CoinSmart alternatives

Compare the best alternatives to CoinSmart for Canadian crypto traders.

Andrew Boyd avatar
Written by
Updated 13 Jun 2025   |   Rates updated regularly

Comparing of 10 CoinSmart alternatives

Bitbuy

On website

Featured

Bitbuy

Highlights

  • CoinSmart is a slightly cheaper exchange than Bitbuy and has a bigger selection of cryptocurrencies to trade.
  • Bitbuy and CoinSmart both provide offline cold storage facilities for security.
  • Both exchanges feature an intuitive interface that’s easy to use, even for beginners.

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.
Coinsquare

Not available for application via this website

Coinsquare

Highlights

  • Coinsquare's QuickTrade feature instantly makes trades between any two currencies, whether it's XRP to Ethereum, or Litecoin to EUR.
  • Has one of the most secure trading platform.
  • Enjoy low, transparent fees and no trading minimum.

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.
Ndax

On website

Ndax

Highlights

  • CoinSmart offers a wider range of cryptocurrencies for trading than NDAX, but it’s cheaper to trade with NDAX. NDAX does not charge a deposit fee either.
  • Cold storage facilities are employed by both Coinsmart and NDAX.
  • Both exchanges have a simple interface, making either suitable for beginners.

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.
Coinbase

On website

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Coinbase

Highlights

  • Coinbase has a wider choice of tradable cryptocurrencies compared to what’s available on CoinSmart.
  • Coinbase's fee schedule is somewhat unclear.
  • CoinSmart and Coinbase are suitable for new and experienced traders.
  • Both exchanges are FINTRAC-registered and use offline cold storage for their user’s digital assets.

Pros

  • The interface is clean, simple, and ideal for beginners—one of the easiest ways for Canadians to get started with crypto.
  • Strong focus on security, with 2FA, cold storage, and insurance on custodial assets.
  • You can earn small amounts of crypto through educational mini-courses via Coinbase Earn.
  • Supports Apple Pay and Google Pay, making fiat-to-crypto purchases more convenient

Cons

  • Trading fees are high compared to other platforms—best for small, infrequent buys.
  • No advanced features like futures or margin trading.
  • Limited customer support options, and response times can be slow during peak periods.
Newton

Not available for application via this website

Newton

Highlights

  • Newton is not as cheap as CoinSmart in terms of trading and withdrawal fees, but Newton offers more choice of cryptocurrencies than CoinSmart.
  • Coinsmart and Newton both use cold storage facilities for user’s digital assets.
  • Both exchanges are suitable for beginners.

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.
Shakepay

Not available for application via this website

Shakepay

Highlights

  • CoinSmart has a broader selection of cryptocurrencies compared to what’s available on Shakepay.
  • Shakepay charges a spread on trades and there are no fees for deposits or withdrawals either.
  • Both exchanges are FINTRAC-registered and use cold storage. Either is suitable for the beginner trader.

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.
Wealthsimple Crypto

Not available for application via this website

Wealthsimple Crypto

Highlights

  • Sign up in minutes with $0 minimum.
  • No fees to deposit or withdraw funds from the exchange.
  • Digital assets held in cold storage facilities operated by Gemini Trust Company with $200M in 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.
Kraken

On website

Kraken

Highlights

  • Kraken’s selection of cryptocurrencies is better than what’s tradable on CoinSmart. Kraken is cheaper.
  • Both exchanges are suitable for beginners with well-designed trading experiences.
  • Kraken and CoinSmart are both FINTRAC-registered.

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.
Netcoins

Not available for application via this website

Netcoins

Highlights

  • Create an account and get verified in minutes.
  • Fund your account with $0 fees through a cryptocurrency deposit, Interac e-Transfer, online bill payment or bank wire transfer.
  • With price alerts, it keeps you in the loop on those big moves.

Pros

  • Fast verification and funding make it easy to start trading within minutes.
  • Transparent fee structure with no surprises on deposits or withdrawals.
  • Offers both hot and cold wallet storage, with most client assets kept offline for added protection.
  • Earn interest on select crypto holdings through Netcoins Earn, with competitive rates.
  • Strong focus on regulatory compliance and security, including 2FA and regular audits.

Cons

  • Smaller crypto selection compared to global platforms.
  • No advanced charting or trading tools, making it less suitable for active or technical traders.
  • Interest-earning feature is only available on a limited number of supported coins.
Coinmama

On website

Coinmama

Highlights

  • Buy bitcoin, ethereum and other popular cryptocurrencies.
  • Fund your account with a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or bank transfer.
  • Place your order and get your coins instantly. No deposits required.

Pros

  • One of the fastest ways to buy crypto directly with Canadian cards.
  • Ideal for beginners who want quick, one-time purchases without dealing with order books or complex trading tools.
  • No account lock-ins or custodial risk—you're in charge of your assets from the start.
  • Offers 24/7 customer support, which isn’t common among global exchanges

Cons

  • Limited coin selection.
  • Higher fees than platforms that offer CAD funding or more trading options.
  • No selling option for Canadian users — it's a buy-only platform here. You’ll need another exchange to convert crypto back to fiat.

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