Which broker has cheaper trading costs, Exante or Kraken?

Exante is the cheaper option overall, with spreads starting from 0 pips versus Kraken's 0.2 pips, and commissions of $0.02/lot compared to Kraken's $0.16/lot. Kraken also charges a $1.5 withdrawal fee that Exante does not.

How much money do I need to start trading with Exante versus Kraken?

Exante requires a minimum deposit of $10,000, positioning it toward serious or well-capitalized traders. Kraken requires no minimum deposit at all, making it far more accessible to beginners or those trading with limited capital.

Which broker offers stronger regulatory protection, Exante or Kraken?

Exante is regulated by the FCA and CySEC, offering broad oversight across multiple asset classes. Kraken is regulated by the FCA and CFTC, which provides solid but more narrowly-focused oversight geared toward crypto trading.

What trading platforms are available on Exante and Kraken?

Both brokers offer proprietary web and mobile trading platforms. Neither supports third-party platforms such as MT4 or MT5, so traders relying on those ecosystems should factor this into their decision.

Can I trade forex and stocks on Kraken like I can with Exante?

No, Kraken is limited exclusively to crypto markets, while Exante offers six asset classes including stocks, forex, CFDs, crypto, indices, and commodities. Traders wanting diversified exposure beyond digital assets should choose Exante.

What leverage can I access with Exante compared to Kraken?

Exante offers leverage of up to 1:30, while Kraken caps its maximum leverage at 1:5. This makes Exante the more flexible option for traders using leveraged strategies, though higher leverage also carries increased risk.

Is it possible to hold trading accounts with both Exante and Kraken?

Yes, there's nothing stopping you from maintaining accounts at both brokers simultaneously. Many traders diversify across platforms, using Exante for multi-asset trading and Kraken for dedicated crypto exposure.

Which broker is more suitable for complete beginners?

Kraken is generally more beginner-friendly due to its $0 minimum deposit requirement, allowing new traders to start with minimal financial commitment. Exante's $10,000 minimum deposit makes it better suited to experienced or well-funded traders.

Does either broker charge fees for deposits or withdrawals?

Neither broker charges a deposit fee. However, Kraken applies a $1.5 withdrawal fee, while Exante charges no withdrawal fees at all, giving it a slight edge in overall cost transparency.

Reviewed by Experts Updated 8/26/2026

Exante vs Kraken: Which Broker Wins in 2026?

Q: Is Exante a better overall broker than Kraken?

Yes, based on our independent rating system, Exante scores 3.6/5 compared to Kraken's 3.4/5. Exante wins out due to tighter spreads, lower commissions, broader market access, and higher leverage, though Kraken's zero minimum deposit makes it more accessible for beginners.

Exante and Kraken both offer proprietary trading platforms, but they cater to very different traders. Our research gives Exante the edge overall with a 3.6/5 rating against Kraken's 3.4/5, thanks to tighter spreads and broader market access.

OVERALL WINNER

Exante

3.6 / 5Score: 3 / 5

Institutional-grade multi-asset trading with razor-thin spreads and top-tier regulatory oversight.

Min deposit: $10000
Max leverage: 1:30
Spread from: 0 pips
Regulators: FCA, CySEC

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Kraken

3.4 / 5Score: 2 / 5

A zero-minimum-deposit crypto exchange built for accessibility over versatility.

Min deposit: $0
Max leverage: 1:5
Spread from: 0.2 pips
Regulators: FCA, CFTC

Visit Broker

Overall Winner

Exante

Best for Beginners

Kraken

Lowest Fees

Exante

Top Regulation

Exante

Full comparison Fees & Accounts Pros & cons Verdict Summary FAQ

Side-by-side comparison

Core features compared head-to-head.

Feature	E Exante	K Kraken
Overview
Rating	3.6 / 5	3.4 / 5
Founded	2011	2011
Headquarters	Valletta, Malta	San Francisco, USA
Regulation	FCA, CySEC	FCA, CFTC
Fees & Limits
Min Deposit	$10000	$0
Spreads From	0 pips	0.2 pips
Commission	$0.02/lot	$0.16/lot
Max Leverage	1:30	1:5
Platforms & Markets
Trading Platforms	Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile	Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile
Markets Offered	Stocks, Forex, Cfd, Crypto, Indices, Commodities	Crypto

Pros & cons

Exante

Pros

Higher overall rating of 3.6/5 compared to Kraken
Significantly tighter spreads starting from 0 pips
Lower commission structure at $0.02/lot
Access to six distinct market types for portfolio diversification
Higher maximum leverage of up to 1:30
Strong dual regulatory oversight from FCA and CySEC
No withdrawal fees unlike its competitor

Cons

High minimum deposit of $10,000 excludes many retail beginners
No support for third-party platforms like MT4 or MT5
Leverage still capped lower than some offshore competitors
Proprietary-only platform ecosystem may limit customization for advanced traders

Kraken

Pros

No minimum deposit makes it highly accessible for beginners
Regulatory coverage from both FCA and CFTC
Simple proprietary platforms for web and mobile trading
Long-standing presence in the crypto exchange space since 2011
No deposit fees charged on funding accounts

Cons

Wider spreads starting at 0.2 pips versus competitors
Higher commission cost at $0.16/lot
Limited to crypto markets only, with no stocks, forex, or commodities
Lower maximum leverage capped at 1:5
Charges a $1.5 withdrawal fee unlike some competitors

Our expert verdict

Editor's verdict

Overall winner Exante

Lowest fees Exante

Best regulation Exante

Better for beginners Kraken

Exante is our top pick in this matchup, earning a 3.6/5 overall rating compared to Kraken's 3.4/5. Exante wins on spreads, leverage, and market diversity, while Kraken's only real advantage is its $0 minimum deposit, making it more accessible for beginners with limited capital. For traders who can meet Exante's higher entry threshold, it delivers a stronger all-around package.

Regulation & Safety

Both brokers carry credible regulatory backing, but the scope differs. Exante is regulated by the FCA and CySEC, two well-respected authorities known for strict capital adequacy and client fund segregation rules.

Kraken is regulated by the FCA and CFTC, giving it solid oversight primarily geared toward its crypto-exchange origins in the United States. This makes Kraken a trustworthy choice for crypto-only traders, but its regulatory footprint is narrower than Exante's multi-asset compliance framework.

For traders prioritizing broad regulatory assurance across asset classes, Exante's combination of FCA and CySEC licensing edges out Kraken's more specialized coverage.

Fees, Spreads & Commissions

Cost efficiency is where Exante clearly separates itself. Exante offers spreads starting from 0 pips, while Kraken's spreads begin at 0.2 pips, a meaningful difference for active or high-frequency traders.

On commissions, Exante charges $0.02/lot compared to Kraken's $0.16/lot, making Exante roughly eight times cheaper per lot traded. Neither broker charges a deposit fee, but Kraken does apply a $1.5 withdrawal fee, whereas Exante charges none.

For cost-conscious traders executing frequent trades, Exante's fee structure adds up to significant long-term savings, especially for those trading larger volumes.

Minimum Deposit & Accessibility

This is the one category where Kraken firmly outperforms Exante. Kraken requires no minimum deposit at all, making it instantly accessible to beginners or those testing strategies with small amounts of capital.

Exante, by contrast, requires a substantial $10,000 minimum deposit. This positions Exante more firmly as a platform for serious, well-capitalized traders and institutional-style investors rather than casual retail beginners.

If affordability and low barriers to entry are your top priority, Kraken is the more practical starting point despite its other limitations.

Market Range & Trading Products

Exante offers considerably broader market access, covering Stocks, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Indices, and Commodities — six distinct asset classes in total. This makes it a genuine one-stop-shop for diversified portfolio building.

Kraken remains focused exclusively on Crypto, reflecting its identity as a crypto-native exchange rather than a full-service multi-asset broker.

Traders wanting exposure beyond digital assets will find Exante far more versatile, while crypto-only traders may not view Kraken's narrow focus as a drawback at all.

Platforms & Leverage

Both brokers offer Proprietary Web and Proprietary Mobile platforms, so the trading interface experience is comparable on paper. Neither supports third-party platforms like MT4 or MT5, which may disappoint traders seeking advanced charting integrations.

Leverage differs substantially: Exante offers up to 1:30, while Kraken caps out at 1:5. This gives Exante traders considerably more flexibility for leveraged strategies, particularly in forex and CFD markets.

Higher leverage does carry increased risk, so traders should weigh Exante's flexibility against their own risk management discipline.

Our Verdict

Exante is the stronger overall broker, backed by a higher 3.6/5 rating, tighter spreads, lower commissions, broader market access, and higher leverage ceilings. It's best suited for well-capitalized traders who want a genuine multi-asset trading experience under solid regulatory oversight.

Kraken remains a sensible choice for beginners or crypto-focused traders who want to start with zero capital commitment, but its narrow crypto-only market range and higher trading costs limit its appeal for diversified investors.

Ultimately, unless the $10,000 minimum deposit is a dealbreaker, Exante offers the stronger all-around package for most serious traders in 2026.

Verdict summary

The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.

Editor's verdict

Exante wins overall

Exante edges out Kraken overall based on our expert rating score.

Highest Rated

Exante

3.6 / 5 / 5

Visit Exante

Category winners

Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (3.6/5).
Exante
Better for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
Kraken
Lower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
Exante
Stronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
Exante

Frequently asked questions

Risk warning: Trading CFDs and forex involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.