Coinbase
Large regulated crypto exchange and app for buying, selling, staking and trading crypto.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Web, iOS, Android
Is Coinbase free?
Free plan, plus paid plans
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All 8- Verified facts
- 4 of 4
- Alternatives ranked
- 8
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
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About Coinbase
Coinbase is a US-listed cryptocurrency exchange and one of the most common first stops for buying Bitcoin, Ethereum and hundreds of other coins with a bank account or card. The main app is built for beginners, while Coinbase Advanced (formerly Coinbase Pro) offers order books, charts and lower maker-taker fees for active traders. You can also stake some assets for rewards, earn rewards on USDC, use a crypto debit card in some countries, and move funds to the separate self-custody Base app. Simple buys include a spread on top of fees, which makes small purchases relatively expensive; Coinbase One is a monthly membership that removes trading fees up to a limit and adds account protection and boosted rewards. It runs on the web, iOS and Android and is available in the US, UK, much of Europe, Canada and other countries, with features varying by region.
Best for: Beginners and US-based investors who want a well-known, regulated place to buy and hold crypto.
Coinbase pricing (checked Nov 8, 2026)
Each line is quoted from Coinbase's own site, with the page it came from.
| Plan or term | What it says | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Coinbase One | Nov 8, 2026 | coinbase.com |
Pros and cons
What works
- Easy app for first-time buyers, with a separate advanced trading view
- Staking and USDC rewards inside the same account
- Available in the US, UK, much of Europe and other regions
Why people leave
- Simple buys include a spread on top of fees
- Coins held on the exchange are custodial, not in your own wallet
- Fee-free trading needs a paid Coinbase One plan and is capped on lower tiers
Coinbase vs Kraken, Robinhood and Cash App
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | Coinbase | Kraken | Robinhood | Cash App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid | Free |
| Verified price | — | $4.99 a month, zero fees on up to $10k/month trading | $5/month | — |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Free app |
| Open source | No | No | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No | No |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS | Web, iOS, Android | iOS, Android, Web |
Top Coinbase alternatives
See all 8- 1
Kraken68.8Long-running exchange with lower maker-taker fees on Kraken Pro and published proof of reserves.
- 2
Robinhood54.4Buy crypto alongside stocks and options in one US brokerage app, with no separate exchange account.
- 3
Cash App52.6The simplest way to buy bitcoin in the US, inside an everyday payments app, though it's bitcoin only.
- 4
Ledger Wallet51.2Take coins off the exchange into self-custody on a hardware wallet, so you hold your own keys.
- 5
Bitpanda42.3EU-regulated app that adds stocks, ETFs and precious metals alongside crypto.
Why people left Coinbase
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Reviews
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Coinbase: common questions
What is Coinbase?
Coinbase: Large regulated crypto exchange and app for buying, selling, staking and trading crypto. Best for beginners and US-based investors who want a well-known, regulated place to buy and hold crypto. Available for Web, iOS and Android.
Is Coinbase free?
Coinbase has a free plan and paid plans.
How much does Coinbase cost?
Coinbase is free with paid plans. Subscription: Coinbase One. Checked on Coinbase's own site, November 2026.
Is Coinbase open source?
No, Coinbase is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Uniswap.
What platforms does Coinbase run on?
Coinbase is available for Web, iOS and Android.
What are the best alternatives to Coinbase?
The highest-ranked Coinbase alternatives right now are Kraken, Robinhood and Cash App. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
Coinbase vs Kraken: what's the difference?
Both Coinbase and Kraken are free with paid plans. Only Kraken runs on Windows and macOS.