Kraken review

Pros and cons

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.

Regulation and registers

Authorisation is spread across several registers, which helps you confirm status in the region that applies to your account before you commit funds. In Cyprus, authorisation is recorded as 342/17. In the United Kingdom, registration is recorded as 1010381. In the United States, registration is recorded as 31000270997766. In Ireland, authorisation is recorded as MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458. Those references let you match the entity, the regulator name and the register entry before you apply, and they keep the compliance picture clear when you compare Kraken with other multi regulated groups. Keep a note of the relevant entry for later queries with support or with the regulator concerned, as entity names and register entries can vary by domicile and service line. If you move country, check which entry covers your new residence, as permissions and protections can differ across registers and entities.

What you can trade

The range centres on equity and digital assets held together, which is the point that marks Kraken apart from equity only houses and crypto only exchanges. Coverage is listed as stocks, ETFs and forex, spanning stocks, ETFs, forex, crypto and futures. Stocks and ETFs provide the core for long term portfolios, while forex and futures allow currency and derivatives exposure for those who understand margin and expiry risk. Crypto remains central to the brand story and sits beside those traditional lines rather than apart from them, which suits portfolio builders who want varied exposure without managing separate logins. Access is provided through Kraken App, Kraken Pro and Kraken Desktop, namely Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop and Kraken Wallet. The app route suits everyday monitoring and order placement, while Pro and Desktop provide broader views and order tools for active sessions. Wallet supports custody needs for digital balances alongside trading access. Together, range and access give a unified path for investors who value breadth, mobile use and clear separation between casual and advanced interfaces.

Where it sits among rivals

Peer comparison places Kraken in a broad field where entry cost and dealing cost carry weight for retail choice and shortlisting. On minimum deposit, the rank is 68 among 172 brands. That middle field shows entry is modest yet not the lowest on the site, which matters if you compare cash needed before trading and if you plan to fund in small stages. On stock trade fee, the rank is 1 among 172 brands. That rank reflects pricing that sits with the lowest cost group in the comparison set, which helps when you weigh dealing charges across frequent equity orders. Taken together, the two ranks sketch a clear trade off for readers balancing access and ongoing cost. You face a small cash threshold to begin, then dealing terms that compare well with peers across the site sample. Readers who fund with limited sums should weigh the deposit rank, while frequent equity buyers should give weight to the dealing fee rank when shortlisting.

What trading costs

Cost starts with the cash needed to open and fund, then the dealing charge applied to equity orders and the method chosen for transfers. Minimum deposit is set at $1. That threshold keeps access open to modest balances and helps beginners test the service without committing large sums at the outset, while leaving scope to add funds as confidence grows. Stock trade fee is set at $0. That level places equity dealing with the lowest cost tier in the peer set and supports regular share purchases where per trade charges would otherwise erode returns over time. Funding terms are shown as Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25. Bank deposit terms differ from card terms, so the method you choose affects total cost and should form part of your comparison. Bank routes are framed as the economical path, while card use carries the stated card charge that can add up on repeated top ups. Review method, timing and any provider charges together, as funding choice can matter as much as dealing price for small accounts and new starters.

How Kraken compares

• 

  Nexo

  Kraken vs Nexo9.2 vs 9.0
• 

  MC Prime

  9.2 vs 9.4
• 

  Simply Wall St

  9.2 vs 8.7
• 

  MarketScreener

• 

  ActivTrades

  ActivTrades asks $0 to start, below $1 at Kraken, for those comparing entry terms alone.

  9.2 vs 9.4
• 

  CORUM Vastgoedfondsen

  9.2 vs 8.7
• 

  DKB (Deutsche Kreditbank)

  9.2 vs 9.0
• 

  XTB

  XTB asks €0 to start, below $1 at Kraken, for those prioritising a lower cash entry.

  Kraken vs XTB9.2 vs 9.3
• 

  NAGA

  9.2 vs 8.7
• 

  UNest

  9.2 vs 8.6
• 

  eToro

  eToro asks $50 to start, above $1 at Kraken, for those weighing entry cost against social features.

  9.2 vs 9.2
• 

  Linxea

  9.2 vs 8.7
• 

  Kitco

• 

  Mintos

  9.2 vs 9.1
• 

  The Best Prop

• 

  EBC Financial Group

  9.2 vs 9.0
• 

  Instant Funding

  9.2 vs 9.0
• P

  Pepperstone

• 

  Vaulted

• 

  wikifolio.com

• I

  Intellectia

• W

  Winvest

• LI

  Libertex International

• XV

  XM VN

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• kraken.com checked September 28, 2026

  Backs: Features, Maximum retail leverage, Platforms

  “Get the app on Kraken”

• support.kraken.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000381846-Cash-de... checked September 28, 2026

  Backs: Deposit and withdrawal fees, Minimum deposit

  “ACH (Plaid) Deposit fee Free - Debit card $0.25 + 3.75% on Kraken”

• kraken.com/affiliate checked September 28, 2026

  Backs: Audience

  “Easiest way to buy crypto, built for newcomers”

• kraken.com/features/fee-schedule checked September 28, 2026

  Backs: Markets, Pricing model, Stock trade fee

  “Zero commission for trading stocks and ETFs on Kraken”

• kraken.com/legal/disclosures checked September 28, 2026

  Backs: Investor protection, Regulators