Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Kraken vs OANDA
Where Kraken and OANDA differ
| Compare |  Kraken |  OANDA |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $1 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Crypto, Futures | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds |
| Regulators | Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) | FCA, CFTC |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Maximum retail leverage | Up to 10x | 1:30 |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 72% |
| 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 |
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Key differences
- OANDA scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.2.
- Regulators: only Kraken offers Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Conduct Authority.
- Regulators: only OANDA offers FCA, CFTC.
- Minimum deposit is lower at OANDA: $0 vs $1.
- Markets: only Kraken offers Futures.
- Markets: only OANDA offers CFDs, Bonds.
- Features: only Kraken offers Crypto.
- Features: only OANDA offers Demo account.
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.
OANDA
OANDA fits traders who want to open an account without a minimum deposit and sit under regulators on both sides of the Atlantic. Its overall score is 8.4 with a cost score of 8.4, though the retail loss rate of 72% is a reminder that most balances do not survive the trading.
Score breakdown
| Area | Kraken | OANDA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Stock dealing is priced at $0 with entry at $1. | 9.7Higher |
| Offer | 9.0Coverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex accessed through Kraken App, Kraken Pro and Kraken Desktop. | 9.3Higher |
| Trust | 9.3Registers cite 1010381 and 31000270997766. | 9.5Higher |
Licences and countries
| Country | Kraken | OANDA |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 71030 | CFTC 0325821 |
| Ireland | Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458 IE_CBI PSD_EMI IE_CBI!C453020 | Not confirmed |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | FCA 542574 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | Kraken | OANDA |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | No | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
Sources behind this comparison
Kraken
- kraken.com: 9 facts, checked September 28, 2026
- support.kraken.com: 2 facts, checked September 28, 2026
OANDA
- oanda.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokersway.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingpedia.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Kraken | OANDA |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 16 of 471 | 51 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Kraken | OANDA |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Mobile app | Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Not confirmed |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | OANDA TMS Brokers S.A. |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1996 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Phone |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Kraken | OANDA | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $1below the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 72%below the median | 72.05% |
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.
OANDA
Pros
- No minimum deposit: $0 means the account opens without putting money in first, and OANDA sits at the top of our minimum deposit ranking, ahead of Vantage and its $5.
- Regulated in Britain and the US: FCA and CFTC covers an FCA licence 542574 and a CFTC registration 0325821.
- UK balances sit under protection of FSCS up to GBP 85,000, which pays compensation if the firm cannot return the money.
Cons
- Support runs on email and phone only, which leaves anyone wanting a live chat desk looking at other brokers.
- A retail loss rate of 72% is no better than the site figure of 70.15%, so the risk sits at the sector norm.
- Retail leverage of 1:30 magnifies losses as quickly as gains, and a $0 entry point makes it easy to size positions too large.
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.
OANDA
Who it suits
- Traders who want to open an account and start small: the minimum deposit of $0 removes the barrier to funding later.
- Anyone who checks regulators before depositing, since FCA and CFTC and protection of FSCS up to GBP 85,000 are both on record.
- Forex traders who also want shares, ETFs, CFDs, crypto and bonds under one roof: stocks, etfs and forex.
Who should look elsewhere
- Futures traders, who get a longer list at eToro, where stocks, etfs and forex adds futures to the stocks, etfs and forex on offer here.
- Traders who want nothing beyond shares, ETFs, forex, CFDs and crypto, since CFI's stocks, etfs and forex covers that core without the bonds.
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.
OANDA
What is the minimum deposit for an OANDA account?+
OANDA lists a minimum deposit of $0, so you can open an account without funding it and add money later. On our minimum deposit ranking that places OANDA at position 1 of 213 brands, well clear of the field. Vantage, by contrast, asks for $5 before trading starts.
How is my money protected if something goes wrong?+
UK clients sit under investor protection of FSCS up to GBP 85,000, the compensation paid if the firm cannot return the balance. The regulator behind that cover is named in FCA and CFTC, and the FCA licence number is 542574. US clients fall under the CFTC registration, 0325821, which is a separate arrangement.
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