Looking for the lowest‑fee crypto exchange? Our experts evaluated 50+ platforms’ trading and non‑trading fees to list the best exchanges for fee‑conscious traders.
Exchange | Ranking | Taker/Maker | Available Crypto | Accepts Fiat | Payment Methods | KYC |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MEXC | 4.2 Read Review | 0.01% / 0% | 0 | No | +3 | No |
Kraken | 3.9 Read Review | 0.4% / 0.25% | 409 | Yes | +3 | Yes |
Flipster | No Rating Read Review | - | 0 | No | Yes | |
BTCC | No Rating Read Review | 0.3% / 0.2% | 237 | No | Optional KYC (Required for Fiat Services) | |
Coinbase Exchange | 4.0 Read Review | 1.2% / 0.6% | 0 | No | +6 | Yes |
OKX | 4.1 Read Review | 0.1% / 0.08% | 0 | No | +6 | YES |
Blofin | 3.8 Read Review | 0.6% / 0.6% | 0 | No | +8 | No |
MEXC is a crypto exchange offering high leverage and a broad asset selection. It supports up to 400x leverage across multiple markets and provides competitive fees alongside flexible fiat deposit options.
Trading a $1000 spot position using market order cost me 0.50 USDT, and opening a $100 futures position at 10x leverage using market order cost me 0.20 USDT.
Kraken, founded in 2011 and based in the US, combines robust security, deep liquidity, and support for over 470 coins with free fiat deposits across major currencies. Its fee structure undercuts many US‑compliant exchanges, making it a solid choice for cost‑conscious traders seeking regulatory peace of mind.
Trading a $1000 spot position using market order cost me 4.00 USDT, and opening a $100 futures position at 10x leverage using market order cost me 0.50 USDT.
Founded in 2021, Flipster offers zero trading fees on all spot and futures pairs, along with deep liquidity and instant order execution. This combination supports traders seeking to minimize expenses while maintaining efficient trading performance.
Trading a $1000 spot position using market order was free, and opening a $100 futures position at 10x leverage using market order was also free.
BTCC is one of the longest-running crypto exchanges, operating since 2011 without any security breaches. It offers zero fees on bank‑card crypto purchases, high leverage, and broad regional support, backed by multiple regulatory licenses, for a dependable, cost‑efficient fiat on‑ramp.
Trading a $1000 spot position using market order cost me 3.00 USDT, and opening a $100 futures position at 10x leverage using market order cost me 0.45 USDT.
Coinbase is the only publicly traded crypto exchange and one of the largest global platforms. It features a beginner‑friendly interface and supports multiple payment methods for cost‑effective fiat transfers. Its Coinbase One subscription removes trading fees and boosts staking rewards, making it suitable for both new and high‑volume traders.
Trading a $1000 spot position using market order cost me 6.00 USDT, and opening a $100 futures position at 10x leverage using market order cost me 0.30 USDT*.
* At the time of writing, Coinbase perpetual futures fees are currently at a promotional rate. Rates at the time of reading may vary.
OKX is a top-tier exchange offering deep liquidity and a full suite of trading products, including spot, margin, futures, options, and advanced tools. It supports free fiat deposits and maintains highly competitive fees, especially for traders with high volume.
Trading a $1000 spot position using market order cost me 1.00 USDT, and opening a $100 futures position at 10x leverage using market order cost me 0.50 USDT.
Blofin is a privacy‑focused exchange that allows email‑only registration. It charges some of the lowest trading fees in the industry, making it a strong option for traders who prioritize privacy and cost efficiency.
Trading a $1000 spot position using market order cost me 1.00 USDT, and opening a $100 futures position at 10x leverage using market order cost me 0.60 USDT.
Begin by noting how often you trade, the size of your positions, and which assets you prefer.
High‑volume traders often benefit from tiered fee structures that lower rates as volume grows. Day traders and scalpers tend to focus on maker and taker fees, while casual investors pay more attention to deposit and withdrawal costs.
Most platforms use a tiered maker/taker model. Your tier is based on a 30‑day trading volume or account balance. Maker fees (applied to orders that add liquidity) are lower than taker fees for orders that remove liquidity.
Some exchanges also offer discounts for holding or using their native token to pay fees or for subscribing to a premium plan.
To calculate the trading fee on a $1,000 spot position, multiply the transaction amount by the trading fee rate. With a 0.1% trading fee, the calculation looks like this:
To calculate trading fees on a $100 futures position at 10x leverage, first multiply the position amount by the leverage to find the total position size. Then, multiply the total by the trading fee rate.
With a 0.05% trading fee, the calculation looks like this:
A spread fee represents the difference between an asset’s buy (ask) and sell (bid) prices. Some exchanges widen that gap instead of raising visible trading fees. Trading fees appear as a line item on each transaction. Spread fees are embedded in the quoted price and can be harder to spot.
Let’s say the bid price of BTC is $80,000, and the ask price is $80,100. If you were to buy at $80,100 and sell immediately at $80,000, you would lose $100 from the spread, even if trading fees are 0%.
Funding rates are periodic payments exchanged between long and short traders in derivatives markets to keep futures prices aligned with the spot market.
When the market is bullish, longs pay shorts. When it is bearish, shorts pay longs. Traders holding futures positions over multiple funding intervals (typically every eight hours) will either pay or receive these fees.
Interest rates compensate the exchange for lending assets. They are usually charged hourly or daily and vary by asset and market conditions. For example, borrowing BTC might incur rates from 0.01 percent to 0.1 percent. Checking real‑time rates on your chosen margin pair before opening a position helps set expectations.
You have $1,000 and trade a position with 2x leverage, meaning you borrow $1,000 from the exchange. The interest is only charged on the borrowed amount, not your own capital. If you were to hold the position for 5 days at a daily interest rate of 0.02%, the interest payment would look like:
$1,000 (borrowed amount) * 0.02% (daily interest rate) * 5 (days borrowed) = $1 interest fee
Leverage does not change the maker or taker fee percentages, but larger position sizes increase the absolute fee paid. Additionally, leveraged trades incur interest or funding fees on borrowed funds, which should be factored into overall cost calculations.
Limit orders capture lower maker fees. Holding and using native tokens such as BNB (on Binance) or OKB (on OKX) may unlock further discounts. Higher monthly trading volumes can shift you into lower‑fee tiers.
To reduce non‑trading fees, seek exchanges with free deposits, compare network fees before withdrawing crypto, and favor low‑cost fiat options like ACH, SEPA or SWIFT.
A few platforms impose inactivity fees after periods of no account activity. Subscription plans such as Coinbase One may offer lower trading fees or added features but involve a recurring cost.
Reviewing the fee schedule before registering can reveal any uncommon or hidden charges.
Shennon Hewa is a crypto trader and crypto journalist based in London. Active in the crypto space since 2017, he specializes in scalping, derivatives day trading, and swing trading. At FXEmpire, he has reviewed dozens of crypto exchanges and has extensive knowledge of platform strengths and weaknesses.
At FXEmpire, we strive to provide unbiased, thorough, and accurate exchange reviews by industry experts to help our users make smarter financial decisions.