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Software · head to head

Coinbase vs Acorns

Coinbase logo

Coinbase

Software

Buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrency with ease

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Acorns logo

Acorns

Software

Invest your spare change

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Coinbase has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Coinbase the App Store listing states standard Coinbase trades carry fees and that a paid Coinbase One subscription is needed for zero trading fees and boosted staking rewards, and that fractional stock shares start at $1.; Acorns a flat monthly subscription regardless of balance, so $3 a month on Bronze is a heavy percentage on a small account
  • They diverge on capability: Coinbase covers Cryptocurrency Trading, Acorns covers Round-up investing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Coinbase and Acorns actually diverge.

Attributes where Coinbase and Acorns differ
AttributeCoinbaseAcorns
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo

Identical on both: platforms (Web, Ios, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2012).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Coinbase

  • Cryptocurrency Trading
  • Staking
  • Coinbase Wallet
  • Coinbase Card
  • Bank transfers
  • PayPal
  • Apple Pay
  • Ios support

Only in Acorns

  • Round-up investing
  • Automated investing
  • Portfolio management
  • Recurring investments
  • Bank accounts
  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • IOS support

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Coinbase

  • Exchangesnot Acorns
  • Tradingnot Acorns
  • Walletsnot Acorns

Acorns

  • Automated investing of spare change from everyday purchasesnot Coinbase
  • Retirement saving through Acorns Later IRA accountsnot Coinbase
  • Checking and high-yield savings alongside investingnot Coinbase
  • Custodial investing and debit cards for children through Acorns Earlynot Coinbase
  • Earning cashback that is invested rather than bankednot Coinbase

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Coinbase

  • The App Store listing states standard Coinbase trades carry fees and that a paid Coinbase One subscription is needed for zero trading fees and boosted staking rewards, and that fractional stock shares start at $1.

Acorns

  • A flat monthly subscription regardless of balance, so $3 a month on Bronze is a heavy percentage on a small account
  • The emergency savings account and the 1 percent IRA match need Silver at $6 a month
  • Custom portfolios, Acorns Early for children and Money Manager are Gold tier only at $12 a month
  • There is no free tier

Pricing, plan by plan

Coinbase

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Buy and sell crypto
    • Coinbase Wallet
    • Staking rewards
  • Coinbase One$29.99/month
    • Zero trading fees
    • Priority support
    • Advanced trading tools

Acorns

On request
  • Lite$4.99/month
    • Round-up investing
    • Automated portfolio
  • Plus$9.99/month
    • All Lite features
    • Checking account
    • Dollar-based investing
  • Premier$19.99/month
    • All Plus features
    • Premium investing

Which should you pick?

Choose Coinbase if

  • You need cryptocurrency trading.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want staking.
Coinbase review

Choose Acorns if

  • You need round-up investing.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want automated investing.
Acorns review

Questions people ask

Is Coinbase or Acorns better?
Neither clearly leads. Coinbase starts at Free and Acorns at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Coinbase or Acorns?
Coinbase has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Coinbase and On request for Acorns.
Does Coinbase or Acorns run on more platforms?
Coinbase runs on Web, Ios, Android. Acorns runs on Web, IOS, Android.
Can I use Coinbase for free?
Yes. Coinbase has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Acorns starts at On request.
What is Coinbase best used for?
Coinbase is most often used for exchanges, trading, wallets. Of those, exchanges and trading are not what Acorns is typically brought in for.
What can Coinbase do that Acorns cannot?
Coinbase covers Cryptocurrency Trading, Staking, Coinbase Wallet, Coinbase Card. Acorns covers Round-up investing, Automated investing, Portfolio management, Recurring investments. Both handle Web support, Android support.
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