Crypto Exchange Fee Rankings 2026
We compared trading fees across all major exchanges to find the cheapest option.
Spot Trading Fee Comparison
| Rank | Exchange | Maker | Taker | With Best Discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Binance | 0.10% | 0.10% | 0.06% (referral + BNB) |
| 2 | MEXC | 0.00% | 0.10% | 0.00% maker |
| 3 | Crypto.com | 0.075% | 0.075% | ~0.06% (CRO stake) |
| 4 | Gate.io | 0.09% | 0.09% | 0.07% |
| 5 | OKX | 0.08% | 0.10% | ~0.06% |
| 6 | Bybit | 0.10% | 0.10% | 0.08% |
| 7 | KuCoin | 0.10% | 0.10% | 0.08% |
| 8 | Kraken | 0.16% | 0.26% | 0.10% |
| 9 | Coinbase | 0.40% | 0.60% | 0.40% |
Why Binance Wins Overall
While MEXC has 0% maker fees, Binance offers:
- 10x higher liquidity — less slippage saves more than fee differences
- More reliable — fewer withdrawal issues
- Better features — staking, launchpad, earn products
- Stronger security — SAFU fund, proven track record
Best Exchange by Use Case
| Use Case | Best Exchange | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | Binance | Lowest effective fees + best liquidity |
| Beginners | Binance (Lite mode) | Simple interface + low fees |
| Futures | Binance | 0.02% maker, highest liquidity |
| Altcoins | MEXC or Gate.io | Earlier listings |
| US users | Coinbase or Kraken | Regulatory compliance |
Our Recommendation
Binance with referral code RATE20 gives you the best combination of low fees, high liquidity, and features. The 20% lifetime discount makes it unbeatable for most traders.
2 min read
Referral safety check
Know what a referral link actually provides
Be cautious with referral codes or links that do not clearly identify their provider and benefit. SmallDrift’s official RATE20 link provides a 20% trading-fee discount, and Binance’s signup page transparently displays SmallDrift, RATE20, the discount, and the referral benefit before account creation.
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