Software · head to head
Kraken vs Money Manager
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Kraken restricted in 16 jurisdictions due to compliance requirements; Money Manager databases created by version 1.4.x are not readable by current releases and produce the error MMEX database version 13 doesn't work with this MMEX version, requiring a manual conversion procedure
- They diverge on capability: Kraken covers Spot Trading, Money Manager covers Expense tracking.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Kraken and Money Manager actually diverge.
| Attribute | Kraken | Money Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | open-source |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Windows, Mac, Linux, IOS, Android |
| Founded | 2011 | 2005 |
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 Kraken
- Spot Trading
- Futures Trading
- Margin Trading
- Staking
- OTC Desk
- Bank transfers
- SWIFT
- Plaid
Only in Money Manager
- Expense tracking
- Budget tracking
- Reporting
- Multi-currency support
- Import/Export
- CSV
- Windows support
- Mac support
Both cover
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Kraken
- Exchangesnot Money Manager
- Tradingnot Money Manager
- Stakingnot Money Manager
Money Manager
- Free desktop personal finance tracking on Windows, macOS and Linuxnot Kraken
- Running a portable personal accounts file from removable media on Windowsnot Kraken
- Categorising spending and reporting on personal accounts without a subscriptionnot Kraken
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Money Manager
- Databases created by version 1.4.x are not readable by current releases and produce the error MMEX database version 13 doesn't work with this MMEX version, requiring a manual conversion procedure
- Linux is supported only through Flatpak builds for aarch64 and x86_64
- The download page states no system requirements, deferring them to a separate compatibility page
- There is no vendor support contract; the project is distributed as open source with no paid tier
Pricing, plan by plan
Kraken
Free- StarterFree
- Basic trading
- Staking
- Instant buy
- ProFree
- Advanced trading
- Margin trading
- Futures
Money Manager
Free- Open SourceFree
- Expense tracking
- Budget management
- Reports
Which should you pick?
Choose Kraken if
- You need spot trading.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want futures trading.
Choose Money Manager if
- You need expense tracking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Mac, Linux, IOS, Android.
- You also want budget tracking.
Questions people ask
- Is Kraken or Money Manager better?
- Neither clearly leads. Kraken starts at Free and Money Manager at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Kraken or Money Manager?
- Kraken starts at Free and Money Manager at Free.
- Does Kraken or Money Manager run on more platforms?
- Kraken runs on Web, Ios, Android. Money Manager runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, IOS, Android.
- Can I use Kraken for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Kraken best used for?
- Kraken is most often used for exchanges, trading, staking. Of those, exchanges and trading are not what Money Manager is typically brought in for.
- What can Kraken do that Money Manager cannot?
- Kraken covers Spot Trading, Futures Trading, Margin Trading, Staking. Money Manager covers Expense tracking, Budget tracking, Reporting, Multi-currency support. Both handle Android support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
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.
SourceKraken: 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.
SourceKraken: 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.
SourceKraken: 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.
SourceRelated pages
More on Money Manager
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