Best Low Fee Crypto Exchanges

Why Trading Fees Matter

Every trade you make costs money in fees. Over time, these fees compound significantly. On a $10,000 portfolio with weekly trades, the difference between a 0.5% and 0.1% fee exchange could save you $2,000+ annually.

Fee Types Explained

Understanding different fee types helps you choose wisely:

• Maker Fees: Charged when you add liquidity (limit orders)
• Taker Fees: Charged when you remove liquidity (market orders)
• Spread Costs: Hidden fees in buy/sell price differences
• Withdrawal Fees: Charged when moving crypto off the exchange
• Deposit Fees: Rare, but some charge for fiat deposits

Our Low-Fee Champions

1. Binance - The Volume King

Binance dominates the fee game with their 0.10% base fee, but the real savings come from:

• BNB Payments: 25% discount using Binance Coin
• VIP Levels: Up to 0.02% maker fees for high-volume traders
• Zero-Fee Pairs: Selected BTC pairs are completely free

I’ve saved over $3,000 in fees since switching to Binance for my high-frequency trading.

Fee Breakdown:

• Spot: 0.10% (0.075% with BNB)
• Futures: 0.02% maker / 0.05% taker
• Deposits: Free for crypto
• Withdrawals: Network-dependent

2. OKX - Best Maker Rates

OKX offers some of the lowest maker fees in the industry at 0.08%. For traders who primarily use limit orders, this is huge.

Fee Breakdown:

• Spot: 0.08% maker / 0.10% taker
• Futures: 0.02% maker / 0.05% taker
• OKB discounts available

3. Bybit - Zero Spot Maker Fees

Bybit’s killer feature is 0% maker fees on spot trading. If you’re patient with limit orders, you can trade for essentially free.

Fee Breakdown:

• Spot Maker: 0%
• Spot Taker: 0.10%
• Derivatives: Competitive rates
• Withdrawals: Standard network fees

4. KuCoin - Great for Altcoin Traders

KuCoin balances low fees with massive coin selection. Their KCS token offers up to 20% trading fee discounts.

Fee Breakdown:

• Spot: 0.10% (0.08% with KCS)
• Futures: Competitive
• 700+ coins available

Fee Comparison Table

Exchange	Maker Fee	Taker Fee	With Token Discount
Binance	0.10%	0.10%	0.075%
OKX	0.08%	0.10%	0.06%
Bybit	0%	0.10%	N/A
KuCoin	0.10%	0.10%	0.08%
Gate.io	0.20%	0.20%	0.15%

Pro Tips for Minimizing Fees

1. Use Limit Orders - Always maker, never taker
2. Hold Exchange Tokens - BNB, OKB, KCS for discounts
3. Check Withdrawal Fees - Some coins cost $20+ to withdraw
4. Time Your Withdrawals - Network fees vary by congestion
5. Batch Trades - Fewer trades = fewer fees

FAQ

Which exchange has the absolute lowest fees?

Bybit with 0% spot maker fees wins for limit orders. For market orders, Binance or OKX are cheapest.

Are there any truly free crypto exchanges?

No exchange is completely free. Watch for hidden spreads on “zero-fee” platforms.

Do fees affect long-term investors?

Less so than active traders, but withdrawal fees and spreads still matter.

Should I use the exchange’s token for discounts?

Yes, if you trade frequently. The savings outweigh the small investment.

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Last updated: January 2025. Fee structures change frequently - verify on exchange websites.