Best Coinbase Alternatives in the UK for 2026
- expertise:
- CFD Trading, Forex, Derivatives, Risk Management
- credentials:
- Chartered ACII (2018) · Trading since 2012
- tested:
- 40+ forex & CFD platforms with live accounts
- expertise:
- Platform Testing, Cryptocurrency, Retail Investing
- credentials:
- Active investor since 2013 · 11+ years experience
- tested:
- 50+ platforms · 200+ guides authored
- expertise:
- Broker Comparison, ISA Strategy, Portfolio Management
- credentials:
- Active investor since 2013 · 11+ years experience
- tested:
- 40+ brokers with funded accounts
- expertise:
- CFD Trading, Forex, Derivatives, Risk Management
- credentials:
- Chartered ACII (2018) · Trading since 2012
- tested:
- 40+ forex & CFD platforms with live accounts
- expertise:
- Platform Testing, Cryptocurrency, Retail Investing
- credentials:
- Active investor since 2013 · 11+ years experience
- tested:
- 50+ platforms · 200+ guides authored
- expertise:
- Broker Comparison, ISA Strategy, Portfolio Management
- credentials:
- Active investor since 2013 · 11+ years experience
- tested:
- 40+ brokers with funded accounts
How We Test
Real accounts. Real money. Real trades. No demo accounts or press releases.
What we measure:
- Spreads vs advertised rates
- Execution speed and slippage
- Hidden fees (overnight, withdrawal, conversion)
- Actual withdrawal times
Scoring:
Fees (25%) · Platform (20%) · Assets (15%) · Mobile (15%) · Tools (10%) · Support (10%) · Regulation (5%)
Regulatory checks:
FCA Register verification · FSCS protection (£120,000 per person)
Testing team:
Adam Woodhead (investing since 2013), Thomas Drury (Chartered ACII, 2018), Dom Farnell (investing since 2013) — 50+ platforms with funded accounts
Quarterly reviews · Corrections: info@theinvestorscentre.co.uk
Disclaimer
Not financial advice. Educational content only. We're not FCA authorised. Consult a qualified advisor before investing.
Capital at risk. Investments can fall. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
CFD warning. 67-84% of retail accounts lose money trading CFDs. High risk due to leverage.
Affiliate disclosure. Broker buttons and "Get Started" links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you open an account — at no extra cost to you. This never affects our ratings, rankings, or recommendations, which are based solely on our independent testing methodology.
Contact: info@theinvestorscentre.co.uk
Quick Answer: What Is the Best Coinbase Alternative in the UK?
How Do These Coinbase Alternatives Rank?
| Rank | Platform | Fees / Spreads | Assets Available | Regulation Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bitpanda | Up to ~1.49% | 600+ cryptos, stocks, ETFs, precious metals | FCA-registered (UK) for cryptoasset services |
| 2 | eToro | ~1% flat fee on crypto, fixed spreads on CFDs, $5 withdrawal | 80+ cryptos, global stocks, ETFs, commodities, forex | FCA regulated (UK), CySEC (EU), ASIC (AU), FINRA (US) |
| 3 | Uphold | 0.8–1.5% spreads (varies by asset & region) | 250+ cryptos, 30+ fiats, precious metals, U.S. equities | Registered with FCA (UK) for crypto, FinCEN (US), transparent proof-of-reserves |
Top Coinbase Alternatives Reviewed
Bitpanda – Best for Wide Asset Selection & Low-Fee Investing
Pros & Cons
- Access to 600+ cryptocurrencies, including crypto indices
- ISO 27001 certified
- Zero deposit or withdrawal fees
- Simple, intuitive interface for all experience levels
- Hot wallet, not suitable for full cold storage
- Not fully non-custodial—Bitpanda holds custody of user assets
- Limited DeFi and Web3 interaction compared to some self-custody wallets
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What are the Fees?
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What Cryptocurrencies are Available?
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How Safe is the Broker?
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Who Is It Best For?
The wallet is free to use, with no fees on deposits or withdrawals of fiat or crypto. Users can start investing with just £1, and pricing includes a transparent spread on trades. Standard blockchain network fees apply when transferring crypto externally.
Bitpanda offers 600+ digital assets, including popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and a wide range of altcoins. It also provides crypto indices, allowing users to invest in bundles of coins that track different sectors of the market.
Bitpanda uses enterprise-grade security, including ISO 27001 certification, cold wallet storage, encryption, and multi-factor authentication. The platform’s infrastructure is professionally audited, with strong protocols in place to safeguard user assets.
Bitpanda is ideal for UK investors who want broad crypto access with low fees and a platform that’s designed for simplicity. It suits both newcomers starting with small amounts and experienced users building diverse portfolios.
DON’T INVEST UNLESS YOU’RE PREPARED TO LOSE ALL THE MONEY YOU INVEST. THIS IS A HIGH-RISK INVESTMENT AND YOU SHOULD NOT EXPECT TO BE PROTECTED IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG.
eToro - Social Trading, Easy to Use, Rated Highest
Pros & Cons
- User-friendly interface
- Social trading features (CopyTrader™)
- FCA regulated
- Wide asset range (crypto, stocks, ETFs)
- 1% trading fee
- Limited advanced trading tools
- Small currency conversion fee for GBP deposits
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What are the Fees?
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What Cryptocurrencies are Available?
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How Safe is the Exchange?
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Who Is It Best For?
eToro charges a 1% trading fee on crypto transactions, plus a 0.5% GBP deposit fee. There’s also a $5 withdrawal fee and a $10 inactivity fee if the account is idle for 12 months. No hidden fees are applied beyond these.
eToro offers access to over 120 cryptocurrencies, including major coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. While not as extensive as some other exchanges, it covers all the major assets most UK investors are likely to trade.
eToro is considered highly secure. It uses cold storage for the majority of crypto assets and two-factor authentication (2FA) to protect user accounts. It’s also regulated by the FCA, adding an extra layer of trust for UK investors.
eToro is best for beginners and casual investors who want an easy way to buy crypto and learn from others. Its social trading feature allows users to copy experienced investors, making it perfect for those new to the crypto market.
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.
Uphold - Multi-Asset, Low Minimums, Fewer Features
Pros & Cons
- Multi-asset trading (crypto, stocks, metals)
- Easy account setup
- FCA-registered
- Transparent reserve reporting
- Higher spreads on low-volume assets
- Limited advanced trading features
- Debit card deposit fees are high
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What are the Fees?
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What Cryptocurrencies are Available?
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How Safe is the Exchange?
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Who Is It Best For?
Uphold charges a 1% trading fee plus a spread, which varies by asset. Debit card deposits have a 3.99% fee in the UK. There are no withdrawal fees to UK bank accounts via Faster Payments.
Uphold supports over 60 cryptocurrencies, including popular coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP. While the selection is smaller than competitors like Coinbase, it covers most of what casual investors are looking for.
Uphold maintains a 100% reserve model, ensuring user funds are fully backed. It uses two-factor authentication and undergoes third-party audits, providing a strong layer of transparency and security for UK users.
Uphold is best for casual investors who want to diversify across crypto, equities, and commodities within a single platform. It’s particularly useful for beginners who prefer simplicity over complex trading tools.
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.
What Features Do Coinbase Alternatives Improve?
Coinbase is popular for ease of use, but many rivals improve on fees, asset choice, and advanced tools. Depending on your needs, alternatives may offer lower costs, broader markets, or specialist features Coinbase lacks.
How do fees and costs compare?
Alternatives often provide lower or clearer fees than Coinbase’s variable spreads. eToro uses flat commissions, Kraken rewards higher-volume traders with discounts, and Bitpanda reasonable fees throughout. This makes regular trading more predictable and, in many cases, more affordable.
Do they support more assets?
Yes. Some alternatives go beyond crypto by offering stocks, ETFs, metals, and multiple fiat currencies. eToro and Uphold allow multi-asset portfolios, while Bitpanda provides access to hundreds of coins, including niche altcoins not available on Coinbase.
Which Alternative Platform is Best for You?
The best Coinbase alternative depends on your goals. If you’re after low fees and beginner-friendly tools, eToro is a strong choice. Those who want a wide range of cryptocurrencies may prefer Bitpanda, while Uphold is ideal for investors seeking diversified assets beyond crypto.
Ultimately, the right platform depends on whether you prioritise low fees, asset variety, or advanced features.
FAQs
Which is the cheapest Coinbase alternative?
OKX is one of the cheapest options, with fees starting at just 0.08%. MEXC is another affordable alternative, with trading fees as low as 0.2%, compared to Coinbase’s higher flat fees.
Are Coinbase alternatives safe to use in the UK?
Yes, platforms like eToro, Uphold, and OKX have strong security measures. Always enable two-factor authentication and research user reviews, such as Trustpilot scores, to gauge platform reliability.
Can I find Coinbase alternatives with more cryptocurrencies?
Absolutely. Platforms like MEXC (350+ coins) and OKX (300+ coins) offer far more cryptocurrencies than Coinbase, making them ideal for users seeking niche or emerging altcoins.
