Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Kraken vs M1
Kraken vs M1: the differences
| Compare |  Kraken |  M1 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $1 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Crypto, FuturesCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto |
| Regulators | Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) | SIPC |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Maximum retail leverage | Up to 10x | Up to 50% of portfolio value |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 5.9% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25 | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop, Kraken Wallet | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 3.35% |
Same on both: Stock trade fee ($0).
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Key differences
- Kraken scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only Kraken offers Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Conduct Authority.
- Regulators: only M1 offers SIPC.
- Kraken is licensed in 1 more country.
- Minimum deposit is lower at M1: $0 vs $1.
- Markets: only Kraken offers Forex, Futures.
- Features: only M1 offers Fractional shares.
Our verdict on each
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.
M1
M1 is a low-cost brokerage built for retirement savers and small investors who want shares, ETFs and crypto in a single account. Stock trades run at $0 and it places 1 of 213 brands on minimum deposit, though the managed portfolios want $10,000 to start.
Score breakdown
| Area | Kraken | M1 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Stock dealing is priced at $0 with entry at $1. | 9.5Higher |
| Offer | 9.0Coverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex accessed through Kraken App, Kraken Pro and Kraken Desktop. | 9.0Costs carry the offer: 0% management fee, $0 stock trades and a $0 minimum deposit. |
| Trust | 9.3HigherRegisters cite 1010381 and 31000270997766. | 8.6 |
Choosing between them
Pick Kraken if trust and markets matter most.
Pick M1 if minimum deposit matter most.
How they place
| Ranking | Kraken | M1 |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 16 of 471 | 145 of 471 |
Licences and countries
| Country | Kraken | M1 |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 71030 | SIPC SIPC member 69670 |
| Ireland | Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458 IE_CBI PSD_EMI IE_CBI!C453020 | Not confirmed |
What we checked
Kraken
- kraken.com: 9 facts, checked September 28, 2026
- support.kraken.com: 2 facts, checked September 28, 2026
M1
- m1.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- millennialmoneyman.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- thecollegeinvestor.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- bestroboadvisors.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Kraken | M1 |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Mobile app | Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | M1 FINANCE LLC |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2015 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Kraken | M1 |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | Not confirmed | 0% |
| Minimum investment | Not confirmed | $10,000 |
| Portfolio types | Not confirmed | ETF, Cash, Crypto |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Kraken | M1 | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $1below the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 5.9%below the median | 8.75% |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 3.35%above the median | 3% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
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.
M1
Pros
- Placing 1 of 213 brands on minimum deposit, so an account opens without a funding hurdle.
- Placing 1 of 161 brands on stock trade fees, with a stock trade costing $0.
- Uninvested cash earns 3.35%, and Pie portfolios mix etf, cash and crypto.
Cons
- Margin borrowing at 5.9% can cost more over a held position than the $0 trade fee saves.
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone or live chat listed.
- Managed portfolios want $10,000 to start, well above the $0 brokerage entry point.
Who each suits
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.
M1
Who it suits
- Self-directed investors who want to trade shares and ETFs without a per-trade charge.
- Retirement savers, since accounts include ira, roth ira and joint.
- People who want crypto alongside equities in the same account, under stocks, etfs and crypto.
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders who need forex, CFDs or futures, since eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex and M1 stops at stocks, etfs and crypto.
- Readers who want a wider asset list in the same app, because CFI covers stocks, etfs and forex.
- Managed portfolio buyers starting below $10,000, a floor that sits well above the $5 deposit Vantage asks to open an account.
Country by country
| Country | Kraken | M1 |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
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.
M1
What does it cost to trade shares at M1?+
Stock trades cost $0 and the account opens with a $0 minimum deposit, so there is no per-trade commission and no funding hurdle. The running cost sits in the spread and in currency conversion when shares priced in dollars are bought. Margin borrowing is charged at 5.9% and is the line most likely to run up a bill.
Is my money protected at M1?+
Protection runs through the scheme listed as SIPC, with cover stated as SIPC up to USD 500,000. It is the only regulator on file, so there is a single scheme to claim against and a single register to check. The membership record reads SIPC member 69670. The stated figure is a ceiling on the payout, not a stand-in for the balance itself.
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