Two very different approaches meet in this comparison: Exness offers crypto CFDs with a $1 minimum, while Kraken provides a regulated native exchange with broader coin access.
Kraken is the overall winner, thanks to its higher editorial score, stronger regulatory footprint, and broader coin access than Exness.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose Exness if…
Choose Exness if you want ultra-low deposits and phone support.
Choose Kraken if…
Choose Exness if you value top-tier regulation and compensation schemes. Choose Kraken if you want a native exchange with broad coin access. Choose Kraken if you seek proof of reserves and regulated status.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Kraken wins due to no hacks since 2011, broad regulation, and disclosed reserves.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 4.6/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $1 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 0.3 pips | N/A |
| Taker Fee | 3.50% | 0.26%▼ lower |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Exness | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Pass |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Pass |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
Kraken rates 4.6/5 versus 3.8/5 for Exness. Kraken edges ahead on our composite score, though both exchanges meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Exness lists a spread from 0.3. Current spread data is not available for Kraken. Check both exchanges' full fee schedules, including maker/taker rates, for up-to-date pricing.
Kraken has no minimum deposit, while Exness requires at least $1. This makes Kraken more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Exness holds top-tier regulation (FCA, FSCA, OJK), providing stronger investor protections. Kraken may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
For beginners, two factors stand out: Kraken has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and Exness provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Exness offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Kraken's 5:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
Kraken charges $0.26 per trade, lower than Exness's $3.5 per trade. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day. Crypto fees are typically quoted as maker/taker rates rather than fixed per-trade commissions; check each exchange's fee schedule for volume-based discounts.
Exness supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Kraken supports Kraken Pro. Exness has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Kraken has exclusive access to Kraken Pro.
Kraken offers staking while Exness does not according to our data. Staking lets you earn passive yield on your crypto holdings directly through the exchange. Check Kraken's supported coins, lock-up terms, and estimated yields before committing.
Kraken wins for low fees with transparent pricing and 0.00% maker fees at volume.
Kraken wins for coin selection with ~200 coins versus Exness's 30.
Exness wins for beginners due to a $1 minimum deposit and easy access.
Kraken offers staking and yield-earning options while Exness does not, making Kraken the better choice for holders who want to earn passive income on their crypto.
Equally matched; neither offers DeFi or Web3 access.
| 0.65 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPerfect MoneyCryptoP2P | CryptoBank transferWire transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerPerfect MoneyCrypto | CryptoBank transferWire transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Network fee only |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA FSCA OJK CySEC | FCA NYDFS MiCA FinCEN |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | Yes |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | Yes |
|---|
| Staking | No | Yes |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | No |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | No | No |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | No |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | Yes |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | No |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
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