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.
How Do These Coinbase Alternatives Rank?
| Rank | Platform | Fees / Spreads | Assets Available | Regulation Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | eToro | ~1% flat fee, fixed spreads, $5 withdrawal | Popular cryptos, stocks, ETFs | FCA regulated (UK), strong global coverage |
| 2 | Bitpanda | Up to ~1.49% (lower in advanced mode) | 600+ cryptos, metals, indices | EU regulated, secure |
| 3 | Uphold | 0.8–1.5% spreads (varies by asset) | Crypto, fiat, metals | Transparent reserves, regulated |
| 4 | Kraken | Maker/taker fees, lower for active traders | Wide crypto range, margin & staking | Highly regulated, strong security |
| 5 | MoonPay | Higher card/payment fees | Fiat-to-crypto only (on-ramp) | Compliance-focused, non-custodial |
Top Coinbase Alternatives Reviewed
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.
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 Exchange?
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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. Take 2 mins to learn more.
Kraken – Trusted, Secure, Low Fees for Serious Traders
Pros & Cons
Competitive maker/taker fees (as low as 0.16% / 0.26%)
Large selection of cryptocurrencies with advanced trading pairs
Strong reputation for security & regulatory compliance
Interface can be complex for beginners
Limited instant buy options compared to rivals
Slightly fewer payment methods for UK users than some alternatives
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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?
Kraken uses a transparent maker/taker fee model. Spot trading starts from 0.16% (maker) and 0.26% (taker), with discounts for higher-volume traders. Staking rewards are available, and futures trading fees are highly competitive for active traders.
Kraken lists 200+ cryptocurrencies, including major coins (BTC, ETH, XRP) and a wide variety of altcoins. It also supports staking assets and fiat trading pairs, giving users strong portfolio flexibility.
Kraken is widely regarded as one of the most secure crypto exchanges, with a clean track record and high transparency. It’s regulated in multiple jurisdictions, uses strong compliance protocols, and has never been hacked since launching in 2011.
Kraken is best for serious traders, investors seeking lower fees at higher volumes, and those looking for advanced features like staking, futures, and margin trading. Beginners may find the platform a bit complex, but it’s one of the safest and most trusted options.
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 reduces costs in advanced mode. 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 and Kraken provide access to hundreds of coins, including niche altcoins not available on Coinbase.
What advanced features are available?
Kraken offers professional trading tools, margin, and staking. eToro adds social trading, while MoonPay provides a non-custodial on-ramp. These extras let users trade more flexibly, earn passive income, or access features tailored to both beginners and serious investors alike.
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.
Advanced traders will value Kraken’s professional tools, low fees at scale, and staking rewards. For fast, convenient fiat-to-crypto purchases, MoonPay stands out as the simplest option. 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.
