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Investing » Kraken vs. Robinhood: Which Is Best For Crypto?

Kraken vs. Robinhood: Which Is Best For Crypto?

Discover whether Kraken or Robinhood Crypto is better for your trading needs. We break down mobile apps, fees, staking, security, and more.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: April 1, 2025
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: April 1, 2025

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

The information provided on this website is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. We do not provide personalized investment recommendations or act as financial advisors.

robinhood- logo

Kraken
Robinhood
Supported Coins
+300
+20
Spot Trading Fees
0.40% – 0.25% 0.40% for taker trades and 0.25% for maker trades. The more you trade, the lower the fees – can decrease to as low as 0% – 0.10%. Using GT tokens to pay trading fees offers a 10% discount
$0
Future Trading Fees
0.02% – 0.05% 0.05% for taker trades and 0.02% for maker trades. The more you trade, the lower the fees – can decrease to as low as 0.005%% – 0.015%. Using GT tokens to pay trading fees offers a 10% discount
N/A
Our Rating
(4.3/5)
(4.4/5)
Read Review
Read Review

Kraken vs Robinhood: Compare The Top Crypto Features

Choosing between Kraken and Robinhood can be tricky because both offer powerful tools, but they cater to different types of crypto investors.

Let’s break down their key features side-by-side to see which one is a better fit based on usability, crypto options, Web3 integration, and trading tools.

Kraken offers a clean mobile app that balances basic crypto trading with advanced features like futures, but the interface can feel overwhelming to new users.

Switching to Kraken Pro unlocks full charting and order book views, ideal for serious traders.

convert coins, Kraken
Convert coins, Kraken

Robinhood, on the other hand, shines with its ultra-smooth app experience. Buying crypto, stocks, or setting alerts takes just a few taps, making it perfect for quick trades on the go.

DOGE buying order Robinhood
DOGE buying order on Robinhood (Screenshot taken by our team from Robinhood app)

Overall, Robinhood wins for ease of use and mobile simplicity, while Kraken is better suited for more technical traders.

Kraken offers +300 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and smaller altcoins like ApeCoin (APE).

This massive selection supports traders who want access to emerging projects and NFT-related tokens.

Kraken top gainers list
Kraken top gainers list

Robinhood keeps it simple with a curated list of +20 major coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. While users can trade crypto easily, choices are limited compared to Kraken’s diverse marketplace.

Kraken is far superior for advanced crypto trading, while Robinhood is better for casual, mobile-first users.

Kraken offers a full suite of advanced trading tools through Kraken Pro, including margin trading (up to 5x leverage), futures trading (up to 50x leverage), and complex order types like stop-loss and limit orders.

start with Kraken futures
Start with Kraken futures

Robinhood provides basic trading features but lacks margin for crypto, futures contracts, or deep liquidity options. Instead, it offers 24-hour market access for stocks and ETFs, and custom alerts for price movements.

Kraken provides broader and more flexible staking options, especially beneficial for U.S. users. Kraken usually charges a 20% commission on staking yields.

Kraken offers staking on over 15 assets, including Ethereum, Solana, and Polkadot, with flexible and bonded options. U.S. users can now participate in staking after a recent policy change.

explore staking options on Kraken
Explore staking options on Kraken (Screenshot taken by our team, rates are not updated)

Robinhood has introduced staking in Europe, offering a 100% earnings match on ETH and SOL up to €10,000. However, staking is not yet available for U.S. users.

Kraken focuses mainly on centralized trading and security, offering no direct connection to DApps, DeFi platforms, or NFT marketplaces. Users looking to access Web3 ecosystems need a separate decentralized wallet like MetaMask.

Robinhood introduced crypto transfers to external wallets, enabling users to move assets like Bitcoin or Ethereum to Web3 apps. Although it's basic, it allows easier exploration of blockchain-based projects without leaving Robinhood.

Overall, Robinhood edges ahead by offering basic Web3 access, while Kraken remains a purely centralized platform.

Kraken Wallet is a self-custody wallet that supports NFTs and DeFi, featuring WalletConnect for seamless DApp integration.

Robinhood Wallet supports Ethereum, Bitcoin, Solana, and more, allowing users to send, receive, and swap crypto, and connect to DApps.

Overall, both wallets offer robust features, but Kraken's NFT support gives it a slight edge for users interested in digital collectibles.

Kraken offers more advanced automation options, catering to experienced traders seeking sophisticated strategies.

Kraken supports trading bots through platforms like 3Commas and Gunbot, enabling strategies like DCA and grid trading.

Robinhood allows automation via third-party tools like TradersPost and StockHero, suitable for stock and crypto trading.

Kraken has a strong security record with no major breaches, employing measures like cold storage and 2FA

Robinhood experienced a significant data breach in 2021, affecting 7 million users, and settled related lawsuits in 2025.

Who Should Consider Kraken Exchange?

Kraken is a strong choice for more experienced crypto traders who want access to a wide range of coins and advanced tools.

  • Advanced Traders: Those who use futures, margin, and OTC trading to maximize strategies and profits.

  • Security-Conscious Investors: Users who prioritize platforms with a clean security record and strong asset protections.

  • High-Volume Traders: Investors looking for lower fees through Kraken Pro's maker-taker structure and high liquidity.

  • Staking Enthusiasts: users outside the U.S. (and now some U.S. users) seeking flexible staking rewards across major crypto assets.

Kraken is ideal for those who are serious about crypto trading and willing to navigate a more complex platform for its greater features.

Who Should Consider Robinhood Crypto?

Robinhood Crypto appeals to newer or mobile-first investors who want a simple, low-cost crypto trading experience.

  • Beginner Crypto Investors: People who prefer easy-to-use interfaces for fast crypto purchases without worrying about complicated orders.

  • Mobile-First Traders: Those who want to monitor, trade, and manage their portfolios directly from a seamless app.

  • Fee-Conscious Users: Investors seeking commission-free crypto trading without complex fee structures.

  • Crypto and Stocks Blenders: Those wanting to manage both crypto and stock portfolios in one place without juggling multiple apps.

Robinhood Crypto offers the easiest entry point into cryptocurrency trading, perfect for casual investors who value simplicity and speed.

Bottom Line

Kraken excels with its extensive cryptocurrency selection, robust security, staking options, and professional trading tools for active traders.

Meanwhile, Robinhood wins with an unbeatable mobile experience, commission-free crypto trading, easy transfers, and integrated stock and crypto management.

If you want power and flexibility, Kraken is the way to go. If you wish to speed and simplicity, Robinhood Crypto is hard to beat. Your best choice really depends on how active and advanced you want your crypto journey to be.

Picture of Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
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This website is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).

This website does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. This website may use other proprietary factors to impact card offer listings on the website such as consumer selection or the likelihood of the applicant’s credit approval.

This allows us to maintain a full-time, editorial staff and work with finance experts you know and trust. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impacts any of the editorial content on The Smart Investor.

While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, The Smart Investor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

Learn more about how we review products and read our advertiser disclosure for how we make money. All products are presented without warranty.