Best Coinbase Alternatives in the UK for 2025
Quick Answer: What Is the Best Coinbase Alternative in the UK?
eToro is the best Coinbase alternative in the UK. It offers a wider range of assets, lower fees, and built-in copy trading features. FCA-regulated and user-friendly, eToro is ideal for beginners and advanced traders looking for crypto, stocks, and ETFs in one place.
Our Ranked List Best Coinbase Alternatives in the UK:
Based on my experience, here’s my ranked list:
- eToro – Best for overall features and social trading.
- Coinbase – Ideal for beginners and simplicity.
- Uphold – Best for multi-asset trading.
- Bitpanda – Excellent for advanced tools and cryptoasset range.
- MEXC – Exceptional for cryptocurrency variety and altcoin access.
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
-
What are the Fees?
-
What Cryptocurrencies are Available?
-
How Safe is the Exchange?
-
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.
Coinbase- Beginner-Friendly, Secure, Trusted Brand
Pros & Cons
- Beginner-friendly interface
- Strong security measures
- FCA-registered
- Supports over 390 cryptocurrencies
- Higher fees compared to competitors
- Limited advanced trading features unless using Coinbase Advanced
- Slower customer support response times
-
What are the Fees?
-
What Cryptocurrencies are Available?
-
How Safe is the Exchange?
-
Who Is It Best For?
Coinbase charges around 1% per trade, plus a spread fee of 0.5%. Debit card deposits incur a 3.99% fee. Advanced traders using Coinbase Advanced enjoy lower maker-taker fees starting at 0.5% and decreasing with higher volumes.
Coinbase offers over 390 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, and many altcoins. It’s one of the widest selections available among FCA-registered platforms, catering to both casual buyers and those exploring newer tokens.
Coinbase is highly secure, storing 98% of customer assets in cold storage. It enforces two-factor authentication and has a strong reputation for protecting user funds. Its compliance with UK regulations adds an extra layer of investor protection.
Coinbase is best for beginners who prioritize ease of use and security. Its simple platform design and clear buying process make it perfect for those new to cryptocurrency who want a safe place to start without technical complexity.
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
-
What are the Fees?
-
What Cryptocurrencies are Available?
-
How Safe is the Exchange?
-
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.
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
-
What are the Fees?
-
What Cryptocurrencies are Available?
-
How Safe is the Exchange?
-
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. Take 2 mins to learn more.
MEXC – Low Fees, Deep Liquidity, Global Focus
Pros & Cons
- Very low trading fees (as low as 0%)
- Huge range of cryptocurrencies (1,000+ listed)
- High liquidity, especially for altcoins
- Offers futures, margin, staking, and launchpad features
- Not FCA-registered (operates offshore)
- Limited fiat on-ramp options for UK users
- Interface may be overwhelming for beginners
-
What are the Fees?
-
What Cryptocurrencies are Available?
-
How Safe is the Exchange?
-
Who Is It Best For?
MEXC offers highly competitive fees. Spot trading fees start at 0.1%, with frequent promotions reducing fees to 0%. Futures trading can be as low as 0% maker and 0.01% taker. However, UK users may face higher costs using third-party services for GBP deposits and withdrawals, as MEXC does not directly support Faster Payments.
MEXC is known for its extensive selection, listing over 1,000 cryptocurrencies, including major tokens like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, as well as a wide array of emerging altcoins. It’s one of the best platforms for discovering new tokens early.
While MEXC employs security features like two-factor authentication and withdrawal whitelists, it is not regulated by the FCA or a major Western financial authority. That said, it has a solid track record with no major hacks reported, and it holds user funds in cold storage. Caution is advised due to the lack of UK regulatory oversight.
MEXC is ideal for experienced traders and altcoin enthusiasts who want access to a broad range of assets and advanced tools. It’s less suited for UK beginners due to its complex interface and lack of direct GBP support, but great for those who prioritize selection and low fees.
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.
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 solid choice. Those looking for diversified investment options may prefer Uphold, while Best Wallet offers unparalleled convenience for quick purchases.
Advanced traders will appreciate OKX’s sophisticated tools and staking rewards, and altcoin enthusiasts will find MEXC’s extensive cryptocurrency offerings unmatched. Ultimately, the right platform depends on what features matter most to you, whether it’s low fees, cryptocurrency variety, or advanced tools.
Top 5 Exchanges
1
eToro
Investing in crypto carries a high level of risk.
2
Coinbase
Investing in crypto carries a high level of risk.
3
Uphold
Investing in crypto carries a high level of risk.
4
Bitpanda
Investing in crypto carries a high level of risk.
5
MEXC
Investing in crypto carries a high level of risk.
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.
