CIR exchange rankings

5 Best Crypto Exchanges for Small Trades

Compare tracked spot trading fees on $25, $100 and $500 orders, with costs for low-volume traders and links to each exchange’s fee schedule.

5 ranked picksCIR editorial researchData: Trading fees from CIR’s tracked exchange data

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Our team independently tracks and reviews crypto rates, rewards and product features to help readers compare more than the advertised rate. We use official provider websites, product documentation and other relevant sources when evaluating products.

80+ crypto platforms tracked across staking, lending, cards and other digital asset products.
Hundreds of rates tracked alongside features, availability and key risk factors.
Independent comparisons. Compensation does not guarantee favorable coverage. Editorial control remains ours.

Read our full methodology

Compare the trading fee component of small orders. Exchanges are ordered by tracked spot taker fee, then maker fee; check the exact product and account tier before trading.

Risk note: Crypto prices and exchange terms can change. Confirm account eligibility, costs and withdrawal access before depositing. Disclosure: Rates and terms change. Some outbound links may compensate Coin Interest Rate. Affiliate terms do not impact our editorial reviews.

The short list

Our picks at a glance

Phemex

Score4.3

$100 spot taker fee

$0.10

BYDFi

Score4.1

$100 spot taker fee

$0.10

Coinbase

Score4.2

$100 spot taker fee

$0.50

Kraken

Score4.3

$100 spot taker fee

$0.80

Gemini

Score4.4

$100 spot taker fee

$1.20

Compare the picks

Trading fees only: these estimates exclude spread, funding, network charges and withdrawal fees.

Pick	Ranking	Maker	Taker	$25 order	$100 order	$500 order
Phemex	Ranked #1	0.1%	0.1%	$0.025	$0.10	$0.50
BYDFi	Ranked #2	0.1%	0.1%	$0.025	$0.10	$0.50
Coinbase	Ranked #3	0.5%	0.5%	$0.125	$0.50	$2.50
Kraken	Ranked #4	0.4%	0.8%	$0.20	$0.80	$4.00
Gemini	Ranked #5	0.6%	1.2%	$0.30	$1.20	$6.00

Detailed review

Why these options made the list

Phemex

Score4.3

$100 spot taker fee

$0.10

$25 spot taker fee: $0.025
$500 spot taker fee: $0.50
Maker / taker: 0.1% / 0.1%
Trading product: Phemex spot

Phemex has a tracked 0.1% spot taker fee: $0.10 on a $100 order before spread, funding and withdrawal costs.

Why consider it

+Separate maker and taker pricing lets you compare trading fees by order type.
+0.1% tracked maker fee for eligible resting orders.

Tradeoffs to check

!Spot trading schedule only. Contract fees and VIP discounts are separate; check regional access.
!Confirm eligibility for your country, account and exact product before funding.
!Examples assume an eligible order at the stored fee tier; order minimums, spread and slippage are not included.

Full review Visit PhemexChecked September 9, 2026

BYDFi

Score4.1

$100 spot taker fee

$0.10

$25 spot taker fee: $0.025
$500 spot taker fee: $0.50
Maker / taker: 0.1% / 0.1%
Trading product: BYDFi spot

BYDFi has a tracked 0.1% spot taker fee: $0.10 on a $100 order before spread, funding and withdrawal costs.

Why consider it

+Separate maker and taker pricing lets you compare trading fees by order type.
+0.1% tracked maker fee for eligible resting orders.

Tradeoffs to check

!Standard spot maker/taker pricing. Derivatives and promotional pairs may use different schedules.
!Confirm eligibility for your country, account and exact product before funding.
!Examples assume an eligible order at the stored fee tier; order minimums, spread and slippage are not included.

Full review Visit BYDFiChecked September 9, 2026

Coinbase

Score4.2

$100 spot taker fee

$0.50

$25 spot taker fee: $0.125
$500 spot taker fee: $2.50
Maker / taker: 0.5% / 0.5%
Trading product: Coinbase Advanced

Coinbase has a tracked 0.5% spot taker fee: $0.50 on a $100 order before spread, funding and withdrawal costs.

Why consider it

+Separate maker and taker pricing lets you compare trading fees by order type.
+0.5% tracked maker fee for eligible resting orders.

Tradeoffs to check

!Tracked maker/taker pricing is for order-book comparison. Simple buys and recurring purchases use separate quotes; confirm your account tier.
!Confirm eligibility for your country, account and exact product before funding.
!Examples assume an eligible order at the stored fee tier; order minimums, spread and slippage are not included.

Full review Visit CoinbaseChecked September 9, 2026

Kraken

Score4.3

$100 spot taker fee

$0.80

$25 spot taker fee: $0.20
$500 spot taker fee: $4.00
Maker / taker: 0.4% / 0.8%
Trading product: Kraken Pro spot

Kraken has a tracked 0.8% spot taker fee: $0.80 on a $100 order before spread, funding and withdrawal costs.

Why consider it

+Separate maker and taker pricing lets you compare trading fees by order type.
+0.4% tracked maker fee for eligible resting orders.

Tradeoffs to check

!Entry-tier order-book pricing. Instant buys, recurring purchases and stablecoin pairs have separate schedules.
!Confirm eligibility for your country, account and exact product before funding.
!Examples assume an eligible order at the stored fee tier; order minimums, spread and slippage are not included.

Full review Visit KrakenChecked September 9, 2026

Gemini

Score4.4

$100 spot taker fee

$1.20

$25 spot taker fee: $0.30
$500 spot taker fee: $6.00
Maker / taker: 0.6% / 1.2%
Trading product: Gemini ActiveTrader

Gemini has a tracked 1.2% spot taker fee: $1.20 on a $100 order before spread, funding and withdrawal costs.

Why consider it

+Separate maker and taker pricing lets you compare trading fees by order type.
+0.6% tracked maker fee for eligible resting orders.

Tradeoffs to check

!Use the account’s current ActiveTrader tier. The simpler purchase interface has separate pricing.
!Confirm eligibility for your country, account and exact product before funding.
!Examples assume an eligible order at the stored fee tier; order minimums, spread and slippage are not included.

Full review Visit GeminiChecked September 9, 2026

How we chose these picks

1.We compare publicly listed exchanges in CIR’s directory with documented support for the product or feature covered here.
2.Fee comparisons use documented spot maker and taker percentages. Fee ranges and unknown fees are left out of the cost estimates.
3.Exchanges with lower taker fees rank first, followed by lower maker fees. Ties are decided by CIR score, then alphabetically. Alternative exchanges must have a lower taker fee than the exchange being compared.
4.Each list compares at least two exchanges. Product and fee sources checked more than 180 days ago are left out until reviewed again. Verify product terms.

Read the full Coin Interest Rate methodology

What a small trade actually costs

The examples multiply the order value by the tracked taker percentage. A $100 order at 0.1% incurs $0.10 in trading fees before other costs. Maker orders may be cheaper but are not guaranteed to fill.

A small order and a low-volume account are separate concepts: monthly volume can change your tier. These comparisons use the single fee stored for each exchange, without assuming discounts or a paid subscription.

Check the full cost before moving funds

Funding fees, spread, slippage, minimum order size and withdrawal charges can outweigh a small difference in spot fees. Dollar examples show the fee component only, not an executable quote or confirmation that every asset supports a $25 order.

Switching exchanges can introduce transfer fees and a new verification process. Confirm the asset, destination network and account access before withdrawing from your current exchange.

Frequently asked questions

Are these the total costs of a trade?

No. The examples show the tracked trading fee only. Spread, slippage, funding, currency conversion and withdrawal charges are separate, and actual fees depend on your product and tier.

Why are some exchanges missing?

CIR includes only exchanges in its exchange directory that are publicly listed and have current evidence for this comparison. Missing or expired evidence excludes an exchange rather than implying that its fees are zero or that a feature is unsupported.