For standard spot trading in 2026, the cheapest major exchanges are MEXC (often 0% promos, ~0.05% otherwise), then Binance, Bybit, OKX, Bitget, KuCoin and WhiteBit at about 0.10% maker/taker. Kraken Pro is mid-pack (~0.16%/0.26%), and Coinbase's simple buy/sell flow is the most expensive — use its Advanced Trade screen instead. Holding an exchange's native token and trading on the pro/advanced interface cut these rates further.
Standard spot fees at a glance
Approximate entry-tier spot maker/taker fees (before volume or native-token discounts). Lower is cheaper; most exchanges drop these as your 30-day volume rises.
| Exchange | Maker | Taker | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEXC | 0.00–0.05% | 0.00–0.05% | Frequent zero-fee promos on many spot pairs |
| Binance | 0.10% | 0.10% | ~0.075% when fees paid in BNB; deepest liquidity |
| Bybit | 0.10% | 0.10% | Drops with VIP volume |
| OKX | 0.08% | 0.10% | Lower with OKB / volume tiers |
| Bitget | 0.10% | 0.10% | BGB token discounts |
| KuCoin | 0.10% | 0.10% | KCS discounts; huge altcoin list |
| WhiteBit | 0.10% | 0.10% | Tiered by 30-day volume |
| Kraken (Pro) | 0.16% | 0.26% | Mid-pack; strong fiat + security |
| Coinbase (Advanced) | ~0.40–0.60% | ~0.60% | Simple buy/sell flow is far higher — avoid it |
Rates are standard entry tiers as published by each exchange and are indicative — schedules change, and your actual rate depends on volume, native-token holdings, and whether you use the pro interface. Verify before trading.
What maker vs taker actually means
A maker order adds liquidity to the book (a limit order that doesn't fill immediately); a taker order removes it (a market order, or a limit order that fills now). Makers are usually charged less — sometimes nothing — because they deepen the order book. If you trade with limit orders, you'll often pay the cheaper maker rate.
How to pay the lowest fees
- Use the pro/advanced interface, never the one-click "buy crypto" button — the convenience flow can cost 10–30× more.
- Hold the native token (BNB, OKB, BGB, KCS) for an automatic discount where offered.
- Place limit (maker) orders instead of market orders when you can wait.
- Consolidate volume on one exchange to climb the fee tiers faster.
- Mind withdrawal fees too — a low trading fee means little if withdrawals are pricey.
Estimate your real cost
Want the dollar figure for your trading? Our fee calculator turns these rates into a per-trade and per-year cost based on your trade size and frequency, and ranks the exchanges cheapest-first. For the full feature-by-feature breakdown see the exchange comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Which crypto exchange has the lowest fees in 2026?
MEXC is typically the cheapest for spot trading, often running 0% promotions and around 0.05% otherwise. Binance, Bybit, OKX, Bitget, KuCoin and WhiteBit cluster around 0.10% maker/taker before discounts. Kraken is mid-pack and Coinbase's simple flow is the most expensive.
What is a good trading fee for a crypto exchange?
For spot trading, anything at or below about 0.10% maker/taker is competitive. Below 0.05% is excellent. Above roughly 0.25% — like Coinbase's simple buy/sell flow — you're overpaying and should switch to a pro interface or a cheaper exchange.
Why are Coinbase's fees so high?
Coinbase's simple buy/sell flow bundles a convenience premium and can cost well over 1%. Its <strong>Advanced Trade</strong> interface uses a far cheaper maker/taker schedule, so the same account can be expensive or competitive depending on which screen you use. Always trade through Advanced Trade.
Do maker orders really cost less?
Yes. Maker orders add liquidity to the order book and are charged a lower fee — sometimes zero — while taker orders that fill immediately pay more. Using limit orders instead of market orders is one of the easiest ways to cut your fees.