Coinbase alternatives for Canadian crypto traders

Comparing of 7 Coinbase alternatives

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Bitbuy

Highlights

Bitbuy’s brokerage fee is generally lower compared to Coinbase.
There are more than 50 cryptocurrencies listed on Coinbase, which is more than on. Bitbuy.
Bitbuy only accepts deposits in CAD.

Pros

Fee discounts kick in when you trade more — helpful if you’re regularly moving large amounts.
No charge to deposit crypto or CAD, and withdrawing CAD through Interac is also free.
Most digital assets are kept offline in cold storage with regular security audits.
The Pro platform supports advanced order types, charts, and real-time execution — ideal if you’re looking to step up your trading

Cons

Express trades can be costly, especially if you’re just making small or occasional transactions.
Crypto withdrawals (especially ETH or ERC-20 tokens) can get expensive.
Coin selection is relatively limited compared to global platforms.

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Not available for application via this website

Coinsquare

Highlights

Many more cryptocurrencies are listed on Coinbase compared to what's available on Coinsquare.
Enjoy low, transparent fees and no trading minimum. Fees on Coinbase are more complicated.
Both exchanges are FINTRAC-registered and regulated MSBs.

Pros

Designed for Canadian users with full FINTRAC and OSC registration, offering regulatory peace of mind.
Two platform views: Simple Trade for beginners and Pro Trade for experienced traders.
Transparent fee structure with no spread markups on the Pro Trade platform.
Offers institutional-level OTC services with personalised support for large-volume trades.
Mobile app is responsive, intuitive, and includes real-time portfolio tracking.
Strong security protocols in place, including multi-factor authentication and insurance-backed custody

Cons

Instant Buy/Sell comes with a higher fee of 1.5% but is ideal if you want speed and simplicity over lower-cost execution.
Smaller coin selection than global exchanges.
No passive income features like staking or yield farming.

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Ndax

Highlights

To get started, NDAX will require a minimum deposit of $100.
NDAX’s customer support representatives are on stand by 24x7 to help you with any questions that you may have.
Both exchanges are appropriate for beginners and store digital assets in cold storage facilities.

Pros

You can fund your account with CAD through Interac, bank transfer, or wire — no need to convert currencies.
Offers a clean, intuitive interface that’s friendly to both beginners and experienced traders.
Supports a solid list of popular cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, and more.
Cold storage is used to keep the majority of client funds secure offline.
Registered with FINTRAC and held to Canadian AML standards, giving it strong credibility locally.

Cons

The flat 0.20% trading fee is competitive but not the lowest in the market.
No staking or interest-earning options, which could matter to users looking for passive income.
Its mobile app works well for basic tasks, but lacks some of the more advanced charting tools on desktop.

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On website

Kraken

Highlights

Kraken has listed more coins than Coinbase.
Kraken’s trading and withdrawal fees are lower than they are on Coinbase.
Both exchanges are headquartered in the US and are regulated by FINTRAC in Canada.
Offline cold storage is used by both exchanges.

Pros

Great for building a diversified or DeFi-focused portfolio.
Advanced traders benefit from maker/taker pricing that becomes competitive as volumes grow.
Security is top-tier.
You can stake coins directly through Kraken with flexible terms.

Cons

Interac e‑Transfer deposits carry a 0.5% fee, and withdrawals have a $10 charge, higher than some Canadian peers.
Instant buy fees are steep.
Deposit and withdrawal processes can be confusing and slow, with some users seeing delays of up to several days.
No native Canadian tax-reporting tools on the platform.

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Not available for application via this website

Shakepay

Highlights

Both exchanges are easy to use, especially for beginners.
There are multiple crypto investment options in Coinbase whereas Shakepay only supports Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Deposits and withdrawals are free on Shakepay, whereas Coinbase charges a fee..
Shakepay does not charge a trading fee, but each transaction incurs a spread fee.

Pros

One of the fastest ways to buy BTC or ETH in Canada.
Shakepay Card lets you earn Bitcoin cashback on everyday purchases.
Strong track record of security, with 2FA, biometric logins, and insurance on assets held in custody.
Clean, mobile-first app makes it easy to manage trades and transfers on the go.
Solid customer support via in-app chat with good response times.
Regulated by FINTRAC, with crypto assets held securely in cold storage.

Cons

Supports only Bitcoin and Ethereum.
No advanced trading features like limit orders or technical charting tools.
Spread-based pricing means you may not get the absolute best market rate.

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Not available for application via this website

Newton

Highlights

Newton cater to the mainstream traders like Coinbase with a very pleasing user experience.
Both exchanges support a large number of altcoins in addition to the main cryptocurrencies.
Fund and withdraw from your account for free with Newton.
Newton is built by and for Canadians. However, both exchanges are regulated by FINTRAC.

Pros

Strong focus on low-cost trading.
Intuitive mobile and web platforms designed for speed and simplicity, even for first-time traders.
Real-time price tracking, limit orders, and auto-withdrawals support hands-off portfolio management.
Offers carbon-neutral trading by offsetting the environmental impact of crypto transactions.
Crypto assets are stored with institutional-grade custody provider Balance.

Cons

Limited advanced trading tools may not suit users seeking margin or derivative trading.
The selection of coins is smaller compared to global exchanges.
Customer support is responsive but currently limited to email and chat.

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Not available for application via this website

Wealthsimple Crypto

Highlights

Sign up in minutes with $0 minimums. No fees to deposit or withdraw from Wealthsimple.
Trade the main cryptocurrencies on either exchange, but Coinbase lists more (including many altcoins).
Wealthsimple use Gemini to store coins in cold storage with insurance coverage.

Pros

Ideal for new investors.
Real-time price tracking and instant trades are available with no minimum balance.
Automatically tracks gains and losses for tax time with integrated reports.
Responsive local support and a growing knowledge base tailored to Canadian crypto laws and concerns.
Registered with FINTRAC and CIPF-backed, providing added regulatory comfort for Canadian users.

Cons

Charges a spread of up to 2% per transaction, which is higher than some global platforms.
Crypto withdrawals to external wallets are limited.
No advanced charting tools or trading features for technical users.