| Cryptocurrency Exchange Platforms | Binance | Coinbase |
|---|---|---|
| Main platform features | Low fees, comprehensive charting options, and hundreds of cryptocurrencies | Intuitive, beginner-friendly platform offering basic transactions, a digital wallet, and withdrawals to PayPal |
| Fees | 0.10% spot-trading fees, 4.5% debit card purchases | Not disclosed |
| Number of cryptocurrencies supported | Over 700 for global traders on Binance. Over 100 available for U.S. investors on Binance.US | 179 |
| Security features | 2FA verification, FDIC-insured USD balances for Binance.US, device management, address whitelisting, cold storage | 2FA verification, insurance for hot storage if Coinbase is breached, biometric fingerprint logins, cold storage, FDIC-insured USD balances, AES-256 encryption for digital wallets |
| Types of transactions supported | Limit order, market order, stop-limit order, trailing stop order, post-only order, peer-to-peer trading, margin trading, one-cancels-the-other order, and more | Buy, sell, send, receive, and exchange |
| Maximum trading amount | Limits differ based on the cryptocurrency purchased | Limits vary based on your payment method and region |
Binance vs. Coinbase: Features
Since the platforms are meant for different types of people, you’ll notice vast differences in their feature sets. However, both provide mobile applications with watch lists or live price tracking. But the similarities stop there.
With Binance, you’ll get the following:
- Advanced charting with many different options for adding indicators and overlays
- Public application programming interface (API) keys for integrating other software tools
- 7 order types on Binance
- The option to use the third-party digital wallet, Trust Wallet
- Users in over 180 countries can trade on Binance, but only 46 states can use Binance.US, excluding Hawaii, New York, Texas, and Vermont
In comparison to Binance, Coinbase offers more features for U.S. residents but fewer options for international traders. The features include:
- A secure, standalone digital hot wallet that you can use with Coinbase and other exchanges
- The ability to withdraw funds to your PayPal account
- Available for use in over 100 countries and 49 states, with no trading allowed for residents of Hawaii
- A newsletter showcasing the latest cryptocurrency news
- The optional Coinbase Advanced Trade platform with advanced charting features, including the ability to track exponential moving averages
- Can earn cryptocurrency by watching short videos
Binance vs. Coinbase: Supported Currencies
Binance is well-known for its massive altcoin list, with more than 600 choices available to non-U.S. users. However, the Binance.US exchange supports just over 100 coins. Coinbase offers 179 trading currencies.
Coinbase also supports fiat currencies, including USD, British pound sterling (GBP), and euro (EUR), whereas Binance supports many more fiat currencies, such as USD, EUR, Australian dollar (AUD), GBP, Hong Kong dollar (HKD), and Indian rupee (INR). Binance and Coinbase both offer many cryptocurrency pairs, but the number may vary based on your location.
The currencies each firm offers vary. For example, the following cryptocurrencies are on Binance but not Coinbase: vechain (VET), harmony (ONE), vethor token (VTHO), and qtum (QTUM). However, both platforms support popular and up-and-coming currencies such as:
- Dash (DASH)
- Storj (STORJ)
- Cosmos (ATOM)
- Compound (COMP)
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Litecoin (LTC)
- Cardano (ADA)
Binance vs. Coinbase: Security
Although both platforms are considered secure, Coinbase has a better overall reputation. Founded in 2012, Coinbase is a U.S.-based exchange that went public on April 14, 2021, via a direct listing, and is backed by banks like J.P. Morgan.
Unlike Coinbase, Binance was first established in China before moving to Japan, and the Binance.US platform is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Binance isn’t consistently regulated around the world, but its Binance.US exchange stays within U.S. regulations. Note that Binance is currently under U.S. regulatory investigation.
Both cryptocurrency exchanges provide two-factor authentication (2FA) via the Google Authenticator app or short message service (SMS), but U.S. users report some problems with the Binance.US and Google authentication process. Both Coinbase and Binance require users to verify their identity with a photograph.
Binance security features also include address whitelisting, device management, and the ability to restrict device access. Like Coinbase, all USD balances are insured up to $250,000 by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and held in custodial bank accounts.
Coinbase security features consist of fingerprint biometric access for its digital wallet, and 98% of cryptocurrency funds are stored in air-gapped cold storage via vaults and safe deposit boxes. Coinbase has an insurance policy to cover the 2% of funds kept in hot storage, but it only covers security breaches on their end, not ones due to a user security problem.
Binance vs. Coinbase: Fees
Binance fees are some of the lowest in the industry, whereas Coinbase does not disclose its fees online.
Binance uses a maker-taker structure with the same fees for both makers and takers. The fee chart can be confusing for beginners but offers vastly lower charges, especially for high-volume traders. Binance users can lower costs by purchasing Binance (BNB) tokens to pay fees with a 25% discount. High-volume traders can also level up for very important person (VIP) discounts
| Fees | Binance | Coinbase |
|---|---|---|
| Wallet | N/A | Free |
| Debit/credit cards | 4.5% | No annual fee, 1% fee on withdrawals that exceed your daily limit, 2% fee on transactions made outside the U.S., 2.49% cryptocurrency conversion fee |
| Automated clearinghouse (ACH) transfer | Free | Free |
| Wire transfer | Free | $10 deposit, $25 withdrawal |
| Cryptocurrency conversion | Free | 1% fees on all crypto transactions which includes conversion |
| Purchases | Not disclosed | 1% |
| Trades | 0% – 0.6% | Variable fees (Coinbase), 0%-0.60% (Coinbase Advanced Trade) |
| Staking fees | 20% to 35% | 25% to 35% |
Binance vs. Coinbase: Ease of Use
Binance and Coinbase are geared toward different types of users. Coinbase offers a simple platform for investors new to trading cryptocurrency who want fast, easy, and secure ways to trade. Binance’s platform is easy to use, but the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming to a new user. Binance is a better fit for people familiar with cryptocurrency lingo and investing options, whereas Coinbase is built for convenient, easy trading.
Both exchanges provide mobile apps with varying functionalities.
Binance provides the Binance Academy, similar to Gemini’s Cryptopedia, where users can access tutorials or helpful articles resembling cryptocurrency trading courses. Both platforms offer a blog and knowledge base, but Coinbase also lets users earn cryptocurrency for watching videos for beginners.
Coinbase wins for ease of use, and also has better customer service options, including live chat, phone support, and the option to submit a ticket. In contrast, Binance offers live chat, an option to submit a ticket, or support through an X (formerly Twitter) help account. Binance does not advertise a phone support option.
Final Verdict
While Binance may be less expensive, Coinbase wins out overall. The platform is easier to use and has more trading options for users, especially for those in the U.S. Additionally, Coinbase offers more customer service options, including phone support.
Frequently Asked Questions
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It is cheaper to buy on Binance. Overall, it is considered one of the least expensive platforms to use.
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Yes, Binance.US offers zero fees on Tier 0 pairs and a high of 0.3% maker and 0.45% taker fees on Tier 1 pairs. Coinbase Advanced Trader has a high of 0.4% maker and 0.6% taker fees on amounts up to $10,000.
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Binance is legal in the U.S. However, the U.S. version has fewer features than the full website includes.
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Yes, Binance does report to the IRS. It issues three possible reporting forms, the 1099-MISC, Form 1040 Schedule D and Form 8949.
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Binance and Coinbase are among the best crypto exchanges. However, Coinbase appears slightly safer.
Any currencies held online may be a target of hackers, and most exchanges have experienced breaches, including Binance in 2019. Coinbase, on the other hand, told The New York Times that it’s never been hacked and only 0.004% of its users experienced account takeovers in the year ending April 2021.
Methodology
We examined Coinbase and Binance by looking at the fee structures, cost, and how easy it is to understand. Although we looked mainly at Binance, we also evaluated Binance.US features applicable to U.S. residents. We considered the website and mobile app functionality, availability of knowledge bases, and access to customer service. Our fee and feature charts give a side-by-side view of security, transaction types, fiat currencies accepted, payment methods, and cryptocurrencies.
Investing in cryptocurrencies and other Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) is highly risky and speculative, and this article is not a recommendation by Investopedia or the writer to invest in cryptocurrencies or other ICOs. Since each individual’s situation is unique, a qualified professional should always be consulted before making any financial decisions. Investopedia makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or timeliness of the information contained herein.
