Introduction
If you’re diving into crypto trading apps in 2025, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans are turning to digital assets to diversify their investments, but there’s a hidden trap that catches even seasoned traders—fees. From maker/taker charges to sneaky withdrawal costs, high fees can quietly erode your profits over time.
That’s why choosing the right crypto trading app—one that keeps your costs low while offering strong security and user-friendly tools—is essential. In this guide, we break down the 10 best crypto trading apps with the lowest fees available in the USA. Whether you’re a beginner looking for simple and affordable trades or an advanced user hunting for the best volume discounts, we’ve got you covered.
We’ll compare fee structures, features, user experience, and hidden costs—so you can make smart, cost-effective decisions and keep more of your gains.
Why Trading Fees Matter (And How They Add Up)
Maker vs Taker Fees Explained
Crypto exchanges typically charge two types of fees:
- Maker Fee: When you place a limit order that adds liquidity to the market.
- Taker Fee: When you accept an existing offer (usually with a market order), removing liquidity.
These fees vary by platform, but even small percentages—like 0.1%—can add up fast with frequent trades. For example, if you’re making $1,000 in trades per week, that’s $52 in taker fees annually at just 0.1%.
Other Charges: Spreads, Deposits, Withdrawals, Hidden Costs
In addition to maker/taker fees, you should consider:
- Spreads
- Deposit & Withdrawal Fees
- Inactivity or Network Fees
Impact of Trading Frequency on Fee Accumulation
Even low-fee platforms can rack up costs quickly for:
- Day traders or swing traders making frequent transactions.
- High-volume users who can benefit from tiered discount models.
How We Chose the Lowest-Fee Crypto Apps
Transparent Fee Schedules
U.S. Licensing & Compliance
User Experience & Accessibility
Mobile App Functionality
#1. Kraken – Best for Low Volume and Pro Traders
- Maker: 0.16% / Taker: 0.26%
- Lower fees at higher volumes
- Kraken Pro for advanced trading
- High-security U.S. regulated platform
#2. Binance.US – Zero Fees on Select BTC Pairs
- $0 fees on BTC/USD, BTC/USDT, etc.
- Maker/Taker: 0.10%
- 25% discount with BNB token
- Strong mobile UX and tools
#3. Robinhood – No Trading Fees (But Limited Features)
- $0 trading fees
- Spread-based pricing (hidden cost)
- Beginner-friendly
- Limited coins and no advanced tools
#4. Coinbase (Pro & Coinbase One)
- Standard fees: up to 3.99%
- Coinbase Advanced: 0.60% / 0.40%
- Coinbase One: $29.99/mo for $0 fees
- Ideal for long-term investors
#5. Gemini ActiveTrader
- Tiered fees starting at 0.20% / 0.40%
- Reductions at $10K+ volume
- SOC 2-certified U.S. exchange
- Strong fiat support and security
#6. Crypto.com
- Maker/Taker: 0.075% each
- CRO token staking reduces fees
- Strong mobile app and staking rewards
- Cashback Visa card and NFT features
#7. Bitget & Bybit – Derivatives Focus
- Bitget: Futures fees 0.02% / 0.06%
- Bybit: Futures fees 0.01% / 0.06%
- Copy trading and leverage options
- VPN use required for U.S. users
#8. KuCoin & HTX
- KuCoin: 0.10% / 0.10%, reduced with KCS
- HTX: 0.20% / 0.20%, discounts via HT
- Wide altcoin support
- Earn, Launchpad, and VIP features
#9. Bitstamp & CEX.IO
- Bitstamp: 0.50% / 0.50%
- CEX.IO: 0.25% / 0.25%, instant buy option
- Easy fiat deposits/withdrawals
- Ideal for beginners
#10. Poloniex & BTCC
- Poloniex: Futures 0.025% / 0.075%
- BTCC: Futures 0.01% / 0.05%
- Advanced order types
- High leverage and P&L tools
Comparison Table of Trading Fees (Spot Markets)
| Platform | Maker Fee | Taker Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kraken | 0.16% | 0.26% | Lower with volume |
| Binance.US | 0.10% | 0.10% | $0 fees on BTC pairs |
| Robinhood | $0 | $0 | Spread-based pricing |
| Coinbase Adv. | 0.60% | 0.40% | Better rates via Coinbase One |
| Gemini Active | 0.20% | 0.40% | Reductions at $10K+ volume |
| Crypto.com | 0.075% | 0.075% | Lower with CRO staking |
| Bitget | 0.10% | 0.10% | Futures: 0.02%/0.06% |
| KuCoin | 0.10% | 0.10% | Discounts with KCS token |
| Bitstamp | 0.50% | 0.50% | Simple fiat onboarding |
| Poloniex | 0.10% | 0.20% | Futures: 0.025%/0.075% |
Quick Takeaways
- Binance.US offers zero fees on BTC pairs—ideal for Bitcoin-focused users.
- Kraken and Gemini provide professional-grade tools with volume-based discounts.
- Robinhood is fee-free but hides costs in spreads and lacks advanced features.
- Crypto.com blends low fees with strong mobile UX and staking rewards.
- KuCoin and HTX reward users for staking native tokens to reduce trading fees.
- Bybit and Bitget offer the lowest futures fees—great for high-leverage traders.
Tips to Reduce Crypto Trading Fees
- Use limit orders to qualify for lower maker fees.
- Trade during off-peak hours to reduce spread costs.
- Stake exchange tokens (like BNB, CRO, KCS) for platform discounts.
- Use tiered volume discounts by consolidating trades.
- Avoid “instant buy” options which often carry hidden markups.
Conclusion
The crypto market is full of opportunities—but every successful trader knows that minimizing costs is just as important as maximizing gains. With dozens of crypto trading apps available to U.S. traders, your choice of platform can significantly impact your bottom line.
Whether you’re just getting started with Robinhood or ready to graduate to Kraken or Binance.US, understanding fee structures and using the right tools can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. Don’t let fees eat into your earnings—choose smarter, trade smarter.
FAQs
1. What’s the difference between maker and taker fees?
Maker fees are charged when you add liquidity to the market with a limit order. Taker fees apply when you accept an order from the book (market order).
2. Which crypto trading app has zero fees in the USA?
Binance.US offers zero fees on BTC trading pairs. Robinhood also advertises no fees but earns via spreads.
3. Are spread costs worse than trading fees?
Yes. Hidden spreads can exceed visible fees, especially during volatile markets.
4. Is staking required to get low fees on Crypto.com or KuCoin?
No, but staking CRO or KCS gives significant discounts on trading costs.
5. Are these platforms safe and regulated in the U.S.?
Kraken, Coinbase, Gemini, and Binance.US are U.S.-regulated. Others like KuCoin or Bitget are not.
References
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