Coinsquare alternatives

Compare the best alternatives to Coinsquare for Canadian crypto traders.

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

Comparing of 5 Coinsquare alternatives

Bitbuy

On website

Featured

Bitbuy

Highlights

  • Both exchanges offer reasonable trading and withdrawal fees.
  • Coinsquare has a slight advantage when it comes to the number of cryptos available.
  • Both exchanges are FINTRAC-registered. In addition, Bitbuy is approved by the OSC.

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.
Ndax

On website

Highlights

  • Coinsquare’s fee structure is slightly more complicated than NDAX, which charges 0.2% on buys and sells.
  • Both exchanges are appropriate for beginner and intermediate crypto traders.
  • Both are registered and regulated by FINTRAC.
  • NDAX offers staking for a number of crypto tokens.

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.
Newton

Not available for application via this website

Highlights

  • Newton has no fees to fund or withdraw with CAD, whereas Coinsquare do charge fees depending on method.
  • Newton offers a larger choice of tokens compared to Coinsquare.
  • Both are based in Canada and registered with 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.
Shakepay

Not available for application via this website

Highlights

  • Both exchanges are easy to use, especially for beginners.
  • There are more crypto investment options in Coinsquare. Shakepay only supports Bitcoin and Ethereum.
  • Unlike in Coinsquare, withdrawals are free on Shakepay.
  • Shakepay does not charge a trading fee, but there is a bid / ask spread.

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.
Kraken

On website

Kraken

Highlights

  • More cryptocurrencies are available on Kraken compared to Coinsquare.
  • Even though Kraken is based in the US, both exchanges 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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