CIR exchange rankings

4 Best Gemini Alternatives for Lower Fees

Compare exchanges with lower tracked spot taker fees than Gemini, including $100 trade costs and switching considerations.

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

Why trust Coin Interest Rate?

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: Some outbound links may compensate Coin Interest Rate. Compensation does not determine inclusion or ranking order.

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

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

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%

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

Why consider it

+Phemex spot
+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 PhemexSchedule scope reviewed September 9, 2026Official fee schedule

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%

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

Why consider it

+BYDFi spot
+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 BYDFiSchedule scope reviewed September 9, 2026Official fee schedule

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%

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

Why consider it

+Coinbase Advanced
+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 CoinbaseSchedule scope reviewed September 9, 2026Official fee schedule

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%

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

Why consider it

+Kraken Pro spot
+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 KrakenSchedule scope reviewed September 9, 2026Official fee schedule

How we chose these picks

1.Include only non-hidden exchanges in CIR’s exchange directory, with evidence for the requested product.
2.Use tracked maker/taker fees; accept only unambiguous numeric percentages for a documented spot schedule. Fee ranges and unknown values are excluded from cost calculations.
3.Order by taker fee, then maker fee, with CIR score and name breaking ties. Alternative lists also require a lower taker fee than the reference exchange.
4.Require at least two qualifying exchanges. Evidence older than 180 days is excluded until reviewed; geographic variants require evidence for that product and region.

Read the full Coin Interest Rate methodology

Compare the same trading product before switching

The reference exchange is Gemini, with a tracked 1.2% taker fee ($1.20 on $100). Only exchanges with a strictly lower tracked taker fee qualify.

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.