Best App to Buy Crypto in 2026: 7 Crypto Apps Compared

Key takeaways

• This is not financial advice. Crypto prices swing hard, and you can lose some or all of the money you put in. Only buy what you can afford to lose.
• Every app on this list makes money from fees, spreads or both. A "simple buy" button usually costs more than the pro trading screen of the same app.
• Kraken's fee page that we could read shows a 1% fee on instant buys and 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker on its pro screen at the lowest tier, but that page was not a US-specific one, so check your own rate.
• Binance.US advertises the lowest starting fees of the group (0% maker, 0.02% taker), and Robinhood says it charges no deposit or withdrawal fees.
• Always read where your coins are held and whether you can move them out to your own wallet. PayPal and Robinhood both say you can send crypto to outside wallets.

Quick comparison

The best apps to buy crypto

Buying crypto is easy. Paying too much to do it is just as easy. The seven apps below are all US-facing, and we describe what each one charges, what it offers and where it falls short, using the companies' own pages. Fees and features change often, so confirm the numbers inside the app before you spend anything.

Disclaimer: This is not financial advice. Crypto is volatile, and prices can fall quickly. You must be 18 or older and in a supported US state to use these services. Gains and sales can be taxable, so keep records.

1. Coinbase

• Best for: First-time buyers who want a well-known name
• Starting price: Free to join (fees and spread apply)
• Free plan: Yes
• Website: coinbase.com

Coinbase is the name most first-time buyers have heard, and its main app is built for simple buying. Coinbase's help pages explain that on its basic buy and sell screens the quoted price includes any fees and a spread, which is a markup built into the price you see. The spread applies to all users, even paying members.

The cheaper route is Coinbase Advanced, a separate screen inside the same account. Per Coinbase's help center, Advanced charges no spread and no subscription fee, and it uses a maker and taker fee model. In a Coinbase blog post about lowering active-trader fees, the US base rates are listed at 0.50% for makers and 0.90% for takers, with lower tiers for bigger volume. Your exact rate shows in your account.

There is also a paid membership called Coinbase One. Coinbase's pages advertise zero trading fees on some trades, with caps by plan, and the listed tiers and prices have varied across pages, so check the app for today's figure. The catch for new users is that the cheap screen is not the default one, so many people end up on the more expensive simple buy button.

Pros

• Very familiar name for beginners
• a separate Advanced screen with lower costs
• an optional paid membership with fee perks

Cons

• Simple buys include a spread on top of fees
• the fee structure is split across several products

2. Kraken

• Best for: Lower fees once you use the pro screen
• Starting price: Free to join (1% on instant buys)
• Free plan: Yes
• Website: kraken.com

Kraken has a reputation as an exchange for people who care about costs, and the fee page backs part of that up. On the fee schedule we could read, Instant Buy and recurring buys carry a 1% fee, custom orders 1.5%, and Kraken Pro starts at 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker for the lowest tier. That page was a non-US version, so the US schedule could differ. Kraken also lists a 3% fee for converting very small leftover balances.

The homepage says Kraken has operated since 2011 and lists recurring purchases, staking, a self-custody wallet and a long range of products beyond simple buying. It advertises "600+ crypto pairs" on Kraken Pro, but it does not give a single clean count of coins. Some of those products, such as its tokenized stock offers, are described as unavailable to US persons, which is why you should confirm what you can use from your state.

The honest downside is that the first screen new users reach can be Instant Buy at 1%, which is not the cheapest way to buy. Moving to the Pro screen takes a little learning, but the listed rates are lower for larger orders.

Pros

• Clear fee tiers
• recurring buys and staking available
• long-running exchange operating since 2011 by its own account

Cons

• Instant Buy costs more than the pro screen
• US availability differs by feature

3. Gemini

• Best for: Buyers who want a regulated US exchange
• Starting price: See website
• Free plan: Yes
• Website: gemini.com

Gemini positions itself as a US company with a long track record, and its homepage says it has been trusted by traders since 2015. The page lists Gemini Trust Company, LLC among its legal entities and carries state licensing numbers, which is a reassuring detail. Beyond crypto trading, it offers a credit card, stocks, a custody product and prediction markets.

Fees are where it asks for homework. Gemini's fee index splits costs into separate pages: ActiveTrader trading fees, a mode for simpler buying, transfers, staking, custody and others. It mentions a convenience fee on simple buys, but the pages we read did not show the percentages, so we are not quoting any. Read the live schedule before you buy.

Gemini fits people who value a US-regulated feel over the very lowest fee. If you only buy a few times a year, the convenience of a straightforward app may be worth a slightly higher cost.

Pros

• US-based company with listed licensing details
• separate fee schedules for trading, transfers and custody
• credit card and stock trading on the same platform

Cons

• Several fee schedules to read through
• we could not confirm exact fee percentages from its public pages

4. Robinhood Crypto

• Best for: People who already use Robinhood
• Starting price: See website
• Free plan: Yes
• Website: robinhood.com

Robinhood's crypto page says its costs are among the lowest on average, based on a third-party comparison, and that there are no deposit or withdrawal fees. It does not state whether trades carry a commission or how the spread works, so read the fee schedule before assuming it is free. A low sticker price can still hide a wider spread.

The page lists coins such as BTC, ETH, DOGE, SHIB, AVAX, LTC, UNI, ETC, LINK, XLM and AAVE, and says the list continues. You can set recurring buys from $1, use price alerts and charts, and stake ETH, SOL and ADA from $1, with some features not offered in all places. You must be 18 or older, have a Social Security number and a US address, and Robinhood says crypto is available in every US state and the District of Columbia.

This app suits someone who already holds stocks there and wants one place for both. The drawback is clarity: the page shows a sample of coins and no total count, so check that the coin you want is listed before you fund the account.

Pros

• Recurring buys from $1
• no deposit or withdrawal fees per its page
• can send crypto to and from outside wallets

Cons

• The main page gives no total coin count
• spread and other costs are not clearly spelled out there

5. Binance.US

• Best for: Active traders watching fees
• Starting price: Free to join (from 0% maker, 0.02% taker)
• Free plan: Yes
• Website: binance.us

Binance.US is the American arm of a global exchange, and its homepage leads with low fees. It states that maker fees start at 0% and taker fees at 0.02%, with some pairs and high-volume accounts going to 0.01%. It lists 200+ cryptocurrencies and 250+ spot trading pairs, free ACH bank transfers, no monthly account fees, and network fees on withdrawals that vary by coin.

You can buy with bank transfer, Apple Pay or wire, and the site lists staking on 25+ assets with reward rates it says are variable and not guaranteed. For security it cites SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 audits and says most assets are held in offline US-based cold storage.

The caution is availability. The page mentions state licenses "in supported states" but does not name them, so check that your state is covered before you sign up. Also, the page does not say what its simple buy and convert tools cost compared with the trading screen, so check that before you pay.

Pros

• Lowest advertised starting trading fees in this group
• 200+ coins
• free ACH bank transfers and no monthly account fee

Cons

• The page does not list which states it serves
• some advertised reward rates are variable and not guaranteed

6. PayPal

• Best for: Casual buyers who want a familiar app
• Starting price: Free to join (spread applies)
• Free plan: Yes
• Website: paypal.com

PayPal is the simplest way to try crypto if you already have an account. Its page lists Bitcoin, Ethereum and PayPal USD (PYUSD) with more available, and says you can buy, sell and hold them inside the PayPal app, spend crypto at merchants that accept PayPal, and transfer crypto in and out of PayPal.

Cost works through a spread. PayPal says it earns a spread built into the exchange rate on most crypto trades, and it shows the rate and fees before you confirm. It also advertises a possible 4% annual reward for holding PYUSD, noting the rate can change and terms apply.

PayPal's own disclosures are blunt, and worth reading: it cannot protect you from losses caused by market volatility, moving crypto on the blockchain is risky and can be delayed or lost, and your balances are not bank deposits. That honesty is good. The tradeoff is a short named coin list and no pro trading screen on the page we read, so this suits easy small purchases more than heavy trading.

Pros

• Buy inside an app many people already trust
• send crypto to other wallets
• PayPal shows the rate and fees before you confirm

Cons

• Spread is built into the rate rather than shown as a flat fee
• the page names only a short list of coins

7. Uphold

• Best for: Spreading money across crypto, stocks and metals
• Starting price: See website
• Free plan: Yes
• Website: uphold.com

Uphold lets you hold many kinds of assets in one account. Its US page lists 300+ cryptocurrencies, 4,000+ stocks and ETFs, gold and silver, and 27 currencies, and you can swap from one to another directly. It also offers staking, a debit card and a cash account that advertises up to 4% APY.

Be careful with that cash account. Uphold says it is not a bank and is not FDIC insured directly, and any coverage depends on pass-through conditions and is not guaranteed. Some features, including staking and lending against crypto, are marked as available only in certain markets, and Uphold says it takes a commission on staking without stating the amount.

The main page does not show trading fees or spreads. It points to a separate service fees page, so read that first. Uphold fits people who want variety in one place and are willing to do that homework, but it is not the first app we would give to a complete beginner.

Pros

• 300+ cryptocurrencies plus 4,000+ stocks and ETFs, metals and currencies
• swap between assets in one step
• lists SOC 2 Type 2, ISO/IEC 27001 and PCI DSS certifications

Cons

• Trading fees are not on the main page
• several features are limited by market

How we picked these

We looked at each company's own pages for fees, supported coins, features, security claims and US availability, and we left out anything we could not confirm. Where a fee schedule did not load or did not show percentages, we wrote See website instead of repeating a number from a review site. We did not make purchases or test these apps ourselves, so the notes on ease of use come from the features each company describes.

We favored apps that explain how they charge, let you move your crypto out, and publish security or compliance information. We also mixed well-known names with smaller or more specialized ones. Some popular sites blocked our page checks, so a few write-ups are thinner than we would like.

How to choose a crypto app

There is no single best app, because the cheapest option depends on how you buy. These points matter most.

Look at the total cost, not the headline

Fees come as trading fees, a spread built into the price, card or bank charges, and network fees when you withdraw. An app that says "no commission" can still earn through the spread. Compare the final amount of coin you receive for the same dollar amount across two apps, which is a fair test.

Check what you can do with your coins

Some apps let you withdraw to your own wallet, and some limit it to certain coins. If you plan to hold for years, being able to move coins out matters.

Use the pro screen for larger buys

On Coinbase, Kraken and Binance.US, the advanced or pro trading screen typically costs less than the one-tap buy. For larger purchases, learning it can pay for itself.

Protect your account

Turn on two-factor authentication with an authenticator app, use a unique password, and never share a recovery phrase with anyone.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best app to buy crypto for beginners?

Coinbase and PayPal are the two most familiar names for beginners, and both keep the first purchase simple. The price of that simplicity is a spread on the quoted rate. Once you are comfortable, compare the lower-cost trading screens at Kraken, Binance.US or Coinbase Advanced.

Which crypto app has the lowest fees?

On the pages we could read, Binance.US advertises the lowest starting trading fees at 0% maker and 0.02% taker. Real cost depends on the screen you use, your volume, the spread and any bank or card fee, so compare the final amount you receive before choosing.

Is it safe to buy crypto on an app?

Safe means two things, the company and the coin. A reputable regulated company reduces some risks, but it does not protect you from price drops, and crypto balances are generally not bank deposits. PayPal states plainly that it cannot protect you from losses caused by market volatility.

Can I buy crypto with a debit card or bank transfer?

Most apps support a bank transfer, and many accept debit cards, though card purchases tend to cost more. Binance.US lists free ACH transfers, and it also supports Apple Pay and wire. Check the payment methods and their fees in the app before you pay.

Do I have to pay taxes on crypto?

In the US, selling or spending crypto can be a taxable event, and PayPal notes that it provides 1099 forms when you sell if needed. Keep records of what you paid and when. For advice on your own situation, talk to a tax professional.

Can I move my crypto to my own wallet?

Some apps let you. PayPal and Robinhood both state that you can send crypto to outside wallets, and Binance.US notes on-chain withdrawal fees. Check the rules and network fees for each coin before you buy.

Sources

1. https://help.coinbase.com/en/coinbase/trading-and-funding/pricing-and-fees/fees
2. https://www.coinbase.com/blog/were-lowering-fees-for-many-active-traders-on-coinbase-advanced
3. https://www.coinbase.com/one
4. https://www.kraken.com/features/fee-schedule
5. https://www.kraken.com/
6. https://www.gemini.com/
7. https://www.gemini.com/fees
8. https://robinhood.com/us/en/crypto/
9. https://www.binance.us/
10. https://www.paypal.com/us/digital-wallet/manage-money/crypto
11. https://uphold.com/en-us