Introduction
As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, more people are entering the space not just to hold assets like Bitcoin or Ethereum, but to actively trade. However, one of the most overlooked costs in crypto trading is exchange fees. These include trading fees, withdrawal fees, deposit fees, and even hidden spreads.
In 2025, choosing a low-fee crypto exchange can significantly impact your profits, especially if you’re an active trader. Even a small difference—say 0.1% vs. 0.3%—can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually.
This guide will help you:
Understand different types of fees
Compare the lowest-fee crypto exchanges in 2025
Choose the best platform based on your needs (spot trading, futures, DeFi access)
Learn how to reduce trading costs even further
Understanding Crypto Exchange Fees
Before diving into the list of low-fee exchanges, it’s important to understand the types of fees most platforms charge:
- Trading Fees
These are charged when you buy or sell cryptocurrency. Often split into:
Maker fee (placing a limit order that adds liquidity)
Taker fee (executing a market order that removes liquidity)
- Deposit Fees
Some platforms charge fees for funding your account with fiat or crypto. Many offer free crypto deposits. - Withdrawal Fees
These are charged when you move crypto out of the exchange wallet. These may be fixed or vary based on blockchain congestion. - Spread
The difference between the buy and sell price—an indirect fee some platforms use to make profit. - Hidden Costs
Look out for margin fees, staking commission, or premium trading pairs that may have higher rates.
Top 8 Crypto Exchanges with the Lowest Fees in 2025
- Binance
Trading Fee: 0.10% (maker & taker)
Discounts: 25% off fees with BNB token
Withdrawal Fees: Low; varies per coin
Deposit Fees: Free for crypto
Pros:
Industry-low trading fees
Advanced tools and charts
Supports spot, futures, staking, and P2P
Extremely high liquidity
Best For: All levels of traders, especially high-frequency users
- KuCoin
Trading Fee: 0.1% standard, with discounts via KCS token
Withdrawal Fees: Moderate
Deposit Fees: Free for crypto
Pros:
Wide variety of altcoins
Futures trading and bots
Earn daily rewards by holding KCS
Best For: Altcoin hunters and low-cap coin traders
- Bybit
Trading Fee (Spot): 0.1%
Trading Fee (Futures): Maker -0.025%, Taker 0.075%
Deposit Fees: Free
Withdrawal Fees: Fixed per asset
Pros:
Strong derivatives market
No KYC for smaller withdrawals
Copy trading features
Best For: Futures traders and day traders looking for leverage
- OKX
Trading Fee: 0.08% maker, 0.10% taker
Fee Discounts: Up to 50% for holding OKB
Withdrawal Fees: Low
Deposit Fees: Free for crypto
Pros:
Offers staking, DeFi, and NFTs
High performance trading engine
OKB token discounts
Best For: Traders seeking a broad ecosystem beyond spot trading
- Kraken
Trading Fee: 0.16% maker, 0.26% taker
Pro Account Fees: 0.00% to 0.26% depending on volume
Withdrawal Fees: Moderate
Deposit Fees: Varies by method
Pros:
Excellent security track record
Margin trading available
Regulated in multiple countries
Best For: Beginners who value security but still want low fees on pro accounts
- Bitstamp
Trading Fee: Starts at 0.30%, can drop to 0.10% with volume
Withdrawal Fees: Moderate
Deposit Fees: SEPA free; others vary
Pros:
One of the oldest exchanges
Fully licensed in the EU
Strong customer service
Best For: European traders with modest volumes
- MEXC Global
Trading Fee: 0% (for a limited time in 2025)
Futures Fee: Maker -0.01%, Taker 0.05%
Withdrawal Fees: Low
Deposit Fees: Free for crypto
Pros:
Huge selection of coins
0% spot trading as a promotion
Frequent airdrops
Best For: Cost-conscious traders looking to trade frequently
- Gate.io
Trading Fee: 0.20% standard; discounts via GT token
Withdrawal Fees: Low to moderate
Deposit Fees: Free for crypto
Pros:
Over 1400 cryptocurrencies listed
High security standards
Margin and perpetual trading
Best For: Traders of rare or niche altcoins
Fee Comparison Table (2025)
Exchange Spot Trading Fee Futures Fee Withdrawal Fee Deposit Fee Discount Token
Binance 0.10% Maker 0.02%, Taker 0.04% Low Free BNB
KuCoin 0.10% Maker 0.02%, Taker 0.06% Moderate Free KCS
Bybit 0.10% Maker -0.025%, Taker 0.075% Low Free –
OKX 0.08% Maker 0.02%, Taker 0.05% Low Free OKB
Kraken (Pro) 0.16% 0.01% to 0.02% Moderate Varies –
MEXC 0% (promo) Maker -0.01%, Taker 0.05% Low Free –
Tips to Save Even More on Crypto Trading Fees
Even on low-fee platforms, there are ways to optimize your costs further:
- Use Limit Orders
Limit orders are often charged maker fees, which are lower than taker fees. In some cases, they’re even free or negative (you get paid). - Hold Discount Tokens
BNB (Binance), KCS (KuCoin), and OKB (OKX) offer significant trading fee discounts when used to pay for fees. - Trade During Promotions
Many platforms offer zero-fee trading events or rebates for trading certain pairs. - Consolidate Trades
Rather than making many small trades, combine them into fewer, larger ones to minimize fee impact. - Use Futures If You’re Experienced
Futures platforms often have lower fees than spot platforms. But they carry higher risk.
Are Free Crypto Exchanges Safe?
Some platforms advertise 0% fees—but this doesn’t always mean better value. Here’s what to watch for:
Hidden spreads: Buy price may be inflated
Low liquidity: Orders take longer to fill
Security risks: Unregulated or poorly secured platforms
Volume limits: Free trading may apply only to small trades
Always balance fees with reliability, security, and transparency.
What to Look for Beyond Low Fees
While low fees are important, don’t sacrifice security or ease of use:
Security Measures: 2FA, cold storage, withdrawal whitelists
Liquidity: Ensure you can trade large amounts without slippage
User Interface: Choose a platform you’re comfortable navigating
Customer Support: Quick help matters when money is involved
Regulatory Compliance: Avoid legal issues by using licensed exchanges in your region
Final Thoughts
In 2025, trading fees remain one of the easiest costs to control in crypto investing. Whether you’re just starting out or trading at scale, choosing a low-fee exchange can save you a significant amount over time.
Top Picks for Different Needs:
Lowest Overall Fees: Binance, KuCoin, MEXC
Best for Futures Trading: Bybit, OKX
Best for Beginners: Kraken, Bitstamp
Best Altcoin Range: Gate.io, KuCoin
Pro Tip: Combine a low-fee exchange with a secure wallet and smart trading habits, and you’ll position yourself for long-term success in the crypto space.
