Crypto exchanges are the bedrock of the crypto markets as they facilitate the buying, selling, swapping, and staking of cryptocurrencies. Because of this, it is important for users like traders to choose the right exchange that suits their needs. In this Crypto.com vs. Coinbase comparison guide, we look at different aspects of each exchange, including their features, user experience, and the assets they support.
Our methodology for choosing the best crypto exchange
In this guide, we’ve focused specifically on Coinbase and Crypto.com, two CEX titans. We also highlighted a number of alternatives for buying, selling, swapping, and staking cryptocurrencies. These exchanges were chosen thanks to their reputations and powerful security, among other key factors we considered. BeInCrypto assessed all of these platforms over a number of months, testing each feature, including customer service responses and advanced trading tools.
We delved into Crypto.com’s trading environment, noting its range of 0.04% to 0.20% in maker-taker fees. Coinbase stood out with its trading volume-based fee tiers, reaching up to 0.6% for takers. With prices up to 0.26%, Kraken’s approach was tested for regular and widget-based transactions. OKX impressed us with its low maximum trading fee of 0.1%. Lastly, Binance’s fee structure, trading fee, and potential discounts for Binance Coin holders were thoroughly assessed for their impact on different trading strategies.
The fee structures of these cryptocurrency exchanges are designed to meet the needs of different user demographics, offering significant opportunities for earnings. Each platform has been selected for its unique and competitive features. When considering using either service, assessing your options and deciding based on your specific needs is crucial. Additionally, it’s always advisable to research the latest trends and news that could impact your choice of platform.
Learn more about BeInCrypto’s methodology verification here.
What is Coinbase?
Coinbase at a glance
Coinbase is a popular cryptocurrency exchange that allows people to buy, sell, store, and exchange digital assets like cryptocurrencies, NFTs, derivatives, and more. It was founded in 2012.
Features
Coinbase has several industry-leading features. These include:
- Coinbase Card: Coinbase partnered with Visa to create a card people can use to carry out effortless crypto transactions. They also offer a reward/cashback program for cardholders.
- Coinbase Learn: One of the main features that makes Coinbase stand out is its learn section. The platform offers earn-to-learn programs that encourage users to study crypto topics from the site and earn rewards.
- Coinbase Advance: Coinbase Advance was created to cater to seasoned/advanced traders by giving them access to more sophisticated trading tools that are not available in the basic/beginner section of the platform.
- Coinbase One: Coinbase introduced a subscription-based service known as Coinbase One, which gives its members perks like reduced trading fees, access to prioritized customer support, better staking opportunities, and more.
- Coinbase Wallet: This is a non-custodial wallet that lets users buy, send, receive, and store hundreds of cryptocurrencies and NFTs.
Pros and cons of Coinbase
Pros
- It is easy to use, even for beginner traders.
- It has good staking and rewards programs.
- Users can withdraw their funds quickly from the platform.
- It has been used for many years by a lot of traders, thus improving trust.
- It has an in-depth learning section.
Cons
- The fee structure is not transparent and can change from time to time, making it unreliable.
- The mobile app is not user-friendly and does not show all the platform’s features.
What is Crypto.com?
Crypto.com is a cryptocurrency exchange that was launched in 2016 as Monaco Technologies GmbH. It was rebranded to Crypto.com in 2018 and continued with the initial vision of empowering people to have access and control of their own cryptocurrencies.
Features
Crypto.com has several features, including:
Crypto Earn: Crypto Earn is Crypto.com’s program that allows users to earn by locking up their cryptocurrencies over a specified time period. The users receive a payout every seven days from whatever funds they have locked up.
Visa cards: Crypto.com has Visa cards that give rewards to users if they use the cards to make payments using cryptocurrency.
Crypto Credit: The crypto credit program lets users borrow instant loans with no payment deadlines or credit checks. To receive a loan, users deposit specific cryptocurrencies and receive stablecoins in return. Their cryptocurrencies are used as collateral during the process.
Crypto.com DeFi wallet: Crypto.com’s DeFi wallet gives you access to multiple blockchains and apps built on different networks. You can buy, sell, stake, and swap your tokens using this wallet.
Pros and cons of Crypto.com
Pros
- Easy to understand fee structure.
- A user-friendly mobile application.
- Good staking and rewards programs.
- It has additional incentives like competitions to increase user engagement.
Cons
- The website is difficult to navigate and understand.
- Tedious sign-up process since you have to download the app and no sign-up link is clear on the website.
Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: Similarities
| Feature | Crypto.com | Coinbase |
| Security | It has two-factor authorization, insurance, and cold storage. | It has two-factor authorization, insurance and cold-storage. |
| Availability | Available in 100 countries. | Available in 100 countries. |
| Accessibility | Can be accessed via web and mobile app. | Can be accessed via web and mobile app. |
| Rewards and staking | Has reward and staking programs. | Has reward and staking programs. |
Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: Comparison
In this section, we will compare both platforms, looking at how each performs in different aspects, ranging from their features to security and more.
Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: Features
Crypto.com offers its services through two platforms: its website, crypto.com, and its mobile app is available on different device marketplaces. Through the platforms, people can access different features, including an exchange service that you can use to trade cryptocurrencies, derivatives, and even margins. Crypto.com also has a ‘Grow’ program that lets people earn through on-chain staking or by accruing profits from locking up Cronos (CRO), which is crypto.com’s token.
NFTs are also offered as products on Crypto.com, as you can buy, sell, and showcase NFTs on the platform. Lastly, Crypto.com has a learn section that has different segments, including the latest news in the industry, trending product stories, and a “university” that explains different crypto ideas and concepts.
Coinbase also has a website and an app. Recently, Coinbase also set up its own layer-2 network on Ethereum called Base. On the website and app, people can access different features, including services for individuals, businesses, and developers.
Individuals using Coinbase can buy, sell, and use crypto on their website and mobile app. They can also create, collect, buy, and sell NFTs through the platform. Coinbase also gives people the opportunity to earn crypto in various ways, including through staking their cryptocurrencies, by using their Coinbase Card, which is a Visa card you earn rewards from, and even by using their Learn section. In fact, the Coinbase Learn section is known as one of the most in-depth learning sections for crypto users and traders alike, with the learn-to-earn model being a great incentive for anyone interested in the crypto world.
Additionally, Coinbase has different product offerings for beginner and advanced trading. It has an Advanced Trade option for seasoned traders, while beginner and mid-level traders can use the normal Coinbase app. The last product offering is Coinbase One, a subscription-based service that gives members perks like priority support from their team, zero fees in trading, rewards, and more.
For businesses, Coinbase has solutions for large institutions and can also help businesses accept crypto from many sources. The feature also gives businesses access to the exchange and derivatives market and the ability to list their assets on the exchange.
Lastly, Coinbase also provides services to developers, who can access development tools, integrate their DApps, and even have future access to Base.
Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: Sign-up process
Signing up on Coinbase is much easier and more straightforward than on Crypto.com. For Coinbase, all you need to do is to click on ‘Sign-up’ on the website, and the platform will ask you for your email, where it will send a verification link and later ask you for verification documents as part of the KYC process.
Crypto.com, on the other hand, is more difficult as it doesn’t have a direct link to sign up on the website. Instead, the website prompts you to download their mobile app, which is a longer process and could shut out people who prefer to use their PCs in trading.
Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: User interface
When it comes to user interfaces, Coinbase takes the lead. Coinbase has a simple and easy-to-navigate user interface. The different features are easy to find and identify, and the pages are well-labeled.
Crypto.com has a more modern user interface, but the drawback is that navigating and understanding what the site offers is less intuitive when compared to Coinbase. This makes it more difficult for people to find the features because they might have to open multiple tabs and sections to get what they need.
Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: Mobile apps
Both Crypto.com and Coinbase have mobile apps that make it easier for their users to access services on the go. The Crypto.com mobile app is the better of the two, as you can access all their services on one interface.
Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: Currencies
Both Crypto.com and Coinbase support over 250 coins and tokens, making them attractive exchanges for investors looking to build a diversified portfolio of digital assets.
Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: Security
Security is one of the most important aspects when considering which exchange to use. When it comes to Crypto.com and Coinbase, we see that both platforms have taken high-security measures to ensure their funds and those belonging to their clients are safe.
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They both have cold storage facilities for almost all user funds, which helps minimize risks of loss through hacking. They also offer insurance coverage options for their U.S.-based customers up to a total of $250,000. The platforms also have two-factor authorization on their user accounts and provide biometric security measures to help reduce security breaches.
That said, Crypto.com has, in the past, experienced a two-factor authorization breach in 2022, which resulted in a loss of over $30 million.
The incident affected 483 Crypto.com users.
Crypto.com security report
Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: Fees
When it comes to fees, Crypto.com has a more straightforward approach to its charges than Coinbase.
On Crypto.com, the trading fees are calculated using a 30-day maker-taker model where a trader pays the exchange based on the volume of orders that provide liquidity (maker orders) and is charged different fees than orders that take liquidity (taker orders) in the last 30 days.
These fees are categorized depending on the volume, with trades less than 250,000 USD paying 0.0750% maker and 0.0750% taker fee. Trades above 1,000,000 have a 0.0650% maker fee and 0.0690% taker fee, while the highest range of above 10,000,000 has a 0.0% maker fee and 0.0500% taker fee.
Coinbase has a more complicated fee for trading, as the amounts charged depend on their trading tiers and the time at which their trade is placed. Some maker and taker tiers on Coinbase include a 0.60% taker fee, a 0.40% maker fee on trades between zero to 10,000 USD, a 0.16% taker fee, a 0.06% maker fee on trades between 15,000,000 to 75,000,000 USD and the highest tier of 400,000,000 USD and above where they are charged a 0.05% taker fee and 0% maker fee.
Despite the tiering stated on their site, Coinbase also mentions that the tiers might change, and traders should be on the lookout for any changes and extra fees during the trading process.
Both Crypto.com and Coinbase also charge fees for other services, including their wallet transfer fees, credit card fees on Crypto.com, wire transfer fees, and more.
Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: Ease of use
Having an easy-to-use platform is essential to crypto trading. In this aspect, Coinbase is the easiest to use when using their website on a PC. Crypto.com leads when it comes to ease of use on their mobile app.
The Coinbase website has a simple user interface which is easy for beginner users to understand. Further, each product is explained well, making it easy for people to understand what they need to do to achieve their goals. To complement that, Coinbase also has an in-depth “Learn” section that guides users in many aspects of trading and using their services.
Crypto.com’s website is more complicated to use, especially for novice traders. Some parts of the site, like the derivative trading sections, have figures and graphs that advanced traders can understand. In some reviews, advanced traders recommend crypto.com as the best site to use for trading as it has better service offerings. But, the user must also be familiar with trading to enjoy the experience.
Despite having a complicated website, Crypto.com’s mobile app is the better of the two. This is because the app has all the services on one interface, from buying and selling NFTs to trading, storing your cryptocurrencies, and more. You don’t have to open many interfaces to get what you need. On the other hand, the mobile app belonging to Coinbase and listed on their site is simplistic and hard to navigate as you can only see where to buy, send, and receive cryptocurrencies and nothing on NFTs or DeFi apps.
Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: Access
Both Crypto.com and Coinbase are easily accessible as they both have websites and apps. However, they both face restrictions in some jurisdictions where some countries have banned their functioning.
Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: Buying and selling cryptos
Buying and selling cryptocurrencies is easy on both Crypto.com and Coinbase.
To buy and sell cryptocurrencies on Crypto.com, you can either use the website or the app. To buy crypto on the platform, you will need to sign up for an account, verify your account, and click the “buy” button. You will be asked to choose your cryptocurrency, and using your preferred payment method, you can proceed to make the payment and receive the cryptocurrency in your account. Crypto.com supports different payment methods, including bank transfers, cards, and Google or Apple Pay.
To sell a cryptocurrency on Crypto.com, you will sign into your account and then navigate to the “Markets” page. You will then choose the cryptocurrency you want to sell and the one you want to receive in return. Then click “Trade” and pick the order you want to complete. Lastly, click “Sell” to complete the sale and receive payment in your account.
Buying and selling cryptocurrency on Coinbase is as simple as it is on Crypto.com.
To buy crypto on Coinbase, head to the platform and sign into your account. Then, click on the “Buy/Sell” button, select “Buy,” and choose the cryptocurrency you would like to purchase. After that, you will be required to select the frequency of the transaction and the payment method. Coinbase currently supports 3D secure cards and easy bank transfers as modes of payment. Once you have chosen your preferred payment method, click on ‘Buy now’ to complete your transaction and receive your cryptocurrency in your account.
When selling your cryptocurrency on Coinbase, click on the “Buy/Sell” button on the platform, then pick “Sell” and input the amount of cryptocurrency you would like to sell. Then, choose the cryptocurrency you are selling and the balance you would like your money to be deposited into. This is important because all sales are deposited directly into your current balance. Lastly, preview your sale and click “Sell now” to complete it.
Remember to keep an eye out for a change in your balance, which will indicate that you have sold your cryptocurrency.
Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: Geographic availability
Both Crypto.com and Coinbase are available in over 100 countries at the time of writing.
Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: Staking and rewards
Like many exchanges and DeFi platforms, Crypto.com and Coinbase have staking and reward programs that encourage users to stay on their platforms.
Crypto.com has an “Earn” program that rewards people depending on the amount of cryptocurrency one locks up on the platform. The platform also has other rewards, including cashback rewards on their Visa cards and even through their referral program. When it comes to staking, Crypto.com has a staking feature on their app that allows users to access staking options on different blockchains.
Coinbase also provides opportunities for people to earn on their platform. The first way is through their learn-to-earn program, which rewards users with cryptocurrencies when they complete mini-courses on the platform’s learn section. People can also earn money through the Coinbase Card, which, just like Crypto.com, gives users cashback rewards depending on how they use the cards.
Also, just like Crypto.com, Coinbase also allows its users to stake different cryptocurrencies through the Coinbase Earn program. However, the site has been known to take a percentage of these earnings from its users, which may make it a less favorable staking alternative when compared to Crypto.com.
Staking on Coinbase
Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: Customer support
Regarding customer support, Coinbase triumphs over Crypto.com because of the number of ways customers can reach their team. Coinbase supports customers via phone, email, and chat, while Crypto.com supports their customers via chat only for many issues. This makes Coinbase more supportive to customers compared to Crypto.com based on availability.
Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: Wallets
Crypto.com and Coinbase have hot wallets that help users store and transfer their cryptocurrencies to and from the exchange to their wallets. Further, both wallets are non-custodial wallets.
The Coinbase Wallet is simple to use with a clean and minimalist interface. The app has no KYC requirements and only asks you to set up a passcode that helps to protect your wallet from outside influence. Wallet, as the Coinbase wallet is called, is used to buy, send, or receive different digital assets and NFTs.
The Crypto.com wallet, known as its DeFi wallet, has more to offer than the Coinbase wallet. This is seen in how you can access all their services, including trading, earning, buying, and storing cryptocurrencies, DeFi apps, and NFTs in one place. This level of access to services makes it a better app for users when comparing Crypto.com vs Coinbase.
Crypto.com vs. Coinbase: Other features
NFT support
Both Crypto.com and Coinbase support the buying and selling of NFTs. Crypto.com takes it a step further by allowing people to create NFTs directly on the platform instead of using other marketplaces.
Hardware wallet integration
Both Crypto.com and Coinbase have integrated Ledger, a hardware wallet, as a trusted cold-wallet solution for their customers.
Token swaps
You can swap tokens on both Coinbase and Crypto.com. To swap tokens on Coinbase, you must download the Coinbase Wallet and use the “trade” feature. To swap tokens on Crypto.com, you will use the “swap” feature on the browser extension or the app.
Alternatives to Coinbase and Crypto.com
Ideal for demo and spot trading
Trustworthy exchange with complete crypto ecosystem
Reputable trading platform for advanced traders
A choice between titans
When comparing Crypto.com vs Coinbase, they balanced each other out regarding their different product offerings, strengths, and shortcomings. For instance, Coinbase emerged as a clear winner in terms of user-friendliness since it is good for beginners, has a rich learning section, and has an easy-to-navigate dashboard. However, it has high pricing and is not transparent in pricing its services, bringing uncertainty to trading.
Crypto.com shined in aspects like having a great mobile app, better pricing, and good staking programs. It was especially important that they have a clearly outlined guideline of how they price their services, which builds trust. If you want to use either service, weighing your options and deciding based on your current needs is important. And always do your own research on current trending news or decisions that may affect any platform you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Is Crypto.com better than Coinbase?
Is my money safe on Crypto.com?
Does Crypto.com charge a monthly fee?
Which is better: Crypto.com or Binance?
Is Crypto.com banned in the U.S.?
Who is the owner of Crypto.com?
Which countries are not supported by Crypto.com?
