Cryptocurrency apps are convenient tools for buying, selling and storing your crypto. However, there are numerous options, and each app has its own set of pros and cons. This guide looks at the best crypto apps available now to securely invest in your favorite coins.
Learn: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000
Top Cryptocurrency Apps
Here is a glance at some of the best crypto apps available today.
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Coinbase
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Crypto.com
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Gemini
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Uphold
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eToro
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SoFi
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Kraken
Keep reading to learn more about these apps, their pros and cons and what sets them apart.
1. Coinbase
One of the most popular options with over 108 million users, Coinbase makes this list for its ease. The platform is full-featured enough to work for beginners and offers Advanced Trade for more experienced users.
Because of its user-friendly interface, the Coinbase app is excellent for people who are newer to crypto trading. Low trading minimums start at $1 and a wide range of education on crypto is available.
Pros
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Free linked Coinbase Card.
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Earn free tokens for learning and taking quizzes on crypto.
Cons
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Only mainstream currencies, albeit over 200 of them, are available.
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Fees can be steep, and the pricing structure lacks transparency.
2. Crypto.com
Crypto.com is ideal for large-scale crypto traders. With a wide range of options available, Crypto.com has a fast-growing network in this space. Fees are assessed on volume, which is convenient for high-volume traders.
Pros
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Relatively low trading fees.
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250+ assets available in the U.S.
Cons
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App download is required for the best experience.
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No phone support is available.
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Fees for every withdrawal.
3. Gemini
Gemini is another of the best crypto apps thanks to its robust platform for beginners and advanced traders alike. Plus, it offers its own hot wallet if you don’t mind storing your tokens online.
Gemini places a big emphasis on keeping your investment safe, providing hardware keys to secure your account. Its hot wallet is backed by digital-asset insurance to keep your investment secure. Plus, it’s the first cryptocurrency exchange to become SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2 compliant.
Pros
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Allows MATIC and ETH staking.
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Earn crypto rewards at signup or when using the Gemini credit card.
Cons
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Only about 100 cryptocurrencies are available.
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No phone support.
4. Uphold
Uphold offers over 250 cryptocurrencies to trade, along with metals and 40 U.S. stocks. It doesn’t have the biggest variety of crypto, but it features all the major tokens the newer trader may be interested in. Uphold’s user-friendly and straightforward platform is best for beginner-to-intermediate crypto investors.
You can set up recurring limit orders through the AutoPilot option, or use it to invest a fixed amount at your chosen time intervals. This strategy is called dollar-cost averaging, and it helps to reduce some of the volatility associated with crypto trading. Plus, you can stake select currencies to earn as much as 13% in rewards.
Pros
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Trading between asset classes is possible.
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Easy-to-navigate online and mobile-app platform.
Cons
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No trading commissions, but watch out for the spreads averaging 0.9% to 1.2% and the $0.99 transaction fee.
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Staking rewards subject to a 3% to 34% commission, reflected in displayed annual percentage yield estimate.
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Support limited to an online form.
5. eToro
EToro is known for social investing, a way to learn more about how others trade by viewing what more experienced investors buy and sell. A crypto exchange with a similar concept is now available, making it possible to copy others’ strategies — or follow your own — using over 50 cryptocurrencies and thousands of stocks and exchange-traded funds.
The platform is geared toward newer investors, with plenty of learning resources and the mentioned ability to copy what more experienced traders do. You can get started with a $100,000 virtual account for practice. Advanced traders may also find the features they need, including advanced charts and the AlgoX API Trading Program, a professional crypto exchange with additional assets available.
Pros
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View and copy trades from more experienced users using CopyTrader.
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EToro’s crypto wallet has an “unlosable” security key to secure the account.
Cons
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Using CopyTrader isn’t advised unless you have a good understanding of crypto.
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A fee of 1% on all transactions plus spread costs.
6. SoFi
SoFi is best known for banking and loans but also offers a basic crypto-trading platform. It’s fairly limited, offering only 30 of the most-recognized tokens. However, beginners interested in trading with a recognized financial institution could find the small number of crypto options acceptable.
SoFi’s crypto structure is on the pricier side but fairly straightforward. There’s a 1.25% markup fee on transactions. Trading volume is limited to $100,000 per day, making it a good choice for getting started with crypto, but it’s not well-equipped for more advanced traders.
Pros
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Get up to $100 in bitcoin at signup.
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User-friendly app.
Cons
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Only 30 coins are available.
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$10 minimum purchase is larger than average.
7. Kraken
Kraken is one of the older options of the best crypto apps available — it’s been around since 2011. Kraken’s platform is a good option for new users, featuring a user-friendly mobile and online experience.
Advanced traders can take advantage of the basics plus margin accounts and multiple exchanges on one platform. Signing up for Kraken Pro can save frequent buyers and sellers money on transactions. Pro trade fees are based on monthly volume with a 0.16% maker fee or 0.26% taker fee on the first $50,000 and dropping for higher volume.
Pros
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Among the best crypto apps for advanced traders.
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Live chat available.
Cons
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Fees can add up for basic users, with 2% on NFT transactions, bank funding fees in New York, Washington and Texas up to as much as 3.75%, plus 25 cents in payment processing fees when you use a credit card, debit card or digital wallet. Margin fees are extra — 0.01% to 0.02% when you open a position and each time it rolls over in four-hour increments.
What Is a Cryptocurrency Exchange and How Does It Work?
A cryptocurrency exchange is similar to a stock exchange where buyers and sellers trade crypto. Depending on the exchange, you can purchase crypto with fiat currencies like U.S. dollars or trade one crypto for another.
What Should You Look at When Choosing a Cryptocurrency Exchange?
While choosing a crypto exchange, you should look for factors like security, ease of use, liquidity, tokens availability, trading fees and insurance availability. Based on your specific needs, conduct thorough research before choosing one.
Features of the Best Cryptocurrency Apps and Exchanges
Most of the best crypto apps have the following features:
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Industry-leading security mechanisms
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Availability of a large number of coins
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Smooth user interface
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Great customer support
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Educational resources
Final Take
Since there are many crypto exchanges available, you have to figure out which features are important for you. Beginner investors and professional traders have different needs, which is why you should make your choice carefully. Compare your options and consider the fees and availability before making a decision.
FAQ
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Which crypto app is the safest?
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The Gemini app may be the safest crypto app. Users receive a hardware security key for access. Plus, it’s the first crypto exchange to become SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2 compliant.
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What is the best crypto app to use?
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Because of its ease of use and security, Coinbase is one of the best crypto apps.
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Which is the best crypto app for beginners?
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Binance, eToro and Coinbase can be regarded as great crypto apps for beginners.
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Are cryptocurrency apps safe?
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All crypto apps have advanced underlying security mechanisms, which makes them as safe as possible for users. However, it’s still important to keep an eye out for scams and store your crypto safely when you’re not actively trading.
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What’s the difference between a cryptocurrency exchange and broker?
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A crypto broker acts as an intermediary between the market and the traders, while crypto exchanges facilitate crypto transactions by mediating among traders.
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What are the costs to buy cryptocurrencies?
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Most crypto exchanges charge around 0% to 1.5% per trade, which means for every $1,000 you spend for crypto investment, you will end up paying up to $15 extra.
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Are cryptocurrencies legitimate?
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Cryptocurrencies are legal in the U.S. However, most businesses do not yet accept crypto as a means of payment.
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Suchetana Bhattacharyea and Daria Uhlig contributed to the reporting for this article.
Information is accurate as of Jan. 12, 2022.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 Best Cryptocurrency Apps of January 2023
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