Detailed comparison of all fees, features, and suitability — updated for 2026.
Kraken is the better choice for Krypto-Anleger, while Smartbroker+ wins for Free Trades. Which one suits you depends on your strategy — the detailed comparison below shows every difference.
| Metric | Kraken | Smartbroker+ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order fee per trade | 0.16 € | 0.00 € | 0.16 € cheaper at Smartbroker+ |
| 10y savings plan cost @ €100/month | 19 € | 0 € | 19 € cheaper at Smartbroker+ |
| Free ETF savings plans | 0 | 2.000 | +2.000 more at Smartbroker+ |
| Available exchanges | 2 | 3 | +1 more at Smartbroker+ |
| BMInsider rating | 4.4/5 | 4.0/5 | +0.4 at Kraken |
All fees, products, and platform features compared side-by-side. The "Winner" column shows which broker leads in each category.
| Feature | Kraken | Smartbroker+ | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees & Costs | |||
| Order Fee | 0.16 % / 0.26 % (Pro) | 0€ (gettex, from 500€) / 4€ (Xetra) | Smartbroker+ |
| ETF Savings Plan Fee | - | 0€ | Smartbroker+ |
| Account Fee | 0€/Year | 0€/Year | Tie |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | 0€ | Tie |
| Interest on Cash | 0% | 0% | Tie |
| Product Range | |||
| Stocks | Smartbroker+ | ||
| ETFs | Smartbroker+ | ||
| Crypto | Tie | ||
| Options | Smartbroker+ | ||
| CFDs | Tie | ||
| Fractional Shares | Tie | ||
| Number of Exchanges | Krypto-Spot, Krypto-Futures | gettex, Xetra, und weitere | Smartbroker+ |
| Platform & Tools | |||
| Mobile App | Tie | ||
| Desktop Platform | Tie | ||
| Demo Account | Kraken | ||
| Security & Regulation | |||
| Regulated by | FinCEN · FCA · BaFin | BaFin | Tie |
| Deposit Protection | - | 100.000€ | Tie |
| Founded | 2011 | 2019 | 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 Smartbroker+ →Free savings plans, interest on cash and no custody fee — what matters when you buy & hold.
More about Smartbroker+ →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: Krypto-Anleger, Bitcoin-Käufer, HODL-Investoren.
Smartbroker+ offers free trades from €500 order volume and free Xetra access. A strong competitor to Trade Republic.
Particularly suitable for: Free Trades, Savings Plan Investors, Cost-Conscious Investors.
Kraken (Payward Europe Solutions Ireland Ltd., MiCA licence 2025) and Smartbroker+ (BaFin, Berlin) are complementary platforms. Kraken: 400+ crypto coins at 0.25% maker, 20+ staking coins, crypto API. Smartbroker+: €0 order from €500 Gettex, 2 400 ETF savings plans, stock savings plans €0, bonds + funds.
Honest take: Smartbroker+ for classic DACH wealth. Kraken for crypto focus with staking. Both in parallel optimal.
You want real crypto coins (400+).
You want crypto staking (20+ coins).
You want self-custody withdrawal.
You want lowest crypto maker fees (0.25%).
You want crypto API.
You want €0 orders from €500 Gettex.
You want stock savings plans free.
You want 2 400 ETF savings plans.
You want bonds + funds.
You want the German tax certificate.
Smartbroker+ fully steuereinfach. Kraken gross. §23 EStG: Kraken spot 1 year tax-free.
| Item | Smartbroker+ | Kraken Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Classic buys | €0 (Gettex ≥€500) | not offered |
| 10 crypto €500 | not offered | 10× €1.25 = €12.50 |
| Staking €10 000 | n/a | ~€300 rewards |
| Balance | €0 | +€287 |
Pick: Smartbroker+.
Pick: Kraken.
Pick: Smartbroker+.
Both in parallel.
Pick: Kraken.
Answers to the most common questions about Kraken vs Smartbroker+.
For order fees, Smartbroker+ leads at 0€ (gettex, ab 500€) / 4€ (Xetra), while Kraken charges 0.16 % / 0.26 % (Pro). Note: with CFD brokers, spreads add hidden cost — the lower nominal price isn't always cheaper overall.
Kraken is regulated by FinCEN · FCA · BaFin, Smartbroker+ by BaFin. Both fall under EU oversight. Deposit protection: Kraken -, Smartbroker+ 100.000€.
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.
Smartbroker+ offers free ETF savings plans from 1€. If a savings plan matters to you, that's a clear edge.
Both are covered under their home regulator's deposit protection. Kraken: -, Smartbroker+: 100.000€. 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.
