Coinbase has a vast array of cryptocurrencies and is easy to use. One standout feature is you can earn free cryptocurrencies for learning about cryptocurrency investing.
Let's start a combing camparison between Two Crypto' widely used tools, mobile apps, platforms, spreads, and more.
Buy & sell Crypto in minutes
Coinbase has a wide selection of cryptocurrencies, a user-friendly design, and helpful educational content. For more experienced crypto investors, it also offers its more advanced Coinbase Pro platform.
Thanks to those benefits and its top-notch security, Coinbase is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. Read our full Coinbase review to see if it's the exchange for you.
There aren't many cryptocurrency exchanges, especially for U.S. investors, that can compete with Coinbase's selection. It offers over 130 types of cryptocurrency for trading, ranging from Bitcoin and other major coins to smaller and newer digital tokens.
Bank Account · Debit Card · Apple Pay · Google Pay · Bank Wire
Bank Account · Debit Card · Apple Pay · Google Pay · Bank Wire
As mentioned above, the company runs two different platforms known as Coinbase and Coinbase Pro. Each allows you to buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies but offers unique features.
Trading on Coinbase is beginner-friendly and easy to use for anyone with basic computer skills. Coinbase is available on the web or through Android and iOS mobile devices. If you’ve ever traded stocks through an online brokerage, you’ll find a somewhat similar experience.
On the main dashboard, you’re able to view your Coinbase portfolio, and you’re never more than a couple of clicks away from a screen to buy and sell currency.
Coinbase offers two separate trading platforms. The standard Coinbase platform is easier to use, so it's great for beginners. Coinbase Pro is the more advanced option where customers can view real-time order books, use charting tools, and save on fees.
When you have a Coinbase account, you can access both platforms using the same login information. We recommend placing trades on Coinbase Pro, because it charges much lower fees. Even if you prefer to do your research on the standard platform, you'll save quite a bit if you buy and sell on Coinbase Pro.
Through Coinbase Earn, you can earn free crypto for learning about newer digital assets. To get the free crypto, you just need to complete modules about it. Modules typically include videos and quizzes, and there are several different types of cryptocurrency you can earn.
Coinbase - Buy, Sell, and use crypto
Wallet - The best self-hosted crypto wallet
Earn - Learn and earn crypto
Card - Spend crypto, earn crypto rewards
Borrow - Borrow cash using Bitcoin as collateral
Payroll - Get paid in crypto or USD with zero fees
Private Client - For trusts, family offices, and UHNWIs
USD Coin - Crypto with a stable price
and many more.
Coinbase is not forthcoming with its pricing and fees and recently removed its full fee schedule from the Coinbase online help section. However, costs are shown on the trade screen when entering a trade, so you know what you’re paying before you enter a trade.
These are the fees you can expect on the main Coinbase platform:
| Trade Size | Coinbase Fee |
|---|---|
| $10 or less | $0.99 |
| $10 to $25 | $1.49 |
| $25 to $50 | $1.99 |
| $50 to $200 | $2.99 |
Trades above $200 have a percentage-based fee rather than a flat fee.
Coinbase uses industry-leading security practices to keep customer deposits and assets safe. That said, there are always some risks when using cryptocurrency, so it’s essential to follow online best practices to keep your account information secure.
Notably, 98% of customer assets are stored offline using cold storage in a network of safe deposit boxes around the world, supported by digital and paper backups. It uses bank-standard encryption and security for its website. In addition, all accounts must use two-factor authentication, a measure to help prevent others from logging into your account unless they have physical access to your phone.
Even with these strong security methods, thousands of users have fallen victim to hackers and schemes that have drained their accounts.2 It’s essential to use unique, random passwords on financial websites such as Coinbase to prevent this type of loss. If someone has access to your email or phone, they may be able to access your account, so always keep those private.
Coinbase has a user-friendly and highly functional mobile app that allows users to buy, sell, and manage their cryptocurrencies wherever they are. It has excellent ratings on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Whichever type of device you have, the Coinbase app is a quality option for mobile crypto trading.
You can view and manage your account at any time using the Coinbase website and mobile app. You’re never far from viewing your portfolio balance or entering a trade:
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Coinbase Earn is simple, educational, and rewarding. You can earn more crypto on certain Earn opportunities by inviting others to Coinbase Earn with a referral link. You earn crypto only for referred individuals who:
(1) Enter through your referral link and accept your invite.
(2) Have or open an eligible account on Coinbase.com.
(3) Are not residents in locations where the underlying crypto is not listed by Coinbase.com
(4) Complete at least one task for the specific Earn campaign that they were referred to.
N/A
Send crypto as a gift to your friends or family. Customize your crypto gift by selecting a digital greeting card design and adding your own message.
Recipients must live in a country where cryptocurrency conversions are enabled in order to claim the crypto gift. See our list of supported countries for an overview of what features are available in specific countries.
Coinbase customers based in Japan will not be able to send crypto gifts at this time. However, if you are based in Japan, you can receive crypto gifts.
In addition to the "earn while you learn" component, Coinbase maintains an impressive library of educational resources. Want an easy-to-follow but thorough introduction to Bitcoin? A guide to the tax implications of cryptocurrency investing? Coinbase has you covered on these topics and many more.
Customer service is one of the most significant issues users have with Coinbase. It’s nearly impossible to reach a human for any type of help, so consider Coinbase to be primarily self-service.
Officially supported customer service options are the Coinbase help page, emailed support tickets, an automated phone system, and a chatbot.
Yes. Coinbase complies with all applicable laws and regulations in each jurisdiction in which it operates. United States Coinbase, Inc., the company which operates Coinbase and GDAX in the U.S., is licensed to engage in money transmission in most U.S. jurisdictions. Most of Coinbase’s money transmission licenses cover US Dollar Wallets and transfers. In some states, money transmission licenses also cover digital currency wallets and transfers on the platform. In other states, no money transmission license is required to operate a digital currency business. Coinbase is also registered as a Money Services Business with FinCEN.
You can see what cryptocurrencies are currently a part of the program by visiting Coinbase Earn - www.coinbase.com/earn . We add new cryptos on a regular basis.
You may be able to start earning crypto immediately if you're signed in and meet the eligibility criteria listed above (note that photo verification may take up to 48 hours). The options available will be shown on the Earn screen. If you're signed in, but you don't see the option to earn, follow the instructions on the banner to continue setting up your account. If you're added to the waitlist, you'll have to wait to become eligible, which might take some time due to popular demand.
You can use your Coinbase wallets to send and receive supported cryptocurrencies. Sends and receives are available on both mobile and web. Note that Coinbase cannot be used to receive ETH or ETC mining rewards.
Coinbase may delay cryptocurrency transactions sent from your Coinbase account if they suspect that you did not authorize the transaction.
It's important to understand how Coinbase handles cryptocurrency transactions to ensure any returns reach the sender's account. Coinbase does not support cryptocurrency being returned directly to an address it was sent "from" (in the cryptocurrency world, we call these input addresses). When a Coinbase user sends cryptocurrency from their wallet, the address it comes "from" is one of Coinbase's many hot wallet addresses. Any crypto sent back to that address would be sent to Coinbase, not your own wallet.