Detailed comparison of all fees, features, and suitability — updated for 2026.
Bitvavo is the better choice for Crypto Investors, while Kraken wins for Crypto Investors. Which one suits you depends on your strategy — the detailed comparison below shows every difference.
| Metric | Bitvavo | Kraken | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order fee per trade | 0.25 € | 0.16 € | 0.09 € cheaper at Kraken |
| 10y savings plan cost @ €100/month | 30 € | 19 € | 11 € cheaper at Kraken |
| Available exchanges | 1 | 2 | +1 more at Kraken |
| BMInsider rating | 4.3/5 | 4.4/5 | +0.1 at Kraken |
All fees, products, and platform features compared side-by-side. The "Winner" column shows which broker leads in each category.
| Feature | Bitvavo | Kraken | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees & Costs | |||
| Order Fee | 0.25 % | 0.16 % / 0.26 % (Pro) | Kraken |
| ETF Savings Plan Fee | - | - | Tie |
| Account Fee | 0€/Year | 0€/Year | Tie |
| Minimum Deposit | €1 | $1 | Tie |
| Interest on Cash | 0% | 0% | Tie |
| Product Range | |||
| Stocks | Tie | ||
| ETFs | Tie | ||
| Crypto | Tie | ||
| Options | Tie | ||
| CFDs | Tie | ||
| Fractional Shares | Tie | ||
| Number of Exchanges | Crypto spot | Crypto spot, Crypto futures | Kraken |
| Platform & Tools | |||
| Mobile App | Tie | ||
| Desktop Platform | Tie | ||
| Demo Account | Kraken | ||
| Security & Regulation | |||
| Regulated by | DNB · MiCA | FinCEN · FCA · BaFin | Tie |
| Deposit Protection | - | - | Tie |
| Founded | 2018 | 2011 | Tie |
| Overall Rating | |||
| Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Kraken |
Depending on your strategy and experience, one broker fits better. Here's how to decide:
Low barriers, simple app, demo account and no hidden costs — perfect to get started.
More about Kraken →Low per-order fees, many trading venues and derivatives access — important if you trade regularly.
More about Kraken →Free savings plans, interest on cash and no custody fee — what matters when you buy & hold.
More about Bitvavo →Bitvavo is the leading crypto exchange for price-conscious European investors. Regulated by the Dutch central bank (DNB) and fully MiCA-licensed since 2025 — at 0.25% spot fee, one of the cheapest EU options.
Particularly suitable for: Crypto Investors, Bitcoin Buyers, HODL Investors.
Kraken was founded in 2011 and is one of the oldest crypto exchanges still operating. With 95% cold storage, quarterly proof-of-reserves and licenses in the US, UK and Germany, Kraken is the security benchmark of the industry.
Particularly suitable for: Crypto Investors, Bitcoin Buyers, HODL Investors.
Bitvavo (DNB + AFM Netherlands + MiCA, 0.03–0.25% maker/taker, 200+ coins, spot only) and Kraken (BaFin DE + FinCEN US + FCA UK, 200+ coins, 0.16% maker / 0.26% taker, bi-annual Proof-of-Reserves, Wyoming SPDI bank, never hacked since 2011, Kraken Futures + OTC desk) are both regulated, but optimize differently. Bitvavo: cheapest EU spot fees + cleanest UI + German-language support. Kraken: institutional-grade security + audited reserves + USD interest 4.5% + futures.
Honest take: Bitvavo for low-cost EU spot buy-and-hold. Kraken for security-conscious holders with larger balances and institutional features.
You want cheaper spot fees (0.25% vs Kraken 0.16% maker).
You want spot-only (no leverage / futures temptation).
You want free SEPA-Instant deposits / withdrawals.
You want German-language support + EU-only regulation.
You want the simplest UI for buy-and-hold.
You want bi-annual Proof-of-Reserves audited reserves.
You want a US-regulated SPDI bank as custodian.
You want USD interest ~4.5% on idle cash.
You want institutional OTC desk + dark pool access.
You want regulated Kraken Futures (EU-compliant leverage caps).
Neither steuereinfach for DE — both report via Anlage SO. §23 EStG: 1-year holding tax-free on spot. Bitvavo and Kraken both offer clean tax-report CSVs + CoinTracking / Blockpit / Accointing integration. AT: 27.5% KESt not deducted by either — self-declare via §27 BAO.
| Item | Kraken Pro | Bitvavo |
|---|---|---|
| 20 spot trades €1 000 | ~€32 (0.16% maker) | ~€50 (0.25%) |
| USD interest €10 000 | ~€450 (4.5% Cash) | n/a (no USD account) |
| Staking €5 000 ETH | ~€175 (3.5% net) | ~€200 (4% net) |
| OTC €50 000 single trade | 0.10% via desk | 0.25% |
| Balance | +€543 | +€150 net |
Pick: Bitvavo.
Pick: Kraken. Proof-of-Reserves + SPDI bank.
Pick: Kraken.
Pick: Kraken. Bitvavo has no derivatives.
Pick: Bitvavo. Cleanest UI, lower fees, no leverage lure.
Answers to the most common questions about Bitvavo vs Kraken.
For order fees, Kraken leads at 0.16 % / 0.26 % (Pro), while Bitvavo charges 0.25 %. Note: with CFD brokers, spreads add hidden cost — the lower nominal price isn't always cheaper overall.
Bitvavo is regulated by DNB · MiCA, Kraken by FinCEN · FCA · BaFin. Both fall under EU oversight. Deposit protection: Bitvavo -, Kraken -.
For German/Austrian customers, language, BaFin regulation and tax-simple status often matter most. Check the 'Regulated by' and 'Languages' rows — DACH-focused brokers usually have the edge.
Neither Bitvavo nor Kraken offers free ETF savings plans. If recurring investing matters, check a savings-plan-focused broker.
Both are covered under their home regulator's deposit protection. Bitvavo: -, Kraken: -. Securities are held in segregated accounts and protected in case of broker insolvency.
Neither broker pays meaningful interest on uninvested cash. Look elsewhere if cash yield matters.
Both offer native mobile apps with good app-store ratings. Which is better depends on your needs — try both with a demo account if available.
A second broker makes sense when one offers features the other lacks (e.g. options, crypto, more exchanges). A full switch is only worth it if the cost difference or missing features are significant.
Sign up with the broker that fits your strategy. Both are regulated and offer a demo account to test risk-free.
