Before we get into the detailed analysis, here is the ranked top 10 crypto exchanges for beginners with the most important data of each at a glance.
1. Bitvavo: the easiest European exchange to start with low fees
Bitvavo is a Dutch exchange founded in 2018 in Amsterdam and designed for European users. Their app is clear and straightforward: buying cryptocurrencies are just a few taps, no complicated menus. Offers over 400 cryptocurrencies, staking and recurring purchases with 0.15% maker and 0.25% taker fees and deposits from €1.
Operates under a MiCA license, granted in 2025 by the Dutch regulator (AFM), valid throughout the EEA. New users can qualify for a €25 welcome bonus if they meet their conditions. See full Bitvavo review
Who is Bitvavo for? For European beginners who want an intuitive app, low fees and a regulated platform that operates in euros.
Advantages:
- Intuitive app: buy crypto in just a few taps
- Fees among the lowest in Europe
- Minimum deposit of €1 and welcome bonus
Disadvantages:
- Available only for European users
- Few advanced trading features
- Customer service with more limited options
2. Coinbase: the simplest app to start with, albeit with high commissions
Coinbase is one of the world’s best-known crypto platforms, founded in 2012 in the US and listed on Nasdaq. It is the easiest option for those who start outside of Europe: guided registration, purchase in a few steps and lots of educational material. Allows you to buy, store and staking more than 400 cryptocurrencies, and its Advanced mode adds an order book.
Operates in Europe under the MiCA license of the CSSF Luxembourg; in the US United States, under license from NYDFS. In Advanced charges 0.40 % maker and 0.60 % taker, but the simple purchase adds commission and differential. See full Coinbase review
Who is Coinbase for? For beginners from outside Europe who prioritize a very simple and familiar app over low fees.
Advantages:
- Very simple and guided interface to take the first step
- Listed platform, with track record and regulation in several regions
- Más de 400 criptomonedas y modo avanzado cuando quieras crecer
Disadvantages:
- High fees on simple purchase (up to 3.99% more spread)
- Advanced requires understanding market and limit orders
- High fee on staking rewards
3. Crypto.com: the all-in-one crypto app for start and grow
Crypto.com is one of the world’s largest crypto platforms, with more than 150 million users since 2016. Their app brings together shopping, staking, Earn and a Visa card in one place, serving both beginners and advanced users. Offers over 400 cryptocurrencies, with base fees of 0.25% maker and 0.50% taker.
In Europe, it operates under a MiCA license from the Malta regulator (MFSA), granted to Foris DAX MT Limited, and serves many countries around the world. Earn and staking are outside the MiCA framework. See full review of Crypto.com
Who is Crypto.com for? For beginners and intermediate users from any country who want to buy, earn rewards and pay with crypto from a single app.
Advantages:
- Full app: buy, staking and earn in one place
- Visa card with up to 5% in CRO rewards
- More than 400 cryptocurrencies and service in many countries
Disadvantages:
- So many functions can overwhelm the one who starts
- Base fees of 0.25% for makers and 0.50% for takers
- The best rewards of the card require blocking CRO
4. Kraken: a simple app to get started and pro tools when you want more
Kraken is one of the oldest exchanges in the sector: it was founded in 2011 and has more than 13 million users. Its simple app allows you to shop in just a few steps, and Kraken Pro adds an order book when you want more control. Offers over 700 cryptocurrencies, staking and over 11,000 stocks and ETFs, with 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker fees on Pro.
It has a MiCA license from Central Bank of Ireland for spot, and its subsidiary CySEC covers derivatives and equities. Provides service in the EU and many countries outside it, with 24/7 support on the web and in the app. See full review of Kraken
Who is Kraken for? For beginners from any country who want to start simple and grow on the same platform, with access to advanced trading.
Advantages:
- Simple app and Kraken Pro in the same account
- More than 700 cryptocurrencies and over 11,000 shares and ETFs
- 24/7 web and app support
Disadvantages:
- Single purchase costs 1% plus spread
- Kraken Pro can be complex on the first day
- Crypto withdrawals have a fixed fee based on the asset
5. Revolut X: minimum fees for existing users of Revolut
Revolut X is the crypto exchange of Revolut. Launched in May 2024 in the UK and then reached all 30 countries of the European Economic Area. Opens with your Revolut account, no separate registration, and moves the money instantly. Offers more than 300 cryptocurrencies and flat commissions: 0% maker and 0.09% taker.
Since October 2025 it operates under the MiCA license of the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), granted to Revolut Digital Assets Europe, based in Limasol. Works like a traditional exchange, with TradingView order book and charts. See full review of Revolut X
¿Para quién es Revolut X? For Revolut users who want to start with crypto at minimum fees, without opening an account on another exchange.
Advantages:
- Flat fees of 0 % maker and 0.09 % taker
- Opens with your Revolut account and moves the money instantly
- More than 300 cryptocurrencies and charts from TradingView
Disadvantages:
- It is essential to have a Revolut account
- The order book is more technical than a simple buy button
- Spot only; withdrawals carry a fixed fee plus network commission
6. Trade Republic: crypto within your investment and savings app
Trade Republic is a bank and broker founded in 2015 in Berlin. It’s not a crypto exchange as such: crypto is one more product alongside stocks, ETFs and bonds, all in a minimalist app. Offers more than 50 real cryptocurrencies, purchase from €1 and savings plans, with €1 per order plus a spread of around 1%.
It is overseen by BaFin, has a MiCA crypto license and holds cryptocurrencies in custody with BitGo. Since November 2025 allows sending and receiving cryptocurrency to external wallets. Operates in 18 European countries.
Who is Trade Republic for? For users of Trade Republic who want to take their first steps with crypto without leaving their app, even if it is not a specialized exchange.
Advantages:
- Crypto, stocks, ETFs and savings in one minimalist app
- Purchase from €1 and automatic savings plans
- Bank regulated by BaFin with MiCA license
Disadvantages:
- €1 per order plus a 1% spread, more expensive than on an exchange
- Less than 100 cryptocurrencies and no orderbook or advanced trading
- Only available in European countries
7. Finst: 0.15% flat fee and segregated custody to start in euros
Finst is a Dutch platform founded in 2022 in Amsterdam by the former DEGIRO team. Their app is clean and easy to understand: a fixed commission of 0.15% for both maker and taker orders, with no added spread. Allows the purchase of more than 400 cryptocurrencies, with staking, Crypto Bundles and automatic investment, and holds the funds in a segregated entity.
Operates under a MiCA license from the Dutch regulator (AFM), which allows it to service throughout the EU. Publishes a Proof of Reserves audit and does not charge for depositing or withdrawing euros. See full Finst review
Who is Finst for? For European beginners looking for a fixed commission, no surprises, and a simple app to start investing in crypto.
Advantages:
- Fixed fee of 0.15% with no additional spread
- Crypto Bundles and auto-investing for easy start
- Segregated Funds and Audited Proof of Reserves
Disadvantages:
- Only available in European countries
- No derivatives, margin, or leverage
- Less tools and community than a global exchange
8. Bybit EU: the European version of Bybit with Earn, card and MiCA license
Bybit EU is the European platform of Bybit, one of the largest exchanges in the world by volume. Launched on 1 July 2025 for the European Economic Area, based in Vienna. Offers over 100 cryptocurrencies, Earn products and the Bybit Card, with commissions from 0.25% for both maker and taker orders.
It operates under a MiCA license granted in May 2025 by the Austrian Financial Markets Authority (FMA) to Bybit EU GmbH. As of July 1, 2026, EEA users may only trade through Bybit EU. View the full Bybit EU review
Who is Bybit EU for? For curious European beginners who want a regulated platform with Earn and card, and space to grow.
Advantages:
- Austrian FMA MiCA license and headquarters in Vienna
- Earn and Mastercard card with 1% cashback
- Spot from 0.25%, with discounts for VIP users
Disadvantages:
- More technical interface than an app designed for beginners
- Limited derivatives offering against Bybit’s global platform
- One-Click Buy, Sell and Convert have a spread of 1.30%
9. Gemini: security and a neat app for beginners outside Europe
Gemini is an exchange founded in 2014 in New York by the Winklevoss brothers. Its app is simple and tidy, with recurring purchases, staking of ETH and SOL and an educational library, Cryptopedia. Offers around 90 cryptocurrencies, and its ActiveTrader charges 0.60% maker and 1.20% taker at the base level.
It is regulated in the US by NYDFS as a fiduciary entity. Despite obtaining a MiCA license in Malta, it closed all accounts for the UK, EEA and Australia on 6 April 2026 - now only an option outside those areas. See full Gemini review
Who is Gemini for? For beginners in the US and other countries outside of Europe who prioritize security and an orderly app over low fees.
Advantages:
- Simple app, with recurring purchases and educational library
- SOC security audits and NYDFS regulation
- Staking of ETH and SOL without minimum
Disadvantages:
- Not available in EU, EEA, UK or Australia
- High commissions: around 2.5% on single purchases
- Reduced catalogue: around 90 cryptocurrencies
10. eToro: Crypto, stock and copy trading in one app
eToro is a trading platform founded in 2007, listed on Nasdaq and based in Tel Aviv. It is not a crypto exchange as such: together with real stocks and ETFs, it offers more than 150 cryptocurrencies and CopyTrader, which automatically copies the portfolios of other investors. Their app is very visual and charges 1% when buying and another one when selling.
In Europe it operates under the MiCA license of the CySEC Cypriot, granted in January 2025 to eToro (Europe) Ltd. The unleveraged cryptocurrencies purchased are real and custody is free, although moving them to eToro’s wallet costs 2%.
Who is eToro for? For beginners who want to start with crypto within a multi-asset investment app, or copy other investors instead of choosing on their own.
Advantages:
- Visual and very user-friendly interface
- CopyTrader: copy other investors' portfolios
- Over 150 cryptocurrencies, stocks and ETFs in one account
Disadvantages:
- 1% fee on buying and another 1% on selling
- Moving cryptocurrencies to eToro’s wallet costs 2%
- Inactivity fee of $10 per month after one year without using account
Comparison table of exchanges for beginners
Looking at the 10 exchanges, here is a comparison table that summarizes the cryptocurrency catalog, base commission and where each platform is available.
| Platform | Cryptos | Fee | Available on |
|---|---|---|---|
Bitvavo
|
400+ | 0,15% / 0,25% | Europa (EEE) |
Coinbase
(Advanced)
|
400+ | 0,40% / 0,60% | Global |
Crypto.com
|
400+ | 0,25% / 0,50% | Global |
Kraken
(Kraken Pro)
|
700+ | 0,40% / 0,80% | Global |
Revolut X
|
300+ | 0,00% / 0,09% | Europa (EEE) |
Trade Republic
|
50+ | 1 € + ~1 % de diferencial | Europa (18 países) |
Finst
|
400+ | 0,15% / 0,15% | Europa (UE) |
Bybit EU
|
100+ | 0,25% / 0,25% | Europa (EEE) |
Gemini
(ActiveTrader)
|
90+ | 0,60% / 1,20% | Fuera de Europa |
eToro
|
150+ | ~1 % al comprar y al vender | Global |
For starters, the best option depends on where you live and whether you prefer a crypto-only or crypto-investment app included. Exchanges charge less, but investment apps let you start without switching apps.
| Criteria | What We Evaluate | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ease of use | Registration, verification and first purchase: how many steps are needed and if the app is clear. |
| 2 | Clear fees | Actual cost of a small purchase, with commission, differential and withdrawal, without surprises. |
| 3 | Getting started features | Recurring purchases, staking, card and useful educational material for those starting out. |
| 4 | Regulation and safety | MiCA License or equivalent regulator, verified in the register of the ESMA, and fund protection. |
| 5 | Support and Language | Customer service accessible and platform available in your language. |
| 6 | Availability and access | Countries where it works, minimum deposit and payment methods to start with little. |
The information in this ranking is informative and educational, and does not constitute financial or tax advice or investment recommendation. Cryptocurrencies are volatile and you may lose some or all of what you invest, so start with only amounts that you can afford. Each user must comply with the regulations of their country. Some links are affiliate: if you open an account through them, Exchange Selector may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. This does not affect the order of ranking.
If you want to compare other rankings updated for 2026, you can also check:
Best Exchanges for Dollar-Cost Averaging
Compare exchanges for regular investing based on automatic purchases, fees, and ease of use.
Best exchanges without KYC
Compare platforms based on privacy, limits, and available options without identity verification.
(FAQ) How to choose crypto exchange for beginners in 2026