Coinbase is where many people bought their first crypto, and for good reason: it is easy to use and widely trusted. The catch is cost. Its standard app fees can eat into small trades, and you may want an app that also handles stocks, ETFs, or lower-fee trading. If that sounds familiar, several apps like Coinbase are worth a look.
Below are six of the best Coinbase alternatives for 2026, from dedicated crypto exchanges to all-in-one investing apps. A quick reminder first: all investing carries risk, crypto is especially volatile, and you can lose money. Nothing here is investment advice, and terms and conditions apply to every platform.
How Coinbase Works, and Why People Look Elsewhere
Coinbase lets you buy, sell, and store crypto through a simple app, with support for 275 or more digital assets, staking, and self-custody through Coinbase Wallet. All U.S. users can also trade stocks and ETFs inside Coinbase with zero commission and fractional shares starting at $1.
The main reason people shop around is fees. The standard Coinbase app charges roughly 1.49% to 3.99% per trade, while its Coinbase Advanced tier drops to about 0.05% to 0.60%. If you do not switch to Advanced, small purchases can carry a steep percentage. That gap is why the lower-fee and all-in-one options below are worth comparing.
Best All-in-One Apps Like Coinbase
If you want crypto plus stocks and other assets in a single app, these two lead the pack.
Robinhood: Low-Cost Crypto and Stocks Together
Robinhood is a strong Coinbase alternative if you want stocks, options, retirement accounts, and crypto in one clean app. Placing a trade takes just a few taps, which makes it friendly for beginners.
On cost, Robinhood charges a purchase fee of up to 1.5% when you buy crypto with a debit card or bank account, plus a crypto spread of roughly 0.5% per trade, and an optional smart-routing fee of 0.03% to 0.85% depending on your 30-day volume. For stocks and ETFs, standard trading is commission-free. If you want both markets in one place, our Robinhood review breaks down the details.
Robinhood
Robinhood
Robinhood is a trading platform that brings stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, crypto, and retirement accounts together in one app.
Standout feature
One platform for stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, and crypto
Fees
$0 commission on stocks, ETFs, and options.
Pros
Zero-commission trading on stocks, ETFs, and options
Cons
Best perks (high APY, lower margin rates) require Gold subscription ($5/month)
Public: Stocks, Bonds, and Crypto With High-Yield Cash
Public is another all-in-one investing app that covers stocks, ETFs, bonds, and crypto. A standout perk is that uninvested cash earns 3.3% APY as of early 2026, with no minimums, no fees, and no hold periods, which is more than many high-yield savings accounts pay.
Public leans toward long-term investors who want a tidy, research-friendly app rather than fast day trading. One limit to note: as of early 2026, Public does not offer traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, or 401(k) rollovers, so it is not the place for retirement accounts. Rates and features can change, so confirm current terms. Our Public.com review covers what it does well.
Public
Public
Investing for those who take it seriously. Invest in stocks, bonds, options, crypto & more.
Standout feature
A 5%+ yield Bond Account paired with 3.3% APY on cash — Public is one of the only consumer apps where idle and conservative money is treated as seriously as the equity portfolio.
Fees
Free
Pros
• Invest in stocks, bonds, crypto & more• Earn 3.3% APY* on your cash with no fees• 1% match when you transfer your portfolio• Lock in a 5%+ yield with a Bond Account
Cons
Customer support is in-app and email only, no phone
Best Dedicated Crypto Exchange Like Coinbase
If crypto is your main focus and you want deep coin support with strong regulation, a specialist exchange fits better than a generalist app.
Gemini: A Regulated Crypto-First Exchange
Gemini is one of the most regulated crypto exchanges in the United States, supporting 70 or more coins. Over time it has grown into a broader platform that offers digital assets, stocks, prediction contracts, margin, staking, and a rewards credit card.
Gemini's main weakness is cost: its ActiveTrader fees start higher than several competitors, so heavy traders should compare carefully. Still, if regulatory standing and security are your top priorities, Gemini is a serious Coinbase alternative. As with any exchange, only invest what you can afford to lose.
Gemini
Gemini
Buy, sell, and trade 70+ cryptocurrencies on one of America's most trusted and regulated exchanges. Founded by the Winklevoss twins, Gemini makes crypto simple and secure — plus get $15 in free Bitcoin when you trade $100.
Standout feature
Highly regulated exchange. Get $15 in free Bitcoin with $100 trade. 70+ coins available.
Fees
Free
Pros
One of the most regulated crypto exchanges. Strong security standards. Get $15 in free Bitcoin.
Cons
Higher fees than some competitors on the basic platform.
Other Coinbase Alternatives Worth Knowing
A few more apps round out the field depending on your style.
Kraken
Kraken is a long-running exchange popular with more active traders. It supports a wide range of coins and offers advanced trading tools, with maker-taker fees that are competitive for higher volumes. Its interface has a steeper learning curve than Coinbase's simple app.
Cash App
If you only want to buy and hold Bitcoin, Cash App keeps it simple. You can buy Bitcoin, set up recurring purchases, and even round up spare change, all inside an app you may already use for payments. It focuses on Bitcoin rather than a broad menu of coins.
How to Choose the Right Coinbase Alternative
Start with what you want to trade. If you want crypto alongside stocks and ETFs, an all-in-one app like Robinhood or Public keeps everything in one login. If crypto is your focus and you want many coins with strong regulation, a specialist like Gemini or Kraken fits better. For simple, Bitcoin-only buying, Cash App is hard to beat.
Then compare fees the way you will actually trade. Look at per-trade percentages, spreads, and whether an app offers a lower-fee advanced tier. For a broader starting point, see our guide to the best investing apps for beginners. Remember that lower fees do not remove market risk; crypto prices can swing sharply.
Next Steps
Pick one app that matches your goals, whether that is low-fee crypto, an all-in-one portfolio, or simple Bitcoin buying. Confirm the current fee schedule, verify the coins or assets you want are supported, and start with a small amount you can afford to lose while you learn the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best app like Coinbase?
The best choice depends on your goal. Robinhood and Public combine crypto with stocks in one app, Gemini and Kraken are dedicated exchanges with deep coin support, and Cash App suits simple Bitcoin buying. Compare fees and supported assets before you commit.
Which Coinbase alternative has the lowest fees?
Fees vary by how you trade. Robinhood's commission-free stock trading and modest crypto fees appeal to many users, while advanced tiers on exchanges like Kraken or Coinbase Advanced can be cheaper for high-volume traders. Always compare the per-trade percentage and spread for the assets you plan to buy.
Are apps like Coinbase safe?
Reputable platforms use encryption, two-factor authentication, and strong custody practices, and some, like Gemini, are heavily regulated in the United States. No platform removes market risk, though. Crypto is volatile, so use security features, enable two-factor authentication, and only invest money you can afford to lose.
Can I buy stocks and crypto in the same app?
Yes. All-in-one apps like Robinhood and Public let you hold stocks, ETFs, and crypto under one login, and Coinbase itself now offers commission-free stock and ETF trading. Combining assets in one app simplifies tracking, but check the fees for each asset type before you decide.
