Coinbase Alternatives UK

1. Revolut

FCA: Authorised

8.9/10

Aggregated Score

Revolut is a compelling Coinbase alternative for UK users who want crypto exposure within an app they already use for everyday banking. As a fully FCA-authorised financial institution, Revolut offers a level of regulatory oversight that goes beyond the basic cryptoasset registration most exchanges hold. Buying and selling crypto is seamlessly integrated into the Revolut app alongside your GBP account, making it incredibly easy to move money in and out of crypto positions. The onboarding process is virtually instant if you already have a Revolut account, and the user interface is clean and intuitive — arguably simpler than Coinbase's own app. Revolut also offers competitive fees on its paid plans, with Metal subscribers getting fee-free crypto trading up to a monthly limit. For users who simply want to buy, hold, and sell popular cryptocurrencies without dealing with the complexity of a dedicated crypto exchange, Revolut is hard to beat. However, it's important to note that Revolut treats crypto more like a traditional investment product than a full crypto platform.

2. Bitpanda

FCA: Registered

7.6/10

Aggregated Score

Bitpanda is an excellent Coinbase alternative for UK users who want access to a massive selection of cryptocurrencies wrapped in a clean, modern interface. With over 650 cryptoassets available, Bitpanda dwarfs Coinbase's selection and is one of the most comprehensive platforms accessible to UK users. The platform is FCA-registered and has built a strong reputation across Europe since its founding in Vienna in 2014. One of Bitpanda's standout features is its auto-invest functionality, which lets you set up recurring purchases on a schedule — perfect for pound-cost averaging into your favourite cryptocurrencies without having to manually place orders. The platform also offers fractional investing in stocks, ETFs, and precious metals, making it a versatile investment app beyond just crypto. Bitpanda's interface is notably clean and well-designed, striking a good balance between simplicity for beginners and depth for more experienced users. Fee-wise, Bitpanda charges a premium of around 1.49% on standard trades, which is comparable to Coinbase's simple buy fees. However, Bitpanda Pro offers significantly lower fees for higher-volume traders, making it competitive on cost when you move beyond the basic interface.

3. eToro

FCA: Authorised

7.6/10

Aggregated Score

eToro stands out as a Coinbase alternative for UK users who want to trade crypto alongside traditional assets like stocks and ETFs. As a fully FCA-authorised platform, eToro offers FSCS protection of up to £85,000 on non-crypto assets — a safety net that no pure crypto exchange can provide. The platform's signature feature is social trading, which lets you follow and automatically copy the trades of successful investors. This is particularly valuable for crypto newcomers who want to learn from experienced traders rather than making decisions in isolation. eToro supports around 100 cryptocurrencies and offers a clean, modern interface that many users find more intuitive than Coinbase. The platform uses a spread-based fee model rather than explicit commissions, which means costs are built into the price you see. While this can make fee comparison less straightforward, eToro's overall costs are generally competitive with Coinbase's simple buy fees. For UK users looking to build a diversified portfolio that includes both crypto and traditional assets, eToro offers a convenience that specialised crypto exchanges simply cannot match.

4. Gemini

FCA: Registered

7.3/10

Aggregated Score

Gemini is the go-to Coinbase alternative for UK users who prioritise security above all else. Founded by the Winklevoss twins, Gemini has built its reputation on institutional-grade security practices, including SOC 2 Type 2 certification — an independent audit standard that verifies the platform's security controls. Gemini also publishes regular Proof of Reserves attestations, giving users verifiable assurance that their funds are fully backed. The platform offers both a simple buy interface for beginners and Gemini ActiveTrader for more experienced users, with ActiveTrader offering significantly lower fees starting at 0.2% maker and 0.4% taker. Gemini supports around 70 cryptocurrencies, which is fewer than Coinbase but covers all major assets. The platform's Gemini Earn programme allows users to earn interest on their crypto holdings, though availability varies by asset and region. For UK users, Gemini is FCA-registered and supports GBP deposits via Faster Payments. While the simple buy interface carries fees comparable to Coinbase, the combination of industry-leading security credentials and competitive ActiveTrader fees makes Gemini a strong choice for users who want peace of mind without paying a premium for it.

5. Kraken

FCA: Registered

7.3/10

Aggregated Score

Kraken is arguably the strongest Coinbase alternative for UK users who care about keeping trading costs low. Through Kraken Pro, you can access maker/taker fees starting at just 0.16% and 0.26% respectively — a fraction of what Coinbase charges on its simple buy interface. Kraken holds dual FCA registration as both a cryptoasset business and an Electronic Money Institution (EMI), which gives it a regulatory standing that few competitors can match. The platform supports over 200 cryptocurrencies with direct GBP trading pairs, and deposits via Faster Payments are free and typically arrive within minutes. Kraken's security track record is exemplary — it has never suffered a major hack since launching in 2011, and it publishes regular Proof of Reserves audits. For more advanced traders, Kraken offers futures trading, margin trading, and a comprehensive suite of order types. The platform also provides staking services for a range of proof-of-stake cryptocurrencies. While the Kraken Pro interface has a steeper learning curve than Coinbase's simple buy screen, the fee savings make it well worth the adjustment period for anyone trading regularly.

6. CoinJar

FCA: Registered

7.3/10

Aggregated Score

CoinJar is a Coinbase alternative that UK users should consider if they value simplicity and a genuinely beginner-friendly experience. Originally founded in Australia in 2013, CoinJar has established a strong presence in the UK market with full FCA registration and a platform designed from the ground up for ease of use. The interface is remarkably clean and uncluttered, making it one of the least intimidating exchanges for someone buying crypto for the first time. CoinJar supports GBP deposits via Faster Payments with no deposit fees, and the minimum trade amount is just £5 — one of the lowest in the industry. The platform offers a CoinJar Card, a Mastercard-powered crypto debit card that lets you spend your crypto holdings at any retailer that accepts Mastercard, with automatic conversion at the point of sale. Trading fees on CoinJar are competitive at 1% for instant buy/sell, which undercuts Coinbase's simple buy fees. For more active traders, CoinJar Exchange offers lower maker/taker fees. While CoinJar's cryptocurrency selection is smaller than Coinbase's and it lacks some advanced features like futures trading, its focus on simplicity and UK-friendly features makes it an appealing alternative for everyday crypto users.

7. CEX.IO

FCA: Registered

7.2/10

Aggregated Score

CEX.IO is a long-established Coinbase alternative that brings over a decade of experience to UK crypto users. Founded in 2013 as a cloud mining provider before pivoting to become a full-service exchange, CEX.IO has built a track record of reliability that few platforms can match. The exchange is FCA-registered and supports over 190 cryptocurrencies, giving UK users access to a broad range of assets with GBP trading pairs. CEX.IO offers multiple trading modes to suit different experience levels — from an instant buy feature for beginners to an advanced trading terminal with comprehensive charting tools and order types. The platform's staking service is a notable strength, offering competitive rewards on a range of proof-of-stake assets without requiring users to manage any technical infrastructure. CEX.IO also provides a crypto savings product and a lending service, making it a relatively full-featured platform. Fee-wise, CEX.IO's instant buy carries fees that can be higher than Coinbase, but its spot trading fees are more competitive, starting at 0.15% maker and 0.25% taker for higher-volume traders. For UK users who value a proven track record and want a platform that has weathered multiple market cycles, CEX.IO is a solid and dependable choice.