Are you interested in buying and trading cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Dogecoin? If you are, then you may be wondering which crypto exchanges are right for you. You might even be asking how Coinbase and Crypto.com compare.
These two exchanges have a lot in common, including a user friendly interface. For example, both allow trading of more than 350 different crypto coins. Both charge fees, and both have made an effort to make their platforms easy to use.
The differences lie in where and how they charge fees, when those fees are disclosed, and how each platform protects users’ deposits and digital assets. You’ll also find some differences in the types of trades allowed on crypto exchanges.
In this comparison of Crypto.com and Coinbase, we’ll review and contrast each service. We’ll also give you our take on which types of investors can benefit most from each exchange to help you decide which one’s right for you.
Feature Comparison – Coinbase vs Crypto.com
Is Coinbase or Crypto.com better when it comes to available features? The answer depends on what type of trader you are and which features are most important to you.
- Trading tools: Both platforms offer an array of trading tools to make it simple for users to fund their accounts, initiate and complete trades, and withdraw funds.
- Available cryptocurrencies: Coinbase and Crypto.com both offer more than 350 cryptocurrencies to trade and many trading pairs, as well.
- Mobile and desktop applications: Coinbase has both, while Crypto.com is mobile-first. You can trade online but the mobile experience is better.
- Additional services: This is the area where there’s the most difference between the two exchanges. For example, Coinbase offers staking and Crypto.com does not.
Here’s our table illustrating the key features and how they compare.
| Feature | Coinbase | Crypto.com |
| Available cryptocurrencies | 360+; 400+ trading pairs | 350+; doesn’t disclose number of trading pairs |
| Fees | Uses a maker/taker model; fees are calculated at the time of the trade and include maker/taker fees, spread, and other potential charges. | Maker/taker model with varying fees. There’s a 2.99% fee if you use a debit or credit card; other fees may apply. |
| Mobile/desktop | Both | Mobile first; limited web features |
| Crypto conversion | Yes | No |
| NFTs | Yes | Yes |
| Based in | United States; all services are available to US residents | Singapore; some services are not available to US residents |
| Staking | Yes | No |
| Customer service | Phone, chat, email available 24/7 | Chat only |
| FDIC insurance for USD deposits | Yes | USD deposits are held at insured banks but are not protected if Crypto.com fails |
Pro Tip:
Sign up today and get $50 of BTC for free after making your first trade on Coinbase!
Our head-to-head comparison reveals that in most cases, Coinbase has better and more comprehensive features than Crypto.com. If you’re in the US, the fact that Coinbase deposits are protected by the FDIC is important and can give you some peace of mind.
Coinbase vs Crypto.com Fee Structure Analysis
Now, let’s compare Crypto.com fees vs Coinbase to give you a rough idea of how much it will cost you to trade cryptocurrency on each crypto exchange.
Coinbase uses a maker/taker model. What that means is that if you initiate a trade that goes through immediately, you’re considered a taker and your fee will be between 0.05% and 0.60% of the amount of the trade. If you were spending $200, you’d pay anywhere from $0.10 and $1.20 for the trade. Maker fees are slightly lower, maxing out at 0.40%. There’s a spread fee to account for price volatility.
Crypto.com also uses a maker/taker model with tiered fees based on volume. These may range from 0.00% for high volume trades up to 0.075% for lower volumes. They charge an extra fee if you don’t link to your bank account as a payment method and opt for using a debit or credit card instead. That fee is a flat 2.99%, so for a $200 trade, you’d pay $5.98 plus the maker/taker fee, a bit high for most cryptocurrency exchanges.
| Coinbase | Crypto.com | |
| Pricing model | Maker/taker | Maker/taker |
| Trade fee range | 0.05% to 0.60% | 0.00% to 0.075% |
| Funding type | N/A | 2.99% for funding with a debit or credit card |
| Spread | Varies from trade to trade | N/A |
| Withdrawal fee | ACH: free; wire: $25 | ACH: free; wire: $35 |
As you can see, Coinbase vs Crypto.com fees are slightly different. Both exchanges could be a little more transparent about their fees up-front, since it can be difficult to calculate your total fees until you’re actually making a trade.
Why Are Prices Different on Coinbase vs Crypto.com?
Transaction fees differ between Coinbase and Crypto.com due to a variety of factors. As we’ve noted above, the basic fee structure is different. If you use Coinbase Advanced Trade, you may pay less if you’re trading at a high volume, since Advanced Trade uses a tiered fee system that decreases as your transaction amount increases.
Factors Affecting Price Variations Across Platforms
There are other things that may impact the fees you pay for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies on each crypto exchange, including:
- Exchange volume
- Real-time prices
- The type of coin you’re buying
- Your geographical location
- Your funding method
- Spread
With Coinbase, you’ll always see a page with your total fees before you finalize the transaction.
Pro Tip:
Sign up today and get $50 of BTC for free after making your first trade on Coinbase!
Security and Reliability of Coinbase and Crypto.com
Any time you’re entrusting a third party, especially cryptocurrency exchanges, with your money and assets, security is a pressing issue.
Coinbase has done a great job of creating a security framework that protects its users. Here are the most robust security measures, like cold storage, for your crypto wallets.
- USD deposits are insured by the FDIC
- Coinbase has purchased crime insurance to protect users in the event their security is breached. (Note that your assets will not be protected by crime insurance if you give out your password and your money or digital assets are stolen.)
- The Coinbase website and mobile app are equipped with state-of-the-art encryption and all transactions are protected by end-to-end encryption.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) is enabled with security key support (multi factor authentication)
- Multi-approval withdrawals with Coinbase Vault
- Most of users’ assets are held in cold storage
- All customer assets are held on a 1:1 basis
For more details on Coinbase’s security protocols, read: IS COINBASE SAFE?
Here are the most relevant security measures taken by Crypto.com for their crypto investors.
- All customer assets are held on a 1:1 basis
- Deposits and assets are held in cold storage
- Cash deposits held at outside financial institutions are FDIC insured if the bank fails (but not if Crypto.com fails)
- Crypto.com employs a “Zero Trust, Defence in Depth” strategy
On the whole, each crypto exchange does a good job with security, but we’d give Coinbase the edge for being more transparent about their security measures and because they have FDIC insurance for the deposits they hold, along with private keys.
Which Platform Should You Choose?
The decision of which platform to choose depends on your experience level and investment preferences, both have a pretty user friendly interface.
Pro Tip:
Sign up today and get $50 of BTC for free after making your first trade on Coinbase!
For Beginners
Let’s start with beginners. We recommend Coinbase because of its simple user friendly interface and easy-to-understand trading options. If you’re interested in learning about more advanced trades, you’ll get free access to Advanced Trade.
For Advanced Traders
Coinbase Advanced Trade Users have a decision to make because both exchanges offer advanced features. There are more trading options on Coinbase if you opt for Advanced Trade, including more trading pairs and more trade types. There’s also a volume-based fee system similar to the one on Crypto.com.
For Long-Term Traders
Long-term traders may opt for Crypto.com because of its advantageous fee structure. However, US-based investors will find more options and more protection with Coinbase than they will with Crypto.com
Conclusion
Ultimately, Coinbase and Crypto.com have a lot in common. The most important differences are in the number of trading options open to US investors. In that regard, Coinbase has a significant advantage. It’s also the best option for beginners and intermediate investors, in our opinion.
High-volume investors may want to give careful consideration to Crypto.com, but investors who want the option to stake cryptocurrency will need to stick with Coinbase, since Crypto.com no longer offers staking. We should also note that Crypto.com is not available in New York. If you are curious about how Crypto.com and Coinbase stack up against other Crypto offerors check out: BEST PLACES TO BUY CRYPTO