Software · head to head
Huobi vs KuCoin
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Huobi cryptocurrency market volatility; KuCoin unavailable for U.S. traders until at least 2027 following regulatory issues; U.S. users have only withdrawal access
- They diverge on capability: Huobi covers Margin Trading, KuCoin covers Trading Bots.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Huobi and KuCoin actually diverge.
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 Huobi
- Margin Trading
- Primelist
- HT Token
- Huobi ECO Chain
Only in KuCoin
- Trading Bots
- Lending
- KCS Token
- KuCoin Wallet
Both cover
- Spot Trading
- Futures Trading
- Staking
- Web support
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Huobi
- Spot trading of cryptocurrencies and altcoinsnot KuCoin
- Futures trading with leveragenot KuCoin
- Copy trading from experienced tradersnot KuCoin
- Automated trading via botsnot KuCoin
KuCoin
- Exchangesnot Huobi
- Tradingnot Huobi
- Altcoinsnot Huobi
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Huobi
- Cryptocurrency market volatility
- Regulatory restrictions in some jurisdictions
KuCoin
- Unavailable for U.S. traders until at least 2027 following regulatory issues; U.S. users have only withdrawal access
- Customer support quality is variable with reported delays during high-volume trading periods
- Thin liquidity on lesser-known and altcoin trading pairs
- Limited educational materials and no insurance coverage for user assets
Pricing, plan by plan
Huobi
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Huobi review.
KuCoin
Free- Basic AccountFree
- Spot trading at 0.10%/0.10% base fees
- Futures trading
- Staking and earning
Which should you pick?
Choose Huobi if
- You need margin trading.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Mobile.
- You also want primelist.
Choose KuCoin if
- You need trading bots.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want lending.
Questions people ask
- Is Huobi or KuCoin better?
- Neither clearly leads. Huobi starts at Free and KuCoin at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Huobi or KuCoin?
- Huobi starts at Free and KuCoin at Free.
- Does Huobi or KuCoin run on more platforms?
- Huobi runs on Web, Mobile. KuCoin runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Huobi for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Huobi best used for?
- Huobi is most often used for spot trading of cryptocurrencies and altcoins, futures trading with leverage, copy trading from experienced traders, automated trading via bots. Of those, spot trading of cryptocurrencies and altcoins and futures trading with leverage are not what KuCoin is typically brought in for.
- What can Huobi do that KuCoin cannot?
- Huobi covers Margin Trading, Primelist, HT Token, Huobi ECO Chain. KuCoin covers Trading Bots, Lending, KCS Token, KuCoin Wallet. Both handle Spot Trading, Futures Trading, Staking, Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
KuCoin: Is KuCoin available in the United States?
KuCoin is unavailable for trading in the U.S. until at least 2027 following a January 2025 guilty plea. U.S. users have withdrawal-only access.
SourceKuCoin: What is KuCoin's trading fee structure?
Spot trading fees are 0.10%/0.10% base (0.08%/0.08% with KCS discount). Futures fees are 0.02% maker/0.06% taker. Withdrawal fees are network-dependent and dynamic.
SourceKuCoin: How many cryptocurrencies and trading pairs does KuCoin support?
KuCoin supports 1,115+ cryptocurrencies and 1,312+ trading pairs.
SourceKuCoin: What trading features does KuCoin offer?
KuCoin offers spot trading, futures/derivatives, copy-trading with leaderboards, P2P marketplace, staking, token launchpad (Spotlight), NFT/Web3 wallet, and automated trading bots including DCA, grid, and martingale strategies.
SourceKuCoin: What platforms does KuCoin support?
KuCoin is available as a web-based interface and native iOS and Android mobile apps with TradingView chart integration.
Source