Kraken vs Revolut: UK Comparison 2026
7.5/10
Aggregated ScoreVS
9.0/10
Aggregated ScoreComparing Kraken and Revolut for UK traders in 2026. We break down fees, security, app scores, and user sentiment to help you choose the right exchange.
Our Pick
Revolut
Revolut edges ahead with a higher aggregated score (9.0 vs 7.5), 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 | Kraken | Revolut |
|---|---|---|
| Our Score | 7.5 / 10 | 9.0 / 10 |
| Trustpilot Score | 6.4 | 9.4 |
| Reddit Sentiment | 7.0 | 7.5 |
| App Store Score | 9.4 | 9.8 |
| Google Play Score | 8.0 | 9.4 |
| Best For | Active traders who will use Kraken Pro for competitive maker/taker fees rather than defaulting to Instant Buy/Sell | Casual investors who want crypto within their everyday banking app |
Feature Breakdown
Kraken
Highlights
- FCA Registered (Dual): Payward Ltd (FRN 928768) is on the FCA cryptoasset register and Payward Services Ltd (FRN 1010381) has been an FCA-authorised Electronic Money Institution since March 2025, 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.
Revolut
Highlights
- All-in-One Banking: Trade crypto directly from your GBP bank balance alongside everyday spending, stocks, and FX.
- FCA Authorised: Revolut Ltd is an FCA-authorised e-money institution on the cryptoasset register, and Revolut Bank UK Ltd has been a fully licensed UK bank since 11 March 2026 (crypto sits outside the banking licence and FSCS).
- 220+ Cryptocurrencies: Broad selection rivalling dedicated crypto exchanges.
- Revolut X: Separate advanced trading platform with 0% maker fees and 0.09% taker fees.
- Award-Winning: Named World Best Digital Bank 2025 by Euromoney.
UK Considerations
- High Standard Fees: 1.49% per trade on the Standard plan, plus a 1% fair-usage fee once you exchange more than £1,000 in a month, significantly more expensive than dedicated exchanges.
- Limited Crypto Features: Staking is offered on a handful of assets but Revolut keeps 25–30% of the rewards; withdrawal options are limited and there is no advanced trading in the main app.
- Crypto Not FSCS Protected: Unlike fiat deposits (safeguarded under e-money regulations), crypto has no deposit protection.
- Premium Features Locked Behind Subscriptions: Best crypto rates and features require Premium (£7.99/mo) or Metal (£14.99/mo) plans.
- No External Wallet Support on Basic: Standard users cannot send crypto to external wallets, limiting self-custody options.
Who Should Choose Which?
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
Choose Revolut if...
- •Casual investors who want crypto within their everyday banking app
- •Beginners who value the simplest possible buying experience
- •Existing Revolut users looking to diversify into crypto without a new account
Score Breakdowns
Kraken
Our Aggregated Score Breakdown
We combine ratings from multiple trusted sources to give you the most accurate picture
Trustpilot Rating6.4
Reddit Sentiment7.0
Google Play Score8.0
App Store Rating9.4
Revolut
Our Aggregated Score Breakdown
We combine ratings from multiple trusted sources to give you the most accurate picture
Trustpilot Rating9.4
Reddit Sentiment7.5
Google Play Score9.4
App Store Rating9.8
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