Broker comparison

Kraken vs.
OKX

Which broker fits your needs?

Platforms, products and fees side by side.

Checked on 22 October 2026

See comparison

Summary

Your goal decides

Both start at a $10 minimum deposit. Kraken is the established, higher-rated exchange (4.4/5 vs 4.1/5) with a strong security focus, FinCEN registration, margin and futures trading and staking. OKX quotes low spot fees of 0.08% maker / 0.10% taker and adds crypto options, DeFi and an integrated Web3 wallet, but is not available in the US and states its regulation only as "various".

Established crypto exchange with strong security and margin trading

Global crypto exchange with Web3 wallet and comprehensive ecosystem

At a glance

The key differences

Criterion
PlatformsKraken Web, Kraken Pro, Kraken AppOKX Web, OKX App, OKX Web3 Wallet
Product typesCrypto, Staking, FuturesCrypto, Futures, Options (Crypto), DeFi, NFTs
Options tradingNoNo
Fee model0.00% – 0.26% maker/taker0.08% maker / 0.10% taker (Spot)
Minimum deposit10 $10 $
RegulationFinCENVarious
More informationDetailsDetails

Platforms

Kraken

Kraken Web, Kraken Pro, Kraken App

OKX

OKX Web, OKX App, OKX Web3 Wallet

Product types

Kraken

Crypto, Staking, Futures

OKX

Crypto, Futures, Options (Crypto), DeFi, NFTs

Options trading

Kraken

No

OKX

No

Fee model

Kraken

0.00% – 0.26% maker/taker

OKX

0.08% maker / 0.10% taker (Spot)

Minimum deposit

Kraken

10 $

OKX

10 $

Regulation

Kraken

FinCEN

OKX

Various

More information

Kraken

Details

Product access and costs depend on market, account and permissions.

Detailed comparison

Comparing fees

Compare total costs, not just the order fee.

0.00% – 0.26% maker/taker

Published fee
0.00% – 0.26% maker/taker
Minimum deposit
10 $
Spread figure
Trading fee 0.25% maker / 0.40% taker (Spot Pro)
See terms at provider

0.08% maker / 0.10% taker (Spot)

Published fee
0.08% maker / 0.10% taker (Spot)
Minimum deposit
10 $
See terms at provider

The relevant costs depend on market, currency, order size and trading style.

Worked out

What does it actually cost?

Typical months at Kraken and OKX, priced from their published fee schedules. Spreads, FX and exchange fees come on top depending on the venue.

ScenarioKrakenOKX
One BTC purchase of ≈ €1,000€8Kraken Pro tier 1 taker 0.80% × €1,000€3.50OKX EEA Regular, spot-only account: taker 0.350% × €1,000 (0.10% if X-Perps account opened)
Custody and account fee per year€0No custody or account fee€0No custody or account fee

Checked on 22 October 2026. Prices can change; the current fee schedule is what counts. Sources: kraken.com · okx.com

Execution quality

Order type, venue and liquidity affect execution.

Check the provider’s execution policy and available order types for your account.

Provider information

Check the provider’s execution policy and available order types for your account.

Provider information

Product range

CryptoStakingFutures
CryptoFuturesOptions (Crypto)DeFiNFTs

Categories come from broker profiles. Check specific markets and permissions before deciding.

Trading platforms

Kraken Web · Kraken Pro · Kraken App

Kraken offers three platform levels: the simple Kraken web interface for quick buys and sells, Kraken Pro with professional charting tools, order book, and advanced order types, and the Kraken App for mobile trading. Kraken Pro supports limit, market, stop-loss, and take-profit orders. The platform integrates staking, margin trading, and futures directly into the trading interface.

Explore platform

OKX Web · OKX App · OKX Web3 Wallet

OKX offers the OKX Web platform, the OKX App, and the OKX Web3 Wallet. The web platform and app provide advanced charting with TradingView integration, real-time order books, various order types, and tools for spot, margin, futures, and options trading. The Web3 wallet is directly integrated into the app, enabling access to over 50 blockchains, DEX aggregation, and NFT trading.

Explore platform

Regulation & security

Kraken

Payward Global Solutions Ltd (Ireland)

Supervisor
Central Bank of Ireland (MiCA CASP)
Investor compensation
No statutory compensation scheme for crypto; MiCA CASP (Central Bank of Ireland) must segregate client crypto-assets
Cash
No deposit guarantee for balances held on the exchange (not a bank)

OKX

OKX Europe Ltd (Malta)

Supervisor
MFSA (MiCA CASP)
Investor compensation
No statutory compensation scheme for crypto; MiCA CASP (MFSA Malta) must segregate client crypto-assets
Cash
No deposit guarantee for balances held on the exchange (not a bank)

Regulation does not protect against market losses. What counts is the entity you sign the contract with.

Your investor profile

Who might it suit?

For investors who want a long-established exchange with an Irish MiCA licence and a euro focus.

  • Over 200 cryptocurrencies
  • Strong focus on security
  • Margin and futures trading
  • User interface less intuitive
  • Fiat deposit fees depending on method

For traders who use derivatives as well as spot: once a derivatives account is open, OKX Europe’s spot fee drops sharply. Licensed in Malta.

  • Integrated Web3 wallet
  • Low trading fees
  • Over 300 cryptocurrencies
  • Not available in the US
  • Regulatory uncertainties

Find the broker that fits

Kraken oder OKX?

Side by side. Decided with knowledge.

See the differences that matter, and the Academy lessons that explain them.

Kraken4.4
  • Over 200 cryptocurrencies
  • Strong focus on security
  • Margin and futures trading
OKX4.1
  • Integrated Web3 wallet
  • Low trading fees
  • Over 300 cryptocurrencies
VS
  • Fees
  • Platform
  • Regulation
  • Matching lessons
Two brokers. Many options. Your call.
Open The Dealing Room

Kraken and OKX do not earn the same way

The table shows what they cost. These lessons show how they earn, which is what the difference is made of.

Who is on the other side?

Whether your order leaves the building or stops at the desk

Open the lesson →

Where the price comes from

How several bank quotes become one spread on your screen

Open the lesson →

Reading the disclosures

Which entity you actually contract with, and what it committed to

Open the lesson →

In-depth analysis

Entry and fees: Kraken and OKX both ask for a $10 minimum deposit. Kraken quotes a fee range of 0.00% to 0.26% maker/taker that falls with trading volume — low fees for high-volume traders are a stated strength. OKX charges 0.08% maker and 0.10% taker on spot. At smaller volumes OKX is therefore usually cheaper, while very active traders can close the gap at Kraken. Kraken also charges fiat deposit fees depending on the method, which belongs in the calculation.

Products and platforms: Kraken lists crypto, staking and futures, quotes over 200 cryptocurrencies plus margin and futures trading, and runs on Kraken Web, Kraken Pro and the Kraken App; its interface is described in the record as less intuitive. OKX is the broader of the two: crypto, futures, crypto options, DeFi and NFTs, over 300 cryptocurrencies and an integrated OKX Web3 Wallet alongside web and app. If you want to trade crypto options, they sit in OKX's instrument list, not Kraken's. OKX's interface is noted as complex for beginners.

Profile and verdict: Kraken (4.4/5 from 2,200 reviews) was founded in 2011, sits in San Francisco and is registered with FinCEN; its strong security focus is its central strength. OKX (4.1/5 from 1,300 reviews) was founded in 2017, is based in the Seychelles, states its regulation as "various", notes regulatory uncertainties and is not available in the US. If you value security, staking and an established exchange, choose Kraken; if you want crypto options, DeFi and a Web3 wallet in one ecosystem, choose OKX.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions

How do fees differ between Kraken and OKX?
Kraken: 0.00% – 0.26% maker/taker. OKX: 0.08% maker / 0.10% taker (Spot). Compare total costs for the specific market, product, currency and order size in the current fee schedule.
Which broker offers more products: Kraken or OKX?
Kraken offers Crypto, Staking, Futures. OKX offers Crypto, Futures, Options (Crypto), DeFi, NFTs.
How are Kraken and OKX regulated?
The broker profiles list FinCEN for Kraken and Various for OKX. Your account's contracting entity determines the applicable oversight and protection rules; check its current disclosures.
Is Kraken or OKX better for beginners?
Kraken lists a 10 $ minimum deposit and offers Kraken Web, Kraken Pro, Kraken App. OKX lists 10 $ and offers OKX Web, OKX App, OKX Web3 Wallet. Compare usability, available products and costs for your intended use.
Kraken vs OKX: Which broker is better overall?
The choice between Kraken (4.4/5, 2200 reviews) and OKX (4.1/5, 1300 reviews) depends on your needs. Kraken: Established crypto exchange with strong security and margin trading. OKX: Global crypto exchange with Web3 wallet and comprehensive ecosystem.

Your next step

Your next step

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Keep learning

Before you pick a broker

The guides worth reading before your first trade, whichever of the two you choose.

Crypto options: Bitcoin & EthereumOptions on crypto, the venues and their quirks.Options taxes in GermanyFlat-rate tax, loss offsetting and allowances.Options trading basicsStrike, expiry, underlying: the building blocks of every option.
Terms in the glossary:Implied volatilityPremiumCall optionMarginExpiration