01
Country first
If it doesn’t serve United States, it doesn’t appear. No global leftovers.
United States
One US exchange, for how you actually buy.
ACH is usually the cheap way in. Card is faster and often 3% more. We pick one platform that fits your habit — not a list of ads.
Local rail
ACH
Example buy
USD 500
Fee review
August 2026
Exchange matcher · 01 / 02
How will you use it?
The number lists hide
See what you’ll actually pay
Same US dollar amount, same frequency, same rail — then the all-in drag. First-buy mode uses the retail button when a platform has one.
Cheapest here (Bitstamp) vs dearest (Coinbase): $12 / year
1
Bitstamp
0.40% all-in · $2.00 per buy
$24
2
Crypto.com
0.40% all-in · $2.00 per buy
$24
3
Gemini
0.40% all-in · $2.00 per buy
$24
4
Kraken
0.40% all-in · $2.00 per buy
$24
5
Coinbase
0.60% all-in · $3.00 per buy
$36
Side by side
Compare what matters in US
Sort
| Exchange | Trust | Typical buy | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bitstamp ACH / wire | 88 | 0.40% all-in $2.00 on $500 via bank | Long operating history | See fees |
Crypto.com ACH / bank | 78 | 0.40% all-in $2.00 on $500 via bank | Polished app | See fees |
Gemini ACH | 90 | 0.40% all-in $2.00 on $500 via bank | NY trust charter | See fees |
Kraken ACH | 94 | 0.40% all-in $2.00 on $500 via bank | Lower standard spot fees | See fees |
Coinbase ACH | 92 | 0.60% all-in $3.00 on $500 via bank | Simplest first buy | See fees |
Links use rel="sponsored nofollow". Typical buy assumes a bank-funded $500 order. Always confirm the live schedule.
No black boxes
How we pick — and how we get paid
02
True cost, not the headline
Bank or card + retail button or taker fee, in local currency.
03
Trust and ease still count
A cheaper book loses to a safer, simpler app when you said this is your first buy.
04
Commissions can’t buy the rank
Affiliate links, when we add them, never change the score. A failed quality gate just turns the link off.
Questions for US
Is ACH really free?
On Coinbase and Kraken, standard ACH deposits are typically $0. Settlement can take a few days and some platforms hold withdrawals after a deposit. Instant card buys cost extra.
Why might Kraken beat Coinbase on cost?
On the advanced books, Kraken’s standard taker fee is lower than Coinbase Advanced. Coinbase’s simple Buy button is more expensive still. If you want the easiest app, Coinbase can still be the better first pick.
Do you cover every US state?
Not yet. We flag known limits (for example Kraken in NY) but you must confirm residency rules on the exchange itself.
Why no Binance, Bybit, OKX or Bitget?
The global platforms restrict US residents. Sending you there fails at KYC. We do not list Binance.US or other separate US shells on this page yet.
Availability and products vary by state. New York and a few other states limit some platforms. Always confirm on the provider’s site before you sign up.