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Coinbase vs MakerDAO

Coinbase logo

Coinbase

Software

Buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrency with ease

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MakerDAO logo

MakerDAO

Software

The decentralized stablecoin protocol

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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.; MakerDAO makerDAO is governed as a decentralized autonomous organization by MKR token holder vote rather than a vendor, so it has no company-set price list, subscription tiers or sales contact; access and fees (stability fee, liquidation ratio) are set by on-chain governance vote rather than published as a product price
  • They diverge on capability: Coinbase covers Cryptocurrency Trading, MakerDAO covers DAI Stablecoin.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Coinbase and MakerDAO actually diverge.

Attributes where Coinbase and MakerDAO differ
AttributeCoinbaseMakerDAO
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb
Founded20122015

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 MakerDAO

  • DAI Stablecoin
  • Vaults
  • Stability Fees
  • Liquidations
  • Governance
  • MKR Token
  • DAI
  • Spark Protocol

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Coinbase

  • Exchangesnot MakerDAO
  • Tradingnot MakerDAO
  • Walletsnot MakerDAO

MakerDAO

  • Definot Coinbase
  • Stablecoinnot Coinbase
  • Lendingnot 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.

MakerDAO

  • MakerDAO is governed as a decentralized autonomous organization by MKR token holder vote rather than a vendor, so it has no company-set price list, subscription tiers or sales contact; access and fees (stability fee, liquidation ratio) are set by on-chain governance vote rather than published as a product price

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

MakerDAO

Free
  • FreeFree
    • DAI minting
    • Vaults
    • Governance

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 MakerDAO if

  • You need dai stablecoin.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want vaults.
MakerDAO review

Questions people ask

Is Coinbase or MakerDAO better?
Neither clearly leads. Coinbase starts at Free and MakerDAO at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Coinbase or MakerDAO?
Coinbase starts at Free and MakerDAO at Free.
Does Coinbase or MakerDAO run on more platforms?
Coinbase runs on Web, Ios, Android. MakerDAO runs on Web.
Can I use Coinbase for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Coinbase best used for?
Coinbase is most often used for exchanges, trading, wallets. Of those, exchanges and trading are not what MakerDAO is typically brought in for.
What can Coinbase do that MakerDAO cannot?
Coinbase covers Cryptocurrency Trading, Staking, Coinbase Wallet, Coinbase Card. MakerDAO covers DAI Stablecoin, Vaults, Stability Fees, Liquidations. Both handle Web support.
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