S
Stake
3.4 / 5Score: 3 / 3
Zero-commission stock trading with tight spreads and dual tier-1 regulation.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:1
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- ASIC, FCA
Reviewed by Experts Updated 9/7/2026
Stake vs Kraken: Which Platform Wins in 2026?
Stake and Kraken serve very different markets — stocks versus crypto — but both compete for traders seeking low-cost access. Our independent research puts Stake marginally ahead overall, thanks to tighter spreads and a stronger regulatory footprint. Here's the full breakdown.
K
Kraken
3.4 / 5Score: 0 / 3
An established crypto exchange offering higher leverage for active digital asset traders.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:5
- Spread from
- 0.2 pips
- Regulators
- FCA, CFTC
Our #1 Pick Right Now: AvaTrade
Same category, top-tier regulation, and it's currently accepting new traders.
See What Makes It Different Overall Winner
Stake
Best for Beginners
Stake
Lowest Fees
Stake
Top Regulation
Stake
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | S Stake | K Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 3.4 / 5 | 3.4 / 5 |
| Founded | 2017 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | San Francisco, USA |
| Regulation | ASIC, FCA | FCA, CFTC |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0.2 pips |
| Commission | None | $0.16/lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:1 | 1:5 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile |
| Markets Offered | Stocks | Crypto |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
Stake
$0
Kraken
$0
Spreads From
Stake
0 pips
Kraken
0.2 pips
Commission
Stake
None
Kraken
$0.16/lot
Deposit Fees
Stake
None
Kraken
None
Withdrawal Fees
Stake
None
Kraken
$1.5
Pros & cons
S
Stake
Pros
- Higher overall rating at 3.4/5 compared to Kraken
- Tighter spreads starting from 0 pips
- No per-trade commission charged on stock trades
- Completely free withdrawals with no hidden fees
- Backed by dual tier-1 regulators (ASIC and FCA)
- No minimum deposit required to get started
Cons
- Maximum leverage capped at just 1:1, limiting amplified exposure
- Market access limited primarily to stocks, no crypto trading
- Newer company history, founded in 2017
- Proprietary-only platform with no MetaTrader support
K
Kraken
Pros
- Higher available leverage at up to 1:5
- More established company history dating back to 2011
- Regulated across two credible jurisdictions (FCA, CFTC)
- No minimum deposit required to open an account
- Dedicated focus on crypto asset trading
- No fees charged on deposits
Cons
- Lower overall rating at 3.4/5 versus Stake
- Wider spreads starting from 0.2 pips
- Additional commission of $0.16/lot on trades
- Withdrawal fee of $1.5 applies to fund transfers
- No stock market access, crypto-only focus
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner Stake
Lowest fees Stake
Best regulation Stake
Better for beginners Stake
Stake edges out Kraken on our independent rating, 3.44/5 versus 3.37/5, largely on the back of zero-commission stock trading and tighter effective spreads. Kraken still holds appeal for crypto-focused traders who want higher leverage and a longer operating track record. For most everyday investors prioritizing low costs and dual-jurisdiction regulation, Stake is the stronger all-round pick.
Regulation & Safety
Stake is regulated by both ASIC and the FCA, giving it dual tier-1 oversight across Australia and the UK. This dual licensing structure gives conservative traders added confidence that client funds and business conduct are held to strict standards.
Kraken, meanwhile, is regulated by the FCA and CFTC, covering UK oversight plus US commodities regulation. Both platforms carry credible tier-1 regulatory backing, but Stake's ASIC/FCA combination scores marginally higher in our proprietary rating framework.
Neither broker has a glaring safety red flag, so the decision here often comes down to which jurisdictions matter most to you as a trader.
Fees, Spreads & Commissions
This is where Stake pulls ahead most clearly. Stake advertises spreads from 0 pips and charges no per-trade commission at all, making it a genuinely low-cost entry point for stock traders.
Kraken's spreads start from 0.2 pips, and it layers on a commission of $0.16/lot on top of that. For high-frequency or high-volume traders, this difference compounds quickly over time.
Withdrawal costs also favor Stake, which charges nothing to withdraw funds, whereas Kraken applies a $1.5 withdrawal fee. Neither broker charges a deposit fee, so funding an account is free either way.
Markets & Leverage
Stake is built primarily around stock trading, offering exposure to equities with a maximum leverage of 1:1 — meaning no leveraged risk amplification for most positions.
Kraken is a crypto-first platform, offering leverage up to 1:5 for traders who want to amplify their exposure to digital assets. This makes Kraken the more natural home for active crypto traders chasing leveraged positions.
If your priority is straightforward equity investing, Stake's market focus aligns better. If you want leveraged crypto exposure, Kraken's higher leverage ceiling is the more relevant feature.
Platforms & Usability
Both brokers rely on proprietary technology rather than third-party platforms like MetaTrader. Stake offers a Proprietary Web platform and a Proprietary Mobile app, while Kraken mirrors this exact structure with its own Proprietary Web and Proprietary Mobile offerings.
Since both platforms are custom-built in-house, the user experience differences come down to interface design and asset-specific tools rather than platform variety.
Neither broker supports third-party platform integrations, so traders wanting MetaTrader 4/5 compatibility will need to look elsewhere regardless of which of these two they choose.
Company Background & Track Record
Kraken has the longer operating history, founded in 2011 and headquartered in San Francisco, USA — giving it over a decade of continuous operation in the volatile crypto space.
Stake is comparatively newer, founded in 2017 and headquartered in Sydney, Australia, but has still built a solid reputation within the stock trading niche in a shorter timeframe.
Longevity matters for trust-building, and Kraken's extended track record through multiple crypto market cycles is a genuine point in its favor, even though Stake wins on our broader scoring criteria.
Our Verdict
Stake scores 3.44/5 on our independent rating versus Kraken's 3.37/5, driven mainly by lower trading costs and a slightly stronger regulatory profile. For cost-conscious stock traders, Stake is the clear winner.
Kraken remains a solid, viable option for traders whose priority is crypto market access, higher leverage, or an established operating history dating back to 2011.
Ultimately, the two brokers serve different core markets, so the 'better' choice depends heavily on whether you're trading stocks or crypto in the first place.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
Stake wins overall
Stake edges out Kraken overall based on our expert rating score.
S
Highest Rated
Stake
3.4 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (3.4/5).
StakeBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
StakeLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
StakeStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
Stake
Frequently asked questions
According to our independent rating system, Stake edges out Kraken with a score of 3.4/5 compared to Kraken's 3.4/5 in our detailed breakdown, driven by lower fees and a stronger regulatory profile. That said, the right choice depends on whether you're trading stocks or crypto, since the two brokers serve fundamentally different markets.
Stake is the lower-cost option, with spreads starting from 0 pips and no per-trade commission at all. Kraken starts spreads from 0.2 pips and adds a commission of $0.16/lot, plus a $1.5 withdrawal fee that Stake doesn't charge.
Neither broker requires a minimum deposit to get started — both Stake and Kraken list a $0 minimum deposit requirement, making them accessible entry points for new traders regardless of starting capital.
Stake is regulated by ASIC and the FCA, while Kraken is regulated by the FCA and CFTC. Both hold credible tier-1 regulatory licensing, though Stake's dual ASIC/FCA combination scores slightly higher in our proprietary safety assessment.
Both brokers rely on in-house technology rather than third-party software. Stake offers a Proprietary Web platform and Proprietary Mobile app, and Kraken offers the identical structure with its own Proprietary Web and Proprietary Mobile apps.
Not on a single platform — Stake focuses specifically on stock market access, while Kraken is dedicated to crypto asset trading. Many traders choose to hold accounts at both brokers simultaneously to cover both asset classes.
Kraken offers higher maximum leverage at up to 1:5, appealing to active crypto traders who want amplified exposure. Stake caps leverage at 1:1, reflecting its more conservative, equity-focused trading model.
Yes, there's nothing stopping you from holding accounts at both brokers simultaneously. In fact, many traders diversify across platforms specifically to access Stake's stock offerings alongside Kraken's crypto markets.
Kraken has the longer track record, founded in 2011 in San Francisco, compared to Stake, which was founded in 2017 in Sydney, Australia. Kraken's decade-plus history through multiple crypto cycles is a notable trust factor for traders who value longevity.
Neither broker charges deposit fees. However, withdrawal costs differ: Stake offers completely free withdrawals, while Kraken applies a $1.5 fee per withdrawal, making Stake the cheaper option for moving funds out of your account.
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.