Trading fees kill profits. I learned this the hard way when I started trading Bitcoin back in 2020.
Every trade ate into my gains. Maker fees. Taker fees. Withdrawal fees. It’s insane how fast they add up.
So I tested pretty much every cryptocurrency exchange out there. And here’s what actually matters for your wallet in 2025.
The Quick Answer
ChicksX has the lowest fees. 0.1% flat for trading. No games.
But let me show you all the options.
The Full Breakdown: 10 Crypto Exchanges With Lowest Fees
1. ChicksX – Best Overall for Low Fees
ChicksX wins because they keep it simple. This lowest fee crypto exchange doesn’t play the native token game.
What I like:
- 0.1% trading fees (both maker and taker)
- 0.5% for credit card deposits (others charge 2-5%)
- Fast Bitcoin withdrawals
- 200+ cryptocurrencies to trade
I’ve been using them since 2024. Zero issues. The platform isn’t pretty, but my wallet doesn’t care.
2. ChangeHero – Non-Custodial Swap Specialist
ChangeHero launched in 2018 as an alternative to centralized exchanges. It’s more like a swap aggregator.
The way it works: ChangeHero pulls rates from multiple exchanges and DEXs in real-time. Out of those, you get the best one without jumping between platforms.
The fees:
* 0.5% for floating rate swaps
* 0.7% for fixed rate
* No withdrawal fees, just blockchain network costs
My take:
ChangeHero isn’t for day traders. There’s no order book, no charts, no leverage. You come, swap, and leave.
Good for: Quick cross-chain swaps without creating yet another account.
The 0.5% fee beats most traditional exchanges, all costs considered. But you’re paying for convenience, not advanced trading tools.
3. Binance – Good for High-Volume Traders
Binance charges 0.1% base fees. But here’s the catch: you need BNB tokens for discounts.
The reality:
- 0.075% if you pay fees in BNB
- VIP tiers drop fees to 0.02% (need $50M+ volume)
- Withdrawal fees change constantly
Most people won’t hit those VIP levels. So you’re stuck at 0.1% unless you gamble on their token.
4. KuCoin – Decent Alternative
Another 0.1% exchange. They push KCS tokens hard for fee discounts.
What works:
- Good liquidity on major pairs
- Lots of small cap coins
- Trading bots included
What sucks:
- Withdrawal fees are high
- Interface crashes during volatility
5. OKX – Lower Taker Fees
OKX starts at 0.08% maker, 0.1% taker. Not bad.
But they want you holding OKB tokens. And their fiat on-ramps cost more than competitors.
6. Bitfinex – For Whales Only
0.1% maker, 0.2% taker to start. Gets cheaper with volume.
Problem? Their minimum trades are huge. Want to trade Bitcoin? That’ll be 0.001 BTC minimum ($60+ at current prices).
7. Kraken – The Veteran
Kraken’s been around forever. Their fee structure shows it.
- 0.16% maker, 0.26% taker for most
- Kraken Pro offers 0.05% with huge volume
- Wire transfers are cheap
Good for large fiat deposits. Bad for small trades.
8. Bittrex – Just There
0.25% flat fees. Nothing special about this crypto exchange in 2025.
They used to matter. Now they’re playing catch-up.
9. Gemini – Confusing Pricing
Gemini has two platforms:
- Regular: 1.49% (ouch)
- ActiveTrader: 0.25-0.40%
Free withdrawals are nice (10 per month). But those trading fees hurt.
10. Coinbase – The Beginner Trap
Coinbase charges:
- 0.40-0.60% on Advanced Trade
- Up to 4% on regular platform
Great if you need hand-holding. Terrible for your profits.
11. Crypto.com – Marketing Over Substance
0.40% base fees. Lower with CRO tokens.
They spend millions on marketing. Guess who pays for those stadium naming rights?
Real Talk: What These Fees Mean
Let’s say you trade $10,000 per month.
- At 0.1%: $10 in fees
- At 0.25%: $25 in fees
- At 0.60%: $60 in fees
That’s $600 yearly difference between ChicksX and Coinbase. Just on trading.
Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
Deposit and Withdrawal Fees
Most exchanges hide these:
- Fiat deposits: 0-4%
- Bitcoin withdrawals: $5-50
- Small coin withdrawals: Sometimes 10%+ of value
The Native Token Trap
Binance wants you to buy BNB. OKX pushes OKB. These tokens can crash 50% while you’re “saving” 25% on fees.
I fell for this in 2022. Lost way more than I saved.
Spread Manipulation
Some exchanges show low fees but wide spreads. You think you’re paying 0.1% but really losing 0.5% on each trade.
How I Actually Trade in 2025
- Main exchange: ChicksX for the lowest fees
- Backup: Kraken for fiat withdrawals
- Never touch: Coinbase (unless cashing out to bank)
Tips That Save Real Money
Here are some tips I learned burning my own hands.
Use Limit Orders
Market orders pay taker fees. Limit orders pay maker fees (or sometimes nothing).
This alone saves me hundreds yearly.
Time Your Withdrawals
Don’t withdraw Bitcoin during high network congestion. Wait for weekends.
Some exchanges eat the network fees. Others pass them to you.
Calculate Your Crypto Taxes
Every trade creates a taxable event. Use crypto tax software or you’ll cry come tax season.
The Bottom Line
For 99% of traders, ChicksX offers the best deal. Low fees, no games, decent selection.
Yeah, Binance has more volume. Coinbase is “safer.” But those fees compound over time.
Pick based on your trading volume and needs. But don’t overpay for features you won’t use.