UpBit vs Kraken

Updated April 12, 2026·8 min read
UpBit logo
UpBit
3.5
VS
Kraken logo
Kraken
4.4

Quick Verdict

Overall winner: KrakenKraken scores 4.4/10 vs UpBit's 3.5/10. Top pick for security-conscious traders with an unmatched compliance record.

Score Cards

UpBit logo
UpBit
3.5
Spot Fee
0.05%
Futures Fee
N/A
Coins
180+
App Rating
4.4
Kraken logo
Kraken
4.4
Spot Fee
0.16%
Futures Fee
0.02%
Coins
220+
App Rating
4.5

Full Comparison

FeatureUpBitKraken
Overall Score
3.55/10
4.39/10✓ Winner
Spot Trading Fee
0.05%✓ Winner
0.16%
Futures Fee
N/ATie
0.02%Tie
Coins Listed
180+
220+✓ Winner
Futures Trading
LimitedTie
YesTie
Staking
NoTie
YesTie
P2P Trading
NoTie
NoTie
Security Score
9.4/10
10/10✓ Winner
Ease of Use
6.5/10
9.2/10✓ Winner
App Rating
4.4★
4.5★✓ Winner
Customer Support
7/10Tie
7/10Tie
Founded Year
2017Tie
2011Tie

Category Scores

UpBitKraken
9.4Security10.0
7.0Fees8.8
6.5Ease of Use9.2
6.1Coin Variety6.3
2.0Futures Trading5.0
7.0Customer Support7.0

Who Should Use Which?

Beginners
New to crypto and want a simple onboarding
Kraken
Low Fees
Minimise trading costs on every order
Kraken
Security
Prioritise safety of funds above all
Kraken
Altcoin Hunters
Access the widest selection of tokens
Kraken
Futures Traders
Leverage trading with deep liquidity
Kraken
Mobile Traders
Trade primarily on smartphone
UpBit
Support Needed
Value responsive customer service
UpBit
Long-term Holders
Staking and earn products for passive income
Kraken

UpBit vs Kraken Comparison 2026

The UpBit vs Kraken debate is one traders frequently face when choosing between two well-established crypto platforms. Both exchanges have strong reputations, but they serve different trader profiles — and the right choice depends on your specific needs.

In the UpBit vs Kraken fees comparison, UpBit comes out ahead on spot trading with 0.05% per trade vs the competitor's 0.16%. Over thousands of trades, this difference compounds significantly for active traders.

When evaluating UpBit vs Kraken fees for futures specifically, Kraken charges 0.02% for perpetual contracts — a meaningful advantage for high-frequency derivatives traders.

Asking UpBit vs Kraken which is better ultimately comes down to use case. UpBit scores 3.55/10 overall — Outstanding for spot traders who want regulatory safety and low fees. Kraken scores 4.39/10 — Top pick for security-conscious traders with an unmatched compliance record.

Both platforms support staking, mobile apps, and a range of trading pairs. The choice between UpBit and Kraken should be driven by whether you prioritise fees, security, coin variety, or ease of use — all of which we've scored independently above.

Verdict

Kraken logo
Overall Winner
Kraken
4.4

Top pick for security-conscious traders with an unmatched compliance record.

Choose UpBit if

  • Very low 0.05% fees
  • Excellent regulatory compliance
  • High security standards

Choose Kraken if

  • Best security track record
  • Proof of Reserves transparency
  • Clean beginner and pro modes

More Comparisons

Last updated: April 12, 2026 · Sources: Exchange official websites, CoinMarketCap, independent fee verification