Comparison of Kraken vs Bybit [ 2025 ]

The crypto exchanges compared by their commissions, cryptos, security and much more. Here is the Kraken vs Bybit comparison!

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

Kraken

Investing risks losing your money

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

Bybit

Investing risks losing your money

Main points

Fees

0,16%/0,26%

Earns

Customer service

5/5

≤0,10%

Fees

Yes

Earns

4/5

Customer service

Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

Buy and hold

Yes

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

Yes

Buy and hold

Comparison of fees

Rating

4.5 – Low fees with additional benefits for high-volume traders.

4.1 – Low fees with a focus on derivatives trading.

Level

0,16%/0,26%

≤0,10%

Brief explanation

Kraken’s commission structure is designed to be competitive and favorable for both low and high-volume traders. The exchange employs a tiered fee schedule that rewards users with lower trading fees as their trading volume increases over a 30-day period. Fees vary depending on whether you are a maker (creating a new order on the book) or a taker (filling an existing order), with maker fees generally being lower than taker fees to encourage liquidity. While the fees are relatively low for high-volume traders, those trading smaller amounts may find the fees slightly higher compared to other platforms. Additionally, Kraken charges flat fees for fiat deposits and withdrawals, though these can vary based on the method and currency used. Overall, Kraken’s fee structure is transparent, with details readily available on its website, helping users to anticipate and calculate potential trading costs effectively.

Bybit’s commission structure is designed to be competitive and appealing to both high-volume traders and occasional participants. The platform primarily charges two types of fees: maker fees and taker fees. The maker fee can reward users for adding liquidity to the market, typically set below the industry average, while the taker fee is slightly higher due to the nature of removing liquidity. For trading derivatives such as perpetual contracts, Bybit charges a taker fee of 0.075% and provides a maker rebate of 0.025%, which means makers actually earn a credit for executing trades. This fee structure is particularly attractive to those who trade frequently or utilize trading bots to maintain liquidity on the exchange. Overall, Bybit’s fee strategy supports a dynamic trading environment, encouraging both the provision and taking of liquidity while keeping costs transparent and manageable for traders of all levels.

Kraken

Security Methods: Kraken's commitment to security is unparalleled, utilizing state-of-the-art security measures such as two-factor authentication, SSL encryption, and cold storage of the majority of assets. This rigorous approach minimizes the risk of hacking and unauthorized access, making it a trusted platform for trading cryptocurrencies.
Reputation and Reviews: Kraken has maintained a strong reputation within the crypto community for over a decade. Its track record of security, user-focused services, and operational resilience has garnered positive reviews from users and industry analysts alike, reinforcing its standing as a reputable exchange.
Transparency: Kraken is known for its transparency in operations, frequently updating users on system upgrades, security measures, and changes in regulatory compliance. This openness builds trust and ensures that users are well-informed about their trading environment.
Trading Volume and Liquidity: Kraken is one of the largest exchanges in terms of trading volume and liquidity. This allows users to execute large trades without significantly affecting the market price, which is critical for both retail and institutional traders.
Possible Regulation: Kraken adheres to regulatory requirements in all jurisdictions in which it operates, enhancing its credibility and reliability. Compliance with these regulations not only ensures the legality of its operations but also provides a layer of security for its users' investments.

Read Kraken review

Bybit

Security Methods: Bybit employs robust security practices, including cold storage for digital assets, real-time risk audits, and two-factor authentication (2FA) to protect user accounts and funds. This comprehensive approach ensures a secure trading environment.
Reputation and Reviews: Since its inception, Bybit has maintained a strong reputation within the crypto community for its reliability, advanced trading features, and user-friendly interface. Positive reviews across various forums and its low incident of security breaches contribute to its credibility.
Trading Volume and Liquidity: Bybit is known for its deep liquidity and high trading volume, facilitating seamless execution of trades without significant slippage, even during volatile market conditions. This is crucial for traders looking to execute large orders.
Transparency: Bybit provides clear and detailed information on trading fees, funding rates, and insurance funds. It regularly publishes updates about system upgrades and security enhancements, demonstrating transparency in operations and communications with its users.
Customer Service: Bybit offers 24/7 customer support with a multilingual team accessible via live chat, email, and social media. This constant availability ensures that user queries and issues are resolved promptly, enhancing user trust and satisfaction.

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Product selection

Native token

Earns

Yes

NFT marketplace

Yes

Cripto/debit card

Yes

Full name

Payward, Inc.

Bybit Fintech Limited

Regulation

Regulated in the EE. UU.

Not regulated

Year founded

2011

2018

Founder

Jesse Powell

Ben Zhou

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes

Mastercard

Yes

Wire transfer

Yes

Card

Yes

Comparative table

Kraken	FEATURES	Bybit
Kraken allows relatively low minimum trade volumes, making it accessible for beginners.	Minimum Trade	Bybit allows for a relatively low minimum trade size, making it accessible for traders starting with smaller amounts.
Competitive fees, though slightly higher for low volume traders; discounts for high volume.	Trading and Transaction Fees	Bybit is known for its competitive fee structure, which is lower than many other exchanges, benefiting frequent traders.
Offers a wide selection of cryptocurrencies, catering to diverse trading preferences.	Number of Cryptocurrencies	Offers a diverse range of over 100 cryptocurrencies, providing good options for traders looking to diversify their portfolios.
Extensive range of trading pairs, though some less popular pairs have lower liquidity.	Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs	Provides a wide array of trading pairs, allowing users to trade various combinations of cryptocurrencies efficiently.
High transparency about fees, security measures, and operational status updates.	Website Transparency	The website provides clear and detailed information about trading conditions, fees, and security measures.
Kraken does not offer an exchange card for customers to use for in-store purchases and receive benefits.	Credit/Debit Card	Bybit does not offer a branded exchange card for in-store purchases or benefits, limiting its functionality in terms of everyday financial transactions.
Excellent security with a majority of funds held in cold storage; provides peace of mind.	Storage Offering	Offers secure storage solutions with a majority of funds kept in cold storage, though it lacks some advanced features found in specialized wallets.
Offers staking options with competitive rewards, although not available for all assets.	Staking and Rewards	Offers basic staking features but is not as competitive as other platforms that provide higher yields and more variety in staking options.
Both platforms are robust and fully-featured, though the interface can be complex for new users.	Mobile App and Desktop	Both the mobile app and desktop platform are highly rated for user interface design and functionality, catering well to both beginner and advanced traders.
Customer service is reliable but can experience delays during high demand periods.	Customer Service	Provides 24/7 customer support with multiple channels, though response times can vary depending on the channel and query complexity.
Efficient deposit and withdrawal processes, though options may vary by region.	Deposit and Withdraw	Offers efficient deposit and withdrawal processes, though limited by the lack of direct fiat currency transaction support.

Key features

Analysis tools

Advanced charting tools, technical analysis

Advanced charting, technical analysis tools, and derivatives trading features

Mobile APP

Yes

Security

High 4,9/5

Additional features

Margin trading, futures trading, staking, Kraken Pro exchange

Futures trading, perpetual contracts, staking, Bybit Earn program

Anonymity

Yes

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

100+

Primarily derivatives, but around 100 cryptocurrencies

User-friendliness

Kraken features a clean and intuitive interface that is easy for beginners to use. The platform is designed to provide a seamless trading experience, making it easy to buy and sell cryptocurrencies.

Bybit offers a user-friendly platform that is easy to navigate, with a focus on derivatives trading. The interface is designed to be accessible to both beginners and experienced traders.

Value for money

Offers excellent value for money with low trading fees, strong security features, and a wide range of supported cryptocurrencies.

Offers good value for money with low trading fees and advanced trading features, suitable for both retail and institutional traders.

Countries of operation

United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia

Singapore, Japan, South Korea, United States, Canada

Best for

Suitable for all types of investors, from beginners to advanced traders, due to its low fees, strong security features, and wide range of supported cryptocurrencies.

Great for both retail and institutional traders interested in derivatives trading with low fees and advanced features.

Base currencies available

USD, EUR, CAD, GBP, JPY, BTC

USD, USDT, BTC

Account

Trading

Kraken is known for its high security and wide range of cryptocurrencies. It offers advanced trading tools and competitive fees but can be complex for beginners.

Bybit is known for its derivatives trading and leverage options. It offers advanced trading tools and high liquidity but is not suitable for beginners due to its complexity and risk.

Deposit and withdrawal

Kraken supports a wide range of deposit and withdrawal methods, including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and cryptocurrencies. Withdrawals are processed quickly, with competitive fees .

Bybit supports cryptocurrency deposits and withdrawals, with no support for fiat currencies. Withdrawals are processed efficiently, usually within a few hours, with low fees.

Account opening process

Kraken offers a straightforward and secure account registration process. Users need to submit personal details, verify their identity, and address. The process is fully digital and typically takes less than a day to complete.

Bybit offers a seamless and fully digital account opening process. Users need to fill out personal information and verify their identity. The process is quick, typically taking less than a day to complete.

KYC required?

Yes

Customer Service

Kraken offers comprehensive customer support through email, live chat, and a help center. Support is available 24/7, and the response times are quick, ensuring users get timely assistance .

Bybit provides extensive customer support through email, live chat, and a help center. Support is available 24/7, and the response times are quick, ensuring users get timely assistance.

Security

Kraken offers extensive security features, including 2FA, encryption, and cold storage. It is regulated by multiple financial authorities, making it a highly secure platform for investors.

Bybit provides robust security features with 2FA, encryption, and cold storage. However, it is not regulated by major financial authorities, which might be a concern for some users.

Which of these exchanges is for you?

Alejandro Borja

In concluding our comprehensive review of Kraken through Threenvest’s lens, it’s clear that Kraken stands as a formidable player in the cryptocurrency exchange landscape. Known for its robust security measures, wide range of cryptocurrencies, and advanced trading features, Kraken appeals especially to traders who prioritize safety and a diverse portfolio. These strengths are complemented by its deep liquidity and competitive fee structure, making it a preferred choice for serious traders. However, its complex interface and sometimes slow customer service response times during peak periods could pose challenges, particularly for newcomers to cryptocurrency trading. Compared to other exchanges, Kraken’s commitment to regulatory compliance and security is notably strong, positioning it as one of the safer trading environments in an industry fraught with security concerns. On the flip side, its user interface and learning curve may not be as appealing to beginners as some other platforms that focus more heavily on user-friendliness and simple navigation. For users of Threenvest looking to engage in sophisticated trading strategies or those who value a highly secure trading platform, Kraken is undoubtedly a top contender. However, those new to the market might consider starting with platforms that offer more guidance and a more intuitive trading experience.

Xavier Tarrasó

As one of the experts here at Threenvest, I’d like to share a brief recommendation about using Bybit. Bybit offers a robust platform that caters well to experienced traders looking for advanced trading options in the crypto derivatives market. Its high-performance trading engine ensures rapid execution of trades, which is crucial during volatile market conditions. If you’re comfortable with high leverage and complex trading instruments, Bybit can be a powerful tool in your trading arsenal. However, beginners should tread carefully, given the platform’s complexity and the inherent risks of leveraged trading.

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How do we review crypto exchanges?

At Threenvest, we conduct a thorough review process to evaluate and rank the world’s leading crypto exchanges. Our goal is to offer an unbiased assessment, providing you with the information you need to make informed decisions on which ones best suit your needs. We strictly adhere to the guidelines of our editorial policy.

We collect data directly from exchanges through detailed questionnaires and conduct first-hand testing and observations during crypto exchange demonstrations. Questionnaire responses, combined with demonstrations and hands-on research from our experts, feed into our proprietary evaluation process that scores each provider’s performance on more than 15 factors. The end result produces star ratings ranging from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars).

For more details on the categories considered when rating brokers and our process, read our full methodology.

Risk Disclaimer

Investing in cryptocurrencies is very risky, you should only invest the money you are willing to lose. Also you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.

Neither Threenvest, nor the author, are recommending you to invest with this article.