High fees can quickly erode your crypto profits, so finding the crypto exchange with the lowest fees is justifiably a priority for a lot of investors. Fees can not only make trading more expensive but also make your portfolio less flexible, as it costs money to buy and sell your holdings. Of course, fees are not the only important factor to consider when picking a crypto exchange. Security, usability and range of coins are also vital components to consider. On this page, you can find the crypto exchange with the lowest fees and all of the key information you need to make sure the platform you pick is the best one for you, not just the cheapest.
How to find the crypto exchange with the lowest fees
The fees involved with trading cryptoassets can seem complicated and may even act as a barrier to a lot of potential investors putting their cash into crypto. However, once you have a grip on the basics, it should be relatively straightforward to find the lowest-fee crypto exchange. The key is to know how you are going to use the platform and work out how that will affect the fees you are charged.
For example, most platforms will offer lower fees for higher-volume trades. This means that if you are going to be buying or selling in significant quantities, you may want to look for the platform that offers the biggest discount. You should also think about whether a platform’s 'maker' fee or 'taker' fee is going to apply to your transactions most often. Maker fees are typically less expensive, with taker fees priced higher for the speed and convenience you get from an instantaneous transaction. You can learn more about these kinds of fees by reading our article ‘What are maker and taker fees?’.
If you are not sure what fees are going to be most relevant to you, or you expect to incur a range of different fees, it may be worth opting for an ‘all-rounder’ platform that offers lower costs across the board, even if it is not the cheapest for any particular fee.
The crypto exchanges with the lowest fees
| Crypto exchange | Maker fee | Taker fee | Deposit fee | Withdrawal fee | Exchange Token Discount | Trading Volume Discount |
| Coinbase | 0.4% | 0.6% | Free for bank transfer | £1 for bank transfer | No | Yes |
| eToro | 1% | 1% | Free for bank transfer | Free for bank transfer | No | Yes |
| Gemini | 1.49% | 1.49% (plus 1% "convenience fee") | Free for bank transfer | £1 for bank transfer | No | Yes |
| Kraken | 0% - 0.25% | 0.08% - 0.4% | Free for bank transfer | £0 - £35 | No | Yes |
| CEX.IO | 0% - 0.15% | 0.01% - 0.25% | £2.99 for bank transfer | £2.99 for bank transfer | No | Yes |
| MEXC | 0% | 0.02% | Free for bank transfer | Variable | Yes, 10% (MX Token) | Yes |
| OKX | 0.08% | 0.1% | Free for bank transfer | Variable | Yes, at a tiered % (OKB Token) | Yes |
What fees will you pay on crypto exchanges?
The fee structure for most crypto platforms can be split into two main groups. These are the fees you pay to trade crypto and the fees you pay to withdraw or deposit your money. Keep in mind that some platforms may charge additional fees too, so make sure to read the terms and conditions carefully.
Here is a summary of what you are likely to pay to use a crypto exchange in the UK:
Trading fees
You will be charged whenever you buy, sell or trade assets on your crypto exchange. It is how most platforms make money and should form a big part of how you choose a platform. The three main trading fees usually charged in the UK are:
- Maker fees - A maker fee is a trading charge for a transaction that is not immediately fulfilled. Your order is 'on the books', but is not completed until the cryptocurrency you want reaches a certain price. This adds liquidity to the market by 'making' a demand for a specific price. As a result, maker fees are usually lower than taker fees.
- Taker fees - A taker fee is applied when an instantaneous transaction takes place. The most common example would be paying for crypto directly with a debit card. The process is fast and removes liquidity from the market, so the taker fee can be high.
- Flat fees - Some exchanges will use a flat fee instead of or in addition to maker/taker trading fees. This would involve charging a specific amount or percentage per transaction, no matter the type of trade carried out.
Deposit and withdrawal fees
Crypto exchanges will usually charge a fee when you move between a flat currency – such as pounds sterling (GBP), US dollars (USD) or euros (EUR) – and a cryptocurrency, or from crypto to fiat. This is essentially when you buy more crypto or withdraw your holdings in a standard currency. Deposit and withdrawal fees can vary significantly between different exchanges and may also depend on how you carry out the process. Many platforms will charge extra fees for using a credit card, a debit card, an e-wallet or an international bank transfer, though domestic bank transfers are usually cheaper. There may also be exchange fees, withdrawal limits and minimum deposit amounts to consider.
Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
This is not a fee, but it is important to remember that cryptocurrency gains are subject to tax in the UK. Traders are taxed on the profits they make from crypto trading above the annual CGT tax-free allowance (£3,000 for the 2025/26 tax year). These gains must be reported to HMRC as part of an individual's annual self-assessment tax return. You can read more in our article ‘Crypto Capital Gains Tax explained’.
How to reduce your crypto trading fees
While fees are an unavoidable part of using a crypto exchange, there are ways to minimise what you have to pay. Here are some examples:
- Pay maker fees - Many platforms charge a lower fee to traders placing limit orders (buying or selling at a specified price) rather than market orders (buying or selling at the current market price). Keep in mind that you will sacrifice some speed and convenience for the reduced cost.
- Trade in high volumes - Traders placing high-volume orders can usually benefit from lower fees from the crypto exchange. However, this is not a reason to invest more than had planned to or can afford.
- Use the exchange’s coin - Some platforms will reduce fees for users who hold its own cryptocurrency.
- Qualify for a membership - Your crypto exchange may offer reduced fees to certain members who exceed a specific level of trading activity, pay a monthly subscription or hold certain coins.
What else to consider when choosing a crypto exchange
The fees you would be charged should not be your only consideration when it comes to choosing a crypto exchange. There are three other key features to look out for:
- User experience - Your exchange should have a user-friendly platform that is easy for you to navigate, especially if you are only a beginner. Trading crypto on the exchange should be intuitive, smooth and with quick buy and sell options. You should be able to find what you are looking for easily, keep track of the value of your holdings, and access essential information and support when you need it. Keep in mind that the app version of some platforms will not have the full functionality of the desktop browser version, so make sure your app covers the key features if that is important to you.
- Range of cryptoassets - Make sure to check that the crypto you want is actually available before you sign up for an account. Almost every crypto exchange will support trading bitcoin, plus major altcoins such as Litecoin or Ethereum, but less mainstream cryptocurrencies will not necessarily be available everywhere. You can find the range of different cryptocurrencies available on our '5 best crypto apps for UK traders' page, but keep in mind that a platform having a wide range of coins is no guarantee that the specific coin you want will be available. We include a list of some of the supported altcoins in our reviews of big-name exchanges Coinbase, Gemini and Kraken.
- Security - Your chosen crypto exchange needs to be good value for money, easy to use, a good fit for your trading needs and have the coins you want. However, in the primarily unregulated cryptoasset sector, it would be a mistake to overlook security. Most crypto exchanges take security very seriously, but stories of hackers bypassing security measures and accessing customer holdings are far from unheard of. The money going into your crypto investments should be as safe and secure as possible, so research the systems your chosen exchange has in place to protect your cryptoassets. Our article on how cryptocurrency is regulated in the UK will help you find the FCA-approved crypto exchanges in the UK, but keep in mind that even if an exchange is authorised by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority), cryptocurrency remains an unregulated investment and customers do not receive any protection from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
How to learn more about crypto
Avoid starting your trading journey until you are sure you have all of the information you need. You can get to know the basics of crypto by reading our article 'A beginner’s guide to investing in bitcoin and cryptocurrency'. Next, you can learn more about crypto wallets and how cryptocurrency is mined 'What is a cryptocurrency wallet?' and 'Cryptocurrency mining: What it is, how it works and how to mine bitcoin'. We also have a step-by-step guide on how to buy bitcoin safely.
Make sure to read up on how cryptocurrency is regulated in the UK too. We explain how the lack of regulatory protection means there is little help available if things go wrong. This is important reading because cryptoassets are a highly volatile investment option. Investing in cryptoassets is suited only to those investors who understand these risks and are prepared to lose all the money they invest.
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