eToro vs Kraken — UK Comparison 2026
7.6/10
Aggregated ScoreVS
7.3/10
Aggregated ScoreComparing eToro and Kraken for UK traders in 2026. We break down fees, security, app scores, and user sentiment to help you choose the right exchange.
Our Pick
eToro
eToro edges ahead with a higher aggregated score (7.6 vs 7.3), 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 | eToro | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Our Score | 7.6 / 10 | 7.3 / 10 |
| Trustpilot Score | 8.4 | 5.2 |
| Reddit Sentiment | 5.5 | 7.0 |
| App Store Score | 8.2 | 9.4 |
| Google Play Score | 8.0 | 9.0 |
| Best For | Beginners who want to learn by copying experienced traders | Active traders who will use Kraken Pro for competitive maker/taker fees rather than defaulting to Instant Buy/Sell |
Feature Breakdown
eToro
Highlights
- CopyTrader: Automatically copy the trades of top-performing investors with one click.
- Multi-Asset Platform: Trade 100+ cryptocurrencies alongside stocks, ETFs, and commodities in one account.
- FCA Authorised: Fully authorised by the FCA (eToro UK Ltd, FRN 583263) with FSCS protection for non-crypto assets.
- Social Trading: Community features including discussion feeds, sentiment analysis, and shared portfolios.
- Publicly Traded: Listed on NASDAQ (ETOR) since 2025, adding transparency and institutional accountability.
UK Considerations
- High Crypto Fees: 1% spread on buys is significantly higher than specialist exchanges like Kraken (0.25%) or CEX.IO (0.25%).
- Inactivity Fee: $10/month charged after 12 months of no login — catches occasional investors off guard.
- Limited Crypto Features: No staking, no DeFi wallet, no advanced order types for crypto positions.
- Spread Variability: Crypto spreads can widen during volatile markets, increasing costs unpredictably.
- Withdrawal Fees: $5 withdrawal fee (waived for GBP/EUR) and $50 minimum withdrawal amount.
Kraken
Highlights
- FCA Registered (Dual): Kraken holds FCA registration as a cryptoasset business under the Money Laundering Regulations and FCA authorisation as an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) — one of the stronger UK regulatory footprints among crypto exchanges.
- Kraken Pro Order-Book Trading: Full maker/taker fee schedule with tiered pricing starting at 0.25%/0.40% — competitive for active UK traders who use limit orders.
- GBP Faster Payments Support: Supports GBP deposits and withdrawals via Faster Payments (FPS), making it one of the most UK-banking-friendly exchanges. FPS deposit options include some fee-free methods; FPS withdrawals cost £1.95.
- Advanced Account Security Tooling: Global Settings Lock and Master Key features provide user-configurable controls to prevent account takeover — more sophisticated than most mainstream rivals.
- Proof of Reserves Programme: Regular Merkle-tree style Proof of Reserves reporting with self-verification tooling, plus ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification and SOC 2 Type 1 examination.
UK Considerations
- Account Holds & Compliance Restrictions: The most repeated UK complaint — accounts or funds being placed on hold during AML/KYC reviews, often with limited explanation and slow resolution via support tickets.
- Instant Buy/Sell Cost Trap: UK users who do not use Kraken Pro pay a fixed 1% fee plus spread; the total effective cost is frequently higher than expected and not clearly surfaced at the point of purchase.
- FPS Withdrawal Delays: While Faster Payments is the default GBP rail, some UK users report withdrawals remaining 'pending' for longer than Faster Payments implies, particularly during high-volume periods.
- UK Retail Derivatives Restriction: UK retail users cannot access derivatives products; access is limited to those meeting professional client criteria.
- Staking Eligibility Confusion: Kraken's Opt-in Rewards messaging indicates UK restrictions for some reward types, while staking pages still promote the product — creating confusion about what UK residents can actually access.
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose eToro if...
- •Beginners who want to learn by copying experienced traders
- •Users wanting crypto, stocks, and ETFs in one platform with FCA protection
- •Social investors who enjoy community features and shared insights
Choose Kraken if...
- •Active traders who will use Kraken Pro for competitive maker/taker fees rather than defaulting to Instant Buy/Sell
- •UK residents who want GBP Faster Payments in/out and value strong FCA regulatory credentials (MLR registration + EMI authorisation)
- •Security-conscious users who want advanced account protection tools like Global Settings Lock and Master Key
- •Experienced users comfortable with a platform that applies rigorous AML/KYC compliance checks
Score Breakdowns
eToro
Our Aggregated Score Breakdown
We combine ratings from multiple trusted sources to give you the most accurate picture
Trustpilot Rating8.4
Reddit Sentiment5.5
Google Play Score8.0
App Store Rating8.2
Kraken
Our Aggregated Score Breakdown
We combine ratings from multiple trusted sources to give you the most accurate picture
Trustpilot Rating5.2
Reddit Sentiment7.0
Google Play Score9.0
App Store Rating9.4
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