KuCoin
Global crypto exchange with spot, futures and margin trading, trading bots and an earn programme.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Web, iOS, Android
Is KuCoin free?
Yes, free to use
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All 6- Verified facts
- 5 of 5
- Alternatives ranked
- 6
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
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About KuCoin
KuCoin is a centralised cryptocurrency exchange that launched in 2017 and now serves users in most countries outside a handful of restricted markets. It is known for listing a long tail of smaller tokens early, alongside the usual Bitcoin and Ethereum pairs. Beyond spot trading it offers futures, margin, built-in trading bots, copy-style strategies, a peer-to-peer marketplace, a Visa crypto card (KuCard) and KuCoin Earn for staking and fixed-term products. Opening an account costs nothing; the exchange makes money from trading and withdrawal fees, with lower fee tiers for high-volume traders and for people who hold its own KCS token. It runs in the browser and through apps for iOS and Android, and has a public API for algorithmic traders. It publishes proof-of-reserves reports. Because it has had regulatory trouble in several countries, people in strictly regulated markets usually look at locally licensed exchanges first, while active altcoin traders tend to value its wide coin selection and derivatives tools.
Best for: Active traders who want a wide altcoin selection, futures and built-in trading bots in one account.
KuCoin pricing (checked Nov 8, 2026)
Each line is quoted from KuCoin's own site, with the page it came from.
| Plan or term | What it says | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| VIP fee discount | Up to 75% | Nov 8, 2026 | kucoin.com |
Pros and cons
What works
- Lists many smaller tokens that larger regulated exchanges skip
- Built-in trading bots without a third-party service
- Spot, futures, margin, P2P and earn products in one account
- Publishes proof-of-reserves reports
Why people leave
- Not licensed in every major market, so some countries are restricted
- Best fee discounts and VIP perks require holding its KCS token
- The breadth of products and tokens can overwhelm beginners
KuCoin vs OKX, Bitget and Kraken
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | KuCoin | OKX | Bitget | Kraken |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free plan + paid | Free | Free plan + paid |
| Verified price | — | — | — | $4.99 a month, zero fees on up to $10k/month trading |
| Free plan | Free app | Yes | Free app | Yes |
| Open source | No | No | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No | No |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS |
Top KuCoin alternatives
See all 6- 1
OKX68.8Similar global exchange with deep derivatives markets, trading bots and a built-in Web3 wallet.
- 2
Bitget64.8Another derivatives-focused global exchange, strong on copy trading and tokenised stocks.
- 3
Kraken61.8Longer regulatory track record and licences in the US and Europe, with fewer obscure tokens.
- 4
MEXC57.5Lists new small-cap tokens very quickly, the same long-tail altcoin choice that draws people to KuCoin.
- 5
Coinbase57.2Simpler, US-listed and widely licensed exchange, a safer pick if regulation matters most.
Why people left KuCoin
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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KuCoin: common questions
What is KuCoin?
KuCoin: Global crypto exchange with spot, futures and margin trading, trading bots and an earn programme. Best for active traders who want a wide altcoin selection, futures and built-in trading bots in one account. Available for Web, iOS and Android.
Is KuCoin free?
Yes, KuCoin is free to use.
How much does KuCoin cost?
KuCoin is free to use. VIP fee discount: Up to 75%. Checked on KuCoin's own site, November 2026.
Is KuCoin open source?
No, KuCoin is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Uniswap.
What platforms does KuCoin run on?
KuCoin is available for Web, iOS and Android.
What are the best alternatives to KuCoin?
The highest-ranked KuCoin alternatives right now are OKX, Bitget and Kraken. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
KuCoin vs OKX: what's the difference?
KuCoin is free to use; OKX is free with paid plans. Both run on Web, iOS and Android.