CoinJar vs Uphold — UK Comparison 2026
7.3/10
Aggregated ScoreVS
6.9/10
Aggregated ScoreComparing CoinJar and Uphold for UK traders in 2026. We break down fees, security, app scores, and user sentiment to help you choose the right exchange.
Our Pick
CoinJar
CoinJar edges ahead with a higher aggregated score (7.3 vs 6.9), making it our recommended pick for most UK traders. That said, both are reputable platforms — the right choice depends on your specific needs.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Metric | CoinJar | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| Our Score | 7.3 / 10 | 6.9 / 10 |
| Trustpilot Score | 7.2 | 6.8 |
| Reddit Sentiment | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| App Store Score | 8.0 | 7.8 |
| Google Play Score | 7.5 | 7.2 |
| Best For | UK beginners who want a simple, FCA-registered platform with fast GBP Faster Payments deposits and an easy-to-use app | UK users who want a single account to trade crypto, fiat currencies, precious metals, and commodities |
Feature Breakdown
CoinJar
Highlights
- FCA Registration: CoinJar UK Limited is listed on the FCA cryptoasset register, confirming it meets UK AML/KYC regulatory standards for crypto businesses.
- GBP Faster Payments: Supports instant GBP deposits via Faster Payments and GBP withdrawals, with no deposit fee — one of the most frictionless GBP on-ramps available to UK users.
- CoinJar Card: A Visa debit card that allows users to spend crypto directly for everyday purchases, with automatic conversion at point of sale.
- CoinJar Exchange: A professional trading interface with advanced charting, 200+ trading pairs, and a competitive maker/taker fee structure for experienced traders.
- Long-Established UK Presence: Operating in the UK since 2014 — one of the longest-running crypto exchanges available to UK users.
UK Considerations
- Limited Coin Selection: CoinJar supports 60+ cryptocurrencies — sufficient for major assets but fewer than most rivals, limiting options for altcoin traders.
- No Staking or Yield Products: CoinJar does not currently offer staking or earn/yield features, which may disappoint users looking to generate passive income from holdings.
- Smaller Global Footprint: Less well-known globally than Coinbase or Kraken, which may give some users pause despite its strong UK regulatory standing.
- UK Retail Derivatives Restriction: Derivatives and margin products are not available to UK retail users in line with FCA rules.
Uphold
Highlights
- FCA Registration: Uphold Europe Limited is listed on the FCA cryptoasset register, confirming compliance with UK AML/KYC regulatory requirements.
- Anything-to-Anything Trading: Unique trading model allowing direct swaps between crypto, fiat currencies, precious metals, and commodities — without needing to route through GBP first.
- 300+ Cryptocurrencies: One of the broader asset selections among FCA-registered UK exchanges, covering major coins, altcoins, and emerging tokens.
- On-Chain Staking: Staking available for 20+ assets with rewards paid to user accounts. Uphold also offers earn products for additional yield.
- Uphold Debit Card: Crypto-linked Visa debit card with up to £10,000 daily spending allowance and cashback on eligible purchases.
UK Considerations
- Spread-Based Fee Model: Uphold uses spreads (1.40%–2.95%) rather than explicit commissions. The effective cost is not always immediately obvious and can be higher than order-book exchanges for active or high-volume traders.
- No Order Book for Crypto-to-Crypto: Direct crypto-to-crypto swaps are executed at Uphold's quoted spread rather than against a live order book — less efficient for large trades.
- Customer Support: A recurring theme in negative reviews is slow response times from customer support, particularly for account verification and fund access queries.
- UK Retail Derivatives Restriction: Derivatives and margin products are not available to UK retail users in line with FCA rules.
- Spread Transparency: Users should check Uphold's live spread disclosure tools before trading, as spreads vary by asset pair and can widen in volatile conditions.
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose CoinJar if...
- •UK beginners who want a simple, FCA-registered platform with fast GBP Faster Payments deposits and an easy-to-use app
- •Casual traders who want a crypto debit card for everyday spending
- •Cost-conscious traders who will use the CoinJar Exchange for its competitive 0.20% maker/taker fees
- •Users who want a long-established, reliable UK exchange with a proven track record since 2014
Choose Uphold if...
- •UK users who want a single account to trade crypto, fiat currencies, precious metals, and commodities
- •Users seeking a broad asset selection (300+ cryptocurrencies) with on-chain staking for 20+ assets
- •Those who want a crypto debit card with daily spending up to £10,000 and cashback rewards
- •Traders who want to place multiple limit orders simultaneously without pre-funding
Score Breakdowns
CoinJar
Our Aggregated Score Breakdown
We combine ratings from multiple trusted sources to give you the most accurate picture
Trustpilot Rating7.2
Reddit Sentiment6.5
Google Play Score7.5
App Store Rating8.0
Uphold
Our Aggregated Score Breakdown
We combine ratings from multiple trusted sources to give you the most accurate picture
Trustpilot Rating6.8
Reddit Sentiment6.0
Google Play Score7.2
App Store Rating7.8
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