Bitstamp vs Kraken
By Itai Varochik | Updated 2026
Quick Verdict
Overall Winner: Kraken (4.5/5)
We tested Bitstamp and Kraken side-by-side. Kraken comes out ahead overall, but Bitstamp may be better for specific use cases.
Score Breakdown
| Criteria | Bitstamp | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 7.5/10 | 8/10 |
| Ease of Use | 8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Value for Money | 8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Customer Support | 7.5/10 | 7/10 |
| Overall | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Bitstamp | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Spot Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Fiat Deposits | Yes | No |
| Institutional Custody | Yes | No |
| Mobile App | Yes | No |
| API Trading | Yes | No |
| Staking | Yes | Yes |
| Margin Trading | No | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| OTC Desk | No | Yes |
| Proof of Reserves | No | Yes |
Pricing Comparison
Bitstamp: 0.5% trading fee
Kraken: 0% – 0.26% per trade
Bitstamp Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fully EU and US regulated
- Excellent security record since 2011
- Institutional-grade custody
- EUR and USD fiat support (SEPA, wire)
- No major hacks since 2015
- Trusted for large trades
Cons
- Higher fees (0.5% base) than competitors
- Limited coin selection (85 only)
- Basic, dated interface
- No advanced trading features
- Slow to add new assets
Kraken Pros & Cons
Pros
- Industry-leading security (never hacked since 2011)
- Low trading fees (0.16-0.26%)
- Proof of Reserves audit completed
- 200+ cryptocurrencies
- Excellent fiat currency support (7 currencies)
- Advanced trading tools and API access
Cons
- Interface less intuitive than Coinbase
- No credit/debit card purchases in US
- Staking unavailable in some US states
- Margin trading not available to US retail
- Fewer coins than Binance or Gate.io
Key Specifications
| Spec | Bitstamp | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Pricing | 0.5% trading fee | 0% – 0.26% per trade |
| Year Founded | 2011 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Luxembourg | San Francisco, CA |
| Employees | N/A | 3,200+ |
| Best For Region | N/A | US / EU / Global |
| Proof of Reserves | N/A | Yes |
Our Verdict
Kraken wins overall. Choose Bitstamp if you value Conservative investors prioritizing security. Choose Kraken if you prioritize Security-conscious crypto investors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bitstamp better than Kraken?
Based on our testing, Kraken scores higher with a rating of 4.5/5 compared to Bitstamp's 4/5. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs.
What is the main difference between Bitstamp and Kraken?
Bitstamp is known for: Europe's oldest regulated crypto exchange (2011) with institutional-grade security and EU/US compliance.. Kraken is known for: Security-focused crypto exchange with competitive fees and margin trading..
Which is cheaper, Bitstamp or Kraken?
Bitstamp pricing: 0.5% trading fee. Kraken pricing: 0% – 0.26% per trade.
Can I use Bitstamp and Kraken together?
While both tools serve similar purposes in the Crypto Exchanges category, some users do use complementary features from both platforms.
What are the pros of Bitstamp?
Fully EU and US regulated. Excellent security record since 2011. Institutional-grade custody
What are the pros of Kraken?
Industry-leading security (never hacked since 2011). Low trading fees (0.16-0.26%). Proof of Reserves audit completed
Which crypto exchanges should I choose?
Choose Bitstamp if you value Conservative investors prioritizing security. Choose Kraken if you prioritize Security-conscious crypto investors.