Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Kraken vs Stash
Kraken vs Stash: the differences
| Compare |  Kraken |  Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $1 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Crypto, FuturesCovers more | Stocks, ETFs |
| Regulators | Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) | SEC, FINRA |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Platforms | Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop, Kraken Wallet | Web, iOS, Android |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $144 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25 | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA |
| Maximum retail leverage | Up to 10x | Not confirmed |
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 Stash offers SEC, FINRA.
- Kraken is licensed in 1 more country.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Stash: $0 vs $1.
- Markets: only Kraken offers Forex, Crypto, Futures.
- Platforms: only Kraken offers Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop.
- Platforms: only Stash offers Web, iOS, Android.
- Features: only Kraken offers Crypto.
- Features: only Stash 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.
Stash
Stash suits US beginners who want a retirement pot built from a phone rather than a wide market. Trades cost $0 and the minimum deposit is free, but the account fee of $144 a year is the price of that simplicity.
Score breakdown
| Area | Kraken | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherStock dealing is priced at $0 with entry at $1. | 9.1A free minimum deposit and $0 trades rank 1 of 213 and 1 of 161, but the $144 account fee is the weight. |
| Offer | 9.0HigherCoverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex accessed through Kraken App, Kraken Pro and Kraken Desktop. | 8.8 |
| Trust | 9.3HigherRegisters cite 1010381 and 31000270997766. | 9.0 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Kraken | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 16 of 471 | 148 of 471 |
| Brokers for beginners | 8 of 88 | 38 of 88 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Kraken | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 71030 | |
| Ireland | Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458 IE_CBI PSD_EMI IE_CBI!C453020 | Not confirmed |
Where these facts come from
Kraken
- kraken.com: 9 facts, checked September 28, 2026
- support.kraken.com: 2 facts, checked September 28, 2026
Stash
- stash.com: 14 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingplatforms.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Kraken | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Mobile app | Fractional shares, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners, ExperiencedCovers more | Beginners |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Stash Investments LLC |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2015 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Kraken | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | Not confirmed | $108 to $144 |
| Minimum investment | Not confirmed | $5 |
| Portfolio types | Not confirmed | ETF |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Kraken | Stash | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $1below the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $144highest quarter | $0 |
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.
Stash
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 and the model is commission-free, so small orders carry no per-trade charge.
- The portfolio option is an etf portfolio alongside ira and roth ira accounts, which keeps retirement saving in one place.
- Access runs through Web, iOS and Android, and fractional shares spread small contributions across holdings.
Cons
- The account fee of $144 a year leaves Stash at 134 of 138 brands on that measure, while eToro lists $0.
- Support runs on help centre only, so questions about a retirement account are left to articles.
- Trading is limited to stocks and etfs with an etf portfolio, so there is no forex, crypto or CFD route.
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.
Stash
Who it suits
- US beginners who want a retirement account, a phone app and a small starting amount rather than a wide market.
- Long-term savers content to hold stocks and etfs and an etf portfolio without picking markets themselves.
- Readers who weigh regulation first, since Stash is registered with SEC and FINRA in the US.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who want forex, crypto or CFDs, since CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex.
- Anyone put off by a yearly charge, as eToro lists $0 for its account.
- Readers who prefer a provider with a published entry figure, such as Vantage at $5, rather than a free minimum deposit.
Current offers
Stash
Current offer
Free trial
Try Stash for 7 days: 7-day trial
new Stash Plan subscriptions
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Kraken | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Stash
How much does Stash cost to run?+
Running the plan costs a management fee of $108 to $144 a year, and the account fee is $144. Stock trades cost $0 and the model is commission-free, so the charge sits with the subscription rather than the order. The site median account fee is €0, so Stash sits at the dear end of the table.
How much do I need to start?+
The minimum deposit is free, and the minimum investment is $5, so an account can be opened at a size that suits a monthly habit rather than a lump sum. Stash ranks 1 of 213 brands on this measure, against a site median of €4.64.
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