Kraken vs OKX: crypto exchange comparison

New to crypto? Choosing the right exchange is critical.

Whatever your goal, be it trading on spot and derivatives markets, passively earning more crypto or diving into the world of decentralized finance, it all starts on a crypto exchange, where you can deposit cash and exchange it for digital assets.

With the growth of the crypto space over the past 10+ years, these venues have expanded their platforms considerably, and now offer a vast range of products and services for getting the most out of the industry. But not all are created equal, and one that works for one user may not necessarily work for another.

When considering exchanges, it’s crucial that prospective users weigh up aspects such as available products, country coverage, customer service availability and security, so as to find the solution that best fits their needs.

An exchange nearly as old as Bitcoin itself, Kraken was founded in 2011 and continues to set the pace for outstanding user experience and crypto asset security. 

With its heavy focus on compliance, transparency and security, it welcomes over 15 million users across 190+ countries. Kraken’s clientele ranges from newcomers making their first buys to financial firms leveraging the platform’s institutional trading tools. 

Kraken boasts an impressive array of products and services—from its non-custodial Kraken Wallet and staking features to its spot and derivatives trading (both via its core platform for retail users and Kraken Pro for advanced traders).

OKX launched as OKCoin in 2013 before a rebrand in 2022. It made a name for itself as a venue for advanced traders, and is today ranked as one of the top exchanges for derivatives trading. It claims to be home to over 60m users, and is available in 100+ countries.

Like many exchanges, spot, margin and futures trading is not all OKX offers. It also has an array of tools for interacting with Web3, including a memecoin launch tracker, wallet and DEX aggregator.

OKX moved into the US market in 2025, following a $500m+ settlement with US authorities over the violation of anti-money laundering regulations.

OKX’s expansion into the US market followed a settlement with U.S. authorities in which the company pleaded guilty to violating anti-money laundering regulations and agreed to pay over $500 million in penalties.

Clients frequently opt for Kraken over OKX due to its unmatched reputation for strong security, regulatory compliance and transparency—a brand it has championed since 2011.

As far as advanced trading tools go, Kraken Pro caters to power users (both individuals and businesses) with deep liquidity, an extensive selection of order types, and feature-rich margin, futures and OTC services, making it the one-stop shop for crypto users.

Kraken and OKX both offer a wide range of tools for trading, staking and learning about crypto. The table below highlights how their core products and features compare.

Kraken is a versatile platform that balances accessibility for newcomers with advanced features for veteran traders. Its well-rounded ecosystem of mobile and desktop apps makes trading spot, margin and futures markets easy—whether at your desk or on the go.

For those that need the tools to execute even the most sophisticated of strategies, Kraken Pro has them covered with advanced analytics and rich charting functionality. And for institutional clients, there’s Kraken Prime and a dedicated OTC desk to cater to bespoke needs.

But trading isn’t all that Kraken offers. Passive strategies are made easy through staking (available on over 20 assets, with rewards of up to 17% APY) and set-and-forget recurring buys. Additionally, users enjoy fee-free money transfers via Krak—the platform’s global payment solution.

As a venue focused on advanced traders, OKX offers spot, margin and derivatives trading products through its mobile and web interfaces. It was the first exchange to introduce the unified account feature, allowing users to consolidate their funds in a single account across these products. Also available to its clients are copy-trading and trading bots, enabling users to mimic the strategies of top traders or to craft their own automations.

OKX, too, supports the staking of various assets through its earning program. Other solutions include crypto loans, payment functionality, and a suite of Web3 features.

Whatever the client’s needs, Kraken delivers the tools for the job. Whether it’s their first day in crypto, or their fifth year, it shines as a secure and user-friendly portal into the crypto universe for clients of all experience levels—with best-in-class features for trading, storing and earning on digital assets.

Thanks to an interconnected ecosystem of products and services, Kraken users can seamlessly, confidently and intuitively navigate a complex environment.

Kraken provides access to a curated selection of over 450 cryptocurrencies, ranging from established protocols like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) to an ever-expanding selection of utility tokens, memecoins and DeFi offerings. In line with its commitment to transparency, the exchange hosts a public asset listings roadmap, so that clients can remain informed on upcoming additions.

In addition, over 11,000+ stocks and ETFs are available for trade to U.S. users (with their tokenized equivalents accessible to investors in permitted jurisdictions), empowering clients to round out their portfolios with a mix of traditional shares and innovative digital assets.

On the fiat front, Kraken boasts strong support for 10 major currencies (including USD, EUR, GBP, JPY and CAD). It further bridges the gap between the worlds of fiat and crypto with 15 stablecoins.

OKX also offers an impressive range of crypto assets, from leaders like BTC, ETH and SOL to niche tokens across various blockchains. It does not currently offer stocks and ETFs.

With regards to fiat, six currencies (and six stablecoins) are currently available.

When clients choose Kraken, they don’t just choose its rich support for 500+ cryptocurrencies, they choose a partner that provides them with ample means to fund their account or to withdraw into the fiat/stablecoin of their choosing. 

To top it off, Kraken’s unique ability to offer stocks and ETFs positions it as the top venue for traders who want more than just crypto.

Kraken and OKX use different fee structures, which can impact casual and high-frequency traders differently. The chart below breaks down Kraken vs. OKX fees.

Kraken’s base maker/taker fees start low (0.25% and 0.4%, respectively). They can be lowered even further with higher volumes and more frequent trades via Kraken Pro, or eliminated entirely with a Kraken+ subscription  (priced at just $4.99 per month).

Kraken operates a no hidden fees policy. Many crypto and fiat deposit methods are free. But, in instances where they’re not, costs are clearly displayed before transaction completion, ensuring that users are fully aware of these before continuing.

OKX operates a standard fee schedule—with increased volumes resulting in a decrease to maker and taker fees. These vary based on country.

It appears that holding the exchange’s native token, OKB, can result in further discounts.

Clients appreciate Kraken’s no-nonsense approach to fees, which are transparent, fair and predictable. Though other exchanges may have nominally lower costs, Kraken users tend to recognize the long-term value delivered by the venue, which reinvests fee revenue into its world-class customer service team and industry-leading security.

Security is a top priority for any crypto exchange. Kraken and OKX both implement layered protections and undergo third-party audits, though their histories and practices differ in key areas. Here’s how their security frameworks compare.

Kraken’s militant approach to security has earned it a stellar reputation within the space. It continues to lay the blueprint for crypto security, and, with 14+ years in the game, it has yet to experience a breach resulting in the loss of clients funds.

Among Kraken’s notable achievements is the pioneering of Proof of Reserves audits in 2014. It regularly publishes these reports, which combine cryptographic accounting and third-party inspections to give clients the peace of mind that the exchange holds the assets it claims to.

Kraken’s multi-layered security stack includes multi-factor authentication, real-time threat detection, and withdrawal address whitelisting, to name just a few measures. These are complemented by a variety of certifications (including ISO/IEC 27001:2013 and SOC 2 Type 2 audit compliance) and a bug bounty program to incentivize the disclosure of vulnerabilities.

OKX has many of the security features that Kraken does (e.g., MFA and withdrawal whitelisting), as well as proprietary AI technology for identity verification. It also holds various security certifications, and conducts Proof of Reserves on a regular basis.

It has had a couple of security incidents, with the most notable being the compromise of the OKX DEX in 2023, which resulted in $2.7m+ in cryptocurrencies being stolen. 

To date, Kraken remains unbeaten on security, and for good reason—protecting clients remains the top priority in every decision taken by the exchange. 

Clients choose Kraken for peace of mind, and the knowledge that their assets and information are safe in even the most adverse of market conditions.

Reliable customer support can make a major difference for users, especially during high-stakes trades or account issues. Both Kraken and OKX offer 24/7 support, but their service channels and recognition in this area vary.

Kraken has been recognized multiple times at the European Customer Centricity Awards for CS that goes above and beyond. It’s known for an empathetic and responsive system which caters to users across a number of channels, be it via live chat, email or even over the phone. 

Kraken’s customer support is truly global, with agents fluent in 12+ languages to ensure clients most effectively get the help they need.

OKX offers live chat (with AI functionality) and an email-based ticketing system. 

The Kraken team brings a personal touch to its customer support efforts, as evidenced by a wide range of languages and contact methods—and clients know that they can rely on its agents, whether it’s a simple account query or a high-priority request.

Kraken’s customer support is consistently praised for its ability to promptly, professionally and effectively resolve customer issues.

Kraken and OKX stand out as two of the best exchanges available today, with millions of users leveraging their feature-rich ecosystems for all their crypto needs. 

OKX is known for its advanced trading capabilities. It’s a popular destination for confident traders seeking to maximize their returns on spot and derivatives markets. The exchange has decent global coverage and low fees, as well as a strong product suite for trading, earning and transacting.

Kraken may be better suited to individuals and institutions that won’t compromise on security or user experience. Kraken is one of the most globally available exchanges (available in 190+ countries), and its wide asset selection, advanced trading tools and predictable pricing have cemented its place as a reliable, trustworthy venue for users worldwide.