WhichBrokerHead to head · data verified October 2026
Coinbase vs OKX
A close call — 0.1 points apart. The winner depends on what you trade.
Pillar scores
Side by side
| Criterion | Coinbase | OKX |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.4 | 8.3 |
| Founded | 2012 | 2017 |
| Regulation | FCA (UK): e-money institution and cryptoasset registration, FRN 900635; MiFID investment firm, FRN 1045733, US state licences, MiCA (EU) | VARA (Dubai), MiCA (EU, via OKX Europe) |
| Min. deposit | No stated account minimum; US stocks from £1 | $1 equivalent |
| Fees | Simple buy/sell: a spread in the quoted price plus a Coinbase fee shown on the preview screen, with no fixed published UK rate; Coinbase Advanced: maker/taker by 30-day volume, no spread (reported as 0.25%/0.50% at entry tier for the UK from 16 Sept 2026); Coinbase One subscription removes simple-trade fees up to a monthly limit; 35% commission on standard staking rewards | Spot 0.08%/0.1% maker/taker; derivatives from 0.02%/0.05% |
| Platforms | Coinbase app (iOS, Android) and web, Coinbase Advanced, Coinbase API, Base App (self-custody wallet) | OKX web & app, OKX Wallet (Web3), OKX API |
| Markets | Hundreds of cryptoassets, staking, USDC rewards; for UK users also nearly 4,000 US stocks (rolling out since Aug 2026) and a ClearBank-held GBP savings account; derivatives for professional clients only | 300+ cryptocurrencies, perpetuals, options, DEX access, earn |
| Demo account | No | Yes |
| Best for | First-time crypto buyers, UK users wanting a listed, FCA-registered exchange, Crypto and US stocks in one app | Web3 users, Derivatives traders |
Our verdict
Choose Coinbase if you want first-time crypto buyers · uk users wanting a listed, fca-registered exchange · crypto and us stocks in one app — its standout pillar in our scoring is trust & regulation.
Choose OKX if you want web3 users · derivatives traders.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Coinbase or OKX?
It's close: Coinbase scores 8.4/10 and OKX 8.3/10 in our methodology. The right choice depends on your profile — Coinbase is strongest for first-time crypto buyers, while OKX leads for web3 users.
Is Coinbase safe?
Coinbase is overseen by FCA (UK): e-money institution and cryptoasset registration, FRN 900635; MiFID investment firm, FRN 1045733, US state licences, MiCA (EU). Our trust score for it is 9.2/10 — see the full Coinbase review for the reasoning.
Is OKX safe?
OKX is overseen by VARA (Dubai), MiCA (EU, via OKX Europe). Our trust score for it is 7.3/10 — see the full OKX review for the reasoning.