads than centralized platforms. The tradeoff is that they are generally harder to use and less straightforward for beginners.
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