If you are looking to buy and sell digital currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other popular but smaller coins, the best crypto exchanges provide powerful trading tools, basic-to-advanced order types, a large selection of cryptocurrencies, and many more features and services. Investopedia’s in-house staff of researchers and editors evaluated 14 crypto exchanges based on 27 weighted criteria critical to cryptocurrency traders’ success.

Our exhaustive research revealed that Kraken is best for users seeking low fees. Experienced traders who value high platform security may want to consider Gemini, while Coinbase is best for beginners. Crypto.com is best for mobile users who often trade on the go. It is also the best platform for Bitcoin-focused traders and investors. Last but not least, cryptocurrency enthusiasts seeking digital assets not readily available elsewhere will find that BitMart is best for altcoins.

Best Crypto Exchanges and Apps for March 2026

  • Best for Low Fees: Kraken
  • Best For Security, Best for Experienced Traders: Gemini
  • Best for Beginners: Coinbase
  • Best Mobile App, Best for Bitcoin: Crypto.com
  • Best for Altcoins: BitMart

Important

Investing in cryptocurrencies, Decentralised Finance (DeFi), and other Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) is highly risky and speculative, and the markets can be extremely volatile. Consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions. This article is not a recommendation by Investopedia or the writer to invest in cryptocurrencies, nor can the accuracy or timeliness of the information be guaranteed.

Best for Low Fees:Kraken


Kraken
  • Minimum deposit: $10 
  • Maker fees: 0.00% to 0.20% for Kraken Pro
  • Taker fees: 0.05% to 0.35% for Kraken Pro 
  • Available cryptocurrencies: 620+

Open Account(opens in a new tab)

Why We Chose It

The Kraken crypto exchange is Investopedia’s choice for low fees. Investors who value low cost but need access to high-quality amenities and resources won’t find a better exchange that consistently offers both. With a minimum deposit of just $10, Prospective clients can set up an account and start trading their favorite cryptocurrency.1

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Low fees for beginning and advanced cryptocurrency traders
  • A good selection of educational resources and research amenities
  • Access to web, desktop, mobile, and Kraken Pro platform

Cons

  • Kraken is not available in all 50 U.S. states
  • Does not offer FDIC or SIPC insurance or other crime insurance.
  • Does not allow options trading for cryptocurrency

Overview

Best For Security, Best for Experienced Traders:Gemini


Gemini
  • Minimum deposit: $0.00
  • Maker fees: -0.01% to 0.20% for ActiveTrader
  • Taker fees: 0.03% to 0.40% for ActiveTrader 
  • Available cryptocurrencies: 90+

Open Account(opens in a new tab)

Why We Chose It

Best For Security

Gemini is our top choice for security. The crypto exchange has sound security standards, a commitment to compliance, and third-party audits that ensure its security infrastructure operates at a high level.10 It’s also one of the few crypto exchanges to offer FDIC and crypto insurance to help further safeguard traders’ accounts.11

Best for Experienced Traders

In addition to being our choice for security, Gemini is also our top choice for experienced traders due to its ActiveTrader software. The platform offers experienced users the ability to conduct advanced charting techniques, use advanced order types, and trade futures and perpetual contracts.12

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Highly secure and compliant platform
  • Available in all 50 U.S. states
  • Pass-through FDIC insurance for uninvested cash and crypto insurance

Cons

  • Offers a low number of cryptocurrencies
  • Customer support only has a request form
  • Complex fee structure

Overview

Best for Beginners:Coinbase


Coinbase
  • Minimum deposit: $0.00
  • Maker fees: 0.00% to 0.40%
  • Taker fees: 0.05% to 0.60%  
  • Available cryptocurrencies: 350+

Open Account(opens in a new tab)On with Coinbase

Why We Chose It

Coinbase is best for beginners due to its sleek user interface, solid security infrastructure, and a reasonable fee structure that is easy to understand. While Coinbase offers an excellent service for investors new to crypto trading, the company also provides more advanced features, which are nonetheless vital for beginning crypto traders. With Coinbase’s comprehensive educational resources, beginners can enhance their skills and utilize Coinbase’s more advanced trading tools when they are ready, without having to jump to another exchange that caters to more experienced traders. 

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Excellent educational and research resources
  • Reasonable fee structure and a good selection of cryptocurrency
  • Available in 172 countries and offers access to web, desktop, and mobile platforms

Cons

  • It may not be a good fit for established traders
  • Does not offer margin or option trading and only provides future trading on select crypto
  • Must chat or request a call when contacting customer service

Overview

Crypto.com
  • Minimum deposit: $20
  • Maker fees: 0.08% to 0.25% 
  • Taker fees: 0.18% to 0.50% 
  • Available cryptocurrencies: 400+

Open Account(opens in a new tab)

Why We Chose It

Best Mobile App

Crypto.com is our choice for the best mobile app provider due to its major focus on its mobile platform and all that that entails. Crypto traders can buy, sell, use, and trade crypto from the palms of their hands.

Best for Bitcoin

Crypto.com is also our choice for Bitcoin traders and investors due to its reasonable fee structure and excellent security infrastructure, which is important to many Bitcoin investors and users. In addition, Crypto.com provides crypto traders with Bitcoin options and futures.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Allows Bitcoin options and futures
  • Reasonable fee structure and a good selection of cryptocurrency
  • Excellent mobile platform and debit card program

Cons

  • Available in fewer than 100 countries
  • Only offers chat service for assistance
  • Crypto.com only provides access to a hot wallet

Overview

Best for Altcoins:BitMart


BitMart
  • Minimum deposit: Not publicly disclosed
  • Maker fees: Range between 0.015% to 0.6%
  • Taker fees: Range between 0.02% to 0.6%
  • Available cryptocurrencies: 1,700+

Open Account(opens in a new tab)

Why We Chose It

Bitmart, which offers over 1,700 cryptocurrencies, is our top choice as the best crypto exchange for altcoins. While the exchange lacks key trading features, it’s an excellent platform for buying cryptocurrency that traders wouldn’t usually have access to on other exchanges.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Access to over 1,700 cryptocurrencies
  • Allows social trading through its copy-trading feature
  • BitMart Academy provides excellent educational resources

Cons

  • Does not display its security infrastructure
  • Complex fee structure
  • Only supports crypto deposits to fund account

Overview

How We Picked the Best Cryptocurrency Exchanges and Apps

Techmoneyz’s in-house team of researchers collected nearly 450 data points through online research of 14 leading cryptocurrency exchange provider websites. To fill in any gaps, our research team reached out to the individual exchanges. In some instances, our researchers did much deeper online research to get the information they needed to complete the data collection. The data collection process spanned from Feb. 7, 2025 to Feb 11, 2025.

We then developed a proprietary model that scored each company to rate its performance across four major categories and 29 weighted criteria to find the best cryptocurrency exchange companies. The score for each company’s overall star rating is a weighted average of the criteria in the following categories:

  • Trading Features: 30%
  • Fees: 28%
  • Security: 21%
  • Transparency: 21%
Josh Smith's avatar

By Josh Smith

Josh Smith | Founder & Editor-in-Chief Josh Smith is a technology strategist and digital lifestyle expert with over a decade of experience in identifying emerging trends in AI and fintech. With a background in digital systems and a passion for holistic wellness, Josh founded TechLifeH to bridge the gap between technical innovation and everyday application. His work focuses on helping readers leverage modern tools to optimize their finances, health, and personal growth. When he isn't analyzing the latest AI models, Josh is a fitness enthusiast.

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