This guide looks into the zero fee crypto exchanges and shares additional tips and FAQs to help you choose the perfect no-fee crypto exchange that covers your trading needs. Read on to discover more!
Best Performing Zero-Fee Exchange – KuCoin
| Pug Score | 4.2/5 |
| No. of Cryptocurrencies Traded | 400+ |
| Recommended For | Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Traders |
Why we chose it
Already a big name in the crypto space; its zero-fee offer gives it an edge over many other cryptocurrency platforms.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free instant crypto buy/sell transactions | Additional fees may apply |
| Advanced charts | Unregulated exchange |
| Available educational resources | Charges market fees |
| Many trading options | |
| High leverage | |
| Available futures market |
Overview
Unlike Phemex, KuCoin charges no fees on its P2P portal. Users can purchase select cryptocurrencies like BTC, KCS, USDC, and USDT at zero fees.
Another great offering is the KuCoin Free Monday program that allows users to trade select cryptocurrencies at zero fee rates every Monday. However, this offer may likely end at any time because KuCoin uses it as an incentive to attract customers.
Buying large volumes of cryptocurrencies is a great offer, especially for advanced and institutional traders. However, you should be on the lookout for subtle fees, including deposit and withdrawal fees.
Best Brokerage Zero-Fee Exchange – Lykke
| Pug Score | 3.7/5 |
| No. of Cryptocurrencies Traded | 20 |
| Recommended For | Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Traders |
Why we chose it
Lykke runs an exclusive zero-fee program. This kind of offering is rare in the crypto trading space. Institutional and advanced traders will find this helpful.
| Pros | Cons |
| In-built wallet system | Low number of crypto assets |
| Support fiat deposits and withdrawals | Does not guarantee security |
| Offers brokerage services | High spreads |
| Regulated exchange | |
| User-friendly exchange | |
| Accessible API integration for developers |
Overview
Lykke is a crypto trading and brokerage platform that runs entirely zero-fee crypto transactions. You can buy, sell, and trade any kind of cryptocurrency listed on the platform at no cost.
Lykke’s zero-fee policy extends to all kinds of traders, including API, bot, and retail traders.
Another interesting thing about Lykke is it does not charge traders for withdrawals. However, flat exchange rates or network fees may apply for fiat or crypto-to-crypto withdrawals.
Lykke generates most of its revenue through spreads.
The downside of Lykke’s spreads is many users would prefer to be charged trading fees instead because its spreads are quite outrageous, beginning at 0.15% of any trade you execute. Traders will need thorough analysis to win markets on many occasions.
Beginners or swing traders may not find Lykke’s spreads interesting.
Phemex
| Pug Score | 3.8/5 |
| No. of Cryptocurrencies Traded | 37+ |
| Recommended For | Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Traders |
Why we chose it
As a high-volume crypto exchange, Phemex zero-fee program sets it apart from competitors. Its reputation and history make it a top choice for advanced and institutional traders.
| Pros | Cons |
| Unlimited withdrawals and deposits for premium members | Non-premium members pay trading fees |
| Offers high leverage | Premium membership fee can be outrageous |
| Educational tool available | Unregulated exchange |
| Advanced charts | |
| Great customer support | |
| Accessible APIs for developers |
Overview
Not many exchanges that claim to offer zero-fee crypto trading do it as genuinely as Phemex.
The Singaporean-based crypto trading platform offers zero-fee transactions on spot trades to premium traders.
As a premium offer, Phemex zero-fee transactions are open to advanced and institutional accounts but doesn’t mean that beginner traders cannot still use the package. The only thing that would stand in the way is their trading volumes and membership fees.
The good thing about Phemex’s zero-trading offer is that users can trade some assets at a 100x leverage.
Premium membership attracts a little fee starting at $10 up to $70 from a range of 30 days to 1 year. The membership fee allows you access to features a normal trader will not access on a normal trading day!
Moreover, the membership fee is little compared to how much you will spend (0.025%) respectively on every trade you execute on Phemex.
Shapeshift
| Pug Score | 3.5/5 |
| No. of Cryptocurrencies Traded | 40+ |
| Recommended For | Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Traders |
Why we chose it
Shapeshift’s sincerity in charging miner fees should tell users what to expect in terms of fee payments. Aside from the small network fees, every other crypto transaction on the platform is free.
| Pros | Cons |
| Commission-free trading on every asset | High spreads |
| User-friendly interface | Not available to US customers |
| Fairly great market options | |
| Available educational resources | |
| Good customer support |
Overview
Shapeshift is a crypto trading and management platform founded in 2014. The platform charges no fees for buying, selling, and trading cryptocurrencies.
Shapeshift claims to provide exclusive zero-fee crypto services where users can deposit and withdraw cryptocurrencies without spending additional fees on them.
However, miner fees and spreads apply when you trade cryptocurrencies on the platform.
The Miner Fees, also known as network fees, help maintain order in its market and help with confirmations. Miner Fees also apply to liquidity providers who help with crypto validations when they participate in Proof of Stake (PoS) protocols or hold the FOX token (Shapeshift’s utility token).
Newton
| Pug Score | 3.45/5 |
| No. of Cryptocurrencies Traded | 20+ |
| Recommended For | Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Traders |
Why we chose it
Newton Exchange, at some point support users to pay their part of their network fees—a program other zero-fee exchanges do not offer. Deposits and withdrawals are also without costs.
| Pros | Cons |
| Zero-fee deposits and withdrawals | Not available to US customers |
| Regulated by FINTRAC | Additional fees apply |
| Top security protocol | |
| Good customer support | |
| Available educational materials | |
| User-friendly interface |
Overview
Newton Exchange covers about $5 (Canadian) worth of network fees when you sign-up on the exchange. After that, you subsequently pay for network or miner fees on the exchange.
But this is not the case: users do not pay deposit or withdrawal fees on Newton. Additionally, they (users) do not pay fees on crypto trades on the exchange.
However, Newton makes money from spreads during trades like many zero-fee exchanges. Unfortunately, its spreads are high because the exchange will look to recover expenses from the zero-fee offer.
Best Futures Zero-Fee Crypto Trading Exchange – Digitex
| Pug Score | 3.15/5 |
| No. of Cryptocurrencies Traded | 6 |
| Recommended For | Intermediate and Advanced Traders |
Why we chose it
Digitex offers zero-fee futures trading. Not many zero-fee exchanges offer this—and this is its value proposition.
| Pros | Cons |
| Zero fees on futures trades | Not beginner-friendly |
| Available alternative investment options | Limited market options |
| User-friendly interface | Bad customer support |
| Accessible API integration for developers |
Overview
Digitex offers what many zero-fee exchanges do not—zero-fee futures trading. Additionally, traders do not pay fees on spot trades.
Digitex has been active since 2017, running its operations from Seychelles, where it gets all the support to successfully implement its virtual currencies protocols.
Holders of Digitex’s utility token, DGTX, get more rewards and keep all their earnings on the exchange.
Deposit and withdrawal fees apply through network fees for crypto-to-crypto transactions; the platform does not get commissions on them.
Comparing the Best Crypto To Crypto Exchanges
| Crypto-to-crypto Exchanges | Available Transactions | Best For (Traders) |
| KuCoin | P2P Buy and Sell | Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced |
| Phemex | Spot and margin trading | Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced |
| Lykke | Spot, forex trading | Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced |
| Shapeshift | Spot trading | Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced |
| Newton Exchange | Spot and margin trading | Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced |
| Digitex | Spot, Instant Buy/Sell, brokerage, futures trading | Intermediate and Advanced |
Things to Consider Before Using a Zero-Fee Crypto Exchange
Many crypto platforms claim to offer zero-fee programs, but charge an outrageous fee that could make you wonder why you lose funds on these platforms.
Alternatively, some exchanges just use “zero fees” as value proposition, then forfeit the vital aspects that could enhance user experience on their platform.
Below are tips you should look out for before using a zero-fee crypto exchange:
1. Additional Fees
A question you should ask yourself when you visit a zero-fee crypto exchange is: how does it make money?
Every exchange requires liquidity to operate successfully. Most of them do this through the fees they charge on their platform.
Zero-fee exchanges do not charge fees for some or most of your crypto transactions, making it trickier to spot how they generate income.
Generally, exclusive zero-fee crypto exchanges like Lykke and Amplify generate revenue through spreads. They do so because they offer brokerage services for crypto traders in addition to instant crypto buying and selling.
Non-exclusive zero-fee crypto platforms like KuCoin that do not offer brokerage services are likely to charge subtle fees through their products or during deposits or withdrawals.
Knowing additional fees a zero-fee exchange charges will help you adjust your expectations when you arrive on the platform.
2. Security
Security limitation is often a general problem among crypto trading platforms. It could worsen when a zero-fee exchange throws resources into its mover advantage, hence, neglecting security.
Ensure the zero-fee exchange you are about to use is fully audited and maintain secure mechanisms that keep user information and funds safe.
Also, check its third-party security measures to ensure it provides security options that help you secure your account.
3. Reputation
Sometimes, exchanges that offer zero fees as value propositions sound like crazy options to traders, especially when the question of how they generate revenue pops into your head.
Reputation and social proof are things you should look out for before using zero-fee exchanges. Knowing the number of traders, the regulatory remarks or license it has, verified mentions from authority sources, and so on, should help you understand more about the exchange’s capabilities.
A good zero-fee exchange should have a convincing social trust or proof status—that it has what it takes to run low-cost programs.
4. Trading Volume
The trading volume of an exchange is another proof that should convince you of its capabilities. It helps to build trust with prospects.
A zero-fee exchange with low trading volume should be a red flag for you. And if it does not include its trading stats at all, that’s another red flag.
5. Regulation and Licensing
Many zero-fee crypto exchanges run brokerage services, which require regulation from jurisdictional securities and virtual currencies regulatory units.
Others, however, that do not run brokerage services may need to “up” their game in other vital areas to convince users of their products and services.
Regulation facilitates trust in an exchange and allows crypto enthusiasts and traders from any part of the world to access it without hassles.
6. Ease of Use
Generally, every crypto exchange should be easy to access to enhance users’ experiences. Zero-fee crypto exchanges are not left out of this necessity.
Zero-fee exchanges should not neglect user-friendliness in a bid to implement their low-cost programs. Besides, a bad user experience can bring poor customer retention on the exchange.
7. Deposit and Withdrawal Methods
You must be sure of a zero-fee exchange’s deposit and withdrawal methods to avoid future hassles. Many crypto exchanges may not allow external crypto withdrawals unless you withdraw through fiat.
In such a situation, if you are the type that prefers your withdrawals in crypto, you may need to look elsewhere to avoid potential complaints.
However, some traders from strict crypto regions may prefer fiat deposits and withdrawals. You must read the exchange terms to know if it covers your deposit and withdrawal needs.
8. Responsive Customer Support
No customer experience beats a responsive customer support. According to verified stats, timely customer support feedback can boost a platform’s revenue and customer retention rate.
Customer support can come through live or bot chats, FAQs, or email chats; whatever the option, there should be at least one or more customer support options on every zero-fee exchange to help resolve customer complaints.
FAQs
A zero-fee crypto exchange is a platform that does not charge fees on some, if not most, of its crypto transactions like deposits & withdrawals, crypto trading, instant crypto buying, selling, etc. Popular zero-fee crypto exchanges include Phemex, KuCoin, Lykke, Amplify, etc.
Every crypto exchange requires funds to grow. So while a zero-fee exchange will claim to offer crypto transactions at no cost, it will look to generate revenue through other means like spreads, withdrawals, or deposits. Some generate revenue through network or miner fees.
Trust depends on the exchange’s social proof, reputation, regulation, licensing, or trading volume. The exchange’s features and products also set it apart. So to trust a zero-fee exchange, you must ensure it has social proof and the capacity to handle and manage your trading needs.
There are many great zero-fee crypto exchanges online. This makes it difficult to make a perfect choice. However, our best zero-fee crypto exchange should help choose a nice crypto exchange at a low cost.
