Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
bunq vs Kraken
What sets them apart
| Compare |  bunq |  Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | €10 | $1 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Crypto, FuturesCovers more |
| Regulators | De Nederlandsche Bank, SIPC | Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) |
| Platforms | Bunq app | Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop, Kraken Wallet |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25 |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | Up to 10x |
Same on both: Investor protection (EU ICS up to EUR 20,000).
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Key differences
- Kraken scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.9.
- Regulators: only bunq offers De Nederlandsche Bank, SIPC.
- Regulators: only Kraken offers Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Conduct Authority.
- Markets: only Kraken offers Forex, Futures.
- Platforms: only bunq offers Bunq app.
- Platforms: only Kraken offers Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop.
- Features: only bunq offers Fractional shares.
- Audience: only Kraken offers Experienced.
Our verdict on each
bunq
bunq suits beginners who want a modest minimum deposit, fractional shares and a mobile app for stocks, ETFs and crypto. Its published minimum is €10, but investors wanting a broader market selection or more support channels may prefer an alternative.
Kraken
Kraken suits beginners and experienced investors who want stocks, ETFs and crypto together through app and desktop access. Stock dealing is priced at $0 with entry at $1 and funding terms shown as Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25 for cost planning across small balance accounts.
Score breakdown
| Area | bunq | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9 | 9.3HigherStock dealing is priced at $0 with entry at $1. |
| Offer | 8.7 | 9.0HigherCoverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex accessed through Kraken App, Kraken Pro and Kraken Desktop. |
| Trust | 9.1 | 9.3HigherRegisters cite 1010381 and 31000270997766. |
Availability and regulation
| Country | bunq | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 71344 | SIPC SIPC member 71030 |
| Ireland | Not confirmed | Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458 IE_CBI PSD_EMI IE_CBI!C453020 |
| Netherlands | Not confirmed |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | bunq | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 8 of 490 | 28 of 490 |
| Brokers for beginners | 5 of 88 | 10 of 88 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | bunq | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more | Crypto, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners | Beginners, ExperiencedCovers more |
| Legal entity | BUNQ US BD LLC | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | Netherlands | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2012 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | bunq | Kraken | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
Median across 81 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
bunq
Pros
- The minimum deposit is €10.
- The available features include fractional shares, crypto and a mobile app.
- Regulatory listings include De Nederlandsche Bank in NL and SIPC in the US.
Cons
- Support runs through email and help centre only.
- The available markets cover stocks, ETFs and crypto.
- The stated EU investor protection is EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
Kraken
Pros
- Stock trades priced at $0 within a model shown as commission free.
- Entry at $1, below $50 at eToro for smaller starting balances.
- Coverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex, pairing stocks and ETFs with crypto and futures.
Cons
- Support runs on help centre only, without phone or live chat help found at many rivals.
- Card funding terms run Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25, which adds cost next to bank transfer options.
- Entry at $1 sits above $0 at ActivTrades and €0 at XTB for tight budgets.
Who each suits
bunq
Who it suits
- Beginners comfortable investing through a mobile app.
- Investors interested in fractional shares.
- Retail investors focused on stocks, ETFs and crypto.
Who should look elsewhere
- Not for CFI users seeking a minimum deposit below €10.
- Not for eToro users seeking forex, CFDs or futures alongside the markets listed at stocks, etfs and crypto.
- Not for Vantage users seeking a minimum deposit below €10.
Kraken
Who it suits
- You want stocks plus crypto in stocks, ETFs and forex in a single login rather than an equity only account at XTB.
- You want app led dealing through Kraken App, Kraken Pro and Kraken Desktop with modest entry at $1 rather than higher entry at eToro at $50.
Who should look elsewhere
- You want phone or chat help rather than help centre only, consider XTB or ActivTrades for wider contact choice.
- You want the lowest cash entry rather than $1, consider ActivTrades at $0 or XTB at €0.
Current offers
bunq
Current offer
First period offer
No fees for buying or selling stocks for first 3 months: 0% for 3 months
Up to €100,000 in completed buy and sell orders
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
bunq
What is bunq's minimum deposit?+
bunq lists a minimum deposit of €10. This makes the platform relevant to readers comparing entry requirements for stock, ETF and crypto investing.
Which markets are available on bunq?+
bunq offers stocks, etfs and crypto. Its market choice therefore centres on shares, funds tracking baskets of assets and digital assets through the app.
Kraken
What does Kraken charge for stock trades+
Stock dealing is priced at $0 and Kraken describes its model as commission free. Bank funding is framed separately as Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25, so card use adds cost while bank transfer terms remain distinct. Check the fee schedule before placing orders.
What is the minimum deposit to open an account+
Account entry is set at $1. That level sits below $50 at eToro, yet above $0 at ActivTrades and €0 at XTB. It keeps starting balances modest while leaving room for funding charges.
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