Softwr

Software · head to head

Kraken vs Vanguard

Kraken logo

Kraken

Software

Secure cryptocurrency exchange for serious traders

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Vanguard logo

Vanguard

Software

Investing for your future

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Kraken has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Kraken restricted in 16 jurisdictions due to compliance requirements; Vanguard a 25 USD annual account service fee applies unless the account uses e-delivery, is a Cash Plus Account, is enrolled in an advisory service, or holds 1 million USD or more in qualifying assets
  • They diverge on capability: Kraken covers Spot Trading, Vanguard covers Low-cost index funds.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Kraken and Vanguard actually diverge.

Attributes where Kraken and Vanguard differ
AttributeKrakenVanguard
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumtransaction
Free tierYesNo
Founded20111975

Identical on both: platforms (Web, Ios, Android), 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 Vanguard

  • Low-cost index funds
  • Commission-free trading
  • Retirement accounts
  • Financial advisors
  • Bank accounts
  • Investment accounts
  • IOS support

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Kraken

  • Exchangesnot Vanguard
  • Tradingnot Vanguard
  • Stakingnot Vanguard

Vanguard

  • Holding low cost index mutual funds and ETFs for long term investingnot Kraken
  • Running IRAs and taxable brokerage accountsnot Kraken
  • Employer retirement plan participationnot 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

Vanguard

  • A 25 USD annual account service fee applies unless the account uses e-delivery, is a Cash Plus Account, is enrolled in an advisory service, or holds 1 million USD or more in qualifying assets
  • Broker assisted trades cost 25 USD each, waived only at 1 million USD in qualifying assets or with an advisory service
  • Options trades carry a 1 USD per contract fee on top of zero commission
  • Transaction fee mutual funds cost 20 USD per online trade below 1 million USD in qualifying assets, falling to 8 USD only at higher tiers
  • Outgoing wire transfers cost 10 USD unless the account is a retirement account or holds 1 million USD or more
  • Commission levels are tied to a Qualifying Assets balance, so the cheapest rates require 1 million USD or more

Pricing, plan by plan

Kraken

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

Vanguard

On request
  • Self-Directed Investor$undefined/month
    • Low-cost index funds
    • Commission-free trading
  • Advisory Services$undefined/month
    • All Self-Directed features
    • Financial advisors

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.
Kraken review

Choose Vanguard if

  • You need low-cost index funds.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want commission-free trading.
Vanguard review

Questions people ask

Is Kraken or Vanguard better?
Neither clearly leads. Kraken starts at Free and Vanguard at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Kraken or Vanguard?
Kraken has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Kraken and On request for Vanguard.
Does Kraken or Vanguard run on more platforms?
Kraken runs on Web, Ios, Android. Vanguard runs on Web, IOS, Android.
Can I use Kraken for free?
Yes. Kraken has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Vanguard starts at On request.
What is Kraken best used for?
Kraken is most often used for exchanges, trading, staking. Of those, exchanges and trading are not what Vanguard is typically brought in for.
What can Kraken do that Vanguard cannot?
Kraken covers Spot Trading, Futures Trading, Margin Trading, Staking. Vanguard covers Low-cost index funds, Commission-free trading, Retirement accounts, Financial advisors. Both handle Web support, 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.

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
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
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Kraken

More on Vanguard

Keep looking

Other head to heads