WhichBrokerHead to head · data verified August 2026
Kraken vs OKX
Kraken wins our overall scoring by 0.5 points, but OKX still takes specific profiles.
Pillar scores
KrakenOKX
FeesOKX
PlatformsTie
Trust & regulationKraken
Market rangeOKX
SupportKraken
Side by side
| Criterion | Kraken | OKX |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.8 | 8.3 |
| Founded | 2011 | 2017 |
| Regulation | US state licenses, FCA (UK, registered), MiCA (EU) | VARA (Dubai), MiCA (EU, via OKX Europe) |
| Min. deposit | $1 equivalent | $1 equivalent |
| Fees | Kraken Pro: 0.16%/0.26% maker/taker, dropping with volume; instant-buy pricier | Spot 0.08%/0.1% maker/taker; derivatives from 0.02%/0.05% |
| Platforms | Kraken web & app, Kraken Pro, Kraken API | OKX web & app, OKX Wallet (Web3), OKX API |
| Markets | 200+ cryptocurrencies, margin, futures (where permitted), staking | 300+ cryptocurrencies, perpetuals, options, DEX access, earn |
| Demo account | No | Yes |
| Best for | Security-conscious holders, US & EU users | Web3 users, Derivatives traders |
Our verdict
Choose Kraken if you want security-conscious holders · us & eu users — its standout pillar in our scoring is trust & regulation.
Choose OKX if you want web3 users · derivatives traders.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Kraken or OKX?
Kraken scores higher overall in our methodology (8.8 vs 8.3). OKX can still be the better pick for web3 users.
Is Kraken safe?
Kraken is overseen by US state licenses, FCA (UK, registered), MiCA (EU). Our trust score for it is 9.5/10 — see the full Kraken 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.