The practical choice
Compare the amount of Bitcoin that reaches the same destination for the same starting budget. Trading commission is only one component. Funding, FX, spread, execution and withdrawal charges can change the result.
Read the comparisonAt a glance
| What matters | Buy and keep on an exchange | Buy and withdraw to a wallet |
|---|---|---|
| Common costs | Funding, currency conversion and purchase execution. | Funding, currency conversion and purchase execution. |
| Additional costs | Future sale and cash withdrawal charges if you exit later. | Crypto withdrawal charge, possible minimum and a future network fee to spend or transfer. |
| Custody | Access depends on the exchange account and its operating terms. | Access depends on your keys, backup and wallet compatibility after receipt. |
| Comparable result | BTC credited to the exchange account for a fixed cash budget. | BTC received in the destination wallet for that same cash budget. |
This is a comparison of published provider documents, not a hands-on test or a security audit. Sources and the review date are listed below. Fees, features and eligibility can change; check the provider's current terms and your account before acting. How this comparison was prepared
A quote that says 'low fees' is not enough to compare two purchases. Start with the same cash amount, asset and destination. Record whether the service quotes the cost separately or includes it in the offered exchange rate. The final asset quantity is a useful cross-check because a cost hidden in the spread still reduces what you receive.
The published figures above describe particular products and conditions. They are not a prediction of your account's execution. A final preview is still needed for account-specific prices and withdrawal fees.
Write down the whole cost chain
Use five lines: funding, currency conversion, trading commission, execution difference and withdrawal. Record each fee in its original currency and whether it has already been included in the quote. Convert currencies with the actual rate used for your transaction, not an unrelated reference rate.
For a fixed budget, subtract charges taken before the trade, determine how much BTC the actual execution would buy and subtract a withdrawal fee denominated in BTC where applicable. A percentage fee and a fixed network or withdrawal charge affect small purchases differently.
Calculate a commission without calling it the total cost
At a published rate of 0.80%, a EUR 1,000 trade has EUR 8 of trading commission; at 0.40%, the corresponding commission is EUR 4. These are arithmetic examples using Kraken Pro's observed Tier 1 schedule, assuming the full EUR 1,000 is the fee basis. They exclude funding, FX, spread, slippage and withdrawal costs.
The EUR 4 difference does not mean that every limit order saves EUR 4. An immediately executable limit order can take liquidity and incur a taker fee. An order that rests on the book may not fill, and a fee tier can change with account qualification. Match the calculation to the product and account you will actually use.
Separate a provider spread from market execution
A simple buy quote can contain a provider-added spread. An order-book product can remove that particular markup while still exposing you to the market bid-ask spread and slippage. The last traded price is not a promise that your whole order can execute at that level.
Compare quotes taken close together and for the same amount. Otherwise, market movement can be mistaken for a difference in fees. Retain both the fee and the asset quantity shown in the preview so that the comparison can be checked later.
Use the actual withdrawal preview
An exchange's withdrawal fee is not necessarily identical to the fee the Bitcoin network charges for the exchange's own transaction. Exchanges can batch withdrawals or set their own charge. Inspect the selected network, minimum and final amount shown before confirmation.
Do not assume a free or cheap transfer on another network delivers native Bitcoin to your chosen address. Wrapped assets and alternative networks create a different product and risk profile. The destination wallet must support the precise asset and network selected.
A practical checklist
- Use an identical starting budget and destination for both quotes.
- Record charges already included in the quoted price.
- Use the applicable maker or taker tier, not a generic brand fee.
- Record the asset quantity received after withdrawal.
- Save the preview and timestamp so the comparison is reproducible.
Common questions
Is a zero deposit fee a free purchase?
No. Currency conversion, trading, spread and withdrawal costs can still apply.
Is the lowest trading commission always cheapest?
No. Compare the complete transaction and the amount received. A fixed payment or withdrawal charge can outweigh a small percentage difference.
Can a calculator give me a live Bitcoin withdrawal quote?
Not without the provider's current account-specific withdrawal information. Enter the actual quote; do not substitute an old fee from a guide.
Published figures & conditions
Sources checked
Kraken Pro standard spot Tier 1 publishes 0.40% maker / 0.80% taker.
Public schedule checked today; USD thresholds; pair, location and account eligibility still matter. Do not reuse the former 0.25% / 0.40% entry rates.
Kraken fee scheduleKraken Pro Tier 2: $2,500+ spot 30-day volume, 0.30% / 0.60%. Tier 3: $10,000+ spot volume or $20,000 assets on platform, 0.22% / 0.38%.
The live table also includes futures-volume qualification; the most favorable qualifying measure applies. These are spot rates, not derivatives fees.
Kraken fee scheduleKraken Instant Buy lists 1% for instant/recurring trades and 1.5% for custom orders, plus a variable spread and potentially payment costs.
Different product from Kraken Pro; membership exemptions and eligibility have separate terms. A trade commission is not total cost.
Kraken fee scheduleCoinbase Advanced directs customers to their signed-in fees page for current rates and qualification criteria.
Exact current rate is account-specific / not verified. The public help page describes separate product volume thresholds and USDC balance criteria. Do not use Coinbase Exchange institutional fees as Advanced retail fees.
Coinbase Advanced feesCoinbase says it adds a spread to simple buy/sell quotes; Advanced interacts with an order book and has no Coinbase-added spread.
This does not remove the market bid/ask spread or slippage. Fee and execution preview remain necessary.
Coinbase pricing disclosuresKraken's EUR SEPA/SEPA Instant routes list a €1 minimum and €0 Kraken deposit fee.
Route availability varies by account/region. Published processing estimate is 0–3 business days or instant, depending on provider. A Swedish bank's SEK→EUR conversion and bank fees are separate. Source updated 2026-10-01.
Kraken cash depositsKraken's EEA debit-card EUR deposit row lists €10 minimum and €0.25 + 3.75%.
This is a funding-method row, not a Pro trading commission. Avoid double-counting if a provider quote already includes a charge.
Kraken cash depositsKraken says withdrawal fees can differ from the public help page; the final amount appears at confirmation.
No fixed BTC withdrawal figure was verified in the extracted table. Treat network, withdrawal minimum and account quote as live inputs, never hard-code a historical BTC fee.
Kraken crypto withdrawalsA limit order can pay taker fees if it immediately matches an existing order; maker treatment depends on adding liquidity.
General execution explanation, not a claim that a limit order guarantees a saving or execution.
Kraken maker/taker definitionPrepared from the primary sources linked below. This is documentary research, not a hands-on product test, personalised advice or an independent security audit.
Sources and further reading
- Kraken: fee schedule
- Kraken: maker and taker explanation
- Kraken: crypto withdrawals
- Coinbase: pricing and fees
An introductory guide. Consider your circumstances and consult the linked primary sources.
