Crypto Exchange Fees Compared UK: What You'll Actually Pay (2026)
Crypto exchange fees in the UK vary wildly, from 0% to over 3%, depending on the platform, payment method, and whether you know where to look. The biggest mistake beginners make is using the default “simple buy” interface and paying 5–10x more than they need to.
This page breaks down the true cost of buying crypto on every major UK exchange, including the hidden spreads and payment fees that don't always show up at checkout.
The cheapest way to buy crypto in the UK is almost always: bank transfer (Faster Payments) + order-book trading. Avoid card purchases wherever possible.
Fee Comparison: All UK Exchanges
Trading Fees (Order-Book / Pro Interfaces)
| Exchange | Maker | Taker | Score | FCA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revolut X | 0.00% | 0.09% | 8.9/10 | |
| OKX | 0.08% | 0.10% | 6.6/10 | |
| CoinJar Exchange | 0.10% | 0.10% | 7.2/10 | |
| CEX.IO | 0.15% | 0.25% | 7.1/10 | |
| Kraken Pro | 0.25% | 0.40% | 7.7/10 | |
| Bitstamp | 0.30% | 0.40% | 6.2/10 | |
| Coinbase Advanced | 0.40% | 0.60% | 8.0/10 |
What's maker vs taker? If you place a limit order (setting your own price), you're a “maker” and pay the lower fee. If you buy at market price, you're a “taker” and pay the higher fee. As a beginner, you'll mostly be a taker, so the taker column matters most.
Simple Buy / Instant Buy Fees
These are the fees you'll pay using each exchange's default, beginner-friendly interface. This is what most newcomers actually pay, and it's significantly more expensive.
| Exchange | Simple Buy Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Revolut (Standard) | 1.49%–1.99% | Premium/Metal plans reduce fees |
| Uphold | 1.40%–2.95% spread | No order book alternative |
| Coinbase Simple Buy | ~1.5% spread + 0.60% | Switch to Advanced to save |
| eToro | 1.0% commission | Separate commission since July 2025 (was a spread) |
| Kraken Instant Buy | 1.0% + spread | Use Kraken Pro instead |
| CoinJar App | 1.0% | Use CoinJar Exchange instead |
| Bitpanda | 0.99%–2.49% spread | Tiered by asset; Fusion ~0.25%/side |
| Crypto.com | Varies | Card buy: 2.99% |
⚠️ The pattern is clear: Every exchange charges 2–10x more on their simple/instant buy interface compared to their order-book platform. The single biggest fee saving you can make is switching to the advanced/pro version, which is free on every platform.
Deposit & Withdrawal Fees
How much it costs to get GBP in and out
| Exchange | GBP Deposit (FPS) | GBP Withdrawal | Card Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revolut | Free (in-app) | Free (in-app) | N/A |
| Coinbase | Free | Free | 3.99% |
| Kraken | Free (some methods) | £1.95 | N/A |
| CoinJar | Free | Fee applies | N/A |
| CEX.IO | Supported | ~£2.99 | ~2.99% |
| Bitstamp | Free | ~£2.00 (FPS) | 4% |
| eToro | Free | $5 (waived for GBP) | N/A |
| Bitpanda | Supported | Fee applies | N/A |
| Crypto.com | Supported | £1.90 (£70 min) | 2.99% |
| OKX | No direct GBP | No direct GBP | 3–5% via MoonPay/Banxa |
Key takeaway: Always deposit via Faster Payments (bank transfer). Card deposits add 2–5% on top of trading fees. On a £1,000 purchase, that's £20–£50 wasted.
Real-World Cost Examples
What you'd actually pay to buy £500 of Bitcoin on each platform:
Using Order-Book / Pro Interface (Cheapest)
| Exchange | Trading Fee | Deposit Fee | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revolut X | £0.45 (0.09% taker) | Free | £0.45 |
| CoinJar Exchange | £0.50 (0.10% taker) | Free | £0.50 |
| CEX.IO | £1.25 (0.25% taker) | Free | £1.25 |
| Kraken Pro | £2.00 (0.40% taker) | Free | £2.00 |
| Bitstamp | £2.00 (0.40% taker) | Free | £2.00 |
| Coinbase Advanced | £3.00 (0.60% taker) | Free | £3.00 |
Using Simple / Instant Buy (What Most Beginners Pay)
| Exchange | Effective Cost | Deposit Fee | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| eToro | ~£5.00 (1% commission) | Free | ~£5.00 |
| CoinJar App | ~£5.00 (1% fee) | Free | ~£5.00 |
| Kraken Instant | ~£7.50+ (1% + spread) | Free | ~£7.50+ |
| Revolut Standard | ~£7.50–£10 (1.5–2%) | Free | ~£7.50–£10 |
| Coinbase Simple | ~£10+ (~1.5% + 0.60%) | Free | ~£10+ |
| Uphold | ~£7–£15 (1.4–2.95%) | Free | ~£7–£15 |
The difference is dramatic. Buying £500 of Bitcoin on Revolut X costs £0.45. Using Coinbase Simple Buy costs ~£10+. Same crypto, same amount, 20x the fee.
Hidden Fees to Watch For
Spreads: The difference between the buy and sell price. Some exchanges (Uphold, eToro, Bitpanda) embed their fee entirely in the spread, making it invisible at checkout. Always compare the exchange rate against the mid-market rate on CoinGecko or CoinMarketCap.
Card surcharges: Buying crypto with a debit card typically adds 2–5% on top of trading fees. Always use a bank transfer (Faster Payments) instead.
Withdrawal fees: Some exchanges charge to withdraw GBP back to your bank. Kraken charges £1.95, Crypto.com charges £1.90 (with a £70 minimum). Revolut and Coinbase are free.
Inactivity fees: eToro charges $10/month after 12 months of no login. Most other exchanges don't charge inactivity fees.
Crypto withdrawal (network) fees: Moving crypto off-exchange to a wallet costs a network fee, which varies by blockchain. Bitcoin withdrawals can cost £1–£10+; Ethereum fees vary with network congestion.
Our Recommendation
For UK beginners, the best fee strategy is:
- Deposit GBP via Faster Payments (free on most exchanges)
- Use the order-book / pro interface to place your trade (save 50–90% vs simple buy)
- Avoid card purchases (2–5% surcharge)
If you want the absolute cheapest option with FCA registration: Revolut X (0% maker, 0.09% taker) or CoinJar Exchange (0.10%/0.10%).
If trust and ease of use matter more than saving a few pounds: Coinbase Advanced (0.05%/0.60%) gives you S&P 500 security with competitive fees. Just avoid Simple Buy.