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Crypto · head to head

Exodus vs Kraken

Exodus logo

Exodus

Crypto

Secure, manage, and swap cryptocurrency

From
Free
Rated
-
Kraken logo

Kraken

Personal Finance

Secure cryptocurrency exchange for serious traders

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Exodus swap fees start at 0.5% but may vary based on market conditions; Kraken restricted in 16 jurisdictions due to compliance requirements
  • They diverge on capability: Exodus covers Multi-chain Wallet, Kraken covers Spot Trading.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Exodus and Kraken actually diverge.

Attributes where Exodus and Kraken differ
AttributeExodusKraken
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsDesktop, Ios, Android, ChromeWeb, Ios, Android
CategoryCryptoPersonal Finance
Founded20152011

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

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 Exodus

  • Multi-chain Wallet
  • Built-in Exchange
  • Portfolio Tracking
  • Web3 Browser
  • Trezor
  • 300+ assets
  • Desktop support
  • Chrome support

Only in Kraken

  • Spot Trading
  • Futures Trading
  • Margin Trading
  • OTC Desk
  • Bank transfers
  • SWIFT
  • Plaid
  • Web support

Both cover

  • Staking
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Exodus

  • Self custody multi-chain crypto wallet with built in swap and buy featuresnot Kraken

Kraken

  • Exchangesnot Exodus
  • Tradingnot Exodus
  • Stakingnot Exodus

Where each one falls short

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

Exodus

  • Swap fees start at 0.5% but may vary based on market conditions
  • Blockchain network fees apply separately and are not controlled by Exodus
  • Third-party payment processor fees apply for card transactions

Kraken

  • Restricted in 16 jurisdictions due to compliance requirements
  • Withdrawal processing delays due to KYC verification, blockchain confirmations, and compliance checks
  • Account restrictions triggered by scam prevention can only be lifted after 90 days
  • Margin trading limited to 5x leverage on most assets; 10x available only to eligible users

Pricing, plan by plan

Exodus

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Multi-chain wallet
    • Built-in exchange
    • Staking

Kraken

Free
  • StarterFree
    • Basic trading
    • Staking
    • Instant buy
  • ProFree
    • Advanced trading
    • Margin trading
    • Futures

Which should you pick?

Choose Exodus if

  • You need multi-chain wallet.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Desktop, Ios, Android, Chrome.
  • You also want built-in exchange.

Choose Kraken if

  • You need spot trading.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want futures trading.

Questions people ask

Is Exodus or Kraken better?
Neither clearly leads. Exodus starts at Free and Kraken at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Exodus or Kraken?
Exodus starts at Free and Kraken at Free.
Does Exodus or Kraken run on more platforms?
Exodus runs on Desktop, Ios, Android, Chrome. Kraken runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Exodus for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Exodus best used for?
Exodus is most often used for self custody multi-chain crypto wallet with built in swap and buy features. Of those, self custody multi-chain crypto wallet with built in swap and buy features is not what Kraken is typically brought in for.
What can Exodus do that Kraken cannot?
Exodus covers Multi-chain Wallet, Built-in Exchange, Portfolio Tracking, Web3 Browser. Kraken covers Spot Trading, Futures Trading, Margin Trading, OTC Desk. Both handle Staking, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Exodus: Does Exodus charge subscription or account fees?

No. Exodus itself does not charge transaction fees or subscription costs. It is free to download and use as a crypto wallet.

Source
Kraken: How much does Kraken charge in fees?

Kraken Pro spot trading fees start at 0.25 percent maker and 0.40 percent taker for entry-level volume, decreasing to 0.00 percent maker and 0.08-0.10 percent taker at USD 10M+ monthly volume. The Kraken standard platform charges 1 percent on instant trades and 1.5 percent on custom orders. Kraken+ membership costs 4.99 USD/month or 49.99 USD/year for up to USD 10k/month in fee-free volume.

Source
Exodus: What fees does Exodus charge for crypto swaps?

Exodus swap rates start as low as 0.5% but may vary. Users should note that blockchain network fees for transaction processing apply separately.

Source
Kraken: In how many countries can I use Kraken?

Kraken supports 190+ countries and 9 major fiat currencies (USD, EUR, GBP). However, services are restricted in 16 jurisdictions including Russia, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Afghanistan due to regulatory compliance requirements.

Source
Exodus: Are there any fees associated with blockchain transactions in Exodus?

Yes. Exodus does not charge transaction fees, but blockchain networks charge fees for processing transactions. Users can adjust settings for faster or cheaper transaction processing.

Source
Kraken: Is Kraken custody secure?

Kraken holds ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification and passed SOC 2 Type 1 examination. The exchange uses cold storage with crypto infrastructure in secure cages under 24/7 armed surveillance. Kraken Custody uses multiparty computation (MPC) and hardware security module (HSM) technology. As a Wyoming SPDI-chartered institution, Kraken Financial operates on full-reserve basis, holding 100 percent of client deposits in unencumbered liquid assets.

Source
Kraken: What cryptocurrencies can I trade?

Kraken supports 500+ cryptocurrencies across 600+ crypto trading pairs. The platform also offers tokenized equities (xStocks) for direct trading of stock exposure, and supports staking rewards on eligible digital assets.

Source
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